Author: Ann McCallum
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Read Psalm 143: Guidance for those who are in despair
I was at a low point; this time I couldn’t seem to drag myself out of it. Now that my job has ended, I found myself bored and despondent; I didn’t have enough to keep me occupied and pull me out of my slump. In my morning quiet time, I followed the outline of Psalm…
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Read Hebrews 12:1-3 The things that so easily entangle
This passage really spoke to me this morning. I know things have been off in my spiritual life. I have a lot more time on my hands then I ever have had before; and I expected to be taking long walks talking to the Lord, writing more, ministering to individuals. While those things are happening,…
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Read Luke 7: 36-50 JESUS IS ANOINTED BY A SINFUL WOMAN
There are days when I struggle to feel God’s love, or any love for that matter. I learned over the years that if I closed off my heart to people, I would feel a lot less pain. I’m not justifying this in any way, but it’s a reality for me. As a result, I also…
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Read Matthew 14: 21-23 DISMISS THE CROWDS
Sometimes little transition passages between Biblical narratives are packed with lessons for us. These few verses are one example of that. Jesus had just finished feeding 5,000 people; an amazing miracle. I’m sure He and the disciples were all tired. No doubt the disciples were looking forward to having Jesus to themselves for a while;…
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Read Romans 12:1-3 Thinking in New Ways
Thinking in new ways I can be a very focused person. I like to troubleshoot and problem solve. Being able to see what needs to be done and knowing what steps to take to do it is part of what made me good at my job. And, I enjoy it. God has really wired me…
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Read 2 Chronicles 20: 1-30 We don’t know what to do but our eyes are on You
I am at a crossroads and a tumultuous time in my life. In obedience to the Lord, I left my ministry position of 22 years; I sold my house; I have done my best to obey the Lord by detaching from everything I can think of. I don’t even have a vehicle anymore, because it…
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Read Matthew 25:14-30 What do I do while I’m waiting?
I have been spending a lot of time lately learning about waiting. My life is transitioning and I don’t know what’s next. God has not chosen to tell me, so I wait. Reading through Matthew, there are two passages in Matthew 25 that can instruct us on waiting. Jesus is teaching His disciples about what…
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Read Zechariah 3: 1-10 Clean Garments
I look over the last day or so, and I stand before the Lord, feeling dirty. How can I be a leader if I myself am unclean? I am reminded again how undeserving I am of a place in His Kingdom. I remembered Joshua, the high priest, when the Lord took off his clothes that…
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Read Exodus 4:1-5 What is in your hand?
Since I am soon transitioning out of a ministry leadership position I have held for more than 20 years, I think a lot about the future. I am by nature a planner and organizer, so I love thinking about and preparing for the changes that are coming in my life. Where will we live? How…
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Read Mark 1:40-45
As I read this passage today, I found myself in the story as the leper. How many times will I keep coming back here, feeling like my sin is a deadly disease eating away the inside of me? Ravaging my life, undermining my faith, compromising my testimony? I know how the leper feels; sin is…
Christian Contemplative Journey 