Integrity - Living and working with honesty and alignment with your faith
Article Elizabeth Strauss Article Elizabeth Strauss

Integrity - Living and working with honesty and alignment with your faith

"You've got to dance like there's nobody watching, love like you'll never be hurt, sing like there's nobody listening, and live like it's heaven on earth".  The quote is attributed to the renowned author and speaker William Watson Purkey. But why start a blog that connects integrity in life, work, and faith with a quote, not from the Word of God?

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No fancy words needed to spread the good news!
Devotional Elizabeth Strauss Devotional Elizabeth Strauss

No fancy words needed to spread the good news!

I was devastated after I did my first professional analysis. The report showed many strong aspects, but when assessed on communication skills, it read: "We suggest that this person should not be in a management position overseeing people; in fact, even animals will run away.

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Walking by faith
Devotional Elizabeth Strauss Devotional Elizabeth Strauss

Walking by faith

In the Bible, we are called to walk by faith, not by sight. This truth hit me while reflecting on my time as an educator in a school for the blind. Watching students navigate their world with a cane or guide dog reminded me of 2 Corinthians 5:7, "For we walk by faith, not by sight."

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My Work. My Worship.
Devotional Elizabeth Strauss Devotional Elizabeth Strauss

My Work. My Worship.

Broken, needy, and alone with a two-year-old baby, I embarked on a new life journey. I got involved in a church that showed me how to worship. They taught me about setting time aside and letting the Word of God speak into my life through music, dance, art, and nature. I learned how confession, forgiveness, and acceptance can happen simultaneously when you fill yourself with the word of God.

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When we share, God uses our stories to grow the Kingdom
Devotional Elizabeth Strauss Devotional Elizabeth Strauss

When we share, God uses our stories to grow the Kingdom

In Matthew 28:20, we are mandated to go and make disciples of all the nations. How do we do this differently than those who went before us? We need to embody Christ in all our actions so that when people engage with us, they want the magic that lives within us. They need to be hungry for what sets us apart. We get to create moments to share stories that make us relatable. When people relate, they connect; that is where our opportunity lies in building the kingdom. 

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Change the way you think and Discover God's Will for Your life
Devotional Elizabeth Strauss Devotional Elizabeth Strauss

Change the way you think and Discover God's Will for Your life

Seeing life through the eyes of an artist is one of those beautiful things only God knew in His original design. Being a very practical mom, having a child who learns through pictures, patterns, and music was complex at the beginning of our homeschool journey.

But I had to change my thoughts about teaching her so she could understand.

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Excellence has the power to transform a Christian's life
Devotional Elizabeth Strauss Devotional Elizabeth Strauss

Excellence has the power to transform a Christian's life

Perfection is impossible to reach. You can do anything you can and will still find fault, but excellence is achievable! Excellence is when you know you did your absolute best and still take one step back, look at the work again, and fix what you can with the tools or ability you have in the time allocated. Then, you hand it back to God to use for His glory.

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Building Faith: A DIY Carpenter's Tale of Finding God's Guidance in Woodwork
Advent, Devotional Elizabeth Strauss Advent, Devotional Elizabeth Strauss

Building Faith: A DIY Carpenter's Tale of Finding God's Guidance in Woodwork

The story of Joseph, the carpenter, and his role in raising Jesus on earth, highlights God's divine plan in choosing the right person for the job. Joseph's lineage ensured that Jesus was a descendant of King David, and his mastery of carpentry skills provided a stable and loving home for the Son of God. Although Joseph's occupation is not explicitly mentioned in the story of the birth of Jesus, it is mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament that he was a carpenter.

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The miracle goes viral
Devotional, Advent Elizabeth Strauss Devotional, Advent Elizabeth Strauss

The miracle goes viral

Picture this: You are out in a field, minding your own business, when suddenly an angel appears out of nowhere! Your heart races as you try to understand what you are seeing. You cannot believe your eyes - nor your ears as the angel tells you that a king has been born! You quickly reach for your phone to record the moment, but you are too nervous, and your camera settings are not quite right for capturing an evening shot. Then, to your utter amazement, a whole host of angels appear before you, and you snap a picture just in time! You are beyond thrilled and convinced that what you just witnessed is real. Without hesitation, you send an instant message to everyone you know, eager to share this incredible experience with them!

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Traveling Through Time and Spirit: How Transportation Shapes Spiritual Journeys
Devotional, Advent Elizabeth Strauss Devotional, Advent Elizabeth Strauss

Traveling Through Time and Spirit: How Transportation Shapes Spiritual Journeys

The journey that Mary and Joseph took to Bethlehem was a long and arduous one. They had to travel approximately 90 miles within four days, maintaining an average pace of 2.5 miles per hour for roughly eight hours per day. Despite their challenges, they made it to their destination, where they welcomed the birth of Jesus. The shepherds who visited them would have travelled from the fields outside Bethlehem, which were likely not too far away. However, they, too, had to make a journey, and it is believed that they may have travelled a distance of several miles.

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A quest for knowledge leads to an abundant life!
Devotional, Advent Elizabeth Strauss Devotional, Advent Elizabeth Strauss

A quest for knowledge leads to an abundant life!

The magi or wise men of their time were the intellectuals and scientists of their society, with an insatiable curiosity to understand the world around them. They didn't just take what they saw at face value; instead, they diligently researched and inquired to comprehend the significance of what they were witnessing - the star. They believed that the star was not just a random astronomical occurrence but a celestial sign pointing towards something significant.

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