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Daddy Issues
“I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me” (John 15:15, NLT). “So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, ‘Abba, Father'” (Romans 8:15, NLT). Last week I posted 34 Pre Engagement Questions that Marc and I have been going through. I wanted to highlight truth I learned while using another tool “Family Matters.” It has questions like “List what you feel are the positive qualities of your father/mother”…
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When God Says No
I wanted to dig up this blog post from 2004, but I’ve been so busy with life that it took me longer to find it. I did a clean sweet of my blog a few years ago and removed all blog posts from my beginning years of blogging, but I felt God impressing this one on my heart to share again–a key principle that most (if not all) will learn at some point. Do not be afraid. You are not alone. [What happens when God says no? -Previously Posted, November 23, 2004] This Thanksgiving will be a one-year anniversary for me. Last Thanksgiving is when the bumps on my right…
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34 Pre Engagement Questions
Before Marc and I (Renee Fisher) started pre engagement counseling, he came up with a list of 34 pre engagement questions because we had a lot of questions, and some of you have asked me what exactly is that? Basically we want to go through counseling before wedding planning gets in the way! I wanted to share 34 questions that Marc came up with after studying the writings of Count Zinzendorf (1700-1760). What I love most about them is how they continually point back to Scripture. Feel free to use the 34 pre engagement questions to strengthen your relationship whether you are single, engaged, or married. 1. What does this…
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Love Speaks
“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 14:1, NLT). Love speaks. It doesn’t clang. Or give off false hope. It doesn’t come up empty or count how many times you’ve come up short. Been embarrassed. Failed. Recently I started a book study called “Lazarus Awakening” by Joanna Weaver with my friend and author, Lisa Velthouse. It’s been a while since I’ve done a one-on-one study with someone and I’m really excited to dive in. We discussed Chapter One: Tale of the Third Follower last week. One of the…
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Are you a people pleaser?
“When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!'” – Exodus 14:5, NIV Sometimes the reason why we please others is because we owe someone a service. Maybe it’s a boss at your job, a spouse, or your kids. You’ve made promises and even though it’s become a difficult situation–you’re comfortable and that’s just the way it is. How do you tell someone who has a slave mentality they need to fear God, not man? In other words… Are you a…
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29 Things
Everyone who knows me, knows how excited I get about my birthday, and that I celebrate my birthday month! So on the last day, I wanted to share with you 29 things I’ve learned in my short lifetime in the hopes that you’d be inspired and most of all encouraged! 1. Your spiritual birthday matters more than your earthly ones. ~ I proudly accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of my life and became born again on my 5th birthday, June 24, 1987. 2. It’s never too early to get a Bible concordance. ~ When I was 7, I balled my eyes out when I saw how horrible the…
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The Anatomy of a Lie
I’d like to explain to you the anatomy of a lie through the eyes of Elijah. “I am the only prophet of the Lord who is left, but Baal has 450 prophets” (1 Kings 18:22, NLT). It’s interesting in Scripture how God opens our blind eyes and allows us to see His Spirit of Truth. Here in 1 Kings 18 we find that Elijah has just begun to confront wicked King Ahab and Queen Jezebel (yuck). Most of us recognize Elijah as the hero of the story because he called fire down from heaven… “At the usual time for offering the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet walked up to the…
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I'm Growing Up
I don’t know about you, but I think I’m growing up. I am feeling the stretch of my spiritual muscles as well as my emotional and physically muscles. “There are some shameful episodes in it; instances of meanness, unfinished tasks, weakness, and regrets. I had to ask myself, ‘If I live, who is it that I intend to be.’” (Lance Armstrong) Do I intend to be a protege of my parents? Or me? Do I intend to please the people around me, or forge an identity all my own, while scared at the same time of learning how to fly? One thing I’m learning is you’re never too old to…
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He Should Have Known Better
“On the way to Egypt, at a place where Moses and his family had stopped for the night the Lord confronted him and was about to kill him” (Exodus 4:24, NLT). I never really understood that passage. I mean Moses had just been singled out (again) by God. Called. To lead the people of Israel out of their slavery in Egypt. He was the only one besides Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to get face time with God, and yet God choose to reveal Himself as Yahweh (Exodus 3:15, NLT). Not even Abe, Izzy, or JJ got that far!! So why in the world was God trying to kill Moses? Seriously?…
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10 Tips to Renew YOUR Devotional Life
10 Tips to Renew your devotional life. 1. BE A FOLLOWER. Disciple simply means follower. It’s not a spiritual term. QUESTION: You follow people on Twitter and Facebook, so why not be mindful to follow God FIRST? BIBLICAL EXAMPLE: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33, NIV). 2. DISCIPLINE TAKES TIME. Over the years I’ve discovered what works for me. Daily eVerses + Yearly devotionals + One Year Bible + journal/pen = a VERY happy Renee. QUESTION: What have you found works best for you? BIBLICAL EXAMPLE: “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it…
