#impact #wordoftheyear #whatwillbeyourword #waterwalkinggirls
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

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#expectation #waterwalkinggirls
There are times in life when I just don’t know what to pray. Sometimes it is when I have prayed long and hard about a situation and it seems nothing has changed. Sometimes I am at a loss when a friend receives life-altering news about the health of a family member. Sometimes I search for the right words to pray when I am at the feet of Jesus on behalf of my children. What do I pray when I don’t know what to expect?

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#humble #waterwalkinggirls
Have you ever heard the expression “God has a way of humbling us?” I vividly remember one time that this happened to me. I was in college and loving life. This particular day I had to deliver a speech in my speech 101 class. I felt I had all my ducks in a row and that I was well prepared for the talk. I carefully picked out one of my cutest outfits to wear for the presentation. It was a warm spring day so I chose a white shorts set. On the top and shorts were splatters of bright paint. Ok stop laughing…it was in style at the time! I got dressed, fixed my hair and makeup and when I looked in the mirror I was mighty proud and how good I looked. I went to the cafeteria for lunch on my way to class. In the cafeteria several people commented on my cute outfit. Again I was feeling pretty proud as I walked to class. Finally the time came for me to deliver my speech. I did a great job! I was so proud! As I left class I was feeling great. I felt like I was walking on clouds. And then it happened. As I got into the sunlight and glanced down at my awesome outfit I saw a huge yellow stain on the front of my top. While my shirt had spattered paint on it there was not supposed to be any yellow on it. Apparently when I ate my hot dog at lunch I dropped some mustard on my shirt. My ego quickly deflated and I realized maybe I wasn’t as great as I thought I was. It was a great lesson in humility.

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#strength #waterwalkinggirls
When we need strength God sends just what we need. How does our Maker send us strength? Below are some ways God strengthens me.
The most obvious way I gain strength from God is from the Holy Spirit. When Jesus arose from the dead he appeared to His disciples and gave them a wonderful promise before His ascension. “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” Luke 24:49 NLT When we are struggling with difficult times the Holy Spirit will comfort and strengthen us to continue on our journey. As Christians we all have access to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

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#intentionalaboutintentions by: Deborah Ard
(This blog post is not at all about what I had planned for it to be about but God had a different plan. )
I have had a difficult week. I am not going to go in to the details of what made it difficult because that would give Satan glory and this blog is NOT about him! I have just seemed to have one trouble after another and just when I have felt like one situation is better something else would happen. So today I want to share with you how the intentions of my friends have blessed me and brought me joy.

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#living #waterwalkinggirls by: Deborah Ard
“Finally , brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 NIV

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#purpose #waterwalkinggirls by: Deborah Ard
Why am I here? Why was I born? What does God want me to do with my life? What direction should I go? How many of you have ever asked one of these questions? I imagine at some point we all have. Years ago I participated in a study on The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. While many of us would have liked if the book had spelled out the right vocation for us it in fact helped to define our real purpose in life. If you haven’t read the book I highly recommend it.

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