The Abiding Life
Gwen Sellers
Gwen Sellers is an Associate Editor for Got Questions Ministries, currently working with CompellingTruth.org. She has a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in counseling. Her passion is to fully embrace the abundant life she has been given in Christ and help other believers do the same. Her blogs are glimpses into God's lessons in her personal life. Gwen's prayer is that as you read these blogs, God will reveal His truth, His love, and His abundant grace for you.
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Praising God in an Imperfect World | May 17, 2017 This world is imperfect, and we feel the call of something better. But even in the midst of a stressful time, we can still praise God. Read more... |
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Waiting on a Faithful God | Mar 20, 2017 In a world of text-messaging and microwave ovens, waiting feels useless. But the waiting times are when God does much of His work in our lives. Read more... |
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"Whatever is true..." | Oct 26, 2016 It is good to expose false-teaching. But there are better ways to spend our time than condemning every specific error like some theological whack-a-mole. Focus on what is true. Read more... |
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Believing God | Sep 9, 2016 Believing God means living in His absolute love, goodness, and faithfulness, even when surrounded by darkness and trials. Read more... |
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Flying Trapeze | Aug 2, 2016 To leave the safety of the platform, to swing through the air, and then let go of the trapeze and fly, is to know that God is on the other side, ready to catch you. Read more... |
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Is this real? | Jul 18, 2016 Lately we've been faced with a national crisis of shootings involving police officers. The situation is heart-breaking. But God is here, and He can heal us — if we let Him. Read more... |
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Identity, Truth, and Love | May 2, 2016 We are sinners, saved by grace. But we are also God's creation, made by Him, in need of sanctification, but with an identity He chose. What if submission means finding who we really are? Read more... |
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Jesus and Emotions | Mar 29, 2016 Jesus knew the outcome of the crucifixion — that He would rise again in victory. But He still mourned, deeply, the night before. He gave Himself permission to grieve. Read more... |
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Politics and Salvation | Mar 7, 2016 Politics can't save America because the battle is not political. The battle is spiritual, and the only way to win is salvation. Read more... |
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Adjusting to Freedom | Feb 29, 2016 Freedom is a gift of God, through Jesus. Freedom from sin, fear, expectations...But it often takes time to learn how to live in that new freedom. Read more... |
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Jonathan and Saul | Feb 16, 2016 Saul tried to earn God's favor through discipline; Jonathan praised Him for the gift of honey. How can we learn to live like Jonathan — in God's abundance? Read more... |
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Knowledge and Faith | Jan 14, 2016 The world tells us to rely on knowledge. The Bible tells us to have faith. Which is right? Read more... |
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Singing in the New Year | Jan 4, 2016 Life isn't all about what we can produce or how we can survive. Beauty is an integral part of the human condition. Sing in the new year. Read more... |
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Obedience and Human Nature: Of Chopsticks and Forks | Dec 8, 2015 Why do we chafe against the idea of obedience to God? When compared to our sinful human nature, obedience is like using a fork in the land of chopsticks. Read more... |
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Temptation and Transformation | Oct 6, 2015 It is difficult to distinguish between temptation and desire without the transforming work of Christ in our lives. Read more... |
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Change: An Invitation to Trust | Sep 28, 2015 Change is stressful. Remaining is comfortable. Fortunately, God loves us too much to leave us where we are. Read more... |
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Being Known | Jun 22, 2015 How do we get to know each other? Time, talking, and meeting people where they are. Read more... |
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The Desire to Know and be Known | Jun 22, 2015 We are designed to be known. To have friends who see us deeply. We are also made to know others. How do we do that? Read more... |
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Of Perspective and Expectations | May 18, 2015 "It's all about perspective." We've all heard this, but what does it really mean? How do our expectations define our perspective — for better or worse? Read more... |
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"Whatcha know good?" | May 3, 2015 "Whatcha know good?" the old man would say. But it's what he knew about purpose and joy that can speak to our lives. Read more... |
