Activated
PERSONALLY SPEAKING
What will this new year bring? Will I be able to cope? Am I equipped to make the necessary changes? Will I encounter towering obstacles? Will life throw me a curveball that could strike me out? Will I be able to make it if things go downhill? Fleeting...
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Our Family Traditions
CHRISTMAS FOR OUR FAMILY IS ALWAYS A BIG MIX AND MATCH AS FAR AS THE THINGS WE DO, FOODS WE PREPARE, AND WAYS WE CELEBRATE. Every year looks different, and I love that about our Christmases. There are, however, three traditions that we look forward to...
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PERSONALLY SPEAKING
Welcome to this year’s second variety magazine. We greatly enjoy these issues as Activated contributors write about what is on their hearts at the time, which results in a diverse issue with insight and inspiration for all. Because the writers are...
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PERSONALLY SPEAKING
One of my students was treading in the murky waters somewhere between discouragement and depression. It was so hard for him to concentrate during the one-on-one class that learning even the most basic concepts was a struggle. Sometimes he would even...
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PERSONALLY SPEAKING satisfied customers
Have you ever wondered how Christianity could have spread from the small province of Judea in the Mediterranean basin to reach pretty much every corner of the globe by the 21st century? Have you ever marveled when hearing how Christianity survived,...
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PERSONALLY SPEAKING
I was watching an instructional video about how to make studying the Bible a consistent habit. The teacher was explaining that deepening our relationship with God should be our primary purpose in our studies, and then she added with a twinkle in her...
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PERSONALLY SPEAKING
My wife and I once heard a story about a man who had lived in the same house all his life. He always had the same food for breakfast while reading the newspaper. He dressed in the same classic style of clothing, and he abided by an orderly daily...
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PERSONALLY SPEAKING the love of our father
I was a very insecure child. Once when my family was on vacation, I decided to hide in some bushes by the lake to see if anyone would miss me. Would they care enough about me to even look for me? Evening came and it took a while, but my very worried...
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PERSONALLY SPEAKING
We were on our way to visit a dear friend in the hospital. It was going to be a long ride by bus and subway, and we wanted to get there before the end of visiting hours. Before entering the subway, we stopped to order some coffee to take with us....
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PERSONALLY SPEAKING
Christians all over the world will be celebrating Easter this month. Depending on your country and culture, there are a variety of celebrations that range from family gatherings to religious ceremonies. In some countries it is a tradition to join a...
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PERSONALLY SPEAKING
On a recent family visit I took a walk around the neighborhood with my grandson and had a great opportunity to hear some of his deepest yearnings and thoughts. This allowed me to get to know him better and to enjoy an invaluable moment of closeness and...
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PERSONALLY SPEAKING
When it comes to relationships, we can choose to build walls or to build bridges. Our biggest challenges in life often come in the form of loving our neighbor as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39). It takes effort to reach out to others. Jesus taught...
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PERSONALLY SPEAKING
As we contemplate the new year we might feel a bit of trepidation, but God, who sees tomorrow with infinite clarity, whispers to us: “There is hope for your future” (Jeremiah 31:17). This is one of the many promises in the Bible that we can use as...
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PERSONALLY SPEAKING
The beauty of Christmas seems to have been lost in many parts of the world. Longtime traditions have been dropped to give way to flashy trends. Bright trinkets, ornaments and baubles have paradoxically darkened the true light of the holiday. Many...
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PERSONALLY SPEAKING
In the Bible we read account after account of people who were accustomed to conversing with God. For example, Noah received detailed instructions to build the ark, complete with a passenger list. (See Genesis chapters 6–9.) Abraham began his great...
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PERSONALLY SPEAKING
We all face times in our lives when we feel overwhelmed by hardships. We are beset by difficulties, economic worries, or health problems. As we confront one obstacle after another, life can seem to be conspiring against us. We can become befuddled and...
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PERSONALLY SPEAKING
An early 20th-century American sportswriter named Grantland Rice wrote, “It’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.” That concept goes along with the theme of this issue of Activated—The Game of Life. To use some common sports...
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OUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST
WHAT MAKES UP OUR IDENTITY? We are born into this world with many traits, such as gender, ethnicity, nationality, and various strengths and weaknesses. Our culture and environment also influence our attitudes and beliefs, and how we respond to all...
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PERSONALLY SPEAKING TRY A LITTLE KINDNESS
The “me first” mentality that is so prevalent in today's society leads many to think that good manners and kindness are on the brink of extinction. In hard times, it's easy to fall into survival mode and focus only on our personal needs. Let's consider...
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