Category: Encouragement
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Forgive Thyself?
We ran into a friend of ours the other day at Lowe’s Home Improvement store. A friend who just happens to be a counselor. While my wife and I visited with him, catching up on a couple years of stuff, we also reminisced about some of our counseling sessions from 20 years ago. By the…
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Moms are Special
Today is Mother’s Day. I must tell you up front that I’ve never known a perfect mom. No, I’m not knocking anyone’s mother; yours, mine, or ours. Eve, mankind’s first mom, wasn’t perfect. But she was special. Mary, the woman who carried the Son of God in her womb, and along with her husband Joseph…
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Power To The Faint
“Be strong, hang in there, you can make it, keep a stiff upper lip, hold it together…” Words spoken by well meaning people. But is that the best advice? Maybe. But not always. Many times it is the exact opposite of what we really need to do. “Oh, come on, man! Are you crazy?” Think…
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That First Morning
I’m gonna miss my friend Ross. I’m going to think about him every time I see a garbage truck, or someone playing a guitar left handed, or pull in my fishing line with a big, ol’ catfish hooked on the end. I’m going to miss his exuberance for Jesus, and his love for kids. He…
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Today I May See God
“Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies – so the living should take this to heart.” (Ecclesiastes 7:2 NLT) Old Solomon had some interesting sayings, especially in the book of Ecclesiastes. What could Solomon be getting at: “Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties”? Really?…
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Men, Be Men
Recently I spoke to a group of men about secrecy and shame. I told them of my long time addiction to pornography, and its effects on my life, marriage, and ministry. And I spoke about freedom. While I was excited to have such an opportunity to speak, I was wishing I was sitting there listening…
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Seven Churches
Have you ever considered Jesus’ words in the Book of Revelation: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches”? Brethren, I don’t believe those words were meant solely for those seven churches mentioned in chapters two and three. I strongly believe those words belong to us,…
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Bad News? Hah!
“Gloom, despair, and agony on me. Deep dark depression, excessive misery. If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all. Gloom, despair, and agony on me!” Do you remember that old song from the 70’s show, “Hee Haw”? Ohhhhh! As funny (and corny) as the show was, it’s sad to think there…
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Say What?!?
Day Thirteen. Speak the Word. Isn’t it odd? People seem to think it’s quite alright if you say things like: “I’m sure it can’t be done.” “Nothing ever works for me.” “My car is always breaking down.” “I’ll probably have an accident; things have been going along too well.” But just try and…
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Following Me
Remember the old Cat Stevens song; “I’m being followed by a Moonshadow…”? You may think I’m weird, but I still like his old music; even if he is kind of a strange cat. Not exactly sure what a moonshadow is, but it doesn’t really matter. You see, I’m being followed by several different things; things…
Jan Grace 