August 7, 2024 Broken Yet WholeBRENDA BRADFORD OTTINGER Lee en español "Joseph named his second son Ephraim, for he said, ‘God has made me fruitful in this land of my grief.'" Genesis 41:52 (NLT) One sapphire summer day, as my sons played around my favored magnolia tree, it somehow lost a limb. The loss left a scar etched upon the trunk. Yet to my relief, the tree remained resilient, keeping quiet watch over our days, our years. Recently, as my camera and I strolled around the yard, I bent to capture a fragrant bloom. That's when I noticed the magnolia's scar isn't as visible anymore, for branches now flourish all around her wound. She is broken yet whole. Abundant life reaches wide from within that scarred magnolia of mine. As I pondered this, I realized I'm my own version of a broken magnolia. Wounds of rejection etched upon me long ago, even by those I'd expected to love and protect me, have left their scars. Maybe you have some scars too. Yet looking back on my life marked by times of rejection, I see the active presence of a faithful God through it all, and I realize the hurt that left me feeling broken never limited God's power in my life. He is not limited in your life, either, no matter what scars you may bear. Those wounds etched upon me have grown a heart within me that God uses to offer blooms of compassion and belonging to others. Broken yet whole. Flourishing limbs of purpose reach wide from within these scars of mine. In Scripture, Jacob's favored son, Joseph, understood this well. Sold into slavery by jealous brothers, Joseph struggled in the foreign land of Egypt. Yet God gave him wisdom and influence there, and ultimately God led Pharaoh to give Joseph authority over the entire land of Egypt. Joseph eventually married and had a family. When his second son was born, Joseph named him Ephraim, which echoes a Hebrew word meaning "fruitful." "... For he said, ‘God has made me fruitful in this land of my grief'" (Genesis 41:52). Through it all, God faithfully grew new life and purpose all around the grief in Joseph's story. God also used Joseph to provide relief in Egypt, both for the Egyptians and for his own father and brothers, during a famine (Genesis 40-47). You see, God's activity isn't limited by our understanding. Even when His hand is not visible from today's perspective, our faithful God is working amid the scars of our stories, growing abundant life and purpose. Dear friend, the broken parts of your story don't make you a broken person. You're still the whole, cherished, purpose-filled woman God created you to be. The wounds of your story are not lost on your God. Take heart - though you fear they might limit you, your scars can become powerful testaments of the God who tenderly meets you in them, growing abundance in their midst. Dear Lord, I trust You. Thank You for tenderly growing new life around my every broken place. In Jesus' Name, Amen. OUR FAVORITE THINGS Let me guess - you are ready for something good to happen, but you don't believe it's possible. In a world where doubt and despair can overwhelm even the strongest spirit, Heather Thompson Day will believe for and with you. Every Friday night at 7 p.m. ET, she will send you an encouraging note for your soul. You can get access to her free Friday Night Light community by going to HeatherThompsonDay.com/links and hitting "subscribe." Video resources will be available in September. ENGAGE For more encouragement, connect with today's writer, Brenda Bradford Ottinger, on Instagram or on her website. FOR DEEPER STUDY Genesis 45:4-5, "... ‘I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. But don't be upset, and don't be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives'" (NLT). Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (NIV). What broken-magnolia moments have you had in your life? Where can you recognize God's active presence growing abundant purpose amid your scars? How can we pray for you today, friend, as God tenderly meets you in the broken parts of your story? We'd love for you to share in the comments. © 2024 by Brenda Bradford Ottinger. All rights reserved. Proverbs 31 MinistriesP.O. Box 3189 Matthews, NC 28106 www.Proverbs31.org The post Broken Yet Whole –  Encouragement for Today – August 7, 2024 appeared first on GodUpdates.

