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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GRIN WITH KATHY

Posted by on Apr 6, 2015 in Archives, Blog | 4 comments

  Monthly Humor Column by Kathy Carlton Willis— Chatty Kathy I don’t know why it is, but people enjoy teasing me. As a kid, it was awful—they bullied me. But as a grown-up it’s actually a lot of fun. I now view it as playtime with words. I know they don’t mean to hurt me. They love to call me Chatty Kathy (yes, I know the doll was spelled with a “C”). I told my friend I was nicknamed for a doll and she said I was fortunate…she too was teased with a doll’s name. Her name is Betsy. You can...

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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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TO LENT OR NOT TO LENT

Posted by on Apr 1, 2015 in Archives, Blog | 4 comments

  By Melody F. Heal— During my son’s eighth grade school field trip to Washington D.C., we were walking out of the country’s Capital when my attention was captured by a black cross drawn on the forehead of many passer byers exiting a Catholic church. All I knew of this sacred event, Ash Wednesday, was that it marked the beginning of Lent. A period of spiritual discipline where one practices moderation, fasting, self-denial, and forsakes pleasurable activities. Catholic friends mentioned how the priest...

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Marriage on the Mend

Posted by on Mar 30, 2015 in Archives, Blog | 2 comments

Penny A. Bragg— “I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?” For over a decade, I underestimated the power of those words. Pride and stubbornness kept me from owning up to my part of my marriage breakdown. As a result, it ended in divorce. However, God was not finished with our story and we ended up remarrying each other after eleven years apart. Having been given a second chance is not something my husband, Clint, or I take lightly. We’ve learned that reconciling our marriage is not about following a recipe, but...

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