• For the last couple weeks, I’ve been reading Philippians, over and over again. It’s a letter about joy, reminding the readers that it’s possible to have joy in any situation. 

There is one verse I keep going back to: “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (Phil. 1:27, NIV) 

Whatever happens ... 

In other words, if we really believe what we say we believe, if we are truly marked by the light of the Gospel of unmerited grace we’ve been given and live in humble awe of that gift, it should dictate how we live, day by day, whatever happens. 

However, don’t absolve yourself of responsibility too quickly. The more I meditate on these words, the more my heart feels the sting of conviction. 

My friends, may the salvation we’ve received, the promise and hope of Grace big enough to rescue even the worst of us, inform how we talk, pray, and behave until the day Jesus takes us home. 

Whatever happens.
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    For the last couple weeks, I’ve been reading Philippians, over and over again. It’s a letter about joy, reminding the readers that it’s possible to have joy in any situation. There is one verse I keep going back to: “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (Phil. 1:27, NIV) Whatever happens ... In other words, if we really believe what we say we believe, if we are truly marked by the light of the Gospel of unmerited grace we’ve been given and live in humble awe of that gift, it should dictate how we live, day by day, whatever happens. However, don’t absolve yourself of responsibility too quickly. The more I meditate on these words, the more my heart feels the sting of conviction. My friends, may the salvation we’ve received, the promise and hope of Grace big enough to rescue even the worst of us, inform how we talk, pray, and behave until the day Jesus takes us home. Whatever happens.
  • Sending you a little love (puppy and human) as we wind down these last hours of the year. This is my prayer for you, friend, my prayer for all of us: 

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” —Ephesians 3:14-19

Happy New Year, friends! 🎉❤️🎉
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    Sending you a little love (puppy and human) as we wind down these last hours of the year. This is my prayer for you, friend, my prayer for all of us: “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” —Ephesians 3:14-19 Happy New Year, friends! 🎉❤️🎉
  • “What’s it like having six kids?” 

It’s like not having the time, energy or inclination to schedule the perfect family Christmas photo. And then laughing your head off when your needy trauma dog photobombs your best attempt. Perfection. 💪🏻

#thisisus #family #labrescue #dogsofinsta #rescuesofinstagram
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    “What’s it like having six kids?” It’s like not having the time, energy or inclination to schedule the perfect family Christmas photo. And then laughing your head off when your needy trauma dog photobombs your best attempt. Perfection. 💪🏻 #thisisus #family #labrescue #dogsofinsta #rescuesofinstagram
  • My friends I am honored to be counted among the sick and the sinners that Jesus has come for. I am not well or righteous, not even on my best days. I am merely a sick woman that Jesus—Immanuel—chose to come alongside and to heal. That’s it; no more, no less. This is The Good News. It’s everything. And it’s enough. 

Merry Christmas, friends. May you know—know!—he came for you, too. 

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. - Luke 2:10

#goodnews #greatjoy #allthepeople #fearnot #Godwithus
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    My friends I am honored to be counted among the sick and the sinners that Jesus has come for. I am not well or righteous, not even on my best days. I am merely a sick woman that Jesus—Immanuel—chose to come alongside and to heal. That’s it; no more, no less. This is The Good News. It’s everything. And it’s enough. Merry Christmas, friends. May you know—know!—he came for you, too. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. - Luke 2:10 #goodnews #greatjoy #allthepeople #fearnot #Godwithus
  • I present to you the Cushatt Family’s sad, sad Christmas Tree. 

Only half the lights work, we can’t find the rest of our decor, and when someone used random tinsel as gift-packing material, we threw it on the upper half of the tree in an attempt to hide the light problem. 

It seemed fitting to top the whole thing with what we’re calling “Tired Santa”. 

Honestly, I like it. A lot. Merry Christmas, 2020. At least you’re consistent. 🙌🏻🎄😍
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    I present to you the Cushatt Family’s sad, sad Christmas Tree. Only half the lights work, we can’t find the rest of our decor, and when someone used random tinsel as gift-packing material, we threw it on the upper half of the tree in an attempt to hide the light problem. It seemed fitting to top the whole thing with what we’re calling “Tired Santa”. Honestly, I like it. A lot. Merry Christmas, 2020. At least you’re consistent. 🙌🏻🎄😍
  • For those who fear their entire future hinges on what happens tonight, have courage:

The entire future hinged on what happened on a different night, a more important night, two thousand years ago, when God-With-Us gave up his throne for a cross. He chose death to give us life. 
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Choose Him, first and always. And although this life may cause fear, you will always have peace. The best is yet to come.
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    For those who fear their entire future hinges on what happens tonight, have courage: The entire future hinged on what happened on a different night, a more important night, two thousand years ago, when God-With-Us gave up his throne for a cross. He chose death to give us life. . . Choose Him, first and always. And although this life may cause fear, you will always have peace. The best is yet to come.
  • You’ll only be able to do this if you put your faith in the right Savior. ❤️ #heisourpeace 
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[Thank you, @someibrandstrategy and @sharnellweathersby for this timely reminder.]
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    You’ll only be able to do this if you put your faith in the right Savior. ❤️ #heisourpeace . . [Thank you, @someibrandstrategy and @sharnellweathersby for this timely reminder.]
  • This is 49. For those who worry about birthdays, I’ll give you a secret: 
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When you’ve had to face the fact that you might not see another, you start to celebrate each birthday as the wonder that it is. 
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49?! Heck YES. What a surprise. I’m still here. 🎉🙌🏻❤️
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    This is 49. For those who worry about birthdays, I’ll give you a secret: . . When you’ve had to face the fact that you might not see another, you start to celebrate each birthday as the wonder that it is. . . 49?! Heck YES. What a surprise. I’m still here. 🎉🙌🏻❤️