Find hope & encouragement for today everyday by Frankio

Praying

H E L L O , F R I E N D ! I S point additional encouraging free need to QR code find on page to to camera on camera at and box that looks a are in code code’s at of code’s of Everyday Faith

and want

white

T H

learn more. Here’s how

whenever you

bar code) If you

do is scan the

open a QR code: 1. Open the

your phone. 2 Point the

one

resources All you

selfie mode, tap the camera shaped icon to flip it 3. Make sure the QR

content. Tap the notification that appears

is centered on the camera screen All four edges of the QR code should be on the screen 4 Wait for the code to scan (It should scan almost immediately ) 5. Open the QR

the top

the screen to open the QR

We are so glad you’re here and so glad that you have chosen to spend time with us! We like to call fall the second new year because of all the changes surrounding back to school, holiday preparation, and shifting seasons it really feels like a fresh start. In this issue, you’ll find stories and articles to inspire hope, prompt reflection, and encourage you for the upcoming months These pages are full of the best kind of hope and encouragement truth from God’s Word We know that you care about living your faith (it’s one reason that you picked up this magazine) and we hope this issue helps you know and share God’s love in fresh, true, and inspiring ways.

your fall is blessed, Y O U R F R I E N D S A T D A Y S P R I N G

products and

I S S U E I S F U L L O F Q R C O D E S that will

you to

webpage or other information W E L C O M E T O T H E FA L L 2 0 2 2 E D I T I O N

the QR code (the small, square, black

the

E E R Y D

A Y F A I T H E D I T O R I A L Editor in Chief Julie Blume Benedict Creative Director Courtney Lentz Copy Editor Deb Warlaumont Mulvey D A Y S P R I N G A D M I N I S T R A T I V E President James Barnett VP of Marketing Stephen Bos Content Marketing Director Joy Groblebe Creative Director Brandon Wimberly Content Marketing Manager Jordan Sears Business Development Manager Brian Welch A 3 6 0 M E D I A President & Chief Media Officer Doug Olson Executive Vice President, Consumer Revenue Eric Szegda VP, Consumer Marketing Holly Oakes VP, Sales & Consumer Marketing Tom Maloney Consumer Marketing Director Melanie Piselli Senior Sales Director Steve Smith Circulation Manager Bill Fiakos Ever yday Faith is published by A360 Media All rights reserved Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is prohibited Printed in the U S A Photography Cover by Melissa Coulier Creative All others: Getty Images, DaySpring, & courtesy of subject “Have I not commande d you? Be strong and courage ous. Do not b e afraid; do not b e dis courage d, for the LORD your Go d will b e with you where ver you go. ” J O S H U A 1 : 9 N I V 5 8 What to Do When Your Soul Is a Hot Mess 2 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H

8 9 Be One Step Closer to Blessings

4 Prepare to Embrace the Seas on Ready your heart for gratitude 48 Hop e for Difficult Time s Turn your darkness into light 22 Dive De ep er in the Word How to study the Bible mindfully 64 Live Life to the Full God will help you feed your dreams 40 Practice Hospitality from the Heart Sharing food is sharing love 8 2 Move One Step Clos er to Je sus Study Scripture and find hope 4 6 Jesus Is Our Greatest Tradition C O N T E N T S F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 3

N O M Y 1 1 : 1 3 1 5 T H E

4 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H p r e p a r e t o E M B R A C E T H E S E A S O N

During one particular church visit that autumn, we were sitting in a wooden pew toward the front of the sanctuary It had been a lovely service that included several favorite

B Y A N N A E . R E N D E L L

P R A Y I N G F O R T H E

He prayed for the right amount of rain that neither flooding nor drought would damage the local fields

hroughout the brief period that my husband and I lived on the plains of North Dakota, we visited many churches as ambassadors of the Bible camp we worked for We met so many wonderful people, drank a lot of great coffee in church fellowship halls, and saw God’s glory across the wide expanse of North Dakota sky

hymns and a robust “greeting of your neighbor,” and was concluding with the prayers As the pastor led us, he prayed a few sentences about one topic (our church liturgy calls this a petition) and the congregation responded to each with, “Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer ” None of this liturgy was new to me However, my ears perked up when he began a petition focused on the harvest

If you listen obediently to the commandments that I am commanding you today, love God, your God, and serve him with everything you have within you, he’ll take charge of sending the rain at the right time, both autumn and spring rains, so that you’ll be able to harvest your grain, your grapes, your olives. He’ll make sure there’s plenty of grass for your animals. You’ll have plenty to eat. E U T E R O M E S S A G E

Praying for the harvest was new to me, as I’d been born and raised in the suburbs As I peeked around at those praying around me, it gripped my heart to see their faces upturned and clenched, their hands tightly folded, and their heads nodding in agreement with the petition.

This article is one of 25 autumn devotions found in Anna’s book, Pumpkin Spice for Your Soul: 25 Devotions for Autumn As one who finds glory and beauty especially during fall days, she offers inspiration sure to help you embrace and soak up the season too Each day brings you Scripture, devotions, prayer, reflection questions to ponder throughout your day, and an “extra shot” inspiring quotes, recipes, and fun autumn ideas like espresso for your soul! You’ll also find lined pages for your own autumn reflections, nine of Anna’s favorite autumn recipes, and a bonus devotion for the start of Advent

We may not all be farmers, but we can certainly pray for an abundant, beautiful harvest in our own lives. Isn’t that what we hope for in our mothering, family, marriages, and friendships? Proof of the hard work we’ve done, the care and attention we’ve lavished, and the focus and determination it took along the way?

P O N D E R

What are you harvesting in your life, in your marriage, in your work, and/or in your children?

M O R E P U M P K I N F U N

A N N A E . R E N D E L L is the author of A Moment of Christmas and Pumpkin Spice for Your Soul, works full time at DaySpring, is a contributing writer at (in)courage, and lives in Minnesota with her husband and their four kids Anna shares the good stuff of the regular and encourages you to see the ordinary glory in your everyday

He prayed for daylight to last longer so the farmers could accomplish as much work as possible during the swift daytime hours He prayed for a healthy harvest, a fruitful return on years of hard work and backbreaking labor

Whatever the harvest may yield, God promises to care for us and for those we love To provide all that we truly need And to send the rain at the right time Lord, help me trust the harvest. You hold it in Your hands, and they are more than capable of producing a fruitful crop. Bless the farmers in this season of stress and labor. Amen.

Every farmer knows the result isn’t entirely up to them They can love and care for their fields, and still the crops can be wiped out by a flood, drought, insect infestation, or other act of nature Every mother knows this too that she can pour her whole heart into raising her kids and they still may not turn out the way she had hoped Nature takes its course, and we can simply nurture the results

Do you trust God to provide all that you truly need? Why or why not?

The whole prayer experience only lasted about three minutes and occurred more than 10 years ago, yet I’ve never forgotten it Each year when harvest season arrives, I pray for farmers for the sun to shine, the rain to fall appropriately, the labor of their hands to be prosperous, and for them to receive rich rewards for all their work

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 5

Carve out the stem section of a mini pumpkin (you can use a large drill bit or a carving knife) Insert a battery operated taper candle in the hole, and voilà! You have a beautiful harvesttime decoration I like to use several different pumpkins and gourds, placing them in the center of my dining room table and using both taper and tealight sized flameless candles

6 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H p r e p a r e t o E M B R A C E T H E S E A S O N

As nostalgic as I am for school supplies, I absolutely hated taking exams My heart would race, my knees would shake, and I even had a teacher who would shuffle up the tests, so there were completely different versions floating around My chest is tight just thinking about it and I can still hear the echo of the warning, “Keep your eyes on your own paper ” I never would have cheated, but just the thought of it all still makes me anxious Even though (thank you, Jesus) I graduated with a decent enough GPA to go to my favorite college, I second guessed EVERY single bubble I ever colored in on a Scantron

Once we’re at school together, another pre test feeling creeps in. I find myself looking around and assuming everyone else has an easier test than me, so clearly they’re doing a better job than I am

K E E P Y O U R E Y E S O N Y O U R O W N P A P E R

haven’t been considered an official student for more than 13 years, but I still LOVE going back to school shopping! As soon as the aisles of file folders and bins of yellow pencils start rolling out each summer, it’s like something clicks in me that I might as well buy new office supplies too. I load up on new colorful pens and packs of Post its “for work,” but I wouldn’t go back to school even if you paid me

You are doing exactly what God needs you to do B Y M A G H O N T A Y L O R

Today as a mom of a new kindergartner, I am feeling those pre test jitters once again Did I prepare him enough? Is he brave, confident, and ready? I lie awake thinking, Did I label all his supplies correctly and remember to pack everything I was supposed to send?

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 7

They are the parents who are first in the drop off line, while I’m basically screeching tires trying to get my son there in time! Maybe their kids skip grades because they’re so smart or reading at a higher level. There’s always the PTA president with all the volunteer time to offer Some moms cut the cute lunches into teeny Pinterest shapes, and others are wearing yoga pants because they actually went to yoga My head is on a swivel taking it all in, and sometimes it feels like a test that I forgot to study for until I remember that it’s not a competition I need to keep my eyes on my own paper God made each of us differently and we will all shine in our own way Our school needs every one of these families Your child doesn’t need you to be more like any other parent at school, he needs you to be YOU, and God feels the same way Our best is more than enough for Him We each have something different to bring to the table and we all have different tests

Just like the familiar rule we learned back in school, I constantly need to be reminded to keep my eyes on my own paper Stay in your own lane and run the race that God laid out for YOU and your family. If you could only see yourself the way God sees you as a parent, as a student, as HIS child, you wouldn’t think for another second about comparing yourself to someone else He delights in you and you don’t have to be perfect because only He is

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go ”

I T ’ S W O R T H R E M E M B E R I N G T H A T W E C A N A D M I R E A N D C E L E B R A T E A N O T H E R P E R S O N ’ S G I F T S A N D T A L E N T S W I T H O U T Q U E S T I O N I N G O R D O U B T I N G O U R O W N .

8 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H p r e p a r e t o E M B R A C E T H E S E A S O N

It’s worth remembering that we can admire and celebrate another person’s gifts and talents without questioning or doubting our own

We may each battle our own self confidence, but God is confident in us

God made our children just the way they are “Fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14 NKJV). And WE are uniquely qualified be the exact person God wanted to raise His kids whom He so lovingly lends to us Even when it seems impossible, He loves them even more than we do and He wants what is best for them too He knit our family together and we don’t have to be perfect to be perfect for each other

M AG H O N TAY LO R (founder of AllSheWroteNotes com) is on a mission to spread happiness through her handwriting. Maghon is the author of Happy Hand Lettering and Betty Confetti. Her life motto is “work hard, stay sweet, trust God, love deep ” She’s taught thousands of people through her online classes and penmanship parties, and her colorful art can be found on gift shop shelves nationwide In 2021, she opened her first studio storefront in Gibsonville, North Carolina Maghon is giving God the glory every day alongside her husband (and middle school sweetheart), Chris, and their sweet son, Vance DaySpring is here to help you encourage your littles as they go back to school with plenty of fun and encouraging resources, including this adorable backpack created with Maghon Taylor You can shop all gifts for kids at DaySpring com

In case nobody told you today, you’re doing a good job Keep your eyes on your own paper because we KNOW God shuffles His tests Do your best with the life YOU have been given, without comparing it to others, because your test may very well be different than theirs.

Eventually our kids will start comparing themselves to each other too Athletically, academically, creatively, socially I still remember the first time my own self esteem was really rattled by another student Our children will look to us for reassurance when their confidence is shaken, and all of us can benefit from a firm foundation in our faith. Joshua 1:9 NIV says:

S e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 2 R E A D A N E W B O O K M O N T H N A T I O N A L F R I E N D S H I P M O N T H S U N M O N T U E S W E D T H U R S F R I S A T 1 W o r l d L e t t e r W r i t i n g D a y 2 3 4 5 L a b o r D a y 6 N a t i o n a l R e a d a B o o k D a y 7 8 9 1 0 M a k e a l i s t o f t h i n g s y o u ’ r e g r a t e f u l f o r t h i s m o n t h ! 1 1 P a t r i o t ’ s D a y 1 2 N a t i o n a l D a y o f E n c o u r a g e m e n t 1 3 1 4 1 5 1 6 P i c k u p a n e w b o o k o r d e v o t i o n a l 1 7 1 8 1 9 2 0 2 1 W o r l d G r a t i t u d e D a y 2 2 2 3 2 4 2 5 2 6 S e n d a c a r d o f e n c o u r a g e m e n t 2 7 2 8 2 9 3 0 I n t e r n a t i o n a l P o d c a s t D a y H a v e y o u l i s t e n e d t o t h e ( i n ) c o u r a g e p o d c a s t y e t ?

S e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 2 S h o p p i n g L i s t D a y s T o R e m e m b e r O C C A S I O N D A T E C A R D S E N T ? W h a t I ’ m L o o k i n g F o r w a r d T o . . .

S U N M O N T U E S W E D T H U R S F R I S A T 1 2 3 4 5 W o r l d T e a c h e r s D a y K e e p r e a d i n g f o r w a y s t o e n c o u r a g e t e a c h e r s t h i s y e a r ! 6 7 8 9 P a s t o r A p p r e c i a t i o n D a y 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 3 1 4 N a t i o n a l B o s s ’ D a y 1 5 1 6 1 7 1 8 1 9 2 0 2 1 2 2 N a t i o n a l M a k e a D i ff e r e n c e D a y 2 3 2 4 2 5 M a k e y o u r C h r i s t m a s g i f t s h o p p i n g l i s t ! 2 6 2 7 2 8 2 9 3 0 3 1 T i m e t o s t o c k u p o n C h r i s t m a s c a r d s ! O c t o b e r 2 0 2 2 M I N I S T R Y A P P R E C I A T I O N M O N T H

O C C A S I O N D A T E C A R D

W h a t I ’ m L o o k i n g F o r w a r d T o . . . O c t o b e r 2 0 2 2

D a y s T o R e

S h o p p i n g L i s t m e m b e r S E N T ?

S U N M O N T U E S W E D T H U R S F R I S A T 1 S e n d a c a r d e x p r e s s i n g y o u r g r a t i t u d e t o s o m e o n e i n y o u r l i f e 2 3 M a k e y o u r s h o p p i n g l i s t f o r T h a n k s g i v i n g 4 5 O r d e r y o u r C h r i s t m a s c a r d s ( a n d d o n ’ t f o r g e t s t a m p s ! ) 6 7 8 9 1 0 1 1 V e t e r a n ’ s D a y 1 2 1 3 W o r l d K i n d n e s s D a y 1 4 1 5 1 6 1 7 W r i t e d o w n w h a t y o u ’ r e t h a n k f u l f o r 1 8 1 9 2 0 2 1 2 2 2 3 2 4 T h a n k s g i v i n g 2 5 B l a c k F r i d a y 2 6 S m a l l B u s i n e s s S a t u r d a y 2 7 P u t u p y o u r C h r i s t m a s t r e e ! 2 8 C y b e r M o n d a y / C y b e r W e e k 2 9 G i v i n g T u e s d a y 3 0 A d d r e s s y o u r C h r i s t m a s c a r d s a n d s e n d t h e m o u t ! N o v e m b e r 2 0 2 2

N o v e m b e r 2 0 2 2 S h o p p i n g L i s t D a y s T o R e m e m b e r O C C A S I O N D A T E C A R D S E N T ? W h a t I ’ m L o o k i n g F o r w a r d T o . . .

I ’ m p r a y i n g G o d w i l l f i l l y o u r h e a r t a n d m i n d , h o l d y o u , a n d p r o t e c t y o u a s y o u w a l k i n t h e f u l l n e s s o f H i s j o y t o d a y .

T h e s e c r e t t o j o y i s t o k e e p s e e k i n g G o d w h e r e w e d o u b t H e i s . A N N V O S K A M P

T o d a y i s a b r a to Share

T h e t r u t h , s p o k e n g e n t l y i n l o v e , s e t s u s a l l f r e e .

J E N N I F E R G E R E L D S

Whether you know someone facing disappointments or just needing a little encouragement, Prayers to Share from DaySpring are a great way to remind others of the beauty of God’s hope! These inspirational pass along notes are available in many stores and at DaySpring com

n d n e w d a y t h a t G o d m a d e j u s t f o r y o u . I ’ m p r a y i n g y o u ’ l l f i n d i t t o b e b r i g h t a n d f r e s h a n d f u l l o f n e w , e x c i t i n g b e g i n n i n g s . T a k e o ff y o u r f o r m e r w a y o f l i f e , t h e o l d s e l f t o b e r e n e w e d i n t h e s p i r i t o f y o u r m i n d s E P H E S I A N S 4 : 2 2 2 3 C S B I a s k e d G o d t o p o u r H i s e n d l e s s l o v e o v e r y o u t o d a y . E v e r y g o o d a n d p e r f e c t g i f t i s f r o m a b o v e , c o m i n g d o w n f r o m t h e F a t h e r o f t h e h e a v e n l y l i g h t s J A M E S 1 : 1 7 N I V Prayers

T o d a y I a s k e d t h e L o r d t o f i l l y o u r m i n d w i t h t h o u g h t s o f h i s g o o d n e s s a n d m e r c y a n d t o r e l e a s e y o u f r o m w o r r y o r f e a r .

Y o u m a k e k n o w n t o m e t h e p a t h o f l i f e ; Y o u w i l l ﬁ l l m e w i t h j o y i n Y o u r p r e s e n c e , w i t h e t e r n a l p l e a s u r e s a t Y o u r r i g h t h a n d

Y e s t e r d a y i s b e h i n d y o u ; t o m o r r o w i s o u t o f r e a c h T o d a y i s a n u n e x p l o r e d t r e a s u r e w i t h a d v e n t u r e s w a i t i n g .

