Now We Live with Great Expectation: Relying on a Hope That Will Never Disappoint
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Now We Live with Great Expectation: Relying on a Hope That Will Never Disappoint

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines hope as “the feeling of wanting something to happen and thinking that it could happen : a feeling that something good will happen or be true.” When it comes to our children, our health, and our safety, we hope for the best because we know that the best doesn’t always happen. We…

Why Reputation Matters When It Comes to Christian Ministry | alyssajhoward.com
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Why Reputation Matters When It Comes to Christian Ministry

I’ve heard it said that we should guard our reputation because in the end, it’s all we have. One wrong move and our reputation could be destroyed. But in some ways, Christians are taught to disregard reputation. We are told that we will be hated and persecuted, and that we should stand up for truth and…

Praying for a Baby: A Story of Refinement | alyssajhoward.com
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Praying for a Baby: A Story of Refinement

A big thank you to my amazing mother for sharing her heart in this guest post. I knew for most of my life that my parents longed for another baby. I remember the journey well, and I can honestly say that my entire family grew in the process. Thank you, Jesus, for refining each member of…

4 Ways the World Copes with Shame (and how Jesus made a way to get rid of it for good)
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4 Ways the World Copes with Shame (and how Jesus made a way to get rid of it for good)

Shame is such an ugly word. By definition it is “the painful feeling arising from the consciousness of something dishonorable, improper, ridiculous, etc., done by oneself or another.” It’s something that we all have experienced at some point in our lives. Maybe we made a terrible mistake or hurt someone we loved. Or perhaps we…

Reputation: Learning to Let Go | alyssajhoward.com
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Reputation: Learning to Let Go

*I was honored to have this post featured at Purposeful Faith! You can find a portion of it there along with some other amazing words of encouragement from fellow bloggers!    God was very real to me growing up. I didn’t just know about Him; I can honestly say that knew Him on a personal level. What went wrong for…

True Identity: Discovering the Real You | alyssajhoward.com
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True Identity: Discovering the Real You

Follow your heart. Be who you are. Do what makes you happy. Discover your true identity. We are bombarded by these messages on a daily basis. Our children are being raised in a culture that preaches these messages in nearly every outlet they are exposed to. On the surface, these messages are good and wholesome. I…