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Lean on Friends

January 18, 2013

No one is meant to walk alone through life. This painful journey is best walked in the company of good friends—people who will laugh, cry, vent, and grow with you through life’s adventures. I encourage you to invest time in these critical lifelines. Follow through on that lunch date, make the phone call, plan a weekend away, or rally your prayer team.

Excerpted from 99 Ways to Fight Worry and Stress by Elsa Kok Colopy

Daily Reflection: What is one step you can take today to build you friendship base?

NEWS: Liz Curtis Higgs & The Romans Project

January 17, 2013

a holy experienceTODAY:  On Ann Voskamp’s popular blog, A Holy Experience, best-selling author Liz Curtis Higgs unpacks Romans 1:1. Sharing fresh insights on every word of the verse, Liz also includes photos from her garden and a heartfelt word of encouragement.

Be sure to follow Liz’s own Bible Study blog each Wednesday this winter as she walks through the pages of Embrace Grace.

God’s Time

January 17, 2013

“Although I felt God was present and holding me, I was still entirely conscious of my predicament and my surroundings. I was able to feel the current pushing and pulling my body and feel the pressure of the water. I could not see anything or hear anything but I was acutely aware of everything that was happening around and within me. I was comfortable, calm, and marveled at God’s presence.
[…]
As I waited under water, I thought about and analyzed my life; its course, my choices, my joys, and my regrets. I thought about everything. Eventually, I thought about how bored I was. I was tired of thinking and tired of waiting; I was ready to get on with the journey, whatever that was meant to be. With the assurance that all would be okay regardless of [ … ]

NEWS: “Cleaning House” Author Discusses Teenage Suicide in New York Times’ Motherlode

January 16, 2013

Cleaning House author Kay Wills Wyma discusses teenage suicide in the New York Times Motherlode blog.

Wyma discusses the possible role responsibilities may play in helping to prevent the growing statistics and trend. To read her entire post “Could Responsibilities Help Prevent Teenage Suicide?” click here.

 

Put Your Faith in Action this Year

January 16, 2013

unstoppableword

Putting Your Faith in Action by Nick Vujicic

Having faith, beliefs, and convictions is a great thing, but your life is measured by the actions you take based upon them. You can build a great life around those things you believe and have faith in. I’ve built mine around my belief that I can inspire and bring hope to people facing challenges in their lives. That belief [ … ]

Children Playing

January 16, 2013

I recall sitting in a church service with my parents when I was very young, listening to the minister invite people to come to the front for prayer. People went forward (some were crying as they did), knelt, and prayed. When they finished they returned to their seats, and I noticed a distinct change in them. They were happy and at peace. I looked to my dad for an explanation, but he only motioned me to be silent.

Finally a day came when I looked to my dad, and he bent down to speak. “Would you like to go forward?” he asked. I nodded my affirmation. Like those who had gone before, I knelt, prayed, and cried. Before long I felt better too, and I sensed the time had come to return to my seat. My dad smiled. My little [ … ]

Graceless Christians

January 15, 2013

“I want to encourage you to simply believe in your own possibilities and stay the course as you pursue them! I’m amazed at how often we stand in awe of the accomplishments of others, as though we cannot achieve similar things. If you find yourself doing this, I encourage you to stop looking at what everyone else has accomplished and begin appreciating your own talents, experiences, abilities, and potential.”
 
Excerpted from Putting a Face on Grace by Richard Blackaby

Daily Reflection: As you start out this new year, what can you do to reclaim the wonder of what God’s grace has done for you?