Discipleship

grief. learn lessons

Why We Should Linger with Loss and Grief

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]It was a beautiful summer day, full of joy and peace until sorrow invaded like a conquering army. The tragedy was devastating, and I wept as I adjusted the ropes that held the flag and eased it down the pole. I stood back and saluted, hesitated to leave because of the grief represented by the lowered […]

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Seek and Find: Maggie and the Relentless Search

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Maggie the Wonder Dog is usually the most placid of early-morning risers. She wakes up just enough to go outside for a quick potty trip, then hurries back upstairs to snooze on the end of the bed while I study, write, shower, and get dressed. Mornings are not her favorite. Today, however, I

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gratitude

One Practical Way to Appreciate the Amazing Year Ahead

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]My gratitude Jar project started in late 2015. Small slips of paper on which were written notes about answered prayers, evidence of God in my life, and things for which I was grateful went in the jar throughout the year. The stack of papers grew a little more every year. On New Year’s

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How to Change 2018 from “Just Getting By” to Simply Amazing

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]2018 is only a few hours old, and we’ve already begun to spend the year. Sleep, food, exercise, family, work, friends, fun, and faith. We’ll fill this year with so much, but what will we accomplish with the time we’re given? Some of us will do amazing things. Others will barely get by.

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be still and know

When You’re Too Busy to Be Still but Rest Isn’t Optional

It felt strange to maintain digital silence during my three-week-long trip to the Middle East, especially when I’m so dependent on the prayers of my online tribe. It still does. Because of security reasons, however, I had no choice. I still don’t. Although I can’t share the details of the trip online, I can share

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forgive and forget

The Capture-Bag: When Letting Go of Hurt and Anger is Way Past Due

[vc_row unlock_row=”” row_height_percent=”0″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][vc_column_text] I was at the bedside of a dying woman some years ago. In her last few days, she talked about her brother. She didn’t describe what he’d done, but she was still angry more than 75 years later.

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Well done good and faithful servant

Well Done Good and Faithful Servant

[vc_row unlock_row=”” row_height_percent=”0″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”80″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][vc_column_text css_animation=”bottom-t-top”] The Unfaithful Servant Jesus told the parable of a master who entrusted a bag of gold coins to each of three servants. He didn’t give them detailed instructions. Instead, he trusted them to do

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