G o d c h o s e f o r y o u t o b e h e r e a t t h i s m o m e n t H e ’ s w a t c h i n g o v e r y o u r l i f e w i t h l o v e H e ’ s s e n d i n g o t h e r s t o e n c o u r a g e y o u W h a t ’ s a h e a d f o r y o u w i l l n o t b e a s u r p r i s e t o H i m .

H O L L E Y G E R T H

L I S A S T I L W E L L

P H I L I P P I A N S 4 : 8 C S B

Prayers to Share

P S A L M 1 6 : 1 1 N I V

F i n a l l y b r o t h e r s a n d s i s t e r s , w h a t e v e r i s t r u e , w h a t e v e r i s h o n o r a b l e , w h a t e v e r i s j u s t , w h a t e v e r i s p u r e , w h a t e v e r i s l o v e l y , w h a t e v e r i s c o m m e n d a b l e i f t h e r e i s a n y m o r a l e x c e l l e n c e a n d i f t h e r e i s a n y t h i n g p r a i s e w o r t h y d w e l l o n t h e s e t h i n g s

S P I C K S F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 17

Queen Anne's Lace Pitcher is my go to for flowers all year long. And in fall, bring on the sunflowers! I love their dark faces contrasted with goldenrod petals, and that thick stalk. I grew up in Kansas, where the sunflower is the state flower

The Create Charcuterie Board and Paper

In fall, I feel like I always want a warm drink in my hand, so mugs are my favorite for the season! Check out DaySpring’s Grateful + Free Ceramic Mug.

C O N T E N T M A R K E T I N G M A N AG E R

Anna E. Rendell

Anna’s Hosting Tip: Set out your serving pieces a few days before hosting, and label them with sticky notes That way you’ll know if you’re short a serving spoon or if a bowl is cracked This has saved me from forgetting a bowl for the mashed potatoes more than once! ’

Kim’s Hosting Tip: Less is more Keep options to a minimum, and make sure to have lots and lots of rolls, mayo, and leftover turkey to eat the next day (But never ever forget a family favorite; they will let you know for years!)

Liners from Mary & Martha is both lovely and functional! It’s one of my favorite pieces to use for cozy movie nights and company dinners alike.

G E T R E A D Y F O R A U T U M N ! S H O P O U R F A V O R I T E S E A S O N A L P R O D U C T S A T D A Y S P R I N G . C O M A N D M A R Y A N D M A R T H A . C O M

Karlee’s Hosting Tip: Make lists. I usually feel prepared as long as I’ve made a checklist for myself ahead of time to keep my thoughts and to do’s organized

The Mary & Martha Grace & Gratitude

V P O F B R A N D M A R K E T I N G

CO N S U M E R E N G AG E M E N T S P E C I A L I ST

F A L L O U R S T A F F

Kim Marquette

Karle e Arnold

18 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H p r e p a r e t o E M B R A C E T H E S E A S O N

The next time you feel frustrated, slow down and recognize all the gifts you have been given.

B Y G R A C E P. C H O

The other day, after some one on one time with my son at home, I went to pick up my daughter from my sister ’s house Less than five minutes into the car ride home, they started arguing, their tones twisting into whines and their voices rising in volume and sass I have no patience for this. They had woken up that morning complaining about the other, and so I yell, “You’re already fighting? Why can’t you just be nice to each other? That’s it! No one can talk until we get home!”

C H A N G I N G O U R P O S T U R E S B Y

y kids are 15 months apart All they’ve known is being with each other, occupying the same space, having a constant companion My daughter is like my husband logical, introverted, often craving space to herself so she can read or play unbothered My son, on the other hand, is like me affectionate, empathetic, always craving company and someone to play with When they’re apart, they miss each other, wondering what the other is up to, what things they might be missing out on that the other is doing They play well and fight well; it’s a can’t live with or without each other situation

C H A N G E S O U R P O S T U R E , A N D P R A C T I C I N G G R A T I T U D E M E A N S W E M U S T S L O W D O W N O U R M I N D S A N D O U R H E A R T S T O R E M E M B E R , R E C O U N T , A N D R E C O G N I Z E W H A T W E H A V E T O B E G R A T E F U L F O R

I’m thankful for my kids, whom I get to raise and love and who make me proud and make me laugh. I’m thankful for second chances throughout the day, so we don’t have to be stuck in bad attitudes and crabby moods I’m thankful for newfound creativity even in the mess I’m thankful for quiet hours when I get to work without interruption I’m thankful for the work I get to do in caring for people’s words and guiding others with my own I’m thankful that at the end of a long day, I have a comfy bed to fall into and the potential of a new day awaiting me

I checked my heart and saw the rigidity of my posture When provoked, I often stand on a soapbox of my own righteousness and lord it over my kids, my finger wagging, my tone condescending I feel entitled to them conforming to my ways, to complete obedience the first time every single time I want them to play well with each other, to be happy and grateful

But I realized that my expectations for their behavior was unrealistic Though I want them to learn to listen, to respect me and each other, I was asking for robots instead of children who need grace and reminders And am I not also a child who needs the same things from the Father?

I’m not much different from my kids I also need to try again, to use my words nicely, to say sorry and ask for forgiveness So I got off my soapbox and relaxed my stance I looked into the rearview mirror and saw their faces, obediently quiet I could tell they were ready to be silly again, and I was grateful their spirits had not been broken

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 19

Today has been much like the other day, with the same arguments and whining, but my posture is softer, my heart more open I’m running through the things I’m grateful for, and this is what I know:

I’m thankful for the depth yet simplicity of living out our faith and for Jesus, Who walked the way ahead of us All is grace in Him, and all thanks be to Him

G R AC E P . C H O is a Korean American writer, poet, speaker, and the editorial manager at (in)courage She believes telling our stories can change the world and desires to elevate women of color ’s voices in the publishing industry. Learn more at @GracePCho and GracePCho.com

Our posture determines our attitude, and I’m starting to understand why so many people across the spectrum are talking about practicing gratitude Gratitude changes our posture, and practicing gratitude means we must slow down our minds and our hearts to remember, recount, and recognize what we have to be grateful for It helps us to make mental and emotional shifts throughout the day when it’s not going well, and it grounds us and gives us a better perspective.

They scrunched their faces at me in frustration, but I didn’t relent. We all need a timeout to take a breather, to let our emotions simmer down Their last whines faded out, and as we drove the rest of the way home in silence, my anger subsided I recognized my overreaction, and I remembered the conversation my husband and I had about how it seems that every podcast or sermon or health tip we listen to these days talks about practicing gratitude

Am I grateful or do I whine just like the kids do? Am I grateful even for them? If they’re gifts from God, how do I practice gratitude when I’ve lost my patience and yelled at them when they didn’t behave as I wished they would?

I’m welcoming it into my life in three key areas to bring rest to my body, spirit, and soul

B E S T I L L , M Y S O U L :

20 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H p r e p a r e t o E M B R A C E T H E S E A S O N

For years I believed I could write about and photograph plants but not grow them I joked about how I couldn’t keep plants alive Inspired by the Spring chapter in Myquillyn Smith’s book Welcome Home and the way my oldest daughter found comfort through tending plants while isolating in 2020, I’m filling our home and yard with new life: trailing ivy, shade loving hostas, fragrant rosemary, vibrant purple hydrangeas, an eye catching variety commonly called a hope plant, and a quirky little ponytail palm that reminds me of home I’ve cataloged them in an app that tells me where to place them and when to water them I don’t want to kill my plants from either too much or too little love

Although the news continues to bring me anxiety and sorrow: violence, vaccines, and my family’s unique struggles Lately, however, I’ve realized rest can help me cope with stresses, both slight and substantial

Give yourself permission to cope with the stresses of the past few years

don’t do downtime very well ” How often have I thought or spoken these words? Although I know it’s important, I often have trouble embracing my need for rest I pressure myself to check items off a never ending to do list and allow myself to believe the lie that rest equates to laziness

B Y D A W N C A M P

“

Second, I’m embracing rest for my spirit through reading I used to end every day with at least 30 minutes of quiet time with a book; it was the perfect wind down to my day Over the years, I’m sad to say I’ve allowed catching up on email and social media accounts to edge out that special time

Now I delight day by day as spring awakens the plants and trees in the yard of our new home flowering pear, cherry, and dogwood trees, hardy lavender, creeping succulents, and a beautiful Japanese red maple

Appreciating and tending to God’s creation requires me to slow down and engage my senses of sight, smell, and touch This is rest for my body

Embracing the Ne e d for Re st

First, I’m embracing rest for my body by delighting in God’s creation My parents loved plants, and I remember their favorite nursery and the fascination of walking through its warm, humid greenhouses as a child Our home was filled with the beauty of God’s creation from the rosy red geraniums my mother added to our window boxes each spring to the majestic ponytail palm in our front window, to the graceful weeping willow that stood in the back of our yard

I pull out old, worn field guides, join online plant identification groups, and text photos to my plant savvy oldest son, searching for answers to my questions: Are these budding bushes rhododendron or azaleas? What are the dozens of new shoots pushing up through the soil around our deck? Is this straggly little Charlie Brown tree actually something special?

In Matthew 11:28 CSB, Jesus tells us, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest ” Rest is a gift He offers to the weary

Appre ciating and tending to Go d’s creation re quire s me to slow down and engage my s ens e s of sight, smell, and touch. This is re st for my b o dy.

them over to God Then trust Him to handle the outcome Pray and release: This is rest for our souls

Last, I’m embracing rest for my soul as I pray and release. I used to say yes too often, until I was buried by all the tasks I’d agreed to perform When I learned to delegate, it allowed me to release responsibilities I didn’t need to carry and invited others to share the burden with me

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 21

At the beginning of the pandemic, I bought my first Kindle It’s one of my favorite COVID purchases Most nights I prop extra pillows behind me in bed and escape into occupied France during WWII, slip into the heart of the Russian Revolution, sleuth along with the detective in a whodunit, or enjoy an occasional romantic comedy

As Philippians 4:6 7 CSB says, “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus ”

Worries will weigh you down, but prayer will provide life changing peace if you unshackle your troubles and hand

I pair my Bible study and devotional time with breakfast, so I bookend my day with the written word I believe reading builds empathy, and we all could use more of that Through reading, I’m finding rest for my spirit

DAW N C A M P shares God’s gift of essential oils in her newest books, My Essential Oil Companion and It All Began in a Garden. She is a photographer, essential oil slinger, Mom to eight and Mimi to five. Dawn enjoys movie nights with her husband and steaming cups of Earl Grey. She is also a contributing writer at (in)courage

H O W T O

S T U DY T H E B I B L E

Want to study the Bible but don’t know where to start? Help is here B Y C A R R I E C R I S T A N C H O 22 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H d i v e d e e p e r I N T H E W O R D

F I R S T A N D F O R E M O S T , let Scripture interpret Scripture

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 23

You will need your Bible Open it up and read it for real Write down questions you have and search for the answers to those questions Write down your thoughts and prayers about a passage in a notebook or in the margins of your Bible You may get through a few chapters a day; you may only get through a few verses in a day You may end up going on a treasure hunt as you bounce from reference to reference There is no minimum number of verses or chapters you must read every day to study the Bible correctly; it’s about your intention

Commentaries, concordances, dictionaries, and references oh my! These are fantastic tools to help you understand the Bible, the culture of the time, and so much more.

Studying the Bible isn’t something you do passively You won’t always learn things quickly, and you will almost certainly misunderstand things Guess what? It’s OK Don’t let these temporary setbacks get in your way Press on! It’s OK to have questions Thankfully, there are many resources available that give you the ability to dig deeper, find answers, and “check your work,” for lack of a better term

Starting your Bible study and Bible journaling journey can often be the most challenging part You may be nervous about writing in your Bible or unsure of where to start, and that’s OK! The goal is to know the Bible The creative or in Bible journaling part comes later Remember, the cover, binding, and pages of the book itself are not our priority The goal is learning the Word of God to understand how to reflect Christ for His glory

Step 1: Prayer

After prayerfully choosing the passage you’ll study, read it through once or twice to get a basic understanding of what it’s saying Jot down things that stand out to you or confuse you Don’t look too far into the passage yet! This is a general review of the text Personally, I like to jot down things that catch my attention, things I want to make a note about, and things that are confusing to me at first glance

Step by Step

There are some specific steps to studying the Bible that can improve your Biblical literacy. You may find that changing up the order of these steps works better for you. You may spend more time on a particular step than others. You may end up combining steps as you start to develop a routine. All of this is OK! The exercises in this book are meant to give you a starting point so you can develop the skills to study and understand the Bible

When you begin with prayer, you recognize the Author of the Bible and spend some time talking with Him before starting your study Share with Him any distractions you may be facing or any sin you’re struggling with Pray about your study Pray that He would reveal Himself through His Word If you’re struggling with what to pray about, start with gratitude and worship Acknowledge who He is and all He has done Whether you journal your prayer, pray out loud, or pray quietly to yourself, take a few minutes to invite the Holy Spirit into your study time

Step 2: Read & Identif y

24 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H d i v e d e e p e r I N T H E W O R D

If a portion of text doesn’t apply to you in your current season, reflect on how you can respond to the Lord because of what you’ve learned

Step 5: Write It in Your Bible

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 25

Step 3: Context & Understanding

If you’re unsure how to answer these questions based on the passage alone, that’s OK! This is where the rubber meets the road You may need to look at a different chapter of the book to find the audience If you’re reading a letter, who wrote it and who received it? If you’re reading a historical book like Genesis or 1 Samuel, see if any references in your Bible give you clues to its author If you get stuck and can’t find the answer, then use the resources we talked about earlier

If you’re the type of person who wants to write everything in your Bible, go for it! There’s no wrong way to do that If you want to write less or nothing in your Bible, that’s OK too As you gain more knowledge and understanding, you can journal, draw, paint, or color in your pages Maybe you’ll want to put important notes in the margins next to passages that really speak to you Perhaps you’ll want to put quotes, prayers, or other verses next to the text Again, there is no right or wrong way to do this Just enjoy the process

Key themes are things or messages you frequently see throughout a passage It’s easier to find them in some books and harder in others When looking for key themes, look for phrases that repeat or a larger idea that weaves through a portion of Scripture (examples include grace, love, mercy, blessing, covenant, judgment, etc )

Here’s where it gets fun! It’s important to relate what you read to the original audience so you can understand a passage’s meaning To do this, answer these questions:

By providing practical Bible study tips and favorite journaling techniques, author Carrie Cristancho shares how to make meaningful connections with God’s Word Your life will be transformed as you dive into Scripture and start seeing the goodness of God at every turn

TIP: Don’t start off looking at the notes in your study Bible! Try to find the answers yourself It is so much more fruitful and rewarding!

• How do you think this passage impacted the audience?

This step requires proper interpretation (from step 2), personal responsibility, and discernment. Not every passage in Scripture will apply directly to us. Application comes after interpretation because it’s critical to have the correct interpretation of the text before applying it to our lives Make sure you don’t look past the passages that convict or refine you! God is good, and each of us will always be a work in progress

Step 4: Application

• Who is the audience?

C A R R I E C R I S TA N C H O , founder and owner of True and Lovely Co , has a passion for the Word of God Her desire is to share Christ and encourage Bible study and Biblical literacy through Bible journaling, Bible teaching, and resource sharing Carrie lives in Tennessee with her husband and daughter She is a graphic designer, worship leader, and artist who loves to collect sneakers, watch old sitcoms, and host game nights

Remember: The Bible isn’t about us. It’s about God. If we try to apply everything to our own lives, we’ll miss the message. If we apply everything to the Lord and try to learn something about Him, we’ll find it As a starting point to get my mind ready for the text, I often ask myself: Where do I see the Lord? His provision? A characteristic such as love or sovereignty? You can do the same Go through the text and see what it says about the Lord

True peace comes when we set our minds on “things above” on whatever is positive, uplifting, encouraging, or strengthening to our hearts, minds, and spirits. By turning our minds to the beautiful things of the Lord, we receive freedom from guilt and shame, achieve contentment in life, and feel incredible joy.

• Who is the author of this passage?

S C A N T H E Q R C O D E to get your copy of Whatever Is True & Lovely today!

Each week our Bible journaling community works through journaling and Scripture challenges, prays together, and comes together in a community of faith Whether you’re a seasoned Bible journaling expert or you’ve never tried it a day in your life, this group is for you!

TARYN

AARON @biblejournalingsisterhood | Texas

@wonderfullymadehandcrafting North Carolina 26 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H d i v e d e e p e r I N T H E W O R D

B I B L E J O U R N A L I N G is a way to record your personal study of the Bible and document your journey with God Bible journaling can be creative and artistic, but it’s not about the creativity and artistry, it’s about the time spent with God in His Word As you memorize and reflect on meaningful Scripture, you will deepen your connection with the Lord Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect or look like anyone else’s journal Everyone is welcome! This is your journey with God, and He will guide you!

Did you know that DaySpring has a community dedicated to Bible journaling? Join us!

J O U R N A L I N G

All of the images featured in here are submissions from our Bible journaling community done in the Illustrating Bible, a Bible specifically designed with the Bible journaler in mind! With thicker paper and wider margins than a normal Bible, there is plenty of space for creation and reflection on God’s Word You can find the Illustrating Bible and other journaling Bibles and resources at DaySpring com

DEBBIE

S C A N T H E Q R C O D E to join our Bible Journaling Facebook community today!

DEBBIE

ELIZABETH @sweetfrogprintshop

| Texas F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 27

@debs4jesus | South Africa

@elizabethb84 | Virginia KYM @therealkymco | Nebraska AMANDA

@nana2killian | full time RVer

Sanctuar y

Y O U R H O M E I S Y O U R If you want to live in a peaceful space, follow these three steps.

