• 08.07.2010 Things Unseen
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    “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, ESV

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  • 07.23.2010 Perspective Through Suffering
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    1. Many imprisonments 2. Beaten innumerable times 3. In danger of death 4. 39 lashes, 5x 5. 3x beaten with rods 6. 1x stoned 7. 3x shipwrecked 8. A night and a day spent in the deep 9. Danger from rivers 10. Dangers from robbers 11. Dangers from the Gentiles 12. Dangers in the city 13. Dangers on the sea 14. Dangers among false brethren 15. Labor and hardship through sleepless nights 16. Hunger and thirst, often without food 17. Cold and exposure and, if that were not enough… 18. Daily pressure of concern for the churches (from 2 Corinthians 11: 23-28) Do you relate to Paul’s list? I don’t either. At least not as I read through the first 17 of his sufferings. Why, then, do we often feel our struggles so severe and overwhelming? Perhaps the Apostle Paul summed it up clearly when he saved the most poignant […]

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  • 07.20.2010 Out the Door
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    Pick up some milk. Gas up the car. Don’t forget the library books! Meeting at 8 o’clock. Water the flowers. Don’t you have lists like this around your house? I recently found the neatest little chalkboard for my front entryway. ( I highly recommend the 1 minute installation process!) So much traffic goes in and out of our front door that it seemed practical to have a decorative place for lists, reminders, and important info for the kids. I stared at the blank slate, my mind racing with all the things I could make note of. But as I considered what reminder our family needed the most today, as we all head out the front door,  this is what I came up with: Grocery lists and reminders can wait. Today, we need the exhortation to trust in the Lord and leave the fear of man far behind. Can’t leave home […]

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  • 05.19.2010 The Worth of a Soldier
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    A quick survey among friends and family would reveal that at this very moment, someone you love is enduring a trial. Perhaps I am someone you love. Several weeks ago I shared with a friend, an older woman in the faith, of how I am consistently pursuing a new area of obedience in my life—an area that has been developed for years in hers. Her response: “You know what’s coming right? Trials and suffering.” She was right. And I was prepared…sort of. As a follower of Christ, I so often think I am fortified for trials; and yet, I’m somehow always caught off guard–surprised even–that my faith might be refined and my trust in Him tested. I recently reached for a pen while listening to a message by John MacArthur on the radio, and jotted this down: The worth of a soldier is never realized in times of peace. This […]

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  • 05.13.2010 A Reminder to Press In and Press On
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    Are any of you still members of the 5:45 Club? I was thinking of you when I awoke with the alarm this morning, while asking God for the ability to look past the sleepiness, but to the joys that lie ahead. I generally disbelieve that I will stick with any goal that I set for myself, so it comes at a great surprise to me that I’ve consistently seen the sunrise for the last several weeks. As with any goal set, there is always the initial surge of motivation, followed by a slipping of diligence that often leads to a deflated throwing in of the proverbial towel. I pray you are not there…whatever your goal or goals may be. The Apostle Paul said: “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:27) While the ancients took […]

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  • 05.03.2010 Treasure That Bears Fruit
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    If our treasure is here on earth, then everyday of our lives we are moving further away from our treasure, resulting in fear and uncertainty. If our treasure is in heaven, then everyday of our lives we are moving closer to our treasure, resulting in hope and confidence. I don’t know why I’ve never thought of life this way. How much this sheds light on why there have been times in my life I’ve feared death or felt ambivalent towards heaven. These thoughts were the crux of one message shared by Randy Alcorn this weekend at a conference we were privileged to attend. The sadness over our missing dog was temporarily eclipsed by the wise teachings of Dr. Wayne Grudem and Randy Alcorn, addressing issues of earth (money, business, suffering, poverty), as well as treasures and glories of heaven that await us. My husband was invited to a pastors’ lunch […]

