Faith On Every Corner - April 2022 by Faith On Every Corner

April 2022 Issue

Greenland by Pat Lomax

For lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, And the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. -Song Of Solomon 2:11-12 NKJV

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COVER PHOTO B Y PAT LO M A X I live in Scotland UK where I enjoy photography, the Scottish landscape and wildlife. God’s creation is wonderful! I also enjoy travelling. A couple of trips to East Greenland have been a wonderful experience. A flight from Scotland landed us in Iceland from where we later flew to Kulusuk in Greenland. The village is about 1.5 miles from the little airport. They have only recently been able to have running water in their homes due to the difficulties caused by the frozen rocky ground. Hitherto a freshwater reservoir has provided water to a few taps in the village. From Kulusuk one takes a 10-minute helicopter ride (or find a hunter with a boat who might be willing to take you) to Tasilaq, the main town in East Greenland. There, as in Kulusuk, brightly colored wooden houses nestle in hollows or perch precariously on rocky ground. The backdrop of mountains and sea or fjord in which there are varying amounts of ice floe makes a delightful sight. Both times I have been fortunate enough to be there when a confirmation service has been taking place (the main church there is Lutheran). The young people have opportunity to confirm their faith when they are about 14 years old. For this special occasion they wear their colorful beaded tops and seal skin boots. Although Christianity is established in Greenland, the Inuit animism and shamanism still has a hold amongst many, especially in some of the settlements –– bringing its own darkness.

Tasilaq

Icebergs

Boat trips amongst icebergs and glacier, whales and seals, visits to other settlements and making friends with local people all made for an unforgettable experience.

Girls Confirmation

Kulusuk Yellow House

Tasilaq

INSIDE COVER

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Spring is springing! I love all the seasons and love to photograph each of them but I think Spring may be my favorite. I love watching everything wake up after a good winter’s sleep. One of our favorite trees is a cherry tree in our front yard. I never remember the name of the tree, but it does not bear fruit. I am blessed to see this every day while sitting in my studio and working.

Karen

and C

raig R

uhl

We are so blessed to be able to continue our ministry with Faith On Every Corner. We appreciate each writer and photographer that has been part of this ministry. We are always looking for a front cover photographer and new writers. If you are interested, email us at Team@FaithOnEveryCorner.com. Did you know you can download our magazine so you can read it at your leisure? If you would like to get the magazine in your email each month, please visit our website and sign up. Your emails are safe, and we will never give away or sell your information. Craig and I pray continually for the events happening in our world, and especially right now in Ukraine. We encourage all of you to pray daily for our nation, all nations, and especially for God to intervene and protect and bring peace. If you need prayer, please send me an email. Much love - may God bless you all. Karen Ruhl Team@FaithOnEveryCorner.com

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Table of Contents

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER: PAT LOMAX ... COVER AND INSIDE COVER April Prayer by Tynea Lewis ... page 21 Spring Awakening and Poems by John Alexander ... page 6-7 Accepted by Melissa Henderson ... page 8-9 Our Great God by Andrea Marino ... page 10-11 What’s In A Label? by Dr. Kathleen Oden ... page 12-13 Morning Coffee by Michael E. Wells ... page 14-15 As He Said by Nicole Byrum ... page 16-17 The Lion Or The Lamb by Yvonne Morgan ... page 18-19 By His Grace by Gina Sewell ... page 20 April Prayer by Tynea Lewis ... page 21 Resurrection And Life by Dave Evans ... page 22-23 It’s Not About The Bunny by Steve Wilson ... page 24 Meeting Martha by Peter Caligiuri ... page 25 How Great Is God’s Redeeming Love! by Dr. Irene Surya ... page 26 Walking and Talking by Karen Ruhl ... page 27 Spring Renewal by Brenda McDaniel ... page 28 Why Christians Celebrate Easter by Sharon K. Connell ... pages 30-31 The Lost Trail by Shara Bueler-Repka ... pages 32-33

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Road Trippin’ by Karen Ruhl ... page 34-37 The Lamb And The Lion by Esther Bandy ... pages 38-39 Who Is Jesus And Why Does He Matter by Paula Short ... page 40-41 Bookshelf - book reviews ... page 42-43 Spring In My Soul by Laura Glass ... page 44 Resurrection Morn by Dave Evans ... page 45 Praise Will Elavate You by Rolanda Pyle ... page 46-47 The Scarlet Thread by Esther Bandy ... page 48-49 We’ve Been Rescued: 3 Reminders of Christ’s Redemption In Our Lives ... by Juliana Gordon ... pages 50-51 A Cord Of 3 Strands by Cindy Evans ... page 52 When the Path Isn’t Clear—Keep Going ... by Jeff Foster ... page 54-55 Jesus Christ Is Our Eternal Hope ... by Cindy Oriol ... page 56-57 Do Not Be Afraid, I Am With You ... by Craig Ruhl ... page 58-59

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Poems by John Alexander

Seasons Another winter’s end is near. Another spring is almost here. I hear birds singing in the trees. I see them soaring on the breeze. The flowers push up through the ground. John Alexander lives in Frisco, Texas with his beautiful wife and his Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

From dormant bulbs, new life is found. The seasons come, the seasons go, So much to learn, so much to know. Life’s more than just four seasons long. Each stage of life can birth a song.

Spring Awakening By John Alexander

The words mature with each new spring;

With everything going on around the world, take time to take in the miracle of spring, especially this year. The changing of the seasons reminds us that nothing lasts forever, and this too will pass. Take time to take in the grandeur of God’s creation and remind us that God is in control. I pray the poems I share this month warm your heart.

Bring forth new songs that I can sing. I pray each year I grow more wise, See with my heart, not just my eyes. Lord, give me strength and words to write That shine through darkness, spread Your light.

Blessings, John

www.QuietTimeRhymes.com If you’d like to receive an email to let you know each time I post a new poem, just email me at john@quiettimerhymes.com and ask to be put on my email list.

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Another Spring

Nature’s Refrain

The doves still coo and build their nest.

Sometimes I’m too focused on details each day,

I still arise from evening’s rest.

That I fail to see the grandeur that

You’ve granted me another day,

God sends my way.

I pray you’re pleased by what I say.

When I cast my eyes downward, I easily fail

Another spring the flowers bloom.

To see all the beauty that’s there on life’s trail.

They have no need to dress or groom.

It’s easy to fill up my life with the small.

They’re beautiful the way they’re made,

There’s no time to take in creation at all.

Some need the sun; some thrive in shade.

There’s beauty around me that I fail to see,

I look around; I see it all,

If I’m only turned inward and focused on me.

The things you’ve made both large and small.

It soon will be springtime with flowers galore.

I’m grateful, Lord, that you’re in charge,

The hills fill with color and fragrance once more,

There’s nothing, Lord, for you too large.

Then warm summer evenings with stars overhead.

The flowers bloom, the birds still sing,

I know the creator, I’ve nothing to dread.

I’ll shed my cares, let praises ring.

I pray I can focus beyond the mundane,

I lift my voice to You on high,

Perhaps hear the music of nature’s refrain.

Release my rhymes into the sky.

God’s in every detail, He made all I can see.

I’m only a speck, yet God cares about me.

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Accepted

By Melissa Henderson

Listening to neighborhood children playing outside makes me happy. Our grandson Rowan and granddaughter Eden like to join in the fun when they visit. Games of tag, hide and seek, drawing on the sidewalk with chalk, and taking walks together are a few of the fun activities at Mimi’s house. Recently, the temperatures were warm enough to enjoy ice-cold freezer pops. Sticky hands and faces are all part of the fun. It has blessed me to watch how these children of different ages and backgrounds include and accept each other. Yes, there may be an argument from time to time. Agreeing on everything can be hard at times. Even with grouchy expressions and sometimes a few tears, the children continue to play together. When a new friend walks by, I’ve heard the words, “Hey, do you want to play with us?” Names are shared and often, the friend will respond with something like, “I need to go ask my Mom and Dad.” The activities continue. The new friend returns and there are smiles all around. There have been times when someone falls down and gets a scratch or a hurt. Tears may come or a brave face may be shown. Either way, I’m impressed by how the kids check on each other.

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I realize this acceptance doesn’t happen in every neighborhood. There is bullying in school and other places. We must be aware of what is happening in the lives of our children and grandchildren. Adults and children want to be accepted. God created each one of us with unique and distinct qualities. Those special attributes can help us show the love of God through our words and actions. I am thankful to know I am accepted by God. When I gave my life to Him, I became a new creation in Christ. Yes, I fail at times and fall short of His plan for my life. When those times arise, there is comfort found in knowing He loves me, accepts me, and forgives me. I am His child. Sharing the love of Christ with children and adults can help each person deepen a relationship with the Father. When a situation comes and we don’t feel accepted, going to the Father in prayer helps us remember His love. We don’t need or want to be accepted in every group in this world. Being accepted into the kingdom of God is the most important acceptance ever. Remember, you are loved and accepted by Him. In His Name, Melissa Henderson

Award-winning author Melissa Henderson writes inspirational messages laced with a bit of humor. With stories in books, magazines, devotionals and more, Melissa hopes to encourage readers. Melissa is the author of “Licky the Lizard” and “Grumpy the Gator”. Her passions are helping in community and church. Melissa is an Elder, Deacon and Stephen Minister. Follow Melissa on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and at http://www.melissaghenderson.com

Click on the book covers to purchase Melissa’s books.