28 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H d i v e d e e p e r I N T H E W O R D

B Y E L L E N W I L D M A N

The last thing I intentionally did to create a sanctuary within my home was to invite others in I don’t have a very big apartment, I don’t have the money or time to cook lavish meals, and I have a feisty calico cat that attacks people sometimes. But I also knew that after being alone in my old apartment for a long time, inviting others in would bring a new rhythm, energy, and joy to my space It isn’t always perfect sometimes I’m tired and a little crabby when a new friend comes over for dinner, sometimes I don’t make enough food and we have to run out to get more, sometimes we don’t feel very talkative and scroll through Netflix instead But the Lord has met me there with each dinner, each movie night, and each crafting evening When I open my home, laughter, community, and friendship are fostered there

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 29

So how did I approach seeing my home as my sanctuary? The first thing I did was pray I walked around my 600 square foot apartment every morning, asking God to protect my home and establish it as a place of peace I desired peace not only for myself, but for those who came through my door: old friends, new friends, family, and even the maintenance man when he came to fix my leaky sink At first, moving back to the city after living in the country for the first time ever was anxiety inducing for me I wasn’t used to the sirens, the soundtrack of traffic and horns and shouts, and the hustle and bustle that surrounded me I asked God to be my comfort in my apartment, to help me feel at ease where I was It became a morning routine to pray and listen to worship music to start the day in my home And after praying every day for nearly six months, I realized my home had truly become my haven When I came home from running errands, spent the workday in a busy coffee shop, or even had dinner with a friend, every time I opened my front door I breathed a sigh of relief I feel God’s presence with me at home, and I know that I am safe and I am loved

hen I moved back to Nashville in July 2021 from northwest Arkansas, I knew I needed a mindset shift when it came to my home After moving to Arkansas in March 2020 and being quarantined in my apartment by myself for the better part of two years due to COVID 19, home no longer was synonymous to me with comfort, rest, or peace. As someone who has always enjoyed being at home, and who now works full time from my home office, I realized it was important to me that my home felt like a haven, a place of safety, and a refuge. It was time for a reset a time to create the sanctuary my soul longed for

If you’d like to make your home a sanctuary, start by reconnecting with the Creator Our God is a God of peace, comfort, and rest When we seek Him in our desire for our homes to be places of peace, He will meet us there. Your haven ultimately finds its foundation in Him, a refuge for us all

The next thing I did to establish my refuge was to organize my apartment in a way that brought

me joy I struggled with depression and anxiety when I lived in Arkansas, and I decided to look at each piece of wall art, knickknack, throw pillow, blanket, and book I brought across state lines It sounds extreme, but I realized a lot of these material objects were pulling me back to that dark time, reminding me of when I longed to be anywhere but home. Taking inventory of the items in your home that may carry negative memories for you and donating or selling them will give you the opportunity for a fresh start a renewed haven When I thrifted, bought, and found items that brought a smile to my face, were serene and peaceful in color, or just felt like me, my journey to my home as a haven felt like my journey to coming home to myself

Find peace, comfort, hope, strength, gratitude, rest, joy, grace, and renewal in the Word of God Sanctuary in the Psalms is the book of Psalms broken out into nine different themes to help you read and understand God’s Word Purchase a copy of Sanctuary in the Psalms at DaySpring com today

The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.

Donate, sell, or give away items that might carry negative memories or just don’t feel like you Use your décor as a way to foster a sense of calm

P 5 5 : 1 1 8

S A L M

Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.

1 . P R A Y

J V

But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.

P S A L M 2 2 : 1 9 K J V

3 . I N V I T E O T H E R S I N

Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.

P S A L M 1 1 9 : 7 6 K J V 30 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H d i v e d e e p e r I N T H E W O R D

P S A L M 4 : 8 K J V

2 . I N T E N T I O N A L L Y D E C O R A T E

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

E L L E N W I L D M A N is the product manager for Bibles and Bible Resources at DaySpring, and her passion is to show others how life changing and accessible the Bible can be She holds a BA in Bible and Ministry to Women from Moody Bible Institute (2016) and an MA in Biblical and Theological Studies from Denver Seminary (2022) Ellen lives in Nashville, and in her free time she enjoys reading popular fiction, trying new sourdough recipes, and tending to her thriving houseplants

P S A L M 6 : 9 K J V

3 W A Y S T O B E G I N T O E S T A B L I S H Y O U R H O M E A S A S A N C T U A R Y

Fill your home with life, laughter, and the energy of others It doesn’t have to be perfectly planned or amazingly executed for it to fill up your heart and remind you that your home can be a solace for not only yourself, but for others as well.

Ask God for your home to be a place where you feel at peace, safe, and free to be yourself. Make this prayer a rhythm, an anthem, and you will see how your feelings on your home transform

Set guilt aside. You deser ve what you have.

shine

the LORD turn

E X P E R I E N C E T H I S T R U T H I N Y O U R L I F E B Y M E M O R I Z I N G T H E S E S C R I P T U R E S : LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face on you and be gracious to you; his face you and give you

3. Contact a local food pantry and ask what they need. By adding just a few items to your own grocery list each week, you can share your blessings with others

Make regular gratitude a practice in your home. During a meal or before bed, ask one another what you’re thankful for or where you saw God that day

Every good thing in your life comes from the Lord, and God will meet your every need and give you everything you need When you recognize and appreciate the plenty and provision God has given you, you’re able to see those blessings for what they are, and share freely with others You are His You are blessed

“The

Put together a few care packages to keep in your car. Items could include bottled water, clean socks, nonperishable snacks, a comb or brush, or other necessities

If you drive past someone in need, you’ll have something tangible to offer

Keep a gratitude journal and practice sharing with others some of the ways you see God showing up in your everyday life

peace.” Numbers 6:24 26 NIV

God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 31

And

toward

E X P R E S S T H I S T R U T H T O O T H E R S T H R O U G H O U T Y O U R D A Y :

B L E S S E D

When You Feel Guilty for Blessings

B L E S S E D

B Y S T E P H A N I E B R Y A N T

used to struggle with guilt for sinful behavior, for things I thought I could have done better, but most of all, for experiencing blessings from God that I didn’t see others enjoying I felt guilty for answered prayers and for better circumstances than my friends seemed to be experiencing

It had become easier for me to try to praise God in my perseverance through hard situations than to praise Him when the prayers were answered, when the long awaited gift finally came, when He revealed more of His tangible goodness in my life

Has the enemy tried to make you feel bad for the good things in your life? Do you feel guilty for having prayers answered? Are you being shamed for God’s goodness displayed in your life?

I remember being in small groups at church and dreading when it was time for me to share my testimony. I didn’t feel like Jesus had saved me from enough I felt bad for how easy my life had been compared to others in the group I allowed guilt to make me feel the need to apologize for things I didn’t have to endure or weren’t part of my story

Guilt can be hard to get rid of Its best friend is shame and that always leaves us silenced to ask for help or to praise Jesus

I know that “there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1 NLT), but for some reason, it was easier to feel forgiven for my sins than for me not to feel guilty about being blessed by God’s hand of mercy and love

I allowed guilt to silence my praises to the One who had protected, provided, sacrificed, and loved me I allowed comparison to lessen what God had done in my life healing a disease, breaking my perfectionist spirit, changing my headstrong ways, redirecting my career path, being content in singleness, providing a loving spouse, creating in me a new heart to love a child, and overcoming infertility

The way God blesses me can give hope to another that God can bless them and answer their prayers too

32 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H d i v e d e e p e r I N T H E W O R D

Respond with praises to Him instead.

The Holy Spirit revealed to me that blessings should only create a thankful heart and praises to our King not comparison, guilt, or shame Those three things have been nailed to the cross with our sin

James 1:17 NLT

Let’s not cower away from sharing what God has done in our midst and on our behalf because we are worried about someone else’s jealousy Share with thanksgiving the kindness of God In that, there is real, tangible hope for another Enjoy the blessings He has bestowed on you and be thankful, not guilty

Get the Bible!

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

You don’t need to be embarrassed or feel guilt for God’s blessings We can celebrate God’s mercy, love, and answered prayers, reminding us of our role as child of the King and simultaneously giving hope to others waiting on their own blessing

S C A N T H E Q R C O D E to get the full books of Proverbs and Romans as well as additional content from the DaySpring Hope & Encouragement Bible

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 33

When fear creeps in, God says you are held When you wonder if anyone notices, God says you are important When you feel isolated, God says you are not alone When you feel lost in the mundane, God says you have a purpose At DaySpring, we pray that you experience eternal hope and encouragement every single day, which is why we created the DaySpring Hope & Encouragement Bible just for you. This Bible amplifies 12 indisputable truths about who you are in Christ, such as: you are known, you are blessed, and you have a reason for hope These truths equip you to recognize and embrace your treasured place in God’s heart so that you can experience eternal hope and encouragement every day They are here to remind you that you are His

Like the sunlight of today, God pours down His good gifts on us This is part of His character He never changes, and God does not cast a shadow on our situations His good gifts should make us respond with praises to Him in the glow of His light in our lives

I can be a living example to others of how God keeps His word and comes through on His promises I can reveal Him to others by the hope of His goodness in my life I pass on the blessings He has given me with those that need hope in love.

You are blessed because of Jesus’ saving grace You don’t have to apologize for God’s power and provision in your life. It’s your privilege to respond in love to God and others.

S T E P H A N I E B R YA N T is the co founder of (in)courage and a podcaster She formerly owned a social marketing and business coaching company and is now passionate about guiding you to your promised land She enjoys spending her days with her husband and their miracle daughter, Gabrielle

C R E AT E I N M E A H E A R T O F P E A C E The Word of God will help you find tranquility, even on the toughest days B Y B E C K Y K E I F E 34 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H d i v e d e e p e r I N T H E W O R D

our baby is teething and kept waking up at all hours of the night A rude driver cut you off on your morning commute Your roommate left her dishes on the kitchen counter again

Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus.

There’s that word, humility It means turning away from self focus to other focus, having a posture that chooses to serve instead of strive, remembering that God is in control and we are not These instructions lead us to the big takeaway: “Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5 CSB)

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 35

When I was younger in my faith, I remember reading Paul’s instructions and thinking it was kind of ridiculous. I mean, Jesus is Jesus The Savior God in human flesh Sacrifice and obedience must come easy for Him, right? How can God expect imperfect us to have the same attitude as perfect Jesus?

B u t w h a t d o e s t h e B i b l e h ave to s ay a b o u t o u r a t t i t u d e? I n a n u t s h e l l , i t s ays we s h o u l d t a ke a c u e f ro m J e s u s L i ste n to t h e i n st r u c t i o n o f t h e a p o st l e Pa u l f ro m h i s l e t te r to t h e P h i l i p p i a n s : “ D o n o t h i n g o u t o f s e l f i s h a m b i t i o n o r co n ce i t , b u t i n h u m i l i t y co n s i d e r o t h e r s a s m o re i m p o r t a n t t h a n yo u r s e l ve s Eve r yo n e s h o u l d l o o k n o t to h i s ow n i n te re st s , b u t ra t h e r to t h e i n te re st s o f o t h e r s ” ( P h i l i p p i a n s 2 : 3 4 C S B )

Hooray! What a glorious day!

Ugh Can you feel the tension crawling up your neck?

P H I L I P P I A N S 2 : 5 C S B

Or maybe you woke up to a perfect hair day Your kind neighbor brought in your trash cans Your kids didn’t fight on the way to school, and the predicted storm instead gave way to clear blue skies

It sure is easy to let things that are beyond our control whether bad or good dictate our attitude I see this in my kids too If they get to play the video game of their choice happy campers. If I ask them to take a family walk or bring in the trash cans grumpy complainers While I desire for (and expect) my children to choose a grateful and cheerful manner whether they get what they want or not, I have to admit I don’t always follow my own standards.

Do everything readily and cheerfully no bickering, no second guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God.

Jesus Himself said, “So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free” (John 8:36 CSB) We don’t have to perfectly follow an elaborate set of rules or offer animal sacrifices on an altar to be made right with God We don’t have to earn our salvation or be a really good person for God to love us “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift not from works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8 9 CSB).

While I understand where my younger self was coming from, in truth it was a cop out I didn’t want to put others first It felt like a lot of pressure to try living up to Jesus’ standards The bar was too high! How could any of us possibly reach it?

We will beat this drum as loud and as long and as often as we need to! Nothing about the peace of Jesus is wrapped up in our performance

I love the way The Message translates Paul’s instructions from Philippians:

Hold firm to the word of life That’s the goal, friend! Jesus said it Himself: “I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance” (John 10:10 CSB) How do we get this abundant life? Follow God’s Word and Christ’s example Don’t grumble or complain Be different from this dark world so you will shine brightly In this way, the world will know whose you are!

So what does adopting the same attitude as Jesus look like practically? Paul’s teaching in Philippians goes on to unpack this: “Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, by holding firm to the word of life” (Philippians 2:14 16 CSB)

Write out Isaiah 26:3 and consider how keeping your mind dependent on God affects your attitude If you have time, write the verse three more times in your journal.

P H I L I P P I A N S 2 : 1 4 1 6 T H E M E S S A G E

If you find your mind wandering down this same line of thinking, it’s time for a full stop Paul’s instructions to adopt a Christlike posture are not a prescription for religious performance but an invitation to spiritual freedom, to eternal peace in Jesus rather than temporary pleasure in ourselves

Do you struggle with living like you have to earn God’s love and favor, or even His peace? What truth do you need to cling to and rehearse today?

I’ll confess, I often want my children to stop bickering and start loving each other cheerfully because it makes life easier on me But make no mistake, God’s motive is not selfish God doesn’t want to keep us in line so life is better for Him. He wants us to heed His Word and pattern our lives after Jesus so life is better for us! And in the process, others will see the difference it makes in our lives and want to know Jesus, the life giving Prince of Peace too

36 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H d i v e d e e p e r I N T H E W O R D

Assess your attitude on an average day not your worst and not your best How does your usual posture compare to Jesus’ example? What do you need to adjust to reflect more of your Savior ’s heart?

S C R I P T U R E M E M O R Y M O M E N T

The peace of Jesus is more powerful, practical, and applicable to our lives than any counterfeit version this world could offer Join (in)courage and let God create in you a heart of peace!

Jesus, I want to be more like You. Help me adopt Your attitude of humility. Help me take on Your posture of servant heartedness. I confess I’m often prone to grumble and complain. Help me exchange my irritability for Your peace. May Your light shine through me. I’m Yours. Thank You for being my Savior and Guide. Amen.

• Experience an inner calm meets strength that doesn’t rattle with volatile circumstances or disappear with busyness

• Learn to make peace a daily posture and practice that shapes the rhythm of your days and tethers you to Jesus

S C A N T H E Q R C O D E to get a free week of this new study from Becky Keife and the (in)courage community!

B E C K Y K E I F E loves serving as (in)courage’s Community Manager. She is a speaker and author of No Better Mom for the Job Becky is a huge fan of Voxer, Sunday naps, and championing women She lives near Los Angeles and loves hiking shady trails with her husband and three spirited sons

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 37

A P R AY E R F O R T O D AY

Create in Me a Heart of Peace is a six week Bible study that will help you:

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you My peace I give to you ” So why are we still wracked with stress and anxiety? Why do we look at our world, our own churches and neighborhoods and see anything but peace? What causes this disconnect between what we read in Scripture and what we often experience in our own lives?

• Discover a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in your life and pursue peace as your God given purpose

O M E , T H O U F O U N T O F E V E R Y B L E S S I N G

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the LORD has helped us.”

When you find yourself at a crossroad, God will lead you in the right direction.

1 S A M U E L 7 : 1 2 E S V d i v e d e e p e r I N T H E W O R D 38 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H

As God’s children, we recognize that it isn’t the world successfully bringing us through these times We know it’s Him, in all kinds of ways guiding us by bringing people into our lives, orchestrating circumstances, or providing holy nudges and His heart lifting words of encouragement We can trust that He not only allowed the journey we just took, but He used it for our good in ways we probably aren’t even aware of yet. One of the most important things we can do on the other side of it all is to remember Remember how this transition felt in the beginning, how He showed up (sometimes in the least expected ways), and how generously He blessed us along the journey

Here I raise my Ebenezer; Here by Thy great help I’ve come; And I hope, by Thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home.

As Christians, we believe we’re pilgrims passing through this world We are headed somewhere unspeakably glorious, but we have good work to do on the way Let’s share our stories of how God has shown up for us on the journey, in good times and in bad We need to remember how it felt to overcome against the odds, to wonder how we were going to make it and have God carry us through We can all use a reminder now and then that we will never walk alone

hink about a time you experienced a big transition or faced a significant shift in your life It may have been an unwanted change or one you saw as good and helpful (those kinds have their share of adjustments and challenges too!). Did you wonder how you would possibly get through it? Whether we view change as positive or negative, it is rarely easy and it may take a while to find our footing once we get to the other side of the episode Have you ever stopped to look back at the beginning of it all and thought, Did that really just happen? What a journey! How in the world did I make it through?

S C A N T H E Q R C O D E to listen to our Blessed Assurance playlist today, featuring all the classic hymns you know and love from this devotional

Many of us have heard the term “Ebenezer,” referring to the stone that was set up by the Hebrew prophet Samuel to commemorate the help God had given the Israelites Samuel knew it was important not only to express his thanks but to remember what God had done and to remind His people too We humans can be a forgetful bunch, and the more often we remind ourselves (and one another) of how God provides, the less fear we’ll have about the next leg of the journey We know that He has shown Himself faithful and that we can count on Him to be there again The story we tell about our journey can be our “Ebenezer ” We can assure

Lord, I am so grateful for all You have done. When I remember all the ways You’ve shown up for me, it gives me courage for the road ahead. You know what I need before I ask, and You never leave my side. Remind me often of all we have walked through together and bring others into my life who may need support on their journey. I will speak of Your love and faithfulness as often as I’m able. Help me to always trust You for the next step and to encourage my brothers and sisters to do the same. Amen.

