June 2021 Issue
And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. Exodus 13:21 NKJV
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COVER PHOTO BY AMY MASSEY Amy loved taking photos since she was a child. She has been working on her talent for the past two years since living on St. Croix for a month. Currently Amy Massey is enjoying a much slower pace of life and taking in the beauty and creative detail of His creation while working on regaining her strength and health from long-term effects of the COVID-19 virus. Amy’s greatest joy comes from experiencing the Lord’s whispers of His love and His presence, her four-legged baby, Grace, and sunsets at the beach. Amy is currently working on plans for opening a saltwater therapy center in Eastern North Carolina to help those with chronic pain and stress-related illnesses.
INSIDE COVER
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Note from the editor – June 2021 As I write this note to you, I am looking out my studio windows at a beautiful blue and sunny sky. Both Craig and I love Spring, it is filled with new life. This past month, we have been thrilled not only with our writers, but with our readers! We are read globally by nearly 24,000 readers and in 83 countries—God is keeping us on the move. All Glory To God!
Karen
and C
raig R
uhl
Did you know you can subscribe to our magazine? If you go to our website, you can sign up and we will send you an email as soon as the magazine is hot off the press, well hot off the computer since its digital! Check us out at www.faithoneverycorner.com Big news!! We are going to be publishing a second magazine beginning this Fall—Faith On Every Corner Young Writers Edition! If you have a young person in your home who loves to write stories, let them submit to us at Team@faithoneverycorner.com. We want to encourage young people! See more in the ad on this page. One last thing–we like to give a theme to our magazine to help writers with a topic. Our goal is to ask you to stay in prayer and listen to what God is telling you to write. It does not have to match our theme. We want inspirational articles, testimonies, and to hear about community involvement! Let God guide you and send your articles to us by the 12th of each month. If you would like to talk to a Team Member, please drop an email to team@faithoneverycorner.com. May God bless you. Enjoy this month’s issue! Karen
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Table of Contents Planting Seeds ... by Gini Walker ... page 5 Bloom Where You Are Planted ... by Melissa Henderson ... page 7 To Do And To Be ... Andrea Marino ... page 9 We Have A Choice ... by Dr. Kathleen Oden ... page 11 A Mole, A Chicken, And A Mop ... by Pamela McCormick ... page 13 Sowing Seeds Of Truth, The Mission Of Parenting ... by Nicole Byrum ... page 15 Seeds and 3 Poems ... by John Alexander ... page 17 Planting The Seeds ... by Gina Sewell ... page 19 What Surrounds Us? ... by Karen Ruhl ... page 20 A Prayer for Those Seeking Direction ... by Tynea Lewis ... page 21 My Three Positions Before God ... by Gini Walker ... page 22 Scattered Seeds ... by Scott Dunn ... page 23 From A Seed Sown ... by Lynn Downham ... page 25 Dear Carl ... by Anna Friend ... page 27 The One ... by Nancy Bockstiegel ... page 29 Kairos ... by Craig Ruhl ... page 30 More Than A Sparrow ... by Joseph Akinrinola ... page 31 Road Trippin’ - The Golden Isles of Georgia’s Coast ...by Karen Ruhl ... Page 33
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No Words Required ... by Yvonne M. Morgan ... page 37 Why The Seed Of Faith Planted Becomes the Branch Pruned ... by Tami Thorsen ... page 39 Bookshelf ... Book Reviews ... page 41-43 Buried For Three Days ... by Karen Ruhl ... page 45 To Be Submitted ... by Craig Ruhl ... page 47 Skillful Gardener ... by Aradhana Thakor ... page 49 A New Life - Starting Over ... by Craig Lounsbrough ... page 51 The Golden Rule ... by Maureen Kambarami ... page 53 Marriage Doesn’t Have To Be Hard ... by Joel Berry ... page 55 Scattering Sacred Seeds ... by Mike Buchanan ... page 57 I’m Sowing Seeds ... by Sharon Connell ... page 59 More Than A Dog, He Was My Son ... by Cindy Oriol ... page 61 The Foolish Farmer ... by Chad Thieman ... page 63 Memories ... by Jeff Foster ... page 65 Waiting On The Harvest ... by Tim Ferrara ... page 67 The Christian Seeds ... by Brenda McDaniel ... page 68 Top Ten Reasons To Be Thankful ... by Michael Wells ... page 69
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Planting The Seeds by Gini Walker
In our home on bookshelves or close by for daily reading are several translations and paraphrase editions of the Bible. We have The New Living Translation, The New International Version, The New American Standard, The Living Bible, The King James Version, The New Testament in the Williams and Beck (language of the people & today), and Eugene Peterson’s The Message paraphrase (in contemporary language). How blessed we are to have God’s Word so available to us. I say this, knowing many people do not have His Word at all. So I am humbled by this reality. His Word is the seed. My “self” is the soil for His seed. When I first began reading the Bible, my family used the King James Version. I didn’t know there were or would be more translations available. It took me a while to be comfortable with other translations. Today, at age 75, my choice is The New Living translation and particularly the Daily Walk Bible (D.W.B.). This was used in our church for Sunday worship, and many congregants used it for their personal study throughout the week. In my growing-up years, I heard many stories about families finding the “Family Bible,” especially those belonging to the grandparents. With this in mind, I wonder what my family will think about my Daily Walk Bible. It is full of underlined passages and many written notes. It is my hope that when others see the comments and underlines, these will give them a picture of my faith journey. They will also see my curiosity about more than Genesis—Revelation. 6PAGE | M5 AG A Z I N E N A M E 3
Every time I read a book, I always start with the table of contents. Then I read the dedication, acknowledgments, and introduction pages. I didn’t always do this when I was eager to get to a story. But now, the more I read, it has been revealed to me that skipping over these pages leaves much lost to me as a reader. With that said, I have taken a detailed look at the preliminary pages of my D.W.B. Here are a couple of gleanings from my time spent here. One page is titled “Seven Benefits From Reading Your Bible.” These are based on Psalm 119. Number one - The Bible will help keep you from sin (v. 11) Number two - The Bible will lift your burdens (v. 28) Number three - The Bible will guide your steps, (v. 105) Number four - The Bible will bring you joy (v. 111) Number five - The Bible will lead you to wisdom (v. 130) Number six - The Bible will give you peace (v. 165) Number seven - The Bible will bring you back to God (v. 176)
The publishers pray (ed) “that God will use this translation to speak His timeless truth to the church and the world in a fresh, new way.” Finally, in another section, there is a list of over 100 names composing the team that worked on this translation. I am encouraged by the deep effort and work that went into this. As I read the overviews, daily devotional thoughts, and insights that accompany many passages in my D.W.B. my faith and understanding have deepened. As a personal testimony, my husband shared with me some special needs of a new friend. She was searching for a new church and has a desire to get into God’s Word. I suggested giving her a copy of the D.W.B. which he did, and she is growing in her love for our Lord through it. Regarding planting my seed, I researched the topic of seeds in God’s Word - Matthew 13, Luke 8, 1 Peter and other scripture. I also did an internet search regarding seeds. There are several similarities worth mentioning between God’s Word and seeds for gardening. The “container”, the soil, the care of seeds, and the where and how to plant are mentioned. As I allow God to plant His seeds in me, I realize I must be willing and then hopefully share my harvested fruit. Glory to God for His clear words to us about growing in knowledge and love of Him. It is a joint effort with our Creator.