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When Acknowledging the Fear Trumps Avoiding it | Apr 22, 2015 Avoiding the things that scare us is effective - if we don't acknowledge them, they're not there. But there comes a time when you have to face your fear to live in freedom. Read more... |
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Think Before You Speak | Apr 6, 2015 Stereotypes are powerful. They pass on a message that can be completely false. For truth, though, think before you speak. Read more... |
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Shame and Lies | Mar 18, 2015 There is a shame that leads to repentance. But there is also a shame based on lies. When we recognize the lies, we can be free of the shame. Read more... |
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From Shame to Grace | Mar 12, 2015 Shame tells us we're broken — that we don't deserve to be fixed. That if others knew, we'd be abandoned. But here's the thing: shame is a sham. Read more... |
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Speaking into the Silence | Feb 27, 2015 We avoid speaking about difficult topics, thinking the attention would hurt hearts and relationships. But it is silence that most harms those who struggle. Read more... |
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The Love of Friendship | Feb 12, 2015 We don't need a special Valentine if we have the love of friends. And some chocolate. Read more... |
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Gleanings from Genesis: The Faithfulness of God in the Life of Abraham | Feb 4, 2015 We often read Genesis as a history book. Looking deeper, we see it's a history of God's faithfulness to Abraham and his family. Read more... |
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Thoughts on Salvation: Happy or Holy | Jan 19, 2015 It's said Christ came to make us holy, not happy. But we forget — He also came to bring us joy. Read more... |
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Salvation and the Christian Life | Jan 15, 2015 Eternal life to come, but restoration and joy now. The double-whammy blessings of salvation make sin less and less appealing. Read more... |
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The Gift of Punctuated Time | Jan 6, 2015 Time is a gift. But so is time punctuated by opportunities to look back and see God's blessings. Read more... |
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Showing Up, Slowing Down, and Inviting Jesus In | Dec 22, 2014 What would it look like if we didn't worry about schedule or expectations, but just showed up, invited Jesus into our day, and loved others? Read more... |
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Biblical Truth and Behavioral Science | Dec 17, 2014 Behavioral science tries to explain and determine how we humans think and act. Funny how the most accurate findings directly reflect biblical truth. Read more... |
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Winsomely Authentic | Dec 10, 2014 There are characteristics that naturally turn us off to people. But then there are people who we are drawn to despite their quirks. It turns out that authenticity is a big part of being winsome. Read more... |
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Winter Weather | Nov 13, 2014 Winter is a time of rest. We don't need to battle it; just remember God exists. Read more... |
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Nephews, Play-Doh Fun Factories, and the Church Body | Oct 29, 2014 When God gives gifts to others in the church body, do we thank Him? We should be grateful to others and give honor where honor is due. But we must not forget the Source. Read more... |
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On Being an Adult | Oct 15, 2014 Recently I've been alternating between bemoaning the realities of adulthood and embracing adulthood with joy. Perhaps I have racked up enough years on this earth to come to a new appreciation for the process of change. Read more... |
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Vision: Being part of the bigger story | Aug 26, 2014 We're told to have vision, to be part of the bigger story. But our story will never be big enough if it's not God's. Read more... |
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Mindful Pursuit | Aug 11, 2014 Intellectually, I am sometimes more eager to find an answer or come to resolution on an issue than I am to actually learn. But I've recently been struck with the fact that knowledge takes time. Read more... |
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Getting to Know God | Aug 6, 2014 Just as I should not stop getting to know people I've known all my life, I should not stop getting to know God. Pursuing God is a lifelong endeavor. Read more... |
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Is Christianity about freedom or slavery? | Aug 1, 2014 Is Christianity about freedom? Or about being a slave to Christ? Read more... |
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Did God really say? | Jul 25, 2014 The only way I am going to do any worthwhile learning is to examine the facts. I need to see what God really has said. Read more... |
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Lessons in Love | Jul 17, 2014 Trust, control, fear, pain...the things that make us run from love are the very things that make us need love. Read more... |
