How Should Christians Respond To The Coronavirus? My Family's Close Encounter

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How Should Christians Respond To The Coronavirus? My Family's Close Encounter

With all the turmoil that the current coronavirus outbreak is causing, my friend A reached out to me and asked if I would consider sharing my family’s experience with it. While I never would have thought to do so on my own, I felt that her suggestion was excellent. As A pointed out, nearly all of what we’re hearing on the news and in the media is story after story of grave illness and high death tolls, but my family’s situation is an amazing story of God’s healing and provision. My hope in sharing is that it will help to answer the burning question, “How should Christians respond to the coronavirus?”

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Lessons From My Pastor's Wife Who Is Now With The Lord

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Lessons From My Pastor's Wife Who Is Now With The Lord

In January of this year, we got one of those calls that nobody ever wants to receive. Our beloved pastor’s wife had just suffered a massive stroke, and the outcome didn’t look good. A few minutes later, another phone call confirmed that she was now face-to-face with the Savior.

We were shocked and devastated. Aside from a semi-recent broken arm, Mrs. S had seemed in perfect health. There was no indication that she didn’t have much time left here on Earth. Her fingerprints were on everything; from teaching Children’s Church to singing with our mini choir to selflessly serving in a dozen capacities, she left behind a huge hole, as most beloved people do.

As I thought about the million and one little ways I would miss her, I began thinking of all the lessons she had effortlessly taught me during our years together.

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A Super-Simple Bible Reading Plan For Advent

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A Super-Simple Bible Reading Plan For Advent

Christmas is here! And with it, all the usual hustle and bustle and busy schedules and craziness has arrived, too. Most Christians I know want to take time to savor the Savior, to sit at the feet of Jesus and soak up His Word. After all, isn’t this what the season’s all about?

But if you’re anything like I am, you’re struggling to find that time to dwell on Jesus’ birth while also fielding parties, family gatherings, and extra holiday traditions. Is there an easy way to study the Bible while still balancing the demands of the season?

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How God's Word Sustains Me In Chronic Illness (Guest Post)

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How God's Word Sustains Me In Chronic Illness (Guest Post)

When I say God’s Word is life and breath to me, I mean it. I mean it in a physical sense. Countless times I’ve found myself telling others, “I wouldn’t be here without God’s Word.” I honestly don’t know if I could have survived some of the seasons I’ve endured without it. 

After extensive testing, I was put on bed rest and began a recovery process that took 2 years and led to major life changes. Today, I still struggle with chronic adrenal fatigue and anemia.

To say those 2 years in recovery were difficult would be an understatement. I went through an identity crisis. All the things I’d been doing before were no longer doable for me and I wondered who I was. 

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4 Ways to Spur On One Another to Love and Good Works

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4 Ways to Spur On One Another to Love and Good Works

“How do I motivate myself to fall in love with God’s Word? And how to I inspire other believers to do the same?”

These are the questions that have been swirling around in my brain lately. Because I’m realizing a few things:

I don’t wake up with a passion for studying Scripture. Sure, I dutifully sit down most mornings for Bible study, and by the time I’m done, I’ve learned so much and am very grateful that I jumped in even though I didn’t wake up hungering for God’s Word. But how do I motivate myself to desire Bible study before I begin? And how do I encourage others to experience the same?

When I was talking with a friend about this very issue, she gently reminded me, “We need to spur on one another to love and good works.” (Don’t you just love how Scripture answers all of our questions like that? I do!)

So, how do we go about spurring on one another to those good works? After studying for a bit, I’ve found at least 4 ways to do just that.

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