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What follows behind
BY DAWN REED In Psalm 23:6, David wrote, “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life…” (NIV). There are many translations and interpretations of what he meant by his words. Because the Bible is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12), it speaks differently each time we read it. Today, Psalm 23:6…
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Everything that hinders
BY DAWN REED My cellphone had been acting weird for a while. Everything was running slowly. I didn’t get much service, though my co-workers – with the same phone carrier and sitting right beside me – had no trouble at all. The sound for calls had not worked for a year and a half. Every…
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Stealing Jesus and joy
BY DAWN REED First, the good news. Dixie found Jesus. Dixie is the precious and wonderful dog my beloved rescued over a year ago. We had not had a dog in over 30 years but fell head over paws in love. We are thankful to have her as a part of our family. Really, Dixie…
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Heartache at Christmas
BY DAWN REED The phone rang in the night. I tensed. Only one time has good news ever come in the night: to shepherds when Christ was born. We were not shepherds, and it was four days before Christmas. This was bad news for sure. I could hear my beloved asking questions as he got…
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An unexpected journey
BY DAWN REED At work. That is where it started. On a regular, boring, nothing-ever-happens-around-here night. Suddenly, the sky exploded with light, and they were face down, surrounded by glory. It was the very first Christmas. Luke 2:8-20 reports the exciting and terrifying event in detail. The shepherds – considered outcasts of society – received…
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An unexpected calling
BY DAWN REED Many times in the Bible, God showed up on ordinary days. Moses was a shepherd when he saw the burning bush. David was also tending sheep the day the prophet Samuel came to his house. Gideon was secretly threshing wheat, and Elisha was plowing a field when their lives changed forever. It…
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An unexpected gift
BY DAWN REED Tuesday evening, I had the opportunity to spend some time with the ladies of Allen Baptist Church. It was their annual Christmas party. The cooks and bakers of ABC had outdone themselves; tasty treats lined several tables. Women of all ages in brightly colored sweaters and shirts milled about the fellowship hall.…
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The unexpecteds of Christmas
A few days before Christmas in 1981, my beloved came home with a great big present just for me. We were newlyweds, living on love and Tator Tots. I didn’t know what it was or how he had paid for it. He laid it gingerly under our sparsely decorated tree. Not one time in my…
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Telling the Story: Holiday choices
BY DAWN REED I cried in Hobby Lobby this week. Because I missed my mom. Walking down the Thanksgiving and Christmas aisles, I was overwhelmed with a yearning for my sweet mother, who is now in heaven. The wrapping paper had me longing for her presence. Thanksgiving memories gushed forth. One year, not too long…
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Those courageous pilgrims
The ship was packed with all their earthly possessions. The sails were ready to unfurl, catching the wind of adventure. The prayers had been prayed, decisions made. This would be the most difficult journey of their lives. The only thing left to do was step onto the deck … of the Mayflower. I picture it…