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Battling the Wrong Enemy | Jul 11, 2014 The enemy does not allow us to live unopposed. He is shrewder than we think, using the very things we think we "should" be to draw us away from God and each other. Read more... |
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Chef: Cooking up Passion | Jul 7, 2014 Jon Favreau's movie Chef is about cooking, creativity, and remembering to live out of your God-given passion. Read more... |
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Spoken For | Jul 1, 2014 Being spoken for frees me to live the life my Good Shepherd came to bring. I am accepted, wanted, and known. Read more... |
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Role Models | Jun 26, 2014 It's good to have role models. It's good to have people we can look up to for inspiration. But it's also good to remember we don't have to strive to emulate the person in total; we can admire a particular aspect of that person's character. Read more... |
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Sharing Comfort: Celebrating the joy of God's blessings | Jun 18, 2014 Life is hard, and Christian life has its own challenges. But when God's blessings fill us with joy, it's time to share the comfort. Read more... |
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Suit and Tie: Our Identity in Christ | May 19, 2014 When it comes to loving others well, submitting to cultural customs or expected norms can go a long way in forging relationship. Sometimes our identity in Christ is more important than our wardrobe. Read more... |
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Finding Freedom in Frozen | May 13, 2014 The movie Frozen has monsters, true love, comedy, and everything else you'd want in a princess movie. But it also debunks several lies we tell ourselves. Read more... |
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Compassion International's Leadership Development Program | May 12, 2014 Compassion International's Leadership Development Program goes beyond childhood to support college students, helping children become leaders in their own countries. Read more... |
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Fostering Packs of Hope | May 8, 2014 The Bible tells us to care for orphans. There is no more direct way to do so than to provide a loving foster family for a child in crisis. Read more... |
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Compassion International's Complementary Intervention Program | Apr 6, 2014 When sponsoring individual children isn't enough, Compassion International's Complementary Interventions Program reaches in to help entire communities. Read more... |
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The Little Prince | Mar 24, 2014 What an old children's story can tell us about vision, mentorship, and the necessity of a childlike creativity. Read more... |
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Sabbath Rest | Mar 12, 2014 The Old Testament law is not required for Christians in the church. We do not have to follow the Sabbath. But maybe we should, anyway... Read more... |
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Blame Freud | Feb 11, 2014 Our parents have a great influence on who we are and how we interact with the world. Where does personal responsibility fit in? And what does Freud have to do with it? Read more... |
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Are you ready for the call? | Feb 3, 2014 Do we receive our calling by personal message? Or by being so close to God we overhear His still, small voice? Read more... |
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Counseling and the Church | Jan 28, 2014 Christian counseling is good and needed, but where is the church? Couldn't the church provide much of the support now left to professional counseling? Read more... |
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Almost Human | Dec 13, 2013 The new TV show 'Almost Human' discusses what it takes to be human, and how close an android can reach that point. But what does the Bible say about being human? Read more... |
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Hallmark Movies and Trusting God | Dec 13, 2013 The Bible tells us to trust God instead of being anxious. We forget that the little things cause anxiety, too. What Hallmark movies can remind us about peace in the Christmas season. Read more... |
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The Shelter of His Wings | Nov 25, 2013 We know that God longs to shelter us under His wings, but have we ever really thought about what that means? Read more... |
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Keeping the Faith | Oct 16, 2013 Salvation is through faith, not works. So why is it sometimes such hard work to keep the faith? Read more... |
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And the answer is... | Oct 11, 2013 Having all the answers isn't all it's cracked up to be, or at least not all I have previously cracked it up to be. The truth of the matter is there just isn't always black-and-white. In my opinion, accepting that reality opens us up to enjoy life more fully. Read more... |
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Neediness and Love | Oct 2, 2013 Neediness and love. We tend to think of these as a bad combination. But, sometimes neediness and love are a beautiful combination, an opportunity to practice deep, godly love. Read more... |
