Is Christianity exclusive?

The argument: “Christianity is so EXCLUSIVE. How can we believe there’s only one way to God?” (AKA through Jesus)

I used to ask this question too, and quite frankly, I couldn’t come up with an eloquent answer for it.

But recently, I heard the best response to this, so let me share in this #TuesdayTruths post and you can evaluate for yourself…

What the Bible says about Works

Can we talk about a common misconception that keeps many people (Christians included) from truly knowing and experiencing God?

Stick with me – I know I use some biblical words in this #TuesdayTruths post.

Let’s discuss an unbiblical idea that God is a harsh taskmaster, that in order to be saved, you have to show faith + work your way to him through your actions.  Another thought is that you have to work your way out of your own sin.  In other words, you cannot be saved unless your works help get you there.  

The equation for this belief is Faith + Works = Salvation.

But in the Bible, there is a different story being told.  In Ephesians 2: 8-9 it says this, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.”

15 Simple Activities to Help you Connect with God

Do you wish to cultivate a closer relationship with God?  Are you interested in creating habits that allow you to connect with Him, see more of His character, and help you put your trust in Him?

If these sound like you, then I have something that might help! I created a list of 15 simple activities aimed at helping you connect with God. Most of them aren’t very hard or take much time, but the return on your investment will be worth the effort!

The goal was to provide different avenues that all lead to one place: helping you see that God is all about RELATIONSHIP and not religion. He wants to connect with you, help you feel peace in this crazy world, and find strength in relying on His power. I know I’m always up for ways to get closer to God, so I thought maybe you would be too.

If that sounds like something that would be helpful for you, please download the PDF below for free. ❤️

15-simple-activities-3Download

Proverbs 3: 5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Looking back, I see God’s Faithfulness

When I stop to think about it, it’s kind of crazy how things work out. But as I look back, I know God had a hand in it all.⠀
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🔹I started college in physical therapy and felt the nudge to switch to education ONE WEEK before a deadline to apply for a yearlong internship at an elementary school for about 15 participants (spoiler alert; I got in and it was exactly what I needed). ⠀
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🔹After teaching for a few years, I was led to pursue my Master’s degree. I found a great program designed specifically for teachers. The focus was teaching reading and writing to my students and helped me improve my own craft. (Spoiler alert: I received my degree, and the training was just what I needed.)⠀
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🔹When I became a mom and decided to stay home with our kids (and they weren’t in school yet), I took an online class to renew my teaching license. When I completed the course, the school ended up offering me a job! I could be an online instructor collaborating back and forth with teachers (through writing) about brain-based research and how to incorporate it into their teaching. I could make my own hours and still do ALL the mom things (spoiler alert: I took it and it was exactly what I needed to keep my brain functioning like an adult, but it wasn’t very lucrative 😜). ⠀
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🔹When my kids both entered full time school, I prayed for a job where I could earn an income and use my gifts to help others while still having a flexible schedule. BOOM. Fitness coaching came into my life. And looky here…I get to TEACH, WRITE, and share about God’s goodness ONLINE every day!

How Feeling “Off” Can be a Direct Correlation to our Connection with God

I’ve been feeling off lately. Falling victim to…

My inner critic. 🙇🏼‍♀️
Lack of motivation. ☹️
Trying to gain approval from the world. 🌎

It all comes down to this one thing…not being deeply connected to my Creator.

Here’s how I’m getting back on the path to a deep love relationship with Him. 💕

Please share your own routines that help you build your relationship with God so you feel your true worth.

I witnessed a miracle

I’ve committed to sharing my faith and how God has impacted my life.  Although there are every day miracles, this video documents how prayers from my son and I over a bigger issue were answered almost immediately.  There is no other explanation other than God’s intervention.  I still get teary-eyed thinking about it.  I hope it inspires you not to give up on praying (or just to start)!

 

A Rescue Mission

Life is full of ups and downs, trials and triumphs.  It’s certainly not predictable.  Often times life can be going along just fine, and then without any warning, it happens: a struggle we didn’t see coming. One that flips our world upside down and makes us reevaluate what’s important.  I like to think that I’m a pretty optimistic person and one that tries to find value in every situation, so when I had a life-interrupting struggle last year, I looked for meaning. This story is about how my struggle became a rescue mission. A time when God rescued me from myself and returned me to the life He intended for me.

Being Thankful Isn’t Just for Thanksgiving

It’s that time of year…the time when a lot of people focus on being thankful.  When I was growing up, we’d sit around the table on Thanksgiving and share what we were thankful for – often times it was family, friends, a safe house, and food on the table.  These days, this practice has evolved to sharing on social media.  How many of you are taking the challenge where you identify things you’re thankful for each day and post them on your Facebook wall?  I think it’s a great idea, and here’s why:

My Life Interrupted

I’m having a bit of a struggle right now. Not a mind-blowing, life-altering struggle, but it is a life-interrupting struggle.

You see, I am temporarily handicapped.

Two ligaments in my ankle were surgically repaired after I was told my ankle would never be the same, that I’d be susceptible to ankle sprains and my ankle popping out of socket the rest of my life if I didn’t fix them.

Excuse me? I can’t have ankle sprains all the time. Ow, painful life, and besides, I’m way too active for that. I thrive on running races, exercising, and just being active.

So now I’m on crutches for four weeks, in a boot for two weeks after that, and who knows what comes next? Maybe back in my brace for a few months?  Anyhow, I’m not allowed to put any weight on my injured leg. GAH! This is not a good thing for a mom who’s used to being on the go, getting things done, and being self-reliant. You don’t realize how much that skill (and by skill, I simply mean walking) impacts the rest of your life.

My Journey – From Self-Critical to Self-Confident Part 3

So here it is, peeps…my third and final installment of my journey from self-critical to self-confident.

Wondering what else could possibly happen?  If you read part one and two, you now know that my prayers were answered about my body image, raising my confidence through the roof and putting an end to my self-criticism, but my story doesn’t end there.

There was another aspect of my life that was causing me anxiety (yes, more, I’m finding I was quite a mess). I’m such a planner and somewhat of a control freak, so it made me super anxious to think about what my future had in store for me in terms of a job.