The Connect Devotional - a daily devotional with CCC

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Posts by Jessica Waldstein

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Sleeping Seeds

Some skeptic is sure to ask, "Show me how resurrection works. Give me a diagram; draw me a picture. What does this 'resurrection body' look like?" If you look at this question closely, you realize how absurd it is. There are no diagrams for this kind of thing. We do have a parallel experience in gardening. You plant a "dead" seed; soon there is a flourishing plant.1 Corint...

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But Wait! There’s More!

If all we get out of Christ is a little inspiration for a few short years, we're a pretty sorry lot.But the truth is that Christ has been raised up, the first in a long legacy of thosewho are going to leave the cemeteries (1 Corinthians 15:19,20 MSG). I don't fancy myself an innovator. I definitely lean toward "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," but I'm grateful for everyo...

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A Message that Slays and Stays

Friends, let me go over the Message with you one final timethis Message that I proclaimed and that you made your own; this Message on which you took your stand and by which your life has been saved. (I'm assuming, now, that your belief was the real thing and not a passing fancy, that you're in this for good and holding fast.)1 Corinthians 15:1, 2 MSG My teenagers like to ...

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Monkey Hugs

I hold on to you for dear life,and you hold me steady as a post.Psalm 63:8 MSG One of my favorite memories from our children's baby and toddler days were monkey hugs. You know the kind: arms around neck, legs around waist, head on shoulder, and with a grip so tight one could let go and the child would stay exactly where they were. These hugs were dubbed "monkey hugs" beca...

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Disney Drama

Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you,because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.(Exodus 33:3) Knowing the extreme planning that goes into a trip to Disney "Promised Land" World these daysnot to mention the costwhat's a parent to do if their children do something off the charts horrible in the weeks leading...

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Doubts Don’t Disqualify

When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubtedAnd surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:17, 20 In October 2020 the following email exchange (edited for brevity) took place between our Connect Devotional editor, Brian, and myself about writing for the team: Brian: C'mon, give it a go. What's the worst that could happen...? Jessica: ...

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Stir Up the Snakes!

Acts 19:8-20 I hate snakes. They're my number one phobia, and I prefer to have absolutely nothing to do with them. Kids bring home a book about snakes from the library? Daddy will read that one to you. Snake exhibit at the zoo? I'll wait outside. Seeing a snake in the wild? That's me running in the opposite direction! Listen, I know snakes are around, but we have an unsp...

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Just Wear It!

And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no weekend war that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death...

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Jesus Loves Me

Taken aback, Jesus addressed the accompanying crowd:"I've yet to come acrossthis kind of simple trust anywhere in Israel " (Luke 7:9, MSG) I was drum major of my high school marching band, and for my teenage self that role was simultaneously exhilarating and anxiety producing. All eyes were on me. My own anxiety and what I picked up from others on the sideline before tak...

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He Knows Our Need

[While the CD Team enjoys a Christmas break, please enjoy these devotionals from December 2020 based on scripture readings and Christmas carols.] "O Holy Night" Matthew 11:28 I should have kept a tally of how many times I listened to "O Holy Night" in preparation for this week's Connect Devotional. I listened to various artists sing it in many different styles; I list...

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Season of Suffering

There's a lot of suffering to be entered into in this worldthe kind of suffering Christ takes on. (Colossians 1:24 MSG) I'm not in the mood for Christmas. My life took a major geographical turn this year, and I find myself in a place I've been before but never expected to be again. I'm far from family and friends, and I'm missing being a part of the usual holiday festivi...

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Cleaning the Catacombs

all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universepeople and things, animals and atomsget properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross (Colossians 1:19 MSG). I love a good organization project! Last year I and some other staff members worked to revamp the main storage space at our Pittsboro cam...

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Tacos and Pizza and Hope

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 We're starting a new series this week called, Hope of Glory, and the first sermon in the series will focus on the "supremacy of Christ." In thinking about what to write this week, the word "supreme" kept coming back to me. That led to me thinking about taco supremes from Taco Bell and supreme pi...

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Sweet Sanctuary?

"'Take a trip down to the place that was once in Shiloh, where I met my people in the early days. Take a look at those ruins, what I did to it because of the evil ways of my people Israel (Jeremiah 7:12 MSG). Before I moved with my family this summer, I spent some extra time in the worship and outdoor spaces at each of our campuses. Whenever I had some spare minutes in my...

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Not One Word

Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave(1 Kings 8:56). Connect Devotionals are written roughly two weeks in advance of the correlating message being given. Each week we receive Pastors Jaime's and Alex's notes on the coming sermon, and Editor Brian includes his notes and writing prompts on it as well. In Brian's notes this week were some questions that I'...

