Posts in Faith
Blog Series: Our Testimonies - Jessica Colwell

I'm so excited to finish out my testimony series with this fire cracker today! Jessica is one of those girls that makes you feel like the only person in the room. She genuinely cares about her friends and takes intentional time to pour into them.

There is so much power in the words she shared in this post and I know everyone who reads it will be blessed. You'll have to read the post to truly understand the beauty of this girl's heart.

"As I looked back on the not-so-good moments of my life, the ones that I thought defined me, I saw Jesus’ loving arms holding me in each one and I was no longer a victim, but instead a child of God who stood in an unshakable place of victory from the moment Jesus died on the cross!"

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Come Away With Me: Arizona

A little over a year ago, Holy Spirit put a huge desire on my heart to go away with Him. To rest. To just be quiet and still.

In a world where nothing stops, He was calling me to press pause. With this second "Jesus retreat," I didn’t want to put too many expectations on the trip, or on Him. I just wanted to follow His lead and see where it took us. This trip was so different than the first one in all the best ways.

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Blog Series: Our Testimonies - Donna Miller

Everyone needs a Donna Miller in their life, particularly this one. She is a LIGHT to every person she meets. She is OVERFLOWING with joy and gratitude. She is just one of the BEST, you guys.

She embodies the book of Proverbs AND the heart of Jesus. I wish I was kidding, but I’m not. Solomon wrote so much on wisdom, but more than anything, Proverbs 13:20 reminds me of my friend Donna. "If you want to grow in wisdom, spend time with the wise. Walk with the wicked and you’ll eventually become just like them."

I would follow her anywhere. I can’t wait for you to read her testimony. If you don’t have someone you’re walking next to in life that is leading you towards wisdom, holiness, and godliness, then I pray that our Father would bring someone along your path. Enjoy reading, friend!

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If Jesus Had Met Me

It's taken me over a year to write this post. It wasn't an easy one to write and it isn't easy to share. But, Holy Spirit finally gave me the words I needed, so my fingers just kept typing. 

This is what it comes down to for me, friends…

I’ve noticed that Jesus was amazed by two things during His ministry: an abundance of faith and a lack of faith. He was amazed at the amount of faith of a captain of the Roman army (Matthew 8:10) and he was shocked at the lack of faith from the people in His own hometown (Mark 6:6.)

On the blog today, I'm covering a controversial topic that most people want to avoid (as I did for a long time) - the healing power of Jesus and the role of our faith. Also...don't miss out on the FREE downloadable print at the end of the post!

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Blog Series: Our Testimonies - Terre Workman

Have you ever met someone and just instantly knew that you needed to know them? Like really know them? Like you wanted to dig in and know every single thing about their story? Terre is that person for me. And when I heard just a fraction of her beautiful testimony at church one morning, I knew I needed to hear more.

So, when Holy Spirit put this series on my heart, hers was the first face I saw after I asked Him who I should interview. It was so obvious, so clear. I just had to know more.

Friends, I know this post is long. I know it might take you a few sessions of reading a few minutes at a time to get through it, but I promise you…it will be  W O R T H  I T! Terre has one of the most beautiful testimonies I’ve ever heard of how our Father reclaims every part of our lives when we surrender to Him. How He completely covers our past, forgives and forgets our sin, walks with us in our present, and anoints every step of our future.

Her stories of building friendship and intimacy with the Father, of participating with Jesus and healing her mother on hospice, and so many others built my faith time and time again as I read her beautiful testimony.

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What I Learned After Reading My Angsty High School Poetry

Before I get into everything, it must be said:

If your high schooler is enrolled in creative writing, stop everything and go give that teacher a hug. And flowers. And send them Tiff's Treats. They're the real heroes.

There are so many other pieces I found that were so awful I couldn’t even post them here. BUT, there were notes - sweet, sweet notes - written by my creative writing teacher that showed genuine interest and concern. Reading the pieces I submitted 20 years later, I left with sore eyes and a headache because I couldn’t stop rolling my eyes while reading this junk!

I couldn’t believe there was a sweet soul out there who took the time to invest in us, a room full of smelly misfits with our absurd 15-year-old emotions. ALL the emotions and not enough deodorant. Goodness!

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Blog Series: Our Testimonies - Melissa Forster

I’m so excited to “introduce” my readers to this incredible woman tonight. If you don’t know her already, you’re guaranteed to feel like she’s your best friend by the end of this post!

When I was brainstorming with Holy Spirit who I should interview for this series, I just smiled when He brought her to mind. She's an incredibly hilarious, passionate writer, the most loyal friend you'll ever meet, and is just drenched in love, hope, and grace. I can't say enough about how thankful I am to know her and how her blog posts (and sweet friendship) have encouraged me in my own journey.

Her post covers all the things, y'all. I know everyone who reads it will relate to at least one part of her story of learning what it means to have friendship with the Father, dealing with worry and anxiety, learning how to wait well, and so much more. Thank you for your words, my friend. We're all better off because of them.

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Puffed up or Built up?

While driving to work a few weeks ago, I came across a passage that literally stopped me in my tracks. Has that ever happened to you?

I was listening to the Bible app in my car and heard a verse that took my breath away. I know that sounds dramatic, but it’s true! I ended up listening to the same chapter over and over again, probably five or six times.

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Blog Series: Our Testimonies - Kimberly Hurd Horst

There is power in our testimonies! The Hebrew word for testimony is "ehud," which means witnessrecord, duplicate, or repeat. Our testimonies of the incredible things the Father has done in our lives are meant to be repeated. When we give our testimonies, hope is released into the atmosphere. Our prayer life changes as we joyfully ask the Father to do it again. That thing You did in my friend's life...do it again in my life, Father!

