This Week's Recommended Read: Fight Back with Joy

At a women's event in Orlando one year, I unloaded an armful of books onto the author's signing table. "These will be my medicine cabinet. I share inspiring books with people who need a dose of joy." Humor conveys scientifically proven health properties. I often recommend laughter to alleviate stress and anxiety,…

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Up in Linked Arms

"Put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity" (Colossians 3:12-14). Genocide ravages our eastern neighbors. Oppression…

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Royal Status of a Child

"children running and shouting through the Temple, 'Hosanna to David’s Son!' . . . Jesus said, 'Yes, I hear them. And haven’t you read in God’s Word, ‘From the mouths of children and babies I’ll furnish a place of praise’?'” (Matthew 21:15-16). Easter dawned on the horizon as Christ marched through formidable gates to…

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Engage Your Long Range Weapon

  "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people" (Ephesians 6:18). A dust cloud thundering with hooves approaches from the horizon. Screams erupt as the grey shadow roars through the towns…

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No Sword Left Behind

"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17). I hit the snooze. Again. Before I know it, those red digits glare alarming numbers. I have fifteen minutes to get out of the house. After a quick prayer, I hack my…

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Hold on to your Hat!

"Therefore put on the full armor of God,so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. . . . Take the helmet of salvation" (Ephesians 6:13,17). I enjoy a solitary day at the mall, unless I'm searching for…

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Rock Those Readiness Boots!

"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace" (Ephesians 6:14-15). Ever find a pair of kicks you couldn't live without? If you love to indulge your…

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Stand Covered

"Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness . . ." (Ephesians 6:14) Aim small, miss small. The tactical advice to aim for the chest cavity resounds across historical millenia like an ancient battle chant. Though a head injury ensures devastating results, an…

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Stand Covered

"Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness . . ." (Ephesians 6:14) Aim small, miss small. The tactical advice to aim for the chest cavity resounds across historical millenia like an ancient battle chant. Though a head injury ensures devastating results, an…

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Near to the Invisible

Trillions of subatomic energy particles streak across space and dive into the atmosphere. Their scintillating wake revitalizes the air, illuminates my window, and massages vital warmth into cell tissues as they pass through my body. I cannot sense this process any more than I can discern which gases comprise my breath-concoction or count…

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