PRACTICE GRATITUDE

"As medicine is to the body, gratitude is to the soul." For the past six months, Words of Hope with Fred Crowell has been a source of joy and thanksgiving to me. Knowing God and enjoying him forever is my...

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Words of Hope: The Miracle of Hope 

I have been praying about a few life situations for a long time. It’s easy to begin to feel discouraged because there remains no answer. I think of my mom praying years for her dad to become a Christian. She...

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Words of Hope: How to Live in a Broken World  

It is a serious thing Just to be alive On this fresh morning In the broken world This poem by Mary Oliver brings me back to my center. What is required of me? Gratitude and praise for the world around me. Thanksgiving to...

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FRIDAYS WITH FRED: IT’S ONLY YOU

When life gets so hard, we seem to be in a place we cannot describe. In fact, we do want other people, but it seems to be ONLY YOU. Please let me explain. When cancer is so difficult that the doctor does...

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Words of Hope: The First Habit of Atomic Love 

The first habit needed to live from a place of abiding love for others is to sincerely seek God. This is the filling station. It is the source for this love to arrive and overflow. When I find myself...

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Words of Hope: Atomic Relational Habits 

I love James Clear’s work on “atomic habits,” and his research on how to make long lasting changes. Dad naturally understood how to build tiny daily habits that accrue over time. He lived this with his parenting. Having a terrible...

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TERMINAL ANXIETY

The apostle Paul encouraged us not to be anxious about anything. Unfortunately, too few people take his admonition seriously or take the time to learn the skill mastery to defeat this common enemy. Recently I had a stimulating and enlightening...

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Words of Hope: Listening for the Truth 

One of the greatest gifts my dad had as a father was his insistence on total relational transparency regarding emotions. He wanted a home where truth reigned. He didn’t want a home where family members pretended to like each...

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Words of Hope: Invisible Cathedrals 

As my husband Shann and I meet with Goldenwood, this unique community not only prayerfully considers gifting but more powerful considerations. They ask these two key questions: Who are the people God placed in your life to work alongside with? What...

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AMERICA THE LADY

America has been portrayed as a lady—a lady of grace and beauty from sea to shining sea, purple mountain’s majesty, amber waves of grain, among fruited plains. President Abraham Lincoln cautioned all present and future Americans to cherish and protect...

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