Devotionals
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Looking Back on My Physical Assault at Work
I believe my physical assault at work led to my downward spiral into depression and anxiety. But it also taught me about my own courage. I was already depressed. I had already suffered trauma. I was still physically sick. But I was trudging on. I tried to keep up with my job at Chuck E. Cheese. Chuck E. Cheese has a system in place that aims to ensure children’s safety called “Kid Check.” Families that enter together (adults included) all get a stamp with a number on their hand. That number is checked upon exit to make sure that kids leave with the right adults. Babies get a sticker with the…
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Top 10 Bible Verses About Marriage
Since wedding season is upon us, I decided to share my top 10 Bible verses about marriage. They aren’t actually all directly referring to marriage, but all of them are great to apply to marriage. In no particular order: 1. Ephesians 5: 25-33 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever…
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Finding Peace During Stress
How do you find peace during stress? “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” Mark 5:34 I spoke last week quite a lot on who I was – but now it’s time for me to tell you a little bit about who I am now. I didn’t even know how to write this post (although I had it planned) until last Saturday when I went to founding editor Renee Fisher’s birthday party. The picture above is from that evening. The truth is, I didn’t even really want to tell you who I was before Saturday. My life is pretty great. If there…
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The fresh new future of Devotional Diva
Oh my goodness, is it June already? This is my first official post on Devotional Diva as the new editor! In my first “letter from the editor,” I explained why I felt so compelled to say something about the end of Devotional Diva. I wanted to take this opportunity to explain how I see the new future of Devotional Diva. I understand that most of you don’t really know me at all. That’s why I will be using most of this summer to let you get to know me! I’m mindful that summer here in the US can be pretty busy for many of us, so there will be only…
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Choose Joy in a World of Sorrow
[Guest Post by Kay Warren – When I attended the Mental Health and the Church Conference at Saddleback Church, I was inspired by Kay’s story. She has learned to choose joy through sorrowful circumstances. If, like Kay, you find yourself in mourning or grief — I hope you are encouraged today because of Jesus!] Sisters, Jesus was a man of joy. He was a man of joy! He showed it in his attitude; he drew crowds who couldn’t get enough of him. He showed it in his words; he was a master communicator who impacted those who listened to him in person two thousand years ago, and he impacts us…
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When Our Hearts Are Unguarded
[Guest Post by Holley Gerth – Whenever I go through seasons of feeling like I’m not okay, it’s nice to know I’m not the only one. I appreciate her sweet words reminding us why it’s important to guard our heart — and how our hearts can function from a Biblical perspective. Please welcome Holley!] She sends me a text and I can almost hear the sigh in her voice at the end of her words. “I said something I shouldn’t have,” she confesses. She goes on to share that she’s especially frustrated with herself because she’d just been studying how we’re to use our words for gratitude and praise. Isn’t…
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Why Your Weirdness is Wonderful
[Guest Post by Laurie Wallin – I love it when I get to meet new author and speaker friends personally. She lives in the San Diego area, and it’s neat to hear her story in person. I am excited to share her story with you too! Enjoy.] Sometimes I wonder what God is thinking. (OK, lots of times.) When prayer seems to fall fruitless to the floor, when personal battles rage unabated, and I’m frustrated with something in myself, it’s easy to wonder whether God’s thinking includes me at all. When I’m in one of those modes—those “Nobody loves me. I’m no good. Might as well curl up and succumb…
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New Book: Dream Devotional Releases Easter
I am excited to release Dream Devotional, my fifth book, on Easter! My story of hope. (No, this is not an April Fool’s joke)! There are many reasons why I choose not to share about writing this book until it was releasing. I loathe the fact that a traditionally published book can take up to two years to release, and instead of letting you know what I am doing every step of the way — only to have lost your attention by the time the book is released, I wanted to keep it a surprise! Surprise! I needed to write Dream Devotional for me first. When I wrote that my…
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As Though You Already Are
[Guest Post by Jennie Goutet – Have you ever wanted to share your story, but it’s taken you months to put pen to paper only to realize it’s more difficult than you thought? I’m so glad Jennie didn’t give up and after a few months of asking if she could share, she put herself out there and shared from the heart. If you’re struggling with being accepted as you already are — be encouraged today!] Twenty years ago, I was living in Taiwan when my younger brother committed suicide. I did not yet follow God, although I had already been invited to church in Hawaii and in Manhattan, and would…
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Are you terrible at reading the Bible?
[Guest Post by Ruth Cataldo – Every once in a while I post on social media that I’m looking for new guest posters for Devotional Diva. When Ruth asked if she could share on this topic I couldn’t wait for her to share! So many of us, including myself, can be terrible at reading the Bible at times. Let’s be open and honest and help keep each other accountable, okay?] I am terrible at reading the Bible — there I said it! I want to spend time with Jesus, I want to learn from Him, I want to be more like Him and I want that desire to come naturally,…
