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The Gift of I Get To
Have you ever thought about all the things you have to do? I have to go to work, I have to do laundry, I have to clean the house, I have to exercise, I have to pay the bills, I have to buy groceries. I’ve caught myself doing this countless times, but lately I’ve made…
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The Gift of a Good Steward
Sometimes I struggle with what to post on social media. If I post about my faith, some people will think I’m self righteous. If I post a selfie, some people will think I’m self absorbed. If I post a full body photo, some people will think I’m showing off. These are just some of the…
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The Gift of God’s People
About a year ago, I was at the laundromat folding my clothes, and I couldn’t wait to make my escape. An elderly gentleman walked through the door, and I’ll never forget his face. It’s not that his face was particularly unique, but it was the joy I saw on it that struck me. He greeted…
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The Gift of Apples
A coworker and I have a unique love language, a ritual where we will randomly gift each other fruits. The other morning, I walked into work and saw a beautiful ripe apple on my desk. I was incredibly grateful yet found myself wishing for something different—watermelon. Unfortunately though, watermelon just isn’t in season. I felt…
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The Gift of Knowing Him: Your Peace is Your Paradise
Have you ever imagined what Eden looked like? I imagine it looked something like this picture I recently painted—peaceful. We have a tendency to forget that Eden wasn’t just a physical location, but resides within each and every one of us as we are a temple of the Holy Spirit. Our peace is our God…
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The Gift of God the Potter: Treasure in Jars of Clay
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. (2 Corinthians 4:7) As I sat behind the pottery wheel forming my very own jar of clay, I began to reflect on this Scripture. We are referenced in this verse as “jars of…
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The Gift of God’s Vibrant Voice: Finding Color in an Unexpected Place
We expect to see art on canvases, in studios, galleries, and museums, but what about under a bridge? One of the things that makes this vibrant work of art so special is the fact that it’s unexpected. This artwork inspired me to speak on something I’m very passionate about, and that’s the importance of listening…
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The Gift of Something Greater
There’s something I feel God has taught me very well over the course of my life. When a circumstance goes a way you never intended, let it. When people abandon, reject, or ignore you, let them. When life is dull, painful, or chaotic, endure it. Often times it’s the things we think we don’t want…
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The Gift of Finding Jesus: Your Faith is Your Joy
I found myself in the middle of this word puzzle searching for faith, the word “faith”, that is. In the midst of the chaos and distraction of the other letters, there I found it and drew a circle around it. Next I found “joy”. This is how it happens in the life of a believer.…
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The Gift of a Play Dough Heart
I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26) I received a rather unique Valentine’s Day gift from the mother of one of my patients. There in the midst of all the…