Happy Thanksgiving November 2020
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
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COVER PHOTO BY G A RY S H AV E R Created to express and reflect glory, Gary Shaver, an award-winning fineart and landscape photographer, has sought to do just that from his youth. He makes his home in Orlando, FL where he is an advocate for creative community, actively participating in the Orlando Camera Club. Gary is committed to training others in various settings, presently he’s an instructor at the Harmon School of Photography, teaching Photoshop, iPhone Photography, and Creative Photography. An avid traveler and explorer, Gary, desires to capture images in various settings and transform them into works of art that communicate the truth and beauty of God’s creation.
INSIDE COVER
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Fall is here, the cooler temperatures are being welcomed across the country. I would like to ask you all to pray for all of the firefighters and first responders working on the wildfires in the west. Pray for those people who have been evacuated and do not have a home to go back to and for those who have lost loved ones. We have several new writers in this month’s magazine. We welcome each of you and thank you for your contribution. To our contributing writers, we love you for your faithfulness in submitting articles monthly and for your prayerful support. We pray each month that Faith On Every Corner Magazine reaches more and more people around the world. We have been so blessed to meet people from other countries that we would never have been introduced to. God Is On The Move! Our magazine is dedicated to Him and we pray it gets into the hands of those who need it most. We are now read in over 70 countries and growing.
Karen
and C
raig R
uhl
Faith On Every Corner’s free monthly digital magazine is now read in over 70 countries. We love hearing from you! Please take the time to share our link. You can also download the magazine and read it at your leisure or email to a friend. Help us reach out to the world and share the good news of Christ Jesus. Sharing the good news around the world.
If you would like to talk to a Team Member with Faith On Every Corner, please drop an email to team@faithoneverycorner.com. We are praying for you and love each of our readers. Blessings. ~ Karen
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Mountain Streams... by Karen Ruhl
Craig and I had planned a trip to the ocean in late September but a hurricane changed our mind! We decided to visit Cherokee, NC instead. As we drove through the Great Smoky Mountains, we were next to a mountain stream for miles and miles. There were places to pull over and of course we did. The noise from the stream was calming - just what we needed on this visit. We took a long weekend away prior to Craig’s procedure. Craig had a procedure to check to see if he could have a stent placed in his Aortic Valve which has stenosis. If a stent couldn’t be placed, he was looking at open heart surgery. When we got the diagnosis from his Cardilogist, I asked Craig if I could call the church and see if we could arrange a laying on of hands prayer over Craig when we returned from our trip. Craig and I often pray out loud while we are driving, if we see something that we feel needs prayer, or if during our conversation, we feel the need to pray - we do just that. We lift our voices up to God and ask that if it be His will, the prayer will be answered.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV The day before Craig’s surgery, we went to church and our Pastors, a few of the Deacons, and myself put our hands on Craig and prayed. We prayed for healing; we prayed that Craig would not need to have open heart surgery. We prayed the will of God over Craig. I would not be honest with you if I told you I was not anxious when we got to the hospital. I had total faith, but when I was first sent to sit in the waiting room, I was anxious. I took my worries to God. I felt an immediate calm coming over me. And I knew that many hundreds of people were praying over us at that moment. When Craig’s procedure was finished, his Cardiologist couldn’t wait to share the news. Craig did not need to have open heart surgery - in fact - the aortic valve’s opening was better than expected. I threw my hands in the air (probably scaring a few in the recovery room) and I praised God - on the spot!
I sometimes think that people don’t know the power of prayer. The Bible is very clear about prayer. We should pray continually. Pray the will of God over your needs. Brothers and sisters, have faith, take your prayers to God and do not be afraid to ask for others to pray with you and for you. Blessings to you all. 4PAGE | M3 AG A Z I N E N A M E
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover photo by Gary Shaver, more on the inside cover. ROAD TRIPPIN’ CHEROKEE, NC PAGE 33-34
By Karen Ruhl
IN THIS ISSUE
F O L LO W U S
Mountain Streams ... by Karen Ruhl ... page 3 Submit To The Knowledge That I Love you ... by Amy Davidson ... page 5 The Storms Of Life .... by Cindy Oriol ... page 7 Before My Feet Hit The Floor ... by Melissa Henderson ... page 8 Praise On Thanksgiving ... by Andrea Marino ... page 9 Why Christians Should Write Testimonies ... by Allen Taylor ... page 11 I Think I Might Be A Cranberry ... by Gittel Fruma ... page 13 Thanksgiving Cake ... by Nicole Byrum ... page 15 Find Hope In The Psalms ... by Christine Controneo ... page 17 Winds ... by Karen Ruhl ... page 18 The Harvest ... by Pam McCormick ... page 19 The Struggle For Contenment ... by Tynea Lewis ... page 21 The Thankful Pumpkin ... by Scott Dunn ... page 23 His Gates .... by Lynn Downham ... page 25 Dear Carl ... by Anna Friend ... page 27 Washing Hands ... by Craig Ruhl ... page 29 When No Is The Best Answer To Prayer ... by Joseph Akinrinola ... page 31 Enduring The Process ... by Jessie Garcia ... page 35 My Thanksgiving ... by Krystle Nicole Martin ... page 41 How To Write A Hymn 101 ... by Jerry Davidson ... page 43 Thankfulness In All Circumstances ... by Yvonne Morgan ... page 45 Amazing Colors ... by Karen Ruhl ... page 46 How To Build A Prayer Closet ... Jo Scheidt ... page 47 Using God’s Word As A Guide To Gratitude by Chrissie Kenaston ... page 49 I See You ... by Aradhana Thakor ... page 51 Thanksgiving ... by Karen Ruhl ... page 52 Worth In Christ ... by Mike Buchanan ... page 53 Waiting For Success ... by Gina Sewell ... page 54 Seasons Change Even In Dark Times ... by Brenda McDaniel ... page 55
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Submit to The Knowledge That I love You By Amy Davidson
Amy Davidson is a blogger and writer at graceandrecovery.com. Her mission is to communicate the reality of life and grace in Christ to those trapped in their habits, addictions, and mental illnesses.
Submit to the knowledge that I love you. That’s what he said. It was raining outside, and my hubby and I were having our devotions by candlelight early this morning. As I began praying, a question arose in my mind and I looked up at Jerry. “How can I better submit to you?” Submission has been on my mind a lot lately, specifically because of what an enormous difference it has made in my marriage in the last week. I’ve only been married a little shy of two months, but in that time, I became so aware of the tone of voice I took on with my husband. Snippy. Frustrated. Impatient. Dismissive. I would let stress get the best of me and I wouldn’t know what to do with the overwhelming feelings. I had always been aware of how I could come across, but I didn’t believe there was anything I could do about it. Daily I prayed that God would help me be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” Daily I would beg God to help me have self-control over my reactions and responses. But then something would happen and I would raise my voice again or I would make a remark that I knew wasn’t right. It would slip out and I would internally kick myself yet again because of what a failure I felt like. No matter how much I prayed, nothing “worked.” As I was expressing this frustration to my husband one day last week, he asked me, “what are you daily submitting to Christ?” The question took me aback because I wasn’t “submitting” anything. It’s a whole 6PAGE | M5 AG A Z I N E N A M E 3
lot easier to ask for things, isn’t it? He challenged me to begin submitting struggles to Christ each day during my morning prayers. So I tried it. My favorite spot to pray is in the rocking chair on my front porch. I went outside the following day and prayed. “I submit to you my need to be right. I submit to you my pride. I submit to you my need to do things my way. I submit my thoughts and words to you. I submit my heart to you. I submit my day to you. May your will be done, not mine.” I began recognizing that it isn’t about restraining my tongue, but really about honoring God and my husband. I can’t “make myself have self-control” but when I submit to Christ, acknowledging how much I desperately need him, the power of Christ works in and through me. It has been a night and day difference from how I once spoke to my husband, to how I speak now. It started with submission to Christ, followed by submission to my husband, and ended with a fierce joy and gentle spirit that had been absent for quite a long time. If I begin over-stressing or getting an attitude, instead of my husband retaliating, he will ask me if I have spent time with Christ yet that day. I can assuredly say that submission to Christ has led to me having
more “control.” My strength is futile compared to the helping hand of the Almighty One. When I vocally and prayerfully submit those things to the Lord each morning, I am filled with a longing to go through the day as Christ would have me.
not the same, and if you are in an abusive or adulterous marriage, your situation is totally different. I will say, though, that despite what your marriage looks like, despite how your spouse treats you, we are all called to submit to the knowledge that God loves us.
So back to my question from this morning. As I asked my husband how I could better submit to him, he stopped his reading and took time with his answer.
Submission is a controversial topic, especially in the feminist culture that has emerged. “Empowered women empower women!” Well, if you’ve been following my story for any length of time, you know I have a dark past that I have been radically redeemed from. In that dark past, though, I used to hate the concept of submission. “I will never submit!” I rebelled against everyone I could, nearly every chance I could. I had to show people that I was my own person. That I was strong and powerful. The interesting part of all this is though, I feel far more empowered when I submit to Christ and my husband than in any other situation I’ve ever been in. I’ll take a wild guess and say that’s because living within God’s design for womanhood is far more fulfilling than living in a human-made design for womanhood.
“Submit to the knowledge that I love you.” Despite having a ring on my finger and our vows hanging on a canvas in our family room, I often revert to the old thinking that nothing will last and everyone will eventually leave me. I hadn’t realized that I acted out of that fear, instead of trusting in my husband to stay true to his word. Don’t we do that with God too? “Submit to the knowledge that I love you.” If I always relied on the truth of Scripture, I wouldn’t give in to self-pity or fear. If I submitted to the knowledge that God loves me, I would embrace daily the fact that God says I am fearfully and wonderfully made, chosen, and delighted in. I would embrace the fact that I am covered in the righteousness of God and that when I am weak, He is strong. Submission is more than just “doing what God (or my spouse) tells me to do,” Submission is also claiming Christ’s words as truth and allowing that truth to permeate all that I do. When my husband asked me this morning to better submit to the knowledge that he loved me, I gained an entirely new perspective on the beauty of submission. How much easier would it be to submit to my husband in the practical things, if I was moment by moment submitting to the truth of Jerry’s irrevocable vows? Submitting in this way requires utter vulnerability, though, the consequence of not submitting in this way is a thousand times more painful. As a disclaimer, I understand that all marriages are
A book I highly recommend is “Let Me Be A Woman” by Elizabeth Elliot. I read it throughout my courtship with my husband and through its pages, a longing sparked within me to better understand who I am as a woman of God, and as a wife. I’m excited to continually learn how to better submit to the knowledge that I am passionately loved by my father in Heaven and by my husband on earth. With this knowledge, fear seems a bit unnecessary. The growth will never stop, and I’ll never get it down perfectly, as much as I wish I could. Oh! But how relieving, knowing that I can exhale into the arms of a man who wants me to embrace and recognize his commitment to me more. If Jerry’s heart hadn’t been in the right place, imagine how he could have abused my question! I submit because deepest fulfillment and purpose comes from saying yes to Christ. I’m thankful to be married to a husband who believes the exact same thing.
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The Storms of Life By Cindy Oriol
water, swoosh! the waves knock you down again. This is when those emotions of being frightened begin all over again.
