Christian Living
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The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
The best Christmas pageant ever happened in the year 1999. Well, it is one of the best, and it makes me cry every time I think of it. Not because of the angels in their white poster-board wings and crooked tinsel halos. Nor was it the tiny, shepherds carrying ninja sticks, or the wise men wearing refurbished Burger King crowns.Even though “Mary” held the baby doll as if it was Jesus himself; that year, it was all about “Joseph.” The Sweet Siblings Three, sweet siblings began attending our church. They came to VBS in the summer and continued to come almost every Sunday after that, as long as they had…
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Trusting God Through a Miscarriage (Part 2 of 2)
by Sally Matheny October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. In my last post, I shared with you the excitement of my third pregnancy and the devastation of a miscarriage. Today, I want to encourage you by sharing another portion of my miscarriage journey. If you’re dealing with an infant or pregnancy loss, you already know some days are hard. Really hard. I promise you, it will get better. I hope you’ll find encouragement here and in a resource I’ve included at the bottom of the post. And, if you’re someone who has never experienced a miscarriage, and are at a loss of knowing how to help someone…
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Trusting God Through a Miscarriage (Part 1 of 2)
October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. In remembrance of that, I want to share with you a portion of my own miscarriage journey. Perhaps you can relate. Hopefully, you’ll be encouraged. Excitement Not even the startling, cold lubricant squeezed onto my belly could stifle my excited chatter. I was on the verge of being the first to hear a great secret—the gender of our third baby! Earlier that day, I had taken our seven-and nine-year-old daughters to a sitter. They desperately wanted to go with me to my 12-week check-up. I told them I wasn’t due for an ultrasound for several weeks. I assured them they could…
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Operation Birthday Celebration–Book Review & Giveaway
by Sally Matheny Photo: Operation Birthday Celebration– A Journey to the Manger I stumbled upon a gem for you all while reading Vonda Skelton’s blog the other week. She was interviewing author/illustrator, Angelika Martin, about her Christian children’s book, Operation Birthday Celebration—A Journey to the Manger. I knew I wanted to review this book when the author said, “Christian parents want creative resources that capture a child’s imagination and fuel curiosity while staying true to biblical teaching. Operation Birthday Celebration is entertaining while supporting Christian values and doctrine.” Martin initially wrote the book for her grandchildren because she “didn’t want Christmas hijacked by an elf.” Soon, however, other families,…
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Sharing the Son Means Leaving the Shade
by Sally Matheny My enthusiasm glittered with the morning sun. It was my first time serving a meal at the project. People slowly filtered into the commons area. My cheerful greetings were not returned. Instantly, I sensed a divide greater than the table between us. They had come for the food. Nothing else. Searching in Silence An inexplicable heaviness stifled communication. Icy silence, as well as sharp tongues, severed most attempts at interaction. It was obvious. We were not welcome. After helping distribute the food, I retreated under the outstretched branches of a tree. Thankfully, I’d thought to bring a lawn chair. It provided a secure…
