Devotional Thoughts Archives - Page 16 of 29

Favorite “Must Read”

I named my first-born Harper. I named my first dog Scout. Get the picture? If not, you are one of countless adults who have never read To Kill a Mockingbird, and frankly, that's crazy. In my head, having never read that book is a baffling thought. No judgement. Just surprised. I've read it 4 times. What's really cool, is that earlier this year I stumbled upon this gem: The Mockingbird Parables, which uses the story as the background to inspire spiritual growth. Perhaps read them side by side? I am saddened when someone says, "I'm not a reader." To Kill a Mockingbird [...]

By Joline Atkins|2015-05-14T15:58:57-04:00June 11, 2012|

Life Verse

On a wintry January evening, morning, day, evening, and morning, back in 2001, I was struggling through the birth of my first child. My "plan", (as in my meticulously thought-out birth plan), was not going according to, well, plan. I'll spare you the particulars. During one highly memorable excruciating point, I asked George to put on my favorite Hillsong worship CD. "Jesus, Lover of my Soul" was on that CD, and while I'd heard the song before, it had never caught my attention as it did during that moment. This time, the song made me honkin' infuriated as it played because I [...]

By Joline Atkins|2015-05-14T15:59:02-04:00June 4, 2012|

Memorial Monday

Sunday is supposed to be our day of remembrance as we flock to church to worship corporately with our fellow believers. It is a day set apart. For many, it is the one true Sabbath/rest day we get to take each week. A day to slow down, reflect, and take pause. Refuel. And then comes Monday. Barging through our delightful Sunday stupor like an unwelcome house-guest - not that we don't wanna be hospitable, but seriously - we were not expecting you, and now we've been knocked off our gait from our delightfully placid Sunday saunter. Did we not see [...]

By Joline Atkins|2015-05-14T15:59:08-04:00May 27, 2012|

Summer Readin’

Honestly, other than the kids being home and there not being school, our summer months don't look too much different from the rest of the year. Yes, the lack of homework is definitely a nice bonus, but I'm also a "summer home-work" Mom, so even that chore sneaks into our summer-lovin' days . . . much to the disappointment of my children. Sorry, kids! Mama has as bit of summer homework as well! One thing I have tried to implement over the last two summers, is a book-club with my Mom To Mom group. Last year it was a daily [...]

By Joline Atkins|2015-05-14T16:01:02-04:00May 21, 2012|

Spiritual Mom Enough?

I'm getting to this post a bit late today . . . Not because it's Mothers's Day. But rather, because I had a son wake up puking on Mother's Day. That is NOT a complaint. It is an IS. This week, we're taking a look at just what a spiritual Mom looks like. Really, how do you define that title? Such pressure? I'll start. A spiritual Mom is one who rubs her son's back while he's crouched over the porcelain god heaving away. Amen. Joline Atkins is your server today! Find out more about her here and don't forget to sign up [...]

By Joline Atkins|2015-05-14T16:01:11-04:00May 13, 2012|