A Prayer for Chances to Be a Bridge BuilderBy Amanda Idleman "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing." – 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Love is who God is. When we think of being loving, what comes to mind? I suppose none of us would think of being critical, prejudiced, unforgiving, combative, overly dogmatic, and insensitive as loving, yet it is often how we approach those who look and believe differently than ourselves. In an extremely divided culture, we see people drawing strict lines all over the place about who they are willing to engage with kindly. While it's easy to ride the wave of the culture, it's important to remember that Jesus lived a different way.  Jesus asked us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31). Jesus drew lines in the sand, when the self-righteous came to stone the adulterous. He showed those who were hungry to execute justice on their terms that we all have sinned and don't have the right to throw stones at our neighbors (John 8:7).  Matthew 5:9 Jesus says, "Blessed are the peacemakers, because they will be called sons of God." Those who make peace work to build bridges where there has been separation. Peacemaking takes radical faith in God's sovereignty, trusting that he is our protector and that he is the ultimate judge. We don't have to live at odds with those who feel "other" because God goes before us! We don't have to argue our point because the Holy Spirit reveals truth in his perfect timing and way.  Being a peacemaker also means being someone willing to consider the perspective of others. We can't dismiss the cries of brothers and sisters in Christ that name injustice and inequity just because it's not our own experience. Peacemakers are willing to see past their own worldview to make a bridge that is safe for all who cross it. How can we make those who we come in contact with feel safe if the bridge we attempted to build feels unsafe for them? Open ears, a kind heart, and a humble Spirit make space for everyone around us to feel seen, loved, and safe.  Radical bridge building is what Jesus did. He ate with the tax collectors, healed the sinners, and spoke to the outcasts. He did not let any social, economic, racial, or religious difference stop him from engaging with someone who was open to his love. Living like Jesus means we live open to love beyond what feels reasonable. Recently, in my family’s story, God called us to step out of what felt comfortable to build a bridge. Our soon-to-be-adopted daughter's birth dad reentered her life. He came with a past that scared us; he looked different than us, spoke different languages than us, and he, in his own brokenness, hurt his daughter, the one we now share.  But God. God called us to build a bridge with this Dad, seeing not his past, but looking to the future that he is working hard to build on more solid ground. We see our differences as something to celebrate, and now he is a part of his and our daughter’s lives. We get to be a part of a miracle because of this bridge of grace that we've built as a team. It is something so beautiful and I am so grateful that we get to share in this special relationship. When we build bridges, we have the chance to experience something new, see unity grow, peace abound, and healing arise, enriching our own lives in profound ways. Break down the walls of fear that want to keep you isolated and embrace radical grace that builds bridges.  Let's pray: God, we thank you that you are the original bridge builder. We were separated from you because of sin, and by your amazing grace, you sent your son to bridge the gap between us and you, our Holy and perfect God. The miracle of salvation is such a gift. Help us to follow your lead and show love even in the most tough relationships. Open our eyes to the bias we may hold that stops us from building bridges with our neighbors. Help us to have open ears to hear the struggles, needs, and desires of those around us who may have a different worldview. Let your Holy Spirit guide our words and steps when working towards peacemaking in our community. Let your will be done in us and through us. Amen. Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images/Tonktiti Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is to encourage others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for My Daily Bible Verse Devotional and Podcast, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, the Daily Devotional App, she has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God’s Heart of Love for Mommas. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram. Related Resource: Remember God’s Enduring Love for You in this Guided Meditation on Psalm 100! This guided Christian meditation from Psalm 100 will help you experience and praise God for his unending love for you. Become aware of God's presence with you, and praise God for his loyal and enduring love from the beginning of time and into the future. Listen to every episode of the So Much More Podcast on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode! Now that you’ve prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! Visit iBelieve.com for more inspiring prayer content. The post A Prayer to Be a Bridge Builder – Your Daily Prayer – August 7  appeared first on GodUpdates.

