Becoming a mother, whether physical or spiritual, is a life-changing experience. Joy and hopefulness fill our hearts as we anticipate nurturing the child. Regrettably, the nurturing may terminate prematurely either by the death or the choice of the child. Kelsey will tenderly discuss the grief generated from losing a child through miscarriage or death. Since the Lord chose to have me remain single, I will concentrate on the lessons learned from experiencing spiritual prodigals.
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DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE SANCTITY OF LIFE FOR ALL TONGUES, PEOPLES, AND NATIONS?
The civil unrest of recent days drew my attention away from the ravaging effects of COVID-19 and toward the sanctity of life for all tongues, peoples, and races. I am challenged to ask, in relation to current events, “How do I daily practice a belief in the sanctity of life?”
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ARE YOU PRACTICING COMPASSIONATE HOSPITALITY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC?
As Kelsey and I craft this Post, COVID-19 is ravaging our world and dramatically altering life as we knew it. Listening to the media, viewing the statistics, and attempting to project into the future can cause us to suffer “spiritual amnesia” in relation to the application of our heavenly Father’s instructions relating to compassionate hospitality (literally, the love of strangers-Heb.13:2). If we allow Him to lift our eyes above the current circumstances we are reminded that we are to eagerly respond to them regardless of the raging Pandemic.
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DO YOU HAVE THE TECHNIQUES TO COMBAT MENTAL, PHYSICAL, AND SPIRITUAL FATIGUE?
“Sheltering-in” became the “new normal” almost a month ago. Daily, our lives are affected by the restrictions placed upon us by the local and federal government. Mental, physical, and spiritual fatigue is etched on the faces of thousands from government leaders to newly appointed home-school parents (I recently read that a mother new to homeschooling said she would never again vote “no” on a school bond issue!”) This Pandemic challenges us to pose the question, “Do I have the techniques to combat mental, physical, and spiritual fatigue?”
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HAVE YOU BEEN IMMUNIZED FOR SPIRITUAL COVID-19?
I received my Influenza Immunization as soon as it was available in the Fall of 2019. Having already obtained my Pneumonia injections, I thought I was well prepared for the forthcoming Influenza Season since, according to medical science, the vaccination was to assist in making me immune to the virus.
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DO YOU HAVE SPIRITUAL CATARACTS?
According to my ophthalmologist, a cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of your eye. It is a very common condition, afflicting more than 3 million cases annually in the United States. People who have cataracts experience cloudy vision that is a bit like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. This clouded vision makes it more difficult to read, drive a car (especially at night) or see the expression on a friend's face. Most cataracts develop slowly and don't disturb your eyesight in their initial stages of growth. But with time, cataracts eventually interfere with our vision.
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DO YOU HAVE THE HEART OF A SERVANT?
Did you notice that as soon as retailers packed away Christmas merchandise Valentine products appeared? As I note this metamorphous, my heart is prompted to consider if there is a strategy to merge the message of the two holidays together. Howard Thurman’s poem, “The Work of Christmas” offers a potential strategy by painting a word portrait of the majesty of Christmas and then reminding his readers that the real work begins as the holiday memories are stored:
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IS YOUR VISION 20/20 FOR 2020?
I recently visited my Ophthamologist and was pleased to receive a good report about the health of my eyes, as well as a prescription to bring my vision to 20/20 when I wear the glasses that it prescribes. Medically, 20/20 vision is a term used to express normal visual acuity (the clarity or sharpness of vision). When my new glasses were ready, I was pleased to affirm that the prescription achieved its goal.
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ARE YOUR RELATIONSHIP EXPECTATIONS REALISTIC?
The phone rings, voice mail responds, I hear my beloved friend’s voice, but I know that she is not at home. You see, I am calling to inquire about her physical condition that prompted her admission to the hospital several days prior to the new year. The fact that her husband is not answering the phone tells me that he is probably still at her hospital bedside; having experienced a reaction to her most recent chemotherapy treatment, she is in an unconscious state.
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DO YOU CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING OR THANKS LIVING?
As the calendar page is turned to November, my thoughts default to the day that is focused on giving thanks for all of God’s provision throughout the year that I carefully recorded in my journal. When I relocated from San Diego, my place of birth and residency for my entire life, to assume a position at The Master’s University, a colleague gave me a lovely journal and pen. It prompted me to begin a habit of daily recounting God’s blessings to me. I have filled numerous volumes and use Psalm 103 as the foundational verse for each. I weekly reread entries from previous years and find that as I chose to integrate thankfulness into my life, I am capable of coping with grief, loss, and stress. Focusing on the blessings in my life during challenging times, I am able to embrace the Apostle Paul’s challenge to “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1. Thess. 5:18)
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ARE YOU WILLING TO TACKLE THE HOLIDAY HOSPITALITY HURDLES?
