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RELATES: A Redeemed Life relates to those around them with Christ’s love and compassion. (COLOSSIANS 3:12-14)

RECENT POSTS

How God Uses Friendship to Refine Us

Sandpaper Friends & Sacred Circles: How God Uses Friendship to Refine Us A few years ago, I found this old, beat-up dresser at a garage sale. It was one of those clunky brown 1970s pieces with ugly brass knobs and layers of lacquer that screamed “Do not touch.” But I had a vision: bubblegum pink...
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Forgiveness Is the Hardest, Holiest Work You’ll Ever Do

Forgiveness Is the Hardest, Holiest Work You’ll Ever Do By Marian Jordan Ellis I used to think forgiveness was a checkbox.Something strong Christians did so they could move on with their lives.Something spiritual and tidy, like a polite nod of the soul. But then I had to forgive someone who hurt me deeply. And suddenly,...
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From Honeymoon to Carpool: Reflections on 13 Years as a Bonus Mom

From Honeymoon to Carpool: Reflections on Life as a Bonus Mom When Justin and I got married, I came home from our honeymoon and immediately jumped into the world of carpooling, school projects, and navigating life as a bonus mom. To say it wasn’t how I imagined my life would be is an understatement. His...
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Why the Resurrection Matters

In an Age of Deconstruction, It is Vital We Know the Truth of the Resurrection Perhaps the most common word spoken to me each day is “why.” My kids have never taken my word for anything or let things go because I gave them an answer. Following almost every statement I make or explanation I...
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4 Truths to Build a Life-Long Marriage

Four Truths I’ve Learned About Marriage on our 10th Wedding Anniversary “‘Haven’t you read,’ Jesus replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they...
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The War in the Wait

Rejoicing in God While Living with an Unmet Desire My phone beeped, and a text from a friend popped up on the screen. I didn’t need to read more than a few sentences to discern the pain and disappointment in her heart. She said, “Marian, I’m reaching out to you because I know you get...
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Give ’em Heaven

A Tribute to my Pastor, Dr. James DeLoach Yesterday, a man precious to my heart entered heaven. Although I pause as I write those words, “entered heaven,” because they just don’t seem fitting. I stumble over this idea because my friend, pastor, and spiritual grandfather, Jim DeLoach lived each day as if he were already...
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A Vision for Sexual Purity

In a culture where microwaves are considered slow, movies are on demand, and a five-minute wait at a fast food restaurant requires a tremendous amount of patience, we tend to expect immediate gratification at every turn. Our world lives in the “now.” For most of us, putting off desires until the future goes against every...
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Dear Single Girl, Please Don’t Settle

Five Principles for Dating Wisely I’ve been told more than once or twice that I’m a truth speaker. Girls, consider yourself warned. This Public Service Announcementgoes out to all my single ladies! So whether you are dating, engaged, or been chilling in a dating desert for the past decade or so… this post is for...
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