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What Disney’s Soul Taught Me About Satisfaction

Planning to finally sit down with your family and watch Disney’s Soul over Spring Break? It’s an intriguing new movie from Pixar Studios where end-of-life and after-life themes get wrapped up in a psychedelic-techno dream-like animated package suitable for a child. At least it’s supposed to be since it’s animated and it comes from Disney. But it doesn’t take long to realize there’s going to be some heavy stuff in this movie, interplaying with (as Disney so genius-ly does) a silly mix of antics from our main character, Joe Gardner, whose psyche and circumstance are so relatable to just about any adult-trying-to-adult and any child who loves talking cats. Yes…umm, you’ll just have to watch.

 

But even though there are forthright references to end-of-life scenarios that some kids might not be ready for and spiritual undertones from an amalgamation of world religions and belief systems, I still found a way to see the truth of my Christian faith alive and well in the heart of the message that Joe’s life and journey convey. And as usual, it came up in conversation with my kiddos. (Psst! Read more

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In Times of Change

Leaves falling

“I’m Holding on Tight to You”

 

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

-Hebrews 13:8

 

Do you have a bear or stuffie that you sleep with every night? Chances are, that stuffie brings you a lot of comfort, doesn’t he? No matter what is going on in life, or whatever fear you may have, you know that your beloved stuffed turtle or unicorn or favorite fuzzy blanket is right there with you through all the hard things.

 

For my son, that special lovey is a little white, beanbag-stuffed bear. He used to be more fluffy, but Mr. Bear has been well-loved. Older than he once was, there’s a kind of cuteness in the way he slumps over, and we have to be Read more

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Doors Thrown Open

A Disney Frozen-themed devotional for kids

 

“…We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory…”

-Romans 5:1-2 (MSG)

 

Have you ever set your sights on something you wanted to accomplish, and circumstances outside your control prevented you from achieving your goal? People sometimes call that a closed door. On a more positive note, there is the familiar phrase, “When God closes a door, He opens a window.” Though it might sound like Read more

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Jesus Thaws My Frozen Heart

Plus, what is a frozen heart?

 

Did you know that physical temperature can be used to describe the way a person interacts with others? For example, have you ever heard someone describe another person as “cold?” Maybe you’ve even heard the phrase, “She gave me the cold shoulder.” It’s a common way to describe an individual who isn’t thinking about another person’s feelings. Oppositely, warmth is often used to describe someone who is using their heart in their thinking process, allowing them to consider others’ feelings, not just their own.

 

Stop and think: Have you ever Read more

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Why Buzz and Woody’s Story is Our Story

 

On the first day of school this year, my son came home saying a boy on the bus told him there were two things he needed to do to be cool: 1) own a pair of Vans (a brand of shoes that were, mind you, brag-worthy in my day and have made a recent comeback) and 2) play a certain well-known video game. That’s it. That was this kid’s recipe for cool. Only problem was, Keep Reading

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