The Storms of life try to pull us under, but the Lord is always there to pick us up. These storms of life place us all in periods of indecision, loneliness, pain, and even a sense of defeat. The question that confronts us all is; how do we deal with them? Several years ago, I asked this question, “Oh Lord, what do I do now? How can I get out of these rough waves? They are coming way too fast; I can’t catch a breath.” I was being sucked into the treacherous waves of life’s storms and felt that they would never stop. My storms of suffering included being in a wheelchair for a year because of a life-changing injury that has left me with chronic pain throughout my body. I was diagnosed with two different cancers: pancreas and breast. I suffered minimal side effects from having had a stroke. I began having seizures and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. My body burns when I touch it from my hair to my feet. And because of the chemotherapy I endured, I have neuropathy in both my feet and hands. Recently, I was diagnosed with diabetes and I continue to have many colon issues. Have you ever been wading in the ocean, standing in water up to your waist with your back facing toward the ocean when, suddenly, swoosh! the rushing water pulls you under and you feel as if you are drowning? This gives you a sense of anxiety and you are frightened. You feel helpless, but then the waves return into the ocean and you find you are not afraid anymore. And then, before you drag yourself out of the 8PAGE | M7 AG A Z I N E N A M E 3
This is exactly how we are when it becomes time to trust in Jesus, completely trust in him for everything. The waves knock us down, and the ocean feels like it’s swallowing us. We feel there isn’t any hope and once again we feel frightened. This is when we need to trust in Him. The waves are knocking us down with the storms of life and we pray, “Oh Lord, please help me get out of this storm, I am drowning.” As soon as we give it over to Him, we feel safe as the waves return into the ocean. We trust that we will now be okay. Often, we think we had handed everything over to Him, only to find out we were taking it back again. We must continue to trust in the Lord and give it all to Him. I want my readers to know that we have a risen Savior who is waiting with his arms opened wide, beckoning for us to come inside. Do you feel hopeless and lost? Do you need consolation? Do you need a miracle? So, what are we to do when we experience these storms? The answer is to trust in Him completely. He already knows what we are going through, and He is patiently waiting for us to enter his outstretched arms. I challenge each one of us to lay all our burdens at the foot of the cross, keep them there, and watch what the Lord will do. Cindy’s latest book, Having Joy in the Midst of the Storm, which she and the Lord wrote together, will not only encourage and inspire you, but it will also show you how to face and deal with these storms while Jesus carries you through the raging waves. Cindy’s book is her living testimonial of the journey she is taking with the Lord. It will not only encourage and inspire you, but it will show you that during these trying times, we have hope and His name is Jesus, the one who suffered, bled, and died for us all.
Melissa Henderson is a writer of inspirational messages. Her first book for children, “Licky the Lizard”, was released in 2018. She also has a story in the compilations “Heaven Sightings” and “Remembering Christmas.” Her passions are helping in community and church. Melissa is an Elder, Deacon, and Stephen Minister. She and her husband, Alan, moved from Virginia to South Carolina to be near her son, daughter-in-law and first grandchild. The family motto is “It’s Always A Story With The Hendersons” Follow Melissa on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and at http://www.melissaghenderson.com
Before My Feet Hit the Floor ... I’m Thanking God By Melissa Henderson
When morning comes and daylight peeks through the window blinds, my body begins to wake. Stretching my arms and legs helps any arthritis pain subside. I begin a special way to start each day. Before my feet hit the floor... I thank God. My eyes may or may not be open yet, but my praises begin. No matter what happened yesterday, a new day has dawned, and the possibilities are endless. I don’t know if the day will bring happiness or sadness, joy, or worry. I am comforted knowing God loves me and His mercies are new every day. Joy is found in the simple things of life like giggles, butterflies, a found coupon for free pizza, listening to praise music and so much more. I thank God for His love, my family and friends, His forgiveness, and His glory, and more. Sometimes I list certain things, other times the prayers of thanksgiving are more general. God is listening. He knows my heart. My praises and thanksgiving continue throughout the day and night. From early morning dew on the grass to the laughter of children waiting at the bus stop, I give thanks. For the robins and cardinals singing in the pine trees, I give thanks. For grandson Rowan (3 years old) grabbing my hand and saying, “Come on Mimi, let’s play!”, I give thanks.
Many times, during the day, I speak out loud. No worries if someone hears me. Maybe they will begin praising God, too. After dressing and preparing for the day, I open the front door of the house and say, “Thank You, God, for this glorious day.” Whether the sun is shining, or the rain is pouring, I give thanks. Walking to the back door, I repeat the same thing. “Thank You, God, for this glorious day.”
Bad times will come. A scary medical diagnosis, an encounter with a grouchy checkout employee, an unexpected large bill saying “amount due now” or other bad things may happen. I may become worried or sad, yet during those times, I will give thanks that God is with me and He will bring comfort. Good times will come. A phone call from a dear old friend who lives far away brings laughter and precious memories. A morning shared with grandson Rowan as we play dinosaurs and make shadows in the hallways with flashlights makes me laugh so much that my sides hurt. A good hurt. During those times, I will give thanks that God has given me friends and family to love. I try to look for happiness in everyday moments. Too often, we rush around trying to get things done and cross off that pesky “to do” list. Another way to give thanks is to read the Bible and learn everything I can about His Word. “Why are you always so happy?” That’s a question I’ve heard often in my life. My answer is found in Him. I explain that by giving thanks to God every day, I am reminded of the love He has for all of us. What if we pause, take a few deep breaths, and give thanks to God? Can you take time to give Him thanks for all His blessings and love? Happy Thanksgiving! Melissa Henderson
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Thanksgiving and Praise By Andrea Marino
With a yearning to uncover the secret to life, Andrea embarked on a journey to discover truth. The study of Psychology proved inadequate, while the forces of darkness began to make their presence known. The Hobble, from Ai to Bethel encompasses Andrea’s personal victory over fear and bondage to the enemy. Passionate in sharing God’s Good News about Jesus, the author desires to encourage people to never lose hope. Because we all ‘hobble’ before God in need of Him. When not writing, Andrea loves spending time with her children and grandchildren, and enjoys cycling on the open roads with her husband, David.
I love to ride my bicycle. These times on the road have become what I call my Happy Place. Cycling helps me take care of my physical self with a bonus of ‘feel good’ endorphins pulsing through my body. But more importantly, this alone-time with God, listening to praise music, lifts my spiritual self. It is awesome to find a place to be above the everyday cares of life. Unfortunately, nearly everything going on in the world these days can trigger worry. Seems life on earth has turned upside down. Worrying only breeds fear, fear swallowing up our faith. God tells us not to worry, and 365 times in the Bible it is written, “Do not fear.” There is no avoiding fear. So, what is important to understand in God’s emphasis here is not to give in to fear, allowing it to dictate how we live. Thanksgiving and praise put us in a position to possess the promises of God, against all fear. The power of the Holy Spirit, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in the child of God! (Romans 8:11)
Since the beginning of time, the devil has been trying to take down the church, the very Body of Christ. Knowing his time is short, his spiritual attacks on Christians are brutal. God’s words to “pray without ceasing” have taken on greater meaning. Besides the personal assaults, I’m reading alarm on several Christian Facebook pages in a need to prepare for future seasons of famine and drought, where we will undergo electrical power outages for months. Many are stockpiling food and water while sharing various ways to survive. While it’s fine to be prepared and plan ahead, getting sucked into terror, operating in ‘panic mode’ is not okay, and certainly not what God would have us do. We remember His provisions of water from rocks and daily manna in the wilderness for the Israelites. We recall God’s care of the lowly sparrow. (Mathew 6:26) Hard times are times to draw close to the Lord, listening for guidance and direction from Him. Nothing escapes His will for our best. Nothing will prevail against the church of Jesus Christ. (Mathew 16:18) If God is for us, who could be against us? (Romans 8:31)
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I have experienced many spiritual battles, where I was gripped by fear. In hindsight, I know God was helping me see the victory He had already won. I share a particular time of great weariness in worry. God simply said to me, “Surely, you can be thankful for something.” I had to pause. And slowly, I considered the gift of eyesight that not all people have. From there came a myriad of things to be grateful for. Amazing was the transformation of spirit that took place in me that day. We enter God’s gates with thanksgiving in our hearts; we enter His courts with praise. (Psalm 100:4,5) Surely in His presence is fullness of joy. Our strength is in the joy of the Lord. When all the men of Israel saw Goliath come to take them over they retreated in terror. “Then David said, ‘The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.’” (1 Samuel17: 25,37) David was fully persuaded of who God is. His previous victories were cause for thankfulness to God. Though a shepherd boy, small in stature, David took on Goliath, slaying the Philistine giant of a man with a slingshot and stone. God is interested and invested in the focus of our thoughts. For as a man thinks, so shall he be. (Proverbs 23:7) “Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.” (Luke 10:19 NLT) “The Lord is my light and my salvationwhom should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of who should I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1 NIV)
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Please email me at rapture927@aol.com and visit my Facebook page, In The Way Everlasting.
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WHY CHRISTIANS SHOULD WRITE TESTIMONIES By Allen Taylor In the church tradition I grew up in, it was not uncommon for the lead pastor to set aside a time during service for lay persons to stand up and share a testimony. The testimony could have been about how God changed that person’s life as a result of the individual coming to faith in Christ. More often than not, it was simply about how God has worked in that individual’s life, usually recently, to bless them or convict them in some way. A testimony is really nothing more than a way to witness to the power and glory of Jesus Christ. In law, a testimony is a written or oral statement by a witness, usually under oath, that testifies to the facts of a case as known by that witness. It can be something the witness saw or heard that might shed light on events being judged by the jury, or it could be professional expertise to help a judge or jury better understand information, data, or facts shared in the case. Such testimonies are presented so that those judging a criminal or civil case in a court of law can have access to all pertinent information available in order to make a good and fair decision regarding guilt, innocence, or the weight of evidence in a case. By the same token, a Christian testimony presents one person’s story about how Jesus has made an impact on them in some way.
Some Examples of Famous Christian Testimonies While a testimony may be considered a type of memoir, which is a story about a particular time in a person’s life or concerning a particular event or incident, it is not, strictly speaking, a memoir. There is a stark difference between a memoir and a testimony that involves the subject of the story. In short, a memoir is about the person telling the story, whereas a testimony is about someone or something other than the person telling the story. However, both may be told from a similar point of view. In a certain sense, the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John could be considered testimonies. What they do is present the teachings and facts of Jesus’ life while on earth from the perspective of the respective authors. That makes them testimonies. As such, they do what all good Christian testimonies should do—point to the redemptive and saving power of Jesus Christ. Some famous testimonies of people who once walked in darkness before being called into God’s marvelous light include: • Singer Vanity, Boxer Manny Pacquaio, and Actor The Rock • Actor Stephen Baldwin • C.S. Lewis • Holocaust survivor Corrie Ten Boom • Abortion survivor Melissa Ohden
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There have been countless other Christians down through history who have told incredible stories of their conversions, miracles, healings, and the ways and means of God working in their lives. I believe Christian testimonies can make great stories and great ways to present the gospel message to our friends who don’t know Jesus. What a Christian Testimony is Designed to Do This guide to writing a Christian testimony primarily focuses on conversion testimonies, but it says one thing that I think is very true—a testimony is meant to be a “door opener,” not a “deal closer.” In other words, the idea is to present a story that gets the conversation started about Jesus. I believe there should be more written testimonies, but not all testimonies need to be in writing. If you’re not a writer and you feel more comfortable telling your story on YouTube, through your podcast, or in person, by all means, deliver your testimony as God lays it on your heart. However, if you can write, then I believe there is a huge opportunity in our culture today to present Christian testimonies through blogs, social media, and books so they can be shared and passed around by believers and unbelievers alike. Here are three reasons why I believe written testimonies can be powerful witnessing tools today: 1. There are generations of Americans who have not been confronted by the gospel of Jesus Christ and who could benefit from your story;
3. Testimonies in writing give people a chance to experience your story more than once because they can go back and re-read portions of your story that resonate with them and reflect on those parts of your story that speak to them. Not all testimonies have to be about conversion experiences. Many of them are, but a Christian testimony always points to the power and glory of Jesus Christ as King, Savior, and Lord of all creation. In each of those roles, he is more than a redeemer. He is also a healer, a miracle worker, a friend, a comforter, and more. Written Christian testimonies are designed to present the real Jesus in every role which he plays in a believer’s life, so if your testimony is about how God has healed you from emotional or psychological pain, how he helped you better understand your place in the world, or even how he has convicted you of some sin that you needed to repent of, I encourage you to tell your story. I also encourage you to share it in writing. It could bless someone today, and every day from now on.
