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Is Masturbation a Sin if You’re Married?
Masturbation has gone from a taboo subject to a hot topic among Christians. Is it or is it not sinful? Are people who are married exempt? Because the word masturbation doesn’t appear in scripture, some find it easy to argue this act is in no way sinful and can actually be a beneficial practice. While it’s true the word masturbation doesn’t appear in scripture, there are questions we should ask, biblical truths we should dig into, and logic we should consider. The Problem with Masturbation, Even in Marriage Masturbation feeds a self-centered desire and is typically something done in private. Because masturbation is essentially having sex with yourself, we must…
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A Prayer for the Continued Crisis in Ukraine
As we watch the situation in Ukraine continue to unfold, it’s easy to feel anxious and question where God is in the chaos. It’s easy to ask questions like, “Does God care about what’s going on in Ukraine?” “Has he left his children to fend for themselves against their attackers?” “Why doesn’t God put a stop to war?” “What can I do to help?” If you’ve asked yourself these questions, know you’re not alone. But also know that there are answers to your questions. Does God care about what’s going on in Ukraine? Yes. Psalm 7:11 tells us that God is a righteous judge and a God who feels indignation every day. The KJV…
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Are You Exercising for the Right Reasons?
Most of us don’t have physically demanding jobs, especially when considering our ancestors who plowed and planted fields by hand. Generally speaking, we live sedentary lives that require us to carve out time to exercise rather than it being a byproduct of our survival. Because we have to be intentional about exercise, it’s easy to take it to two extremes. Most people I talk to either don’t exercise at all or prioritize it over all else. Some have found a happy balance, but, in my experience, most of us lean to one extreme or another. There are a million good and right reasons to exercise, but there are also a…
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How to Deal with the Complex Emotions of a Rainbow Baby
Our youngest son, Levi, recently turned 18. On his birthday, my husband prayed a special prayer of thanksgiving for Levi’s life, and I made an extra point to tell him how very precious his life is to me. He is, after all, a rainbow baby. I’ve told him this before, but I think it hit me harder this year as Levi was preparing to go away for college. When I told him this, he smiled. He knows how much he’s loved. But he doesn’t understand the full weight of what it means to be a rainbow baby. And I pray he never does. What Is a Rainbow Baby? Why a Rainbow? A…