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Andrea loves spending time with her children and grandchildren, and enjoys cycling on the open roads with her husband, David. Email: rapture927@aol.com Facebook Blog: In the Way Everlasting

Our Great God By Andrea Marino

It’s been years since my first day of college, but I can still hear the philosophy professor’s powerful opening words: God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. The impact of his statement was more striking in that this professor had just made his way to the front of the room guided by a cane. In pindrop silence, I wondered how a sightless person could be so convinced of God. The tendency is to question His greatness when things in our lives and in the world are not as we would want. There is merit in the assertions, no pain no gain, and what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Repentance has an element of pain. Godly sorrow sends a blow to the ego, and it hurts. Godly sorrow is also humbling; it is a grief worthy of leading a sinner to salvation. (2 Corinthians 7:1) Since God desires no man to perish, He allows whatever it takes to bring people to their knees. We all suffer when ruled by those who are unrepentant. Not everyone sees the world in a state of decay. Jesus tells a parable about a rich man who believed he had everything he needed and said to himself to eat, drink and be merry. “But God said to him, Fool! This night your soul will be required of you.” (Luke 12:20 NKJV)

The love of money is the root of all evil. (1Timothy 6:10) Money has a way of blinding a poor soul to their need of a Savior. “The fool has said in his heart there is no God.” (Psalm 14:1 NKJV) There is an accountability before God for each of us one day. (Psalm 10:13) Money gives power and can make a person feel as if they are some kind of god. The video for the song by Tears For Fears, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, shows planes, gliding through the air, convertible cars, cruising down highways, and dirt bikes hurtling over trails. You can’t miss the sensation of free. The delusion is: the riches of this world can make us free. Lucifer said to Jesus the kingdoms of the world would be His if He would bow down to him. (Mathew 4:8,9) Lucifer suggested to Eve that she could be like God. (Genesis 3:5) Deception is the enemy of a soul. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105 NKJV) One day, all suffering will end for the children of God. Not so for the godless. Presently lording over us with no understanding of justice, they remain ignorant of God, the One who sustains all things by His powerful word. (Proverbs 28:5, Hebrews 1:3) The message of the cross is foolishness to the godless ones. If only they could experience the sting of remorse that leads to life eternal. There will be no excuses when their time on earth is over; for God has made Himself clear through what He has made. (Romans 1:18 -20, 1 Corinthians 1: 18,19)

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Though we are in overwhelmingly difficult times, feeling our strength sapped, it’s no less a time to praise the Lord. We remember all He has done for us. His faithfulness is a protective shield, and under His wings we take refuge. (Psalm 91:4, Psalm 150) Fondly, I reflect back on my professor, unafraid to speak the truth. I do not have to worry or fear. I am in the hands of the all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-over-the place God who declares Himself Lord. He will not give His glory to another; He will not allow praise to be for any idol. (Isaiah 42:8) “You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.” (Psalm 16:11 HCS)

Click on the photo of the book to purchase from Amazon.

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Dr. Kathleen B. Oden is an author, missionary, and Bible teacher. She has been the Administrator of God’s House of Refuge Church & School of Evangelism, for 25 years. Dr. Oden attained a Doctorate degree in Christian Theology in 2000. After a bad fall in 2014, she realized that she had to start eating healthy, in order to fully recover. She became a Certified Health Minister and a Certified Essential Oil Coach. She loves ministering to people and God gave her a health ministry called, Create AnewU Health Ministry. Her health ministry has opened the door for her to share what the WORD OF GOD has to say about eating healthy. Dr. Oden has published over 20 books through Amazon.com and several of them are about health and wellness. https://createanewuhealthministry.com

What’s In A Label? By Dr. Kathleen B. Oden Depending on what a label is for, it can mean many things. And it can cause many adverse reactions to our life and health. For example, sometimes people label other people they don’t even know. And not always with a good label. Some labels are very harmful as well as hurtful. Sometimes we believe labels when we really should ignore them. Sometimes we grow up labeling people as this or as that, when in fact they are not like that at all. We need to just love everyone like Jesus and not give people labels. That is how we really should see each other… loved by Jesus! Because that is the only label that we all wear! Amen? Have you ever gone to a pharmacy to pick up a prescription? Most pharmacies stick a label on the bag telling you about all the side effects that medication might cause. But the scary part is that usually, the last side effect is death! YIKES! WOW! Is death a side effect? The truth is, we need to read every label before we put, whatever it is, in our mouth… Right? But like an ostrich we stick our head in the sand, open wide and swallow. You can start by making sure you read every label on food products before you make that purchase.

Beware of labels that say “ALL NATURAL” or “HEALTHY” because there could be ingredients in that product that are not good for your health. Just because it is edible does not mean it is good for consumption. Also, beware of dyes. I accidentally dropped a white paper napkin in a glass of grape drink. Well, let me just say, they labeled it as a grape drink. The dyes separated and half the napkin was red and half was blue. YUK! Needless to say, I will never drink that again! Beware of sugars. I went to the pantry to take a picture with my cell of some of the ingredients of several items and WOW! One cereal (a popular brand) listed sugar as the second ingredient, plus brown sugar syrup and corn syrup! WOW, Sugar, sugar, and more sugar all in one box! Be aware of different words meaning sodium/ salt that are used for preservatives. Also, some all-natural spices are salty. Therefore, it is very easy for sodium/salt to hide out in all-natural products. And in this case, it will not be listed on the label. People that have high blood pressure need to be very careful even with using all-natural spices. Some of them can raise blood pressure.

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Health Maintenance Regime

Dr. Kathleen B. Oden

Beware, and remember to read all labels and try to avoid the following ingredients:

But the ingredients that scared me the most, were found in several items in the pantry. Something totally new to me, called Bioengineered Food Ingredients. It is so new that the word ‘Bio-engineered’ was underlined in red by my word processor. So it did not recognize it either… WOW! What is that and what does that mean—Bioengineered Food Ingredients? According to Google it means, food that contains genetic material that has been modified through certain laboratory techniques and for which the modification could not be obtained through conventional breeding or found in nature. OK, now we know! My motto is “When in doubt, do without! And that means, if you are not sure or do not know or cannot pronounce the words in the ingredients, then do not buy it. Plain and simple! We all know what an apple is, or banana, or carrot. Get my drift? So become a seriously committed label reader. It could save your life.

Modified Enriched Bleached Natural flavor Flavored Phenoxyethanol Methylisothiazolinone Triethanolamine Infused with _____ Sodium benzoate Petroleum (used to create food dyes) Foods with dyes Sodium Nitrite Guar Gum High-Fructose Sucrose Dextrose Artificial Sweeteners Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) Get a free health assessment! https://healthminister.now.site/home

“And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.” (Exodus 23:25 KJV)

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Morning Coffee With Michael E. Wells

AN EASTER STORY

Michael E. Wells has a passion for writing letters of Christian encouragement. With poetic style and moving messages, the reader is often comforted and consoled, inspired, and refreshed. Since his retirement from Federal Service in 2006, most mornings are spent penning letters of the heart. Tucked away in the foothills of Pennsylvania, he leads an idyllic lifestyle in a pastoral setting. This backdrop helps to set both mood and message for his many writings. You can find his book, “Morning Coffee with Words For The Day” at Amazon.com.

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Well, soon the baskets will be back on the shelf and the eggs will be bagged up for another year. Memories will fade of children running and laughing while we sat around the tables after the meal with coffee in hand. Captured moments of conversation will be reflected upon and images forever etched in our minds. But is that all there will be to the day? Many will see it as a day to gather with friends and family for yet another holiday. What we Christians believe took place on a Sunday this month, almost 2000 years ago, was the greatest event to ever happen on planet earth. Divinity had touched humanity and life as we knew it was forever changed. No greater planned purpose or promised hope could have been fulfilled as that of a resurrected being. No wonder the disciples were in awe and in disbelief at the news. But the appearance of the crucified Christ, the one they had walked with, seen miracles performed by, heard of heaven from, and Who had promised life everlasting, was there in their midst. So powerful were those encounters and the following infilling of the Holy Spirit that they defied threats of death to proclaim a life-changing relationship with God through a risen Christ with life everlasting. A claim echoed by hundreds of millions today across the planet. So we will celebrate more than a family gathering, more than an egg hunt, or watching children eat chocolate bunnies. It will be to commemorate when God touched His earth and changed our hearts for heaven. A change we receive for a heart given to Him. Indeed, He has risen!

A STEP IN TIME—EASTER From the moment God stepped into time, He began to walk to the cross. Creator God had become Son of Man. With every day that passed, He drew closer to leaving. It was a moment of mortality for the Master of Eternity. He brought hope to the helpless, forgiveness to the guilty, healing for the sick, and life to the dead. We were touched by His Divinity and God had been touched with our humanity. It was said that He cried at the death of His friend Lazarus. All the while, the shadow of the cross was cast upon His path. Three short years God ministered upon the earth He created to finally become what Abraham had prophetically said to his son Isaac upon that hill over a thousand years earlier, “God will provide for Himself a sacrifice.” He is the waymaker in the wilderness, the guide through the dark journey, the one who has gone on before us. It was a journey’s end at the foot of the Cross, a promise kept at a tremendous cost. He lived to give us hope, He died to give us heaven. Jesus said, “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” (John 10:17-18 NIV) He also said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends..” (John 15:13 NIV) What do you give a Savior who calls you His friend? We give our hearts. It is all that is uniquely ours to give, but it is enough, for it is all that He asks.

