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God is the Holy One of Israel | Encounter God #21

Have you ever thought of God as the Holy One of Israel? Can you think of any time this name of God was used in prayer with other believers or even in a modern-day worship song? Wouldn’t you agree that the Holy One of Israel is a name that has special meaning to God’s people of long ago but may feel foreign to us? We’re out of touch with this side of God’s character and nature, as we don’t identify as the people of Israel. We’re not wandering through physical deserts, following a pillar of cloud by day and fire…

God is Our Father and Defender | Encounter God #20

By Elisa Pulliam

Do you see God as your Father and Defender? Or do you resist thinking of God in this way as the example that has been set for you in regards to Fatherhood — even manhood — has not been positive? From the time I put my faith in Jesus, I wanted nothing to do with the idea that God could be my Father or defender because it seemed so incongruent with my earthly experience growing up in an abusive home. But as time passed, I felt this pull to lean into this attribute of God, even as things got worse…

Parenting Perspective for the Teen Years with Monica Swanson {Podcast 531}

By Elisa Pulliam

Have you ever noticed that eye-rolling isn’t something reserved just for a teen? Oh yes, all you have to do is mention parenting teens and you’ll see plenty of eye-rolling from moms and dads alike. It’s certainly not an easy task, but does it warrant such a negative response? Is there a way to enjoy parenting through the teen years? On this episode of the More to Be Podcast, I’m joined by boy mom, Monica Swanson, for a candid discussion about raising not only teens and sons but also daughters. Our conversation weaves in and out of parenting insights and…

God is the King of kings and Lord of lords | Encounter God #19

By Elisa Pulliam

How well do you know the story of God? Is your understanding of Scripture a high-level view, where you get the gist of who God is and what He has done? Or do you understand the context where His character is revealed personally, His commands are relevant to your life today, and His promises carry hope for what is to come? It is too easy to pick and choose what we want to know and believe about God. But in doing so, we forsake knowing the richness of the God who made us in His image and ordained our lives…

When Your Work and Life Life is Redefined

By Elisa Pulliam

Are you in a season of your work and life being re-defined? If you’re reading this in the wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic that swept our world, my guess is that your answer is “yes.” We’ve had our “normal” rocked. As I confessed in my last devotion, I struggle to not choose work over everything else, especially relationships. Nothing like experiencing stay-at-home orders to make that tendency all the more evident. How do I balance work with family? How do I walk in faith but steward my responsibilities well? Maybe your work right now isn’t only your paid job but…