Allen Taylor shares his testimony in “I Am Not the King.” As publisher at Crux Publications, he publishes book-lenth testimonies of Jesus Christ working in his people’s lives.
2. Written testimonies stick around longer than oral testimonies because they arrive in a concrete format that can be shared, passed around, and used again and again;
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I T H I N K I M I G H T B E A C R A N B E R R Y… by Gittel Fruma
Six years ago, on a crisp afternoon in Sacramento, a tired mother unearths a bag of cranberries in the bottom of the produce drawer and has a revelation destined to carry her through 2020... I recently realized my deepest thoughts and most treasured aspirations have been polluted by pride. While mulling this over and cooking a late pot of cranberry sauce, I had a revelation. I think I might be a cranberry.
“What’s that you say, crazy lady?” I know, I know. But really. Here’s how I reached this stunning conclusion… I impulsively bought this bag of cranberries and, having never cooked with them before, let them lounge in the fridge for a week. Now they were about to go bad. There’s no time like the present, so let’s make some sauce! I read the package for the cranberries, which included a simple recipe. I was instructed to let the berries simmer until they start to pop. I thought, “Ok, popping sounds fun.” Sure enough, no sooner did my overly ripe cranberries hit the simmering pot of freshly squeezed orange juice, wild honey, cardamom, and clove, they started a-burstin’. Then it hit me: “Sweet gracious, a cranberry I am.”
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Before I sat down to write this, I thought about what’s been rattling around my head the last few months. The one thing I kept coming back to was a recent interaction I had with someone close to me. It started off as passive aggression, led to a huge screaming match (thank God, they are a rare occasion in my life), then a quiet, humbling conversation. At the end of everything, I felt hurt, vulnerable, and exposed. There I was, in the simmering saucepan of life, under pressure and overheated, and I finally popped. I lost it. I felt myself unwittingly leaking all over the place—emotions, thoughts, half-finished sentences, tears, possibly snot—and I felt horribly bare. This conversation has haunted me for the last several weeks. I find myself thinking about it when I’m washing dishes. I have strange dreams about this person whom I dearly love. I keep thinking I want to pull away and protect myself. It’s not an easy thing to live among people. We are broken, hurtful, and self-centered. But God is love. Yeshua set very high standards for what a community should look like. It didn’t look like an apathetic “Hi, how are you?” on Sunday. It didn’t involve limp handshakes at Thursday night Bible study. It didn’t prescribe selfish self-preservation or entitled attitudes of injury. Messiah called us to Grace and Love. I am a cranberry. This person is my fellow cranberry. Together we live in a simmering pot. This could be the most idiotic metaphor for my life I have ever thought of, or it could be the beginning of a new understanding of my life in Christ. Now that I have popped, and this person has popped as well, here we are with our proverbial cranberry guts spilled out in glorious and sweet fellowship. We can’t separate ourselves anymore. We might as well give in to the fact that we are already one in Christ and we may as well be one in heart. Why wait for the next life? The Kingdom of Heaven is here.
I can’t put myself back together or separate myself from this person. I am not supposed to. No one ever did anything in the power of the Holy Spirit by “having it together.” Fakeit-till-you-make-it was not a mandate of God. It is, however, how the majority of us make it through our lives, especially regarding our relationships. I am good at being on my own. There was a time when I prided myself on my ability to need no one. Then I let someone in. And someone else. And someone else after that. The more I have opened my heart, the more there is inside. It’s a cliche that’s often repeated and rarely understood. You have to give love to get love and it won’t run out. I don’t love this person because they’re perfect. I don’t love them because they’re always right or always nice. I don’t even love them because they love me. I love this person because I can’t help but love them. And I pray the help never comes. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8 ESV)
Gittel Fruma came to believe in Jesus after growing up as an Orthodox Jew. Gittel lives with her husband and son in Clearwater, Florida. She is currently working on a book about her testimony and recording her first album. You can find her at her website GittelFruma. com or on Facebook at @GittelFrumaMusic.
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THANKSGIVING CAKE by Nicole Byrum I am a therapist and writer who is passionate about family, faith, and recovery. I am the author of Remade: Living Free, a book that explores topics related to substance abuse, recovery, and unhealthy relationships from a biblical perspective.
Thanksgiving will be here soon enough, and for me, that means one thing... strawberry cake! Oh, I can almost taste (and smell) it now! That wonderful strawberry flavor and most delicious icing have been a staple of this holiday for me for as long as I can remember. Having a birthday so close to Thanksgiving has made strawberry birthday cake a staple of our family holiday tradition. And while I look forward to eating that cake made so lovingly by my mom every year, I also look forward to making a cake as well. You see, I’ve had a lot of fantastic Thanksgivings full of pumpkin pie, turkey trots, birthday presents, and time with family: but nothing beats the Thanksgiving morning of November 27, 2008. Those quiet moments spent in the hospital bed with my 1-day-old daughter lying on my chest ranks as one of the best memories of my life... and for sure, my most favorite Thanksgiving Day. I love that I get to share a Thanksgiving-time birthday with my daughter. Not only do we get twice the cake, but it’s twice the reminder to be grateful for life itself. Some of my favorite words about life were spoken by Jesus in John 10:10 (KJV). Listen to these words from the author and perfector of our faith, the creator of life itself: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
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Life to the full. This is the life given to those who believe in the saving power of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Sadly, we all too often fall victim to believing the things of this world bring about an abundant life. Vacations, cars, careers, clothes, and relationships easily become our perceived means of living life to the full. And while these things are certainly blessings to be enjoyed, they are not what Jesus had in mind when he spoke the above words. In my book, Remade: Living Free, I devote an entire chapter to the meaning of “life to the fullest.” While I am not going to recount the chapter in its entirety here, I would like to share a brief summary excerpt: “Living in the light of God’s immense love for us, evidenced through the giving of His son, Jesus, as the sacrifice for our sins, knowing we have been rescued from eternal damnation into a life of eternity with our Savior, being raised with Christ into new life through the Holy Spirit, who continuously shapes us into the likeness of the One who died for us... that is an abundant life. And it is so much better than anything this world can offer.”
“Life to the fullest is living in the fullness of the presence of God. No more walking with our heads down, seeking the scraps of worldly living. May we instead walk with our heads high and our eyes focused on the One who gives us life in every sense imaginable.� May this Thanksgiving season be a time to remember and recount the infinite blessings received over the past year. But may it also be a time to reflect on the magnitude of living life to the full as a new creation in Christ. And by all means, may your time with family and friends be joyous and your pie or cake be sweet.
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. ~James 5:7-8 NKJV
Photos by Karen Ruhl
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FINDING HOPE IN THE PSALMS by Christine Cotroneo
“Why are you in despair, oh my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.” (Psalm 43:5) During this particular season of life, I have been finding a lot of comfort in the Psalms. As someone who struggles with recurring illness, it’s hard to accept the times when again I’m not feeling well. This year has brought me new health challenges, and in the midst of my valley, I decided to turn the Psalms into my prayers. They speak to the Lord just about every emotion one can experience when going through some distressing situation. Many of them begin with emotional laments, which leads to remembering God’s character and faithfulness and then ending with praising His name. As we take a closer look at this pattern of prayer - problem, remembrance, praise - I think we can be greatly encouraged. We have all experienced trials in this life, more than we would like to have experienced. They often cause fear and uncertainty, as well as doubt and discouragement, as the enemy uses the opportunity to move in with his lies. My most recent battle brought with it a level of anxiety I didn’t think I could know, and at first, was afraid to admit! But it caused me to cling all the more tightly to my Savior, and to reach out to others God had placed in my life to speak His truth, and to see me through to the other side. As children of God, it’s comforting to know that our trials, as painful as they may be, are not without purpose. Each new valley is an opportunity to go deeper in our relationship with God, and to allow Him to
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do His refining work (1 Peter 1:7). While it’s not always easy, we can walk through the storms by faith crying out to the one who is a very present help in our times of trouble (2 Corinthians 5:7, Psalm 46:1). He promises to be the strength in our weakness, and that our suffering produces in us perseverance, character, and hope (2 Corinthians 12:7, Romans 5:3-5). There is also comfort in knowing that nothing comes our way that has not first been filtered through God’s sovereign hands, as He causes all things to work together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). As I cried out to the Lord day after day for His help and healing, I struggled with placing too much focus on my circumstances. Initially, I hadn’t moved from my problem to a place of remembrance, as the Psalmists did. There is certainly no encouragement to be found in dwelling on all that is wrong, instead of all that is right and true. Even the Israelites were commanded throughout scripture to remember the Lord and the wonders and marvelous works He had done (Deuteronomy 6:12, 1 Chronicles 16:12, Psalm 105:5). When I looked back through my journals and read about God’s hand of comfort, provision, and deliverance in all of my previous battles, it gave me a renewed sense of hope that the same God who helped me then would once again see me through the fire. It’s amazing how when we look back, we see His hand at work speaking through His word and other people. (continued)
I don’t know why, but I’m always blown away when devotionals I read, or sermons I hear, speak right into my situation. These times of encouragement and refreshment for our souls are provided by Him for the very moment He knew we would need them. Every trial we endure results in a testimony we can share as to how the Lord got us through them. It not only encourages others, but also us, and it brings glory to God as we point to Him as our victory. Remembering His faithfulness inevitably leads to praise and thanksgiving! Our circumstances may not have changed, but our outlook and attitude do when our focus is on Him. The Psalmists knew that God would come through as He always had before. They put their faith in His trustworthiness, and we can too. As we focus on the Lord, our doubts turn into faith, fears turn into courage, and uncertainty turns into the unshakable assurance of His unchanging character. Maybe you’re going through a trial right now, whether it’s an illness, financial, job-related, or something else, and it’s bringing you down. I pray this encourages you to dive into the Psalms and to put your hope in God! During this season of thanksgiving that is upon us, remember His faithfulness in the past and believe He will be faithful again to carry you through. Because of Jesus, we can walk in victory above our circumstances as He walks with us through them. Even Peter could walk on water when he kept his focus on the Lord (Matthew 14:28-31). May we always look up to the Lord, knowing that is where our true help and hope comes from, and to always remember His faithfulness and praise His Holy name!