HE GAVE US HIS WORD Only Christianity affords one the opportunity for salvation. No other religion provides such assurance. With just a word, one is translated from death to life. We are told the word is near us, even in our heart and mouth. It is the word of faith that if we will confess Jesus as Lord and believe in His resurrection, we will be saved. Too easy, say some, a fantasy say others, but to we who are being saved, it is the power of God. What we could not do in our inability to get right with God, He did by reaching into our heart and stirring up a faith. One that is capable of belief in a simple message. For God so loved the world that He gave His Son so we would not perish. (John 3:16) We shall soon celebrate the greatest event in history, the resurrection from the dead of God’s Son. The belief in this one event has changed the lives of hundreds of millions of people for almost 2000 years. Not a set of rules, but a simple faith. One of a good God with a great love and an eternal message. Still, many do not understand our devotion. But we are confident of our belief because He gave us His Word.

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AS HE SAID by Nicole Byrum

“The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.’” (Matthew 28:5-6 NIV) He told them. He told them multiple times. Yet somehow they didn’t understand. It seems so obvious to these eyes that have read the story hundreds of times. How could they not have known? He told them, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” (Luke 9:22 NIV) It’s easy to shake my head at the disciples. But I have to ask myself, “Would I have understood? Would I have believed?” I can only imagine how the words of Jesus must have flooded their minds when the angel rolled the stone away. He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. With widened eyes and racing minds, I bet the pieces came together. It all then made sense. Yes, He did tell us! This is as He said. And we know all He says is true.

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Hebrews 1:3 tells us that Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact imprint of His nature. Just as God is Yahweh, the great I AM, so is Jesus. As God must act in accordance with His character, so must the Son. And just as there is no deceit in the God who faithfully keeps all of His promises, so it is with our Savior. We can trust the words of Jesus, who is Himself the Word. Consider then his statement in John 11:25 (ESV): “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” This is absolute truth and the source of our joy! These words proclaim we have an eternal hope; for we know that those who receive Christ are hidden in Him (Colossians 3:3). This means that His defeat of death has become our defeat of death; as Jesus has conquered the grave, we have become more than conquerors (Romans 8:37); and just as He has risen, so we have been raised to new life (Romans 6:4). The empty tomb is the guarantee that even death cannot keep us from life.

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Click on book covers to purchase books on Amazon.

And still I, like the disciples, must ask myself, “Do I believe all his words? Do I believe the things yet to be seen?” For Jesus also spoke these words, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2 ESV); and “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done,” (Revelation 22:12 ESV) In light of the empty tomb, my answer is a resounding “Yes!” For I know I serve a living Savior. As the Apostle Peter said, we have “a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4 NASB). These words affirm the words of Jesus Himself. And I do not doubt that all will be just as he said.

Nicole is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 14 years of experience in community mental health. She is the author of Remade: Living Free a book written for women in recovery from substance abuse and unhealthy relationships. Nicole also maintains a blog at nicolebyrum.com as well as a podcast, 5 Minute Word. Both focus on topics related to faith and relationships. She lives in Northwest Ohio with her husband and two children. When she’s not writing, you can find her reading, running, or cooking.

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THE LION OR THE LAMB by Yvonne M. Morgan Everyone feels differently about rainy days and thunderstorms. I enjoy an occasional gray, rainy day. As I sit here writing, I hear the thunder rumble off in the distance. The patter of a gentle rain delights my soul as it nourishes the spring flowers. A dreary day is a perfect time to stay indoors and enjoy a nice cup of steaming tea. But this is springtime in Oklahoma. So, I watch the weather to see if the storm will strengthen. I listen for the chirp of my weather alarm to alert me to any severe storms that might approach the house. A gentle storm can become dangerous quickly around here. And tornado sirens can send us scrambling into our storm shelters for safety. Or maybe into the street to watch the storm develop, but that is not recommended. Gentle rain showers can become a roaring storm in the blink of an eye. “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7 NIV)

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With the warming weather, spring is just around the corner. I see the telltale signs that Easter is also approaching. The shelves are stocked with Easter baskets, candy, and stuffed toys like chicks or lambs. Seeing these makes me realize that we enjoy thinking about Jesus as the Lamb of God, especially at Easter. And many verses depicted Him in the same way. Even Isaiah 53:7 talks about Jesus going to the cross like a lamb led to His slaughter on the cross. But, sometimes, these descriptions lull us into seeing Him only as cute and gentle. We must remember that Jesus is also the Lion of Judah in Revelations 5:5 (NIV); “Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.’” I love the biblical picture that shows a lamb lying down with a lion beside it. Do you prefer to view Jesus as the lamb or as the lion? I often think we like to see Him only as a harmless lamb. We want to see Jesus as gentle and meek, full of love for everyone. But, the picture of God as a roaring lion scares us like the Oklahoma severe weather scares people. We prefer to see a gentle Jesus full of love and goodwill.

But what are we missing if we only see Jesus as a lamb? I think seeing Jesus as a lamb permits us to overlook the consequences of our sins. A gentle Jesus loves us no matter how much we sin, and the Lamb doesn’t want to hold us accountable for those sins. He is love. However, we must also be aware of the words in Romans 6:23 (NIV); “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The Lion of Judah requires repentance for our actions and will judge our sins someday in the future. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15 NIV) We want a meek, loving God who ignores our little sins. We convince ourselves that we are good people who make mistakes and should not be punished for our minor offenses. But, we expect the Godly Lion to punish those who commit big, unforgivable sins, like murder or rape. Paul warns us against this kind of thinking in Romans 3:23 (NIV); “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

God views all sin in the same way. Do not be deceived by the worldly view of Jesus as only a lamb. Be alert and watch for the signs of sin in your life. Repent before the Lamb turns into the Lion of Judah, who looks to destroy the unrepentant. “For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believes in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting.” (John 3:16 NIV) Oh no, just like that, my gentle rain shower has changed. The storms are turning severe, and tornado warnings were issued. The area is advised to take shelter to protect our lives. And, like with the weather, we must be aware of our surroundings. So seek the forgiveness of Lamb today to avoid the coming wrath of the Lion. Blessings, Yvonne Blog at Turningmountainsintomolehills.org Yvonne M Morgan, Christian author and speaker https://yvonne-morgan.com

Click on the link below to find out more about Yvonne’s books!

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BY HIS GRACE By Gina Sewell

You know, I was never one to hold on very well. I would have my pity parties. I would almost suffocate with anger, then lash out in a rage, and I would blame God for every bad thing that happened to me.

At some point, we have to learn what’s most important—God above all. I’m finally beginning to understand that. I’m weathering a storm as I write this, but this time.... this time I will not let go of the one who truly loves me.

Yes, you read that right. I used to blame God, ever since my mom’s accident. I remember I had so much faith that she would get better. I never even dreamed that she wouldn’t heal miraculously and live happily ever after. I was in such denial.

Yes, I am hurting and I feel at the end of my rope sometimes, but I still have hope, I still believe. I give it all to God.

When she didn’t get better, I got angry. I mean, furious. Why God? Why did you do this? Of course, I now know that He didn’t, but I didn’t understand it before. And that set a precedent for the next few years of my life. By His grace, He forgave me and took me back into His loving arms. I have been tested, Lord knows, and I wonder why my life keeps being one big pop quiz. Well, it’s because I keep failing. Thank God for do-overs.

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He is the one who created me and loves me more than humanly imaginable. He is the one who will never leave, even when everyone else does. “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NIV) “When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.” (Psalm 138:3 NIV)

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

APRIL PRAYER By Tynea Lewis

Dear Heavenly Father,

Tynea Lewis is a teacher turned workfrom-home 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).

Lord, we thank you for the gift of renewal. We see it all around us as we move into spring. We see your beauty in the blooming flowers and the budding trees. We feel refreshed with the warmer weather. We praise you for the new life of this season. Thank you for the reminder that for everything, there is a season. No matter how dark the night, morning is coming. No matter how long the winter, spring will arrive. No matter how deep our hurt, we can find healing. You are the God of new beginnings. Help us to shed the old. We ask that you help us put off everything that is a hindrance. Lord, we lay these things at your feet. We ask that you renew us and help us be who you want us to be. Lord, thank you for the promise of life eternal through your son Jesus. This Easter season, we remember the price that was paid for our sins. We don’t deserve this amazing gift, but Lord, you have given it freely to all who believe. Thank you for the gift of new life. In Jesus’ name, amen!

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RESURRECTION AND LIFE by Dave Evans

Dave Evans recently retired from his career as an estimator for an electrical contractor, but still works part-time. He recently served as Body Care Pastor for a small church and previously taught at a local Bible College for several years. God led him to found and serve in several outreach ministries—a pet therapy ministry, visiting several skilled nursing facilities and retirement homes: a prayer booth on a local street corner to allow people in the community to stop by for prayer needs and an evangelism table, typically set up once a month at various malls or stores, which made Bibles, tracts, DVDs, and other Christian materials available free of charge to interested shoppers. Dave has a bachelor’s degree in business administration/management. As a writer, he has had many poems and articles published in various periodicals and books. And he’s been privileged to do volunteer work for a local police department.