About a month ago, the Father put this series on my heart and immediately revealed to me the five women I needed to interview. I consider all of these women to be mentors to me in one way or another. With such diverse backgrounds and perspectives, I know many readers will connect to each woman's story for different reasons.

My first testimonial comes from my Insta friend, Kim. Kim is one of the reasons I love the Internet. I know her testimony of adoption and forgiveness will bless you abundantly! One of my favorite quotes from Kim: "Being adopted never meant I was rejected; it meant I was found." Amen!

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Five Passages you HAVE to Memorize (and speak over yourself!)

I want to recall His Words as easily as I do the Boyz II Men song, “End of the Road,” from ‘92. Why is it that we can recite every word to, “Whatta Man,” written 25 years ago, but we can’t recall more than a handful of verses of the only book that will outlive every human on earth? 

Memorizing His Word shouldn’t feel like a check-the-box task or an obligatory measure to earn His favor. We memorize His Word to learn more about His heart and we learn more about who He is by reading His Word. I pray that you’ll fall more in love with Jesus, the Word who wore flesh, every time you invest in speaking His truth over your spirit and memorizing His love letter, the Word!

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Blog Series Part 5: Nine Names of God {God is There}

I'm taking a pretty unpopular stance on the blog today in a culture that screams, “You do you! Anything goes. Every religion points back to ‘god.’ YOLO. Live it up! There isn’t a god, so it doesn’t even matter. The only thing that matters is who I want to be and what I want to do. You're the most important thing you need to worry about. There isn’t ‘truth;’ everyone can just do and believe whatever they want."

We hear these messages implicitly and explicitly so often each day that we become numb to them. They may even start to make sense over time. But time and human logic cannot change eternal truths. I hope you'll head over to the blog to hear more. I'm praying for the one who needs to hear this message today, above all of the noise.

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2019 New Years Resolutions: An Update

I’m currently averaging 64% goal attainmenton my 2019 resolutions. Yes, I calculated that. Hashtag nerd alert. Also, that’s pretty terrible.

Isn’t it nice to know that God doesn’t keep a scorecard like this on us? He is FOR us, not AGAINST us. He takes us from grace TO grace. Please know that I am walking through this exercise merely for my own insight and amusement. I will not tear myself down for the things I haven’t accomplished this year, but at the same time, I will ask Holy Spirit to show me where I can keep growing. And I know He’ll show me.

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Blog Series Part 4: Nine Names of God {The Healer + Beginning to End}

Have you ever played the game "What would your super power be?" I feel like mine would be something boring like cleaning the house at the snap of my fingers or carbs with no consequences. The Word says that Jesus carried a supernatural power in His hands. He could’ve done anything with this power, and what did He choose to do with it? Heal people!

Preach. Heal. Bring freedom. Proclaim joy. His mission is our mission, too. Can you imagine what our world would be like if we were more like Jesus and less like Christians? Preach the good news, heal broken people, break chains, and proclaim JOY and freedom! I’m in! It’s no wonder that people were drawn to Him by the thousands. Our ministry should still be this attractive…this hope-filled, this love-driven!

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A Letter From The Father

Do you know what your Heavenly Father thinks about you? How faithful He is and how much He loves you? Who He says you are?

Today on the blog I'm sharing what might be my favorite blog post of the year. Each word was carefully chosen and packed with truth, scripture, and Holy Spirit inspiration. I know I'll go back to re-read this post when I'm feeling discouraged and need a reminder of who the Father says I am when the world wants so desperately to convince me otherwise.

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Song Feature: Alabaster Heart

This week on the blog I'm dissecting the song I have on repeat these days. I can't wait for this song to be released! 

Jesus saw the cross a few days out, but found pleasure in the present - in Mary’s humble gesture as she gave everything she had in this incredible act of worship in preparation for His burial. 

The disciples saw a woman embarrassing herself and wondered why Jesus patiently waited for her to finish this inconvenient, shameful act. 

Mary saw her Savior before her and worshipped Him in the best way she knew how in that moment. Nothing would stop her - not her past, not the men who were mocking her, not anxiety about how she’d pay her bills the next day.

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20 Things to Pray Over Your Friends

Are you praying for your friends? Like really praying for them? As in, prayers that go beyond illness, new jobs, and travel safety? I have a handful of people in my life who will look me straight in the eyes and genuinely ask me what I need prayer for. And then…they pray for me. Right then and there. (I know….gasp!)

On the blog today, I'm sharing 20 Biblical truths we should be continually praying over our closest friends. Praying that their faith, hope, and love would increase beyond measure. That they would put on the full armor of God. That they would engage in a deeper level of intimacy and friendship with the Holy Spirit and listen for His voice. 

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Blog Series Part 3: Nine Names of God {God Who Sees + The Provider}

We desperately want to be seen and known by someone. How much more of a gift is it to be seen by the creator of the universe? He doesn’t fall asleep, get annoyed, or get busy. He never stops seeing us.

This week on the blog I'm covering two more names in this series: "The God Who Sees" and "The Provider." We can cling to so many promises from a faithful God in His Word. And these are some of my favorites.

He sees me, He knows every part of me, and yet, He still loves me more than I could ever understand. He is my more-than-enough Provider. He doesn't want to just meet my needs - He wants to bless me in the abundant realm! 

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13 Year Anniversary: A Timeline

This week we celebrated our 13th year of marriage! The "lucky 13!"  But the truth is that in Christ, we don't need luck. We only need HIM. And HE will lead our marriage in the most beautiful direction.

As much as I wish this would've happened in year 2, I don't think we would've noticed or appreciated how the Father was moving in our lives if it had happened at that time. This has been the most incredible year of growth for us in our marriage in every sense of the word, so I can't even imagine what it will be like in another year.

He CAN redeem your marriage and take it from good to great, friends! 

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