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Norma Donovan
- Nov 25, 2019
- 2 min
Thankful for the Trinity
“If there be one God subsisting in three persons, then let us give equal reverence to all the persons in the Trinity.” Thomas Watson Tis the season to be thankful and the Trinity is at the top of my gratitude list. As a new believer in high school, I learned the Trinity was like water. H20 is the same compound whether it’s in the form of water, gas, or ice. Likewise, I am one person who fulfills different roles; I’m a wife, mom and daughter. The Apostle Paul ended his second
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Norma Donovan
- Apr 30, 2018
- 2 min
Grace for the Rebellious and the Religious
“Our assurance is anchored in the love and grace of God expressed in the glorious exchange: our sin for His righteousness.” Tullian Tchividjian Recently I studied Luke 15:11-32, the passage known as the prodigal son. I was impressed with the contrast between the two sons, whom I will call the rebellious and the religious. Please take some time now and read through those verses. The younger, or rebellious son was disobedient. He took his inheritance, left home and squandered i
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Norma Donovan
- Jul 31, 2017
- 2 min
Grace Forfeited
“Idolatry: trusting people, possessions, and positions to do for me what only God can do.” Bill Gothard Idols come in various forms. They can be a hobby that consumes our time, finances, and focus. Possessions or positions, which make us feel significant, are also idols. Social media, gives us a false sense of closeness to people. As a child, I comforted myself by reading books. When I became anxious, I bit my nails. Occasionally I still run to the pantry when I’m stressed. T
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Norma Donovan
- Apr 24, 2017
- 2 min
Slave Versus Son
“I am not yet able to fully believe that where my failings are great, ‘grace is always greater.'” Henri Nouwen There are many nuggets of wisdom in the parable of the lost son found in Luke 15:11-32. Pause for a few minutes and read this passage. As I’ve reread these Scriptures, I am able to identify with both of these sons. But I relate most to the oldest son, the one who judged his sibling and thought all along he was more of a laborer, than his father’s son. How we see ours
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Norma Donovan
- Apr 20, 2015
- 2 min
Discouragement
“When we yield to discouragement, it is usually because we give too much thought to the past or to the future.” St. Therese of Lisieux Discouragement enters through many doors, leaving us feeling “disheartened, deprived of courage or confidence, dejected or depressed in spirits.” Unfulfilled expectations, disappointment, failure and loss can cause discouragement to penetrate our hearts. We spiral down into the pit of discouragement when we listen to lies from Satan. Joyce Mey
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Norma Donovan
- Nov 10, 2014
- 2 min
Greater Grace
“There is no such way to attain to a greater measure of grace as for a man to live up to the little grace he has.” Phillips Brooks When I was pregnant with our second born I worried I wouldn’t have enough love for both kids. I deeply loved my daughter but feared some of that love would be taken away to give to my newborn son. God surprised me; He expanded my capacity to love. I thought I had only a certain amount of love within my heart to give and God gave me more. To expand
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Norma Donovan
- Sep 22, 2014
- 3 min
The Hand of God
My ears had heard of You but now my eyes have seen You.” Job 42:5 I’m always amazed at how God directs us, even when we’re unaware. Last Thursday while cruising Dodge Road heading towards Costco, I “accidentally” got off too soon at a wrong exit. No worries, I’ll just turn around in the Post Office parking lot. Then I thought I might as well park and check to see if there’s anything in the Restoring Hearts Ministry’s post office box. Lo and behold, two letters from IRS awaite
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Norma Donovan
- Apr 21, 2014
- 3 min
The Great Exchange
“The best news the world ever had came from a graveyard.” Anonymous The greatest day in history took place over 2000 years ago, the day when Jesus Christ conquered sin and death. Easter signifies hope. Though my sins are like scarlet, Jesus’ death and resurrection turns them as white as snow. (Isaiah 1:18) All of this was made possible because of an unblemished lamb’s sacrifice on our behalf. Easter also represents the great exchange. It was Jesus Christ’s blood for my blood.
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Norma Donovan
- Dec 16, 2013
- 3 min
Companions
“I used to think that God’s gifts were on shelves one above the other and that the taller we grew in Christian character the more easily we could reach them. I now find that God’s gifts are on shelves one beneath the other and that it is not a question of growing taller but of stooping lower.” F. B. Meyer Over twenty years ago I shattered my wrist as a result of slipping on ice during an Omaha frozen winter. We had only lived in here a little over a year at the time, but our
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