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Guest Post By: Diane Velikis I was married for eighteen years to a man I thought was my soul mate. Together we traveled the world, and yes, faced some hard times as well. I took care of his aunt with Alzheimer’s for over seven years, loved her, and grieved her passing. During that time I had spinal surgeries that left me in excruciating pain crying out to God for mercy. I rededicated my life to the Lord and prayed fervently for my “good” husband to come to know my Savior. Really know Him. As a little girl, I often dreamed of returning to North Carolina,Read More →

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In: Faith, God's Character, God's love, Prayer and Devotions

Or, as Adam Graham would’ve titled this, “The Realm Makers After Action Report.” This year, Adam Graham determined to send me to Realm Makers, to keep his promise that it was my turn next time, so he could go next year. After being persuaded he had just enough money on our tight budget squirreled away, I let myself get excited. Made my plans, carefully prepared everything I thought I’d need at the conference, packed a big suitcase with my laptop, professional clothing, night clothing, exercise clothing, my costume party gear, and multiple folders worth of conference materials, including one for taking notes and three to giveRead More →

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In: Bible and Theology, Faith, Guest posts, Prayer and Devotions

If you’re looking for Esther and having a hard time of finding it, don’t feel so bad. It’s all of 4 chapters. Find Psalms and go left two books. The book of Esther is read in Jewish homes at Purim, which celebrates the survival of the events in Esther. Now, to do this properly, you need to remember that you should hiss whenever the name of the bad guy comes up (Haman. Hissss)1. Okay. Now that you’re prepared, let’s dive in. There was much argument about whether the book of Esther should be included in the canon. There’s no mention of God anywhere in theRead More →

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In: Bible and Theology, Faith, Fear and Anxiety, God's Character, God's love, Gospel, Grace, Prayer and Devotions, Sin and Holiness

Modern Christian music sometimes gets criticized as mostly shallow, “Jesus is my boyfriend” love songs. And some are. Yet I turn on Pandora and set it to shuffle through my Christian stations and I easily find music that feeds the soul, lifts me up out of funks, calms fear and anxiety, and reminds me of eternal truth. For example: While “Dreaming Jacob’s Dream” with Michael Card, he encourages me, “We all need dreams to seek Him.” We adore the eternal holy one who sits on Heaven’s Mercy seat in “Revelation Song” with Philips, Craig and Dean. “In Christ Alone” reminds me “Up from the graveRead More →

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In: Bible and Theology, Children, Faith, God's promises, Prayer and Devotions

Genesis 15:1-3 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” But Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless,” But Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!” Barren women actively trying to conceive often spend two weeks of every single menstrual cycle pregnant with only theRead More →