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Barb Lownsbury
- Mar 20
- 5 min
One Week
Let’s say you only had one week left to live. That’s it! Just one week. How would you live? How would you spend your time, and with whom? What might you do differently? As I look at Jesus walking into the last week of his life on this earth as a human being, I am struck by his choices. The Bible says, “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come From God and was returning from God,” (John 13:3). In other words, he knew his time w
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Barb Lownsbury
- Jan 1
- 5 min
Embracing a New Year
I was doing a spiritual exercise where I spent time reflecting on my childhood. I was really struck by how much those initial life challenges still play such a role in my life. I remembered the easy-going, natural confidence I had early on in my life, and how it slowly eroded away. The alcoholism and unhealthy relationships, the discipline that bordered on abuse, the big move that led to new kids in new neighborhoods that didn’t like me much. So many, many challenges. I w
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Karisa Moore
- Dec 26, 2020
- 4 min
Expecting the Presence of Jesus
Jesus has comforted and revealed His presence to me in many different situations.
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Barb Lownsbury
- Dec 25, 2020
- 4 min
The Magic of Christmas
Over two thousand years ago, unto us a child was born. His parents named him Jesus. He was born in the lowest of circumstances to a blue-collar step-father and a teenaged mother. Throughout his life, he would experience pain, pleasure, joy, fear, stress, hurt, heartache and love, just like we do. He would have friends who would betray him, a family who openly feared he was crazy. There were always more needs to meet than time to meet them. He had to juggle competing pri
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Barb Lownsbury
- Dec 2, 2020
- 5 min
You Are Valued
The two younger children jumped out of the newly purchased mini-van, their eyes sparkling with excitement. When they see their new home, their joy bubbles over with laughter and shouts. They have finally been chosen by foster parents. For the first time ever, they will get to experience family. The fear and anxiety of belonging nowhere, of being unwanted, temporarily dissipates. The third child, older and more seasoned, steps out of the minivan quite differently. Her who
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Karisa Moore
- Sep 12, 2020
- 4 min
Turning Our Eyes Towards Joy
My kids ran ahead of us through the tall prairie grass. Their arms were stretched out to the sides, praising God for his creation. I couldn’t believe we had almost missed out on such an amazing experience. Missed the joy of being together as a family. Would not have experienced the jagged mountains of Colorado while hanging off a cliff aboard an old, steam locomotive. My husband and I would not have heard our children squeal with delight at each new wonder and experience. I
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Barb Lownsbury
- Sep 2, 2020
- 6 min
Keys for Strengthening Any Relationship
When I first became single after nearly 20 years of marriage, I resolved to never marry again unless I found the right kind of guy. After nearly 9 years of dating, I had reached a point of no longer really caring if I found him or not. After all, I was happy with my life, running hard after God and surrounded by close, meaningful relationships. Why rock the apple cart? I should’ve known better. God always rocks the apple cart! I love my new hubby, no doubt about it. He brings
71 views0 comments
Barb Lownsbury
- Aug 27, 2020
- 4 min
Spiritual Bravery
I’m a risk-taker, always have been. I’m not afraid of heights, of travel, of new cultures and people, or dicey places more times than not. But with my heart? That’s another story. When you grow up with emotional abuse or you’ve experienced it as an adult like I have, you become skilled at what professional folks like to call “dissociation” and/or “transference.” What that means is when faced with emotional or physical pain, you shut down emotionally and dissociate or disconne
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Karisa Moore
- Aug 22, 2020
- 3 min
Stuck and Waiting for Rescue
Our vehicle was stuck halfway off the road. We should have easily pulled back onto the road after the emergency vehicle passed, but the right wheels sunk deeper into the soft, rain-saturated soil. I got out and tried to push, but as the rut deepened, it was clear, we would not make our son’s recital without help. We piled the kids into the grandparent’s car and sent them on while we waited for the tow truck to come. Panic and frustration ensued when I lost control of the situ
32 views0 comments
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