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 39

ourselves and others that the road ahead will be marked with more altars of remembrance, because He will never stop showing up for us As the hymn “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” reminds us:

Transitions can be tough, and change is inevitable in life, but you can find your way by trusting in the One who never changes Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine offers meaningful lessons centered around the wisdom of old time hymns and well known lyrics from some of the most loved hymns to guide you as you make a fresh start You’ll be reminded of God’s good plan for your life, His faithfulness and concern for you, and His ability to heal and help you when you need Him most

stare at the random assortment of things that clutter our kitchen that I need to clean up to free space for making dumplings Mail, school permission slips, drawings made by our 6 year old, plants that need water, and the weight of my own exhaustion pull at my attention, begging me not to shove them aside into one heap I set the papers and clutter in another spot close to our coffee maker and gently move the plants aside

Preser ving ethnic heritage is a calling from God. Y T A S H A J U N

M A K I N G

D U M P L I N G S

T H E A C R E D W O R K O F

40 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H p r a c t i c e h o s p i t a l i t y F R O M T H E H E A R T

There’s holiness wrapped up into the folds of ethnic heritage

His Holy Spirit inspired writing calls attention to the diversity of skin color and language, and I feel hope for how our ethnic heritage will carry on beyond brokenness, working toward our collective redemption

After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb.

Filling, water gluing, wrapping, and setting dumplings down in neat rows while teaching little hands how to follow along needs wide open space

An inheritance is a gift of importance something to be treasured, not discarded or silenced It is something to be tended to and kept with care This doesn’t mean we have to keep every single human made cultural tradition. But it does mean that we’ve been given unique treasures in our ethnic heritage that reflect the heart of God When I think about how God will keep our ethnicities visible in Heaven, I understand how sacred the work of tending to and mending the expressions of our ethnic heritage is.

I love the way John describes the community of believers in his vision of Heaven He specifically takes note of the diversity in what he sees:

TA S H A J U N is a melancholy dreamer, a biracial Korean American storyteller, wife to Matt, and mama to three little warriors As long as she can remember, she’s lived and stood in places where cultures collide Writing has always been the way God has led her toward home and hope On most days, you’ll find her craving kimchi and rice, searching for missing socks, looking for poems in the sky, and driving one or more of her kids somewhere

The details of it are intentional gifts from God But it means the work we have to do to keep some of those details alive, like ordering books by people like us or driving all over town for an ingredient list of five things, is also sacred It’s work that’s full of joy, grief, and aching weariness combined

My daughter holds the flour covered dumpling wrapper in her small hand, lining the edges with water. Her face holds the wonder of being able to use her hands to create Making mandu feels like sculpting, origami, finger painting, and finding treasure all at once I tell her about how her halmoni (grandmother) used to like to fold her dumplings a certain way, and how her Californian papa liked dipping his fried mandu in salsa I remind her to look for holes along the edges where the wrapper hasn’t stuck I feel God’s nearness as real as the hot oil dancing in the pan when I reach for the first finished dumpling, set it aside to cool, and then stuff it into my daughter ’s mouth

R E V E L A T I O N 7 : 9 N L T

When I was younger in my faith, I thought my relationship with God was confined to reading the Bible and other activities deemed “official” by those whom I believed knew more than me. They did know more about some things But as I’m learning through the slow “years that ask questions and years that answer,” as Zora Neale Hurston perfectly penned in Their Eyes Were Watching God, and my own spiritual midlife of sorts, there’s much more depth to intimacy with God than I ever imagined. I thought having a “quiet time” was more important than passing down the sense oriented details of my heritage, but I was wrong They are both important and work together because it is through them that God expresses love with a depth and breadth for which we were born hungry

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 41

It’s already taken three trips to three different grocery stores to find the simple ingredients I need to make the mandu I grew up with It is worth it, but it grieves me that it takes a lot more gas, time, energy, and money for some of us to keep, learn, rebuild, decolonize, and pass on the details of our ethnic heritage to our children.

The word heritage comes from the word inheritance

We were all created for the work of tending to the inheritance we’ve been given in our ethnic heritage

I grew up watching and helping my mom make gun mandu (fried Korean dumplings) They are a family favorite Like love notes patiently put together and hand addressed, these dumplings are full of the flavors of my Korean heritage, and more specifically, of my umma her stories hand wrapped, fried in oil, and stuffed into our mouths with nourishing love My mom would always take the first few, make sure they were cool enough, then walk around the kitchen, and shove them into our faces.

was about to cook my first turkey dinner for Thanksgiving It felt like a big deal I had no idea how to cook a turkey, but I figured if most people managed to cook a turkey on Thanksgiving, I could somehow figure it out

W H A T I L E A R N E D F R O M C O O K I N G T H A N K S G I V I N G D I N N E R

My neighbor popped out from behind her door, looking frantic “There’s water everywhere!”

I kept walking, noticing more and more water filling the hallway I sighed and looked down at the turkey I was holding I was on a strict timeline I had even drafted a schedule so I’d know exactly what time everything should be cooking

I’d bought all the groceries I needed far too many potatoes, if I’m being honest, but I’ve always been a firm believer in having as many mashed potatoes as possible

The next time your plans fall apart, stop and look for the lesson

I decided to cook at my sister ’s house because she has a bigger kitchen, so I lugged all my groceries from the fridge in my apartment down to my car It took three trips On my final trip down, turkey tucked safely in my arms, I noticed the door of my neighbor ’s apartment had water seeping out beneath it

“I’m Aliza I can help Do you have a mop?”

“I’m Mara,” she said

Mara and I didn’t become best friends, but we did exchange Christmas cards, and now we smile wider when we see each other in the hallway

My turkey dinner was a little late But as the day passed and I was able to start cooking, I became more and more grateful for my encounter with Mara And I started to wonder: Perhaps being inconvenienced is the best way to love your neighbor

Mara and I talked as we mopped More accurately, I did the mopping, and she did the talking I couldn’t help but smile, though I briefly whispered a prayer to God and told Him, Thanks for the chance to meet Mara Maybe this is exactly what Thanksgiving is for

“What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?” “The one who treated him kindly,” the religion scholar responded. Jesus said, “Go and do the same.”

continuing on my way and pretending I hadn’t seen her. But then I remembered a prayer I’d prayed only days earlier: God, give me opportunities to meet my neighbors

She wasn’t speaking to me, exactly, but there was no one else in the hallway For a split second, I considered

B Y A L I Z A L A T T A

A L I Z A L AT TA is a Canadian writer, artist, contributing writer at (in)courage and a huge fan of telling stories She writes about faith and young adulthood on her blog and is the author and illustrator of the children’s book Loved by Me

42 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H p r a c t i c e h o s p i t a l i t y F R O M T H E H E A R T

I wanted to laugh God sure answered that prayer quickly! So I stopped and introduced myself.

L U K E 1 0 : 3 6 – 3 7 T H E M E S S A G E

2 3 W E E K S B E F O R E Invite guests and confirm what they are bringing Plan the menu (indicate any dishes that can be made ahead) Gather table decorations Deep clean the kitchen Order the turkey 1 W E E K B E F O R E Thaw turkey in the refrigerator (allow 1 day for each 4 5 pounds of weight) Ensure you have the kitchen tools/utensils you need Make grocery list and go shopping for nonperishable food items Make room in the fridge 3 - 4 D A Y S B E F O R E Deep clean your guest room and bathrooms Shop for perishable food items Prep any cold dishes or ingredients that you can Cut bread into cubes and leave out to dry for stuffing 2 D A Y S B E F O R E Set main table with plates and decorations Set out any serving pieces, plates, napkins, and glasses Tidy the house 1 D A Y B E F O R E Prepare the make ahead dishes T H E D A Y O F Wake up early and get cooking Go around the table and share your gratitude Enjoy time with your people Thanksgiving To Do List Cooking the big meal and don’t know where to start? Follow this simple timeline and you’ll be set up for success! F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 43

So as the temptation looms to rush and ready ourselves for upcoming festivities, let’s push back against packed calendars filled with unnecessary stress and savor the celebratory moments we are creating

B Y J E N N I F E R S C H M I D T

This is the time of year to feed others with so much more than food.

moments, to remember the beauty in a wise “no” and think through my whys with calendar decisions Even though 2020 held stressors and struggles, I also stepped into a rhythm of simple pleasures that I hadn’t embraced in years Baking scones and cinnamon rolls to share with others, reading morning devotions by candlelight, learning about cut flower gardening, and lingering at the dinner table amidst powerful conversations topped a few of my favorite things

44 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H p r a c t i c e h o s p i t a l i t y F R O M T H E H E A R T

How has this happened? I idled in neutral in 2020, and then suddenly I flipped into fast forward by doing exactly what I vowed not to Instead of fighting for margin, I pack my calendar Instead of pursuing intentional time, I allow the mediocrity of my moments creep in and steal my joyful bandwidth Amidst my multitasking, I wake up worried, wondering what items fell through the cracks And that’s the last thing I desire as we step into these upcoming celebratory months

very day I feel as if I am rushing 10 steps forward and 12 steps back Between work, laundry, clutter, wedding plans, church, my nonprofit launch, and family mealtimes, sometimes my days end and I simply ponder how the kids can be hungry again For years I’ve been a huge proponent of my tongue in cheek phrase: “The ministry of making you feel better about yourself ” Today’s disclosure is that I’ve worn the same cute (and still smelling fresh) outfit three days in a row because I knew that each day I’d encounter different people

Can you reminisce about the 2020 Thanksgiving and Christmas season? Knee deep in the unknown impacts of the pandemic, many of us still experienced the slowest, most simple holiday season in years With parties canceled, guest lists scrunched, money saved, and evenings at home, we contemplated how to maintain this simple rhythm once mandates lifted

W H A T W I L L Y O U F E E D T H E M ?

My heart beats faster as I type, announcing that it’s time for me to push back, to reclaim more uncomplicated

We’re fragile A blessed word makes hearts soar.

A little notecard on my fridge reminds me, “Feed them ” Won’t you join me and jot down the same?

J E N N I F E R S C H M I DT encourages women to embrace both the beauty and bedlam of their everyday lives at BeautyandBedlam com A popular speaker, worship leader, and author of Just Open the Door: How One Invitation Can Change a Generation, Jennifer lives in North Carolina with her husband, five children, and a sofa for anyone who needs it.

F E E D C O N T E N T M E N T

With all the Black Friday sales, it’s difficult to remember the balance of need versus want. We truly have everything we need

F E E D H O S P I T A L I T Y

Loneliness and isolation thrive Be that solution for one person this month Open your door, welcome the stranger, save a seat at your table, and extend the gift of your invitation In doing so, you ease their burden as you share Christ’s love.

A hot tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel Proverbs 15:18 NIV

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 45

We live in a world of tension. Be the balm

F E E D C O M P A S S I O N

F E E D G R A T I T U D E

F E E D E N C O U R A G E M E N T

Our best laid plans may not happen Guests will be late Food will get cold, but in the bigger scheme of things, it’s nothing I open my hands and offer up my attempted control

F E E D F O R G I V E N E S S

Lay our heaviness at His feet and let Him carry it. Extend forgiveness; experience freedom

F E E D P A T I E N C E ( L O T S O F I T )

F E E D F L E X I B I L I T Y

As I nurture this quality, joy thrives and priorities realign.

When the turkey is gone and the mashed potatoes are cold, all that is left are the shared moments and memories of doing life together I want to make the most of them; don’t you?

Since November and December are months focused on feeding people well, let’s do more than feed tummies. Let’s remember to feed their souls, their hearts, their imaginations, their creativity I’ll start the list:

F E E D L A U G H T E R

There’s nothing better than cultivating an atmosphere of deep belly laughing after a satisfying meal. Laugh so hard that tears run down your legs kidding, but not

Even though old Aunt Sue has shared (probably rambled) the same story for the fifteenth time, make her feel as if it is the first When we make her the star of the show for just one day, we uplift and encourage her in ways that no one has in a long time

Traditions can be comforting, especially when you are far away from loved ones.

Je sus Is Our Greate st Tradition

B Y A N N A E . R E N D E L L

p r a c t i c e h o s p i t a l i t y F R O M T H E H E A R T 46 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H

I think Jesus has a soft spot for rituals and traditions because He understands how grounding they are to us as His children. He has let us know that He Himself is unchanging, a constant presence on which we can rely Yesterday, today, and forever no matter what, Jesus is the same

H E B R E W S 1 3 : 8 N L T

While I cook, my family cleans the bedrooms and vacuums the house, getting it ready for the next day (that’s when we’ll set up our tree and start decorating for Christmas!). We watch whatever football game is on, and after that we switch to the DVD player and put in A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving We may go over the river and through the woods to visit relatives, or they may come to our house; either way, we usually get together with family In 2020, it looked different as we were physically distancing, carefully considering and weighing risks for ourselves and others There were more empty chairs and video calls, less physical presence, and more longing for “normal.” It felt bittersweet, but I found balm in holding my beloved traditions even closer

Traditions can keep us close even when our gatherings or hearts are far apart.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

We can lean on the things that have remained over the years; in fact, it’s important that we do

Lord, I am grateful for the blessings You lavish. For the big ones family, friends, food, and shelter and the glory found in the small things as well. Thank You for a day focused on giving thanks. May my life become one of traditions and thankful days. Amen.

We can make the same sweet potatoes we had as kids We can play football or take a walk after Thanksgiving dinner like we usually do with our siblings or cousins We can color the newspaper turkey We can set the table as always, and we can give thanks

A N N A E R E N D E L L is the author of A Moment of Christmas and Pumpkin Spice for Your Soul, works full time at DaySpring, is a contributing writer at (in)courage, and lives in Minnesota with her husband and their four kids Anna shares the good stuff of the regular and encourages you to see the ordinary glory in your everyday

Whether we host or visit someone else’s home on Thanksgiving, I cook as much as possible that day I love preparing Thanksgiving foods! The planning (which I usually begin in August) and shopping, prepping, chopping, whisking, and basting I love it all There are traditions behind the dishes we prepare on Thanksgiving, of course Mashed potatoes and made from scratch gravy are musts because that’s how Grandma did it A roasted turkey recipe perfected and carried out annually by my husband Both homemade and canned cranberry sauces, because we like to have a little of both Green beans in some form have to grace the table. And of course we need pie pumpkin, pecan, and cranberry are our usual fare

or many of us, Thanksgiving Day holds more traditions than the rest of the year combined From the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to the pumpkin pie, the day is steeped in long standing, deeply rooted traditions

recognizing traditions in our holidays (and regular days too!) It also gives weight to the feelings that accompany traditions when they’re present and when those traditions are missing.

My friend and the creator of the Four Key Faith Practices, the Rev Dr David Anderson, defines these vital practices as rituals and traditions, and he says they are “symbolic actions grounded in the Christian tradition throughout the year, providing a beautiful and holistic way of experiencing the grace of God.” I love his definition because it validates the value found in incorporating and

He is our greatest tradition

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 47

In our house, we start with a run to the nearest gas station for three newspapers Our local paper prints a full page turkey for kids to color, so three kids who can color (my newborn isn’t there yet) = three papers I grew up coloring that newspaper turkey with my own siblings, and now my kids spend their first hours of Thanksgiving doing the same. While they color, I read the rest of the newspaper and separate out the ads I want to look at after dinner We watch the parade on TV, and then we start cooking

E N T E R Y O U R D A Y W I T H I N T E N T I O N B Y B R I T T N E Y M O S E S

48 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H h o p e f o r D I F F I C U L T T I M E S

n this moment, the breath that rises and falls inside your lungs, the blood that courses through your veins, and the heart that pulses against your chest are all signs that your body is awake and you are alive Through the waves of pressure you thought might overtake you, you are here and very much alive The constant rhythm of your body is a reminder of this innate resilience.

Still, it can be all too easy to disconnect from God and ourselves when we’ve been pulled into the demands of the day So give yourself permission to pause in this moment to reconnect with your breath and realign with your priorities and convictions What matters most today? How do you want to move through this day? Is it from a more grounded place? A more focused place? Visualize it and reflect on what boundaries will be necessary to live this out today

F O R Y O U F O R M E D M Y I N W A R D P A R T S ; Y O U K N I T T E D M E T O G E T H E R I N M Y M O T H E R ’ S W O M B .

P S A L M 1 3 9 : 1 3 E S V

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 49

When we think about our bodies and the intricacies of how we function, from the networking of our brains to the design of the tiniest cell, we get the picture that our Creator is in the details That every part of us is worthy of our attention.

H O W A M I F E E L I N G T O D A Y ? 1 Awful 2 Poor 3 OK 4 Good 5 Great L A B E L I N G : Calm Anxious Motivated Unmotivated Loved Lonely Happy Sad Focused Distracted Grateful Angry H O U R S O F S L E E P : 0 3 4 6 7 9 10 12 13+ E X E R C I S E : Yes No T O P 3 G O A L S F O R T O D A Y : 1 2. 3 3 T H I N G S I A M G R A T E F U L F O R T O D A Y : 1 2. 3 O N E P R A C T I C A L W A Y I C A N A P P LY T O D A Y ’ S R E A D I N G : M Y D A I L Y T R A C K E R Using the daily tracker, walk through all of the questions and prompts to get a closer look into your personal wellness today Reﬂect on your goals, your gratitudes, and the practical things that you want to begin in your own life Save this tracker and use it as a guide to check in every once in a while to stay mindful of where you are and where you want to be 50 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H h o p e f o r D I F F I C U L T T I M E S

T H O U G H T O F T H E D A Y

B R I T T N E Y M O S E S is a writer, speaker, advocate, and psychology graduate of UCLA encouraging the integration of faith, holistic mental health, and wellness Through serving in churches over the past decade, founding an international youth nonprofit ministry, and facilitating a NAMI certified support group, Brittney aspires to encourage those who are quietly wrestling in the shadows by bringing mental health issues into the light and making them accessible and relatable aspects of the national conversation. When she’s not writing posts for her popular website, BrittneyMoses com, or hosting The Faith & Mental Wellness podcast, Brittney can be found hitting the California beaches and spending precious time with her son, Austin, and fiance, Jason

Many of us are struggling at the intersection of our faith and our mind We are bio psycho spiritual beings body, mind, and soul It all works together If one is off, the others are off The 50 devotions in Worthy meet you at that intersection, helping you mind the moments so your body, mind, and soul balance stays in line. Through simplistic design and short yet impactful messages of peace and clarity, along with inspirational quotes and research developed mental health trackers, readers will be able to declutter their minds and focus on their personal wellness on a daily basis

G O D C A R E S M O R E A B O U T W H O W E ’ R E B E C O M I N G I N T H E P R O C E S S .

