Jesus
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Maintaining Promised Land Living? What Does That Mean?
Hey SUM family, Tiffany here! Maintain 1:to keep in an existing state (as of repair, efficiency, or validity) : preserve from failure or decline 2: to sustain against opposition or danger : uphold and defend 3: to continue or persevere in : CARRY ON, KEEP UP 4a: to support or provide for b: SUSTAIN 5: to affirm in or as if in argument : ASSERT Living 1: the condition of being…
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“It is Finished.”
Dear friends It's Ann here, and we've reached Friday, the very last day of Holy Week and the day where Jesus was eventually taken to his death. This particular year I have been thinking a lot about the visual signs of power in that last moment on the cross: "From noon until three in the…
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While in the Wilderness – Fasting Day Two
How did day one of the Fast go for you? If you didn't manage it yesterday don't beat yourself up — It's perfectly normal to have a few hiccups in this big exercise called fasting. Just dust yourself off, get back on the horse, and start afresh. Over here, so far so good. I've not…
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The Puzzle of the Gospels
By Ann Hutchison Jesus. There is so much swirling disagreement about him that my eyes sometimes widen at that. But this is all part of the package. Long ago, at Jesus's birth it was prophesied by a man called Simeon (Luke 2:34-35) that Jesus would be a "sign that would be spoken against." And so…
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When Someone Seems Impenetrable to the Gospel
Hello friends, Ann here! After our recent series on the Gospel, this week I'd like to share two specific words that God gave me a while ago about our activity in carrying the Gospel. I'll share one of these words today, the other on Friday, and I hope they help you along as they have…
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When The Past Comes Back To Haunt You
Hey SUM family, Tiffany here! Today I want to talk about guilt and shame. My children are now 7 and 8. Man how the time flies! In their earlier years (sadly even in the womb) I had some serious anger issues. I did not know how to control my temper. In many ways I was…
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But Will His Grace Cover….Me?
Hey SUM Family, Tiffany Here! I was reluctant to share this with you today; however, I hope to bring encouragement to those who may be struggling as well. I love my husband. I love my marriage. I love my SUM life. I am truly blessed! I had lunch with someone recently who I met a…
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Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place
“This isn’t what I married.” Said Bryce. “And there may come a point where I say to you enough is enough.” He stood by the chest of drawers suddenly seeming distant. I sat on the bed. My heart was pounding with fear. “Don’t you ever say to me you can’t give it up if I…
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In Our Homes We Are Fresh as a Daisy!
Hi dear friends, On Monday I talked about a particular feature of our Christian life in our homes: That on the one hand we're engaged in fierce battle against the powers of darkness; but on the other, much of our faith life is about enjoying the abundant life of Jesus by receiving his love and…
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Lynn Donovan – Where We Are Today
SUM Nation, Lynn Donovan here. Gang, it’s time to catch up with you. I’m going to share a few random thoughts. So grab your coffee, strap in, get ready. LET’S GO! First, I believe that as followers of Jesus, we are amid one of the most challenging seasons of our faith life. This feels especially…
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Faith Like a Child Hits Home
Hey SUM family, Tiffany here! I want to continue on with my Carter Crew Testimony. Let's begin with Easter 2021. I took my children to Good Friday service at church. I felt the Spirit prompting me to take them to "big church," as my kids call it. I was happily surprised when my son (who…
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Focus on Jesus, And … Things Bloom!
Dear SUMites, Ann here. I hope you enjoyed our little experience of walking together through Easter. I have to say it was a great discipline for me to focus solely on Jesus that week. On the topic of 'focusing solely on Jesus', when I first started writing for this blog a few years ago I…
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The Slithering Snakes of Holy Week
We've now got to the middle of Holy Week. My friends, one thing we see in the Gospels is that those Pharisees were an absolute pain in the backside! No, not just a pain. It's serious. Their rejection of Jesus is really, really bad. Really bad. Jesus shares pearls of wisdom that final week. His…
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Monday of Holy Week
It’s Monday of Holy Week in Jerusalem. With just three days to go before the crucifixion, Jesus is walking around Jerusalem ministering to others. In love. Miraculous, amazing Jesus. I cannot imagine the turmoil within his soul as he dug deep to carry out those last ministry tasks, knowing what he would endure next. At…
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Holy Week Here at SUM
Hi SUM family, Ann here. This time of year is ever so special. It’s a time when we lift our eyes collectively to the cross of Jesus. There’s such value in faith routines, and I know many of you have routines that you follow, year after year. For me, one treasured routine is to follow…
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Master, Are YOU Worried?
Hello friends, Ann here. I’ve had a little discovery this week that has totally made me smile, and I thought I’d share it. It’s to do with my husband: Bryce has a trait that can teach me a lesson or two about my walk with God. It’s this: He has not an anxious bone in…
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Pray This Prayer For Your Family and Marriage
There are times we need to lean on other’s prayers. And today, I have a prayer that God gave me recently to pray for my home and family. Lean on it. Pray it aloud in your prayer time. Pray it often. It truly is from the Lord. Save it in your notes on your phone.…
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May We Cling Tenaciously to Jesus
Dear friends, Ann here. With only a couple of days until Christmas I wanted to wish you a special time with your loved ones. And I know I speak on behalf of the rest of the team — Lynn, Ian, and Tiffany — in saying a heartfelt 'Merry Christmas' from us! Here is a beautiful…
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Four Simple Things To Change Your Perspective
Hey there SUM family, Tiffany here! On Monday I gave a little glimpse of what I have been enduring these past few months with work. I wasn’t sure how to put this into words but then I got the perfect illustration that came to me on Wednesday. I was at work. We were short staffed…
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THIS MAY STING! Sorry… Ahem, not sorry????
So, ya….. This post may sting. This is an area that I have confronted over and over again throughout my life. How do we walk through life and handle the disappointments, the let downs, the betrayals without slipping down the slippery slope into the dark abyss of bitterness? My friends, I’m telling you, this sly…