IS THIS AS GOOD AS IT GETS?

Posted by on May 1, 2015 in Archives, Blog, Devotions | 3 comments

  By Ava Pennington— A friend recently posted on Facebook: “Not the happiest of days in my life. God must have bigger plans for me.” I’ve had days like that. When I didn’t get the job. When a relationship became damaged. When the medication wasn’t effective. At the end of days like these, I’ve comforted myself with the assurance that God will fix it. But what if He doesn’t? What if there isn’t a better job waiting for me? What if the relationship will never be repaired? What if the illness...

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IS GOD REALLY JEALOUS?

Posted by on Apr 24, 2015 in Archives, Blog, Devotions | 2 comments

  By Ava Pennington— After a severe loss, a friend told me she was done with believing in the God of the Bible. She said, “Your God is too cruel. How could I believe in a god who allows atrocities to be committed on children?” A few months later, a celebrity talk show host said she could no longer believe in the God of the Bible because he called himself a jealous God. Both of these instances caused me to examine my understanding of God…and theirs. If the source of our understanding is not what God...

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lady in waiting

Posted by on Apr 17, 2015 in Archives, Blog, Devotions | 2 comments

    By Ava Pennington— Wait. It’s a four-letter word in more ways than one. I hate waiting. Waiting in lines at the post office. Waiting for a green light at intersections. Waiting for answers to prayer. That last one is the worst. Waiting for answers to prayer. Especially when I know the prayer request is something that lines up with what the Bible teaches. If it’s God’s will for someone to know Him, then why doesn’t He answer my prayer for that person’s salvation? Or if I’m praying for...

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Lifetime achievement

Posted by on Apr 10, 2015 in Archives, Blog, Devotions | 4 comments

  By Ava Pennington— I’m feeling my mortality this week. Yes, it’s that time of year. Facebook will soon be filled with birthday greetings. As I look forward to another year, I find myself looking back as well. What have I done with the years I have been given? What will I do with the years yet before me by God’s grace? My thoughts have been influenced by the recent deaths of several celebrities: Actress Donna Douglas died New Year’s Day at age 81 from pancreatic cancer. I will always remember her...

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AUTHENTIC EASTER LIVING

Posted by on Apr 8, 2015 in Archives, Blog, Devotions | 2 comments

  By Peggy Still— The Easter candy has all been eaten, the decorations are tucked away until next year, and I was finally able to get the last of the egg dye off my hands. The only physical remnant of the holiday left is the stubborn plastic grass that keeps showing up regardless of how many times I vacuum. But is Easter really just seasonal? Are we to celebrate for a day or a week, only to quickly move on in preparation for the next holiday? My friend, Kathy Carlton Willis, reminded me that, “It’s not...

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Between Friday and Sunday

Posted by on Apr 3, 2015 in Archives, Blog, Devotions | 0 comments

  By Ava Pennington— The clichés abound. Life is a process. Life is a journey. Life is a highway. Life is each of these and more. But as we move through the processes, in our journeys, and on the highways, what are we doing during these times? Especially during the times of waiting? Or times of pain? Or the times of discouragement? During these days leading up to Easter, I’m reminded of Jesus’ disciples. How optimistic they must have been after His triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. They had invested...

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