bittersweetmaryreedodell.blogspot.com
The View from Here: The Reason Why
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The View from Here. Sunday, March 15, 2015. Nearly every week I ask the girls in my Sunday School class: "What is the worst thing that could happen to you? The first time I asked it, I got a huge range of answers:. I could get my phone taken away". Not getting into college". My dad could lose his job". A parent could die.". All devastating things, to be sure (except maybe the phone), but not what I was hoping for. So, I re-phrased the question: " As a believer,. They had to think a little harder that time.
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The View from Here: August 2013
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The View from Here. Saturday, August 24, 2013. Five Minute Friday (okay, Saturday): LAST. What a great word as we are beginning Cross Country season again. My kids are blessed to be part of the most encouraging team in the nation. (I'm not exaggerating.). Coaches, parents, and any athlete who is not currently running- all of them line the course to cheer for every team member. Even the very last one. I love Cross Country because you can be last and still have a victory! Like running, spiritual success re...
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The View from Here: Bringing God into the World
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The View from Here. Wednesday, December 24, 2014. Bringing God into the World. This past Sunday I asked the teenage girls in my small group to imagine getting the news that Mary received when she was visited by the angel. For them, stepping into Mary's shoes would be a small step. Most of them are in circumstances similar to Mary's in many ways:. They are young, innocent, from deeply religious families- on the brink of adult life, but not quite ready. How would they react if they received this news:.
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The View from Here: January 2015
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The View from Here. Tuesday, January 6, 2015. The Sum of my Wisdom. This year I turned 50, a milestone that ideally comes with some hard-earned wisdom to share. Instead, I've spent the past six months wondering how this could have happened to someone as young as I am. I swear, I JUST. Turned 40 a week ago! And napping- because, what with all that running and yoga, you know. What was I talking about? Celebrating the big 5-0. Did she learn everything I wanted her to learn? In the end, I cranked out a last-...
bittersweetmaryreedodell.blogspot.com
The View from Here: December 2013
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The View from Here. Tuesday, December 3, 2013. Sex-traffickers, the Prophets and Jen Hatmaker. The past few weeks God has been creating a perfect storm that is MESSING. ME. UP. I feel compelled to write, but I'm not even sure I can express clearly what is churning in me. I want to be polite, clear, and logical in challenging people, like the ever-gracious Tim Elmore. But my discontent is so deep right now that I think I'll probably slip more into a Matt Walsh. Esque degree of snarkiness. At the same time...
bittersweetmaryreedodell.blogspot.com
The View from Here: July 2013
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The View from Here. Monday, July 22, 2013. 1900 Friends who will carry me to the Cross when I am too overwhelmed even to crawl there. 1906 Thursday morning class- my weekly blessing of enthusiasm. 1911 Trusty brown stapler: still going strong after 25 years and countless moves. 1935 Ishaan's funny comments: "Mrs. Odell, I was telling my dad all about what you are like, and he said, 'That doesn't make any sense! How I wish I could have heard his description! 1950 Fair Week and a Reserve Grand Champion pig!
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The View from Here: June 2013
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The View from Here. Wednesday, June 19, 2013. Has been teaching my children to think for themselves, to search for truth and not just blindly accept ideas just because some authority says so. Oh, wait, that was me. When I began homeschooling about six thousand years ago, one of my heart-felt convictions was that I wanted my children to know how to THINK independently. Beware of what you wish for. Here's the thing.(cringe). I do, you know.). Had the audacity to disagree. We're entering new territory now.
bittersweetmaryreedodell.blogspot.com
The View from Here: The Sum of my Wisdom
http://bittersweetmaryreedodell.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-sum-of-my-wisdom.html
The View from Here. Tuesday, January 6, 2015. The Sum of my Wisdom. This year I turned 50, a milestone that ideally comes with some hard-earned wisdom to share. Instead, I've spent the past six months wondering how this could have happened to someone as young as I am. I swear, I JUST. Turned 40 a week ago! And napping- because, what with all that running and yoga, you know. What was I talking about? Celebrating the big 5-0. Did she learn everything I wanted her to learn? In the end, I cranked out a last-...
bittersweetmaryreedodell.blogspot.com
The View from Here: When Do I Rest?
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The View from Here. Friday, July 18, 2014. When Do I Rest? Every January I spend some time thinking about what should be my "word" for the year. That may sound cheesy, but intentionality is not my strong suit, so I've found the practice a good one. One word, well-chosen, reminds me of an important focus for the year and guides my decision-making and prioritizing. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested. From all his work." - Genesis 2:2. Here's the thing: The Bible doesn't ...
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The View from Here: February 2014
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The View from Here. Wednesday, February 5, 2014. Because He was full of grace and truth, from Him we all received one gift after another." John 1:16. This was my memory verse this week. Not to simply repeat, but to meditate upon. Because Jesus was full of grace, He made it possible for me- and you- to receive what we don't deserve, the favor and presence of God Almighty. This is a BIG HONKING DEAL. However, I'm not sure we can fully fathom the magnitude of His grace. Unless we also remember the truth.
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