jamie y. watkins

Author: jywatkins

  • The Hymn

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    jywatkins
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    My song is love unknown, my Savior’s love to me, love to the loveless shown that they might lovely be. O who am I that for my sake my Lord should take frail flesh, and die? In life no house, no home my Lord on earth might have; in death no friendly tomb but what a…

  • Patience and Reflection for Lent

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    jywatkins
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    Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through…

  • Winter Glistens

    Winter Glistens

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    jywatkins
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    I know we’re at that time in winter when many of us have seen enough snow. We’re looking ahead to the spring, the thaw, the warm-up… but can I just say, today the snow was something else. My mom has a Christmas village, with ceramic houses and shops, figurines of ice skaters and chimney sweeps, even…

  • Seeking Community: Church of the Nazarene

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    You’re four minutes late! As we walked to the church entrance, this shout came from somewhere behind us, and I thought, wow, it’s just four minutes! You don’t expect to be called out at church for being four minutes late.  It’s not the friendliest of welcomes for your first-time visitors. But when I turned to…

  • We Have an Understanding

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    I’ve heard and read a lot of stories from people who have been hurt by church leaders or fellow Christians when they admit their doubts. Sometimes they are blamed or shamed for doubting. When hurting Christians admit they feel far away from God, they often are told to look for a sin in their life that…

  • Arise: Empowering Girls to Lead, Minister, and Serve

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    Recently, I was given the opportunity to write an article for Arise, an e-newsletter published by Christians for Biblical Equality. I was so surprised and excited to write for them, and chose a subject that I haven’t often tackled here on the blog, but that is nevertheless, very dear to me: empowering girls. I’ve had so…

  • Seeking Community: Presbyterian Church

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    Last Sunday, Chad and I went to the Presbyterian Church in our town. It is in our town, but it’s on the other side of the state highway, so I always forget that that part of town is still actually in our town. Anyway. This was a cute church. The little sanctuary was small and…

  • Seeking Community: Evangelical Free Church

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    Just over a year ago, Chad and I, and the rest of our community, lost our church. It was a satellite location of a larger evangelical church that I had attended for several years. We set up our small satellite community in an elementary school every Sunday morning, held a worship service, children’s church, and…

  • Illness Knows No Schedule

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    I was ready this year. Christmastime can be a whirlwind. I have this crazy tradition of editing together all my family’s photos and video clips to create DVDs for my sisters and brother of all their kids. It’s time consuming and I always create a schedule for myself to make sure I can get all…

  • Seeking Community: Episcopal Church

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    A couple weeks ago, Chad and I continued our church visits by attending the local Episcopal church. I’ve been reading quite a bit lately about some evangelical Christians who have been attending Episcopal churches, drawn in by the liturgy and tradition. Rachel Held Evans wrote a beautiful, poetic piece about the community and the sacredness of…