Christine lives in Upstate, NY with her husband, Ryan, and is a pet-mom to their rescued cats, dog, and ducks. She is the owner of Living Word Decor, an online shop where she creates hand-painted wooden signs with Bible verses. When she’s not painting, she loves to go for walks and to spend time in the word of God. www.LivingWordDecor. com
Winds
by Karen Ruhl As I sit and write this devotion, I am looking out my window at the winds we are getting from Hurricane Zeta. My heart goes out to all of those impacted in Louisiana. We are seeing flooding and many trees down here in North Carolina as well. I used to be frightened of storms. I hated lightning, wind, and heavy rain. When my son was younger (6-10) I would often go to his bedroom on the top floor and make him come down to sleep on the couch. I didn’t like thinking of him that far away from me if we needed to take cover. Why did I fear? Because I had not yet had the relationship, I have with God now. I did not know how to give my fears to Him. I was a single mom then and felt the weight on my shoulders alone. My life needed to change. I had the strongest sensation and went to my knees in prayer. I repented and talked to God in a way I had never done before. I cried out; I confessed my sins and asked for forgiveness. I asked for the storms in my life to stop. I felt a complete calm, almost like when the winds go from 55 MPH to a mild 5 MPH. The winds in my life were settling down and I could feel it - it was a tangible relief. Now, as I sit and watch the trees bend and think about how they are close to snapping, it reminds me of how far I was from where I should have been and wonder just how close I was to snapping in the wind. After this prayer, my life changed. Oh, I still made and continue to make mistakes, but I do not fear. God has given me His promise that He is always with me through the storms in my life.
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NKJV
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The Harvest
by Pam McCormick
Pumpkins, fall leaves, warm apple cider with a cinnamon stick, walking on leaf-covered trails, and hearing them crunch under my feet. Seeing an array of colors, of reds, yellows, and blues. Blue, you say. There are no blue leaves in the fall. I know, but I like to imagine there is. I love to think about beautiful things. One of my favorite songs is “My Favorite Things” by Rodgers and Hammerstein.” This is just one verse. “Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens, brown paper packages tied up with string, these are a few of my favorite things. When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things and then I don’t feel so bad.” Getting excited when a cache of fireflies shows up, and I’m totally amazed at how they brighten the surrounding night when we’re camping. Making my very first pumpkin pie from scratch and hearing the judge say, “You did well.” Lighting candles in my house and smelling their aroma permeating the room. Putting my Christmas tree up in October, because I love to see the twinkling white lights and hoping my kitty doesn’t want to climb it. Walking down a sidewalk and my husband gives me a big sideways hug.
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Sitting on our deck that’s falling apart, and enjoying our firepit, as we watch Christmas lights on our deck that stay there year-round; they twinkle and just make us feel wonderful. It doesn’t matter that the deck is falling apart. I’m with the man I love, and my focus is on him, and I must confess to the brilliance of the lights too. Remembering beautiful friends who have loved on me and made me feel like I am loved, and were there encouraging me all along the way. I am grateful. Remembering the gift of life God gave to me and thanking God for dying for me and including me in His family.
Seeing my children doing well in their chosen careers
Recalling God’s faithfulness to me and celebrating His Goodness, His mercies, His blessings that came, because God is good all the time. Taking a moment to remember all God has done is good. What I don’t remember, I forget. I am thankful God helps me out with remembering. My husband buying a bacon press, because he knows I love bacon.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable... If anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
Falling down the side of a mountain and not falling into the deep ravine below. Having my granddaughters visit and oh, how they make me laugh.
How many other blessings are there? I’m counting my blessings, God. Thank you. “Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things He does for me.” (Psalms 103.2 NLT) “How abundant are the good things that You have stored up for those who fear you, that You bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in You.” (Psalms 31:19)
When I let go of who I thought I was and embraced whom God says I am in Christ, I rose. I am me. God brings beauty from ashes. I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony. I don’t know where God will lead me next, but I trust in Him. It’s enough that He knows. I’m so grateful for where He has me today. God loved me and got me here. I never saw it coming, but God saw it. “His favor surrounds me.” (Psalms 5:12)
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The Struggle For Contentment by Tynea Lewis
A friend of mine from college and her husband recently bought an amazing piece of property for their family. I was happy for her, but instantly, I could feel a pang of jealousy shoot through me. I wanted that to be news I could share, but it’s not, and I could feel discontentment swirl around my mind. Have you ever longed for something someone else has? I have. Have you ever thought your life would be better if you could just have this or that? I have. When I fixate on what other people have instead of looking to all the amazing ways God has blessed me, I start to have a grumbling heart and somehow feel like he doesn’t care about me. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26 NIV) When I get stuck comparing what I have to what others have, I’m always going to lose focus. There will always be people who have more than me and people who have less than me.
When I focus on people who have less than me, I can easily feel all too good about myself. I become conceited and begin to think I’m somehow better than them. Both views are unhealthy. Both views lead to division. Both views sadden the heart of God. It’s easier to grumble about what we want than be thankful for what we have, but we are called to have a thankful heart. “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:20 NIV) “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV) I don’t know about you, but that’s a wake-up call for me. It doesn’t matter if we have what we WANT. We are to give thanks in ALL circumstances, not just when we get exactly what we desire. We need to shift the way we think and adjust where we put our focus.
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“Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;” (Romans 8:5-6 NIV) Where are your thoughts? Are they focused on the things of the flesh or the things of the Spirit? I know I need to readjust the way I think. Focusing on the things of the Spirit leads to peace, and that’s exactly what I need. Lord, thank you for all the blessings you have poured out on me. It’s so easy for me to lose focus on how you care for me. It’s so easy for me to look at the lives of the people around me and want what they have. Help me to keep my mind focused on you and praise you for all you have done. I have been richly blessed. Help me keep my eyes on heavenly things instead of the earthly things that pass away. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him. ~Matthew 4:19-20
Tynea Lewis is a teacher turned work-fromhome mom. She and her husband live in Pennsylvania with their two children, and they love spending time together at their family cabin. Tynea remembers loving to write as early as first grade. She has a heart for encouraging others in the midst of their messes. You can connect with her at her personal blog (www.tynea-lewis.com), on Instagram (@TyneaLewis), or Facebook (@TyneaLewisWriter).
Photos by Karen Ruhl
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The Thankful Pumpkin by Scott Dunn
Thankful My family and I decided to try something new this year. It is something we have seen in the past and mentioned the activity to one another. However, like many spur-of-the-moment ideas, it always fell to the wayside. This idea is a pumpkin that you write what you are thankful for on with a sharpie. I’ll tell you why I love this idea, it’s because it makes me focus on God and the grace we are given. It makes me think of Colossians 3:15 (NIV), “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” I would venture to say that 2020 has left us all desiring that. The Peace of Christ.
This is a small but very meaningful and intimate way to express a form of thanksgiving to God. Intentionally taking time to pray and then write out what you are thankful for on the pumpkin is a joy. Not only does this allow us to focus on being thankful to God, but it also allows us time to reflect on how we can be generous to others.
So, this year when my wife mentioned or showed me the ‘Thankful Pumpkin’, I was intentional about it and the very next day I went and got a pumpkin and a few sharpie markers. As soon as she showed it to me it was like being smacked by a truck. I clearly needed to do this for me and my family. There are very few times in my life where I can genuinely claim to be pulled toward something. I am going to credit that to me being more in-tune to God speaking to me now than I ever have in my life. Typically, I would view things like this with stoicism. Now I see it as an opportunity.
This is such a simple activity and to think we could have been doing this all along encourages me to find other ways I can emulate this for all seasons. It allows us to build a habit of being thankful to God and showing others we are generous because God is so good to us. It is important to establish those habits of thanksgiving too. We are fallible and run the risk of falling into old ways where we take His grace for granted. Do not say you will not; Israel did it for centuries, and God took them back every time. He will do the same with you too because He is just so amazingly good to us.
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Doing this small but important activity is the essence of what 2nd Corinthians 9:11 (NIV) is about “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”
Some ideas for that are a thankful snowman, maybe. There are round body parts on one that allow you to do the same during winter. For the spring, maybe a tree where each leaf is one thankful item. For the summer, why not just use the sun? Sure, these things might sound cheesy, but it is about something bigger. The activity is a way for us to get to those bigger ticket items, and it is a great way to teach our kids. Since the activity requires thought and a function, children are more likely to engage in doing this activity compared to other activities. It becomes a wholesome nightly family activity. You just can’t argue with time well spent with those you love. There is no right way to do this. Everyone’s pumpkin will be different. We bought a small white pumpkin; I drew a cross on one location, and we have begun writing out what we are thankful for. I chose a small pumpkin, mostly because I want us to see it as a success. If I had gone with a ginormous pumpkin upfront, this activity would probably have gone from joy to loathing. If we fill this pumpkin up and there is more to be thankful for (there is) then next year, let’s go bigger. Showing God thanksgiving is just a wonderful activity that is intended to be done daily. Every day is another chance to share the gospel with your neighbor who may be struggling, and you are unaware. Thank God for that, for your neighbor you baked a pie for. For the senior you cleaned the gutters for. Thank him for the ability to donate to a cause that pulls at your heart. Thank him for the opportunity, countless opportunities, to show the world who He is and what it means to be a child of the King.
Scott Dunn is a Christian husband and father who has spent over 15 years in the telecommunications industry. He is the founder of Talking with God (https://twgpodcast.com), a podcast that seeks to educate and encourage a closer relationship with God. Scott is a northerner who migrated south and has fully acclimated to the wonderful area known as the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. He serves at his local church by helping with the production and online streaming of services. He has a genuine passion for the Christian man and his responsibilities, often writing about them on his blog https://justholdfast.com. Here he shares open and real-life experiences so that other men can relate to the human condition and how that relates to a stronger love relationship with God.
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I think I have already convinced myself in writing this that our pumpkin is too small. Our hearts have no limits, only ones we put on it out of fear. I need to thank God for that today. For an unchained heart.
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Lynn Story Downham is a fourth generation artist who returned to North Carolina in 2014 after twenty-six years on the Florida panhandle. Her seventh family tree commission was for a “family tree for Jesus.” Twenty years later she is a born-again believer with a best-selling print, a beautiful family and a passion for sharing Christ through her art. Find out more on Facebook by looking up “Lynn Story Downham’s Art” or “Lynn Downham Jesus Tree.”