Although her parent and siblings were born in Arkansas, Gini was born and raised in California. She has been married to Charlie for more than 53 years. They live in Orange County, CA. Their son and daughter-in-law, granddaughter, and grandson live nearby. Gini was active in the education of elementary school-age children. Feeling a misfit in education, she turned to and became active in adult ministry at their church. Gini and Charlie have a joint ministry—12 years ago, Charlie designed and built a guest house on the back of their property. It is named Onesimus House, a gift from God of respite and renewal to missionaries from around the world. They call themselves God’s caretakers of this delightful place of rest and renewal. Gini’s hobbies are gardening, reading, and writing. Their 3-year-old dog, Jackson, is such a joy in their lives. Gini and Charlie are members of Trinity Presbyterian Church of Orange County.
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Bloom and Grow Where You Are Planted By Melissa Henderson Have you heard the expression “Bloom where you are planted?” I have often referred to that statement each time our family has moved to a new city. Job changes have caused us to move from Virginia to North Carolina, back to Virginia, and then to South Carolina. We moved to South Carolina to be near our son, daughter-in-love, and the first grandbaby and now there are two grandbabies. My husband, Alan, and I have lived in various cities and each place was home until we were called to move again. Each time we thought maybe we wouldn’t move again, God called us to new opportunities and joys. God always has a plan, and His plan is always best. We may not know the future or the reason for the way things happen. Yet, we can rest assured God is with us. I repeat that thought to myself daily. “God is with us.” Whatever the day and night brings, God will never leave. Each time we have moved, Alan and I decided to find the positive in our new journey. Instead of focusing on finding moving boxes, packing, and cleaning the old and the new home, we focus on the possibilities God has presented. Finding a place to live, choosing a church, locating medical professionals, and becoming involved in the community are some ways we establish a foundation in the new area. In each of those activities, God is waiting to guide us and show His glory. 8PAGE | M7 AG A Z I N E N A M E 3
We found joy and hope in each town we have called home. The expression went from “bloom where you are planted” to “bloom and grow where you are planted.” God has led us to different communities and allowed us to find ways to share His love and glory with others. Instead of just blooming where we are planted, we “bloom and grow” where God plants us. Through volunteering in the community and church, greeting neighbors with a smile and enjoying conversation with people of all ages, learning about the history of the city, and offering to help others, we have found ways to “bloom and grow”. With words and actions, we are sharing the love of Christ. I think about the beautiful red petunias growing in the flower pots in the front yard. The hummingbirds enjoy the nectar from colorful flowers. With tender loving care, water, and sunshine, each plant blooms and grows. We also need tender loving care and nourishment of the mind and body so that we may bloom and grow. What wonderful thoughts cross my mind when I remember the love God has for His children. Wherever He sends you, remember to “bloom and grow”. Share His love with everyone.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4: 4-6 NIV) Blessings and prayers, 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
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Luke 12:27 ESV
Click on the book covers to purchase Melissa’s books. We are proud owners of both books. Karen & Craig Ruhl
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To Do And To Be By Andrea Marino
“Trust in the Lord and do good. Take delight in the Lord and He will give you your heart’s desires.” (Psalm 37:3,4 NLT) On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus and His disciples were welcomed into the home of Martha and Mary. I can identify with Martha. Whenever I had a gathering at my home, the food served and the house in tiptop shape was a priority. While my husband and children helped, the responsibility was basically on me, making the burden quite overbearing. Just wanting the big day to go smoothly, my stress level usually reared its ugly head. I get Martha’s loud and clear rebuke of Mary:
“why aren’t the needs simply stated and people encouraged to seek the Lord in what He would have them do?” No one but God knows the situations we are in and struggling with. Furthermore, at the proper time, the gifts and talents He has equipped us for are what we will most likely have a natural desire to do. I think it is best to first sit at the feet of Jesus and bask in His presence, filling up on Him. That is basically how Jesus answered Martha—in a dither over all that needed to be done. “There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10 42 NLT)
I’m sure Jesus spoke with utmost compassion for Martha’s distress. I’m sure He wanted her to “But Martha was distracted by all the preparations understand she did not have to allow the cares of that had to be made. She came to him and asked, this world to be all-consuming. “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (Luke I have had to learn to say no to various tasks, 10:40 NLT) both at church and home. With a ‘type A’ personality, it was always a challenge for me to simply Wouldn’t it have been perfect if Martha could rest. The anxieties of this world just go on and on, simply have hired a caterer and cleaning crew? as housework is never actually done. I remember one particular Sunday morning when God preMartha people are very much needed in the sented a small revelation of a big hindrance in my life. My family was waiting in the car for me so world. Christians are called to serve others. And with the workload in church buildings great, it we could get to church, and as I rushed out of my bathroom, a film on a mirrored closet door halted was hard for me not to do something. However, many times I volunteered out of a sense of oblime in my tracks. Instinctively heading for a botgation. I recall one Pastor announcing the reason tle of Windex and paper towels, I heard a gentle voice simply suggest, “You can do it later.” Wow. I some people sit in the back pews, and that was so they could be incognito for signing up for had a choice! And I laid the cleaning things down. service in the church. Hence my usual murmur,
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This idea of choosing opened up a new reality for me. Consider the benefits of not having to do the not-sogood things we too often default to, especially when stressed. Funny enough, after that lesson, whenever I felt pressured to clean anything, I would ponder the choice. Was it necessary? What if the Lord were to come today? Surely a scrubbed floor wouldn’t matter then. “Choose this day Whom you will serve.” (Joshua 24:14 ESV) It boils down to being self-serving or serving God. There are times to serve and times to be still in the presence of God. He doesn’t actually need anyone or anything; still, He has a wonderful plan for us. (Jeremiah 29:11) He desires for us to wait upon Him, renewing our strength. (Isaiah 40:31) Though I am a busy gal, like Martha, I also identity with Mary. It is my delight to sit at the feet of Jesus.