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The End is the Beginning

Genesis 1-3 Spoilers are comforting to me. The problem is that no matter how beautifully a story begins, there are always twists and turns and betrayals. It's hard to know which thread of the plot to follow, and just when you do, then BAM! The story takes a ninety degree turn that requires going back to reread the pages prior to figure out where the plot twist stemmed fr...

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Chatham Church History 101

Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously. (Ma...

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Lessons from Middle School Football

Write these commandments that I've given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the door...

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Shoots and Roots and Resilience

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown hereand there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of peoplein their deceitful scheming (Ephesians 4:14). We moved from tree-filled North Carolina to not-tree-filled South Dakota this summer. The yard at our new house was grass only, and pretty soon upon arrival we put ...

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Poisonous People-Pleasing

Acts 11:1-4, 15-18,Galatians 2:11-14 Once upon a time, in a church far, far away there was a kitchen committee. The power and duties of the kitchen committee were taken very seriously by each member, and the committee made it known they weren't keen on taking outside direction. It was rarely given, because to cross the kitchen committee meant certain social deathand every...

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Rodeo Clown or Riches?

Speaking to the people, he went on, "Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot." ... Just then God showed up and said, "Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goodswho gets it?" That's what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God (Luke 12: 15, 20, 21 MSG). What did you ...

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Death by Tally Marks

The Lost Sons Luke 15:11-32 I have two brothers, and I have two sons. Both sets of brothers share similar personalities, among other things, and quite often I'm taken aback by the sameness of it all! The older brothers are more flexible, the younger brothers more rigid. The older brothers are more relaxed, the younger brothers more passionate. The older brothers are rul...

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Of Root Canals and Forgiveness

"And since we now have a magnificent High Priest to welcome us intoGod's house, we come closer to God and approach him with an open heart,fully convinced that nothing will keep us at a distance from himNow we areclean, unstained, and presentable to God inside and out!"Hebrews 10:21,22 (The Passion Translation) (This second week of devotionals from the book of Hebrews was ...

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Clean Slate

"But instead, those sacrifices actually reminded them of their sins year after yearAnd when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices."Hebrews 10:3,18 (NLT) (This second week of devotionals from the book of Hebrews was originally published in March 2021 and aligned with the sermon series "Jesus, the Radiance of God's Glory.") I love a good li...

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Hard Work Pays Off

"You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoyits results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other,treating each other with dignity and honor."James 3:18 (MSG) (This week's devotionals, originally published in January 2021, aligned with the sermon series "Disagree Deeply, Love Deeper Still: True Unity." The writing te...

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Amazing Grace

I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law,Christ died for nothing!"Galatians 2:21 (Originally published in October 2020, this week's devotionals were part of the Real Identity sermon series.) Amazing grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now I'm found, Was blind, but now I see! Ama...

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The River Do Be Raging

'When you reach the edge of the Jordan's waters, go and stand in the river.'" Joshua 3:8b I don't have a lot of firsthand knowledge about the ocean or even lakes, but I do know rivers and creeks and streams; I grew up swimming and fishing and playing in or near all of them. The creeks closest to my childhood home flooded often when it rained. The waters would rise and tur...

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Scrappy Wrasslin’

"...But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." Genesis 32:26b My brothers and I are the youngest of our cousins. When we were still elementary school aged, the cousins were teenagers, and depending on their moods and the level of parental supervision we were either doted on or picked on at family gatherings. A favorite activity was wrestling, or "wras...

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Mrs. Frazzle(d)

I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do goodwhile they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfactionin all their toilthis is the gift of God (Ecclesiastes 3:12,13). The kids and I run down the daily schedule in the van every day on the way to school. "Dad will pick you up after practice, I'll get you from the car rider ...

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Iced Tea and Tornado Warnings

Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hitbut nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. Matthew 7:25 MSG I grew up in the Midwest, and storms capable of producing funnel clouds were common. We experienced tornado watches and warnings so often that they didn't induce much action on our partsometimes only to take our glass of iced tea out to the porch to w...

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Cheeseburgers with a Side of Wisdom

"Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on?Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me!" (Proverbs 9:4,5 MSG) I will be the first to admit it: I am the absolute worst when I'm hungry. There's a point of no return on my gotta-eat-o-meter that I'm always aware of. If I get too far past it my brain gets foggy, my mood takes all kinds of sharp turns, and my over...

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A Ballerina’s Wild Ride

"When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." Jeremiah 29:12,13 MSG Our daughter used to collect snow globes. One in the collection had a piece loose on the inside, and once shaken the m...

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Three Cheers for the Kids!

The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant. "Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, "'From the l...

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The Waiting

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?"John 11: 25,26 We spend a lot of time waiting, don't we? Waiting rooms are everywhere: doctor's offices, hospitals, the oil change place. We wait at stop lights and in checkout lines. ...

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The Man Formerly Known as Blind

"One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!" John 9:25 (NIV) A couple of weeks ago a magician visited our student ministry and put on quite a show. There were the usual card tricks and sleight of hand, and even one (sort of) disappearing act! During the show the magician told our students that one of his favorite things about magic is the astonishment the audience e...