H I S G AT E S By Lynn Downham “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving...” Ah, and here we have the key, the door, the answer to what ails us. My young daughter knows that God cannot and likely will not bless you until you are grateful for what you already have. One of our favorite ways to remember this is by listing three to five “thankfuls” each at the family dinner table every night. Thankfulness throughout the day, another way to remember, as the apostle Paul so wisely tells us, “pray without ceasing”, so then, be thankful without ceasing. Another favorite way is praise. I was born to praise! My daughter and I both love to put favorite praise CDs on and sing our hearts out to Him. No rocks are going to do our praising for us! Luke 19:40 (KJV) states, “And he answered and said unto to them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” I know you’ve all heard the oft-repeated phrase, “have an attitude of gratitude”. It reminds me of a story told by a sweet minister friend of ours who was visiting Haiti some years ago. As she passed by a run-down grass shack, the home of some of Haiti’s poorest, she noticed a little wooden sign hanging by the door that read simply, “Jesus is Enough”. In their poverty, they knew the secret. Our blessings so often get in the way of us remembering where those blessings come from. One of our most common reminders around this house and also used to witness to others is 26 | M AG A Z I N E N A M E PAGE 3 25
the fact that all our blessings come from above, although I did have to ask our pastor where it was in the Bible. So then, now looking at it, it reads, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17 KJV) And are we not just that, variable I mean, for as soon as we forget our Creator, even for a moment, turn away from Him and forget where the blessings come from, we are sunk, at least until we remember from where they come. I am thankful. I am thankful for being thankful. Lord, let me never forget from where my blessings come. I am thankful for many, many things at this writing. I am thankful for a fellow writer who, although she thought she could not help me very much with a certain project, has helped me more than she knows. I am thankful for strength, mine, and my family’s to do what the Lord has for us to do every day. I am so thankful for people, people I know, people I don’t know, the fellowship of saints, people God will place in my path. Most, most, most of all, I am grateful that I know Him, God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost and that I have His Word and know His voice.
Return to Him and remember where we came from and praise His holy name. The picture this month is from the Mouses’ book, and I think the ladybugs got it right. “Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.” ~ Psalm 100 (KJV) Click on the image below to purchase The Mouses book.
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Carl’s mom writes him letters occasionally. Carl is her only child. Carl’s father died when he was in college. Living in the Arizona, Carl calls his Mom in the Carolinas as often as he can on Sundays. Carl’s mom is in her 80s. She lives in a contemporary world with old fashioned values.
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DEAR CARL
Anna Friend
Dear Carl, I am sitting here in the “morgue” - my cottage feels like one without the sounds of our Thanksgiving holidays together. I could not love you more than at this moment thinking of your generous gift to me. My family together for Thanksgiving was surreal. To relish the time with the boys and my great-grandchildren completes my bucket list. I hope to do that face-to-face thing with the grands on my phone. Notice I am not saying my “smartphone.” Little 6-foot Marcus told me, “Nan, just call it a phone. All phones are smart now.” He got tickled when I said, “Smartphones, but not a smart Nana.” Your first grand Felice stole my heart when she delicately asked for a piece of my costume jewelry when we were peering into my velvet-lined treasure box. I plan to leave her something a little more valuable in the future. The saddest thing has caused me to pause my day and write to you. I found a sock tucked in the sofa, evidence that young adults, big adults, and my son and wife were piled on my sofa and floor, relaxed enough to ditch the socks and be themselves. Shirley has called in Hospice. The Monday you left, she called for them. She saw that I was loved and going to be taken care of. This silly woman who loved life and challenged me to live younger apparently has cared more than I appreciated. She thinks of me as an old aunt; I suppose. In shame, I admit that I am jealous that soon she will be in heaven. She gets to meet Jesus. A good life and health don’t mean happiness when you are tired. I must be grateful. The body is a hindrance to a good mind. Shirley is living this out. Please tell Donna thank you for allowing Shirley to give her a facial with her pink and black cosmetic tubes and wares. Shirley made it worth Donna’s time with all the cosmetic giveaways. Donna apparently enjoyed her fresh look. My hand-mirror got good use, not to mention her phone pictures. I chastised her for calling herself “selfish”, but she corrected me. She was straightforward and enlightened me with “I am making SELFIES.” Son, you are overseeing a great family. Our family legacy of respect, hard work, and kindness is fully engaged with your children and their children. Your dad would be proud of you. It was necessary to complete my disposal of his things into your care and for distribution as you see fit. It was a blessing to see the love in you for him as I pressed the tissue on your stubbled cheek. Thankful is a common word people use, Carl. When I announce that I am thankful, I am audibly worshipping our Lord God. Gratitude to the one who is the creator, provider, and protector of myself and all whom I love. Prayers answered. Remember to be thankful every day for “breath” when you wake up. He ordained that you should live because you have a purpose. In the shower, thank Him for clean, hot water. Take nothing for granted, son. Preacher Larry appreciated your donation to the church for my little quarantine helper, Sarah. He assured me you are on the right road, the road to eternity. It is narrow, son. It’s good though because if you are cautiously walking it, you won’t get distracted for fear of falling off it. Thank you for spending time with my preacher. Dad’s Bible is yours now. He may not have read it much in front of me, but it was markedly used. Call me soon. Keep your eyes on Jesus. You are Loved, Son. Mom Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. (Psalm 103:2 NLT)
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WA S H YO U R H A N D S by Craig Ruhl
flows from our Heavenly Father. An important aspect of our prayer life is the confession of our sins. Sin separates us from God, but the confession of our sins heals that disconnection and brings us closer to Him.
I believe one of the most often heard commands during my childhood was, “Wash your hands!” My mom was a stickler for neatness and cleanliness, often telling us kids to wash our hands and face before meals, when we came in from playing outside, and before bedtime. She would even remind my dad to do the same, perhaps with less urgency and forcefulness. We did not sit down at the dining table until we had done as instructed and passed a thorough inspection. Of course, being kids, we weren’t as obsessed with the concept of clean hands and face before placing food in our mouths, so we needed the supervision. I remember many meals with the family as a child and as an adult where my mother would remind us to wash up before dinner and then give us the “mom” eye as we sat down at the table. Mom continued her healthy instruction and inspection right up to when she went home to be with Jesus. Today, I recognize there should be similarities between mom’s cleanliness standards and our everyday prayer life. Our family prays before meals, not just to give thanks for the food we have received, but also to acknowledge that all we receive is through God’s grace. Doing this is an act of intentional surrender to God’s will and acknowledgment that every blessing
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Even though we all have sinned, and we will continue to do so, God sees our hearts, hears our confession, and forgives our sins. A key element of our salvation is the confession, our coming clean in front of God. Think of it as washing our hearts before we sit down with God in prayer. Cleanliness is not just a physical health issue; it is essential for good spiritual health. Ask the Lord to examine your heart to find any areas which you need to confess and repent of. Acknowledge that you need a spiritual cleansing. Confession and repentance of our sins before God allows Him to wash us clean through His grace and mercy. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10 NKJV) Before we come to the Thanksgiving table, let’s go before the Father, confess our sins, forgive those who sin against us, and ask for the cleansing that can only come from our Lord Jesus Christ who instructed us how we are to pray:
“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:9-13 NKJV)
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Phone: 828-305-8571 Email: Team@faithoneverycorner.com
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When No Is The Best Answer To Our Prayers By Joseph Akinrinola What is the beauty of prayers if not a resounding yes? As expected, you are not likely to go through the exercise of prayers if you think your prayers will be thrown back to you. I am aware of the scriptures that say hope deferred makes the heart weary. Nevertheless, would you rather prefer God not answering you at all to giving you his permissive will that makes your life bitter? It is not out of place to be dissatisfied when God rejects our prayer for whatever reason. To be sincere, I don’t like hearing that, but in my little walk with God, I have come to realize my feeling never changes God or his decision. However, if I insisted on having my way, he would not object to that. More often than not, I have found out God is right after all for delaying or not answering some prayers. A few years ago, during the Sunday school class, a student defined prayer as presenting a request to God and receiving an answer. Immediately another person objected to that, saying God sometimes says no to the request. I responded that “no” is also an answer. Although we do not like to hear that answer, yet God sometimes will say no. My view in this article may not be a popular one, yet reading through can be the difference between your selfish prayers and faith in God to give an answer that best suits you.
First, you must understand it is God’s prerogative to answer some prayers, but decline others. Second, answers to prayers are not about your convenience or blessing, but about God’s glory. Third, we are clueless about the details of what we are praying about. That we are naïve about the future is the reason we fret when we do not get God’s nod to our prayers. Whenever God gives a no to our prayers, then it must be the best for the future and now. Why is no a better answer to our prayers? It is because he knows when our request will be our undoing. Granting us our desire, which is at variance with his words or purpose, will be his permissive will. In addition, when that happens, you can be sure the danger is in the offing. I will cite two examples to drive home my points that no could be the best answer to our prayers. God sent the prophet Isaiah to King Hezekiah with the message that he would die. As you know, this a direct and personal message to him by a renowned prophet. However, Hezekiah thought God could not be right with his judgment. The king reasoned he had done great things for God and his people, not to be compensated with death. In addition, he had a great plan for his nation, and dying now will be counterproductive. It appears Hezekiah knows the future more than God.
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Well, he prayed, and God reversed his no to yes. Eventually, he gave Hezekiah an additional fifteen years to fulfill his desire for his nation. Now, let us see why God’s no to our prayers is sometimes better than his yes that is not his will. According to some commentaries (Ellicott’s, Benson, Jamieson, Gill’s, and Pulpit) Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah was born within the fifteen years God added to his life in answer to his prayer. This son eventually became a terrible King in Judah. He ended up destroying the good work his father, Hezekiah, was requesting more years from God to execute. In 2 Kings 20:12-19, King Hezekiah showed the goods of his house and the temple to an enemy. God, through prophet Isaiah, said all the treasures would be taken to Babylon, later including his children. These are treasures he and his father had labored to acquire. Do you think the additional years that he got made any sense? There is a saying in my culture that it is better to die young and be celebrated than to die at an old age without a befitting burial.
A few months later, my friend complained about no sales in that shop. On investigation, someone told us there is a diabolical power planted by the owner of the shop. Each tenant that came in would use it for a few months and then pack out because of a lack of sales. The owner would then rent out the shop to a new tenant. Now you can see why God did not allow me to get the shop in the first instance. Therefore, next time you receive a no from God to your prayers, pause to listen with your inner mind to know if he has a better plan. If you can raise your level of faith, you will acknowledge He has your best at heart.
I am Joseph, an author, blogger, and content writer from Nigeria. In the field of writing, I deliver unique, grammatically correct, and plagiarism-free content. Currently, I work with three online firms specializing in motivation, human capacity development, lifestyle, relationship, and spiritual writings.
If you have a choice like Hezekiah, will you still prefer God’s yes to his no that is not his will for you? Perhaps it will suffice to share my experience to show how God’s no makes sense sometimes. Some years back, I sought to rent a shop with prayer and fasting. My praying group even joined me in prayers. However, I lost it to a friend who lived far away from that location. After about two months, my friend decided to share the shop with another person. But he was not willing to consider me because I did not have enough money to cover the bill at that time. Logically, I was supposed to tell him to use the money he owed me to cover the bill, but I chose not to follow that path. As a result, I lost the opportunity for the second time.
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Road Trippin’ in Cherokee, North Carolina by Karen Ruhl
I have a confession! I have not been able to shoot with my big camera for quite some time because of pain in my right hand. But I took “Mark” on this vacation and was excited to have him with me again.
I was pretty happy with the photos and very anxious to get home and see them on the big screen because I was certain that I had some magnificent photos of this big bull Elk! Well, my confession is that I was so excited watching the Elk that some of my shots were not as clear as I would have liked. It isn’t so bad though, I went fishing with my camera - caught some mighty fine fish too! We visited an art gallery - they were all masked up so it as safe. We had a wonderful time...we look forward to going back very soon. The best part - it’s only 2 hours from home! Enjoy.
