Christmas Pictures

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Christmas morning--matching pj's. 
First Christmas! (Can't believe she'll turn one in less than a month).
First curls.  

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Top 10 Reasons Why People Don't Read the Bible

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Update:Thank you for reading and sharing this post! It is my most viewed ever. It has been shared by Bible Gateway and picked up by Cru and republished an abridged version . Here's the original: I've spent 15+ years in ministry, and I've noticed a problem: people who say they believe the Bible haven't actually read it, and people who don't believe the Bible don't want to read it. My response to both groups is this: YOU ARE MISSING OUT! Why? Because the Bible is the best proven source for life-changing joy and peace. And since it's misquoted and misrepresented all the time, you need to actually read it yourself in order to know if you do/don't agree with it or do/don't want to read it. When I mention this, it usually surfaces at least one of these 10 barriers that prevent folks from completing it. Do you relate to any of these? 10 Reasons Most People Don't Read the Bible, Refuted 1. I'm not religious. The Bible is the best-selli
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3 Steps to Writing to God

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Writing is cathartic, and when things in life are confusing, challenging, or painful, God promises to be our refuge. In ancient days, people would write about such things in psalms to God. I googled "writing your own psalm" to see if there was already a post in existence, and while I found many, they were mostly focused on poetic expression, song-making, and required a lot of study, reading, and prep. "Oh my people, pour out your heart to me at all times. For God is our refuge." Psalm 62:8 The point is not to craft a masterpiece, but to pour out our hearts to God. He INVITES us to come as we are, honestly, and talk to Him. This can be intimidating or awkward if you have never done it because of the obvious reason--we can't SEE God with our eyes. This is why writing a letter--a way we communicate with a person who's not in our physical presence--can remove the awkwardness and allow our honest thoughts to flow. In 3 steps, I will guide you through
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Declaration of Independence, Modern Translation

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I was inspired for our family to read aloud the Declaration of Independence this 4th of July. The inspiration came from a few different sources, including a conversation with my grandma about a trip to the Texas Capitol in the "old days." I mentioned this idea to Karl and my parents, and they were for it! The Declaration has such out-dated language (which I hope one day the kids can understand with ease), but until then, we'll read a thought-by-thought "translation." This practice evoked deep thoughts for me, and will spark good conversations so I thought I'd share with you as well.  Download for free at bottom and/or read here.  Original English in blue,   today's English in red italics. Painting in Independence Hall, Philadelphia (personal photo I took when we visited) _________________________ IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessa
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