Stephanie Pavlantos: Lord, Help my Unbelief
When we struggle with unbelief or putting our love for God in the right order, He understands! …
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Stephanie Pavlantos: O Holy Night
“O Holy Night” is one of my favorite Christmas songs. . . . Although it probably didn’t seem that holy giving birth in a cave with sheep around, God knew exactly where and when His Son would be born. Levitical shepherds who raised the sacrificial sheep for the temple priests surrounded baby Jesus—they were the ones angels told first. The shepherds washed the newborn lambs with saltwater and swaddled them in pieces of old priestly garments (because the worn-out garments … Continue reading →
Stephanie Pavlantos: Are You Thriving? Part 2
Two weeks ago I posted Are you Thriving? part 1. You can read that here. About twelve years ago, my husband and I implemented better food choices, not to just get healthy but to thrive. We started on minerals and vitamins and gave up white flours, sugars, and potatoes. Is Sugar Good for Us? When I started Trim Healthy Mama, I gave up most grains and all sugar. I know, unbelievable, right? I was fortunate; sugar addictions and … Continue reading →
Stephanie Pavlantos: Are You Thriving?
My German shepherd was starving to death, and we didn’t know what to do. Sophie got twelve, yes, twelve cups of food a day, and at a year old, she was only forty pounds. After many tests, the vet diagnosed her with a pancreatic problem called EPI, which kept her from digesting her food. As a result, whatever she ate went through her system without nourishing or feeding her body. With the help of pancreatic enzymes, Sophie is now thriving. … Continue reading →
Stephanie Pavlantos: The Struggle is Real
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 When is the last time you had a good fight? Not a fight with your spouse, or your kids, or even a friend, but against the forces of darkness? Wow, you weren’t expecting that, right? Over the last few months, I have heard from … Continue reading →
Stephanie Pavlantos: The Offering
If you had lived in the Garden of Eden, what do you think your offering or gift to God would’ve looked like? Would the offering have been the most beautiful flowers from your flower garden, or vegetables from your vegetable garden, or maybe the most perfect animal you raised? Have you ever thought about why God had a problem with Cain’s offering in Genesis 4? Why did He react one way towards Abel’s gift and the opposite towards Cain’s? What … Continue reading →
Stephanie Pavlantos: Wounded
We’ve all experienced wounds–whether from sports, accidents, or abnormal growths– and had to have a doctor or surgeon intervene in order for us to heal properly. It’s especially hard when it’s your child or pet going through something like this. …
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Stephanie Pavlantos: Happiness is…
For some time now, we have been looking into the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount. The other day, I read Psalm 32 and noticed it begins with the same wording as Matthew 5. Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. PSALM 32:1-2 ESV While looking for a commentary about these verses, I came across an … Continue reading →
Stephanie Pavlantos: Happy are the Pursued…
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. MATTHEW 5:10-11 ESV Years ago, a recruiter contacted me because he saw my resume online. He called asking me to come in for an interview for a state-of-the-art histology lab in Cleveland–even offering me the salary I desired. This company pursued me for my skills. … Continue reading →
Stephanie Pavlantos: Shalom
How blessed are those who make peace! For they will be called sons of God. MATTHEW 5:9 CJB I am a middle child. I have three older sisters and two younger ones. My eldest sister, Cindy, is nine years older than me, while my youngest sister, Melanie, is nine years younger. The term most often applied to middle children is peacemakers. That was my role as a child in our loud and sometimes chaotic family. I hated conflict and strove … Continue reading →
Stephanie Pavlantos: The Pure in Heart Sees God Everywhere
How blessed are the pure in heart! For they will see God. MATTHEW 5:8 CJB I read a great quote on the Beatitudes by Skip Moen, Ph.D. He says, “[A Beatitude] is not a “blessing” that implies one party granting a favor to another party. A Beatitude is really a macarism, an announcement of an existing state, a status of happiness. https://skipmoen.com/2018/02/character-1/ Today, we will explore the sixth Beatitude of Matthew 5. As said above, these are not blessings over you … Continue reading →