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Enduring The Process by Jessie Garcia With over 20 years of ministerial service, I am a dedicated servant of God. My passion is to live and work for God and bring others into an intimate relationship with God. I understand that this life comes with many challenges and many have stumbled along the way. I am committed to helping those get back up and continue their journey towards a successful walk with God. God’s Kingdom will advance with strong men and women building strong families.
King Solomon stated, “Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” (Prov. 9:17 KJV). It almost sounds tempting when you think about it. When you break this statement down and analyze it, it can become quite confusing. If stolen waters are sweet, does that meant water that was bought is not sweet? Is eating bread in public not pleasant? I have heard countless times people making the statement, “It is not going to last because they didn’t work for it” meaning, if someone was given a gift, they will not treasure it as much as if they had worked for it. It sounds reasonable. Many of us can say that we have seen this with our children as they were growing up. We would buy our young children toys and clothing, but many times the toys were lost, and the clothes were ruined. Often, we as parents question ourselves for buying those things in the first place. How many occasions does a child throw a tantrum at the store because he wanted a toy? Trying not to cause a scene, the parent buys the toy. The child plays with the toy for a short period and within the next day or two, the toy is added to the collection of unused toys. As we read about the patriarchs of the Bible, these men have always stood out: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. There are 13 chapters dedicated to Abraham, 4 chapters dedicated to Isaac, 9 chapters to Jacob, and 13 chapters to chapters to Joseph. Why didn’t Isaac’s story 36 | M AG A Z I N E N A M E PAGE 3 35
appear as often or in as much depth as the rest of the patriarchs? Was Isaac not interesting? Did he not have much to contribute? As you study the lives of the patriarchs, you notice that Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph all had a direct encounter with God and saw how God became a powerful figure in their lives through the trials and hardships they endured. Isaac’s story was not the same. He encountered God’s power at a young age. He witnessed firsthand God’s love and grace upon his life as his father was going to offer him as a sacrifice to God. God had stopped Abraham and provided the right sacrifice at the precise moment showing Isaac just how alive God’s presence was in his life. Though Isaac witnessed God’s power throughout his lifetime, nothing surpassed the encounter he had with God during the sacrifice. Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph had to find their faith in God as they had left their home. Abraham was asked to leave his home, Jacob fled, and Joseph was sold and taken away. They encountered hardships: Sarai was taken by Pharaoh, Jacob was forced to work for 14 years, and Joseph was thrown into prison. Isaac had a brief moment when Rebecca was taken from him, but God quickly intervened. Was King Solomon writing just about the difference between wisdom and foolishness? Was he showing us the difference between being grateful and ungrateful? Or was God trying to speak to us about the values of working hard?
One thing I have learned over the years is those things that were given to me, although I treasured them, never brought the same satisfaction as those things I worked hard for. We read that sin is bad, therefore, we should not partake in sinful acts. Yet, it seems a contradiction that eating stolen waters is sweet and bread eaten in secret is almost encouraging to do. So, we must understand where God is trying to take us. God will never encourage us to sin or to do hurtful things. God, through the wisdom of King Solomon, is making it known to us that though stolen bread and water may be sweet and pleasant, it will never be fulfilling. That sweetness may continue to bring out the cravings to continue to steal or to do those things that are harmful to us or others. I am often reminded by the pain and the aches my body feels when I come home after a long, hard day’s work. The only thing on my mind is taking a shower, eating, and going to sleep. The food that is eaten after a long day of work is just as sweet and pleasant with the difference being, it is fulfilling and enough to give me what I need. I have no further need to continue eating; I am satisfied. As we come together on this Thanksgiving, not only should we be reminded of all the things we are grateful for, but also for the things that we have endured throughout the year. This year has been challenging for many of us. As we come together, we should take a moment and reflect on the words of the prophet Samuel: “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” (1 Sam. 7:12 NIV) Let us not focus on what is in front of us, but also on those things we have overcome and have now left in the past. Let us not only satisfy the present but let us be filled with the joy that we overcame our pain and hardships with the Lord’s help. Let us be filled knowing that the Lord will not put more on us than what we can bear. The Lord will always give us what we need and enough to satisfy the soul. There is no need to cheat the process. A little faith and a lot of patience will always be enough.
In Love With Marriage by Jessie Garcia is available at Amazon.com Click the book cover to go directly to this book.
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Faith On Every Corner Bookshelf Our bookshelf is growing each month. We have exciting news coming for January - be sure to stay tuned!
A Gift To Remember Written by Meredeth Tullous Reviewed By Karen and Craig Ruhl This is not only beautifully written, the illustrations are wonderful. I love that while Santa and Mrs. Claus are enjoying an evening by the fire, Mrs. Claus asks Santa what he would give to each child if he could give just one gift. A great book for Christmas, and you must read to find out how Santa answered.
God’s Blessings of Fall By Jean Matthew Hall Reviewed by Karen and Craig Ruhl The photos are so beautiful, you may be tempted to frame them! Have you ever wondered what the animals do in the Fall? They stay very busy as the prepare for the winter. This book will come alive as your child reads about God’s blessings. A great gift for children on your Christmas list.
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39 Stripes, What did they buy? By DW Grant Reviewed by Karen and Craig Ruhl Craig: Most Christians and even many who have not received Christ as their Savior are familiar with the torture Christ endured before His crucifixion. There is much more to the story of that event that impacts us and our relationship with God. Using Isaiah 53 as a reference and mixing story and poetry, DW Grant explores the 39 lashes that Jesus received, sharing with the reader how each one works to forgive our sin and heal our wounds and more. This is a great study. Karen: I must admit that this was not what I thought I was going to read. DW has a way of drawing you in on every page with some very touching moments mixed with his humor. I highly recommend this book.
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We have now opened up our newest addition, the Faith On Every Corner Bookshelf. If you have a book you would like us to review and feature, please call or email Craig at 828-305-8571 for information. Email: Team@faithoneverycorner.com We have big news coming for our January Bookshelf - stay tuned!
The Jericho Fast By Rhoda Faye Diehl Reviewed by Craig and Karen Ruhl The Jericho Fast is an exceptional week-long process for engaging in spiritual warfare by invoking the power of fasting coupled with intentional prayer. The book provides an excellent and easily understood explanation of fasting as a spiritual practice and a plan for specifically breaking down those walls we all allow the enemy to use to hold us captive. Scripture from the book of Joshua, and others, is used to explain and encourage us on our 7-day walk in faith. Prayer and fasting are pivotal parts of a fulfilling and meaningful spiritual life. The author explains how the two work together and provides a suggested prayer at the end of each chapter. The Jericho Fast is an encouraging book that the reader will refer to daily while on their journey of fasting, prayer, and success in breaking down strongholds. We recommend you get your copy of the book and begin immediately.
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Rest In God A Prayer Journal Reviewed by Craig and Karen Ruhl We all need prayers and scriptures for our daily needs. In this prayer journal, the author provides a prayer and supports it with a scripture reference. The journaling pages allow you to write out your prayers and keep track of your answered prayers. There are different sections - prayers for comfort, prayers for rest, prayers for strength, and more. We love that this is a paperback book and easy to carry with you in a pocket or tote. We highly recommend this prayer journal.
Having Joy In The Midst Of The Storm by Cindy Oriol Reviewed by Craig and Karen Ruhl Most of us don’t experience the number and severity of storms in our lives that Cindy Oriol has. In her book, she shares the trials she has experienced, including severe accident trauma, life-threatening diseases, disability, and constant pain. Her story focuses on how along her journey, her strong faith in and reliance on God brought her through. Having Joy in the Midst of the Storm is more than a biography and testimony; it is a road map that will help others overcome and survive severe seasons in their lives. It shows us that prayers are answered, and miracles happen every day. This is a book that is a meaningful inspiration for anyone experiencing a health crisis. We highly recommend reading this book. Click on the book cover to order on Amazon.
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My Thanksgiving By Krystle Nicole Martin
I wanted to write about how thankful I am, I wanted to write about how grateful I am, I wanted to write an eloquent poem to speak of Your goodness. I wanted to write about how faithful You are, I wanted to write about how You saved me over and over again. I wanted to write about all the wonderful things You have done and are currently doing in my life. I wanted to write out my life’s story I wanted to write out all of my blessings I wanted to write out all the miracles I wanted to write it all out! I wanted to bring it all You, all my praise, I wanted to bring it all to You, all of my worship, I wanted to enter Your courts with thanksgiving in my heart. I wanted to sing to You I wanted to dance for You I wanted to write for You I wanted to express my open heart to You I wanted to do everything I could to show them how good You have been to me! I wanted to write all about Your faithfulness in my life. I wanted to write, by my words fail. I wanted to sing, I wanted to dance, I wanted to write, You deserve the very best from me. One day, one day, they will see You in all Your glory. One day, one day, they too will sing, dance, and enter Your gates with thanksgiving! One day, one day, You will reign once again over the earth. One day, one day, I know they will see You, all of You!
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From here on out, From this moment, From here, You will be written and spoke about! From here, You will be heard! From here on out, I will spend the rest of my life writing about You! Krystle Nicole Martin
I live in Oklahoma. I am a poet. I love being an encouragement to other people. I don’t want to write just to write. I want to write with purpose. I want my words to help someone else in need. I want to be intentional with what I am given. I want to be a blessing to others.
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How TO Write A Hymn 101 By Jerry A. Davidson
Jerry A. Davidson lives in Alexander, AR with his wife, Amy. He is a hymn writer and singer, as well as an author. He desires to write stories and songs that bring glory to God through a deep understanding of His Word and design for the world.
Writing hymns is an art that has often devolved into corporate worship songs. These corporate songs typically have catchy guitar licks and big Hallelujah choruses where the artist sings the highest note they can so the song feels and sounds so amazing and worshipful. This is a fine and often good practice. Just as an exhausting workout is needed for our bodies at times, they don’t do us any good if our body doesn’t have the nutrients and the figurative meat to build and recover from them. It is the same with those big corporate worship songs. Go back and read some hymns written within the past 200 years or even the Psalms written by King David, who was an amazing songwriter! His songs made it into the Bible itself! Read through hymns like The Love of God written by Frederick Lehman in 1917. Verse 2 says, “When hoary time shall pass away, and earthly thrones and kingdoms fall; when men who here refuse to pray, on rocks and hills and mountains call; God’s love, so sure, shall still endure all measureless and strong; redeeming grace to Adam’s race, the saints’ and angels’ song.” Here, in a single verse, you have a beautiful example of the everlasting-ness of God’s love, a brief expose of its effect on all of history, and how it is the leading drive for God’s plan for redemption for us! It even shows the overpowering effect it has against all powers of the earth. This is not something you see in modern worship music enough. This hymn is full of meat and good spiritual nutrients, reminders of God’s nature, purpose, will, promises, and his omniscience over redemptive history. 44 | M AG A Z I N E N A M E PAGE 3 43
A modern-day example of a song this powerful would be Andrew Peterson’s “Is He Worthy?” This also deals with all of history, the immediate suffering of the world due to sin, as well as the hope of the only worthy Man who ever lived to open the scrolls revealed to us in Revelation to bring about the renewal of the earth. We need songs and hymns that give spiritual meat to believers, new and old. We need hymns that give the Gospel, not just the feeling of the Gospel. So here are three basic ways to begin writing songs and hymns of your own. 1. DON’T BE A MUSICIAN. BE A STUDENT OF GOD’S WORD. Write the truth of God’s word down, the effect it has on you, and/or actual words of Scripture. Some of the most classic hymns were simply poetic words that were written down by average believers who did nothing more than commit themselves to the study of God’s word. Then they took folk songs or simple tunes they came up with and placed and rearranged their words to fit it. Don’t think that just because you can’t sing, write songs, play instruments, or lead a band that you can’t write a song worthy of being sung to glory to God. It doesn’t hurt to be a musician or songwriter, but God never set spiritual qualifications for songwriters for His church. Feel at liberty to even put new words to a tune you know. You may just transform that tune to become known for God’s glory, which is the best thing any tune can do!
