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Persevere or Burnout Blog Share
The last two+ years have been some of the most difficult for church leaders than ever before. Do you find yourself thriving, just making it, or burned out? Check out these two blog posts. 1 8 Ways to Persevere in Ministry from LifeWay Research helps us become smart in our leadership perseverance. 2 Carey Nieuwhof gives us some signs to look out for in How to Burn Out in 6 Easy Steps! Ask God to help you persevere in the calling He has given you as you avoid sinking into burnout! Banner photo by Kinga Cichewicz on Unsplash
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He’s Still the Same
Today a friend shared a song with me that I’d never heard. It is Just As Good. Maybe it is one you are familiar with, but I wasn’t, and I fell in love with it. Please listen and watch this video. I hope this encourages you as it has me. I only need to remember the past faithfulness of God to walk into each day, especially when things are hard. Here is part of the refrain that spoke loudly to me: And I will build an altarAnd stack it stone by stone‘Cause every Ebenezer says I’ve never been alone I looked up the definition of Ebenezer and this is what…
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We Never Stop Learning
Whoever said we can put down our “books” and cease learning and growing at a certain age is just plain wrong!! We do not get to say, now that I’m (you fill in the blank) years old, I know it all and I can say and do anything I want…like we have it all figured out. The enemy of our lives wants us to believe that. The Lord knows it’s false and continues to call us forward in our walk with Him and others as long as we breathe. It’s easy to fall into the mindset that we’ve lived longer, we’ve read more, we’ve experienced more….so what can the Bible,…
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A New Year…And?
I just reflected on where my thoughts and heart were this time last year. Here was my new years post then, What’s Ahead. Now I’m looking into 2022 and wondering again what this year will bring. We cannot predict this new year anymore than we could 2021. We aren’t allowed perfect predictions of the future. We have no idea the wonderful experiences we will have, nor the pains and losses. We can make plans, we can dream and pray, but only the Lord sees every day of 2022 completely. So, what do we do? Simply put, yet so profound, is that we trust the sovereignty of The One who does…
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Christmas Blessings!
My prayer for each of you is that you end 2021 with joy in your heart, no matter the circumstances you are in this Christmas, knowing our Sovereign Christ understands and has purpose. And I pray you anticipate growing deeper in your walk with the Lord in 2022. May you truly experience His peace over your life this Christmas. Banner photo by Toni Cuenca on Unsplash
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Yes, More Great Blogs!
As you know, if you have read my posts before, I love to share what I’m reading that I have found helpful. Today I share several I believe you will find helpful. (By the way, this banner photo reminds me, warmer weather will come! I am seeking to be grateful for the cold weather and dead looking trees during this winter, but I always look forward to the spring days when I see new leaves beginning to break out onto those trees again!) 1 I love reading about leadership and one of my fav bloggers is Carey Nieuwhof, so I am sharing a great post he write that I believe…
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The Waiting
I’m in the second week of an Advent study I am doing with my women’s life group, preparing my heart for Christmas. It never gets old to consider the arrival of Christ in the flesh. What if He hadn’t come? I can’t even imagine the feeling of loss and yet, waiting for the promise to be fulfilled in the arrival of the Savior. Imagine the Israelites hearing NOTHING from God for 400 years, Malachi to Matthew! Silence. The most deafening silence they’d probably ever heard. Then…the angels announce the arrival of the baby born miraculously to Mary and Joseph, the long awaited Messiah! Advent means “waiting for the coming of…
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When It’s Hard
We’ve just celebrated Thanksgiving and have been challenged to stop our busy lives for a season of remembering all we have to be thankful for. Yes, most of us have also overindulged in amazing food and fellowship as well. Perhaps your perfect family around the Thanksgiving table was less than perfect. Maybe it was even painful. Maybe you were alone How are we thankful when it’s hard? We know the passage: …give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 When we are struggling, fearful, hurting, criticized, or humbled in some way, being thankful is not normally the first thing we think…
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Empty Nest? What’s That, and How Will I Handle it?
When I married at 19, then had twins at 25, I never even considered this question. But, it’s never too early to realize, for those who have children, that this day would, and should, eventually become a reality. Today, I am sharing with you a post I wrote for LifeWay Women. I pray this will encourage you to see this stage as something amazing and wonderful. Pray and ask God what you need to begin doing TODAY as you think about empty nest! Banner photo by Robert Thiemann on Unsplash
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Unfilter Your Faith: Lessons From a Social Media Fast #5
This is the final post in this Social Media Fast series. Feel free to go back and read the first 4. I wonder if any of you who have chosen to read this blog series are struggling in your spiritual journey? Looking at events around you in fear and doubt? Are you struggling to hear from God? Perhaps, like my daughter, you need to “unfilter” something in your life so you can hear more clearly. By the way, she has held true to her keeping notifications off and limiting time on social media for this week! I asked her how it as going, and it has been something she has…