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I Know What I’m About

Jesus' refusal was curt: "Beat it, Satan!" Matthew 4:10a (The Message) Parks and Recreation is one of my favorite shows. I discovered it several years after it actually aired, and thanks to streaming, I was able to binge the entire show during those magical months we were all at home due to Covid. Leslie Knope is the cheerful, outgoing, liberal, and always-working deputy ...

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Hype Squad

And along with the Spirit, a voice: "This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life." Matthew 3:17 MSG Every few weeks I have the pleasure of doing the stage announcements at our Pittsboro campus. I was first asked to fill in when the original announcer couldn't make it at the last minute, and I haven't been able to get out of it since. Ha! The first sev...

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Gifting Season

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. Romans 12:6 We're about to wrap up at our house what we call "birthday season." Most of the family's birthdays fall near the holidayseven the dog's! These months are filled with celebrations, cakes and special foods, friends, and, yes, gifts! The teenagers enjoy making birthday lists which mostly includ...

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Eternal Thanks

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind manand begged Jesus to touch him (Mark 8:22). We are completely spoiled with our on-demand lives, aren't we? There's so much we've become accustomed to getting at the flip of a switch or the tap of an app. Don't get me wrong: I am forever grateful for the existence of on-demand running water and electricity in my hom...

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Red Flags and Warning Bells

we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future.Acts 16:6a I was gifted a Book of the Month subscription for my birthday last year, and it's been so much fun! Each month I get to choose one from five books to have sent to me, and last month I chose one that was outside my typical favored genre. The two main characters were sisters with ext...

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Make It Weird

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poorto proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blindto set the oppressed freeto proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" (Luke 4:18,19). Something happened at the gym last week that didn't have anything to do with a feat of strength or show of endurance. While ...

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The Data Doesn’t Lie

...to guide our feet into the path of peace (Luke 1:79). The streaming app Spotify released its annual "Wrapped" info a few weeks ago. "Wrapped" is simply data on what music listeners have streamed throughout the year: total minutes listened broken down into genre, specific artists, and songs; even the type of music you listened to during different parts of the day! Sever...

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It’s Okay to Feel Joy

Luke 1:39-45 It's okay to feel joy. The headlines are what they are, and the political climate istypical. Sickness, violence, and loss are always present. Events of the last few years seem to have magnified our sense of danger and loss, and the media certainly never lets us forget that tragedy abounds. Sometimes the heartache is closer to home, and it can feel wrong to a...

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The Grinch Who Couldn’t Steal Christmas

"When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him."Matthew 2:3 I was recently asked about my favorite Christmas movie. I've got a few, but one that's always in the top three is "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas." What, may you ask, do the Grinch and King Herod have to do with each other? First, they both tried to steal Christmas, but only one was succ...

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Long Line of Sass

Matthew 1:1-17 This is the genealogy of Jessica, writer of Connect Devotionals. Nancy was the mother of Gladys, who was small but known for her ferocity. Gladys was the mother of Viva, the hardworking farm wife who was known for her cooking. Viva was the mother of Joanne, the wise, who stubbornly defends those she loves. Joanne is the mother of Jessica, the tall, di...

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A Cross-Shaped Life

Scripture reassures us, "No one who trusts God like thisheart and soulwill ever regret it."(Romans 10:11 MSG) True or false: "Life always goes better with Jesus." When understood to mean the absence of problems or endless health, wealth, success, and happiness? The above is always false. When understood to mean a life that serves the good of our neighbors and communities...

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Queen of Conciliation

2 Kings 5:1-15 When my brothers and I were teenagers, The Family Meeting was a common occurrence. The Meeting wasmost often called when a disagreement between brothers had reached the point of knock-down, drag-out fighting, which was, of course, disruptive to the entire family. We'd all sit down in the living room to hear the latest issue: one side would give its opinion,...

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A Modern Day Horror Story

an enormous eye or a gigantic hand wouldn't be a body, but a monster.(1 Corinthians 12:19 MSG) Many houses in our neighborhood have put up decorations for Halloween, and one house that's particularly eye-catching has a pair of giant, light-up, inflatable eyeballs in the front yard. (Eye-catching! Ha!) During this pre-Halloween (at the time of this writing) week, the idea ...

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First, Always, All the Time

As you come to Him (1 Peter 2:4). A while back my husband's car wouldn't start. The most common issues that would keep a car from starting weren't the cause, so he took it to a mechanic who ran all sorts of diagnostic tests. It was determined that there was a manufacturing defect, and the new part was, of course, back-ordered. Yay, supply chain issues! When my husband co...

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Fighting for Rights?

