Holidays
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The Best Father’s Day Gift for Your Husband
Is there a best Father’s Day gift for your husband? What is it? A tie? A grill? A fishing trip with his best friends? Nope, the best Father’s Day gift for your husband isn’t a thing. Woo hoo! You mean the best gift I can give my husband on Sunday is free??? Yep, it’s an attitude and you don’t have to wait for Father’s Day either. My husband really enjoys having nice grill tools and quality fishing gear. He loves a new graphic-t or pair of sturdy hiking boots. This CHiPs shirt is such a favorite, that when he stains one, I have to buy him another. But all those…
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Why Should You Give Up Something for Lent?
Why should you give up something for Lent? Maybe you shouldn’t. Lent is a HUMAN tradition that isn’t in the Bible at all. (But keep reading because there are some really powerful reasons I choose to.) And some Christian denominations have made Lent an ostentatious ritual that secures salvation or God’s blessing in our lives. John 20:31 ESV But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. Let me be clear. Salvation does not require you to give up something for Lent. Furthermore, it’s not a part of some magical How…
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The Best Praise and Worship Songs for Easter Weekend
Are you searching for ways to center your heart on praise and worship this holy weekend? These worship songs for Easter weekend are filling my home today. Taking a few minutes (or more) to get your heart focused on the meaning of this weekend is especially important. As a mom, holidays sometimes sneak up on me despite all sorts of mental notes not to let them. I find myself often racing through the things I have to do for the celebrations, and I don’t get to take the time to be still in Him. Today, a few songs have been just echoing in my heart and head as I’ve been…
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Should Protestants Participate in Lent?
Should Protestants participate in Lent? It’s Fat Tuesday and people are racing to decide what to give up for Lent. In Christian circles, I’ve seen a lot of debate over how to or who should participate in Lent. While my initial answer on this will be clear as mud, hopefully it will make sense to those in the same place I am spiritually. The answer is yes and no. No, they SHOULD not. The Bible doesn’t outline Lent as a requirement of the faith. We need to be cautious in adding things to what the Bible says salvation requires. John 20:31 ESV But these are written so that you may believe…
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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…