W H I L E T H E W O R L D O B S E S S E S O V E R W H E R E W E ’ R E G O I N G ,

S C A N T H E Q R C O D E to get the first five days of Worthy in your inbox today for free!

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 51

G , Take time to acknowledge and feel your pain. It won’t last forever. B Y A A R T I S E Q U E I R A 52 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H h o p e f o r D I F F I C U L T T I M E S

T H E R E I S A N A P P O I N T E D T I M E O R E V E R Y T H I N

Later, nudged by the Holy Spirit, a friend offered to pray for him again As they prayed, warmth rose in his stomach He cried, “Jesus healed me!” When they returned to the hospital for a checkup, the doctors were stunned: The ulcers had vanished

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 53

“ I T ’ S B AC K . ”

My husband, Brendan, uttered those two words, and it felt like all the air had been sucked out of the room

But now, our miracle had been stolen. I didn’t understand. Why, God? Why steal Bren’s healing? I felt betrayed Bren did all the “right” things: He studied the Word every day, he was the loudest singer at church, and we were even helping to plant a church at that time Sure, we knew that our lives weren’t going to be trouble free just because we loved Jesus, but this?

As my heart calloused over, my joy dimmed to the tiniest spark I became impatient I laughed less My creativity was evaporating In trying to protect myself from the hard conversation with God, the scar tissue started spreading to parts I didn’t foresee

I’d adopted this miraculous story as my own, a testimony to God’s supernatural power Here was a peek at Heaven walking around my home in the form of my own husband!

I muscled up; I needed to be strong for him and our two daughters It was easier to harden my heart than to wrestle with the why

“It” is ulcerative colitis, which Bren first had as a little boy Ulcers multiplied in his colon, forcing him to run outside and bury his belly in the snow to numb the pain After years of failed treatments and embarrassing incidents that scarred him for life, the doctors suggested the last resort: a colostomy bag To 8 year old Bren, this was unspeakable “No, mum,” he said “I think you should let me die and go to Heaven ”

Four years later, Bren is still sick, but he never uses it as an excuse to duck out of life Indeed, his joy in the Lord is miraculous in and of itself But Bren isn’t the only casualty

In being comforted by God, our wails of mourning are transformed into songs of praise Our mourning becomes our testimony. This is a truth I know from helping many women walk through postpartum depression, a dark valley I’ve traversed twice He will redeem our time in the darkness

King Solomon, who wrote “a time to mourn and a time to dance,” also recognized that mourning was encouraged by God The beginning of this famous passage struck me:

Perhaps the greatest reason to enter a time of mourning is that Jesus waits for us there! Isaiah describes a Messiah who would “comfort all who mourn.” More than 700 years later, that Messiah declared:

“ B L E S S E D A R E T H O S E W H O M O U R N , F O R T H E Y W I L L B E C O M F O R T E D . ”

Go to Jesus in your mourning, and you will be comforted That has been my very experience this year While He hasn’t answered my whys, He has, at least momentarily, settled my heart with His peace

T H E R E I S A N A P P O I N T E D T I M E F O R E V E R Y T H I N G .

When my mother in law’s grandmother died, in keeping with Persian tradition, she and her mother wore white for 40 straight days Ancient Jewish tradition prescribed a period of 30 days, during which mourners put away all finery Professional mourners (wailing women) would come to your side to mark the occasion Elders would sit in sackcloth and ashes. The cultural understanding was that mourning takes our time, energy, and spirit There was no need to lie or pretend you were OK when you weren’t

E C C L E S I A S T E S 3 : 1 N A S B

But how could mourning be a blessing? I wondered Well, Isaiah offers a clue:

I S A I A H 5 7 : 1 8 1 9 N A S B

Mourning isn’t reserved solely for the loss of loved ones. We can mourn the loss of dreams, hopes, and expectations But mourning presents more of a mystery here in the Western world

“ I W I L L L E A D H I M A N D R E S T O R E C O M F O R T T O H I M A N D T O H I S M O U R N E R S , C R E A T I N G T H E P R A I S E O F T H E L I P S . P E A C E , P E A C E T O H I M W H O I S F A R A N D T O H I M W H O I S N E A R ”

54 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H h o p e f o r D I F F I C U L T T I M E S

M A T T H E W 5 : 4 N A S B

Like birth and death, every event under the sun is ordained by God We’re on His schedule

The other day, my therapist said, “It sounds like you haven’t mourned ” Her comment stopped me in my tracks

Sometimes we need the encouragement to mourn. I know I did And so, if this message resonates with your soul, hear me, friend: Run to Jesus and shed your tears in His presence It’s not self indulgent You won’t stay in the dark pit forever I’m here, in sackcloth and ashes, and while I dreaded it, I’m OK. The Lord waits for me, and in our time together, I can see that someday, He will turn my mourning into dancing My joy, once a dim candle, is slowly building, and I have hope again

When I dodged my own mourning time, I stepped out of lockstep with Him God, in His kindness, knew I needed time to process this loss Who was I to deny what God wanted to give? I dread going to the dark places, so I took comfort knowing I wouldn’t get stuck there because there was an appointed end to it For those who find comfort in mourning, it is an encouragement to move on to the next stage, no matter how intimidating God has written the schedule of our lives

A A R T I S E Q U E I R A is a television personality, chef, cookbook author, news and documentary producer, third culture kid, and chaser of the polyglot palate She’s fascinated that Jesus knew how to cook and spends way too long imagining what’s going to be on the table at the heavenly feast She’s married to her college sweetheart, Brendan, and has two daughters She is also a contributing writer at (in)courage

A F T E R A H A R D F A L L

Drawing my body up gingerly, I put one foot in front of the other and ran home Somehow, I had enough adrenaline or maybe it was pride to carry me When I got home, I assessed the real damage My knees, palms, and elbows were pretty scraped up.

The air was brisk Rays of light danced across the path and through the branches of the trees Jewel toned leaves carpeted the ground. Then suddenly my foot snagged on a crack in the sidewalk

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 55

W H A T Y O U N E E D T O G E T U P A G A I N

Get up

mend you B Y D O R I N A L A Z O G I L M O R E -Y O U N G

I skidded on my elbows and knees with no time to brace my fall Thankfully, I didn’t break anything After the wipeout, I felt a little dizzy and out of sorts My friends asked if I needed help With 3 miles to get home, I took a deep breath and tried to pull myself together

Ever yone falls and trust will

the Healer

few months ago, I was out on a training run on the trail near my house with a group of mama friends

I went flying

Maybe you are feeling bone weary of a pandemic that has drawn on for over two years Maybe you are battling long COVID or lingering discouragement or impostor syndrome Maybe you feel a little scraped up and sore from these last few years. I’m here to remind you it’s never too late to get up and walk Jesus offers you a hand of healing

Can you imagine that kind of chronic illness?

When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking!

The man believes healing is impossible for him, but nothing is impossible with Jesus In His mercy, Jesus proves Himself the Healer, not the pool of Bethesda, which people believed had healing properties Jesus gives the man three directives: Get up, pick up your mat, and walk

The following Sunday after my fall, I ran the half marathon I was training for with my friends I knew from the start I had to take it easy There would be no personal records or placement medals for me I didn’t have anything to prove The real victory was simply getting up and running my pace to the finish line

D O R I N A L A Z O G I L M O R E -YO U N G is a speaker, author, Bible teacher, foodie, podcaster, contributing writer at (in)courage, and trail runner Her latest book, Walk Run Soar, was released in 2020 She helps people chase God’s glory down unexpected trails and flourish in their God given callings Dorina and her husband, Shawn, are raising three brave girls in central California

The next morning the real damage of the fall was revealed My body ached all over My right knee was tender and couldn’t bear any weight without a sharp, piercing pain that radiated through my kneecap I winced any time I bumped against a table leg or tried to kneel on it.

I’ve been running for 35 plus years, but I can’t remember ever falling like that It was hard and humbling

John 5 highlights the story of when Jesus goes to the pool called Bethesda, which means “house of mercy ” This pool was a gathering place for the sick, blind, and physically disabled. The people believed that the first person to jump in when the waters were stirred would be healed Jesus notices a man there who had been sick for 38 years

The Book of Mark details a story about the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue who is raised from the dead Holding her hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means “Little girl, get up!” And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around! (Mark 5:41 42 NLT)

Jesus offers these similar instructions to people in other parts of Scripture In Matthew 9:6, He heals a paralytic and says, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” (Matthew 9:6 NLT)

56 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H h o p e f o r D I F F I C U L T T I M E S

Friend, I hope these words remind you that Jesus is our Healer We have to trust Him, get up, and walk in the direction He is calling us

What matters is how we respond.

We know that Jesus doesn’t always miraculously heal people from sickness or disease Sometimes He heals them by taking them to Heaven. And sometimes He heals us over time in a way that our hearts, minds, and bodies are transformed We can trust Him in that He is the Healer calling us to rise, get up, and walk

J O H N 5 : 6 9 N L T

Whether literally or figuratively, wiping out is a part of life There will be times when we try something and fail There will be moments when we are blindsided by life’s circumstances and find ourselves nose to sidewalk

All three of these people are offered healing by Jesus He invites them to move out of this place of sickness and pain and to make a home in healing.

W H E T H E R L I T E R A L L Y O R F I G U R A T I V E L Y , W I P I N G O U T I S A P A R T O F L I F E . T H E R E W I L L B E T I M E S W H E N W E T R Y S O M E T H I N G A N D F A I L . F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 57

h o p e f o r D I F F I C U L T T I M E S

W H E N Y O U R S O U L I S A H O T M E S S

I was so focused on how clean my hands looked that I didn’t see how dirty my heart was Y S I M I J O H N

1 J O H N 1 : 9 E S V

In Matthew 15:11 ESV, Jesus tells a bunch of rule following, self righteous Pharisees, “It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person ”

Only Jesus can clean our hearts and change us from the inside out

rowing up as an Indian girl in an honor shame culture, I was always so focused on the exterior I knew how to hide my true feelings and opinions because I had to do it so often I was a master performer because I needed everything to look good, clean, and put together for a world that was watching and judging me I also grew up in a very religious home where morality had become an idol. So for most of my adolescence, I strived to check off the big religious and cultural boxes to appear holy and good I was cautious of where I went and whom I spent time with I thought if I just didn’t drink, go out to the clubs, wear miniskirts, or sleep around, and if I could avoid people that live this way, then I could make my parents see that I was good and God would see that I was holy

I became very judgmental of those who didn’t live this way Ultimately, I didn’t understand the grace of God because I thought I was a good person, morally upright and living out the Christian values I was taught

Humans understand rules, and can, for the most part, follow a checklist, but a relationship takes more effort. Rules are concrete, and relationships can be messy Like

I was so focused on how clean my hands looked that I didn’t see how dirty my heart was It’s like when you have company and you make sure to clean the main areas, but your closets are a hot mess. Can I get an amen?

God had given the children of Israel laws to teach them to live differently than the world around them so they could be set apart as a people that pursued God’s heart They pursued the laws instead and missed God’s heart, so Jesus came to show the world how we ought to truly pursue God’s heart It isn’t simply by following religious rules; it is through relationships

When we truly understand grace and the love of God, we will no longer be satisfied with merely avoiding bad things Jesus calls us to a life of abundance, not avoidance We don’t simply choose to do good things to avoid shame or for the external perception of holiness but because we have been made holy by the blood of Jesus His love compels us to pursue His goodness and extend His grace to others

My pursuit of holiness and goodness was more about external perception than an inward transformation. On the outside, I looked the part of a good Indian Christian girl, but deep inside I struggled with pride, envy, and anger

S I M I J O H N was born in India and moved to Dallas at the age of 7. Simi is a speaker, author, contributing writer at (in)courage, and full time physical therapist Simi is also a pastor ’s wife and mom of two children Her calling is to the local church and her passion is to equip women to know who they are and live loved You can find her book, I Am Not: Break Free From Stereotypes and Become the Woman God Made You to Be, on Amazon

the Pharisees, we often find it easier to go through the motions and check off boxes in life than to really engage with God’s Word and live after His heart. Rules weren’t the problem The law was meant to lead them to love God, but then the law became the idol they loved more than God They lived a life avoiding sinners, sick people, and dead things because they thought that would make them holy and good, but their hearts were far from God.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Here is the problem: No one is good I am capable of doing good things, but I am not wholly and completely good all the time. When I compare myself to some people, I may seem good in my own eyes, but when Christ is my standard, I fall short every time

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 59

W H E N W O R R Y S P I N S O U T O F C O N T R O L

L E T T H E

P L A T E S F A L L

Trust that God has the right ending in mind for you. B Y B O N N I E G R A Y 60 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H h o p e f o r D I F F I C U L T T I M E S

There comes a time when God brings us all into an autumn season Where there was once fervor and activity, He calls us to let go and slow down. He doesn’t quiet our lives because we’ve done something bad God does it to release us from the burden of keeping things alive that really should be dying

We weren’t designed to keep everything in play all the time Something got broken in us when Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden. We stopped trusting that God was good and that we were the apple of His eye Now we’re suspicious of letting go and letting God take us through the natural course of things

Fall is more my style It gets darker sooner, and everything slows down. It’s also the perfect time to be outside, if you ask me Take hiking There’s a lot less dust, and it’s quieter except for the sound of a crunchy trail blanketed with falling leaves It’s hard to beat

I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice, And it told Thy love to me; But I long to rise in the arms of faith And be closer drawn to Thee

love autumn Summer is so bright and intense that I wake up feeling obligated to go somewhere and do something People are always asking, “What are your plans for the summer?” There is pressure to have an exciting destination in your back pocket, but the truth is, I just want to eat lots of peaches, watch some good summer flicks, and hang out at the beach in my flip flops

If only I could shed them the way the trees shed their leaves If only I could let one fall

God’s idea of a purposeful life is so different from ours He wants us to trust Him so completely that we would risk letting go and place ourselves willingly in the uncomfortable position of surrender.

from “I Am Thine, O Lord” by Fanny Crosby

Of course, if we were to change the subject and talk about laundry, my problem with letting go dissipates My husband probably wishes otherwise, but I’m good at not sweating the small stuff I like to worry about big problems I get such a great mental workout from organizing unresolved questions and playing out different scenarios However, I recently started to get tired of keeping up with all the activity, trying to work everything out to its optimal outcome I even noticed I stopped laughing at my own jokes

Even in matters of faith, especially when it comes to pleasing God, we can put so much pressure on ourselves to live fruitful lives We forget that fruitfulness comes from allowing God to work in us through our circumstances, not from our ability to effectively make everything work out right

When we can trust Him with our endings, we discover He can carry us We see the beauty of leaves falling and understand we can experience this beauty in our souls We learn to recognize the voice of Love that calls to us behind the shattering of plates falling, and we know God can sustain us

I wish I felt the same about my worries. I wish they would slow down right along with nature All the things I juggle around in my head are like plates I keep spinning, and they wear on my heart and keep my soul busy

When our worries spin out of control, let’s not be worried about letting the plates fall They can fall and break, and God’s love still holds us together.

B O N N I E G R AY is the author of Sweet Like Jasmine and Whispers of Rest and is an inspirational speaker featured in Relevant magazine and Christianity Today. Bonnie has guided thousands to detox stress and experience God’s love through soul care, encouragement, and prayer She is also a wife and a mom to two boys

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 61

It’s in my nature to hold on to my problems, relationships, and ideals so I can work them out on my own But God in His abounding love says to me, There are necessary endings, Bonnie Let the plates fall They need to break Let Me take care of you.

Intense pressure might work well to achieve a difficult goal It may even be necessary if we are thrown headlong into a crisis or involuntarily trapped in a stressful relationship But it can only last for so long before it leaves us weighed down and overloaded

Sometimes we put so much pressure on ourselves to live fruitful lives that we lose faith and end up collapsing under the pressure.

ne stormy spring day, I found myself on the skinny dirt road that borders the “back 80” field of our farm It was another rainy day, on top of a series of rainy days, and because of the puddles, my husband and farmers all across the Midwest couldn’t get into the fields to plant The unrelenting storms brought blow after blow to so many of us in the agricultural industry who are tasked with feeding the world

Everything was falling way behind

Ironically, for me, the strongest pressure to hustle came when I started writing books about Jesus. I say this is ironic because nothing Jesus ever said communicated an ethic of hurrying and hustling

At the time when my career took off, I was a “small platform” author Sometimes I thought I had snuck in the back door when no one was looking. There’s a name for this: impostor syndrome It’s usually accompanied by an author curling into a fetal position and rocking back and forth in the corner between writing sessions Yes, I’m a ball of positivity while writing books

62 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H h o p e f o r D I F F I C U L T T I M E S

B Y J E N N I F E R D U K E S L E E

This isn’t something we authors talk much about publicly, but there’s an expectation of growth in the publishing industry. Growth in sales, influence, and something called “platform,” which is an indication of how many people follow you on social media If you have a decent sized platform, it shows that you have an audience who already likes you This is not a criticism of the publishing industry. Publishers have to pay to keep the lights on, and they need some assurance of sales

When you are frustrated with your circumstances, know that things will work out according to God’s timeline.

