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Devotional Blog
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Deeply Rooted
A nasty storm had blown through. Lots of thunder and lightning. Buckets of wetness. The Twitter feed from our local fire department alerted us to the dangers of high winds and encouraged the community to hunker down at home until the storm passed.
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Follow the Leader
Follow the Leader is a silly children’s game involving mimicking the movements of the line leader. It’s a game beloved by preschoolers but as we age, following a leader loses its charm. We’re told we should be leaders rather than followers and parents warn children strongly against the dangers of becoming a follower. The classic “if all your friends jumped off a bridge would you jump too?” comes to mind.
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Calling the Sinners
If you have been part of any church for long enough, you’ve seen all the messiness that comes with it. Gossip. Selfishness. Pride. Hypocrisy. And if you’re like me, you ask yourself from time to time, “Why can’t people just… be better?”
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Revealing What Cannot Be Concealed
If you don’t want people to recognize you, all you need is a baseball cap, sunglasses, and hoodie. Or at least this is what action movies would have us believe as Ethan Hunt, Jason Bourne, Peter Parker, and more have all avoided detection with some variation of this disguise.
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The Art of the Opening Scene
First impressions are everything. In storytelling, a riveting opening scene fascinates audiences from the start and compels them to stay engaged. It sets the stage for the narrative, introduces key characters, establishes the setting, and builds suspense by hinting at the story’s ending.
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The Gospel - Good News
Dr James Dobson – founder of Focus on the Family related a story of small boy alone in bed in the dark and trying to sleep. He called out from his room and yelled “Dad I am scared.” The father said do not be afraid son, close your eyes and go to sleep - you know that God is in there with you.” Yes, I know, but can He send someone with SKIN ON?”
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Resting. Trusting. Praising
When my husband Brad was diagnosed with cancer back in 2014, our family got an up close and personal lesson on faith. Now that my younger brother is battling inoperable pancreatic cancer, the faith lessons continue. Trials can lead us to a greater dependency on God and a deeper trust in His sovereignty if we let them. I’ve learned that in every situation I have a choice: I can pout, or I can praise.
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Your Days are Numbered
When a good person dies young and so seemingly senselessly, it is always tempting to question the omnipresence of God. Where was He?? Why didn’t He intervene?? But if we truly believe the earlier verses of the psalm which speak to His omnipresence, we can conclude something much different.
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Will God Show Up?
Perhaps your own life is similarly chaotic and wearying at this moment. You’re watching things spiral out of control around you. You’re crying out to God, but being left with more questions than answers. As you struggle with day-to-day life, you wonder, “Will God ever show up?”
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Do I Really Want to Know God?
Throughout scripture, we are told repeatedly of God’s many wonderful attributes. The first is that He loves us, cares for us and has a plan of redemption for us. In addition, He wants us to know Him, represent Him, and even partner with Him.
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Heart Protecting Exhortation
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is the highest grossing tour in history and the first to surpass $1 billion dollars in revenue, and it’s not over yet. With millions of tickets sold in a single day for tour dates across the globe that have fans flocking to stadiums and arenas to gladly congregate for the chance to see, hear, and sing along with Taylor Swift live and in person, it’d be hard to argue that humanity does not know how to worship.
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A Line in the Sand
A line in the sand. That’s how Our State Magazine described NC Highway 12 in a story published back in 2020.
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I am Invincible - Be Still
In a world where we are pressed on every side: chaos, moral and spiritual decay; divisions; wars, strife, divorce, abortions, etc. – We need a refuge; a might fortress; a stronghold; a solid rock on which to stand as the world is “Slip sliding away’” from God.
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Waiting and Trusting
Years ago, my husband Brad and I were in a waiting period. His company had gone through a merger and was collapsing positions and territories, which left his employment in jeopardy. For months we didn’t know if Brad would keep his job or if he’d need to find another one. During that time, we had to choose to trust God. And it wasn’t easy.
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Natures are not Neutral
Good versus evil. Darkness versus light. Righteous versus wicked. Is it really that simple? As Pastor Ben pointed out in Sunday’s sermon, we don’t live like it is. We create grey areas to suit our comfort level.
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Catching a Glimpse
There is nothing like preparing, serving, and eating a delicious meal at home. It is a simple, yet profound, pleasure of mine.
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No Really; You Didn’t Build That
There is a real freedom when we give everything we have, and everything we are, to God, and ensure all glory goes to Him, where it belongs. Our heavenly Father will withhold no good thing from us. He only expects His rightful place in our lives, and acknowledgement of who He is.
Our Devotional Writers
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Andy Barker
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Nicole Bryan
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Tara Dye
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Melissa Gibbs
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Gwen Smith
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Steve Byers
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Jared Grenfell
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Jenn Korinchak