A Prayer for Chances to Be a Bridge BuilderBy Amanda Idleman "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing." – 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Love is who God is. When we think of being loving, what comes to mind? I suppose none of us would think of being critical, prejudiced, unforgiving, combative, overly dogmatic, and insensitive as loving, yet it is often how we approach those who look and believe differently than ourselves. In an extremely divided culture, we see people drawing strict lines all over the place about who they are willing to engage with kindly. While it's easy to ride the wave of the culture, it's important to remember that Jesus lived a different way.  Jesus asked us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31). Jesus drew lines in the sand, when the self-righteous came to stone the adulterous. He showed those who were hungry to execute justice on their terms that we all have sinned and don't have the right to throw stones at our neighbors (John 8:7).  Matthew 5:9 Jesus says, "Blessed are the peacemakers, because they will be called sons of God." Those who make peace work to build bridges where there has been separation. Peacemaking takes radical faith in God's sovereignty, trusting that he is our protector and that he is the ultimate judge. We don't have to live at odds with those who feel "other" because God goes before us! We don't have to argue our point because the Holy Spirit reveals truth in his perfect timing and way.  Being a peacemaker also means being someone willing to consider the perspective of others. We can't dismiss the cries of brothers and sisters in Christ that name injustice and inequity just because it's not our own experience. Peacemakers are willing to see past their own worldview to make a bridge that is safe for all who cross it. How can we make those who we come in contact with feel safe if the bridge we attempted to build feels unsafe for them? Open ears, a kind heart, and a humble Spirit make space for everyone around us to feel seen, loved, and safe.  Radical bridge building is what Jesus did. He ate with the tax collectors, healed the sinners, and spoke to the outcasts. He did not let any social, economic, racial, or religious difference stop him from engaging with someone who was open to his love. Living like Jesus means we live open to love beyond what feels reasonable. Recently, in my family’s story, God called us to step out of what felt comfortable to build a bridge. Our soon-to-be-adopted daughter's birth dad reentered her life. He came with a past that scared us; he looked different than us, spoke different languages than us, and he, in his own brokenness, hurt his daughter, the one we now share.  But God. God called us to build a bridge with this Dad, seeing not his past, but looking to the future that he is working hard to build on more solid ground. We see our differences as something to celebrate, and now he is a part of his and our daughter’s lives. We get to be a part of a miracle because of this bridge of grace that we've built as a team. It is something so beautiful and I am so grateful that we get to share in this special relationship. When we build bridges, we have the chance to experience something new, see unity grow, peace abound, and healing arise, enriching our own lives in profound ways. Break down the walls of fear that want to keep you isolated and embrace radical grace that builds bridges.  Let's pray: God, we thank you that you are the original bridge builder. We were separated from you because of sin, and by your amazing grace, you sent your son to bridge the gap between us and you, our Holy and perfect God. The miracle of salvation is such a gift. Help us to follow your lead and show love even in the most tough relationships. Open our eyes to the bias we may hold that stops us from building bridges with our neighbors. Help us to have open ears to hear the struggles, needs, and desires of those around us who may have a different worldview. Let your Holy Spirit guide our words and steps when working towards peacemaking in our community. Let your will be done in us and through us. Amen. Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images/Tonktiti Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is to encourage others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for My Daily Bible Verse Devotional and Podcast, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, the Daily Devotional App, she has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God’s Heart of Love for Mommas. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram. Related Resource: Remember God’s Enduring Love for You in this Guided Meditation on Psalm 100! This guided Christian meditation from Psalm 100 will help you experience and praise God for his unending love for you. Become aware of God's presence with you, and praise God for his loyal and enduring love from the beginning of time and into the future. Listen to every episode of the So Much More Podcast on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode! Now that you’ve prayed, are you in need of someone to pray for YOU? Click the button below! Visit iBelieve.com for more inspiring prayer content. The post A Prayer to Be a Bridge Builder – Your Daily Prayer – August 7  appeared first on GodUpdates.

