Breathing Through The Pain

Gwen Smith October 26, 2023Blog, Christian Living, Faith, Prayer 2 Comments

Before our first child was born, Brad and I took a series of classes to prepare us for childbirth. My Lamaze instructor told us I would need to breathe through each contraction while in labor.

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The Power of Quiet

Gwen Smith October 26, 2021Abiding, Blog, Christian Living, Peace, Perspective, Prayer, Prayer, Priorities, Rest, Strength, Worship, Worship 2 Comments

There are times when laundry takes over my house. Piles build up, though I try to stay on top of them. Many of the clothes are clean and even folded,

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Will You Trust God With That?

Gwen Smith January 21, 2020Abiding, Blog, Christian Living, Faith, God's Promises, Prayer, Prayer 56 Comments

When my son, Preston, was in sixth grade he chose to plant spinach for his science fair project.

He planted seeds in four plastic cups and watered each batch with a fixed daily amount of four different liquids: water,

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When The Answer is NO, Part 1

Gwen Smith October 8, 2019abortion, Anger, Blog, Christian Living, Devotions, Encouragement, Fear, Grace, Grief, Healing, Parenting, Prayer, Sorrow, Strength, Trusting God, Worry, Worship 195 Comments

In the summer of 2002, Shira and Joey Arnold were delighted to learn that they were expecting their first child. They excitedly shared the news with family and friends as they began to plan for their new family.

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More Strength Less Stress, Please!

Gwen Smith September 24, 2019Blog, Christian Living, Devotions, Encouragement, Life Clutter, Prayer, Trusting God, Worship 3 Comments

There is a scene in the whimsical and quirky film The Princess Bride in which some bad guys were chasing the movie’s two main characters, Buttercup and Wesley.

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My Favorite Place

Gwen Smith May 7, 2019Blog, Holiness, Peace, Prayer, Prayer, Strength, Trusting God, Worship 6 Comments

The bedrooms of my children house more memories than a library full of books. The doorframes have been gateways to relationship. Access points of intimacy. Invitations to community.

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Permission to Speak Freely

Gwen Smith March 12, 2019Blog, Christian Living, Devotions, Prayer, Scripture 19 Comments

I like to filter things. Get the junk out. Keep it pure. I have a filter for water on my counter and on my refrigerator. I replace them regularly.

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What’s Up With That, God?

Gwen Smith February 19, 2019Blog, Christian Living, Encouragement, Faith, Prayer, Trials, Trusting God 13 Comments

Not gonna lie, sometimes life gets really hard. At times our battles are an intense, invisible boxing match, and the enemy seems to not only make contact on every upper cut but also win every round.

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Practice Makes Progress

Gwen Smith October 30, 2018Blog, Christian Living, Devotions, Encouragement, Prayer, Worship 101 Comments

I’ve always been an athlete. As an adult, I enjoy power walking and keeping fit. Growing up, I played on different sports teams all year round,

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