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3 Books that Point the Perfectionist to God’s Perfect Grace
For those of us looking for peace and freedom from perfectionistic tendencies, I recommend the following books.

Cheryl Balcom
2 days ago7 min read
14 views


That’s Not Your Father’s Voice: How to Silence Your Inner Critic
Whatever we call it, it’s not from God. Though it can be a pattern of thinking that becomes ingrained, it doesn't have to stay that way.

Cheryl Balcom
Apr 87 min read
104 views


If I Have Matching Dishes, But Have Not Love ...
"Should I just ... throw it away?"

Cheryl Balcom
Mar 183 min read
2,417 views


Justification: Deep Grace, Dazzling Joy
"Justification" may sound as legal as wrought iron, but it symbolizes a soft pillow on which we can rest—or a gentle yoke shared by Another.

Cheryl Balcom
Mar 47 min read
88 views


Full-Circle Prayers
That same God who heard your prayers for your children when they were small still hears them.

Cheryl Balcom
Feb 183 min read
1,542 views


I Don’t Know What I Expected, But This Wasn’t It: Confessing a Critical Spirit
Our fixation on self turns outward in an ugly manifestation of our inner workings, causing harsh appraisal of others. This is not of God.

Cheryl Balcom
Feb 46 min read
2,470 views


Transformation: What I Read in 2024
The past year's reading has proven once again how much I love a story of transformation, of growth, of learning.

Cheryl Balcom
Jan 218 min read
108 views


Gratitude: Your Arm is Not Too Short to Save
Your arm is not too short to save,
nor your ear too deaf to hear.
You hear the sinner's plea for help
and swiftly You draw near.

Cheryl Balcom
Jan 71 min read
673 views


Revelation at the Flea Market: A Short Story for Christmas
Lauren is so thankful she's not where she used to be. But while at a flea market, of all places, she is startled by a Christmas discovery.

Cheryl Balcom
Dec 24, 20247 min read
46 views


A Sacrifice of Praise: When It Hurts Too Much to Be Jolly
Your praise doesn't have to be exuberant, as if you still didn't have questions. God is still worthy of praise, even hard praise.

Cheryl Balcom
Dec 17, 20244 min read
30 views


The Weary World Rejoices
Like pink aluminum Christmas trees, contemporary Christmas songs seemed so far from celebrating the birth of our Savior!

Cheryl Balcom
Dec 10, 20244 min read
1,487 views


Haikus of Hope for the Searching Heart
God says from His throne:
'These words are faithful and true;
Now hear, and now live."

Cheryl Balcom
Dec 3, 20241 min read
43 views


Lesson from the Potter’s House: When Scripture Surprises You with a Bigger Story
This time, I read the “potter and clay” verses in Jeremiah in their full context, sensing that I was missing something.

Cheryl Balcom
Nov 26, 20246 min read
30 views


The Scandalous Forgiveness of Sinners
It is scandalous, unfair, abominable, unimaginable, that a sinner could just be free, that forgiveness could just be sprinkled like fairy du

Cheryl Balcom
Nov 19, 20243 min read
152 views


Stand Firm, Show Mercy: A Post-Election Word to the Church
In the days after the Presidential election, let’s turn off the news and focus on four powerful truths from Jude’s letter.

Cheryl Balcom
Nov 12, 20245 min read
40 views


The Road I Thought Was Meant For Me
My strength is draining,
my courage waning,
I find myself whining,
and calling for You.

Cheryl Balcom
Nov 5, 20242 min read
81 views


Comfort and Joy: How God Used the Loss of a Loved One to Save the Life of Another
From soil soaked by tears, God can cultivate healing, goodness, and beauty—even if our broken hearts can't see it right away.

Cheryl Balcom
Oct 29, 20245 min read
1,594 views


The Way
I travel a road between right and left,
red or blue, no or yes.

Cheryl Balcom
Oct 22, 20241 min read
42 views


People Over Perfection: 5 Tips to Help You When Tiny Distractions Take Over
There comes a time when preserving our relationship with others must trump our desire to have control.

Cheryl Balcom
Oct 15, 20245 min read
151 views


Laughing (at Yourself) is Grace
Learn from me and my self-righteous, disastrous lyric interpretations. We need to stop taking ourselves so seriously.

Cheryl Balcom
Oct 8, 20242 min read
965 views
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