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It was an astounding claim that Jesus made to Martha after the death of her brother Lazarus. “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.’” (John 11:25 NKJV). Power over death and the power to give life, even after death, were beyond any human capacity. No one but God could resurrect someone from the dead. Could Jesus prove His declaration? That very day, the family and friends of Lazarus witnessed him come out alive from the tomb that imprisoned him. Jesus, with the authority only God possessed, called out with a loud voice, “Lazarus come forth!” Life-giving power coursed through the putrid and decaying body of Lazarus and he came out, his face wrapped with a cloth, and his body bound hand and foot by grave clothes. This was proof of Jesus’ power over death. In time to come, Jesus would personally demonstrate what resurrection power was all about. It happened three days after they had crucified Jesus. Sadness and shock filled the hearts of the disciples and other followers of Jesus. Their hopes had been buried with Him in the tomb and heavy grief seemed to incapacitate them.

But that very day reports circulated that He had appeared to various people, among them Peter. But was it true? Could He really be risen from the dead? “Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’” (John 20:19 NKJV) Was this really Jesus? “When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.” (John 20:20 NKJV) The wounds still visible in His hands and side were an identification badge which proved that this was none other than Jesus, their Lord. His words were true! He was the resurrection and the life! He who had predicted His own resurrection with the words, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19b NKJV), had resurrected the temple—His body. Yet, it was not the same physical body of flesh and blood, but a transformed and glorified body, one with a different composition.

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, Lazarus’ earthly body was brought back to life. That mortal body was destined to die again eventually. But in resurrection, the body is changed into a body suitable for living in heaven. Paul explained, “What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.” (I Corinthians 15:50 NLT) Heaven is forever, so to live there, our bodies must last forever. And the bodies of all who have died in Christ (and those who are raptured) will be transformed into glorious bodies like the resurrected body of Jesus, suitable for eternity in heaven. Paul declared that it is Jesus “who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” (Philippians 3:21 NKJV). Jesus, the one who proved that He is the resurrection and the life, will do this! “He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” Resurrection and life! That’s His promise, and it’s the truth!

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A healthcare Business Analyst by trade, Steve Wilson is a retired husband, father and grandfather who loves to see and write about finding God in the everyday. Originally from Ohio, he and his wife Jenny now live in Granite Falls, North Carolina. In his spare time, Steve enjoys reflective writing, dabbling in stained glass and, of course, spending time with their daughter and her family. www.lifesimplyspoken.com

I T ’ S N OT A B O U T T H E B U N N Y

By Steve Wilson

It’s not about the bunny or the patent leather shoes It is not about the colored eggs or mama’s brand new do, It is not about the spectacle of baskets with candy heaping full It is about the selfless love God has for me and you. *** For God so loved the world that He gave his only son To take our place, to take our shame, to die for everyone, And on that first Easter morn when God raised Christ from his tomb Hope also arose for all mankind, that our destiny would not be doomed. *** So as you celebrate Easter, celebrate also the empty cross And praise the name of Jesus Christ without whom we would all be lost, For it’s not about the bunny but yet a sense of life renewed Eternal life for us is possible because of the empty tomb.

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MEETING MARTHA By Peter Caligiuri

“Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.” (John 11:5 KJV) Once when we were vacationing in Amish country, we decided to take a detour through a rural area just for fun. Soon we came upon a farm stand being tended by a little red-haired girl. So, I parked the car, and we got out and began to browse through bins of fresh vegetables, homemade jams, pies, and cookies. “Good morning!” I said, smiling, while my wife was picking out a bag of cookies. As I went to pay for them, I asked, “And what’s your name?” My wife Nancy and I have been married for 48 years and have two sons, six lively grandsons, and one wonderful granddaughter! I write poetry and devotionals and have appeared in The Secret Place, The Upper Room, Break Through Intercessor, and Purpose Magazine. We live near Tampa, Florida, where we are members of Generations Christian Church. Peter’s blog is located at http://www. praise2worship.net/

“Oh, my name is Martha.” The little girl answered quietly. “Well, I’ve got good news for you, Martha.” I continued. The Bible says that Jesus loved Martha and her sister Mary and her brother, so you can know for sure that He loves you!” In the children’s song, it says, “Jesus loves me this I know; for the Bible tells me so …” Have you ever wondered where the Bible says that? The answer is that His love is mentioned everywhere! It says He knit us together before we were born and He promises to carry us till old age. He is near us when we are brokenhearted and gives us strength when we are weak. He gives streams in the desert when we are thirsty and provides daily bread when we are hungry. On every Bible page, we can find His love. The song then goes on to say, “Little ones to Him belong.” So if today you feel as small as the little Martha we met at the farm stand, then you are exactly whom Jesus came to love and He is passing by you today!

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HOW GREAT IS GOD’S REDEEMING LOVE! By Dr. Irene Surya How great is God’s redeeming love! God portrayed His love for us, While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. How deep is God’s reconciling grace! Through the death of Christ, We are reconciled to God The awesome God, our Reconciler!

Dr. Irene Surya has published a book of poems, In Solitude with God. Her poems have been published in various magazines. She has a passion for writing for the Lord and glorifying the Lord through her writings. She loves and serves the Lord with her husband.

Click on book to purchase on Amazon.

How magnificent is God’s perfect peace! Through justification by faith, We have peace with God Through our Lord Jesus Christ! How enduring is the Lord’s intercession! Through Christ, by faith, We have access into His grace By which we stand. How meaningful is His providence! Through the love of God, We rejoice in our sufferings Producing endurance. How marvelous is His blessed hope! Through character, by endurance, We grow in hope, And hope keeps us in His strength.

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WALKING AND TALKING by Karen Ruhl

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12 There is a beautiful walking park about two miles from our house. It is a beautiful park with a walking path that leads you around the lake. There is a sign at the front of the park telling you how much you have walked by the number of times you walk the path. That is, if you stay on the path and don’t explore the other areas off the path. Is there anything wrong with the other paths, not at all. These paths have a waterfall and another lake, and one takes you up through the woods. And they all bring you back to the main path. While I walk, usually by myself, I find myself starting to pray. First, I pray quietly, but often, I will have a conversation out loud with God. I often ask Him to give me clear direction with my life. I don’t hear God answer me audibly, and yet I hear His voice through my thoughts or in my heart. I smile because I know his voice, just as we are told in John 10:27-28 (NKJV): “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” There is a popular song titled “He Walks With Me And He Talks With Me And He Tells Me I Am His Own.” That is how I feel when I walk with God in this beautiful walking park and garden. While walking I think about the path I am walking in life and what I need to change. I look at the reflections in the water and wonder what type of person people see when they look at me. “Can they tell I am a child of God by the way I act?” Every one of us has stumbled and tripped in our walk, the important thing is to start the walk. And, if you fall of the path, get yourself back on it. How? By accepting Christ Jesus as your savior, by repenting your sins and transgressions, and then taking it one step at a time to continue on the direction that God wants you to travel. There has never been a greater gift given to us than that in John 3:16 (NKJV): “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Are you ready to give your life to Christ and get on the right path? Would you like to walk and talk to Him daily? Find a Christian friend, a good bible-based church, and accept Christ Jesus. He is waiting for you. And then, find a good place to walk and talk with Him. We are praying that you or someone you know reads this and decides to receive Christ Jesus. If you would like to know more or need a prayer, please email us at Team@FaithOnEveryCorner.com

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SPRING RENEWAL By Brenda McDaniel

We have come out of a cold dark winter! Not only because of lots of snow, sleet, winter tornadoes, fires, etc., the terrible 2-year long pandemic! The health experts say the Covid virus isn’t as rampant now and many people have received their shots or other therapies. Springtime is an awakening or renewal of nature’s bloom and beauty. The creatures of God’s creation come out of their hibernation period, having rested and renewed their strength, and are now ready for a new year. We humans have come out of the darkness too. The Lord has answered so many prayers of Christians worldwide. He has brought us out of darkness into the light. So, all of us can have a true Spring renewal. Not just enjoying his beautiful world and creatures. But a renewal of our spirits. Loving and truly caring for others. If the pandemic hasn’t caused you to reach out to others in love, what will? Reach out to your Savior, Jesus Christ. Ask Him to not only heal your bodies but also your souls. Praise and thank Him for helping us, for he brought us out of the darkness of the pandemic. He can and will also bring us out of the darkness of sin and despair. Just believe in His name! And welcome Him to come into your heart. “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13 ESV)

Brenda McDaniel is the author of My Angel My Hero with two more books soon to be published. She is from Roanoke, VA. She holds 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! CLICK ON BOOK TO PURCHASE

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Team@faithoneverycorner@gmail.com

Judy Barr 5 Star Google Review Karen at Faith on Every Corner is absolutely amazing! She is sharp and experienced. She has helped my company obtain a much larger social media presence with ads that are perfect! I highly recommend Karen and her company for all of your social media/advertising needs. Melissa Henderson 5 Star Google Review A wonderful company that provides inspiration and encouragement. The online magazine offers opportunity for writers and readers to grow in faith. Owners Karen and Craig Ruhl offer professional consulting services and more. I highly recommend Faith On Every Corner, LLC Hannarich Asiedu 5 Star Google Review Craig and Karen go above and beyond in everything. They’re truly living the talk of being followers of Christ. I’m not only a contributor to their magazine, but they have become a family of mine. Praying with me and guiding me in my journey to becoming a published author. I highly recommend their services. You’ll never regret it!

