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God is not surprised
“God is not surprised.” It’s what Sara Robinson said at Radiant (Pastor’s Wives Retreat) when speaker Christine Hoover’s plane had been delayed time and time again. We prayed and rearranged the schedule. A substitute was mic’d, ready to step to the stage. But, a few moments before her exact time to speak, Christine pulled into…
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Telling the Story: Appreciation for creation
Listening to the morning sounds in the mountains, I hear birds tweeting and greeting. They call across the hills, “Good morning! It’s time to get up.” God didn’t have to make birds sing. But He did. The honeysuckle grows wild up the hollow. It’s a delicious treat for drivers who have their windows down. Autumn…
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Telling the Story: A bad batch of jealousy
Just after my family moved to Prestonsburg over 20 years ago, Leah Dane-one of our older deacon’s wives, made us a loaf of banana bread. The small bundle was wrapped in foil. Opening it up, we found it already sliced for our convenience. At that time, we lived in a hollow several miles from the…
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Telling the Story: Meeting Mrs. Dorsie
Some of Jesus’ last words were “Go, go, and be.” I met an embodiment of those words at Horsecave Baptist Church a few weeks ago. Mrs. Dorsie Phillips made her way down the center aisle in turquoise and white. Her white hair was perfectly done. What got my attention was her smile and her necklace.…
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Telling the Story: Shelter in the storm
Last week, we were visiting my sister and her family in Bowling Green. On Sunday morning, we joined them at Hillvue Church. The pre-service music was playing. People greeted and mingled. The five-minute timer was ticking down. My heart began to stir in anticipation. Four minutes before start time, every phone began to alarm. It…
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Telling the Story: Things to remember
When I was younger, Memorial Day was the holiday that truly marked the beginning of summer. I was oblivious to those who decorated graves, never wondering how the cemeteries were suddenly covered with brightly-covered flowers. Decades passed. Now I understand the importance of the holiday. Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor soldiers…
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Telling the Story: I wouldn’t drink it if I could
My beloved and I recently had the opportunity to explore St. Augustine for a few hours, knowing it was the place Ponce de Leon reportedly discovered the Fountain of Youth. We found it. The park, that is, and did the thing you do: took a selfie at the entrance. I texted friends that I had…
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Telling the Story: Joseph’s second robe
A verse in Genesis 41 gave me chills last week when I read it. It just hit different. In our youth Sunday School class, we have been unpacking, digging in, breaking down, or whatever you want to call it, the story of Joseph. We’ve studied it so much that the guys and girls could take…
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Telling the Story: Staying the course
The prophet Elijah knew plenty about the ups and downs of following God. We can draw strength and encouragement from his true story. We can be reminded that through good times and bad, God is still with us and will help us in staying the course. Let’s be honest. When things are difficult, our enemy,…
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Telling the Story: Sharing one verse
Do you have a favorite Bible verse? One that has been with you in the valley and carried you to the other side? Your go-to in times of crisis? The first Bible verse I ever remember remembering is James 4:8. When I was a kid—probably in Vacation Bible School—a teacher passed around a paper with…
Category: Telling the Story…
