How Resistance Can Lead to Strength

Gwen Smith April 3, 2018Blog, Christian Living, Devotions, Encouragement, Faith, God's Promises, Strength, Trials, Trusting God 145 Comments

My daughter plays competitive volleyball and recently began a specialized resistance plyometric workout called Vertimax training. The actual Vertimax equipment looks rather unimpressive.

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Which One Are You?

Gwen Smith March 27, 2018Blog, Christian Living, Devotions, Encouragement, Faith, fasting, Giving, Priorities, Trials, Trusting God, Wisdom, Worry 84 Comments

The words of Jesus pack a punch. His is a powerful and vibrant dialog that brings both tradition and the Law into a new and living light.

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You Can Do This!

Gwen Smith March 20, 2018Blog, Devotions, Encouragement, Fear, God's Promises, Grace, Grief, Healing, Prayer, Sorrow, Strength, Trusting God, Worry 84 Comments

You can do this.

Sometimes we just need to be reminded. I know I do.

That day was a whopper.

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When Life Seems Broken

Gwen Smith March 13, 2018Blog, Confession, Devotions, Encouragement, Faith, fasting, Fear, Healing, Prayer, Sorrow, Trials 19 Comments

The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire. (Nehemiah 1:3, NIV)

Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the king of a land far from his home.

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Rerouting Wrong Ways

Gwen Smith March 6, 2018Blog, Christian Living, Devotions, Focus 278 Comments

He had no idea that he was moving in a dangerous direction.

The cute, little box turtle was just trying to ge

t where he was going.

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One Thing You Can’t Do

Gwen Smith February 27, 2018Blog, Christian Living, Devotions, Friendship, Giving, Uncategorized 86 Comments

I pretty much consider myself to have a black thumb. Charcoal, even. I like plants and genuinely try to keep them healthy and thriving,

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When Your Heart Needs Healing

Gwen Smith February 20, 2018Blog, Fear, Forgiveness, Freedom, Healing, Holiness, Prayer, Strength, Temptation, Trials, Trusting God 357 Comments

A friend of ours has struggled for years with heart problems. He’s gone through seasons of wellness and seasons of strain. Last year his health challenges moved from the back burner of his life to the front when his doctors recognized the need to operate.

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Living The Dream

Gwen Smith February 13, 2018Blog, Christian Living, Devotions, Encouragement, God's Promises, Holy Spirit 71 Comments

As I walked into the pink and purple bedroom to tuck in my little rosebud, she sat up in bed and began braiding her hair.

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Is Your Past Still Tripping You Up?

Gwen Smith January 30, 2018Blog, Broken into Beautiful, Devotions, Encouragement, Faith, Freedom, Grace, Holiness 9 Comments

It spoke to me as I strolled down the check out aisle of Marshalls that day. The wall art that was featured on an impulse-buy rack.

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