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Author, Sharon K. Connell lives in Houston, Texas from where she writes Christian Romance Suspense, containing a bit of mystery and as much humor as she can get into a story. She’s also written many award-winning short stories in a variety of genres. Sharon attended college in Illinois, graduated from the Pensacola Bible Institute in Florida, and holds a certificate in fiction writing from the International Writing Program through the University of Iowa. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Scribes Critique Group, Houston Writers Guild, and CyFair Writers. She is also the founder of the global Facebook Christian Writers & Readers group forum. Her monthly newsletter, Novel Thoughts, goes out every month to its subscribers in all parts of the world. Visit the offical website of Sharon K. Connell https://www.authorsharonkconnell.com/

WHY CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE EASTER by Sharon K. Connell According to the Encyclopedia Britannia, the earliest recorded observance of an Easter celebration comes from the 2nd century, although the commemoration of Jesus’ Resurrection probably occurred earlier, as word spread that Christ had risen from the dead. While I attended the Pensacola Bible Institute, I learned Easter stemmed from the celebrations for Astarte, the great goddess of the ancient Middle East and chief deity of Tyre, Sidon, and Elat. Hebrew scholars feel that the goddess Ashtoreth, mentioned so often in the Bible, is a variation of the Greek name Astarte. Astarte, goddess of war and sexual love, was worshiped. Ishtar, Isis, Hathor, Aphrodite, Artemis, and Juno are other names associated with this so-called goddess. There is no definite origin for the start of Easter. However, it is mentioned in the Bible with reference to when Jesus was crucified. “And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.” (Acts 12:4 AKJV) And we know that missionaries to the heathen, after unsuccessful attempts to convert the native practices from their worship of multi-gods, decided to turn their festivals into Christian holy days. Easter is one of them. 30 | M AG A Z I N E N A M E PAGE 3 30

It’s certain that most of the information I’ve mentioned about Easter is accurate because of the celebration of the holiday. Easter bunnies. The rabbit is a very prolific producer of offspring. The Easter egg. Long associated with fertility. Today, Christians celebrate Easter because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, who rose on the first day of the week. At least, that’s why I celebrate the day. John 20:1-9 (AKJV) says: “The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.”

Click on photo to order Sharon’s books. As Christians, some tend to shy away from the Easter bunny and egg theme. I, for one, prefer to focus on The Lamb of God. “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29 AKJV) The lamb’s role as a sacrificial animal in ancient Israel is what Jesus became. He was the final lamb sacrificed to cleanse us from sin. There are no more sacrificial lambs to be offered. Hebrews 10:12-18 (AKJV) explains this: “but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.” Have you accepted Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on your behalf? He waits at your heart’s door. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20 AKJV)

Jesus Christ offers you the free gift of salvation. Through His sacrifice, we are given the gift of eternal life with God Almighty. There is no payment for sin that you can possibly make. The atonement was made by the sacrifice of a Perfect Lamb. Without spot or blemish. Jesus Christ lived a sin-free, perfect life in our place, and died for my sin, your sin. He knew we couldn’t keep the commandments and live that life. He offers his payment for sin to you freely. “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” (Romans 5:18 AKJV) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 AKJV) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Are you willing to accept this gift of salvation? If you are already saved, will you make sure others know salvation isn’t something you can achieve on your own? You have to humble yourself and confess that you are not good enough to get into heaven by your good life, good works, or anything you can do here on Earth. You have to accept that Jesus Christ did it all for you. Remember, the gift isn’t yours until you reach out and accept it. Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday!

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THE LOST TRAIL by Shara Bueler-Repka

“Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19 NKJV)

And then, the cold reality hit me—this obscure trail was made by someone who had gotten lost. And now ... so was I.

As I hit the trails to ride, I’m sure the Lord is grinning while shouting, “Dispatch!” to His backcountry angels. “Riding out” for many years, I’m not one to always take the beaten path. Quite often, I take the “road less-traveled”—if traveled at all.

The arroyos I studied on the way up to my lookout-hill proved to have no path among them. The only way I knew to get to our camp was to trace my way back on the dim trail I’d ridden on—which would put us in the middle of the main trail in the pitch-black dark. It was not looking good, but it was the only way out ... or so I thought.

Such was the case as I spotted a fresh, new trail on the way back to our camp. My heart jumped with a “YEA!” and my horse, Nocona, and I fairly skipped up that trail. However, as we rode up and down hills and picked our way through rocks and cactus, following this dim, sometimes non-existent path, I got suspicious of it. It seemed to meander around with no purpose or direction, not taking me where I needed to go. The sun slowly sank toward the horizon, and I got nervous. You do not want to get caught after dark in this Arizona country with its precarious landscape, rattlesnakes, and mountain lions.

I swung Nocona around and prayed. We rode past the small arroyo I studied before, and I glanced at it again. What? We pulled up short as I stared down that arroyo. A path? Through the rocks and cactus? My mind tried to wrap itself around the reality before my eyes. I surveyed that place not a half-hour before—and no trail existed. Yet, there it was! Wasting not a minute more, we headed down the new path and got back to camp as the last bit of light disappeared.

As I sat on my horse on top of a hill to get my bearings, I saw the landmark trees that overlooked our camp—we were so close, but yet so far. Rocks, cactus, and insurmountable obstacles kept me from riding straight down the hill toward “home.”

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Shara Bueler-Repka is enjoying life as a singer/songwriter/recording artist, freelance writer, and award-winning author. She and her husband, Bruce, live in their living quarters horse trailer and call “home” wherever their rig is parked. Their mail-base, however, is Hallettsville, Texas. She loves sharing God’s Word through music with her husband, riding their horses (aka The Boys) in the backcountry, and writing about God’s grace in their various adventures on the trail less traveled.

As I unsaddled my horse, I marveled at the fact that we had just lived out a profound testimony: God made a way where there was no way. I also reflected on another epiphany. How often do we decide to get off the “main trail” of the destiny God has given us and traipse down other “trails” because those look more exciting? Or, we decide to follow someone else’s tracks because it looks like a faster way to get “home?” The Good News is when we realize our error and repent (turn from what we’re doing and turn toward Him), He is quick to step in and show us the way that leads to the main trail home. (Psalm 119:105; John 14:6; John 14:16-18)

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The trees are starting to come out in late March, the grass is turning green and the squirrels and birds are alive and well! We have such a beautiful area to explore from cities to farm country and then up to the mountains. Always something to photograph! All photos are copyright 2022 Karen Ruhl Karen-Ruhl.pixels.com

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Road Trippin’ April Throwback! by Karen Ruhl

Welcome April!! I’m ready for the warmer weather and hope to get in a short road trip this month. These photos of The Blue Ridge Mountains were taken last year. If you ever get a chance to come this way and drive the parkway, take it! If you are able, take a road trip and stop in the small towns along the way. Enjoy lunch at diners, go to the local museums and have fun. Enjoy April!

The bottom photo was taken on The Outer Banks in NC. We are about 5 hours from the ocean and love taking trips there.

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A trip to the Outer Banks is calling me! Beautiful area - and you can visit Kill Devil Hills, NC, where the Wright Brothers took flight! Blessings to you all. - Karen Karen-Ruhl.pixels.com All photos are copyright Karen Ruhl 2022

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Craig and I love trains and found this Depot about an hour from our house. I love seeing these trains being preserved.

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THE LAMB AND THE LION By Esther M. Bandy

The Lamb and the Lion are coming again. The last time He came as the Lamb. The Lamb gave His blood to save us from sin. He suffered and died, but He rose again. The Lamb is in heaven now, making a place So that we can be with Him there. Comfort each other, for He’ll take us home. Soon we’ll join Him in the air! Christ, our Messiah, is coming again. When He returns, we’ll come back with Him. He’s the way, truth, and life. He frees us from sin. Friend, are you saved? Are you born again? The Lamb and the Lion are coming again. Friend, are you ready? Ready for Him? He’s the Alpha, Omega, beginning, and end. He’s the eternal Word. Let’s all worship Him! *** ““Therefore, be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44 KJV) “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29 KJV) “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” (I John 5:7 KJV) “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1 John 5:12 KJV) 38 | M AG A Z I N E N A M E PAGE 38

When Esther Bandy was five, a neighbor taught a Good News Club. She head the gospel there, and she received the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior. That was the most important day in her life. She later worked as a nurse, a missionary, a director with Child Evangelism Fellowship, and a Spanish teacher at a Christian school. Now, she’s an author. She has been published in two anthologies; Treasures of a Woman’s Heart and Triumph from Tragedy. Her debut middle grade novel, Under the Tangerine Tree, was published in 2022. “Don’t Ask Why, Ask What” was previously published in “Triumph from Tragedy”. esthermbandy.com https://www.facebook.com/EstherMBandy @EstherMBandy

Click on book cover to purchase from Amazon.

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WHO IS JESUS AND WHY D O E S H E M AT T E R ? By Paula Short

Who Is Jesus? There are three deities in one supernatural person. God, the Father—God, the Son—and God, the Holy Spirit equaling one person, GOD. Jesus is the Son of God—Jesus is God. Over 2,000 years ago. God sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to us; He was both 100% fully man AND 100% fully God. He related to us and us to Him. He became one of us humbly. So why did he come? Because God knew we were going to mess up right from the start, He had the plan of our salvation already made. To send Jesus, who knew no sin to be sin, our sin, to be a sacrifice and die a physical death, to take our punishment upon himself. His blood bought us our salvation. So that anyone who believes in their heart and says with their mouth that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior will be saved. That means God has adopted us as sons and daughters. He is our Father, and we will get to spend eternity with Him.