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  • 04.26.2010 The 5:45 Club
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    Today’s post is a call for change in my life and yours. I’ve been up since 5:45am. Even as I write this, I empathize with all of you who may have slept fitfully last night through many disruptions by young ones in your home. You may have endless tasks before you today, of which I can empathize as well. You may feel overwhelmed, and the day has not yet even begun–I’ve been there, and praise God, I want to share a little bit of encouragement with you. What we treasure and prioritize is evidenced through how we spend our time. While we seek to have time in the Word each day, sometimes we can lack the sweet fellowship of communing with Him as a steady means of provision, rather than a dutiful reaction to the hectic pace of our lives. I’m perennially burdened for the desire to seek first the […]

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  • 03.29.2010 5 Ways to Make Passion Week Count With Your Kids
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    My love preached a compelling message yesterday from Matthew 21:1-11. It was the triumphal entry of Christ–the Messiah, the Son of David…and by week’s end, he would be beaten and killed, mockingly hailed the “King of the Jews.” Though we celebrate this event as Palm Sunday, he shared some views on why the Lord’s entry into Jerusalem could have very likely been on a Monday. This one thought has stuck with me since he shared it: The passover lamb, the spotless, unblemished sacrifice was brought into each Jewish home on the Monday of Passover week. Little did they know, the Lamb of God, the perfect, righteous One was entering the “home” of Jerusalem that very Monday, preparing to shed blood that would cover over the sins of all who would believe. Perhaps you, too, desire that your children know the magnitude of Resurrection Sunday…that it may be significant to them […]

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  • 03.18.2010 He Hearts The BibleStick
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    Number 1 is celebrating a birthday this week, and received a BibleStick from my dear friend–his “Auntie” Tara (who works at Hosanna-Faith Comes By Hearing, the makers of the BibleStick.) The boy is crazy about Legos, and Jeeps, but to our delight, he has always loved the Word of God. He received an ESV Bible at Christmas, and has faithfully read it daily. And now…he’s inseparable from his new BibleStick. He listens intently… …and concentrates so much … …that he is often oblivious to the world.

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  • 02.03.2010 Guest Post by The Preacher: A Home Saturated In God's Word
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    I received an email from a reader sometime before the new year regarding how our family seeks to lead our  children to the Word of God. Though we corresponded months ago, she gave me permission to share part of her email on this post: My husband and I have been talking tonight about the spiritual disciplines of our family.  Many times, we find ourselves coming up with creative ideas for family devotionals, worship, etc. but our follow-through is lacking.  We would like to do more with our boys (aged 9 and almost 6) than just the nightly family devotional…We also don’t want it to be stale or to end up primarily being about character issues we’re unhappy with…I thought of you and your husband.  Is your husband doing specific things as he leads your family that you can share? I hope you don’t mind me asking this personal question.  Our […]

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  • 01.07.2010 Worry and Rest
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    It’s a new year, and while many of us are starting afresh with new goals and a fresh outlook, some things have inadvertently followed us into the new year. If worry is one these uninvited tag alongs, listen to what Paul David Tripp reminds us from Psalm 4 and Matthew 6: Worry and rest always reveal the true treasures of your heart. You will rest the most when what you treasure the most is secure, and you will worry the most when what you treasure the most is at risk. What does your world of worry reveal about the true treasures of your heart? In the cave, David had it right when he said, “For you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Ps. 4:8). It’s as if David is saying, “My peace isn’t found in locations, relationships, or circumstances; it is found in the Lord. Because it is, I […]

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  • 12.01.2009 Grand Opening
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    It’s in the shop! I’m excited to announce that GraceLaced Shoppe is {finally!} open for business! For all you locals who’d like to see the handmade goodies up close and personal, I am currently featured as the “Artist of the Month” for December at Hip Stitch. Thank you to those of you who’ve encouraged me toward this little endeavor. I have always dreamed of sharing my artistic giftings for both inspiration and financial contribution. There is a season for everything, and in every season a different focus.  I read through Proverbs 31 today, asking the Lord to grant me the balance, wisdom, and diligence seen there, in this endeavor and all others. My season continues to be motherhood, but am blessed to see ways in which I can learn to model the industriousness and priorities of the Proverbs 31 woman. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. […]

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