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The Beatitudes
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God. Matthew 5:3 Another Wednesday has come and gone. So, you know what that means, right? I get the opportunity to share with you my big take-aways from the REfresh Bible study. Of course, I never cover it all. I just take time to recount the fragments that spoke to me. I tell you the pieces that I’m going to take with me and mull over as the week goes on. You could always tune in on Wednesday nights yourself to find the pieces that fit into the holes of your life. Enough chitter chat. Let’s discuss the…
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Carry Me
Although I haven’t mentioned Fitz, my cat, in a while, don’t worry. He’s still here. Not only is he now an official adult at one year old, but we have also officially been roommates for a year. He has matured from a teeny, tiny little kitten into a hefty, plump, and rotund cat. With all the changes going on in the world and with me personally, I forgot that it was time for his annual shots. The vet sent a friendly e-mail reminder and a postcard. I called and scheduled his appointment. Then my prep work had to begin. I heard horror stories from other cat owners about vet time…
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Embrace Growth
What they say is true. A picture is worth a thousand words. Maybe even a million words. When I left work, I felt pulled to look at old pictures. Google Photos is my friend. It allowed me to peruse my life and recall different moments in time. An added bonus to my trip down memory lane is that my cousin found an old jump drive. She started sending pictures from ten years ago. Back to the time that I cut off all my relaxed hair and embraced my natural hair. Baby, let me tell you. I thank God for growth. Super short hair was not my friend, but I was…
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The Father Made the Difference
Yesterday’s sermon covered an often-told Bible story. We revisited the story of the prodigal son. Many of us are familiar with analyzing the son’s actions. We talk about how he wanted it all now. We speak of his impatience and foolishness and then rejoice over his return to himself. The sermon, however, focused on the father’s love and the fact that the father’s love made all the difference. Let’s dive into it. Luke 15:11-32 recounts the tale of the prodigal son. Jesus often spoke in parables to make His points more relatable to the audience. It was an opportunity to help others see themselves and recognize their fallacies. In this…
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Happy Father’s Day!
Happy Father’s Day! Let me make a confession. I spend lots of time thinking about a Mother’s Day gift. I poke and prod to see what my mom wants way ahead of time. But Father’s Day…well, that’s a different story. It is no secret that I don’t have a close relationship with my biological father or stepfather (is ex-stepfather a term)? And while I have many men in my life that have stepped in to fill in the gap, I’m not as intentional about giving them the honor that they deserve. Clearly, that’s a character flaw of mine. I need to do better. I need to be better. My biological…
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Rhonda’s Faith Journey
Sitting and talking with Rhonda about her faith journey was just what I needed. Her experiences are relevant and relatable. Check it out for yourself. #wepreach
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Juneteenth (June 19, 1865)
Bible Study Brother and I discuss the historic date June 19, 1865. On this day, enslaved Blacks in Texas learned that the Emancipation Proclamation had been almost two years before. They were free (-ish)!
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Protests and Policies
Goooooood morning ya’ll! I’m not going to hold you long. Wednesday nights have become a very integral part of my week. Even when I’m bogged down with activity, I look forward to the REfresh Bible study. It helps me adjust my focus and often provides comic relief as well. Last night was no exception. The panel discussion format continued to reign supreme and steered our focus towards educating ourselves about the legal system and our rights. Protesting is a good way to show your frustration with inequality. After protesting, we need practical steps to activate change. After protesting, we have to get in tune with the policies that are perpetuating…
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Count Up the Cost
Competition brings out the beast in me. I’m a winner. I like to win. I want to win. So, it should come as no surprise to you that I can turn any simple thing into a competition. Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t walk around like a big bully challenging people to duels. I have a healthy appreciation for games and fun. Being the big sister to Bible Study Brother helped shape his fiercely competitive nature. I keep him on his toes. We were in a store one day getting groceries. Occasionally, we like to have fat kid collaboration meals. We decide on a meal that we want to…
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Patience
Just last week, I was asked what I thought were my strong traits. Patience is the first thing that popped into my head. I expounded on my ability to wait out situations. I really hyped myself up the more that I discussed it. Yup…that’s me…patient Patty. And then……life happened. I had to confront some uncomfortable truths. Not too long ago, there was a viral video challenge going around. Parents would secretly record their children. They would place a bowl of candy or treats in front of them. The parent would promise the child that they could have the candy, but they just had to wait for a moment. The parent…