“You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11 ESV)
With a yearning to uncover the secret to life, Andrea embarked on a journey to discover truth. The study of Psychology proved inadequate, while the forces of darkness began to make their presence known. The Hobble, from Ai to Bethel encompasses Andrea’s personal victory over fear and bondage to the enemy. Passionate in sharing God’s Good News about Jesus, the author desires to encourage people to never lose hope. Because we all ‘hobble’ before God in need of Him. When not writing, Andrea loves spending time with her children and grandchildren, and enjoys cycling on the open roads with her husband, David.
The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters. Psalm 24:1-2
Click on the photo of the book to purchase from Amazon.
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WE HAVE A CHOICE! By Dr. Kathleen Oden
One thing that God has given to man is CHOICE. We have the choice to do what we want to do, or say what we want to say, or think what we want to think, and eat what we want to eat. The question is, are we planting the seeds for a good choice or planting the seeds for a bad choice? We have a choice! Whether it is a right CHOICE, a wrong CHOICE, a good choice, or a bad choice, we have a choice! Unfortunately, planting bad seeds or making wrong choices comes with consequences. And who is to say what is right and what is wrong? Well, that is easy. Because God is always right, no matter what choice we decide to go with!
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (MATTHEW 13:23 KJV)
God also told them, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant that grows throughout the earth, along with every tree that grows seed-bearing fruit. They will produce your food. I have given all green plants as food for every wild animal of the earth, every bird that flies, and to every living thing that crawls on the earth.” (GENESIS 1:29 ISV) And that is what happened. God made “seed-bearing” plants. However today we see many man-made plants at the supermarket that have no seeds. But worse than that is the fact that some people are planting the seeds of hate instead of planting the seeds of love. We have a choice! It is imperative that we plant the seeds of love as commanded by God, or suffer the consequences.
“Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy Knowing this, man still makes wrong choices. Let’s people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thygo all the way back to the Garden of Eden where self: I am the Lord.” (LEVITICUS 19:17-18 KJV) God first put man so that we would know, “WHAT IS FOOD?”
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Not only is it imperative that we plant spiritual seeds of love, but we should also plant natural seeds for our health because we need both. Do you eat seeds? Seeds are extremely nutritious and a great source of fiber. They also contain healthy fats and many important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. When consumed as part of a healthy diet, seeds can help reduce blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure. Coriander seed is a superfood that is very rich in many vital vitamins, including folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin-A, beta carotene, and vitamin-C, which is a powerful natural antioxidant. And it has one of the richest fiber sources of vitamin K! Take care of your health and keep ‘planting the seeds’ of love! And remember, we have a choice!
Great tips and tricks by Dr. Kathleen B. Oden Super Healthy Seeds You Should Eat 1. FLAXSEEDS Great source of fiber and omega-3 fats. It’s best to eat flaxseeds that have been ground. 2. CHIA SEEDS Are very similar to Flaxseeds. A good source of fiber and omega-3 fats, along with a number of other nutrients. 3. HEMP SEEDS One of the few plants that are complete protein sources, meaning they contain all the essential amino acids that your body can’t make. 4. SESAME SEEDS Help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which can worsen symptoms of many disorders, including arthritis.
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
5. PUMPKIN SEEDS The seed and the oil are good sources of monounsaturated and omega-6 fats. May help improve heart health and symptoms of urinary disorders. 6. SUNFLOWER SEEDS Also contain high levels of both monounsaturated and omega-6 fats, and may help reduce inflammation and cholesterol levels as well as heart disease.
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Pam McCormick is an aspiring writer who recently retired from teaching in the public school and community college setting and still enjoys tutoring Algebra at the local library. Pam had a story, “The End,” published in Isothermal’s magazine, The Mentor, in December, 2014. Pam was also published in December 2016 in collaboration with eight other authors to write a devotional book, Ancient Stones Timeless Encouragement. Pam is a member of the Encouragers’ Christian Writers’ Group that meets monthly. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and tent camping with her husband, watching old time westerns, doing crossword puzzles and spending time with her daughter in Kentucky and her son, his wife and granddaughters, Merryn and Charlotte in Fuquay-Varina. You can contact her at pjmc411@gmail.com.