Your attitude should be the kind that was shown us by Jesus Christ, who, though he was God, did not demand and cling to his rights as God, but laid aside his mighty power and glory, taking the disguise of a slave and becoming like men (Philippians 2:5-7 TLB). We in America hear and talk a lot about rights, and we're pretty keen to fight for the ones most important to us, ...

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We Love Chatham!

Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it." Romans 12:9 MSG My family moved here in the summer of 2015, and one of the first church functions we participated in outside Sunday morning services was Chatham Serves. This was a new concept for us, and I remember thinking what a lovely idea it was to have a day of serving the community in place of the usual Sunday act...

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Ode to the Pinky Toe

Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others (Galatians 6:4 MSG). I recall a conversation among cousins back in the day when we debated which parts of the body we would be and why. I don't remember what everyone said or the reasoning given ...

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The Weight of Sin

The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." John 21:17 I am a responsible and dependable person, and I follow the rules. I'm only human, though. I mess up just as much as anyone else, ...

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Soaring on the Wings of a Spreadsheet

"And to all who have an aptitude for crafts I've given the skills to make all the things I've commanded you" Exodus 31:6b MSG You all know me as "Jessica, the Connect Devotional writer," but I'm also, "Jessica, Chatham Church Admin." It's a role I'd broadly describe as "keeper of the details," and at the risk of tooting my own horn, it's one in which I really shine. (Toot...

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Football and Family

When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands upone on one side, one on the otherso that his hands remained steady till sunset. Exodus 17:12 One of our boys plays football for a local high school, and there's much emphasis on being #AllN and the team being a family. The "family" spent a lot of the summe...

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Ms. Helen

The prayer of a person living right with Godis something powerful to be reckoned with (James 5:16b MSG). Ms. Helen always sat on the left side of the sanctuary. She was always at church early, and she could be found sitting near the front, Bible in hand, head either bowed or eyes focused on the stained glass window above the baptistery. There was never any question what s...

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Weaponized Words

We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. James 3:2 NIV The old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," is one hundred percent FALSE. Fake news. Fuhgeddaboutit! Words have power, and the way we communicate matters. When our kids were toddlers and pro...

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It's Not Rocket Science

My dear friends, don't let public opinion influence how you live out our glorious, Christ-originated faith. James 2:1 MSG We were at church at least three times a week growing up: Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night. For Sunday morning services my mom made me wear dresses or skirts, tights or frilly socks, and dress shoes. As I got older, I rebelled against ...

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“Spoiler” Alert

James 2:14-26 Please take a moment and read this week's entire passage! I mentioned last week that most of the memories I have of my grandma are of her in the kitchen. Add to that: most of the memories I have of my grandpa are of him in the garden. After my grandma passed away, we moved in with grandpa, and I spent a big part of my childhood there. Each spring, we helped...

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Thoughts and Prayers and ACTION

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneselffrom being polluted by the world." (James 1:27) I'm neither an orphan nor a widow, but I have been on the receiving end of much kindness throughout my life. My mom put herself through nursing school while raising three young kids, and o...

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The Magic of Baking

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides.You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors.So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way (James 1:2-4 MSG). Please take a moment to read this wee...

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Confessions of a CrossFitter

Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. Luke 5:31 Please take a moment to read this week's entire passage! I showed up to my first day of CrossFit almost ten years ago completely out of shape and with zero experience in any kind of gym or group fitness setting. Everything in that first class was brand new to me, but I officially joine...

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A Ministry of Mom Hugs

Acts 17:16-32 Here's a link to the entire passage! Almost two years ago, Pastor Alex asked if I would consider volunteering with our high school youth group, and one of my first thoughts was, "Am I cool enough to hang out with teenagers?" I'm a former high school teacher, but I've spent the last 10+ years at home raising babies and toddlers and grade-schoolers. I wasn't ...

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Fresh Eyes

Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace." Luke 8:47,48 I first heard the story of Jairus' daughter and the woman who was healed by a simple tou...

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A Life Well Lived

He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself'" (Luke 10:27). A cousin passed away unexpectedly a few days ago at the young age of 29, and my family is gathered in Missouri this week to celebrate his life. I can't be there in person, but I've been re...

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The Last Supper

Editor's Note: this week, a very different set of Connect Devotionals because this week is unlike all others. Each writer this week will invite you to explore a different passage: the "cleansing of the Temple" (Monday), the argument about paying taxes to Caesar (Tuesday), the "great commandment" (Wednesday), the Last Supper and Gethsemane (Thursday), and the culmination of...

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Typical Toddler Warfare

He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat.1 Kings 21:4b Each of our kids had moments of engaging in typical toddler warfare. There were plenty of time-outs and privileges revoked for their behavior, and I recall having to leave a few cart loads of groceries at the store due to the magnitude of the tantrums thrown when they didn't get what they wanted. Outbursts still h...