As I was driving alongside our wet and cropless fields, something important hit me I have so often felt the way that field looked with no growth evident: behind

At key points in my life, I’ve felt so far behind in my career as an author, as a mom, as a farm wife, and even in my spirituality My fear of falling behind has been a reason for my rushed existence It’s why I felt like I had to be so insanely productive all the time, as if life were a constant game of catch up to meet milestones

Y O U A R E N O T

Friend, you are not a disappointment, I promise you If you saw your progress the way God does, you’d never doubt for a moment that you’re making a difference

As a new author, hustle felt like the only option Yet a question began to emerge in my mind: Do I really want a fast life that rubs me raw?

And it was. Life was rubbing me raw physically, mentally, and spiritually I asked myself, In the rush to become a “somebody,” have I forgotten that I already am somebody?

Sometimes you look around at everyone else’s progress and feel like you’re a failure who can’t hit milestones.

God promises the harvest is coming not just for everyone else but for you too In His way In His timing

Did you know you are allowed to go at your own pace? You are allowed to shut down the computer at 5 p.m. You are allowed to take the time you need to figure things out There’s no such thing as an overnight success, and your life will not be ruined if you grow slow

And this is one of the surprising discoveries I made: We are actually not falling behind Because the truth is, there are no set milestones for where we are supposed to be at any given point in life Not for when you get married or even if you get married. Not for when you have kids or even if you have them Not for when you earn a certain salary or master a certain set of tasks

All systems pointed to one conclusion: I had to undo and unlearn all the dangerous “go big or go home,” girl boss messages that I’d believed my whole life

Their dreams are coming true Their kids are making the honor roll. Their marriages are fruitful and fun. Their businesses are thriving.

J E N N I F E R D U K E S L E E is the author of several books, including Growing Slow, and she’s a contributing writer at (in)courage Jennifer and her husband live on the family farm, raising crops, pigs, and two beautiful humans She’s a fan of dark chocolate, emojis, ’80s music, bright lipstick, and Netflix binges She wants to live life in a way that you can’t help but want more of Jesus

We don’t need more memes or motivational speakers to sell us a way to move ahead We need permission to be where we are

…at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up Galatians 6:9 NIV

Deep inside, you wonder if you’re disappointing God

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 63

And so I embraced a new and life changing philosophy that I call Growing Slow

Friend, you are not falling behind

Look around you: There is growth in your fields, inching heavenward, not with brute force, but by the will of the Divine Farmer who makes all things beautiful in their time (Ecclesiastes 3:11) A corn plant never compares itself to the one beside it It never fights the clock or doubts the harvest will come. In that back 80, Scott eventually planted millions of corn seeds In time, each plant did all the miraculous things a corn plant does until it reaches full maturity

There’s no need to compare yourself to others. You are right where you need to be.

B Y E M M A M A E M C D A N I E L

l i v e l i f e T O T H E F U L L 64 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H

In John 10:10, Jesus says that He has come so we may have life and have it to the fullest, but the enemy is the thief who steals, kills, and destroys. One of the ways that I have seen the enemy steal the power of sisterhood, kill confidence, and destroy contentment is working through the seeds of insecurity and pride that produce comparison and divide friendships

Galatians 5:26 | John 10:10

The habit of comparing ourselves to others in a way that is jealous and insecure hinders us, and the Lord says we should throw it off in Hebrews 12 God made us to be in community and to love each other well, but we cannot love each other well and be jealous of each other at the same time.

D I V E D E E P E R I N T O S C R I P T U R E

Scripture says to fix our eyes on Jesus, Who is the Author and the Perfecter of our faith Scripture does not say that we are to fix our eyes on the girl next to us or to the girl on the screen Jesus is our standard for where we should be and what we should aim for. Who Jesus is and how He lived His life here on earth should be our place of confidence and our compass for knowing whether we are going in the right direction. May we not get caught up in who is better than whom, but may we get caught up in celebrating one another and in how we can learn from one another as we look to Jesus.

We cannot be confident in who God uniquely made us to be if we are constantly consumed with comparing ourselves to the girls to the right and left of us We cannot be content in the season that the Lord has us in if we are constantly basing our content on the season that the girl next to us is in When this happens, we aren’t basing goodness on Who God is, but we are basing goodness on what someone else has or where someone else is This is a dangerous and exhausting way to live Your standard will be unreachable because you were never meant to be the girls to the right or to the left of you You were meant to be you

ave you ever doubted your worth, felt insecure regarding your purpose, or feared that you weren’t loved? Well, if you answered “yes” to any of these questions, I can guarantee you are not alone I have questioned these very things, and I bet that every human on the planet has as well. You were made to have clarity and confidence and assurance when it comes to these foundational questions The only way, though, that you and I can have assurance when it comes to these questions about who we are is through personally knowing the One who made us

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 65

Hebrews 12:2 | 2 Timothy 2:2

How often do we do this in life? We glance to our right and to our left to see others moving at a different pace than us or looking different than us, and our initial thought is that we are in the wrong because we aren’t the same We don’t act like, talk like, or look like them and immediately assume that we are wrong because of it The thoughts, I should be doing more, producing more, knowing more pass through our minds, but it’s all from a place of thinking we should be where everyone else is rather than acknowledging that God has us right where we are supposed to be and resting in that

Comparing ourselves to others comes from a place of insecurity and pride, which leads us to miss out on the goodness of where God has us and how He made us, and it leads us to miss out on special opportunities to celebrate our sisters in personal ways. There will always be opportunities to compare, which means there will always be opportunities to appreciate the beauty in others and appreciate the beauty in yourself that God placed there on purpose to reflect Who He is

I was driving down the road one day and noticed that a couple of cars came from behind me, sped up, and got in front of me My initial thought was that I was going too slow because of how fast they were going, but as I looked at my speed, I realized that I was going the speed limit. Then this question hit me: Why did I automatically assume that I was wrong because I was going at a different pace than someone else?

Instead of comparing yourself to s omeone else, how can you learn from them or express appreciation for the beaut y in them instead?

R E S P O N S E Q U E S T I O N S

66 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H l i v e l i f e T O T H E F U L L

How have you seen yourself look to people for the standard of what is goo d instead of looking to Jesus a s th e standard of what is goo d?

How have you seen joy and conﬁdence robbed from you when you are consumed with comparison?

Do you notice that you compare more from a place of pride thinking you are better than others? Or do you notice that you compare more from a place of insecurit y thinking others are better than you?

It is quite diﬃcult to genuinely rejoice over how Go d has uniquely made someone or gifted someone and simultaneously be jealous of them and bitter toward them .

R E F L E C T I O N S F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 67

E M M A M A E M C DA N I E L (formerly Jenkins) is a lover of Jesus and people, and an author, speaker, and student She just graduated from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, with a major in Women’s Christian Leadership Her previous books are All Caps YOU and Be Loved Out of an overflow of God’s love, Emma travels throughout the country speaking at conferences and retreats to be a messenger of God’s Word The Lord has blessed Emma with platforms of influence to glorify Him through social media, YouTube, and her podcast, Have You Heard? While walking in obedience to these opportunities, she is able to invest in the lives of thousands worldwide

What are ﬁve things you love ab out how Go d made you?

God is the only One who gets to identify who we are. Emma Mae breaks down 30 labels that women of God struggle with either because we think we deserve the “bad” labels or don’t know how to embrace the “good” ones This book helps you understand that God knows who you are: You are talented and inspiring and brave, you possess both confidence and tenderness, and you are protected and gentle and amazing Interactive elements guide readers to embrace their value and place as a woman of God

S C A N T H E Q R C O D E to get free sample chapters of You Are today!

It is powerful when we take the time to sit down and appreciate the qualities in ourselves that Go d gave us and the qualities in others that Go d gave to them

What are ﬁve things you love ab out how Go d made your friend/co worker/sister?

W A L K I N G L I N TE H E BECOMING A CHRISTIAN MEANS BECOMING A WHOLE NEW PERSON. AND IT’S A GOOD THING! I f you’re going to be a Christian, you’re going to change. You’re going to lose some old friends, not because you want to, but because you need to. You can’t compromise some things. You have to draw the line daily—the line between what you were and what you’re trying to be now—or you lose even their respect. — J O H N N Y C A S H Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 C O R I N T H I A N S 5 : 1 7 E S V 68 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H l i v e l i f e T O T H E F U L L

Some old friends may cut ties with us, and that’s heartbreaking But if we remain true to our new nature, we may eventually win their grudging respect Most people appreciate genuine integrity when they see it

Of course, even a great actor would have a hard time pulling that off The differences between the old you and the new you would be too obvious to disguise

make it clear that they liked the old version of us better These are the reactions Johnny Cash warned about

The same holds true for someone who chooses to follow Christ As the Apostle Paul points out in 2 Corinthians 5, when we embrace Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we are transformed and made completely new Our old self passes away

Walking the Line: 90 Devotions of Truth & Hope Based on the Faith of Johnny Cash is a devotional book about God’s redeeming love shared through the eyes of country music legend Johnny Cash He lived an up and down life, continually walking the line between human missteps and spiritual triumphs Using Cash’s quotes, Scripture, and a daily prayer, DaySpring in partnership with the Johnny Cash Foundation brings you this 90 day devotion that keeps true to Cash’s ever hopeful enthusiasm

Pretending to be our old selves isn’t an option. The change inside us is too enormous to keep under wraps Besides, no one really benefits when we try to be someone we’re not

The better option, as Johnny Cash points out, is to “draw the line daily” between who we are now and who we used to be He urges us to lean into our new creation and embrace the transformation for all to see

The only way to make the situation work would be to pretend that you hadn’t changed That you didn’t have a whole new perspective on life That you were still the same person you used to be

When we become a new creation, things can never be like they were before But that’s a good thing Being a new creation opens a world of new opportunities Our goal is to help others see that We can be ambassadors for the new even if it means ultimately sacrificing the old

magine going back to high school or, better yet, grade school in the same body you had back in the day, but with all the wisdom, knowledge, life experience, and maturity you have now. If you’ve seen the movie Freaky Friday, you already have a pretty good idea of the comic potential of the setup

Though the transformation occurs inside us, the results are so profound and so undeniable that other people can’t help but notice And not everyone will be happy with the results Some people will resent our new outlooks and attitudes Some will accuse us of being hypocrites or thinking we’re better than others Some will

But what about the serious stuff ? Imagine trying to pick up old friendships where you left off. Imagine trying to find common ground with people who hadn’t changed at all and who couldn’t understand the changes in you Imagine trying to enjoy things that used to seem fun but now hold little interest for you

S C A N T H E Q R C O D E to get your copy of Walking the Line today!

Dear God, thank You for transforming my life. Thank You for giving me a whole new way of looking at the world. Give me the strength and courage to embrace being a new person, regardless of the fallout. Please help me be a light to others so that they can see Your truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 69

My name is Allyson Golden, and I am the founder of Words Are Golden and author of the inspirational and creative journal of the same name I am so happy to meet you wherever you are today!

70 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H l i v e l i f e T O T H E F U L L

Sister, our words are G O L D E N !

B Y A L L Y S O N G O L D E N

Simple words can provide incredible power.

Words are one of my passions can you tell? I love to use words to encourage and uplift other women in their identities in Christ I believe that since you picked up this magazine, you’re probably looking for some encouragement and uplifting I pray that as you read these pages, the Lord will inspire your mind to see everyday words that we use in a new way My hope for you is that as you discover new truths, you will go and speak that truth over others Your words hold so much power and when rooted in the Word of God that holds so much power, your words can change the world

H I T H E R E , F R I E N D !

T O B E R E D E E M E D I S T O B E S E T F R E E F R O M T H E C O N S E Q U E N C E S O F S I N .

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 71

It is by the act of Jesus dying on the cross for our sins that we have been set f ree It is the greatest act of love ever done By Him and in Him we are redeemed When we say yes to Jesus, we are washed white as snow All the sins of our past are wiped clean As we move forward and strive to not sin, we are covered by His grace He is the ultimate redeemer, and His redemption is available for every single person He doesn’t redeem just for a select few, for those that “do good,” or for speciﬁc groups No, He is for every single human on the earth. He wants to set every one of His children f ree. He wants people to experience the love, peace, grace, and redemption that He f reely gives to us

Christ redeemed us from that self defeating, cursed life by absorbing it completely into Himself. Do you remember the Scripture that says, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”? That is what happened when Jesus was nailed to the cross: He became a curse, and at the same time dissolved the curse And now, because of that, the air is cleared and we can see that Abraham’s blessing is present and available for non Jews, too We are all able to receive God’s life, his Spirit, in and with us by believing just the way Abraham received it.

What does it mean to you to be redeemed?

G A L A T I A N S 3 : 1 3 – 1 4 T H E M E S S A G E

P S A L M 2 3 : 2 3 N I V

72 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H l i v e l i f e T O T H E F U L L

What does it mean to you to “bask in His love”?

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.

S C A N T H E Q R C O D E to get your copy of Words Are Golden today!

Words are golden! They hold so much power to uplift, to encourage, to inspire yourself and others. In this interactive journal, you’ll find space to reflect on specific words and explore ways you can use them to bring hope and joy and life to those around you Allyson Golden’s curated list of words, along with her fun interactive activities to help you unpack their true meanings, will encourage your heart and unleash hope into your life

A L LY S O N G O L D E N is the author and creator of Words Are Golden, faith encouragement through words and art. Allyson is a big fan of Jesus. She loves iced coffee, sunshine, and flowers. But most of all, she loves cheering you on to cheer others on A full time pediatric nurse, she lives with her husband, Michael, in San Diego, where they enjoy spending time with their community and hosting people in their home

T O B A S K I S T O L I E D O W N O R R E L A X , E N J O Y I N G T H E W A R M T H O F T H E S U N O R A P L E A S A N T A T M O S P H E R E .

God desires for us to lie down and be ref reshed and renewed by Him. He wants us to be still so that He can speak His truth over us and overwhelm us with His presence It can be hard to slow down in this fast paced world, but there is so much to be seen in the slow and steady When we are always on the go and always thinking about what is next for us, it can be difﬁcult to hear what God is wanting to say to us Think about a green pasture It is a place of peace, a place of quiet, a place of tranquility Now think about a beautiful lake or a large pond The water is so still, so calm This psalm conjures up images of such beautiful and peaceful places to show us the peace He wants to provide us with He truly just wants to be with us He wants us to bask in His love He wants us to bask in His grace He wants us to bask in His peace He wants us to bask in all that He is

The dreams placed on your heart are there for a reason. Y H O P E R E A G A N H A R R I S

Q U E S T I O N I N G T H E I R D R E A M S

F O R T H E O N E S

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 73

My first “book,” My Papa’s Pocket, a story about my grandpa hiding gum in the church pews growing up, and my first official book, This Is My Happy Place

In this moment, God taught me that He is constantly preparing us He places those dreams on our hearts for a reason I believe you have a story like this too

The dreams placed on our hearts are there for a reason. It’s story time! Let me paint the picture for you: It was just a random Sunday afternoon Doubt was living rent free in my mind, and I wanted to quit everything It felt like I was in the middle of nowhere without a clear path forward

Ephesians 2:10 NIV says it best, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do ” Our Creator thought of us and planned good works for us in advance. Praise God you are you and you have the dreams you do! What a blessing your life is!

God taught me that year that our location has nothing on His proximity to us. This was the entire foundation of This Is My Happy Place, so I excitedly ran up the stairs to uncover and dust them off To my surprise, not only did I find the cards I found something I didn’t even know I had, yet I desperately needed to see

ave you ever been in a place where you were questioning the dreams placed on your heart? You aren’t alone and there is good news for us, friend If you didn’t already know, you are a blessing Our lives have a purpose created by God and we have work to do while we are here on this side of Heaven

How was I going to get everything done? Work was piling up in my corporate job My personal life was busy Each weekend I’d spend every free moment I had pouring energy into a new book idea that was placed on my heart. Was I really supposed to be an author? (Yes, this questioning was happening a month before my first book, This Is My Happy Place, was officially published and out into the world )

Ironically, my aha moment happened while I was brainstorming prop ideas for the photo shoot to showcase This Is My Happy Place As I was sitting at my kitchen table, I remembered that I still had the postcards from my sophomore year studying abroad in Switzerland

is that? I got emotional It was a full circle moment in the middle of the most random day

The postcards were in a purple storage bin nestled on top of the first “book” that I wrote for fun as a kid How crazy

Want to hear more good news to cling to in our doubting? We don’t have to question and ask ourselves why any longer “Why not?” is the question we’re going to pivot to in the future

74 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H l i v e l i f e T O T H E F U L L

It’d be a whole lot easier to just walk away from this dream, I thought to myself Maybe you’ve been right here with me when you started doubting succeeding in your dream job, becoming a mom, starting that small business, going to that school, creating a small group at church, and the list goes on

The questioning was in full force: Was this just something I wanted to do? Did God really put this on my heart? Who was I to think I was qualified for this? Why couldn’t I just shake this idea and forget about it?

Why wouldn’t it be you? After all, it is our CREATOR that qualifies us to live out the purpose He intentionally created for our lives What is on your heart? What things are you second guessing?

Write out the dream placed on your heart How long have you had this dream?

Let’s shake the doubt away What is stopping you? What worries are taking up space in your mind? Find verses that shine God’s truth over these doubts and worries

S C A N T H E

Reflect on your life How do you think God has prepared you to step toward this dream?