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Missing God | Aug 26, 2013 Being knowledgeable about God is good. It is good to engage with God on an intellectual level. But what do these pursuits mean if we don't actually know God? Read more... |
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Relationally Open | Aug 21, 2013 Relationships have been on my mind recently. Perhaps more specifically the way I relate with others and whether it pleases God... Read more... |
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Addicted to Sin | Aug 8, 2013 Christians and sin are like alcoholics: new and being made new; addicted but not enslaved. Read more... |
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Adoption | Aug 6, 2013 How is adopting a child similar to God adopting us? Read more... |
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Why do we have to live this life? Life as a bridal preparation. | Jul 30, 2013 Why do we have to live our lives? Why can't God just take us now? Is it possible that we're on earth for a reason? Read more... |
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It's not wrong; it's just different | Jul 29, 2013 In our quest for holiness, it's easy to think that our way is the right way. But sometimes people aren't wrong--they're just different. Read more... |
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Glasses, the Gym, and Heaven | Jul 12, 2013 Living life on a fallen world is a bit like going to the gym without your glasses—a lot of hard work and very little clarity. Read more... |
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Words with Friends | Jun 27, 2013 Hawk Nelson says, 'Words can build us up, words can break us down.' What effect do my words have on my friends? On myself? Read more... |
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Celebrating Life in the Midst of Illness | Jun 21, 2013 Counting years reminds us we're all one step closer to death. But when illness strikes, it's also a reminder that God has given one more year of life. Read more... |
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Walking with a Friend through the Valley of Depression | Jun 13, 2013 Most of us know someone who has suffered from depression. Knowing what to do about it is another matter. What do our depressed friends need? And how can we love and support them while still acknowledging their pain? Read more... |
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Practicing Empathy | Jun 5, 2013 How TV and movie characters can help us practice empathy so we can demonstrate it in real life. Read more... |
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Experiencing the Journey of Life | May 22, 2013 Life is a journey for a reason. Spiritual growth takes time. If we rush, we'll miss out on life, but we'll also miss becoming who God wants us to be. Read more... |
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Am I spiritually beautiful? | May 16, 2013 The recent Dove Campaign showed how women underestimate their own physical beauty. The spoof joked that men can overestimate how they look. Spiritually, which is closer to the truth? Read more... |
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For My Christian Brothers | Jan 28, 2013 The media has painted men as buffoons, perpetual frat boys incapable of seriousness, clueless lovers unable to truly understand a woman's needs. What does God say a woman wants and what a man should really be? Read more... |
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Balancing Grace and Truth | Dec 30, 2012 God's love of and grace is in perfect balance. His grace does not mean He is a weak pushover or that we are singularly amazing or endearing. God's love is true, tough, enduring, and full of justice and truth. He doesn't wash over the truth of our sin. He deals with realities, but He does so with grace. Read more... |
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Why should I believe? | Nov 14, 2012 We often spend so much time on the intellectual aspects of faith in God that we fail to realize that belief in God is beneficial to our hearts. God isn't just sitting in Heaven, passively hoping that we'll agree with Him. Faith is more than a "ticket to Heaven"—much more! Read more... |
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Uncensored Prayer | Oct 30, 2012 Prayer isn't a formula. It's not about saying the right thing or not saying the wrong thing. Prayer is about spending time with our Daddy. Tell Him about your day, ask questions, express the desires of your heart—completely uncensored. Prayer is not about performance; it's about relationship. Read more... |
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What went wrong in the world? | Oct 22, 2012 When a person can be pro-life when it comes to the murder of Jews during the holocaust, yet support the murder of babies in the womb behind the mask of being pro-choice, we have to ask, "What has gone wrong in our world?" Read more... |
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Be Still in the Chaos | Sep 18, 2012 Are you ever still? Are there moments in your life when you are truly at rest—physically, mentally, emotionally? God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. But do we take time to be still in Him? Read more... |
Image: Igen; Untitled; Creative Commons
