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Important Peace Verses to have the best New Year
Peace is a great word for a coming new year. I’ll face many changes, trials, & joys. Resting in these peace verses will help me stay in God’s perfect peace, putting on the armor of God each day, no matter what it brings. After a couple of difficult years, I’ve learned to stay in God’s word and keep important verses written on my heart so I am prepared for the difficulties life throws at me. The word that I want to carry into the New Year is Peace. A few years ago, I wrote about the challenges of the prior year, hoping that 2017 would be less challenging, but that…
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Boldly Reclaiming Joy in the after Christmas Crash
In the days after Christmas, the enchanting excitement of anticipation has faded. Boxes lay littered around the house. Piles of once demanded gifts lay in heaps waiting for someone (i.e. ME) to restore order. And I’m really tired. I did the browsing, the planning, the shopping, the wrapping, the baking (9 types of cookies & homemade cinnamon rolls), the advent celebrating, the 24 books of Christmas reading. I even managed to get Christmas cards in the mail – mostly in time for pre-Christmas delivery. In the midst of it all, I did my best to be present and enjoy the fleeting magical days of my daughter’s childhood. But if your…
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Last Minute Ways to Make Christmas Magic
It took me a long time to realize what made Christmas magic in my home growing up. In fact, I don’t know that I really realized exactly what it had been until 2017. And every year, I spend more and more time thinking about why I’m so sentimental about Christmas. I realize now, it didn’t cost a lot and even if you only have a few days before Christmas, anyone can make the kind of magic that makes the holiday season a special time for your children. I only remember a handful of gifts, but the feeling of that childhood Christmas magic will never be lost for me. My mom…
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Solving Family Conflict in a Christ Pleasing Way
Family conflict is especially hurtful. We know the world at large will hurt us, but expect our family to be a safe place. We hope our family loves, respects, values, treasures us. So when family conflict surfaces, we are often surprised and find ourselves deeply wounded. But when we are hurt, we usually don’t respond well. Our first instinct is to get defensive. Our second is to wound back or withdraw. Neither response strikes at the heart of the conflict or reflects Christ. And families often gather at already stressful times: weddings, funerals, holidays. Emotions are already running high. One careless word can ignite a firestorm if we don’t focus…
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The Best Christmas Books You Need in Your Home
These are some of the best Christmas books you need if you love reading with your children. It is one of my favorite times to share with my daughter. I I especially love sitting around the tree with Christmas music softly playing as we read together as a family. One low maintenance tradition we celebrate each Christmas is the 24 books of Christmas. From December 1-24, we open and read together one Christmas or winter book everyday. Wait – I though you said LOW MAINTENANCE?!?! I know 24 books doesn’t SOUND low maintenance, but this really is pretty easy. I buy one fairly large gift bag and a package of…