In This Is My Happy Place: A Positivity Journal to Finding God’s Light, Hope Reagan Harris brings encouraging messages, includes fun interactive activities, and asks compelling, thought provoking questions that lead you to a deeper understanding of yourself and God’s purpose for your life Write your heart out, explore your God given potential, and find your happy place in the pages of this unique positivity journal

HOW TO TAKE STEPS TOWARD YOUR DREAM

What is one step you can take this week to live out the dream placed on your heart?

Do you need a new perspective?

H O P E R E AG A N H A R R I S is a wife, dog mom, encourager, iced vanilla latte drinker, first time author, and, most importantly, a Jesus seeker If you were having a coffee chat with her today, she would want you to leave believing that you are seen, known, and loved by Jesus more than you could ever imagine Become virtual friends with her today at @hopereaganharris on Instagram

TIP: If you’re up for some accountability, spill the tea to one of your people and ask them to join you in specifically praying for God’s wisdom, discernment, and direction as you pursue this dream.

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 75

Q R C O D E to purchase your copy of This is My Happy Place today and dig into this hope filled message for yourself!

H ey s i s t e r,

S O P H A R U S H is married to the most amazing man of God, Anthony Rush Jr , the mother of two amazing boys, Harlem and Bronx, and the founder of Live Deeply Rooted Sopha is passionate about helping others discover their purpose and the truth about themselves She’s also passionate about loving God, reading books, traveling, journaling, baking, and spending time with her family.

If you have ever felt this way, please know you are not alone This devotional journal was birthed out of one of my darkest seasons It is my hope to encourage those who have ever felt the way I once did As you are allowing your roots to go deeper, I pray that you stay connected to the Source, relying completely on God I am so proud of you and cannot wait to see how God uses you in this new season you are about to walk into Let Him be the One you lean into for your strength and guidance May you grow and live deeply rooted (Colossians 2:6 7)

Here’s our top book for fall.

something I seem to be missing? Something I need to be doing? Is there something wrong with me?

”76 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H l i v e l i f e T O T H E F U L L

Wi t h l o v e ,

“She was in the middle of this weird season Not really sure how to feel or even what she needed to do to get out of this funk that made her feel so stuck. She tried including herself in many social events, even signed herself up for some classes at her local gym She wanted with everything in her to get away from the loneliness that seemed to follow her. She longed for clarity in understanding this new transition that left her feeling so isolated so alone As she continued through these long days that seemed to weigh heavy on her, she began asking herself the questions that brought tears down her cheeks, God, am I not good enough? Is there

I am honored to connect with you on this journey together as we dive into the beauty of deepening our roots I wrote this note to myself a few years back when I was really struggling And I really want to share it with you:

L i v i n g D e e p l y R o o t e d O U R F A L L B O O K C L U B P I C K

Calling all bookworms!

She shares the importance of keeping it real because “We’re all imperfect beings. We learn and we grow through everything. The good and the bad Life is always changing and evolving; may God be what keeps you soft and not let this world harden you but set your heart on fire to spread the Good News and share God’s love

T h e r e w a s a s e a s o n w h e n I f e l t l i ke I w a s f a r a w a y f r o m G o d . I t w a s a s t h o u g h G o d w a s i g n o r i n g e v e r y p r a y e r a n d t h o u g h t o f m i n e . I w a s l o n g i n g f o r H i s p r e s e n c e , y e t s o m e h o w i t w a s a s t h o u g h I d r i f t e d e v e n f u r t h e r a w a y A s m y m i n d b e g a n t o p l a n t s e e d s o f d o u b t a n d I b e g a n t o q u e s t i o n i f G o d w a s r e a l l y h e r e f o r m e , I w a s r e m i n d e d o f t h i s v e r y v e r s e : “ T h e L o r d h i m s e l f g o e s b e f o r e y o u a n d w i l l b e w i t h y o u ; h e w i l l n e v e r l e a v e y o u n o r f o r s a ke y o u D o n o t b e a f r a i d ; d o n o t b e d i s c o u r a g e d ” ( D e u t e r o n o m y 3 1 : 8 N I V ) G o d w i l l n e v e r l e a v e m e H e i s f o r m e a n d w i l l a l w a y s b e w i t h m e N o m a t t e r h o w f a r I f e e l f r o m H i m , H e i s p r e s e n t E v e n w h e n s e e d s o f d o u b t t r y t o t a ke r o o t , I m u s t n o t w a t e r t h e m I ke e p H i s p r o m i s e s r o o t e d a n d e n g r a v e d o n m y h e a r t Ne v e r w i l l H e l e a v e m e Ne v e r w i l l H e l e a v e y o u

T h e L O R D h i m s e l f g o e s b e f o r e y o u a n d w i l l b e w i t h y o u ; h e w i l l n e v e r l e a v e y o u n o r f o rs a k e y o u

D o n o t b e a f r a i d ; d o n o t b e d i s c o u r a g e d

D E U T E R O N O M Y 3 1 : 8 N I V

B E L I E V E

G o d , t h a n k Yo u f o r n e v e r l e a v i n g m e N o m a t t e r h o w f a r a w a y Yo u f e e l , I k n o w t h a t Yo u a r e f o r m e I k n o w t h a t Yo u r p r e s e n c e i s w i t h m e R e p l a c e m y d o u b t w i t h Yo u r e v e r l a s t i n g l o v e a n d j o y , L o r d , a n d h e l p m e t o s e e Yo u r w o r k s i n m y l i f e

Ne v e r Wi l l H e L e a v e Y o u

Write down your fears, doubts, worries, and to dos crowding your mind today, and give them over to God

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 77

T h e D a i l y D e c i s i o n

P R A Y E R

h e n I w a s i n h i g h s c h o o l , I b e l i e v e d i n G o d b u t t h e r e w a s n ’ t a p e r s o n a l

r e l a t i o n s h i p I f e a r e d H i m , b u t n o t i n a w a y t h a t a l l o w e d m e t o g e t t o k n o w H i m f u l l y I t w a s l i ke H e w a s t h e r e b u t d i d n ’ t w a n t t o b e b o t h e r e d b y m e , o r t h a t ’ s w h a t I t r u l y m a d e m y s e l f b e l i e v e I d i d n ’ t k n o w h o w t o h a v e a r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h H i m , y e t I l o n g e d f o r o n e I t h o u g h t i f I j u s t d i d a n d s a i d a l l t h e r i g h t t h i n g s , t h e n G o d w o u l d f i n d f a v o r w i t h m e I f y o u w a n t t o k n o w G o d a s y o u r p e r s o n a l L o r d a n d S a v i o r , s t a r t t o d a y b y a s k i n g G o d t o c o m e i n t o y o u r h e a r t I t ’ s n o t t o o l a t e t o s u r r e n d e r y o u r l i f e t o H i m S o m e s a y, “ I d o n ’ t e v e n k n o w w h e r e t o b e g i n ” T h e r e i s n ’ t a s p e c i f i c f o r m u l a o r a s e t o f r u l e s t o f o l l o w I t ’ s s i m p l y c o m m u n i c a t i n g w i t h G o d t h r o u g h p r a y e r , g o i n g b e f o r e H i m a n d c o n f e s s i n g y o u r s i n a n d r e p e n t i n g I t ’ s s a y i n g , “ Y o u k n o w w h a t ? Ye s , I ’ v e m e s s e d u p , I ’ m b r o ke n , a n d I d e s p e r a t e l y n e e d Je s u s ” I t ’ s a d a i l y d e c i s i o n t o d i e t o y o u r f l e s h a n d w a l k i n t h e S p i r i t T h i s j o u r n e y i s n ’ t a l w a y s e a s y Wa l k i n g w i t h G o d m a y s e e m h a r d e r t h a n t r y i n g t o f i n d y o u r o w n w a y t r y i n g t o f i n d h a p p i n e s s a n d c o n t e n t m e n t i n d i f f e r e n t p e o p l e a n d t h i n g s B u t m a n , I w o u l d n ’ t t r a d e m y r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h G o d f o r a n y t h i n g t h i s w o r l d h a s t o o f f e r I j u s t w o n ’ t A n d y o u s h o u l d n ’ t e i t h e r N o m a t t e r h o w m u c h t h i s w o r l d t r i e s t o m a s k t h i s “ g l a m o r o u s ” c o o k i e c u t t e r l i f e a n d i t s t e m p o r a r y p l e a s u r e s , i t ’ s j u s t n o t w o r t h i t

78 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H l i v e l i f e T O T H E F U L L

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 79

S C A N T H E Q R C O D E to purchase your copy of 100 Days of Living Deeply Rooted today!

100 Days of Living Deeply Rooted offers a safe place for readers to be transparent, honest, and vulnerable, and a place to examine their highs and lows, struggles, and victories in their lives with inspiration and motivation from the Bible Each of the 100 short devotions includes a Bible verse, prayer, and real life encouragement from Sopha herself

T h i s i s w h a t G o d w a n t s f r o m y o u i n y o u r l i f e i n u n i o n w i t h C h r i s t J e s u s 1 T H E S S A L O N I A N S 5 : 1 6 1 8 G N T

Write a quick prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord today

G o d , I w a n t t o l i v e m y l i f e i n l i n e w i t h Yo u r w i l l , s o m e w h e r e i n m e I k n o w Yo u r i n t e n t i o n s a r e b e s t , e v e n i f I d o n ’ t a l w a ys l i k e t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s I a m e x p e r i e n c i n g S t i l l , Yo u r Wo r d s a ys t o g i v e t h a n k s i n a l l t h i n gs , s o I g i v e Yo u t h a n k s a n d p r a i s e o n p u r p os e t o d a y I ’ m c h o os i n g j o y t o d a y a n d s e e k i n g Yo u c o n t i n u o u s l y t h r o u g h t h i s p r a y e r

B e j o y f u l a l w a ys , p r a y a t a l l t i m e s , b e t h a n k f u l i n a l l c i r c u m s t a n c e s

Even at that moment, I knew this accomplishment wasn’t mine alone It was the work of God in me Who I was 15 years ago is so different from who I am today God raised me as I raised my children Then in the middle of the restaurant, they gave me a standing ovation With people staring and smiling in our direction, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the ways God changed me, helped me, and grew me. I didn’t stand and take a bow, but I did cry and laugh a little too

inding through hillsides and sporadic homes is a tucked away winery Sitting on the edge of the earth with my dearest people, I let out a sigh. It was a rare evening where I got to sip on sangria, tear clumps of salty bread, and be with my husband, sister, and brother in law a double date with family members and our beloved friends We paused We held each other in a sacred gaze, and we were held by the expansive beauty swooping under and all around us. For the past several years, my sister and her family have lived overseas, which made moments like this one abundantly special

Sometimes we forget to celebrate with each other We forget to stop and say, “Well done ”

Stop and Take a Moment to Celebrate

I’m not sure how often we stop and cheer each other on We are quick to move into the next season without acknowledging what God has done in the past. It’s important to stop, look around, and take in the masterpiece God has painted in the world and each other

“What is it like to move into this next season with your kids all in school?” someone asked How do I sum my life drastically shifting in a few coherent sentences? But I tried I rambled on and on about my youngest starting preschool and my oldest hurling his football bag over his shoulder as I watched him walk through the gates of his high school I talked about the loss of a few things but

B Y A N J U L I P A S C H A L L

With the sun still ablaze, we casually shared our drinks and scanned the sloping hillside. Overlooking a patchwork valley of fields and farms, we let our eyes ease our souls into the peace we had all been craving Without formality, we passed around curious questions for each other like we passed the single menu Safe people are easy to be with There isn’t the temptation to fill in the silence with sarcasm or analyze pop culture Instead, one by one, we shared our stories Stories from adventures abroad Stories of stress that toppled us over into a storm of tears Stories about loneliness in a foreign world Nibbling on slender crackers slathered with blue cheese, we listened to each other share pain, wrestle with the unknown, and live with residual regret still burrowed on our backs

the gain of so much more I told them how I cried after school drop off, not because I was sad, but, oddly, I was proud The last 15 years have been hard Growing babies, weaning babies, changing babies, disciplining toddlers, managing schedules, and years without sleep have been, in one word challenging It was extremely exhausting, and I didn’t give up I was there for the post nap snuggles, lightning speed questions, and barrage of daily demands I was there for the morning tea parties and afternoon forts I was there I did it I got my kids to school alive and (mostly) dressed appropriately I was proud of myself

Then, one by one, they started clapping for me For some, this might be the moment they turn inward, blushing with embarrassment But, for me, I teared up

You’re doing a good job. Give yourself a pat on the back.

80 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H l i v e l i f e T O T H E F U L L

A N J U L I PA S C H A L L grew up as a missionary kid secretly wondering, Why does everyone else but me understand what a relationship with Jesus is? She is a pastor ’s wife, spiritual director, writer, contributing writer at (in)courage, and mom to five kids She is the author of Stay and Awake

Anjuli loves chai tea and the color orange You can connect with her at AnjuliPaschall com

As the evening came to a close, we snapped a few photos in front of the majestic backdrop I let my soul soak in the creamy light floating just above the landscape My heart was fully alive and abundantly content. Remembering God’s goodness, giving thanks for His faithfulness, and enjoying the friendships around me made my heart clap Savoring this moment, hope welled up inside my chest Looking out into eternity, I was wordless I think this was my standing ovation for God’s work in my life. When God does incredible things in our lives and the lives of others, how can we not holler in praise or let the holy miracle move us into silent awe?

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 81

S O M E T I M E S W E F O R G E T T O C E L E B R A T E W I T H E A C H O T H E R . W E F O R G E T T O S T O P A N D S A Y , “ W E L L D O N E . ”

Honoring

D I S C O V E R G O D ’ S H E A R T F O R Y O U I N H E R N E W E S T N E V E RB E F O R E - S E E N M A N U S C R I P T.

82 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H m o v e o n e s t e p C L O S E R T O J E S U S

After Elisabeth’s death in 2015, the Elisabeth Elliot Foundation was formed In 2021, a piece of writing by Elisabeth was discovered tucked away in a Word document it had never been published or seen by anyone In partnership with the Elisabeth Elliot Foundation, DaySpring is publishing that writing for you in the new book, Heart of God: 31 Days to Discover God’s Love for You

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 83

E L I SA B E T H E L L I OT ( 1 9 2 6 2 0 1 5 ) was a missionary and a critically acclaimed author and speaker For over half a century, her life of obedience, timeless teachings, and bestselling books have influenced both believers and seekers of the Christian faith For 13 years, Elisabeth opened her daily radio program, “Gateway to Joy,” with these words:

The resounding theme of Elisabeth’s life was the boundless love of Jesus, and her greatest commission was to tell others of His saving grace This costly call led her into the Amazonian jungle of Ecuador in 1956, where her husband, Jim Elliot, was one of five missionaries speared to death while attempting to contact members of the Auca/ Waodani tribe Elisabeth, along with her young daughter, Valerie, would later return to Auca territory to live among and minister to the people who killed her husband. Familiar with suffering, Elisabeth wrote, “The deepest things that I have learned in my own life have come from the deepest suffering And out of the deepest waters and the hottest fires have come the deepest things I know about God ”

S C A N T H E Q R C O D E

To understand the depth and reality of God’s love for us is the great adventure of the Christian faith In Heart of God: 31 Days to Discover God’s Love for You, a never before published devotional from Elisabeth Elliot, readers will embark on a month long journey of learning to see God’s character, intentions, and plan for their lives (and the world) They will find out how to recognize the compassionate hand of God in every circumstance, even suffering, and encounter the mystery and joy of unfolding the infinite layers of His unprecedented love for us

“You are loved with an everlasting love, that’s what the Bible says, and underneath are the everlasting arms This is your friend, Elisabeth Elliot.”

to receive the first three days of Heart of God in your inbox today!

Elisabeth Elliot’s lifework was to share these deepest things: the trustworthiness of God, the blessings of obedience, the hope of joy in the midst of sorrow, the call to love one’s enemy, the priceless treasure of purity, and the true meaning of Biblical womanhood and manhood She wrote over 20 books some of her most distinguished writings include Passion and Purity, Let Me Be a Woman, Shadow of the Almighty, Through Gates of Splendor, and The Savage My Kinsman The latter three books chronicle Elisabeth’s missionary work and the life and martyrdom of her husband, Jim

Elisabeth and her husband, Jim

84 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H m o v e o n e s t e p C L O S E R T O J E S U S

I N E V E R G OT TO K N OW my Aunt Betty very well personally, but I was, of course, proud to be related to the great Elisabeth Elliot. On the personal side, I loved her humor at family reunions, including her performance of “The Kindergarten Teacher ” routine And my wife and I still use one of her famous phrases: “Y’all pray for us; we ain’t nev’r done this b’fore ” This was from a true story she told in which she was speaking at a small country church, and the ladies’ quartet that was to sing a special number took several minutes bustling about, finding the hymnals, trying to line up in the right order, and whispering among themselves before they were ready to sing, and then prefaced their song with that statement. Classic!

B Y D A V I D M . H O W A R D J R .

My most lasting memory was from our cousin Kay’s wedding at the 1972 family reunion it was an Aunt Betty moment (even if rather trivial) She was singing a solo, and a fly flew into her mouth I remember a two or three second pause during which the accompanist (Aunt Ginny) had to improvise, and then she resumed singing We wondered what that pause was all about and didn’t find out until afterward that a fly had flown into her mouth Instead of coughing or excusing herself, she simply swallowed the fly and then resumed singing Amazing! Shades of Ecuador!

Ref lections on Elisabeth Elliot

I was only 3½ years old when Jim and the other missionaries were killed, but I do remember Dad leaving us in Costa Rica for a week to be with Aunt Betty at that time She and Val visited us in Colombia in 1958, and that was the first time I met her. She told us stories of the jungle, and Val taught me how to pick objects up off the floor with my toes It’s a valuable skill that I still use today!

