Tag: Holy Beautiful

  • The God Who Weeps

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    by

    Bethany Douglas
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    For so many of us worry, anxiety, sorrow, and pain permeates our lives. If this discomfort does not push against us daily it still can filter through to even the most protected of hearts during times of stress, fatigue, sickness, and mourning. We are fragile. Our emotions and hearts are prone to breaking. And too…

  • No Shadow in His Presence

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    by

    Bethany Douglas
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    Have you ever contemplated what standing (or, let’s be honest…. falling to our faces) in the presence of the Lord would actually look like? Often I imagine the picture on the other side of this world; at the end of my time, in the heavenlies, surrounded by cherubim, enjoying the eternal hereafter, well…. eternally. I…

  • In a World of a Thousand Yeses, What are You Saying No to?

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    by

    Bethany Douglas
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    If I were to take a quick look at your schedule what would I see? Basketball games, employee meetings, church, PTA meetings, bills due, doctors appointments? Our lives are nothing if not a culmination of a thousand scheduled moments- each one individually agreed to and committed on. Each entry chosen to be a part of…

  • Destination Unknown

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    Bethany Douglas
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    If you are anything like me, you love a good plan. I am a sucker for a well thought-out, finely executed plan. Add in a worthwhile and attainable destination, a point B if you will, and I’m in. I love me a great adventure. God loves adventures too. In fact, scripture is filled from cover…

  • Opening the Eyes of My Heart

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    Bethany Douglas
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    As I’ve been preparing to write each Tuesday for Holy Beautiful on our MINDS, I was brought back to a passage out of Ephesians that holds special significance to my personal spiritual journey. “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so…

  • Mind Control

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    Bethany Douglas
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    Over at Holy Beautiful I’ve been tasked with writing a year-long series on Mind, Body, and Spirit- what scripture says about these tenets of our selves as well as how to keep them healthy and scripturally sound. Our mind is THE first and most extensive battleground for ourselves in this spiritual war we are fighting.…

  • It\’s In Your Head

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    Bethany Douglas
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    It’s In Your Head In a world teeming with violent images, harsh news, back-biting, gossip, visions of terror, war and fear-mongering it is no wonder that many Christians find our sensitivities dulled by the onslaught of the filth we come into contact with. Living on this side of heaven should come with a warning label…

  • When All Else Fails… Pray First

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    Bethany Douglas
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    Christians in general don\’t pray enough- at least we don\’t pray WHEN we should. I\’ve come to the realization that the vast majority of us are just not very timely \’pray-ers\’. Sure, we\’re great at bringing God the big stuff- we\’re okay at bringing God the little stuff, but I\’m not sure how effective we…

  • The Day After Christmas

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    Bethany Douglas
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    The gifts are opened. The food eaten. The house is a disaster. Some return to work, others are left with family (who linger too long or not long enough) before schedules demand a return home. Leftovers are scattered throughout the kitchen. Pesky remnants of wrapping paper stay hidden behind couches and the tree. All that…

  • Be Still!

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    by

    Bethany Douglas
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    Stop struggling. Be still. Quit wrestling. Be still. Do not panic. Be still. Cease looking for answers. Be still. Calm your mind. Be still. Quit trying to figure it all out. Be still. I got this. I have you. I am Sovereign…. El Elyon. Be still. Rest. Come take shelter. Find peace… Jehovah-Shalom. Be still.…

  • Mindset of Persistence

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    Bethany Douglas
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    One of my greatest irritations is my kid’s inability to truthfully keep at things. The second something isn’t interesting anymore or doesn’t hold enough weight for them, they drop their attention like a hot potato. And yet, for that special event they wish to go to or that new toy, you’d think it was literally…

  • Press In

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    Bethany Douglas
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    My husband and I attended a marriage retreat this last weekend and the speaker told a story that hit me profoundly. He told of a time when he was sick, discouraged, mad, frustrated… and he purposefully turned all his angst and venom towards his wife. He knew his words would hurt her… he spoke them…

  • Sometimes Looking Down is the Best Way to Look Up

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    Bethany Douglas
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    One of my favorite things to do with my little ones is to play \”I Spy\”. Whether it be the books or just driving down the highway, it is by far one of our favorite family activities. As my children get older, they put more time and energy into finding \”the hard ones\”. More often…

  • Filled to the Brim

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    Bethany Douglas
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    Any cup-hoarders out there? If you are anything like me, I love me a cute cup. Mugs in particular. Being an avid coffee drinker and a nurse to boot, I have my fair share of cups to go around. We have more than my family needs, but I just can\’t seem to part with many…

  • Testify

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    Bethany Douglas
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    It has been on my heart of late the importance of our testimony. Everyone who is in Christ has one, we know our own stories like the back of our hands… and yet so often we hesitate to share the story of our salvation. Scripture implores us to share our faith. If we know nothing…

  • End of An Era

    End of An Era

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    Bethany Douglas
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    My first-born, who started Kindergarten this year, informed me earlier this month that he had twenty days left of school. I was caught off-guard since we were still solidly in April… and, let’s face it, I birthed him last week. Or at least it feels that way. Ugh! It continually amazes me how quickly time…

  • For When You\’re Stuck

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    by

    Bethany Douglas
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    We returned recently from full-time, front-line mission work at Camp Barnabas and though it was an incredible summer I’ve been feeling stuck. Actually run over and then left to dry… in the rain… might be a better description. I’m just spent. Spent and stuck. Stuck and spent. Feeling like there’s nothing else to give and…

  • An Open Letter from God

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    Bethany Douglas
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    Do not fear! I am with you. I love you and walk with you. I will never leave you. Situations and circumstances may change, but I will never change. Lean on me for strength… I will strengthen you for every task. For I go before you. I will not leave you. I know every desire…

  • Pause and Ponder

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    Bethany Douglas
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    I wanted to catch a moment with just you, me, and a newborn baby this day. Just us. Together in a moment of time. There are probably children playing in the background, wrapping paper bits scattered about, smells of Christmas dinner wafting here and there. Or perhaps none of those- perhaps today is quiet or…

  • For Those Who Ache

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    Bethany Douglas
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    For Those Who Ache I imagine you feel like damaged goods. Like what little was there to start with is now irrevocably tarnished. So much so that you\’re not worthy of love or any goodness in life. People have started treating you differently- like your pain and wounds are just too much… too ugly… to…

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