2. Glean from the Holy Spirit’s work in your personal life. Have you ever heard the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul”? It was written in the 1800s by Horatio Spafford after he had received a message from his wife that his 4 daughters had died in a shipwreck on their way to Europe and that only his wife had survived. God used the most severe, Job-like devastation to bring a man to write one of the most powerful and influential hymns ever written (https://www.staugustine.com/article/20141016/ lifestyle/310169936). Hopefully, you don’t experience something like Horatio did, but be open to simply writing down what God is doing in your life in rhyming form. At the very least, it will help YOU remember the grace and love of God in your life, whether in suffering or prosperity, and it may just help someone else do the same. 3. Don’t limit the topic. Don’t limit God. Don’t forget it’s all about God. Many seem to practice a songwriting theology only of “I’m terrible. Help me, God.” Though this is a basic principle, that we are sinful and He is perfect, isn’t it odd that some of the most uplifting hymns have little to no mention of personal despair yet were written under the hardest, most heartbreaking circumstances? Remember God’s covenant with Abraham. God fulfilled the entire covenant Himself and put Abraham to sleep. This showed that God was going to fulfill His side of the covenant no matter what. The truth in hymns that we need is simply that, The Truth. Focus on the facts of the nature and character of God, what He has done, what Christ has done, the effects of that work, and the perspective of how we as His children should respond, in awe, reverence, and worship.
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. ~Psalm 96:1-3
Basically, flood your mind and heart, and that of those around you, with songs based in Scripture of God’s call, victory, and will in and for your life! That is a hymn worth hearing.
*There will be a sequel article to this about a more detailed and well-practiced approach to writing hymns and spiritual songs.
Photos by Karen Ruhl
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Thankfulness In All Circumstances by Yvonne Morgan My life was just as I had planned it. I married my best friend and high school sweetheart, Bill. We bought our first home and settled in for a long and happy life together. I held a fantastic job in my field of study, accounting. I felt I lived “the American dream.” Over the next few years, I birthed two beautiful daughters, Kathrine and Kristine. We found a great church home, which provided us with many great friendships and activities for our growing family. Everything continued to move along according to my plan. I felt in control of my life and my future. I allowed God to come along for the ride, but I did all the driving. Everything changed with the birth of our third child in 1993, William Charles. William came into the world with severe birth defects. We soon learned he had Tetrasomy 9P, an extremely rare chromosome condition. The list of problems in his little body kept growing each day. We lost our only son nine days later as he died in my arms. My world shattered, and I grappled with the loss. I questioned God on why He allowed this to happen to me. Nothing felt like it would ever be perfect again. For the next couple of years, I wandered through the days, weeks, and months in a dense fog; it appeared never-ending. I fell into a depression, which made me think I would never laugh or be happy again. However, God stood ready to use this experience in my life to turn my world upside down in a positive way if I would let Him.
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By January 1997, I still felt like I moved through life in a fog of grief, but I could see the edges of the fog slowly lifting. Since William’s death, I have learned to trust God again. I started to allow Him to direct my life as well. I began to realize God’s plans were always perfect. During that time, I attended a meeting at our church. I heard a presentation about a mission trip to Haiti. As I listened, I experienced a strange sensation. I felt God whisper to my heart, “go to Haiti.” The thought unsettled me as I wrestled with the idea of a mission trip. I knew I hated camping because of the bugs and lack of creature comforts. So, how could I go on a mission trip? The thought of missions never occurred to me. I felt illequipped for any kind of Christian work. What was God thinking in asking me to do such a thing? However, I landed in Haiti in July 1997 for a weeklong mission trip working with impoverished children. The impact of this trip on my life was enormous. The children I saw on the trip were filthy and wore rags. Their stomachs distended from constant hunger. They dug through trash piles for scraps of food to stave off the emptiness in their bellies. But slowly, they showed me a purpose in the trip as we handed out rations to these poor little ones each day. God revealed to me how I could help poor and neglected children in His world. He told me how I could be His hands and feet.
Almost 20 years later, I still see God accomplish miracles in the mission field and in my life. God led me to start a charity organization, and through it, God enabled me to create several orphanages. These homes cared for about 60 precious orphans who call me Mom. They were more than orphans to me. They became my children. During that time, we also adopted two teenagers from Kenya. My family circle continued to expand, and I loved every minute of it. Although I still wish my son had not died, God provided me with something more than just death and depression. He gave me hope and a purpose amid my pain. He blessed me beyond my wildest dreams. I thank God for my son William, and I thank God for all my children worldwide. I cannot imagine what my life would look like if I remained walking on my own path. Instead, I said yes to a much better option in Christ’s perfect plan.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV) Besides author, my names include wife, mom, and grandmother. My children include two grown daughters and one son who lives with Jesus. I enjoy my role as Bebe to three beautiful granddaughters. My passions include missions work and sharing the amazing stories of how we can find Christ in the ordinary. Through my mission work, I started a charity, which cares for orphans in Nepal and Myanmar. When not on the mission field, I write full time. I hope my stories can help you see God in ordinary events in life and inspire you to reach out as the hands and feet of Christ to others. Blog at Turningmountainsintomolehills.org Twitter: @ymmauthor Website: Yvonne-Morgan.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YMMauthor/ Books: Turning Mountains into Molehills (2017) Rest in God Prayer Journal (9-2020) Faith, Hope, and Love in a Broken World (12-2020)
Amazing Colors By Karen Ruhl He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. -Psalms 1:3 The other day, I had an early morning doctors appointment and Craig had an eye doctors appointment across town just after lunch. We decided to take a lunch break together while we were out and then to take the long way back home ... ok, we took a drive through South Mountain State Park - but we were heading home. I was walking the path by myself - mask on - and was telling God how much I loved the colors of Fall. It won’t surprise many of you that I talk to God whenever I have quiet time with Him. The leaves were bright red, yellow, orange, some still green, many drying from falling from the trees and others in the water and floating like small little vessels. The path I was on was along the river and I also got to see many small waterfalls. The way the trees thrive next to the water reminded me of Psalms 1:3 (above). When I got back to the car and was showing Craig my photos, I said, “Isn’t it amazing that the vivid colors we see today will not even compare to those we see when we get to Heaven!” If you are reading this and you do not know Jesus Christ as your Savior, please email us at Team@faithoneverycorner.com. We would love to send you a track that will help you learn more and will have you looking forward being part of God’s family. Blessings, Karen
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How to Build a Prayer Closet No Tools Required by Jo Scheidt At first, it was great. I regularly went, once a day, to meet with God in prayer. I would go down through my prayer list and spend time on each one. It was a great idea—for about 3 days!
Have you ever wondered where in your house you would create a prayer closet? First, what is a “prayer closet?” It is basically a dedicated space you would meet with God in prayer every day, week, etc. When you figure out where you feel the most comfortable talking with God, where it is the most natural, that is your prayer closet. After watching the movie War Room, I dreamed of pinning prayer requests on my prayer closet wall and checking off prayers that God answered, monitoring the progress. I thought meeting with God in a place like that would give me stability in my prayer life. I would be consistent and look forward to meeting there. The area would become special sacred. So, I set off to “build” my own space. It was actually in my bedroom walk-in closet toward the back where there was a little nook. It was a perfect-sized spot! I set up my 3x5 cards and taped prayer requests, and some notable quotes I wanted to read repeatedly on the wall. I added a chair, Bible, pen, tissues (all the things you would like to have nearby when spending time with God).
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The problem was that it was a foreign area that needed to be broken in and used well. It would take time before that spot would feel like “home” to my prayer life. What I came to realize is that I already had a prayer closet all along! It wasn’t in my house. It wasn’t in my church (though I had a special place to meet with God there, too). It was in my CAR! My car was my prayer closet! I came to realize that it was my driver’s seat that cradled me while I prayed. My steering wheel was well-oiled from prayerful hands. The walls of my vehicle knew the presence of God. My car went with me to parks, parking lots of churches, and out of the way places that I parked and prayed. It carried my journal, tissues, pens, highlighters, Bibles, books, snacks, jackets, purses, changes of shoes or clothes, phone, glasses/sunglasses, and Burt’s Bees lip balm! If it got cold or hot, I could turn my car on and adjust the air temperature. Call me crazy. When you figure out where you feel the most comfortable talking with God - where it’s the most natural, THAT’s your prayer closet. You don’t have to set up some formal area in or away from your home. You CAN, obviously, and thrive there if that’s what you like. But my point is you can think outside of the box. Scan through your day and try to identify where and when you spend the most time just chatting with God. It could be while you’re doing the dishes. It could be while cooking or folding laundry. It could be while going on your daily walk, run, or commute to and from work. Some people have a favorite chair. It’s different for everyone.
You need not worry about having some kind of formal prayer time. God is not impressed, nor does he care if you have all your ducks in a row before going to him in prayer. Just let it fly! Converse with him. That’s prayer - and that’s what he wants with you: that familiar, fabulous, fun, relaxed conversation. Of course, there will be serious issues you will need to bring to him. Sometimes it won’t be all fun, but it should be just as familiar as a friend is to a friend. How do you come to a place where you talk with God, and every time it’s like visiting an old friend? Just like you do with anyone else. You spend time with him often. To recap: • Ask God to reveal where you and he naturally engage in conversation during the day • Focus on talking with God as you would your best friend • Smile and thank God for his intimate heart of love for you - that he would lead you to a special place you can both enjoy together. PRAY: God, please reveal a secret place you and I can regularly meet - in our own space. Just you and me. And then let’s often rendezvous and share our hearts. Thank you, Jesus!
Jo Scheidt is a Prayer Blogger, B2B Writer, and Ghostwriter - with some editing mixed in. You can find her jamming out to TobyMac on a regular basis. No, that’s not country music.
Coming in 2021 - Watch for more information!
Image by silviarita from Pixabay
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Using God’s Word As A Guide To Gratitude
How my Life Verse Prepared Me for a Thankful November
By Chrissie Kenaston
Turkeys. Football. Parades. Black Friday. November brings to mind all these things, but for me, gratitude reigns supreme. Especially this year, I think a focus on being thankful will serve us all.
It’s easy to get swept up in all the negativity and spend every day feeling like you’ve been dealt a tough hand. Maybe you have! But I guarantee there are still things to be grateful for.
What do we have to be thankful for in 2020, a year that has taken so much away from us and left many feeling lost and hopeless?
