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Be Kind
Be Kind. Like sweet honey flowing from the comb, kindness satisfies an inner hunger. My tongue longs for its rare flavor. When someone opens a door for me or a stranger pays for my order, it sets my heart aglow. Nothing on earth affirms me like an unsolicited act of kindness. The one who chooses…
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Missing the Better Part
As Halloween comes to a close and we roll into Thanksgiving, the race is on. Tis the season for busyness. For women it’s particularly taxing. If you’re anything like me, you long to bring a smile to your family’s faces and make the holidays bright. But at what cost? In the process, am I missing…
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Mindful of the Little Moments
It was a small sign. We would have missed it altogether if we kept hiking along the trail. But my husband and I were ready for a break and the bench looked inviting. As I approached it to sit down, I paused to read the plaque attached to the back. It said simply, ‘Life is…
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Drawn Toward the Flames
Who doesn’t enjoy relaxing in front of a fire? Both humans and animals are drawn toward the flames. It’s warmth and everchanging hues hold us captive. When Indian Summer fades and the crisp evenings of late fall begin, we huddle together around campfires once more. Sparks climb high into the darkened sky while hot dogs…
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Everyday Epiphanies
Revival broke out on the highway this morning. While driving down I-65 into the city, God decided to show up in a mighty way. Beams of sunlight pierced through the cloud covered sky as I headed to Simon Cancer Center. It felt as if He sent a message just for me. Let me take your…
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Season of Preparation
Autumn in Indiana is a season of preparation. Anyone who has ever experienced a midwestern winter understands the process. Now is the time to change the furnace filter and make sure windows and doors are caulked. When frost threatens, we hustle to harvest any produce left in the garden. Soon blustery north winds will bring…
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Taste and See
What a beautiful fall morning! I woke early and stepped out on the porch to capture photos of the sunrise. It’s much too cool to be outside in just my pajamas so I didn’t linger long. Today is a fine day to thank God for all that is-not bemoan all that isn’t. Taste and see…
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When Seasons Change
Change is in the air. Can you feel it coming? Even though the days remain warm, the evening brings with it a slight chill. Across the farm fields, the familiar green begins to turn yellow. At first, it’s barely perceptible, but then the soybeans transition into waves of undulating amber. The sun is lazy to…
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A Divine Encounter Becomes A Holy Assignment
Moses never expected to encounter a burning bush out in the wilderness. I’m sure the consequences that followed this experience bewildered him even more. It’s unlikely he ever considered returning to Egypt. Only a fool would take such a risk. However, now God asks him to do that very thing. Who was he to confront…
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Divine Encounter: Turn Aside from Ordinary
It was just an ordinary day. I doubt Moses expected to see anything unusual out in the wilderness as he herded his father-in-laws sheep. For forty years the scenery and the task never changed. When he resided in Egypt, he lived in opulence as part of Pharaoh’s household. But all that reversed the day he…
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Lessons From the Land of Oz
There are many obvious lessons from the Land of Oz most of us recall. Recently we visited this magical place on the top of Beech Mountain in North Carolina. Granted it’s just a replica with actors playing the parts of Dorothy and her friends. Nevertheless, there still is much to learn (and relearn) during this…
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Grandpa, Will You Play Your Drum?
I grew up in a world immersed in fantasy and fairy tales. In my grandma Helen’s house sat shelves full of amazing books to stimulate a young girl’s imagination. During every visit, her father, my great-grandpa Thompson, read to my sister and me. Some of my fondest memories of him involved adventures with Heidi in…
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Take Up the Sword of the Spirit
It’s been a tough week. There is a spiritual battle raging. Until I fully recognize its presence, I fail to arm myself properly. My foes are not human but are the forces of darkness that invade the mind. Discouragement, hopelessness and complacency knock at the door of my heart. Now is the time to take…
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Follow the Yellow Brick Road
In a few short weeks, we leave for the Land of Oz. I’ve always wanted to travel to this mysterious place since reading the series of Oz books as a child. Most people remember The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, but this wasn’t L. Frank Baum’s only book. In fact, he penned a total of 14…
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Turn Down the Volume of the World
Stop just a moment to listen. What do you hear? If you’re like me, your world is full of noise. Cars honk. Cell phones ding. Musac plays in every office and elevator. Most of it we tune out as we go about our day. But our minds are full of artificial sounds. No wonder many…
