Encouragement
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Are You Being Called?
My friends, I want to tell you a story. Right after I recommitted my life to Christ, I found a wonderful church that welcomed me and my two young daughters. I was so grateful for this place to grow in my faith, to learn more about Jesus and to see my daughters also nurtured in…
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Hope For You, Mom!
Today I want to share a story with you that deeply touched me and Dineen. Below is a note I received from a young woman who is married and yet to have children. Her name is Stone. Dineen and I have come to know her and her story over the last several months as Stone…
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Spread the Love!
My friends, I'm on a love journey. When I was a little girl and a teenager, I believed love was the greatest force of all. That love conquered all. Though I can look back and see that this was Abba working in my life in so many ways, I didn't know Him and defined love…
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Weekend Worship – Ascribe Unto the Lord
My friends, let's give Teresa special thanks and prayers for her work this past week. She not only wrote those amazing posts for us, but she was also writing in the comments and encouraging so many of us. Thank you, Teresa! You have served the SUMites with such grace and generosity! We are so blessed…
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A Fast Finish
And now we come to the last day of our SUMite community fast for 2014. For whatever degree you were able to participate, congratulations. I hope that this has been a good experience for you. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: - 2 Timothy 4:7 But…
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Fast Forward
Are you experiencing a special closeness to the Lord at this point in the fast? Are you gaining insight through contemplation? Have you picked one word to focus on this year (See the post from Monday.) Take notes of any insights so you can reflect on them later this year. Savor this experience. As Christians,…
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Holding Fast
How are you feeling on day 3 of our SUMite community fast? Are you a little shaky? Hang in there. In fact (please forgive the pun), hold fast to the Lord. If you carefully observe all these commands I am giving you to follow – to love the Lord your God, to walk in all…
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What Happened in 2013?
My friends, as we draw closer to our fast next week, I think it’s important that we look back and see what happened over the year. I love to look back at what I wrote in January before during our 2013 fast and see what promises and words Abba gave me came to fruition. And…
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Weekend Worship – The Post I Didn’t Expect to Write
I’d expected a Christmas full of excitement and expectation, but it turned out very different than what I’d expected. My friends, I always hesitate to share this kind of stuff because I only want to be an encouragement to you. But I’m trusting that in obeying His nudge to share this weird journey Abba will…
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Weekend Worship – Our Greatest Gift to Jesus
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. – Matthew 2:11 I've always read this verse in light of the gifts the Magi brought Jesus. Yet just this…
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How One RAK Inspired Another
My friends, a couple weeks ago I shared this post about my daughter Leslie and her amazing heart of generosity. Specifically her act of kindness in taking a Visa gift card she had received on her birthday and giving it to a homeless person. What blows me away is how we are inspired by these…
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Weekend Worship – My Random Act of Kindness (RAK)
It wasn’t an ordinary day for us. It was a landmark day. It was a day that would hold more meaning than I expected. Our agenda that day was to get Leslie’s yearly MRI done and behind us so we could focus on Thanksgiving. It’s routine now and thankfully down to a yearly check to…
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Thankful to be Thankful
My friends, I know we get a lot of stuff this time of year about thankfulness, but I have to share a story with you. I hadn’t even planned to post this week with the holiday, but this seemed the perfect time to share it. The last week or so has been tough. In all…
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Weekend Worship – Stand Strong in Jesus
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces…
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Moments in a Storm: A SUMite Testimony
My friends, today I want to share a wonderful story from one of our readers. Many of you know Dawn from the comments on our posts and see her heart's pursuit of Abba and His peace and hope as she walks through a storm right now. She mentioned a wonderful story about one of her…
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Weekend Worship – Letting Go
I had a day last week where I so desperately needed to hear from God. So much was going on and there was so much I wanted to get done and do that I felt overwhelmed by all of it. I’m sure you can relate. I really hate that feeling and I don’t use the…
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A Tale of Prosperity
My friends, I have some news to share and I’m so happy I can share it with you, especially since so many of you prayed for me and my family over our financial situation. But let me start at the beginning of this God-filled story. At the end of each year I begin praying for…
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Weekend Worship – Puppy Love
Let me tell you a story about a dog named Riley. Except that wasn't his name when we first met him. This wayward pup followed my husband and I one day as we walked the park. When we attempted to get a closer look and see if he had a collar, he dashed away. My…
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The Aftermath
My friends, today I will finish my Bethel story but I want you to know that this adventure is far from over. Our journey with God is an ongoing adventure that unfolds on a daily basis. I’m stunned at times to go back and read in my journal what I’ve written down and then forgotten!…
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Weekend Worship – A Holy Encounter?
My friends, on Wednesday I left you with my story about a young man Tyler who prayed over me. I want to talk more about the purpose of prophesy in the church down the road, but for now please check out 1 Corinthians 14:3 which says that prophesy is for edification and exhortation and consolation.…