The Importance of Grace in Parenting

I could hear my seven-year-old happily singing from the bathroom as I loaded the dishwasher.  It was almost time to leave for school.  His big sister pointed out that he’d been in there a long time, and that he was probably getting into stuff.  It was the same suspicion I had.  His bathroom shenanigans were usually no more harmful than the occasional overzealous application of his Daddy’s cologne- and sometimes, he used way too much toilet paper, causing the toilet to overflow.  I’m an expert with the toilet plunger.  I have a lot of practice.

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Be Bold Girl: Daring to Hope

“I don’t really care if I get it or not. I just want to see what happens.”
How many times have you heard this phrase (or a variation of it) from someone you know? Maybe that someone was you. Did you believe it? Sometimes indifference is a mask for fear.

“Don’t get your hopes up.”
This is too often the response that many of us receive after setting a high goal. Why shouldn’t we have high hopes?

“Well, it’s all in God’s hands….”
There’s truth in this statement. God IS in control. But my feeling is, that too often, this phrase is used as an excuse, to avoid the work that’s required on our part, when we dare to hope for what we really want.

BEING BOLD MEANS DARING TO HOPE.

 

I'm guest writing for the #BeBoldGirl series at Rachel Britton.  To read the rest click here

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How to Trust Jesus Through the Great Unknown

Unknowns often make us uncomfortable. Yet they’re a big part of life.  Learning to accept that we can’t control and plan everything that happens to us or to those we love, is necessary if we want to experience the peace that God has for us. We can rest in the promises of God’s Word, trusting it when it says,

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Audacious: 5 Secrets of World-Changers

Wandering through a bookshop, several months ago, the title of a book caught my eye, Writing to Change the World, by Mary Pipher.  That’s a bold title, I thought.  I felt compelled to buy it.  Over the time I was reading the book I found myself doing something that felt a little crazy.  When visitors came into my home, if that book (with its bold title) was sitting in plain view, I would quickly turn it over or hide it. 

It felt audacious; to even read a book like that.

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Biblical Hospitality: 4 Basic Needs (and how to help)

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. -Mathew 25:35-40

The Bible verse above, from Mathew, is a practical “how-to” of hospitality.   I see four basic human needs that are directly addressed in this passage: food, clothing, shelter, and companionship.

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6 Truths About Biblical Hospitality

Hospitality is a topic that is near and dear to my heart.  I love inviting people into my home.  I enjoy menu planning and decorating.  I love eating good food…and my husband is a great cook (we make a good team on that front).

When we provide hospitality, we’re providing for the practical needs of others and showing love.

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