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Now. Let this sink in. We are children of the KING OF THE UNIVERSE. Jesus died, nailed to the cross. His body was placed in a tomb, and a boulder stone rolled in front of it. Three days later, some women went to check the tomb. The boulder was aside, and the tomb EMPTY. He wasn’t there! Because, as it is written, death could not hold Him, He rose from the dead. 7 Bible Verses To Reflect On Why He Came And Why He Matters “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV) “For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.” Luke 19:10 (NIV) “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God. And the word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him, all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5 (NIV)

“The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14 NIV) “On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “Is it not the healthy who need a doctor. But the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17 NIV)

Paula considers herself an ordinary Christian woman traversing through the wilderness of an everyday mess. She is a retired Social Worker with a BSW who lives in Western Pennsylvania with her emotional support dog, a spoiled rotten amusing beagle named Little Girl. She has two adult daughters off doing their own thing. Please visit her blog at: https://simplycoffeeandjesus.com/

“God made him who had no sin, to be sin for us; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV) “If you declare with your mouth ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe with your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10 NIV) Takeaway So you see. The Son of Man (God in human flesh) came to seek and save the lost. That’s us. Jesus loves to bring the lost into His kingdom, regardless of our background or previous way of life. Through faith, the lost can be forgiven and made new.

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Faith On Every Corner Bookshelf

Under The Tangerine Tree By Esther M. Bandy Reviewed by Karen Ruhl This book was written for middle grade readers – I couldn’t put it down. It is well written and draws you in at the very beginning. This young family goes through tragedy, hardship, and several major life events. The characters are well developed, and their conversations and feelings are so real. I could relate to some of the experiences Angie Mangione was going through with a major move. The Mangione family will never be the same and yet they will survive and thrive because of the love they share with each other. There are some books that are written for a specific age group that will break the age barrier. This is one of them. Buy it for your middle grade daughter and read it after she has finished it. It will be a great experience to share your feelings with your kids about this book and how a family that sticks together though so much can thrive.

Call For Writers For Faith On Every Corner Magazine We are looking for testimonials, acts of service, devotions, and articles of how you have witnessed God working in your life or the life of family and friends. Email for submission guidelines. Team@FaithOnEveryCorner.com 42 | M AG A Z I N E N A M E PAGE 3

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Faith On Every Corner Bookshelf Becoming God’s Epic: Fulfilling Your Purpose In Christ By Billy M. Murchison, Jr. Reviewed by Craig Ruhl Becoming God’s Epic is a call to dream and have visions—for the glory of God. This book leads the reader to not only absorb the knowledge, ideas, and examples the author provides but also return to the book many times for further study and application. I especially enjoyed the format of the book. The author deftly addresses dreams and visions in the Christian context, laying a firm and broad foundation and then building through the layers of developing and nourishing a passion for being a true disciple of Christ. Within each chapter, the author provides areas to record reflections on what we have read and questions that help clarify the reader’s interaction with the book. This is an excellent study for a person curious about being Christian and as well as for a mature Christian. We at Faith On Every Corner recommend this book to our readers and have placed a copy on our Bookshelf.

Beauty Beyond The Thorns: Discovering Gifts In Suffering – Study Guide By Darci J. Steiner, MS Reviewed by Craig Ruhl We published our review of Beauty Beyond The Thorns in the November 2021 issue of Faith On Every Corner magazine. This is the follow-on study guide that complements the book. Darci Steiner knows pain. Hers results from a fall and a resulting nerve pain disorder and being re-injured years later. She has walked in faith through the injuries, medications, therapies, and life highs and lows. The author’s lifelong faith, determination, and thirst for knowledge of her physical condition have led her to a ministry to help others suffering from pain and disability. In her book, she weaves real-life situations with biblical passages and concludes that although we may be broken, by His wounds, Christ has already healed us. The book, Beauty Beyond The Thorns, is divided into 30 Chapters which allow the reader to use the book in a daily devotional style, allowing the messages to be absorbed slowly with time for reflection and study. This companion study guide is wonderful for the individual and use in a small group setting. The staff at Faith On Every Corner recommends this book and study guide to our readers and have placed a copy on the Faith On Every Corner Bookshelf.

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SPRING IN MY SOUL By Laurie Glass

With my heart open, I long for more. I welcome a renewal. Ready for something fresh, promising, revitalizing.

Laurie Glass has a heart for encouraging others through her writing. She has had many poems and articles published in both print and online publications. In addition, she won the Open Medicine Foundation poetry contest in 2019.

A glimmer of light reveals something new. I feel warmth rise up in my spirit. Enveloped in love, I feel myself melt into its glow. Inhale the beautiful aroma. The fragrance of peace fills my breath, and I rest in this soothing balm. Rejuvenation emerges from the well. Cool, refreshing fountain of joy brings me thirst-quenching exhilaration. My heart blooms as my soul bathes in the vibrant colors of love, peace, and joy. Savor sweet uplifting feeling, relish this inspiration, and hide it in my heart to draw upon in the days to come. Ride on the wings of hope, soar in the sun’s rays, soak in this bright moment. My spirit feels reborn, and I treasure this new beginning. May this light remain longer and longer, as the days go by,

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Resurrection Morn By Dave Evans

Early in the morning they came, only to find an empty tomb-a crucified Lord, His body buried; yet now missing-a risen Savior, triumphant over sin and death Early in the morning, with daylight imminent, I gaze at nearby hill and softly sing “The Old Rugged Cross” and remember His death, His burial and glorious resurrection. “Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb…” (Luke 24:1 NKJV) “Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.” (Luke 24:3 NKJV) ”He is not here, but is risen!” (Luke 24:6a NKJV)

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PRAISE WILL ELEVATE YOU By Rolanda Pyle

Habakkuk 3:17-19 main verses Based on the entire book of Habakkuk Habakkuk is a prophet who is having a dialogue with God. The leaders in Judah were oppressing the poor, so Habakkuk went to God asking why He allowed these wicked people to prosper. In essence, in chapter 1, Habakkuk first asked why and how long? Just like us, he wanted to know the reason and the season. First, the Lord tells him he wouldn’t understand if even if He told him; and then God tells him that the Chaldeans would come to punish the leaders in Judah. Basically, God said it’s going to get worse. Sometimes that’s the way it is with us when we are going through a trial—at the midnight hour, we pray and cry out to God and the situation gets worse. He becomes even more concerned because the Chaldeans were actually more wicked than the wicked Jewish leaders and Habakkuk didn’t understand how God could use them. Then in chapter 1 vs.12-17, Habakkuk complains.

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Notice the pattern, he moves from questioning to complaining. God’s answer was unusual. God answers that the just shall live by faith in God and that they just have to be assured that God was doing what was right. (Habakkuk 2:4) And that is difficult when we’re going through a midnight hour. He also told Habakkuk that in due time, the Chaldeans would be judged, and that justice would come about for the people of God. In chapter 2, verses 2-20, God answers Habakkuk in a vision and tells him to write it down. (That’s why it’s always good to write down a word or message that God gives that speaks to your heart, because often in difficult times we may need to refer back to it.) In chapter 3, Habakkuk responds in prayer and praise. Habakkuk gives a Shabach - speaks well of God and Todah thanksgiving for the past blessings of God. Throughout these verses, he asks God to repeat His acts of deliverance, recounting God’s redeeming acts, remembering God’s history with His people and he claims God’s strength for the present crisis. (Sometimes, we have to reflect on past victories and deliverance in our lives or those of friends and family in order to praise God now.)

In verse 17, Habakkuk goes through a list of midnight hours’ situations relevant to his day but that are symbolic of some of the things we go through today. We can relate: Fruit, fertility – growth in your life, relationships, career, home, children Olive – a source of oil – a precious mineral – finances, bill, check being garnished, IRS Flock, herd – a gathering of animals or people – family or church In verse 18 (despite all of this), he speaks of rejoicing—to be filled with joy so much that it’s coming out of your being. He recognizes that the joy of the Lord is his strength.

So, if you are going through a midnight hour now, remember: • • •

that the battle is not yours, but it’s the Lords. that without the test, there is no testimony. that what you’re going through today will only be a memory tomorrow.

No matter what season you’re in, whether it’s winter or summer, when you praise God, you acquire the strength to rise above the circumstance into your high places. It’s your attitude that will determine your altitude. Do you want to rise to a higher level? Do you want strength for the situation you are going through? Do you want firm footing? Do you want to move up to the higher ground? Then put on the attitude of praise because praise will elevate you.

He also recognized that strength would help him rise above the situation. Please keep in mind, the situation has not changed yet. Praise changed Habakkuk’s attitude. He realizes that this strength took him to another plain or level and he relates it to a hind’s feet. Through research, I found out that: A hind is a female deer who jumps and gallops in a steady trot. She has a firm footing on the soft mucky surface of the summer and on the winter’s ice and snow. No matter the season, the hind is steady, stable, and able to endure. What did praise do for Habakkuk? It gave him strength, it enabled him to rise above the circumstance and lastly, it helped him to walk in high places. He calls them “MY” high places. These high places belong to us. We don’t belong in the valley. We are the head and not the tail. We should mount up with wings like eagles.

