Crystal McDowell

Articles by Crystal McDowell

Crystal McDowell and her husband of 22 years raise their five children in the Midwest. She writes, speaks, and teaches with a passion to encourage women with Biblical truths. As a freelance writer for over 12 years, Crystal has written numerous Christian curricula for Sunday School and VBS as well as many articles dealing with marriage, motherhood, and relationships. She gives weekly words of encouragement on her blog: Crystal McDowell Speaks

Crystal has written 132 articles on What Christians Want To Know! Read them in the archive below.

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What Does the Bible Say About Humor or Laughter?

Do you imagine that God has a sense of humor? Since we are made in the image of God and we are creatures of laughter—He must laugh out loud! Heaven will definitely be a place with pearly gates, streets of gold, and foundations made of the finest jewels. It must also be marked with joy […]

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What Does the Bible Say About Hope? A Christian Study

by Crystal McDowell

People can survive without much food, water, shelter, clothing, transportation, and even affection. But without hope—many of us would’ve been in the grave by now. Hope is the essence of the Christian faith. We hope to go to heaven one day, we hope that God hears and answers our prayers, and we hope that our […]

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10 Commandments of Giving Godly Advice

by Crystal McDowell

Do people seek your godly advice because of your spiritual insights, intellect, maturity, or position in the church? Maybe, but not one of these reasons matter in the eyes of God. The Lord seeks those who are willing to represent His love, grace, and mercy. Check yourself with the following 10 commandments of giving godly […]

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10 Ways to Honor Your Parents

by Crystal McDowell

Parents often get a bad rap. Blogs, memoirs, and made-for-TV movies reveal the ugly truths of family drama behind closed doors. As believers, we are the light of the world even in our own dysfunctional families. Our light brightly shines when we resist living in the negative past and pressing forward in our relationship with […]

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Mary Magdalene in the Bible: Character, Profile, and Lessons

by Crystal McDowell

Remember the childhood story of the Little Red Hen? No one wanted to help plant, harvest, ground, or bake the bread; yet everyone wanted to help her eat it! So it is with those precious servants of Jesus Christ. They’re the first ones at the church and the last ones to leave, they help care […]

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Joshua in the Bible: Character Profile, Story and Lessons

by Crystal McDowell

What does every successful leader have in common? The ability to focus on the task at hand and execute with thoughtful precision. A strong military leader in battle can’t have success if he or she allows the everyday cares of life to load them down. They must find their zone in which they block out […]

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Jacob in the Bible: Character Profile, Story, and Lessons

by Crystal McDowell

What was there to like about Jacob? He was an opportunist, co-conspirator, shifty, untrustworthy, negligent, and a father who picked favorites. Yet God said, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated” (Romans 9:13). God blessed him with many children, a productive lifestyle, and a long life. Jacob’s story reminds believers that God is in the […]

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12 Qualities of a Christian Mother

by Crystal McDowell

Question: what makes a Christian mother distinctive from other mothers? Answer: salt. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth” (Matt 5:13). A Christian mother isn’t necessarily better than other mothers; but rather she has special seasoning due to the presence of the Holy Spirit. The believing mother has a wealth of resources available […]

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He’s Not Done with Me Yet: A Personal Testimony

by Crystal McDowell

My earliest memory is being in the nursery at church. I went to Sunday school for my entire childhood and I owe my scriptural knowledge to every diligent Sunday school teacher. At six years old, I went down the aisle to ask Jesus into my heart as I was taught that Jesus was good and […]

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Coping with a Miscarriage: Biblical Words of Encouragement

by Crystal McDowell

A miscarriage is the emotional roller coaster of riding high on the expectancy of a new baby to the lowest depths of pain from loss. Miscarriages can come without warning or time to prepare your heart to cope. Well-meaning people try to comfort with words of advice and encouragement, but the brokenness remains. Even though […]

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