Blog
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Welcoming angels unaware
Will you open your home and heart? Hospitality is one of those sometimes messy Christian practices. When we welcome people into our lives, the smells from bodily functions might hang around in the air. Muddy footprints might mar our floors. We might drop our masks, revealing times of irritation or stress. But we’re saying come,…
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Review – sensitive memoir on mothering
In my years of running the Woman Alive book club, I’ve shied away from books on mothers, knowing that it can be a painful subject. But (writing to women here) whether or not we are mothers, we are all daughters (and yes, I know that too can be wrought with pain); not least, we’re daughters…
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Weekly devotional: Forgiveness of sins (5 in Jesus’ miracles series)
Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This…
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Interview with Anne Graham Lotz – Wounded by the Church
God gives me strength and stamina every day. Over the recent months, my husband has had two bouts of pneumonia by aspiration; it’s exactly what my daddy has had. Danny is out of the hospital now, but has home healthcare and a team of friends to help. I don’t feel rested or refreshed, but I’m…
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Yes, says the Lord
In Christ, the answer is “Yes.” I was chewing over 2 Corinthians 1:1–11 recently, thinking about how God wants us to know this Divine Affirmation. Yes, he says. Yes. Yes! Do you believe in Christ’s Yes for you? God our Father God of compassion God of comfort God of love Troubles and pressure Despaired we of life…
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Weekly devotional: Even the demons believe (4 in Jesus’ miracles series)
When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”…
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D-Day, 70 years on
We sat enjoying our picnic on the beach, soaking in the French sunshine and watching our little boy play in the sand. Nicholas turned to me and said, “You know, it’s probably because of your ancestors fighting right here that those schoolchildren are free. And speaking French today.” “Wow,” I said, the implications sinking…
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The Lord is my…
What’s the Lord to you? Your Shepherd? Director? Boss? Father? Friend? Recently, when reaching the end of a retreat, I led a group of women in an exercise of engaging with Psalm 23. We talked through this beloved psalm of David, imaginatively placing ourselves in it, and asking such questions as: Is the Lord my shepherd?…
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What I learned at a Christian publishing retreat…
I’m just back from two days at a Christian publishing industry retreat. Two days of meeting up with people I’ve known a long time, and also seeing in real life many friends whom I enjoy chatting with online. The gathering is unique, bringing together booksellers, book, music and video publishers, suppliers of gifts/cards/T-shirts/churchy things/etc/etc, authors…
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Weekly devotional: Lord of the wind and the waves (3 in Jesus’ miracles series)
Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you…