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THE SCARLET THREAD By Esther M. Bandy

Have you ever been on a treasure hunt? Isn’t it fun to follow the clues? Years ago, I learned of a scarlet thread in the Bible that runs from Genesis through Revelation. The clues lead to treasure! In Genesis, chapter 3, after Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they were ashamed. They hid in the garden and tried to cover their sin with fig leaves. Their efforts were futile. They needed a blood sacrifice, and God provided it. God sacrificed an animal and covered them with its skin. In Genesis, chapter 4, Cain and Abel were the first children. Adam and Eve must have taught them to offer a sacrifice to God for sin. Abel offered a lamb, and God received it. Cain offered fruit and vegetables, but God rejected his sacrifice. Why? Cain offered his own work, not the sacrifice God required. This reminds us of different religions. Those who approach God through the sacrifice He requires are received. Those who try to earn God’s acceptance through their own works are rejected. In Genesis 22, Abraham took his son to Mt. Moriah to offer him as a sacrifice. This is a picture of God the Father offering His Son as our sacrifice for sin. When Isaac asked where the lamb was, Abraham said that God would provide himself with a lamb. This is a foreshadow of the Lamb of God the Father gave to save the world from sin.

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In Exodus, we learn that the children of Israel were slaves in Egypt for 400 years. God sent Moses to Pharoah with a message: “Let my people go.” When Pharoah repeatedly refused, God sent the plagues. Finally, God said the Israelites should put the blood of a lamb on their doors. God delivered them by sending the death angel to kill the firstborn of the Egyptians, but the people with blood on their doors were safe because the angel of death passed over their homes. This became known as Passover. “And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.” (Exodus 12:13-14 KJV) Leviticus 17:11 (KJV) says, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” When two Jewish spies went to Jericho, Rahab hid them. They offered to protect her when their army returned. “Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household, home unto thee. And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever

shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.” (Joshua 2:18-19 KJV) The scarlet thread points to the blood of the lamb. Those who believed and stayed in the room with the scarlet thread were safe. Those who refused would be destroyed. Consider these verses: “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29 KJV) “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:22 KJV) “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7 KJV) The book of Revelation reveals even more about the Lamb: “And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.” (Revelation 5:1-6 KJV)

The Lord Jesus is the Lamb of God. He is the greatest treasure. Have you confessed your sin to God and received Christ as your Savior? Let’s worship Him! “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;” (Revelation 5:9 KJV) “And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” (Revelation 5:13 KJV)

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WE’VE BEEN RESCUED: 3 REMINDERS OF CHRIST’S REDEMPTION IN OUR LIVES By Juliana Gordon

Imagine a man who has been lost, deep in a jungle. He is able to survive, but just barely. Then one day, a search party finds him! This great rescue is covered on every newscast, every news website, and every newspaper. His friends and family rejoice over his rescue. Yet he continues to live a life as he did in that jungle. He doesn’t talk to anyone; he eats small amounts of scavenged food, and he continues to look for someone to rescue him. We’d think something was wrong with him, correct? Yet, that is what we can do when we’ve asked Jesus into our hearts, but don’t fully recognize how His redemption has changed us. These three reminders of Christ’s redemption in our lives can help us see how we’ve been rescued from a life and eternity without Him. 1. Because we’ve been rescued, we can live a forgiven life, not weighed down by our past mistakes. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) tells us that “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” This verse was originally written in Greek, and the word for both instances of “new” in this verse is the word “kainos.” In Strong’s Greek Dictionary, kainos is defined as “recently made, fresh, recent, unused, unworn.” Because Christ redeemed us, He sees us with those qualities! We are fresh, unused, and unworn in Him. Does everyone see us that way? Unfortunately, not always. With other people, we might have to live with the consequences of how we’ve acted in the past. But the renewal of our minds (Romans 12:2) will help us grow in Him, hopefully producing the kind of change that others can see and repairing some of the relationships that have been hurt in the past. 50 | M AG A Z I N E N A M E PAGE 3 50

2. Because we’ve been rescued, we do what’s right to honor God, not to earn our salvation. I grew up as an overachieving Sunday School student, wanting to earn every prize I could for reciting books of the Bible, memorizing Bible verses, or reading Christian books at the church library. Was there anything wrong with doing these honorable tasks? No. But the gold stars it might have earned me in the teacher’s book did not transfer over to God’s view of me. Because Jesus is my Savior, when God looks at me, He sees me through Jesus’ sacrifice. Anything that I’ve accomplished for God is by His grace and strength and is my grateful service to Him. Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV) says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” 3. Because we’ve been rescued, we have the privilege of showing others how to be rescued, too. If a volcano erupted and you knew the sure path away from the deadly lava, wouldn’t you want to tell other people? God has provided the way out of the consequences of our sins. We need to let others know that Good News. Romans 6:23 ESV says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Our lives should be signposts that point to Christ. The way I point to Christ might look different from how you do it. But we have the privilege of being part of letting others know about Christ, and the rescue He offers us.

A Prayer of Redemption Dear Jesus, We thank You for the sacrifice You made for us on the cross. We thank You for the free gift of salvation You give if we ask You to be in our lives. We pray that we would live renewed lives, free of the weight of sin we could never pay for ourselves. We pray that we would share our stories of how You rescued us, and point others towards You. Thank You so much for redeeming us! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Juliana Gordon studied creative writing at California State University at Northridge. She is a pastor’s wife and a freelance writer in Southern California. She has been married to her husband for over 25 years. You can find her at www.julianagordon.com or on Instagram at @julianagordonwriter.

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A Cord of 3 Strands By Cindy J. Evans (to Mark)

A cord of three strands we are with Him, He has woven us in love. With His connection and His power, we have extra strength from above. With His help, we are given an extra measure of grace, showered down on us for good, keeping us in place. All things are held together by Him. I’m glad we’ve become one, yet three. May we stand and forever be faithful, and to God be all the glory! “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12, NIV)

Cindy Evans is a published poet living in the greater Atlanta area. When she’s not writing, you may find her attending a church activity, volunteering at the local hospice company or on a prayer walk. Cindy may be reached at: cindy.evans@usa.net

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When the Path Isn’t Clear— Keep Going By Jeff Foster

“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. (Hebrews 6:1-3 KJV) Every young child while visiting with aunts or uncles or other extended family is inevitably asked the question which he probably doesn’t have a clue as to the real answer. What do you want to be when you grow up? I had my definitive answer sometime around the year 1970. I was going to be a fighter pilot in the US Air Force. Now that decision may have been influenced by the odor of Testor’s plastic model glue while assembling my 1/64th scale model of the F14 Tomcat. I spent many hours in the library reading all I could find about my newly chosen career. But alas all my plans were soon dashed to pieces when I read that one of the requirements for fighter pilots was having a 20/20 vision. And so it was that my half-blind right eye crushed my dreams and pushed me back into the same position as the rest of the nine-yearold kids I knew; not a clue.

Eventually, I did settle into a career path, one that I have enjoyed for the most part. Being a bit rebellious in my younger days while choosing the starting point of my path, I encountered many twists and turns which probably made the journey more difficult than it needed to be. “Learn by doing” was my philosophy. With each step of the way, I learned new things and found ways to use what I had learned from my experiences to boldly accept and conquer new challenges. The difficult experiences quickly gave me opportunities to lead and teach those coming up behind me. While leading and teaching present their own set of challenges, they also provide the most satisfaction. Our Christian journey, like our career path, can take many unexpected turns and run into difficulties. Those turns and difficulties, and the times we just don’t know which way to go, can stagnate us. We think God isn’t speaking or giving us direction, so we just sit down and wait. At the end of the day, how much reward, how much fruit, will be there if we just wait? Nothing. In our workplace job, we are usually expected to keep doing what we are told until we are told to do something different. We can’t expect to clock in each morning and expect someone to come to retrain us for some unknown task. Our Christian path is no different. “Learn by doing” should be the way of life for every Christian.

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In chapter 6 of Hebrews, the writer tells us to leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ and go on to perfection. That doesn’t mean abandon or turn from the doctrine of the gospel of Christ. It means we have all we need to serve Christ the moment we receive Him as our Lord and Savior. We cannot sit down to learn all we think we need before we put our hand to the task. The word perfection in verse 1 means equipped for duty. We are given that perfection the day the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us. We still need a quiet time each day to read and meditate on God’s Word but waiting cannot be an option. Time is short and the fields are white unto harvest. Learn by doing. “And this will we do, if God permit.”

Jeff Foster and his wife Lorena live in Granite Falls, NC. As a mechanical engineer with many years of technical writing experience, he discovered his calling to devotional writing in 2018. He finds purpose in his writing by encouraging the saints and inspiring them to strive for a closer walk with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please visit his website, https://seedsowing.org/

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Cindy Oriol is the author of “IF ONLY” and “ HAVING JOY IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM.” They were written by the Holy Spirit and me to encourage anyone that is going through a storm in their life. No matter how many storms we have to endure as long as we hold tight to Jesus we can make it through anything.