A MOLE, A CHICKEN, AND A MOP by Pamela McCormick You’ve seen the arcade game. A hard-shelled, plastic, brown mole pops up out of a hole, and your job is to whack him over the head when you see him pop up, so you can earn points. Whoever came up with such a game was a genius. Great stress reliever, for sure. It reminded me of a time, kind of like this, that I was told in a recipe to pound a piece of boneless chicken breast to a half-inch thickness. Not having a meat mallet, which could be cheaply purchased at the dollar store, I used one of the heaviest coffee cups I could find. Using one edge, I started pounding away. Got the job done; a little over-pounded, but in the end, my husband and I enjoyed a great meal of Chicken Parmesan. I was texting a good friend about pounding the chicken, and although we were texting, we could hear each other’s smiles and laughter, as I pounded those chickens flat. In her response to my successful efforts, she remarked, “And got out your hostilities! Two for one activity, that’s what I like.” In Proverbs 17:22, it says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (NIV) 14 | M AG A Z I N E N A M E PAGE 3 13
I saw a daunting task of preparing supper, and it turned into a great way to relieve unresolved stress and laugh with a good friend. Of course, then a couple of days later, the kitchen floor needed to be swept and mopped. I quickly spoke, “Okay, I’ll give it a lick and a promise.” That’s what my mom used to call it. Hit the bad spots with a damp mop and promise to do it right later. Well, then, I had an idea. What if I invited my mop and broom to dance with me? Sounds silly, absolutely, but I love to dance, and best of all, they were willing partners, and the two of them and little old me got together and had fun. If my kitchen floor could talk, it would have said, “Now, see how much fun you had, when you took the doldrums out of it.” Thank the good Lord no one was watching, because I danced and danced and danced some more, to some 60s music I found on Pandora. Oh, and when “The Twist” by Chubby Checker came on, my white ankle socks and a freshly mopped floor made a slick, but perfect, opportunity to remember the good times of rock-androll again, getting two for the price of one.
I started thinking about the choices I make every day. As quirky as the title of this story is, there is a message to all of us. We have choices in life. We can see the glass as half empty or half full. We can see our “circumstances”, or we can see the creativity that can come alive inside each of us to be original and see things differently. In all three short quips, I had fun and got a whole lot of stress out of my system at the same time. Life hurts sometimes, so find something to make you happy. Whether it’s jabbing jaws with a good friend, remembering good times with friends and family, putting together a jigsaw puzzle, taking a hike in the woods and praying no bears have the same plans that day, or talking to a complete stranger and asking them, “How are you doing today?” Together, they all add up to make your day and the day of someone else a little brighter. God knew that life would be tough. If we listen more to God and stop trying to solve our problems, we might just learn something. We might just learn to smile and relax more and enjoy the simple things in life. As for the things out of our control, they’ll always be out of our control, so go whack a mole, pound a chicken, or dance a jig with a mop and be silly, because life is way too short to waste being unhappy. Tough times will come, and if you hold on to them, they’ll stay. Let go and give control to the One who desires to make your day. God delights in us. Think about that. We are His Kids.
God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. - 1 John 4:9-11
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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.
SOWING SEEDS OF TRUTH: T H E M I S S I O N O F PA R E N T I N G by Nicole Byrum Raising a 10 and 12-year-old in the increasingly Godless culture of 2021 is not for the weak. As parents, we of course want our kids to be happy, healthy, well-adjusted, well-rounded, and safe. I want all of those qualities to be true for my children as well! But now, more than ever, those are not my main concern as a parent. My number one concern in this day and age is the warning given by the Apostle Paul in Colossians 2:8:
With all of this in mind, as parents, we must fix our minds on the mission of sowing and nurturing the seeds of truth in our children’s lives. Just as we have a responsibility to protect our kids from viruses and strangers who intend harm, we have an even greater responsibility to share the gospel with them, to teach them sound doctrine, and to cultivate a home environment that models the love of Christ.
“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Colossians 2:8 ESV)
Make no mistake, the influence of the world is coming hard after our children. Along with fervent prayer, here are a few ways we can intentionally lean into the seed planting mission of parenting:
The fact is our world is riddled with philosophy and empty deceit according to human tradition. I know this is not a new thing; the enemy of this world has been hard at work, tricking and deceiving ever since the Garden of Eden. And if there’s one thing, I know about deceit, it’s this: it is incredibly subtle. When it comes to my kids, I don’t worry about them knowing right from wrong in an obvious sense. I’m confident they can recognize sin in the light of day. My concern is for how they will respond when they meet a lie dressed up to look a lot like truth. Because that is all around us. A twist of Scripture here, something that sounds right over there. It can be easy to slowly drift from truth to something that merely resembles it. I am by far less concerned with an act of disobedience in the face of knowing the truth than I am with them being deceived away from it. 16 | M AG AEVERY Z I N E N ACORNER ME FAITH ON PAGE 3 15
Maintain Connection: This takes many forms, but specifically, I’m thinking about the element of time. Kids feel connected to their parents through the investment of time spent together. Extended time on the weekends or vacations is great, but even more important are the daily connections. Look for ways to hang out with your child—just be where they are! Common interests always help, but even if it’s not your thing, if your kid is into it, get into it with them! Take an interest in their interests. When our kids know we care about what matters to them, they are more likely to view us as trustworthy... and as someone whose influence they are likely to accept. This is key. Connection increases influence!
Bold Conversations: Of course, we want our kids to maintain their innocence for as long as possible, but we also cannot be naïve. Often kids pick up on far more than we would like to think– whether from peers, the media, or overheard conversations in public. We absolutely cannot shy away from talking about issues addressed in Scripture. This includes (but is not limited to): sexuality and marriage, creation, how we speak, and how we treat others. It is never too early to begin these conversations! Bold conversation might also look like talking over song lyrics or television and movie themes. Additionally, bold conversation seeks out theological discussions. These discussions should teach our kids to view life through the lens of Scripture and the character of God. This leads to my next point... Encourage Questions: Absolutely ask your kids about what they’re learning in their youth groups or church services. This is a great springboard for discussion and can be a way for you to learn with them. Within bold conversations, ask them what they think about the topics in light of what they know to be true of God and Scripture. This cultivates critical thinking so that they will not blindly (and lazily) accept the teachings of the world. And as questions go both ways, be sure to let them know they can ask you about any topic they wish. And when their questions get hard, and they will get hard, you can seek theologically sound answers together.
Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 NKJV
Raising kids to know Christ in a world that is diametrically opposed to Christianity requires great intentionality and courage. But we must make this our mission above all else. May it ever be our goal to lead our children to the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. That way when they hear a lie that resembles the truth, they will not be deceived. They will not be taken captive by philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition. Rather, they will have the mind of Christ.
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Poems by John Alexander
Dig Deep Sometimes a rhyme’s silly, just pops in my head, I think others form while I’m sleeping in bed. I opened the floodgates a few years ago, A river of verses continues to flow. It started with one, then I wrote a few more, Now I’m surrounded by poems galore.
John Alexander lives in Frisco, Texas with his beautiful wife and his Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Seeds
By John Alexander The seeds of God have taken root inside me and I have first-hand knowledge of His mercy, His love, and His grace. He gives me hope each day. He inspires me to strive to be all that He created me to be and to do all that He created me to do. I pray you’ve discovered the seeds of love that God has planted inside you. The seeds have such potential to help us grow into the image He created us to be. Just as the words in these poems convey, I pray for you also that He’s the Light in the Darkness, that you experience Journey Blessings on your journey through life and bloom where you’re planted, and that God’s seed blooms within you as you Dig Deep inside.
Sometimes I wonder how deep is the well? I’ll keep drawing water, how long I can’t tell. Perhaps words I share inspire others to write. Help them find words to put their thoughts in flight. Writing poetry’s different than writing a book. Each one is unique and each has its own look. They’re not each a chapter nor follow a plot That must be resolved to untangle a knot. The only suggestion that I would impart, “Dig deep to make sure that you write from the heart.”
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Light in the Darkness
Journey Blessings
As a poet, I write, never sure what I’ll find Tangled up in the furrows and folds of my mind. Exploring the depths of raw feelings inside, I transcribe what I see; what’s exposed, I can’t hide.
May the paths that you take on your journey
Light shines in the darkness, it finds every fault, Some easy to see, others locked in a vault. Some places bring joy, others lead to despair. I’m there to discover what still needs repair. I’ve dwelt in the valleys, through sorrows I’ve known. God’s mercy runs deep, seeds of love He has sown. God’s Spirit indwells me, it gives me new hope. His faith grows within me, it helps me to cope. In my life on this earth, my goal is to see The image of God He created in me.
through life Include places to stroll free of turmoil and strife. May the beauty of spring be felt deep in your soul. As you see God at work, be restored and made whole. May you bloom where you’re planted and flourish each day. May you bask in the sunshine, be warmed by each ray. Be blessed to bless others immersed in their strife. Bring light to their world, let God bless, bring new life. May the joy that you find as you share what you know Bring forth joy in the others you touch with its glow. May the courage you need to reach out and share love Come from God’s Holy Spirit, who’s sent from above. May your God and your savior, companion, and friend Walk beside you and guide you to your journey’s end.
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Keeping Our Focus By Gina Sewell
Gina Sewell is a mom and grandma who lives in the Dallas, Texas area, where she enjoys cooking and spending time with her family. She loves to write about Jesus and encourage others. Gina shares her journey on her website: http://www.ginabartonsewell.wordpress.com
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4 NIV) So many times, it seems, when things go wrong we have a tendency to get angry with God. Trusting in God can be difficult. You love Him and you are thankful for every blessing He bestowed upon you, but how do you get through the bad times? How do you give it all to Him and just know in your heart that you’ll get through and you’ll be okay? Many times, we try to do things on our own. We focus so much on trying to take care of everything for ourselves, that we get confused, and that’s when our faith begins to waver. We can’t trust Him without having faith in Him. Maybe we need to do the work, but we have to have faith that God will show us which direction to go; that He will show us what to do, and that He will be right there with us through it all.
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Sometimes in my life, things have happened that I thought were so terrible that there’s no way that God would help me through it. I felt it was just too much and I didn’t deserve His help. And then there are other times when things would happen that were so bad that I knew God would never allow this to happen to me. That is where faith comes in, but how do we have faith through our struggles each time? How do we keep ourselves from getting angry or scared or worried and not allow ourselves to lose our faith? First of all, we must keep our focus on Jesus. We have to follow Him, we have to love Him, and we know that we don’t deserve the things that He does for us, but He does them because of His grace and mercy. We need to know that He is there to help us get through anything. But yes, there will be trials and tribulations since sin was born into this earth but, if we are a follower of Jesus, He will get us through this. God has such a beautiful plan for our lives. Isn’t it time that we allow Him to reveal those plans to us so that we may flourish in rich new lives grounded in Christ Jesus?
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
What Surrounds Us? by Karen Ruhl
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the Lord surrounds His people From this time forth and forever. - Psalm 125:2 Craig and I took a vacation to the Golden Isles in Georgia in May. It seemed that we were surrounded by water on and off the islands. It made me think about what surrounds me every day. And, of course, scripture was there to confirm that I am surrounded by the Lord forever and ever. Knowing that the Lord surrounds me and protects me makes me feel very secure. It also reminds me that I need to watch what and who I surround myself with. Am I spending enough time in the Word? Am I surrounding myself with good friends, those who can pick me up if I fall? Do I even think about my surroundings? I believe this is an area we can all think about and pray for guidance.
