Simple Living, Homeschooling, Faith, Homemaking, & Books
“Truth without love is brutality, and love without truth is hypocrisy.” Warren Wiersbe
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We're currently standing on the precipice of something we cannot fully explain. We can sense it's coming because it's impossible to miss the signs that things are not right. At the same time, we don't know how this "thing" will unfold. We can't even name this thing we see right before us. We don't know how it will impact us as individuals, …
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My blogging friend, Dianna, often uses the phrase "Head down, blinders on" to encourage us to focus on what we have set out to do. I've been dutifully applying it this month. If you look at what I've posted in June, you'll see it hasn't been much. I have been adding content to the forum from time to time. I've also kept up with obligations I had …
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When you read the title of this post, I would guess you had a reaction that went along with your already formed opinion about Christians watching movies with sex. Maybe even a strong opinion. I have a rather strong opinion about this, too. In fact, my opinion was strengthened due to what I'm going to share with you today. I received access to …
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I've written before about sentimental items. It's a fairly common phenomena that people have a difficult time letting go of things because of the emotions attached to them. It might be a special gift from someone or a memento of a specific event. Whatever the underlying reason, people keep items because of past associations connected with …
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Before I got out of bed this morning, I was thinking about everything going on in our family life, the life of my country, and the world. I came back to a truth I've written about time and again. Trusting in God's restraining hand of love in my life. This time I contemplated it from a bit of a different perspective. In the past, I've usually …
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I told several people close to me that for the first time I really feel like my site reflects who I am. I'm at peace with what I've created and where things are going. I'm more than at peace. I'm truly excited. Except there is one thing I have to address to be at complete peace and feel completely free. It has to do with women in the church, why …
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I chose Beautify as my word for 2020 for a few reasons. One, as a statement against the ugliness of the culture at this moment. Two, as a reminder of the real need I have for beauty in my life. Three, to spur me on to not just think about beauty, but to also use it as a measuring stick for how I choose to live each day, what I purchase, what I read …
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I don't always choose a word for a new year, but as I was developing my goals for 2020 (which I'll be sharing another day), I started thinking about a word that encapsulated so much of what I was thinking about and planning for the year ahead. I settled on "Beautify" for 2020. This was not actually my first idea. The first word I seriously …
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I admit that I struggle to maintain regular prayer times. I send up many quick prayers for guidance throughout the day on a regular basis so my thoughts are never far from God and my need for His presence and help. We pray before each meal and with Caroline at bedtime. And we pray as things come up that we know we need prayer for in the moment. But …
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Listening is a skill that we must develop. Unless we are deaf for some reason, we all hear. But very few people become skilled listeners. I remember teaching the twelve students in my first classroom how to listen. I created activities to do with them that required them to listen and process information carefully. This group of third, fourth, …
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Christmas is the time we celebrate the greatest story ever told - the story of a baby sent to earth who would become the Savior. There is no story we could ever read that could replace the account of the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus. During the next few weeks at this Christmastime, I invite you to join me in reading and meditating on the …
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We have a large wooden sign that hangs in our family room. It says: "Let us be silent, so that we may hear the whisper of God." Ralph Waldo Emerson I value quiet time with my thoughts. Not only do I value it, I need it. I need it to process and hear myself think. I need quiet so I can hear God speak. Although God can speak above the …
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Whenever I approach a challenge, my natural inclination is to simplify. I immediately ask myself how I can adjust the situation or my attitude to make it seem less overwhelming. I think the Christmas season can qualify as a challenge for many of us. So how do we simplify at Christmastime? It's the most wonderful time of the year, especially …
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I realize it is going to be challenging to write this post without coming off like a total jerk. But I'm going to try. I also want to apologize to the people who sent really kind emails and haven't received a reply. I simply wasn't in the mood to write emails this weekend. But I truly appreciated them. Some of them made me laugh out loud. Some of …
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I started writing a post last spring when Warren Wiersbe and Rachel Held Evans died within a few days of each other. To say their lives ended up being radically different is not an overstatement. I wrote a bit and then set it aside since I did not think it was the right time. Generally when this happens I discover later there is a reason. I think …
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This week I came across some things online that made me realize I wanted to make sure people understand something important about my podcasts. If you find that women's empowerment movements, books, conferences, and the like leave you feeling discouraged and inadequate, then you are not alone. And you are in the right place. Listen to the …
