Grace
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River of Grace!
Hello Sumites, Ian from hot and humid Sydney here. Photo courtesy of pexels.com and Quang Anh Ha Nguyen I thought I’d tell you a story today. have a frustrating relationship with my mother-in-law. Lyn is a lovely lady and in the almost 30 years we’ve been in each other’s lives, our relationship has been awkward…
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Get Over It!
SUM family, today we have a guest post from one of our long-time SUMites, Jan Bittner. I'm so happy to hear her voice on here as she has walked a great story. So now, over to Jan: By Jan Bittner “Get over it,” I felt God say to me just a month after my husband…
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Chronicles of the Donovan Clan. Clan Update
Wow, I missed all of you so much while I was away frantically writing. But guess what? I’ve finished the basic manuscript, Marching Around Jericho, Praying Your Unsaved Spouse Into the Kingdom. Hallelujah. This is a radical book. It will stretch you and challenge every demon of complacency, doubt and religiosity. This book will place…
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My friends, I dare you to read this story differently today.
I messed up! I slipped up…. AGAIN…. I continue to be disappointed in myself because I have this sin, this ugly thing, that I battle on and off.I wonder, Is God mad at me? Is God disappointed with me? I want God to be pleased with me, perhaps he will bless me more if I…
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The Power of Receiving God’s Love
Hi SUMites, Ann here! I've been praying about what to write this week after our wonderful communal fast. I'm sure you're still reflecting on it as I am. Anyway, a phrase has kept coming to me for today's post, and it's this: One of the most important things you can do, in your place of…
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The Great Gifts of the Unequally Yoked
Hello SUM Nation: I just wonder…… Can you perhaps come to understand the unique and special blessings of the unequally yoked? I bet someone just read this and rolled their eyes? Anybody??? As a woman who has walked this journey now for more than two decades, I truly understand how very difficult it can be.…
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A Table Set For Victory
Hey SUM family, Tiffany Here. I pray that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! This is absolutely my favorite time of year. I love gathering with family, eating fantastic food and reflecting on all of the favor, mercy, and goodness of Daddy that has happened for the year. As I was thinking last week about what Holy Spirit wanted me to share,…
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Abiding and Abounding
Image courtesy of renjith krishnan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net Hello SUMite friends, Ian from Down Under here. I keep bumping into a recurring theme of how to do this Christian life well. I’ve probably made reference to it in previous posts. It has two elements to it, and different people use different terms to describe these elements.…
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Learning to Receive Love
Photo credit: Austin Neill Hi everyone, Ian from Sydney here. For most of my SUM married life I thought I was okay doing the Christian life on my own. I’m an introvert by nature and enjoy my own company and for a number of years struggled with being in crowded situations. I still do and…
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I Was A Drunk. What You Don’t Know!
Hi All! Lori Skipper here. I’m not sharing the following for accolades for myself but to show the greatness of our God. When I say I am like Paul, “the chief of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15), I am being very serious. I want to show you how God really does choose the foolish and…
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I Can’t Believe That JUST Happened!
Hey SUM Family, Tiffany here! I have a confession. These last couple months have been really hard! I have struggled with things that I haven't for a while – at least a year. Things I thought were long gone have resurfaced. Things that I just gained victory from – snatching up my money, time, effort,…
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How Sturdy Is Your Seat?
My friends, I loved your comments from my post on Monday. Several of you shared you would really like to know more about the Greek meanings of the words I’m researching, so please know that I’m thinking and praying about how to do that best. Right now I think a video would be easiest to…
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Lenten Reflections: Week 4 – Everyday Grace
Photo courtesy of gubgib/FreeDigitalPhotos.net As I’ve grown older I’ve come far more accepting of my mess. Not the physical one (I’m actually quite a tidy person) but the one in my heart and mind. We’ve all got some of it. One of the joys of Lent is intentionally spending time doing a spring-clean, self-examination in…
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Defending Our Mind
SUMites, we’ve just come out of our week of prayer & fasting. I must say I am blown away at how powerful this year’s fast seemed to be in our community. Abba is really taking us to new levels and places this year, my friends. Don’t be surprised if things continue to be revealed, shift…
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Politics And My Spouse
So, ahem ya! Not a topic that any sane person should delve into, however, I’m wondering how many of you are dealing with conflict at home because of differing views over the Presidential election in America? Anyone? I suspect I’m not alone. For those of you who are in harmony with your spouse over political…
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A 76-Year Love Dance With Jesus
My friends, can I just tell you how GLAD I am to be back at my desk and typing. I’m thrilled. After traveling in January, I came down with some serious illnesses and one in particular could have been devastating. I will share more about that as we move through the story I’m about to…
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The Light of Truth
My friends, I want to share a recent revelation with you. It was one of those moments that the truth of something I already knew finally hit all the way home. Have you had one of those moments-a suddenly moment-where something you thought you understood suddenly becomes clearer and more powerful? For me is it…
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Lent Reflections – The Cross
Photo courtesy of www.LumoProject.com We’re more than half way now. In a little over three weeks it will be Good Friday. The day Jesus went to the Cross, voluntarily, to die. For us. In the last few weeks I’ve been struck by a few songs that have emphasized the Cross and what Jesus did for…
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The Helmet of Salvation Defeats The Religious Spirit
What is salvation? I can bet you know the answer but the answer is so much bigger than you know. Can I ask you a few questions? Do you serve in church? Attend Bible study? Watch the babies during first service? Organize the potluck? Work tirelessly to organize the Christmas event? Do you feel like…
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Jubilee – The Restoration Puzzle
Community Fast together: September 14th: Rosh Hashanah Part I – the Promise of Jubilee Don’t you find it interesting that God established a Jubilee year? I mean really. He knew we would mess up. Make mistakes. Go into debt. Trade our Freedom for bondage. Under the Old Covenant He also established a Family Redeemer who…
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Even Bullies Need Love
Hello, SUMites! Welcome to week three of the Equipping Our Kids in a Contrary Culture series. This week I’m zeroing in on chapter six in our book, Not Alone, about Generous Kids. I share some stories in this chapter about my daughters, stories that are near and dear to my heart and one that nearly…