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The Beginning of the End

But the thing David had done displeased the Lord. 2 Samuel 11:26b Sometimes in books or movies or television shows, the beginning is the end. The first scene opens on a major catastrophe, usually with a main character looking around at the carnage with a look on their face that says, "How did I get here?" The story then zooms out and backs up 24 hours, a week, a yearto th...

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An Ode to Xennials

*Join in CCC's Season of Prayer! CLICK HERE for the prayer guide.* Genesis 11:1-9 The Tower of Babel I'm a member of the micro-generation born between 1977 and 1983. We're sandwiched between Generation X and the Millennials, so we're called Xennialsthough the occasional "geriatric Millennials" will float around. (Nope. Don't like that!) There are lots of interesting th...

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The Language of God's Love

*Join in CCC's Season of Prayer! CLICK HERE for the prayer guide.* Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?" (Acts 2:12) The good folks in the center of our country are known for their "Midwestern nice," and most of them are also known for their independence. (I can say that, because I've spent most of my life in the Midwest, and I can confirm ...

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The Standard

"...the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4b We've been sitting down to watch the Olympics with the kids the last couple of weeks, and the physical feats from athletes all over the world are impressive to say the least. The kids have been quick to pick up on the differences in scoring for some events: while all of the events have bee...

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Incrementally Dependent

The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you (John 14:26 MSG). I'll never forget the day my mom dropped me off for my first year of college, and I know she hasn't forgotten it either! That day marked the beginning of a new chapter in each of our lives, and it wa...

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Patience and Power

He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:7-8) A video floated around online last year of a child set up at a table with a handful of gumm...

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The Current State of Things

Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."Jeremiah 29:7 It's always interesting to hear how folks have made their way to Chatham county. Work, school, and family are the most common threads, and there are a fair number of natives. (Hey, y'all!) When we move...

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A Few Days to Live

Just before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that the time had come to leave this world to go to the Father. Having loved his dear companions, he continued to love them right to the end.John 13:1,2 MSG What would you do if you knew you only had a few days to live? Hollywood has depicted this in movies, and many a character hops a plane and travels to the most exotic locale...

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Capital "G" Greatness

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20).Before I begin writing a Connect Devotional, I like to read the assigned verses in different translations. My 13-year-old daughter was sitting next to me on the couch as I did so this time, so I read a few aloud and asked for her thoughts."What do you think 'I have been crucifie...

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I'll Save You a Seat

Psalm 34 There are those who love to sit front and center, there are those who love to sit in the back row, and they marry each other.My husband is the former: for him the front row provides the opportunity to devote his full attention to the speaker sans distraction in whatever setting he's in, i.e. a college lecture or a church service. I, as you may have guessed, am th...

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The Menial and Miraculous

John 2:1-11 The servants mentioned in our verses this week are asked to do something out of the ordinaryoutrageous even! --and the request came from a man who wasn't their employer, but a guest at the wedding. "Fill the jars with water" (v7), didn't mean putting a couple of Mason jars under the tap in the kitchen. It meant hauling water up from a well to fill "six stone w...

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Open House

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish. John 1:14 MSG My mother-in-law, Linda, was known in her community for the "open house" she hosted each Christmas. Preparations started weeks ahead of time; she made sure th...

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Countdown to Eternity

He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!Revelation 21:5 As I write this we're looking forward to celebrating the birthday of our youngest child. (He's been counting down for weeks, and now we're down to just hours to go!) One thing we always do with our children on their birthdays is tell them all about the day they were born and all the events l...

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Home for the Holidays

I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love." John 15:9 MSG I've had my Christmas music playlist on shuffle this week as I've been out and about, and this Perry Como song has popped up a lot:Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays,'Cause no matter how far away you roam,When you pine for the sunshine of a friendly gaze,For the ...

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Top Secret Research

"'This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will...

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"Nice Things"

Psalm 136 Once upon a time our gangly teenagers were much smaller, and it was nearly impossible to go anywhere and get out the door on time. Sunday mornings were no exception. It didn't matter how early everyone woke up or what time we started the process of getting everyone fed and dressed in Sunday best. It seemed that we always arrived at church grumpy, crying, or not ...

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Adventures with Dad

"This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike 'What's next, Papa?' God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children." (Romans 8:15,16 MSG) At our house, Dad is better at adventures than Mom. In each ...

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Pick Me!

Then Jesus shocked them with these words: "I have hand-picked you to be my twelve,knowing that one of you is the devil." John 6:70TPT I think it's safe to say everyone has experienced the sting of being picked last for something, or not being picked at all.In grade school, my friends and I were not known for our athletic abilities, so when the teams were chosen for playgr...

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A Taste of Heaven

They waffled: "Why don't you give us a clue about who you are, just a hint of what's going on? When we see what's up, we'll commit ourselves."John 6:30 MSG I grew up in an old country farmhouse surrounded by the aroma of various things baking. Homemade bread is one of our family specialties, and I've witnessed my mom going through the process to make it countless times. T...