Autumn officially arrived on September 23. That means, according to Texas chat, “it’s fall, y’all”! Pumpkin lattes replaced iced drinks in coffee kiosks, pool supplies give way to pumpkins in the market, and holiday craft ideas spark the reminder that the holiday season is rapidly approaching.
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HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THE “BUMPS” OF REJECTION?
If you walk into a room and the conversation stops, what is your assumption? Would your response be they were talking about you? Would your reflex reaction be fear of rejection—the source of which is the fear of man (Prov. 29:25)—or trust in your heavenly Father who loves you unconditionally (Jer. 31:3)?
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DO YOU KNOW THE CRITICAL COMPONENTS OF NEST BUILDING?
As Retailers launch their “Back to School” sales, our minds begin the transition to “nesting” for the academic year. Many families will relocate before the school term begins, and for some, that means the purchase of a new home. Kelsey’s Korner provides you with some Critical Components on how to successfully complete that purchase.
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DO YOU PERMIT YOUR LIFE PRIORITIES TO TAKE A SUMMER VACATION?
I am rejoicing that summer officially arrived on June 21! Hands down, it is my favorite season of the year. I love the long days, sunshine, warm weather, as well as all of the opportunities for fellowship. However, if I wish to experience a “no regret” summer, I learned that just as it is incredibly important to not allow my tithing to slack off, so I must be intentional to not allow my life priorities to vacation during the next three months.
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DO YOU KNOW THE CRITICAL COMPONENTS OF A JOY-FILLED JOURNEY?
The month of June heralds the official beginning of summer, and for many, the fulfillment of long-anticipated travel! Would you like to conclude your journey with precious memories? Several components could contribute to their creation:
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WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO ARISE EACH MORNING?
I am definitely NOT a morning person. I think when my heavenly Father mixed my DNA He added a pinch of owl to it. As night falls I am typically filled with energy. However, it is definitely an act of the will to say “Good morning, Lord” rather than “Good Lord, it is morning” when daylight breaks.
Since a majority of the world functions during daylight hours, it is necessary for me to arise in the morning, and to please my heavenly Father, I need to do so with a positive attitude. Philippians 4:8-9 provides me with a formula to create that attitude—think on things that are true, honest, pure, lovely, and of good report. Thus, as I anticipate the day before me, I choose, through my Lord’s strength, to meditate on those things that will allow me to “walk worthy of my calling” (Eph. 4:32) during the 24 hours that are given to me.
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ARE YOU ABLE TO SOLVE THE CONTENTMENT EQUATION?
Recently I was chatting with several friends about the spirit of discontent that appears to permeate every facet of twenty-first century society. One friend shared her grandchildren were encouraging their parents to divorce. There was no abnormal conflict between the Dad and Mom, so they began to probe why their children would make such a suggestion. Investigation yielded that several of their friend’s parents were divorced. Now on holidays they received many more gifts than they had when their parents were married! My friend’s children firmly confirmed that they intended to stay married and that they would continue in the established family gift-giving traditions. Regrettably, the inability of our culture to focus on and express gratitude for the present is prevalent. Such a worldview establishes the foundation for a lifestyle of discontentment.
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TO MINIMIZE OR HOARD —THAT IS THE QUESTION!
Our twenty-first culture is one of extremes when discussing home management strategies. At one extreme are those who hoard while at the other are those who strip their home of all but the most basic of necessities. A Christian homemaker, faced with these extremes, is compelled by Scripture to look at the purpose of her home regardless of her marital status or season of life.
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ARE YOU A MAGNET FOR GOD’S LOVE?
Almost immediately following the removal of Christmas decorations from retailers, Valentine merchandise appears. I am an enthusiast of all of the décor of the season because it reminds me that my gracious heavenly Father is the author of love. Along with admiring the lovely colors and messages, I am reminded of God’s Valentine to me found in John 3:16:
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ARE YOU BUILDING YOUR SPIRITUAL IMMUNE SYSTEM?
A new year is upon you filled with numerous opportunities to deepen your relationship with your heavenly Father and to increase your ability to fulfill the special plan He has just for you! You have a better opportunity to fulfill that plan if you are spiritually and physically fit. How are you beginning this new year—are you approaching it with a solid understanding of the nutritional requirements necessary for spiritual and physical vitality, or are you randomly starting it without a deliberate dietary plan?
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