• Live Boldly

    Replacements

     “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’  When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order.  Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.” – Luke 11:24-26 I was watching a woman at a small store the other day taking inventory of some t-shirts on a display rack. It got me thinking about how important it is to take an…

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  • Live Boldly

    The Ugly Truth

    Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. – John 8:32 Look in a mirror and what do you see? What do you want to see? Each morning I see a reflection of myself and often rush through the daily routines without taking a deeper look. At home my mirror in the bathroom only shows a portion of my body, but the mirrors in our camper are full length floor to ceiling and show a more complete picture. One day while sitting on the bed I glanced at myself in the mirror and saw the full image, rolls and all. At first it surprised me because I always see myself standing up which creates…

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  • Divine Encounters

    Technical Difficulties

    I was experiencing issues with my website this week and after three days of call, fix, repeat I was connected to a representative named Maui. At first I wanted to wait until later in the day to tackle the technical things because they are not my strong point, but I kept feeling that I should call first thing so I did. Maui quickly and very efficiently identified the problem and then patiently explained it to me while he fixed it. When I thanked him he said he was the one who should be thanking me. He read a bit of the content of the website while working on it and…

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  • Live Boldly

    Music from your heart

     Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. – Ephesians 5:19-20 On Sunday a young woman shared a short story about her experiences over the week that taught her a lesson in gratuitude. She had been camping with friends and been eaten by mosquitos. Her husband’s new iphone had been lost in the lake and she was unable to sleep due to all the itching. She began to rehearse her favorite bible verse of Philippians 4:6-7,  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your…

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  • Live Boldly

    Redeem The Time

     See then that you walk in a careful and prudent way, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. – Ephesians 5:15-17 The other day I was speaking to a man who had recently lost his wife to cancer. About a month before she passed she told him she knew her time was short. He asked her if knowing that made her want a drink and she responded absolutely not. She was a recovering alcoholic who had recently celebrated over 15 years of sobriety. She wasn’t going to finish her race giving in to the enemy.…

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  • Live Boldly

    Character Builders

    For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. – 2 Corinthians 4:17 We all have those people, circumstances or even animals in our lives that can push our buttons in a moments notice. Over the weekend my buttons got pushed to the breaking point and I didn’t handle the blow up very well. After my own version of a volcanic eruption I had to take a time out and think about how I could have handled the situation better and definitely more Christlike. I was reminded as I read through a devotional that people, circumstances and even our pets can be character builders in…

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  • Live Boldly

    Cravings

    Jesus said to him, “If you want to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.- Matthew 19:21 You’ve no doubt heard the bible story of the rich young ruler that came to Jesus and asked what he should do to inherit eternal life. After Jesus gave him an answer he said he already followed all the rules and asked what he was still lacking. Jesus’ answer was today’s verse which basically says, “I want you to give up…

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  • Live Boldly

    What are you doing with your day?

     When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” – John 21: 21-22 My Monday morning started with a strong dose of reality. After stepping on the scales way to many times I finally realized that it was not going to give me the number or the validation that I was looking for. Instead of stopping right there and taking my thoughts and actions captive, I proceeded to mentally complain about what my husband was doing or not doing on his time off. My thoughts then spiraled into judging others…

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  • Divine Encounters

    Don & Steve

    Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. – Hebrews 13:2 God has blessed me with some very unique neighbors named Don and Steve. Both men are from completely different walks of life and both men have been beautiful reminders about the many ways God provides opportunities to love others. Don moved into the small park across the street about three weeks ago. He is homeless and carries all his worldly possessions in his car. He is accompanied by two dogs who are his best friends. Everyday he smiles and waves as I set out on my…

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  • Live Boldly

    Boundries

    You are all around me—in front of me and in back of me. You lay your hand on me.. – Psalm 139:5 How do you see boundries? Do you see them as walls to keep you in and restricted? Or do you see them as fences to keep you safe? Perspective is a powerful thing and will greatly affect the way you repond when boundries are set in place. Throughout the Bible the Lord set boundries and every time He did it for the well being of His beloved children. Often those boundries were thought of as restrictions and were resented. But when looked at with the proper perspective they…

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