September: A New Season!

September: A New Season! by Jen Lawrence Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!          – 2 Corinthians 5:17  At this time of year, I always get a hankering for a set of Mr. Sketch markers, a fleece-lined corduroy jacket, and Charlie’s Angels…

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Change Your Story, Change Your Life

Change Your Story, Change Your Life by Jen Lawrence As human beings, we are built for story. It’s why TV shows are popular, politicians get elected, and retailers don’t just sell you a tablecloth, but the accompanying promise of dining happily with your family at Thanksgiving. Story helps us define our identities and connects us with others. Long before the Internet existed, we…

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My Family Survived 36 Hours Without Wi-Fi

A few months ago, our Wi-Fi died and we were without Internet or television for 36 hours. Yes, that includes Netflix. I’m at the age where I really cannot see anything up close and only use my phone browser in an absolute pinch. And the kids do not have data plans.It was like we were in an episode of Survivor,…

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10 Ways to Feel Better When You’re Down

10 Ways to Feel Better When You’re Down by Jen Lawrence They say that into every life a little rain must fall… Sometimes, however, it pours. If you’ve been struggling lately, here are 10 proven ways to improve your mood.1. Breathe.Genesis 2:7 reads, “Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the…

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Make This Summer About Redemption

Make This Summer About Redemption by Jen Lawrence This blog series has focused on the fun elements of summer, but I know that many of you are going through a season of pain. In this – my final post of the series – I hope to offer some words of comfort to those of you for whom this summer…

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Make This Summer About Having Fun

Make This Summer About Having Fun by Jen Lawrence I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance  [to the full, till it overflows]. – John 10:10 (AMP) Christians sometimes get a bad rap for not having any fun, but God wants our lives to be joyful. Jesus tells the…

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Make This Summer About Feeling Grateful

Make This Summer About Feeling Grateful by Jen Lawrence 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says that we should “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” God did not press this notion upon Paul because it was good for Him, but because it was good for…

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Make This Summer About Being Present

Make This Summer About Being Present by Jen Lawrence As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by…

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Make This Summer About Food

Make This Summer About Food by Jen Lawrence Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts. – Acts 2:46 In scripture, food is viewed not only as sustenance, but as a way to connect with others. Many of…

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Make This Summer About Family and Friends

Make This Summer About Family and Friends by Jen Lawrence Friends love through all kinds of weather,     and families stick together in all kinds of trouble. – Proverbs 17:17* With the kids out of school and a few long weekends on the horizon, summer is the ideal time to strengthen the bonds with friends…

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