JESUS CHRIST IS OUR ETERNAL HOPE By Cindy Oriol

We would no sooner finish our breakfast and it The holiday of Easter is coming upon us soon. What is the reason we celebrate it? Is it because of the Eas- would be time to search for our Easter basket. I loved searching for mine. It was always hidden in a secret ter bunny and candy or is it something else? place, usually behind a piece of furniture. I remember one time it was hiding in the washing machine. I remember as a child my mom would buy my sister The basket would be full of all kinds of treats—sweet and me brand new dresses with lots of lace in the chocolate Easter bunnies, jelly beans, and marsh front and buttons on the back. Also, white patent mellow bunnies. But, my favorite was the colored leather shoes that fastened across the top to keep malted milk ball eggs. The color would rub off onto them from slipping off our feet. She would pick out my lips and I would pretend I was putting on lipstick. a color in our dress and made sure a bonnet with ribbons to tie in the front would match it. My favorite My parents always did the best they could do for color was pink. us. We did not have money to buy beautiful things or go on an adventurous vacation, but what they We would get up fairly early in the morning to atgave us was better than any of this. They gave us the tend church with our mother. I came from a Cathoagape love that comes from Jesus. As I grew up and lic background, so we would also attend church on became a mother to my two girls, I celebrated Easter Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. the same way. Now that I have shared the most exOn Good Friday, after the priest finished his sermon, citing part of the holiday as a child, I will share with you as an adult why I truly celebrate Easter. one by one the congregation would march to the front of the altar where a statue of Jesus laid upon a wooden cross. We would kiss the feet of Jesus and When I was twenty-three, I found out that I could then the priest would wipe them off so that the next have a personal relationship with Jesus. I had a new person in line could do the same. This was a way to insight into why we celebrate Him. In the past, I knew Jesus died for my sins, but I did not really compreshow our gratitude for what the Lord had done for us. hend the entire story of this holiday until the year 2009, when I went on a retreat called Faces of Christ. After church, we went back home. Our father would There my eyes were awakened to the cross, the cook a special breakfast, and as soon as we would washing of others’ feet and giving my sins to our open the front door, we could smell the delicious Lord. I was so humbled when during one of our ceraromas of bacon and scrambled eggs, toast, orange emonies where we each were given a piece of paper juice, and whatever else he had prepared. and something to write with. We were told to write down our worst sin and then one by one we would go to the stage where a bare cross lay. We grabbed a hammer and a nail and nailed our sins to the cross.

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The next day, on Friday, we went back to that same room. As I was glancing at the cross, I noticed something different: everyone’s sins were absent. Jesus had washed away our sins just as He had done thousands of years ago on Calvary. Once again, I had lost my sense of emotion and started crying my eyes out. The retreat opened my eyes to look and learn why Jesus had died for my sins and the sins of others. When you hear the name of Jesus, what words come to your mind? I think of Alpha and Omega - the Beginning and End, Prince of Peace, Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Bread of Life, Messiah, and so many other beautiful names. Other words and phrases are very harsh when related to Jesus. For example: crucified, tortured, the blood of the lamb, wreath of thorns, spit upon, mocking Him and several others. Several years ago, the movie THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST was made. It starred Jim Caviezel, who portrayed Christ. Mel Gibson was the Academy Award-winning director. When I went to see it for the first time, I was so full of several emotions: sorrowfulness, happiness, anger, and guilt.

Once again I was so torn up inside, but the part in the movie that really got to me was when Jesus laid on the cross to be crucified for our sins and the Roman soldiers drove long spikes into His hands and feet. Jesus did not have to suffer like that. He chose to so He could take away our sins. But, Hallelujah, He rose from the grave three days later and because of Him, we as believers have been redeemed. Jesus is coming back to take us to heaven, where we will live in eternity with Him. In Revelation 22:7 (NKJV), Jesus tells us, “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24 KJV) In Christian Love,

To see how Christ was flogged with whips containing sharp pieces of metal that penetrated through His body as His blood poured out onto the ground was so devastating to watch. I started pulling at my chest, hyperventilating, screaming, and crying my eyes out. There was a part in the movie where Jesus is carrying His extremely heavy cross through the streets to reach the designation of Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). He stumbles and falls to the ground and sees Mary, His mother, and tells her, as He is getting up with the weight of the cross baring down into His back and shoulder blades, “Look, mother, I make all things new.”

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Craig Ruhl is the Managing Editor of Faith On Every Corner, he is also a Published Writer and handles the business side of Faith On Every Corner, LLC. Read more about Craig at www.FaithOnEveryCorner.com

DO NOT BE AFRAID, I AM WITH YOU By Craig Ruhl

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 NKJV) Many of our readers may know I had a heart attack in early February of this year. I am doing well, recovering, and preparing for a future procedure to replace a severely compromised aortic value. Ironically, the heart attack I suffered wasn’t caused by the valve or chronic heart failure. I had a rare form of food poisoning that caused a gastrointestinal bleed complicated by the long-term blood thinners I had been on. Losing four units of blood placed an extreme strain on my heart, causing the attack. I was already in the hospital for the bleeding when the heart attack occurred, and the many members of the quick-acting medical staff were able to reverse the situation and here I am today. I am truly very blessed and highly favored. I also am so very blessed by the outpouring of prayers, concern, and support you all gave Karen and me during that time.

Laying on a hospital bed with a ten-thousandpound elephant on your chest, gasping for breath, is not conducive to rational thought. However, I was very conscious of the presence of the Holy Spirit during those first hours while I was in danger. I experienced a deep warmth and peace surrounding me and the knowledge that I was in the hands of my Creator. Prayer didn’t come easily or naturally at first; as I said, I was just trying to breathe and stay focused on remaining as calm as I could. What I have heard referred to as breath prayers seemed to pop into my head. Little snippets of thanks, praise, surrender, and after a while, requests. When you are experiencing a heart attack in the intensive care unit of the hospital, the flurry of activity, pain, uncertainty, and noise associated with cardiac intervention makes normal thought patterns impossible. My focus was on the next minute. As medications for pain and to help my heart stabilize were administered, I calmed down and thanked God for coming to my rescue — once again. I am a poster boy for God’s miracles.

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God works His miracles every day through the gifts He has given to the doctors, nurses, technicians, and myriad others who minister to His children during times of crisis. Looking into the eyes of the Emergency Medicine doctor who was placing a PICC IV line in my neck, I imagined an image of the Lord looking back at me and imploring me to trust Him. The same was true when the nurse came to my room to answer my medical crisis call. She held my hand and spoke calmingly to me while pushing buttons and summoning the rapid response team. Her face showed concern but also conveyed hope. It was as if the Lord was telling me, “Do not fear, I have sent an army of angels to see you through this.” Over the next week, I was surrounded by many more examples of just how God has held me in His hands and provided all that I needed.

Of all the blessings God has granted me, and there have been more than I could ever count, my wife, Karen, is the greatest. I can honestly state that I would not be alive today if not for Karen. Over the years, she has seen me at my worst, in the direst of circumstances, and yet her prayers and unending support and care have been the deciding factor. This has become even more clear to me over the last two months. God placed us together for a reason and gave us missions to fulfill. When I was stabilized in the hospital and out of immediate danger, Karen held my hand and told me, “Craig, God isn’t done with you yet. He has plans for you and you still have work to do for Him.” Yes, I believe that with all my heart. On earth, and one day, in heaven. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV)

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Faith On Every Corner

C O N TA C T U S . . .

Publisher & Editor in Chief: Karen Ruhl Managing Editor Craig Ruhl Photography: Karen Ruhl (unless otherwise credited) Staff Writers: Craig Ruhl Karen Ruhl

Submit Articles For Consideration to: Team@faithoneverycorner.com Phone: 828-305-8571 www.FaithOnEveryCorner.com

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Disclaimer and Copyright Notification The Information contained in the published works of Faith On Every Corner has been received from sources we believe to be reliable. However, neither Faith On Every Corner nor its authors, writers, editors, or publishers can guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information published. Faith On Every Corner, its authors, editors, and publishers are not responsible for any errors or omissions in our published works. The opinions and theology expressed by contributing writers are their own and not necessarily that of Faith On Every Corner, LLC., its owners or staff. All Faith On Every Corner, LLC publications, websites, blogs, and other media are copyrighted. All rights are reserved. Contents published in Faith On Every Corner Magazine may be reproduced, shared, copied, or transmitted as long as the published work is unaltered and contains proper attribution to Faith On Every Corner. Contributing writers to Faith On Every Corner retain full rights to their contributed content. Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®, NIV ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc. ™ Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ® (ESV ®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) taken from the New King James Version ® (NKJV ®). Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission, all rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (CSB) taken from The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (KJV) taken from The King James Bible, public domain.

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Faith On Every Corner - April 2022

Articles inside

Road Trippin' April Throwback! by Karen Ruhl

Walking And Talking by Karen Ruhl

Do Not Be Afraid, I Am With You by Craig Ruhl

Jesus Christ Is Our Eternal Hope by Cindy Oriol

When The Path Isn't Clear - Keep Going by Jeff Foster

A Cord of Three Strands by Cindy J. Evans

We've Been Rescued; 3 Reminders of Christ's Redemption in our Lives by Juliana Gordon

The Scarlet Thread by Esther M. Bandy

Praise Will Elevate You by Rolanda Pyle

Resurrection Morn by Dave Evans

Spring In My Soul by Laurie Glass

Who Is Jesus And Why Does He Matter? by Paula Short

Morning Coffee - April 2022 by Michael E. Wells

The Lamb and the Lion by Esther M. Bandy

The Lost Trail by Shara Bueler-Repka

Why Christians Celebrate Easter by Sharon K. Connell

Spring Renewal by Brenda McDaniel

How Great Is God's Redeeming Love! by Dr. Irene Surya

Meeting Martha by Peter Caligiuri

It's Not About The Bunny by Steve Wilson

Resurrection and Life by Dave Evans

April 2022 Prayer by Tynea Lewis

By His Grace by Gina Sewell

The Lion Or The Lamb by Yvonne M. Morgan

As He Said by Nicole Byrum

What's In A Label? by Dr. Kathleen B. Oden

Our Great God by Andrea Marino

Accepted by Melissa Henderson

Faith On Every Corner - April 2022

Faith On Every Corner - April 2022