We don't have to be around a child or children for very long to see their expressions, attitudes, and longing for independence is serving as a mirror to that of our own.

My friend, Anita McVey, is sharing of a time her grand-daughter unknowingly held up this mirror for her and the surrender and promise which came as she reflected on this experience in the light of Psalm 2.

Anita Hinkeldey McVey is a midwest farmer’s daughter who grew up in northwest Iowa on a steady diet of faith, family, and food. Her passion for cooking and gardening inspired her to create a blog, Picnic Life Foodie, where she shares her favorite recipes and the fond memories they bring to mind. With their two sons now “out of the nest,” Anita and her husband, Marty, live on an acreage in central Iowa with a large garden, a fishing pond, and an energetic hunting dog named Stark.

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What does it mean to be blessed? I have to agree with my friend, Becky Beresford - we tend to get a little confused on this one. Not intentionally, but confused nonetheless. Becky is sharing her reflection of Psalm 145 and helping us understand this foundational part of our faith better.

Becky Beresford lives in North Carolina and is happily outnumbered by her husband and three wonderful boys. She is an author, speaker and coach with a Master's Certificate in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship from Moody Theological Seminary. Becky loves encouraging God’s Daughters to embrace Christ-centered empowerment through the truth found in the gospel. Her work has been featured in large online communities including Proverbs 31 Ministries, DaySpring, Crosswalk, (in)courage, iBelieve, and HuffPost. Becky’s book with Moody Publishers, She Believed HE Could, So She Did, released last year.

Connect with Becky at BeckyBeresford.com and become a part of her Empowered Email Tribe or follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

Dr. Gladys Childs understands how our circumstances can try to shake us and make us want to do anything and everything except the one thing we need to do - praise God.

I know - how backwards it sounds! And this is why we're talking about this today. In hopes praise will become the seedling and even more - our very response to life's circumstances - the good and the hard. For our circumstances do not change the foundation of our faith: God is still God.

Dr. Gladys Childs, the 'Truth Doctor,' meets people at the crossroads of faith and life’s challenges, offering clarity, hope, and practical wisdom. As a Religion professor, pastor’s wife, author, speaker, and mom, she empowers individuals to navigate life’s toughest moments with unwavering truth and faith. Learn more at gladyschilds.com. Follow on Instagram or Facebook.

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The cycle of overwhelm. We all know this. The things in the cycle, causing it to pick up momentum vary but the overwhelming result is not a foreign feeling to any of us.

To interrupt this cycle, we need to learn to use our minds to calm and quiet our brains. When we do, our soul finds rest. The truth is life is overwhelming but God has peace for us available to us today. Are we seeking this or surrendering to our circumstance and running the rat race?

This pivot is something my friend, Laura L. Smith has experienced too. She's sharing her reflection of Psalm 131 to help us recenter today and engage in the peace God has for us.

Laura L. Smith is an author, speaker, and podcaster. She’s written fifteen books including her most recent two, Brave Woman, Mighty God and The Urgency of Slowing Down. She lives in the charming college town of Oxford, Ohio with her husband and the youngest of their four young adult kids. There you’ll find her running the wooded trails, strolling the local farmer’s market, or sipping an almond milk mocha at her favorite coffee shop. Find her at www.laurasmithauthor.com and @laurasmithauthor on Instagram.

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Psalm 124 is where we’re starting this summer and though I’ve chosen this, seemingly by happenstance, simply picking up where we left off from last summer, I don’t believe this is a matter of happenstance.

I believe it’s a Psalm our hearts need to ponder.

Perhaps I’m projecting my teacher days a bit here, but summer is often looked at as a time of refreshment. Not just because we can beat the heat by splashing in a refreshing pool of water with friends, but because the days are longer, our schedules a bit more flexible. We vacate, even if not physically to a new location, we vacate to a less stressed, more relaxed state of mind.

Or at least, we long to.

And what I know to be true is if we want to feel this refreshment mentally - have less to do’s and to be’s on our minds- and physically - our shoulders moving away from our ears, our guts finding healthy rhythm once again... If we want to feel this refreshment emotionally - less weight to carry... Then, we must be intentional to seek this refreshment spiritually. In other words, if we want to be refreshed mentally, physically and emotionally, we have to bring these things to God.

The Psalms are just that. A collection of times when people who lived before us have brought “their things” to God...

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Matt and Katie Harder join to share how God has added to their family through adoption as they live out the command in scripture to care for orphans. Serving in education in the Oklahoma City area, together they have two sons and one daughter, Millie, who they adopted from China. They share their conversations and questions leading up to this decision, their experience with international adoption as well as their many joys and challenges of parenting and how this has grown their faith in deeper ways.

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As a mother to 8 children, Bethany Kimsey understands the weariness, discouragement, and stress of motherhood. Her purpose is to equip you to win the battle against worry and fatigue as you understand your identity in Christ and rest in the hope of the Gospel. She helps other moms learn to rest, recuperate, find encouragement, and feast on the truths of God’s Word.

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Cheri Fletcher is a dynamic writer, compelling speaker, and the host of the "Your Spiritual Game Plan" podcast. 

She is passionate about guiding individuals in crafting a strategy to live out God's plan for their lives. Cheri believes that understanding the enemy's strategic plots is crucial to overcoming life's challenges. Through the ups and downs of her own journey, Cheri has faced numerous changes and transitions, each feeling like a piece of her identity left with each role. Her experiences have equipped her with empathy and insight, enabling her to connect with others navigating similar paths. Visit Cherifletcher.com to learn more about Cheri, her podcast, and her grief cards.

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Patty Conrad graduated from Baylor University with a degree in Education. She taught special education for 8 years, has been homeschooling for 22 years and currently teaches 1st grade at a private classical school.  Patty and her husband have four boys: two teenagers and two young adults. She enjoys planning, cooking, reading and spending time with her family and friends.

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Last year, while serving at one of the water stops at the OKC Memorial Marathon, I see these two come running by (with the front of the pack, I may add) and I was immediately inspired. Then did a double-take to recognize it was Dubya and I's good friend, Hunter Sallee running! The moment only allowed for a quick "HUNTER!!!" and a wave, but I knew I wanted to hear their story. You don't just run a half marathon pushing a wheelchair on a whim... Nah, a selfless act like this, God has nudged your heart and propelled your legs.

Sure enough, hearing Hunter's story and how it began from birth for him, it's a beautiful testimony of gratitude for healing and also a reminder of how we can and should use the gifts and talents God has given us for the benefit of others.

Hunter Sallee is an avid runner who has chosen to use this gift of his to serve others through the Hoyt Organization, which is a non-profit organization that was formed in 1989 which aspires to build the individual character, self-confidence and self-esteem of America’s disabled young people through inclusion in all facets of daily life.

Today, we're talking about:

• Hunter’s story as an infant which fuels his purpose

• Running with the Hoyt Organization