Romans 12:22 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” God wants us to rest and feel refreshed. When we are well rested, we think better and can be aware of our surroundings and what we should do daily to be the person God wants us to be. It has been quite a long time since we have been able to go back to church. We felt the loss of having those faithful friends around us in service. Sometimes it is hard to tell someone why you think church is important. I have had many tell me that
they read the Bible and pray, some even belong to prayer groups. That is all very good, and I’m not saying you must go to church, but God wants us around other believers. What does the Bible say about going to church?
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 NKJV Find a Bible-based church near you. If you visit and do not hear the word preached from the Bible, consider finding a different church. I always watch the members to see how they interact with each other. Are they welcoming? Keep in mind that the church is filled with sinners. Sinners who have repented and work hard daily to walk the path that God wants them on. We feel comfortable in church because we know each person around us has been on the same path we have, maybe not the same sins, but they have found Jesus and have welcomed Him into their hearts and lives. I surround myself with scripture, prayer, a Godly husband, and Christian friends and family. I know that if I need to talk, share my worries or disappointments, I can talk to one of the people I surround myself with and they will listen, give biblical counsel, and lift me up. How about you? Do you know Jesus? Do you have a church family? Please drop me a note if you have any questions at Team@faithoneverycorner.com.
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June Prayer A Prayer for Those Seeking Direction By Tynea Lewis
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).
Dear Heavenly Father, we pray for everyone who is seeking direction from you. Big decisions sit in front of us, and we want to do what honors you, but Lord, sometimes it’s hard to know what to do. We feel completely helpless in this situation, which is hard. It’s hard to know which path to take because each decision impacts the future. Lord, you already know which step we should take. You are entirely in control, and you have already made a way for us, even when it doesn’t make sense in this moment. We have such a limited view, but you see the whole picture. You know what is best for other people and us. Lord, we come to you, asking for wisdom. We know you give generously without finding fault. We ask for peace about the direction we should take. Help us make wise decisions. Often, we overthink things way too much, and we become fearful of stepping out in faith. Lord, you know the situation that we’re facing right now. You know if we need to step up and do something. You know if we need to sit back and be quiet. You know exactly what we need to do to honor you. Help us to do what you have called us to do. Heavenly Father, you will never steer us wrong. We can trust you completely. Never have you failed us, and never will you. Help us to fully trust in your plan and take our pride out of the equation. Help us humble our hearts before you and follow wherever you lead. In Jesus’ name, amen!
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MY 3 POSITIONS BEFORE GOD By Gini Walker
“Between The 2 Eternities” is a favorite phrase of mine (in fact it is the name of my worship blog) We live between the two eternities—first breath until our last—before all time and into no time. On this planet, I see myself in three positions: on the potter’s wheel, kneeling at the cross, and on the anvil. For me, the position on the wheel reflects my design, physically, emotionally, and gifts (Psalm 139:13-18) At the cross I willingly, or not, bend the knee (Philippians 2:10) On the anvil (Psalm 51) I am owning up to my sins and submitting to His grace, mercy, and judgment. After 75+ years I find myself thinking and saying to God “ENOUGH!” I keep wanting to slide off or jump off the anvil. Of late the heat has been too much. But His Word says He is watching me (El Roi), so although I said “Yes” to Jesus at His cross, He isn’t finished with me and keeps telling me, “I will say when “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!”
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Scattered Seeds by Scott Dunn
Back in August, I wrote an article about planting a tree, a metaphor for how we raise our children. Or maybe we can relate easier to the farmer scattering seeds from the parable in Matthew 13:1-9. As a child, I was taught about the farmer sowing seeds, but as an adult, I enjoy the idea of a tree more. The reason for this is that trees are consistent, you will hear this word a lot going forward. Plants, like those sown by the farmer, are seasonal. These plants grow quickly, become fruitful but almost never multiply without help. Without consistent nourishment. In the Bible, I want to look at Psalms 1:1-6. If there was ever a single chapter devoted to the need for consistent nourishment in the Bible, it is this one. Bethany and I did a devotional on this probably four years ago and after we completed the devotional, which was about this nourishment we get from our connection to God, it really resonated with me. I try to carry it with me, sometimes I fail in the consistency part. I would be lying if I said I was that consistent in providing soulful nourishment for my kids or those around me. It is hard and we do not get it right all the time. We are not supposed to because we are not perfect, that is just the hard reality we live in. God made us according to his image and according to His likeness, but he did not intentionally create us as a perfect creature. He created us with free will and the choice to not only be what he created us to be (human) but also to make the choice to be in His likeness. They are two different things that I want to cover in another article. How consistent should you be? Always is the answer. Consistent towards God, your wife or husband, your children, etc. At least that should be the case. Still, there is something here that we should look at and it is what the farmer and his seeds represent. I use the farmer a lot in my writing. I believe wholeheartedly that the parable will inspire you to not only get nourishment consistently but also give nourishment consistently. This applies to anyone you meet, not just a friend, not just your Pastor, and certainly not just another Christian. The person may not know immediately they are being nourished by the grace God has given you, but in time they will realize it. 24 | M AG A Z I N E N A M E PAGE 3 23
We are eternal servants to the spiritual nourishment of others. In fact, we are charged in Matthew 5:16 to show others this consistent nourishment because we are also nourished by giving to them. It is harder than it sounds! However, I think that the method to be more consistent is simple. Just be mindful. I forget this sometimes because I do nothing half measure. It leads to arguments sometimes. Be mindful of what you are projecting to your children, to your wife/husband, or significant other. Is it in God’s likeness? Put yourself in a stranger’s shoes a moment and look at yourself, this man, this dad with his children or his wife. How are you being perceived when you are with them? What about when you are without them? Are you the same individual? Bethany is working on a devotional about this, using your spouse as a mirror. Asking the hard questions like, What am I doing that is the least Christ-like to you? Couples married several decades may run from that kind of hard and pointed question.
