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Believing Love
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.”—John 3:16 (NRSV) God loves you! Did you know that? Okay – if you are reading this…chances are that you did know that. But do you believe it? There…
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In Love’s Time
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law.”—Galatians 4:4 (NRSV) I will never forget finding out we were having our first child. I was still finishing up my masters and an internship at a church I had been serving at throughout college. We…
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Room Enough to Love
“While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped Him in bands of cloth, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”—Luke 2:6-7 (NRSV) We just had our third child. I remember when…
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Discipline of Joy
“I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”—Psalms 32:8 (NRSV) My boys hate to be disciplined. I guess, probably, most kids don’t like to be disciplined. But we do it as parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc…because we love the kid we are…
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Joy Decision
“The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.”—Psalms 33:11 (NRSV) Have you ever had to make a big decision in your life? It’s hard! Especially when it affects lots of different other areas of our lives. Maybe it was a big move, a job shift, adding to your…
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Joy in the Questions
“Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.”—Luke 1:38 (NRSV) When it comes time for the Advent season and thinking about the story of Christmas—Jesus coming to earth for all humankind…I often think of Mary and Joseph.…
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Unplanned Joy
“The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you will name him Jesus.”—Luke 1:30-31 (NRSV) I was thinking about Mary as I read this passage and her journey after she found out she…
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Companion of Peace
“I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”—John 16:33 (NRSV) I think it’s interesting that we see the word “persecution” in this translation. Persecution at its base is ill treatment or harassment. We have seen…
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In Peace We Trust
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”—John 14:27 (NRSV) Okay. I am just going to say it. This has been a very hard year. A year filled…
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Surpassing Peace
“So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and ponder them in…