1927 - Peace Bridge over the Niagara River between US and Canada dedicated to commemorate 100 years of peace between the two countries 1956 - Dynamite transport explodes in Colombia; about 1200 die 1961 - Soviet premier Khrushchev predicts USSR economy will surpass US 1983 - Grete Waitz of Norway wins inaugural women's marathon at the 1st world athletics championships in Helsinki, Finland 1985 - Takao Doi, Mamoru Mohri and Chiaki Mukai are chosen to be Japan's first astronauts 1988 - Future Hall of Fame jockey Eddie Delahoussaye wins his 4,000th career race aboard 2-year-old filly Fawn and Hahn in the 4th race at Del Mar 2000 - Los Angeles Lakers announce retirement of former star player and Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Jerry West; name Mitch Kupchak to succeed him 2010 - Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, John Randle, Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, Floyd Little and Dick LeBeau are inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2012 - 200,000 people are evacuated from Shanghai in anticipation of Typhoon Haikui 2019 - Largest single-state immigration raid in Mississippi as nearly 700 people arrested More Historical Events »

Historical Events 659 - Forces from the Mayan city of Palenque, under its leader Pakal, defeat nearby Santa Elena and take its ruler captive 1885 - Five German warships anchor off Zanzibar 1964 - Turkey begins air attack on Greek Cypriots 1991 - Courts rules Manuel Noriega, may access some secret US documents 2010 - Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, John Randle, Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, Floyd Little and Dick LeBeau are inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2016 - American swimmer Katie Ledecky sets a new world record with a time of 3:56.46 to win the gold medal in the women's 400m freestyle at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics More Historical Events » Famous Birthdays 1925 - M. S. Swaminathan, Indian agricultural scientist, leader of the green revolution in India, born in Kumbakonam, Madras Presidency (d. 2023) 1929 - Don Larsen, American MLB pitcher (only perfect game in World Series history, Game 5 1956; World Series MVP 1956; NY Yankees), born in Michigan City, Indiana (d. 2020) 1942 - Carlos Monzón, Argentine boxer (Undisputed world middleweight champion 1970-74, 76-77), born in San Javier, Argentina (d. 1995) 1975 - Gaahl [Kristian Eivind Espedal], Norwegian black metal vocalist (Gorgoroth), born in Sunnfjord, Norway 1978 - Vanness Wu, Taiwanese-American singer (F4, Kangta and Vanness), born in Santa Monica, California 1988 - Melody Oliveria, American internet blogger (bowiechick) More Famous Birthdays » Famous Deaths 1942 - Janusz Korczak [Henryk Goldszmit], Polish-Jewish educator and pedagogue (ran an orphanage in the Warsaw Ghetto), is gassed at Treblinka extermination camp along with the residents of his orphanage at 64 2011 - Hugh Carey, American politician and attorney (Gov-D-NY), dies at 92 2017 - David Maslanka, American composer (Angel Of Mercy; Sea Dreams), and educator, dies of colon cancer at 73 2018 - Stan Mikita, Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame center (Stanley Cup 1961; Hart Memorial Trophy [MVP] 1967, 68; 6 x NHL First All-Star Team), dies of Lewy body dementia at 78 2022 - David McCullough, American author (Truman; John Adams), popular historian, TV documentary host and narrator (Seabiscuit; The Civil War), dies at 89 2023 - William Friedkin, American film director, producer, writer (The Exorcist; The French Connection), dies of heart failure at 87 More Famous Deaths »

Given events surrounding AC/DC in recent years, anyone could be excused for thinking it was all over for one of rock’s greatest bands. But as long as there's a school uniform...

Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, was chosen to become Kamala Harris’s running mate. He is a communist, and his actions in office prove it. He has seriously damaged Minnesota and wants to do the same for the country. THE RADICAL MARXIST WITH TIES TO CHINA Walz fawned over Communist China and taught a class […] The post Whatever You Heard About Time Walz, He’s Much Worse appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.