Blog

No Mountain Without the Valley

After climbing Humpback Rock Mountain, I marked all unpaved trails off my bucket list.
“Can we turn around and go back?”
Timmy, my husband, reached his hand down for me to grab and pull myself over one more rock.”

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A New Perspective on Pain

Some nights, I stay awake, unable to find a comfortable position with all the metal in my back. Last night, my legs wanted to run a marathon while I wanted to sleep. Our weather is daunting. Snow continues to fall this evening and bitter cold temperatures are expected, limiting my activity and increasing my pain.

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What’s Obstructing Your View?

Imagine you’ve waited all year for your beach vacation. Once in your room, you rush to open the draperies excited to see waves crashing, dolphins splashing in the distance, and seagulls diving for fish. Wait a minute! That’s not your view. All you see is a sand dune surrounded by sea oats. Your room with a view isn’t what you expected, and neither is life.
What stands before your mind’s eye right now? Definitely the corona virus has touched everyone, but what else blurs your vision? Struggles to make ends meet? A medical condition that refuses to cease? A broken relationship? A losing battle with depression, heartache, or grief?

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Have We Lost the Marvel of Easter?

John raced ahead of Peter, but he slammed on his brakes at the sight of the empty tomb. Impetuous as ever, Peter rushed past him. Reality slapped Peter right in the face, and he marveled at the sight.

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Resting in Hope

Imagine someone handed you a key to a life filled with hope. You would surely rush to that door and unlock it. You wouldn’t put it off until you had more time. If the door became stuck, you would give it a shove. Then you would safeguard the key by wearing it around your neck on a chain. You wouldn’t toss that precious key in the junk drawer.
Sadly, we have rushed over our focal verse trying to read three chapters daily. We haven’t parked there to consider its riches. Maybe we have given it a try, but it required extra time and effort.
Let’s unpack this verse beginning with the first word, “I.” Who sets the Lord before us. We do.

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When 24 Hours Aren’t Enough

I’m preparing a fabulous dinner. None of this convenience food. Everything is made from scratch. I’ve got the roast in the oven and I’m peeling potatoes. My sister is handling the rolls. A knock at the door sends a wave of panic through me. It’s the guest of honor!
Mary retreats to the living room to greet Him, leaving the rolls unattended. Tick, tick, tick, the clock counts down the minutes. Isn’t she coming back to help? Did she leave me in the kitchen to do everything by myself?
I step into the living room, and immediately, I realize Mary isn’t returning.

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Guide Dog Tales: God Still Heals

Timmy turned, looking in the back seat. His voice was one of shock. “Iva, what’s wrong? Your eyes are swollen!”
She hadn’t acted like herself when Timmy came home. She didn’t meet him at the door. She didn’t want to come with us as we hurried out the door to run an errand.
But now, back at home, it all made sense. Something was wrong. I coaxed her out of the car,

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