Janel Breitenstein

Learn more about Janel Breitenstein and check out Janel Breitenstein’s contributions to YMI over the years.

Posts

How to Be Childlike Before God

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The other night after small group, I experienced the cutest thing: The daughter of one of our members, who reminds me of a blonde, blue-eyed version of Boo from Monsters Inc. “Boo” was delightful, adorably undignified, openly affectionate. I’ve been thinking about how God wants—no, actually, requires that we somehow go to Him like her.
Instagram Like neon sign

What Would Godly Social Media Look Like?

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I have a love/hate relationship with social media. Love: I love connecting with friends around the world, and knowing what’s going on in their lives. Hate: Sometimes it feels about as fun as trying on bathing suits one size too small. I feel not enough.
Girl holding up phone to the sky looking for signal

I Don’t Feel Close to God. Is It Me?

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One time, my friend asked what had become our custom practice at the end of our calls: “What’s one intimate prayer request I can pray for?” It was probably telling that I didn’t know what to say.
A hand is holding a star light in a window

To Those Hoping for Hope in the New Year

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My son must have been two when it happened: We were in a store, me pregnant, him plopped on the cart while I quickly scanned the racks for what I needed. Since the store wasn’t busy, I decided to lift him out, just for a moment.  But in just that span of time, he was just. . . gone.
a woman is tiring and sit down after a Christmas party

What to Do When Family Holidays Don't Go the Way We Expect

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Manage my expectations, manage my life. Holding things a little more loosely, a little more lovingly, unquestionably makes for much happier holidays.   But just because we don't want to have expectations doesn't mean we don't actually have them.
Woman leader sitting on her desk working.

What Does God Think of Strong Women?

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Some of you are shocked, and maybe a little offended, that I would ask this question because your instinctive response is, Of course God values strong women.
A woman is complaining, while the man is slowly talking his thought slowly

What's the Difference Between Complaining & Being Honest?

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As the electricity snapped off sometime in the middle of the night, my husband and I groaned as the fan’s blades slowed to a stop, leaving a stuffy heat beneath our mosquito net. It was going to be hard to sleep well.
Man sitting with woman who is about to blow her birthday candles.

Does God Care About What I Want?

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I was trying to stomach a failure—yet another rejection in my writing career—and as I sat with my husband, I shared how God’s key message to me seemed to be this idea of making “no graven image” (Exodus 20:4). Meaning, I had to be careful to not remake God as “the God of my desires”.
Husband and wife is facing each other but probably with argument

Why I Need People Who Aren’t My Fans

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One of the things I (mostly) love and occasionally find annoying about my husband: He is a relentless truth-teller. At times he thinks I want to be reminded of scriptural principles (Which I do, I do! But not when I am sinning!).