Wonder
Devotional Kathy Zelman Devotional Kathy Zelman

Wonder

When I think of the Christmas story, the season, the meaning, Christ’s coming, the many miracles that occurred and the many prophecies fulfilled, my senses travel into a state of WONDER….

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A World Without Fear
Devotional Brad Klassen Devotional Brad Klassen

A World Without Fear

Can you imagine a world without fear? I wonder what that would be like. We would run into the dark without hesitation, be bored riding a roller coaster, see the world from the greatest heights, or even have spiders as pets. Whatever the fear is, without it, our world would look very different.

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Your Obedience is Courageous
Devotional Tania Martens Devotional Tania Martens

Your Obedience is Courageous

There’s something special about October. Maybe because the whirlwind of September is over. Kids are really in school, routines have started to take shape and fall has clearly arrived. Things have settled.

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Remarkable Lives
Devotional Cathy Dyck Devotional Cathy Dyck

Remarkable Lives

One of the biographies I am currently reading to my grandsons is the story of George Muller. George, a pastor of a small church in England, became concerned about orphaned children living on the streets. To address the needs he saw, he opened his first of five orphanages in 1834. At the time of his passing at the age of 93, he had cared for 10,024 orphans.

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Remember, Don’t Forget
Devotional Heidi Schartner Devotional Heidi Schartner

Remember, Don’t Forget

Before I had kids or was involved in children’s ministry, I was already immersed in pre-school songs because of my fantastic nieces and nephew. While I was in my early 20s, I was able to sing along with most of their favourites, but there’s only one I remember to this day - ‘Go Go Joshua’ by Ms Pattycakes.

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Removing the Cloths
Devotional Heidi Schartner Devotional Heidi Schartner

Removing the Cloths

One of the (many!) highlights from our conference was our keynote speaker Connie Jakab. There was a lot she shared but for today, and just before Easter, I wanted to share an insight of hers that really resonated with me.

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Community
Devotional Heidi Schartner Devotional Heidi Schartner

Community

I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. ~2 John 1:12

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Hidden in Their Hearts
Devotional Heidi Schartner Devotional Heidi Schartner

Hidden in Their Hearts

One of the many gifts children give is the freedom for us adults to be child-like again. There is nothing more freeing than running in a gym playing pool noodle tag (the fact that I couldn’t keep up is neither here nor there). There is something so beautiful when you are invited into conversations about the latest movie, toy or silly song (I would be fine if I never heard ‘It’s raining tacos’ again).

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Moment of Reflection
Devotional Heidi Schartner Devotional Heidi Schartner

Moment of Reflection

We introduced something new this past Fall. Each month our dear friend Leann (Handle With Care Ministries) has been recording short clips of encouragement and we’re posting them on our social medias. We’ve called them ‘MOR’, or, Moments of Reflection.

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The Wonder of Christmas
Devotional Heidi Schartner Devotional Heidi Schartner

The Wonder of Christmas

Our church displays a beautiful wooden nativity set each Christmas. It stands atop a small table at the front of the church and comes out on First Advent. Its large enough that you can see it when sitting in the pews but you only catch the details when you make your way to the front and see it up close.

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Being Present is a Gift
Devotional Heidi Schartner Devotional Heidi Schartner

Being Present is a Gift

When my son was much younger, he was on a kick to share a lot of random facts. These tidbits of information were often given at random times as well so it always took me a moment to understand what was being said.

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Time to Refocus
Devotional Heidi Schartner Devotional Heidi Schartner

Time to Refocus

It has happened too often when I’ve arrived at my destination and I don’t actually remember driving there. It has also happened too often when I’ve gone into a room for a purpose but that purpose has decided to escape me and I stand perplexed in the middle of the room.

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Give Thanks Up…
Devotional Heidi Schartner Devotional Heidi Schartner

Give Thanks Up…

It’s so busy. We know. But, it is good for us to stop and give thanks. It is good to pause and reflect on the goodness we have bared witness to throughout the year.

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New Growth
Devotional Heidi Schartner Devotional Heidi Schartner

New Growth

Have you noticed the changes outside? I’ll be honest. Right now, all I see is work. Getting rid of the grimy residue, cleaning up the yard (thank you Stella, our adorable dog…), sweeping away the gravel… it is a hot mess outside. And yet. The rain that falls today is washing away the dust and melting the stubborn snow. The birds have come back home and there are bits of green peeking out here and there. Change is coming.

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Re-Solutions
Devotional Heidi Schartner Devotional Heidi Schartner

Re-Solutions

‘Resolutions’ is one of the more annoying words found in the dictionary. A simple break down shows us that it becomes ‘re’ and ‘solutions’. As in, the original solution to your problem didn’t work out. Thus, you’re in need of a restart, a need to reinvent or a resolve to get back to the drawing board once again.

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Praise, Ask, Strength, Sorry
Devotional Heidi Schartner Devotional Heidi Schartner

Praise, Ask, Strength, Sorry

Of the papers I’m privileged to, I am amazed at how deep these littles think. They pray for their families, friends, the environment, wars, sick loved ones and other stressors in their lives.

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