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Spoiler Alert

"Well, what do we do then to get in on God's works?" John 6:28 MSG Confession: I don't like surprises. I do like movie spoilers, and I've been known to read the last chapter of a book first. (Stay with me--I promise I'm still a good person!)Not knowing anything about the movie I'm about to see, book I'm about to read, or social situation I'm about to step into is distract...

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Stormy Weather

A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened.John 6:18, 19 A few years ago my husband and our boys were out in the canoe on Jordan Lake, and the wind picked up significantly. They had been on the water most of the day fishing, it was g...

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Food = Life = Jesus

"Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish,but how far will they go among so many?"(John 6:9) Food is life, and our lives revolve around it. Practically the first thing that happens to us upon birth is our mothers nurse us. We like to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We serve food at major life milestones: birthday parties, wedding receptions, baby s...

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A Blizzard of Butterflies

Matthew 28:16-20The Great Commission Once upon a time in the Ozarks of MissouriI was coming home from work, and I drove through what appeared to be a "blizzard" of butterflies. As I made my way down the four-lane, there were hundreds of monarch butterflies crossing the highway. My mind had been otherwise preoccupied, so it took me a second to realize what I was seeing: a ...

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Let's Go...Home?

Exodus 1:15-21 The churches I attended as a child frequently hosted missionaries who were back in the States on furlough. Sunday nights were usually reserved for the missionaries to speak about the countries they were serving in, and they were always some of my favorite services. As a kid from a small town right smack dab in the middle of the country, those missionaries w...

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Will the Real Fisher of Men Please Stand Up?

Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything.But because you say so, I will let down the nets"(Luke 5:5). I know a little something about fishing. I grew up in the Ozarks of Missouri where clear streams and rivers abound, and on the farm there were always ponds kept stocked with fish. We caught sunfish, blue gills, bass, and catfish ou...

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R & R

The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lordto follow the Lord and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant. 2 Kings 23:3 When I hear the word repent I picture someone wagging their...

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Toddlers and Warriors

Judges 6:11-35 Early in his young life, our oldest child nearly killed me using only his words. Every minute in between "Good mornin,' Mama! It's a sunny day!" and "Still sunny. NOT time for bed!" was filled with comments about everything he heard, saw, or thought about, and questions about anything and everything you can imagine. He didn't always like the answers I gave...

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The Fate of Tall Girls

Esther 4 I've always been tall. I reached what turned out to be my adult height of 6' by age 13, and all through middle and high school, I was encouraged to play sports. All the sports! At my height, everyone assumed I'd be an asset to any team; even my performance in regular gym classes wasn't a deterrent. (Trust me, it wasn't pretty!) Many voices tried to influence me, ...

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Life, Interrupted

Acts 4:1-31 Toward the end of the last school year, I hatched a master plan to teach our children how to cook entire meals from start to finish. They started by planning their respective meals together so we weren't eating pancakes three days in a row. Then they made a list of ingredients and helped shop their lists, followed by cooking, serving, and cleaning up. Voila! L...

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Walk and Talk

The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend (Exodus 33:11). A friend and I started regular "walk and talks" in January of this year. We take turns meeting in each other's neighborhoods, and for an hour or so we walk, talk, and solve the world's problems...at least for that day! :) What started as a way for each of us to get out of our houses mid...

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God Isn't Hulk-Mom, But...

"I looked for someone to stand up for me against all this, to repair the defenses of the city, to take a stand for me and stand in the gap to protect this land so I wouldn't have to destroy it. I couldn't find anyone. Not one. So I'll empty out my wrath on them, burn them to a crisp with my hot anger, serve them with the consequences of all they've done. Decree of God, the...

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Hidden in My Heart

Jonah 2 Have you ever been in a group setting where a volunteer is asked to pray? I help out with our high school student ministries group, and each week we ask if anyone would like to pray before we share dinner together. It's comical how quickly all conversation stops and all eyes look down when that question is asked! Adults are guilty of this, too, you know. Myself in...

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Well-Rounded Athletes and Christians

Psalm 119 I was thirty years old before I began appreciating and even enjoying exercise. It's a long story as to how I arrived, but what I discovered when I got there is obvious: there are numerous approaches to moving one's body, and all are beneficial in their own ways. Yoga is a great way to work on strength of mind and body by ways of increasing strength, mobility, a...

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In Praise of Psalms

Psalm 119 My favorite college class was on Psalms. Our first assignment was to categorize each of the psalms in a spreadsheet. We created our own categories (worship, lament, praise, etc.), and after reading each psalm we put them in the appropriate column(s). I had never studied scripture so methodically, and it was enriching in heart and mind. (It also jump-started my ...

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Golden State of Mind

Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every wordthat comes from the mouth of God'" (Matthew 4:4). We moved to the central valley of California in May 2012. Those first months in the "Golden State" were sunny, warm, and full of palm tree sightings...but they were also overwhelming. My husband was busy learning and traveling for his new ...

