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Hello, Reader.

This past week has been one we won't soon forget, hasn’t it? So much senseless violence and death. The brutal murder of that 23-year-old Ukranian woman who was simply riding a train, minding her own business, in North Carolina. The assassination of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA who was famous for his commitment to having civil conversations with anybody who disagreed with him on college campuses across the country and around the globe. And anniversary of the unforgettable 9-11 terrorist attacks, which took place 24 years ago this month.

We grieve, yet not like those who have no hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13). As I've prayed over all these situations and more this week, I keep reminding myself of that fact. Maybe you need such reminders, too? If so, that's what this week's link list is for. I hope these resources will encourage you.

Free resources for you this week:

• ​Love Your Enemies Coloring Page - how Jesus calls us to respond to those who mistreat us
• ​25 Ways to Disagree with Dignity - tips (but no guarantees) for having civil conversations
• ​A Prayer for the Grieving - mourn with those who mourn and weep with those who weep
• ​What Men Intend for Evil - a reminder that God can work even horrific things together for good
• ​Our Struggle Is Not against Flesh and Blood - we are engaged in a spiritual battle, for sure

What I'm reading this week:

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I finished The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer this week. It has been decades since I last read it, but what a timely blessing it's been! Tozer writes: “It is a solemn thing and no small scandal in the kingdom, to see God’s children starving while actually seated at the Father’s table….Sound Bible exposition is an imperative must in the church of the living God. Without it, no church can be a New Testament church in any strict meaning of that term. But exposition can be carried on in such a way as to leave the hearers devoid of any true spiritual nourishment whatever.... The Bible is not an end in itself, but a means to bring men to an intimate and satisfying knowledge of God." ​

What we're watching this week:

My kids decided we needed to rewatch Jimmy Stewart's old classic, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, together this week. They remembered viewing it when they were younger, but felt certain they'd understand it better now that they have a bit more knowledge and experience under their belts.

And they were right. What an inspiring story! It shows what a difference even one single man with integrity can make in the world around him.

This week's reader request:

A reader wrote last week and asked me to consider writing a bible-based Prayer for a Single Mom. Here's what I came up with, along with the scriptural support behind each and every request:

On the podcast this week:

Loving Life at Home: Episode 98 ​9 WAYS TO DEFUSE A DISAGREEMENT​ Is there a place for meaningful debate on important topics? And, if so, how can we keep such discussions calm and civil and God-honoring? That’s our topic on Loving Life at Home. Listen in and let me know what you think. Listen Now

Progress on last week's goals:

I barely even got started on last week's goals. Too many distractions in the past 7 days! I did ✅ mulch two flower beds (❌ but still have two to go), ✅ felted a mushroom to use as a sample for my co-op class, and ✅ sent family Bible memory passage for September.

I have not ❌ caught up on grading math, ❌ registered for family camp, or ❌ organized my costume storage. So those goals are getting carried over another week.

Personal goals for this week:

• paint my daughter's water bottle
• take another daughter out for birthday breakfast
• spread mulch in remaining flowerbeds
• grade math
• register for family camp
• organize costumes
• switch out back-to-school decor for fall ornament
• frame and deliver wedding gift
• host Grace Girls meeting at our house
• attend/ volunteer at East Texas State Fair

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Thanks so much for all your help! I'll be back next week with more links, reviews, and resources. If you have any special requests, please let me know. 😊