Even if we are experiencing rough waters within ourselves, we should project kindness. Even Christ who prayed at Gethsemane went quietly with the guards when arrested, knowing that His fate was death. Did He want to run? His humanity may have, but He prayed fervently, and God heard His prayer and saved Him from the eternal separation that the sin He bore would have caused. Instead, He knew He would be separated from His father only for a little while and this gave Him the strength to carry on.
Let me ask these bold questions of you: • What kind of Christian (seeds) are you? • Are you giving consistent nutrition? • Are you seeking consistent nutrition? You should be. We all should be. One of the greatest things about God is that He is an awesome father. He makes sure we get the nourishment we need whenever we need it, and it is abundant. The cupboard is never, ever, bare!
The Farmer If we look at the farmer, we can place him into four different categories of spiritual nourishment. • The seeds that fell upon the wayside were eaten by birds. These seeds signify the uninvolved Christian who jealously holds close the love that God charges them to spread. Their work is not nutritious at all. • The seeds that fell upon the stony places. These seeds signify the hard-hearted Christian who spreads the love God charges them to spread, but not to everyone. They bear fruits swiftly and they die just as quickly because their work is not nutritious enough. • The seeds that fell upon the thorns. These seeds signify the inflexible Christian who does not know how to encourage the growth of other Christians. They can spread the love that God commands us to spread, but oftentimes they will leave the new believers without a safety net. Their work is a trickle and the fruit they bear will grow, but eventually, it will slowly die. • The seeds that fell upon the good ground. These seeds signify what God commands us to do! This is the servant Christian who is involved, open-hearted, and the flexible child of God who approaches the stranger and loves on them regardless of the circumstance and then, after a new believer comes to Christ, continues to walk with them and encourage them as they take their next steps. Their work will bear fruit that lasts the hard winters and seeds that carry into new seasons.
Scott Dunn is a Christian husband and father who has spent over 15 years in the telecommunications industry. He is the founder of Talking with God (https://twgpodcast.com), a podcast that seeks to educate and encourage a closer relationship with God. Scott is a northerner who migrated south and has fully acclimated to the wonderful area known as the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. He serves at his local church by helping with the production and online streaming of services. He has a genuine passion for the Christian man and his responsibilities, often writing about them on his blog https://justholdfast.com. Here he shares open and real-life experiences so that other men can relate to the human condition and how that relates to a stronger love relation-
Click on logo to visit
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FROM A SEED SOWN By Lynn Downham
In the summer of 1995, a package arrived in Fort Walton Beach, Florida from my mother and in it I found a Canson sketch pad, 11 x 14, with a tiny sticker at the top that read “You Can If You Think You Can”. I still have this sketch pad cover because, you see, it was the start of “this art season of my life.” A bit of context is needed here. Freshly betrayed by an ex, I was unsaved, ungrounded, living in a tiny Barbie doll-sized apartment on the Santa Rosa Sound and working in a job that I no longer loved. Nursing had been my life for 20 years but after a back injury I found myself eventually in case management and not in patient care, which I had been dedicated to for many years. I was floundering. I was lost, and I had entirely too much time on my hands and didn’t know what to do with it, so I was hanging out in bars and had no idea how to make things better for myself. Enter Mom’s sticker. Going down to the dock at the back of the rental property and sitting and sketching the quaint weathered cottages on the shore was distracting and helped fill my time somewhat. I come from four generations of artists and it seems to me in retrospect that this would have occurred to me, but in my lost state, it did not. I never thought that these pencil sketches would lead to anything, but I was wrong as we often are.
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Now enter another seed, Michael, my soon-to-be new husband. He saw these sketches and said, (here comes the SEED), “You don’t like your job? Quit! You need to be doing this!” I think, “Doing what? Drawing little pictures of houses?” The condition for quitting the job was selling my Mercedes sports car, for which he had just paid a huge repair bill. I said, “Done!” I quit and never looked back. I began sitting on sidewalks and drawing businesses and people’s houses for money, even in the cold of February and even tent sites in Key West, Florida. Challenged by Michael and my mother while visiting family in North Carolina, I sat on a quilt in Cedar Rock in my parents’ backyard and drew The Squirrel Tree which led to The Tree of Life and the whole “rest of the story” which you can find in the article for Faith On Every Corner magazine entitled “The Old Trunk”. And all of this... from one tiny seed sown by a worried Christian mother three states away. Some of you have read my other stories and know that I did indeed end up saved, praise God, and now have been at my art for twenty-five years and that I know from whom the gift came and to whom the glory is due. We, as Christians, may never see, this side of heaven at least, what happens when we sow a seed, but Jesus says we are to sow just as he did, and the Holy Spirit will water the seeds we sow today.
There are many kinds of seeds. When we praise, whether with song or with His words, people hear us. In Psalm 119:130, we are told, “The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” (NKJV) There are many words of praise in the books of Psalms and Job to share. The seed of the gospel is life giving and salvation to all who hear and receive it. Seeds of kindness soothe ruffled souls and comfort His people. And seeds of encouragement can be life giving to a lost soul and help them find their God given purpose and gift in this world just as my mother’s encouragement seed did for me.
Ernest Hemingway House
A pastor on the radio the other day said, “What would the church look like if everyone talked like I do? What would the church really look like if everyone gave financially like I do?” This really helped me and I would add another, “What would the church really look like if everyone sowed the seeds that I do?” The tiniest seed can have unimaginable consequences.
“Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand, To execute vengeance on the nations, And punishment on the peoples; To bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute on them the written judgementThis honor have all His saints. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 149:5-9 NJKV)
Hidden Beach
Rhinos Dad’s House Lynn Story Downham is a fourth generation artist who returned to North Carolina in 2014 after twenty-six years on the Florida panhandle. Her seventh family tree commission was for a “family tree for Jesus.” Twenty years later she is a bornagain believer with a best-selling print, a beautiful family and a passion for sharing Christ through her art.
