The Living by Design Blog
The Bible is packed with the spiritual nourishment your soul craves. Our aim is to provide resources to help you break it down into bite-sized pieces that are easy to digest. Articles on the Living by Design Blog are packed with heart-focused content, practical solutions for real life, and Bible-based training. Since launching this blog in 2014, we’ve featured more than 100 guest contributors. If you’d like to submit an article for consideration, please review our submission guidelines.
By Donna Bucher When people think of unforgiveness, visions of prison rarely come to mind. Sadly, refusing to offer forgiveness holds us in a prison of bitterness, resentment, and pain, causing us to relive the offense repeatedly. The prison of unforgiveness held me captive for many years. Pain inflicted more
This year, we invite you to join us as we set aside five minutes each day to DWELL on God’s Word! Our free DWELL360 study takes readers on a guided journey through the foundational truths of Scripture. Together, we will establish a vibrant, life-giving 360-degree view of what God has
By Annie Yorty The special ed teacher looks around the conference table, pen poised to write. “What do we see as Aly’s strengths?” Among the professionals, I, the lone parent, stand out like a prickly cactus among a sea of swaying grasses. A million strengths jump to mind. After a
by Marissa Bondurant I can still remember a text I got one day while at the pediatric cancer clinic. I was holding my four-year-old daughter during her weekly chemo treatment when my phone dinged. I was so exhausted and overwhelmed I didn’t even want to look at the message. But
by Hannah Jessen Conway During the recent gasoline shortage, I found myself with an empty tank. After finally finding a gas station with gas, I began to fill up my car when the person behind me got out of his car. “Don’t take it all!” I glanced back at him,
By Nikki Evanson Saying no to others has always been a challenge for me. I was under the impression that if I said no to someone, they might not like me or invite me to participate in the future. Because of my fear, I always said yes to everyone and
By Pamela Henkelman I hate to admit it, but I feel a little disappointed in God today. I crawl under my cozy blanket in my favorite chair as a warm cup of coffee waits on the side table. I’m ready with my Bible and journal to record my conversation with
by Sandra Bretschneider God has made Himself known on the pages of Scripture. When I was a young girl, I sat in Sunday School class and learned about the character of God. My teacher taught me about His faithfulness through the story of Noah’s ark, His provision through the manna
by Katy Kauffman My love for all things art propelled me from booth to fantastic booth at the local Scrapbook Expo (yes, that’s a thing). I mingled with hundreds of artsy ladies who all shared a love for scrapbooking or card-making—dozens of booths filled with craft supplies made this annual
By Barbara Latta Our worldview is the lens through which we develop our attitudes, beliefs, judgments, behavior, and speech. According to Dr. George Barna, children begin developing a life perspective as early as 18 months, and those opinions can be cemented into their souls by age 13. I grew up
By Theresa Bodeker What is our first instinct when we don’t get the outcome we want? When our day is unraveling and headed in the wrong direction? When our problems seem to be cropping up faster than weeds on a sunny day? If you are anything like me, you may
Article by: Sarah Koontz In John 10:10, Jesus revealed His purpose in coming to earth. In this passage, He declared, “I have come so that they (you) may have life and have it in abundance.” Jesus came to do a new thing—to introduce a new covenant and bring God’s kingdom
By Linda Lyle Do you remember your first love? My first love was words. I was hooked from the moment a teacher showed me how letters make words and words make a story. I was a voracious reader. The library was my sanctuary, where I found a special kind of
By Michele Morin I began to picture cobwebs growing in the corners of my email inbox, and my impatience was rivaled only by my disappointment. After two years of watching my speaking ministry grow, suddenly the invitations had stopped coming. Of course, I kept all my fraught feelings to myself.
Paul’s epistle to the Galatians is highly esteemed within the church and often regarded as one of Paul’s most important letters. It has been given such titles as the Magna Carta of spiritual liberty, the Christian Declaration of Independence, and the battle cry of the Reformation. Galatians teaches believers about
By Lisa Garon In February 2020, my family was actively involved in various ministries at our large, multi-campus church. Aside from being on staff in an administrative role, my husband and I led a marriage workshop and facilitated our respective Bible study groups. Our teenage son attended the high school
By Jana Fraley I was enjoying a beautiful Wyoming morning with its clear blue sky and sunshine, soaking in the contentment of a perfect summer day when my brother called. Suddenly the peace and solitude I’d felt was gone. My brother and I are close; most of the time, we
By Donna Bucher Along with our youngest daughter, my husband and I stood in a hospital room gathered with my son, his wife, her parents and grandfather. We were all excited for the much-anticipated day of the birth of my son’s first child. For first-time parents and grandparents, the long
by Nikki White I found myself lost and endlessly circling around my “name it and claim it” beliefs on the day my young mother died. Our family had held the prayer cloths, claimed the healing, quoted the verses and refused to say “cancer.” As negative reports increased, so did our
By Desi Zacharias When I first became a mom, I had so many dreams and plans for exactly how life would go. Except, life doesn’t go exactly as we plan it, does it? I distinctly remember organizing every detail about how our family devotional times would go. I was determined
By Hadassah Treu Will there ever be a stable routine again? This question echoes in my mind while I lay exhausted on the couch after the heavy burst of grief. My heart is weary of so much pain, sadness, and disappointment. After the unexpected loss of my husband, my life
I have always appreciated Billy Graham’s humble spirit and bold approach to ministry. He was an ordinary man who God used to accomplish extraordinary things—a worthy role model for us all. In their book, entitled The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham, Harold Myra and Marshall Shelly detail 21 essential leadership
By Arris Charles I remember my heart’s plea… “I’m so exhausted and overwhelmed by my to-do list.”“I really want to do something that’s just for me.”“But I want to serve my family with a joyful heart too.” Those were the echoes of my soul at one time. I am not
By Becky Meyerson Remember me for this, my God, and don’t erase the deeds of faithful love I have done for the house of my God and for its services. Nehemiah 13:14 HCSB Nehemiah is the hallmark book in the Bible on being an intentional leader. It is the story
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