Christian walk
Persevere [One Word 2013]
Persevere: There really was no choice. I have many words I need to apply to my life in 2013, but only one could be the one. The one I focus on throughout the year. The one I pray about unceasingly and strive for diligently. Persevere had to be the one word for me this year because…
(From the Archives) Wearing Weak to Grow Strong
I pray this post from the archives blesses you. I’m taking some time off from creating new content to refocus and spend time with family. God willing, I’ll be back January 2 with new posts and a new look. _________________ My sister-in-law voiced a word that rubbed me raw a week ago. She had no way of…
There Are Times to Stay
We’ve spent a couple years trying to teach our young black lab Kaia to sit at her kennel door until we command otherwise—with limited success. She doesn’t want to wait to move into action. It has been frustrating, but then I do a similar thing. I often jump headlong into an activity before adequately considering whether…
Innocent Fun or Something To Avoid?
I am as torn about writing this post as I am about the day itself. But if I’m struggling I believe someone else is as well, so here goes. My preference is that this day never happen—this day being Halloween. It would just be easier. I have fond memories as a child of parading through…
The Key to Walking in Truth
“Learn how to walk in truth by walking with truth.” —Beth Moore, The Patriarchs: Encountering the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob Learning to do something well requires patience and perseverance. More than that, a mentor is often needed to set an example—to show us what excellence looks like. Before higher institutions of learning dotted our country, on-the-job…
How a Willow Tree Made Me Eat My Words
“You did it on purpose!” The words shot from my mouth, projected through lips squashed into a tight line. Hot tears stung my cheeks. I was certain he didn’t care. I wanted to make him. For months I’d nursed a weeping willow sapling, hoping to transplant it to a more permanent home in our lawn.…
Stay True (A letter to my teenage self)
I wrote a letter to you when you were younger and encouraged you in many ways, but there are a few points to make that are specific to you being a teenager. You will begin to doubt your value and beauty. Unfortunately, low self-image is common among teens. Don’t buy into the lie that you…
Deleting Emails and Living for the Lord
There are few things more freeing than zeroing out an email account. Have you tried it? For the first time in years, my emails are reduced to a mere handful I need to address later. Thousands of messages are gone … POOF! And I don’t wish even one back (well, maybe one). In fact, I…
It Is You, Lord (a letter to God)
This letter to God comes at a time when I’m facing some tough transitions. It embodies my struggle with surrendering my needs and desires, indeed my everything, to Him. I pray it blesses each of you. Dear God, In this earthly life, You call us to do hard. But I am so very weak. And…
You Are Not in Control [a letter to myself]
Bonnie Gray at Faith Barista is hosting her first faith jam in 5 months. Won’t you join me as I link up with the “jam” to write a letter to a younger me about “What I Know Now” when it comes to the faith journey? ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Dear Julie, Life…
Hello, I'm Julie, an imperfect wife and mother of four. Life in this broken world is not always easy. Yet, joy can be found in each day through the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I find it's easy for our day's blessings to get lost in its happenings. But God's "mercies never end" (Lamentations 3:22) and His "grace is sufficient" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
May the posts and pages on this site offer you a measure of peace and encouragement.
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