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A Seat at the Table

So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. When evening came,Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve (Matthew 26:19,20). I have many fond memories of sharing family meals: the cousins at their own table while aunts and uncles gathered nearby; everyone eating, talking, teasing, and always laughing. Holiday dinners look a little diff...

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Let Love In

There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful lifefear of death, fear of judgmentis one not yet fully formed in love. 1 John 4:18 MSG Let's start by asking, "What does this verse NOT mean?" It does NOT mean we use this one line in the Bible to insult our Christian neighbors, friends, and family when they express con...

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A Holy Job Description

"He climbed a mountain and invited those he wanted with him. They climbed together. He settled on twelve, and designated them apostles. The plan was that they would be with him, and he would send them out to proclaim the Word and give them authority to banish demons." (Mark 3:13-15 MSG) What are your job description(s)? Some of us have "official" job descriptions tied to ...

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Framily, Part 2

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:39-41 You know that feeling: the one where you walk into a room and know you're sticking out like a sore thumb. May...

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Framily

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, "Woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.John 19:25-27 We met Esther the first time...

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Get to Work!

"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? Acts 1:11a One of our children allows things to become messier than the others do, and when the mess reaches an overwhelming level doesn't know where or how to begin cleaning it up...so just does something else instead. The mess gets messier, mom's blood pressure rises, chaos takes over, and the ent...

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Got Questions?

Philip and the Ethiopian Acts 8:26-40 I will never forget the first time I visited Minnesota. It was March, and there was still some snow on the ground and ice on the lakes, and yet I had to ask why there were kids in swimsuits playing in sprinklers on a random 60-degree day. The soil in the fields we passed was so black I asked if there had been fires that burned everyt...

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Of Tie-Dye and TikTok

We, of course, have plenty of wisdom to pass on to you once you get your feet on firm spiritual ground, but it's not popular wisdom, the fashionable wisdom of high-priced experts that will be out-of-date in a year or so. You don't find it lying around on the surface. It's not the latest message, but more like the oldestwhat God determined as the way to bring out his best i...

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Reconciliation

The Prodigal Son Luke 15:11-32 I'm a rule follower. I'm somewhat of a perfectionist, I thrive on words of affirmation, and it should come as no surprise that I'm also an oldest child. I have two younger brothers, and one decided several years ago that he would go his own way. There are reasons for his subsequent silence--some I know and some I don't--but I'm sure of this...

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Rebellion

The Prodigal Son Luke 15:11-32 I'm not a rebellious person by nature. I was an excellent teenager, and I gave my mom zero gray hairs in high school. I wish I could say the same about my first couple years at college! At first the freedom of living away from home was overwhelming, but it didn't take long for me to embrace it. I loved it so much that I began to tell myself...

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Show Me

Click here to listen to this post! So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed"...

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In the Light

Click here to listen to this post! Jesus replied, "My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can,so the darkness will not overtake you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot seewhere they are going. Put your trust in the light while there is still time;then you will become children of the light" (John 12:35, 36). We moved to North Ca...

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CrossFit vs CROSSFit

Click here to listen to this post! Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our fa...

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Of Root Canals and Forgiveness

Click here to listen to this post! And since we now have a magnificent High Priest to welcome us into God's house, we come closer to God and approach him with an open heart, fully convinced that nothing will keep us at a distance from him...Now we are clean, unstained, and presentable to God inside and out! Hebrews 10:21,22 (The Passion Translation) As I write this I'...

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Clean Slate

Click here to listen to this post! But instead, those sacrifices actually reminded them of their sinsyear after year...And when sins have been forgiven, there isno need to offer any more sacrifices (Hebrews 10:3,18 NLT). I love a good list: daily, weekly, and monthly to-do lists, grocery lists, wish lists, prayer lists, chore lists for the kids...and the list goes on! ...

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Some Kind of Love

Click here to listen to this post! That's why he had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people's sins, he would have already experienced it all himselfall the pain, all the testingand would be able to help where help was needed.Hebrews 2: 17,18 (The Message) In 2010 a new reality show came on the scene...

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Sweet Satisfaction

Click here to listen to this post! Throughout our history God has spoken to our ancestors by his prophets in many different ways. The revelation he gave them was only a fragment at a time, building one truth upon another. But to us living in these last days, God now speaks to us openly in the language of a Son, the appointed Heir of everything, for through him God created...

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You Do You

Click here to listen to this post! It's God we are answerable toall the way from life to death and everything in betweennot each other. That's why Jesus lived and died and then lived again: so that he could be our Master across the entire range of life and death, and free us from the petty tyrannies of each other.Romans 14:8,9 (MSG) In exploring how to Disagree Deeply, L...