Going back to my circumstances, what is true? My children are safe at home with me. What is noble? The teachers who never stop trying to make this situation work for the kids. What is right? Learning to ease up on my rigid schedule and bend a little for my kids’ needs. What is pure? Watching my kids’ eyes light up as they grasp a new concept. What is lovely? Spending more time together as a family. What is admirable? Watching my husband pick up the slack around the house because I have less time for cleaning. What is excellent? My kids’ ability to adapt to this new way of learning. What is praiseworthy? The way teachers and parents are coming together to figure out what works best for everyone.
Whenever I’m struggling, I turn to the Word of God for guidance and comfort. And for this particular challenge, I knew exactly where to turn: Philippians 4:8 NIV, my life verse.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” That verse gives us clear directions on how to find gratitude in our daily lives! We need to focus our thoughts on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. That’s where we’ll find things to be grateful for. My biggest challenge this season involves having my children at home every day instead of heading off to school. I work from home, so there’s the struggle of finding time to get my work done when there’s never any peace in my house. And I don’t possess that “teacher gene,” so I often feel like I’m failing my children as I struggle to help them learn at home. 50 | M AG A Z I N E N A M E PAGE 3 49
Can you take Philippians 4:8 and apply it to your situation? I encourage you to do the exercise and find each piece of the verse in your current struggle. When you’re done, you’ll feel so much gratitude for the good that is coming out of your difficulty! Yes, there is good coming out of it, no matter how bad it seems. Romans 8:28 NIV says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” ALL things! That means your current challenge, too.
Philippians 4:8 is my life verse because I find it much too easy to slip into a mode of constant complaining. Personally, I don’t enjoy being around people who complain all the time and stew in negativity. God convicted me in this very thing about myself. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I realized I often do that same thing. God brought me that verse in Philippians, and I recall it almost daily to help bring myself back to positivity and hope. As we go through the month of November and near the end of this difficult year, let’s find the gratitude in our daily lives. Use Philippians 4:8 as a guide when you’re struggling. In my experience, it’s very hard to feel any kind of negative emotion when you’re writing down what you’re grateful for! I also encourage you to share this exercise with others. I think we all could use some help and encouragement in finding the positive things right now. Can you enlist a friend or family member to practice an attitude of gratitude this month? Let’s truly give thanks for all of our blessings, current or to come, in the month of November.
Psalm 107:1 ESV Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
Chrissie Kenaston is an author and copywriter who believes in the amazing power of God’s saving grace to get us through the ups and downs of marriage, motherhood, and, well, life. Her first book on the subject -- What If I Name Her Grace? -- is being published later this year. You can read more about her journey as a Christian mama at chrissiekenaston.com. Photos by Karen Ruhl
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I See You
By Aradhana Thakor
What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? (Psalm 8:4 NIV) Oh, how I love this verse! If you cannot think of anything to be thankful for this year, well, this is for you. A couple of years ago I had the privilege to board Costa Deliziosa, an Italian cruise liner, courtesy of my husband who was the Executive Sous Chef at that time for this vessel. She was a beauty clothed in the finest white that stretched 964 feet 7 inches and with the capacity to carry 4000 passengers and crew.
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One morning when we reached the local port, it shocked me to see a bunch of tiny objects floating on the water. After a closer look, I realized that they were the local fishing boats. They seemed so fragile and helpless in the face of this monstrosity of a vessel. Just then the realization hit me that this is how I must appear to our Lord when He looks down from heaven at me. This minuscule fragile life which the Bible compares to the “grass” which is new in the morning, withers by evening, gets tossed by the wind, and is here today and gone tomorrow is so highly valued by Him. Our little worries and fretting about tomorrow must seem so pointless to Him. Let us honor Him by thanking Him for this little breath in our nostrils, which He has graciously bestowed upon us. No matter how microscopic you might seem in His eyes, He cares about you, for He has numbered every single hair on your head and encompasses you with His love every minute and every second of every day. Take courage, little one; He has His eye on you! Have you heard of this story? About the Grass and the Oak tree One day the Oak in all its splendor Looks down on the Grass so tender Questions the Grass, “I wonder why God created you You’re tossed by the wind and of no use.” The Grass gazes lovingly towards the blue sky And says, “I am content and dare not ask Him why, For am sure, I must bring Him some pleasure When He sees me dancing in the wind sent from His house of treasure.”
Thanksgiving by Karen Ruhl
Have you ever tried to write a list of what you are thankful for? When I try, this is about where I get: I am thankful for:
My relationship with God My husband My son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter Our health Our extended family, siblings, nieces, nephews, etc Our freedom The gifts God has given me Our home The Bible - His word to us Just about now, I start thinking to myself, what am I not grateful for? How could I possibly write a list of everything God has given to me? And then, it comes to me, stop writing and start thanking. Pray… Aradhana Thakor is from India and lives with her husband in Calgary, Canada. “Burning Passion for Lost Souls” is her debut non-fiction book. Below is the Amazon link. She is writing her second book, which is a short read of beautiful devotional poems inspired by the Holy Spirit, which she hopes to publish soon. You can connect with her on her Facebook author page @Aradhana2020 or email her at aradhanathakor@gmail.com
Heavenly Father, it is impossible to write a list of everything I am thankful for because I am thankful for everything. For every breath I take, for my relationship with you, for my wonderful husband and family. Lord God, I thank you each morning when I wake up and have a new day to enjoy. I thank you for the provisions you always provide and for the life I have lived. Lord God, I confess my sins to you and ask that you forgive me. Please be my pilot and guide me each day to do your will. I am thankful that I am a daughter of the most high King. Today, I will straighten my crown, look for ways to reach the lost, and do my very best to honor and praise you. I ask that you bless all who are reading this today. I am eternally grateful. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen
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Worth in Christ By Mike Buchanan
You’re a drug addict. They were lepers. Yet Christ touched and healed them. You’re confused about who you are. She was a prostitute. Yet Christ forgave her. You fight depression, fear and anxiety. He was a coward. Yet God made him a mighty warrior. You cheated on your spouse. He had a woman’s husband killed, so he could have her for himself. Yet the Lord still used him to be a mighty king in Israel. The “You” is you, my reader. The comparisons are people who God touched. People who God used sometimes in amazing ways despite people not seeing their value. Sometimes despite their not seeing their own worth. We, you and me, are mere humans. When we look at ourselves, it can be easy to think there’s not much worth in anything we do. There’s always someone smarter. Someone is always better looking. Someone is always stronger. Someone makes fewer mistakes. Someone is always… better. John the Baptist had a great approach to it. I must decrease, but He (Jesus) must increase. As humans in our own might, apart from the will of God, we really can’t do much of anything of value. Paul went so far as to say, “Without Him we can do nothing.” Yet when we yield ourselves to God, when we let Him work in us and through us, we can do more than we ever thought possible. 54 | M AG A Z I N E N A M E PAGE 3 53
We wander around under burdens. The burden of parental expectations. The load of our own unmet needs. The weight of Satan reminding us of our failures. The anchor of religious rules without love. Christ offers a better way:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV) That yoke links you and Jesus as you walk along. He makes up for all your weakness. He clears up your confusion. He brings unity within yourself and between you and others. He gives you boldness. He will make you whole. You are worthy because He says you are. No one can prove otherwise. You have value because He says you do. He paid the ultimate price to show it. Isn’t it time you looked at yourself the same way?
Mike Buchanan is a Christian writer and the author of the book Mountains of Hope Surrounding the Valley of Cancer. He uses his writing talents to further Jesus’ Gospel. https://www.amazon.com/Mountains-Hope-Surrounding-Valley-Cancer/dp/0975912453
Waiting for Success By Gina Sewell
Gina Sewell is a mom and grandma who lives in the Dallas, Texas area, where she enjoys cooking and spending time with her family. She loves to write about Jesus and encourage others. Gina shares her journey on her website: http://www.ginabartonsewell. wordpress.com
Are you in a season of waiting? Have you been praying to God endlessly for something, and nothing is happening? Well, did you ever think maybe God is waiting on you? Therefore, the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait for Him. Isaiah 30:18 (NKJV) I felt like there were so many things that God wanted me to do, but I wasn’t in a position to do them at that point, so I waited. I waited, and prayed, and cried, and got frustrated. I would ask, “How on earth am I supposed to serve the Lord if he doesn’t give me the tools that I need?” Then one morning, during my prayer time, God spoke to me. He said quite clearly, “If you are waiting on worldly successes before you can help others, then you never will. Worldly successes can never satisfy you, so there will be no end.” I saw this t-shirt at work. Actually, I have seen it many times because I walk right past it every day. It reads, “Bloom where you are planted,” across the front. I would think, “that’s cute,” as I passed by, then I would go on about my business. But one day, it spoke to me differently. I have been so upset, asking God, “why did you bring me here to just leave me in this situation?”, not realizing that he may be waiting on me.
Isaiah 30:20-21 (NKJV) says, And though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction. Yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore, but your eyes shall see your teachers. Your eyes shall hear a word behind you saying, “this is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand and whenever you turn to the left.” So, I see now that God was waiting on me. He has brought me here to the wilderness so that I may go through the trials and tribulations that I must, to grow my character and make me more Christlike. But I must not worry or be afraid, because He is right here with me, teaching me, loving me, and waiting earnestly for the day He can truly give me the desires of my heart. Lacking worldly success doesn’t mean I can’t spread the gospel by introducing others to Jesus and helping them find their salvation. God has every intention of fulfilling His promises to us. But maybe He is just waiting on us to fulfill our promises to Him. Maybe He is just waiting on us to “bloom where we are planted.” Dear Heavenly Father, please help us realize that, even though we must endure trials in this world, that you are there with us. You are there, teaching us and guiding us and showing us in which way to go. Lord God help us not to forget what you are doing, so we may become better disciples for you. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
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Season’s Change Even In Dark Times By Brenda McDaniel Brenda McDaniel is the author of My Angel My Hero with two more books soon to be published. She is from Roanoke, VA. She have a B.S in Psychology and M.A. in Counseling. She has enjoyed writing poetry and short stories, even as a small child. Brenda says she is now living her dream come true!
Sometimes life changes. It becomes hard, unbearable, painful, and sad, leaving us wondering why, how? It leaves us in shock. Why did God allow this to happen? How could this happen? God gave man free will. And man brought sin into this world, disobeying God’s guidance. Now we are paying for our evilness and disobedience. But when our Savior, Jesus Christ, came he said, “He would be with us always” and “Never leave us alone.”
My point is yes, there are hard times. But the sun shines again. If we can pull together as a family, as the family of “man” with hope, faith, and love for one another and especially toward our Lord, we will survive and go to our reward.
You can see God’s mercy and Angel’s working even during this pandemic. They are helping to heal those near death. And his ministering angel’s watch over us: nurses, doctors, lab techs, etc. Yes, many have died. When your time comes, nothing can stop you from leaving this world for your eternal destiny. My family’s bad times have been numerous lately too! At Christmas, my niece had a terrible car wreck. She suffered a brain injury and was near death. But her guardian angel, her grandmother, watched over her, (as she saw her during the wreck). My niece survived the accident and has no side effects. She has a second chance at life! Our family’s many prayers were heard and answered. My cousin had breast cancer, and again our prayers helped her overcome. Then her husband developed lung cancer. He has fought hard, getting stronger, and hopefully will win his fight too! My brother had tongue cancer twice and has overcome. Again through numerous prayers. But either way, we will find peace, or our eternal reward according to the life we lead now! 56 | M AG A Z I N E N A M E PAGE 3 55
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