O Come, Emmanuel

By Barbara Rainey | November 29, 2016 | 1 Comment

Did Advent sneak up on you three days ago like it always does on me? Maybe it’s because I like to savor Thanksgiving and those in my family who gather each November–often it’s the only time we get that time all year–that I am reluctant to move on to Christmas before the Thanksgiving weekend is […]

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Does Grace Disrupt Your Misplaced Affections?

By Barbara Rainey | June 8, 2016 | 3 Comments

This summer much of the world will be watching the Olympics, cheering their favorite team or athlete from their home country. Worldwide spectators love the competition, the personal stories, the medal ceremonies. Most of all, though, we love the thrill of victory. Whether it’s the Super Bowl, the World Series, the World Cup, or just […]

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How Do I Know God Is Near?

By Barbara Rainey | May 25, 2016 | 10 Comments

Have you ever woken up and felt your senses dulled? Or maybe you’ve felt dead inside from deep anguish or loss? Sadly I have learned that I am hopelessly, until I leave this planet, tied to my emotions, to unseen environmental effects on my body and to subconscious thoughts. Recently over dinner, my husband shared a […]

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Great is Thy Faithfulness

By Barbara Rainey | January 6, 2016 | 1 Comment

By Barbara Rainey and Janel Breitenstein My (Janel’s) mom packed a sack lunch for me daily for nearly my entire school career. Thirteen years, three sisters, and my father… that’s a lot of lunches. Barbara’s mother, too, packed hers and her three brothers for a combined 20 plus years! My lunch contents varied throughout the […]

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The Branch

By Barbara Rainey | November 9, 2015 | 2 Comments

In the last three years I’ve explored deeply the many names of Jesus, over 300 according to some Bible scholars. It has been a wonderful discovery to see in each facet of His character, reflected in each name, a hint of deep mystery or a plain description of this One who gave His life for […]

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