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Plant Pathology

To listen to this post click here! "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers (Luke 6:43, 44). I spent a few summers during college working at a fruit experiment station. There were all kinds of varieties of fruit grown there for research pu...

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Cleaning House

To listen to this post click here! For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of (Luke 6:45b). Before Marie Kondo taught us to toss things that didn't "spark joy" I was already really good at throwing things out (or finding them new homes). Moving multiple times the last ten years means I've perfected the art of purging belongings, and yes: I would argue that it is inde...

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Clean Break

Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him because he had deserted them in Pamphylia They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul went through Syria and Cilicia (Acts 15:36-41). Have you ever experienced a "clean break?" Clean breaks can take the...

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Passion Projects

Acts 15:1-29 My family and I have lived in lots of different places, and that means we've attended lots of different churches. In each church there have been business meetings, and we've been privy to lots of issues, large and small, that have come before their congregations. A few that stand out: Color of the carpet/chairs/pews (This one has come up in almost every si...

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Hard Work Pays Off

You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor. James 3:18 (MSG) It's hard work to learn to tame the tongue, and in turn treat others with respect. It's something we've spoken with our children about at length, and a frequ...

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The Main Objective

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 Once upon a time in a land far away I was a teacher. In college I took an education course specifically geared toward instructing new teachers how to create effective lesson plans. It was tedious work, but all th...

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Spring > Cistern

My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water,and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water (Jeremiah 2:13). [Editor's Note: because our writing team had the week off between Christmas and New Year's, our Connect Devotionals got a week behind the preaching and home group study schedules. We're now back in sy...

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Why Not Minot?

Exodus 3 On December 23, 2009, in the middle of a record breaking blizzard, Team Waldstein rolled into Minot, North Dakota. (Pronounced MY-not...rhymes with, "Why not?"...see what I did there?) It was a new start for our family, and one only my husband was excited about! Outwardly I went willingly, because I knew in my head it was the right move for our family. Inwardly I...

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Hard Pass

Exodus 3 and 4 When our second child was just a couple weeks old my husband approached me with a radical idea. "I'm going to start applying for other jobs out of state." My then sleep deprived state keeps me from recalling my exact reaction, but I'm positive laughter was involved. We had a brand new baby, a two-year-old, two full time jobs, my entire extended family withi...

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There's Just Something About a Silent Night

Silent night, holy night/All is calm, all is bright 'Round yon virgin Mother and Child/Holy infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace/Sleep in heavenly peace It has been easy for me to slip into a new sleeping pattern this year. In college I scheduled my classes in such a way that I could use the wee hours of the night for studying, because I found it hard to co...

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An Unconventional Happily Ever After

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away"(Revelation 21:3,4). ...

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Noise

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people" (Luke 2:8-10). There isn't a lot of holiday hustle...

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He Knows Our Need

O Holy Night Matthew 11:28 I should have kept a tally of how many times I listened to O Holy Night in preparation for this week's Connect Devotional. I listened to various artists sing it in many different styles; I listened while driving, while walking the dog, and while sitting on the porch watching the kids play. It's a song I've enjoyed at Christmas time my whole l...

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"God With Us"

Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too" (Luke 2:34,35). I remember when Mary's part in the Christmas story came alive to me: I was halfway th...

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A Marching Band of Believers

Colossians 3:5-14 In high school I was a member of the marching band, and after summer band camp we were all issued identical uniforms. The uniforms came with standard care instructions and also instructions on how to conduct ourselves when wearing them. The expectations were that we would be at our very best behavior when wearing the uniform. The uniforms identified us a...

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A Life-Changing Wardrobe

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:12, 14) I've been six feet tall since I was 13 years old. I grew up 60 miles from the nearest mall, too, so you can imagine the challe...

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Settle in, Y'all!

Jeremiah 29:1-14 Several years ago I found myself plucked from the only place I had ever lived and dropped into the very last place on earth I would have chosen to move. I prayed some of the most fervent prayers of my life in that place--all of which were along the lines of begging God to, "Please deliver me from this pit of despair!" I guess you can say I empathize with...

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Sanctuary

1 Peter 2:4-12 I will be the first to admit I'm no expert on construction of any kind, but even this novice knows one does not set out to build a house on uneven ground with just one stone. Many stones are needed in the building of a house, and a solid foundation ensures it will last for generations to come. I've been watching the progress of Chatham Church's building si...

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Roots

Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world...But now my kingdom is from another place." John 18:36 There aren't many trees on the plains of the upper Midwest, but what varieties there are are sturdy. They are quite strong and able to withstand the constant winds that blow across the wide open spaces. Harsh prairie winds serve as strengthening exercises for these trees, ...

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Amazing Grace

I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could begained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" (Galatians 2:21) Amazing grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now I'm found, Was blind, but now I see! Amazing Grace was one of the first hymns I memorized as a child. Looking around the sanctuary of my childhood c...

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