I loved paging through her book The Savage My Kinsman when it came out We were living in Colombia and had no TV or other distractions, so books were a primary means of entertainment I spent hours looking through the pictures and imagining life in the jungles and among the Aucas (known as the Waodani today)

What were the first words out of Mom’s mouth at this critical moment? Just these: “But, Dave, what would Betty think?”

So, after dinner the first night, Dad suggested they take a walk Out in the field, Dad proposed, following his father ’s well known script for such things: He told her that he loved her and that he wanted to marry her

I had the privilege of writing a tribute to her in The Wall Street Journal when she died; it was published on June 26, 2015, under the title “The Intrepid Missionary Elisabeth Elliot ” It was a privilege to know her June 15, 2020

Two personal notes: In 2000, when I was teaching at the New Orleans Baptist Seminary, Aunt Betty was speaking somewhere in southern Mississippi She drove an hour or more to meet our family at a halfway point, and we were able to introduce our daughters to her (they were 14 and 11 years old at the time) We could only find a tiny, greasy spoon restaurant at which to meet, so we crammed into a little booth But the gift of her time showed her generosity of spirit, and I have appreciated the gesture she took time away from a busy schedule to meet with two grandnieces of hers ever since

The Dave Howard Sr branch of the family probably has its own set of unique Jim Elliot and Betty stories, because Jim and Dad were best friends in college They were campus leaders, both influential in the missions emphasis at Wheaton in those days They wrestled together, they were on the debate team together, they were RA’s together in the dorms, and Jim was the best man in my parents’ wedding And my mother and Betty were good friends In fact, Betty is the one who introduced my dad to my mom

Also, in my younger years, I was never completely sure how she regarded me, since I did not know her as well as many of my cousins did But my stock rose immeasurably in her eyes when I married Jan in 1979 Aunt Betty was the only aunt or uncle who came to our wedding in Wheaton She loved Jan as she got to know her, and was full of compliments about her Aunt Betty made a point of informing us whenever she had a speaking engagement in our town, and we entertained her in our home or met her in a restaurant She raved about what a great catch I’d made in a wife, and I agreed, of course!

As you might guess, Dad was none too pleased to have Betty intruding on this moment, and he vigorously replied that he didn’t care what his sister thought he wanted my mom’s answer! Since this was completely out of the blue for Mom clueless Mom! she took three or four days to answer. Dad stayed with Mom and her family for a week, so I can only imagine the awkwardness in the air during those first few days

Since I’m in Christian work, I’ve had many people mention how much Phil Howard (my grandpa and respected editor of The Sunday School Times), Uncle Tom (a well known Christian writer), and my dad (respected missionary statesman) have meant in their lives. But the comments about Elisabeth Elliot probably outnumber the rest of them combined She obviously was (and is) famous and has had a huge impact on thousands upon thousands of people’s lives I don’t usually drop her name, but in the seminaries where I have taught for almost 40 years, the student grapevines persist through generations Every year I am asked, “Dr Howard, somebody said that you’re related to Elisabeth Elliot Is that true?” When I confirm that it is, their expression changes to one of pure awe, and they immediately start telling me how much her books, speaking, or radio broadcasts have meant to them It’s a privilege to be related to this great lady

Two of her books were especially influential in my younger years, both of which I read in college: Shadow of the Almighty, the biography of Jim Elliot, and A Slow and Certain Light, the book about guidance Both have contributed significantly to my understanding of God and to who I am today

At the time he proposed, Mom was back home at her family’s ranch in Montana, and Dad was traveling the country for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship He wrote to her, stating that he would like to come visit her, and she agreed At this time, they had not seen each other for more than a year and not even corresponded because Mom and Betty graduated from Wheaton in 1948 and Dad and Jim not until the next year So, for Mom, this was simply a courtesy visit from a friend For Dad, it was a marriage proposal it was “the moment” of a lifetime

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 85

You can choose how you respond to difficult situations with His help. B Y C A N D A C E C A M E R O N B U R E Hope E N D U R E S 86 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H m o v e o n e s t e p C L O S E R T O J E S U S

Sometimes the circumstances are just completely out of our control It is what it is And what it is is really tough!

J A M E S 1 : 1 2 N LT

Those who trust in, lean on, and confidently hope in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides and stands fast forever

C O L O S S I A N S 1 : 1 0 - 1 1 N LT

What we CAN control, no matter what, is how we choose to respond.

All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better You will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need.

Maybe we discover that we need to try something new a new approach, a new attitude, a new strategy Or maybe we just need to practice patience and endurance We know we will grow stronger as we push through and keep on keeping on!

Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times

This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.

As for me, I will always have hope.

We can remember that going through hard things helps us grow in character We can look for the lesson, what we can learn from what the situation is teaching us

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith

P H I L I P P I A N S 3 : 1 3 - 1 4 N LT

1 T I M O T H Y 4 : 1 0 N LT

P S A L M 7 1 : 1 4 N I V

Sometimes it’s because our expectations were a little unrealistic Or when we made our plans, we didn’t have all the facts Sometimes it’s because we made a mistake somewhere along the way, we fumbled or stumbled or failed

H E B R E W S 1 2 : 1 - 2 N LT

That’s not to say that we don’t feel the pain of our disappointment, that we don’t grieve our losses. We do. But we don’t stay stuck in that place We don’t give in to hopelessness or despair We remind ourselves that God is at work, even in this

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

R O M A N S 1 2 : 1 2 G N T

I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 87

P S A L M 1 2 5 : 1 A M P C

I think we all have certain hopes and dreams for our lives I know I do! We make our plans, and we expect things to go according to those plans But at the same time, we know that life doesn’t always work out the way we plan things don’t always go the way we hope or expect, or the way we want And then we’re disappointed Discouraged Frustrated, hurt, or upset

During this 30 day journey, you’ll learn how to continually refresh your heart with hope, which yields abundant joy and peace Interactive journaling prompts help you reflect on the bounty of God’s promises and purpose for you

We may not know what God is doing yet and we may not be able to see where He’s going with this, but we keep our eyes open We know He has good things in store for us So with His help, we pick ourselves up and we get back out there and we take the next step We keep moving forward With hearts full of hope

How have you grown spiritually—“come to know God better and better ” (Colossians 1:10)—through hard times? What have you learned about Him?

What if you had hope that could overcome every disappointment? In the One Step Closer Devotional Guide: Wild Hope by Candace Cameron Bure, you’ll discover God’s true love for you, which is a never ending source of wild, relentless hope that emerges triumphant through everything from daily irritations to life’s greatest challenges

Where are you most challenged to persevere in hope right now? What situations or circumstances in your life today call for courage and strength and endurance?

Can you think of an important life lesson you have learned, a strength or skill you have developed from persevering through a difficult circumstance or season in the past?

T hink on It

What do you think God might be teaching you? Where do you sense He is leading you? What opportunities may lie ahead?

S C A N T H E Q R C O D E to get your copy of Wild Hope from Candace Cameron Bure today!

88 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H m o v e o n e s t e p C L O S E R T O J E S U S

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 89

O ne Step Closer to Blessings

Throughout this issue, we ’ ve talked a lot about how you are blessed because of who you are in Christ. But what does it really mean to be blessed? What is a blessing?

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.

“You will experience all these blessings if you obey the LORD your God.”

J A M E S 1 : 1 2 N LT

God’s blessings are too many to count or even mention His blessings come to us every day, in every conceivable form

In Scripture we find a simple but profound principle: Obedience to God brings blessings and disobedience to God brings misfortune We must be careful not to think of these blessings only in terms of material possessions God’s greatest blessings are far more valuable than money or things They come in the form of joy, family, relationships, peace of heart, spiritual gifts, and the confidence of eternal life

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.

N U M B E R S 6 : 2 4 2 6 N LT

How can I experience G od’s blessings?

If you share this fruit with other people, you will be a great blessing to them

What kinds of blessings does G od send my way?

Blessings may come in strange forms Sometimes the greatest blessings come from suffering or persecution because we have proven ourselves faithful to God

“May the LORD bless you and protect you May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace ”

90 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H m o v e o n e s t e p C L O S E R T O J E S U S

When you speak a blessing on another person, it has tremendous impact

both giving and receiving Blessing others was a vital part of life in Biblical times To bless people meant many things to praise them, to pray for them, and to commit them to God’s care It also meant to dedicate and challenge them to live forever loyal to God It was a call for abundance and prosperity for another And it was also a way of officially passing on the family inheritance to the oldest son Wishes for a rich and abundant life were inherent in a blessing, although not always abundance in a material sense

How can I be a blessing to others?

G A L AT I A N S 5 : 2 2 2 3 N LT

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them.

“Not one of you from this wicked generation will live to see the good land I swore to give your ancestors, except Caleb. … He will see this land because he has followed the LORD. ”

D E U T E R O N O M Y 2 8 : 2 N LT

God was recognized as the ultimate source of the blessing, and the person blessed would walk with the Lord and receive His benefits To receive God’s blessing meant not only to enjoy innumerable tangible gifts (life, joy, peace, abundance, children, home, reputation, health, freedom, work, food, etc ) but in a much deeper way to be welcomed into a special relationship with Him, a relationship to be affirmed and practiced Part of this, in turn, means being a blessing to others, a way of saying we have been a great help to others

Blessings involve

D E U T E R O N O M Y 1 : 3 5 3 6 N LT

P S A L M 1 3 9 : 1 7 1 8 N LT

“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me ”

Bless those who persecute you Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them

S C A N T H E Q R C O D E to receive a sample of this Bible, including the full books of Proverbs and Romans With Q&As, application notes, promises from God, and the HelpFinder Index, this is the Bible you’ve been looking for!

The One Step Closer Bible is designed to move you one step closer to Jesus each and every day! It might be day one for the Bible and you or it may be day ten thousand and one no matter With each reading, we hope you will move one step closer to Jesus

You can find more Scripture based content like this to guide your faith in the One Step Closer Bible from DaySpring and Candace Cameron Bure A Bible in the New Living Translation (NLT), it includes a unique tool called the HelpFinder Index to answer all the questions that come up as you begin to study

R O M A N S 1 2 : 1 4 N LT

“All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the LORD your God.”

G E T T H E O N E ST E P C LO S E R B I B L E

What blessings come to those who belong to G od?

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 91

Jesus brought a new idea blessing and forgiveness for enemies This is unique to Christianity The natural response is to seek revenge against enemies Prayer for our enemies is a severe test of our devotion to Christ

“But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence.”

I S A I A H 2 6 : 1 9 N LT

J O H N 1 5 : 1 2 1 5 N LT

Belonging to God is an eternal relationship, not merely for this world, but for the world to come. This permits us to live again after we die. The grave is not the last chapter, merely the transitional one

What responsibilities come with G od’s blessings?

Those who belong to God know how to better love others because they have experienced the perfect love of God

J E R E M I A H 1 7 : 7 N LT

D E U T E R O N O M Y 1 6 : 1 7 N LT

What kind of people does G od want to bless?

As God prospers us, we are to share that prosperity in our giving. Receiving and giving go hand in hand.

But those who die in the LORD will live; their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy!

Blessings from God come to those who trust and obey Him. Blessings are not merely words spoken by God, but are part of the special relationship offered by Him to us.

I N T R AC K A N D F I E L D , if runners step out of their lanes during a race, they are disqualified In soccer, if a player kicks the ball out of bounds, the other team gets the ball In volleyball, if a player hits a ball out of bounds, the other team gets a point When it comes to sports, we know that boundaries are good and necessary in order to keep the game fair, orderly, and under control They also keep people from getting hurt And finally, they keep the game moving forward toward a specific goal With no boundaries, the game just doesn’t make sense This same principle is true in everyday life

Boundaries help you stay on the right path.

92 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H m o v e o n e s t e p C L O S E R T O J E S U S

God gives us boundaries so that life makes sense When we stay within those boundaries, we have purpose and direction, and we get hurt less When we go out of bounds, we are penalized, not because God wants to punish us, but because those are the consequences for going out of bounds The world works by the rules God set in place at creation We can’t change them, and in fact if we could, life wouldn’t be as fulfilling just like a good game Instead of seeing boundaries as negative limitations on our freedoms, try to see them as useful for keeping life moving toward the ultimate victory God has promised all who play the game well and live within His boundaries

W H A T T H E B I B L E S A Y S A B O U T

Life has just two sides If you are not for God, you are against Him When you are against Him you are on the side of evil, even though you may not realize it If God puts a boundary around you, He wants to keep you from a harmful consequence: injury, emotional pain, and even eternal punishment

J U D E 1 : 6 7 N L T

Serving the Lord is a lifelong priority. Rather than restricting you, setting boundaries will eliminate the distractions that can keep you from accomplishing magnificent things for God

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other.”

P S A L M 1 1 9 : 1 3 3 N L T

P S A L M 2 3 : 4 N L T

W H A T A R E T H E C O N S E Q U E N C E S O F F A I L I N G T O O B S E R V E G O D ’ S B O U N D A R I E S ?

And I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged. God has kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the great day of judgment. And don’t forget Sodom and Gomorrah.

If you’ve ever walked on a path in the woods, you know how important it is for the path to be clearly marked If it’s not, you can stray off the path and become hopelessly lost a frightening and potentially dangerous situation. God’s commands and laws act as boundaries to clearly mark life’s path before you. They protect you from danger and fear

… Those cities were destroyed by fire and serve as a warning of the eternal fire of God’s judgment.

P S A L M 1 1 9 : 3 5 N L T

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

R O M A N S 1 2 : 2 N L T

L U K E 1 6 : 1 3 N L T

Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.

The key is to learn how God can change the way you think Study His Word to find out how He thinks and pattern your own thinking after His Then you will find it easier to live within the boundaries He has set for you

W H Y D O I N E E D B O U N D A R I E S ?

I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.

Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.

1 C O R I N T H I A N S 7 : 3 5 N L T

This article is an excerpt from the One Step Closer Bible HelpFinder Index

God’s boundaries are set for your safety and comfort They keep you from harm

H O W C A N I S E T B O U N D A R I E S

F O R M Y S E L F ?

F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 93

YO U ’ V E A L R E A DY H E A R D F R O M both Maghon Taylor and Candace Cameron Bure in this issue you know them and love them! So today, we’re introducing you to the newest collections from both Maghon and Candace, created in partnership with Walmart!

m o v e o n e s t e p C L O S E R T O J E S U S

BUY IT! WIN IT!

B E F O R E Y O U C A N

In celebration of these beautiful collections and the exciting partnership they represent, we’re hosting our biggest giveaway yet! If you scan the QR code below, you’ll be taken to the giveaway landing page choose your favorite collection and enter your information. We will choose one winner every week to get the full collection of their choice

M A G H O N ’ S C O L L E C T I O N

*To enter to win the full collection of your choice, scan the QR code and enter your information Entry will be open from 9/5/22 and run through 11/15/22 One winner will be randomly selected each week between 9/5/22 and 11/15/22 and alerted of their prize via email M AG H O N ’ S C O L L E C T I O N With classic bold colors, happy stripes, and bursts of confetti, Maghon Taylor ’s collection is the perfect representation of her brand, All She Wrote Notes, and her mission, to spread kindness around like confetti You can find a journal, Prayers to Share, notecards, postcards, home décor, and the cutest travel tumblers C A N DAC E ’ S C O L L E C T I O N captures the classic essence of her brand, full of Scriptural truth, on trend colors and design, and so much fun! Designed with you in mind, Candace’s collection features inspirational home décor, encouraging notecards, ceramic mugs, and so much more! S C A N T H E Q R C O D E and enter to win your choice of Maghon’s or Candace’s full collections today!* C A N D A C E ’ S C O L L E C T I O N You can shop the full collection in Walmart stores and on Walmart com at the end of October! F A L L 2 0 2 2 | 95

Death wrapp e d its rop e s around me; the terrors of the grave overto ok me. I saw only trouble and s orrow. Then I calle d on the name of the L ord: “Pleas e, L ord, save me!” How kind the L ord is! How go o d he is! So merciful, this Go d of ours!

Are you feeling heavy today? Tired? Overwhelmed? Everywhere we look, there seems to be more trouble and sorrow than we can comprehend Losses, both big and small, have left us all with bruises that won’t soon go away We have walked through the hardest of times, and we made it to the other side because He is here with us

The L ord prote cts thos e of childlike faith ; I was facing death, and he save d me. L et my s oul b e at re st again, for the L ord has b e en go o d to me. He has save d me from death, my eye s from tears, my fe et from stumbling. And s o I walk in the L ord’s pre s ence as I live here on earth!

Psalm 116:9 says that we walk in His presence here on earth He is not far away from our pain, and He doesn’t stand at a distance, watching us suffer God is in our midst, and in His mercy, He will come and save us We can rest in His presence even when the turmoil doesn’t relent, even when there is no peace in our hearts or our homes, and even when we are misunderstood and dismissed God is kind and good Lord, help us to believe. Amen.

P S A L M 1 1 6 : 3 9 N L T

96 | E V E R Y D A Y F A I T H m o v e o n e s t e p C L O S E R T O J E S U S

D C A S T S . A

Each weekday we meet you right where you are, as one of our 30 writers shares what ’s going on in her everyday life, and how God’s right in the middle of it all They bring their unique experiences joys and struggles equally so that you can feel less alone, and be empowered by the hope Jesus gives U L I S T O O C O M M U

N I T Y

T E N

T H E ( I N ) C O U R A G E P O D C A S T

S U B S C R I B E T O D A Y W H E R E V E R Y O

Imagine being part of a faith based company where you can create your own schedule, share inspirational products, ear n unlimited income and belong to a sisterhood of women like you!

Where Women Build Women Up in Faith & Business

discover the mary & martha difference

Learn more at maryandmartha com