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DEAR CARL By Anna Friend
Hello, Dear Carl fans, I am thankful for your support of Carl’s mom. She has made a fresh start in the new year. In her mid80s, continuing to thrive for quality of life and establishing a legacy of family love. Carl’s mom had lived in North Carolina for most of her life. She was a southern transplant and had enjoyed the culture, hospitality, and high regard for kin—family closeness. She became a widow in her early 40s and has only one son. Carl was just entering college when his dad died. Carl married a beautiful woman (Donna) with ties in Arizona. He moved and established his home in Arizona soon after college. Carl has 2 sons and is a grandfather of 3 children. Carl’s mom had friends and community work she enjoyed in North Carolina that kept her from moving to Arizona upon her husband’s death. She had lived in the home where she and her husband shared most of their married lives. She eventually moved into a senior living cottage, where every week she sat at her dining table and wrote her son a handwritten letter, though he called her almost every Sunday. Near her ending years, she moved to Arizona to live with her son and his wife in Arizona. She continues to write her son letters to put away for him to read after her passing for comfort and encouragement. This letter is one he would read after her death. She writes in the present tense because she is alive while writing them. I hope you enjoy. — Anna.
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Dear Carl, It was an unusually cooler day here in the desert. I started my morning in the rocking chair you gave me for Mother’s Day, looking beyond the pool, where the green grass ends, and the brown begins. It is dry and dusty. Back home in Carolina, the red dirt has been tilled and vegetables have been planted. Sprouts of green have broken through. Summer veggies soon will fill baskets along the country roads for sale. I miss my hands dropping the seeds and starter plants into the soil. I used to fill a big green watering can and pour just the right amount of water into them. I also enjoyed pulling weeds, allowing them to be freer and less encumbered. Thank you, son, for sharing life with me. I do love my desert life with you and our family. My memories of life in Carolina are sweet and warm, yet the reality of it was often lonely. While you were gone this morning to the youth center to teach your Bible study, and Donna counseling at the recovery center with the girls, I went to the mall with Maria. Maria checked in for her duty on time. She doesn’t seem like a babysitter. Donna says she is my companion. Donna has Maria taking me to get my nails done, hair washed, and for fancy coffee. She is a younger, Shirley. Maria loves pampering. I had to laugh at the lady doing my nails; she owns the Pepto pink nail shop. I asked her about the statute of the pudgy man with the orange in his lap. It represents her God. Carl, I told her my God is Jesus. I told her she could read about Him in the Bible. She asked me where she could get a Bible. She didn’t have much to say about her God. I picked the color “Tickled Pink” for my nail polish. Funny name. Maria said today’s hair appointment was later in the day, so we went to get a toasted bagel and coffee. Her coffee got cold while she stepped away. This kid came by to clear the table next to me. Carl, he had huge holes in his ears. He caught me staring. I apologized for staring. He said he was used to it. He seemed sad. Son, I told him outright that he was a handsome boy and that he should smile more. I thought he would be mad, but he just stared at me. It broke my heart. Reckon he never had anyone tell him he was handsome? I broke his stare by telling him that God loved him, no matter how big or many holes he had in his ears. He flashed his handsome smile and left, probably thinking I was a crazy old lady with bright pink fingernails. We finally made it to the hairdresser. Gina poured something terrible smelling into my hair. She said she was putting on a rinse that would keep my hair from looking blue. After the rinse, she did put something on it that made my hair feel soft. I gave her a nice tip—well, Donna did with her card. Gina said she calls me “Got Rocks.” She explained that I look like I have money. I told her my provider owns cattle on a thousand hills. She laughed. I wrote down the verse and told her to look it up in the Bible. She said her grandma has a Bible. I had a fun day and I must say I look well put together. I am proud of you and Donna. What you do for the Lord is like watering and pulling weeds. I am in heaven probably bragging about you two, as if Jesus doesn’t know of your work for Him. I don’t know what my purpose is in life, but I tried to share about Jesus today. Perhaps my words were like seeds today. I don’t know, but my heart was sincere. I hope this letter has brought you more joy and some encouragement. I know how much you loved me, Carl. Thank you for my day today and for Maria. Tell Donna thank you for making me beautiful all my days with her. She never complains about the charges to me. When she saw my nails today, she fell in love with the color. Guess who went to get her nails re-polished after supper. Yep! We both are “Tickled Pink”. Love Mom,
“For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.”( Psalm 50:10 (NLT) “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT)
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The One By Nancy Bockstiegel Everyone knows what it is like to look for that perfect something–the perfect gift, the perfect vacation, the perfect outfit. And when you find it, you know it’s “the one.” My husband and I are looking for a house–not just any house, our last house. And since this is going to be our last house, we want it to be the one. We thought our current house was going to be our last one, but since our boys are now grown, we have decided on a final relocation. In some ways, our current house will always be “home.” This is where our boys have grown up, this is where we have made great friends, and this is where we have some of our best memories. But the area we live in has grown so much, we would like something a little quieter, perhaps with a view of a small lake. Over the past 9 months or so, we have looked at several houses–big houses, small houses, older houses, newer houses. Our realtor has been so patient and has such a great attitude; she says, “It doesn’t cost anything to look.” And look we have. But none of them have been “the one.” Every time we have gone to a showing, I have prayed that God would make it perfectly clear whether that house would be “the one.” And every time, he has answered. It was either a house that we didn’t love, or it would already be under contract before we could see it. We chose to be patient and trust God’s timing.
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Then, in February, through a series of events we could not have orchestrated had we tried, from a conversation we had months earlier with a friend of a friend, we learned about a house that was not yet on the market. We contacted the couple who owned the house and discovered that the owner and my husband previously worked together. This surely had to be a sign that this was the one. We arranged to go see the house on Valentine’s Day. We loved it! It was in our price range, had a beautiful view of the lake, and by the next day, we had a signed contract. Over the next few days, we started the mortgage process, lined up a home inspection, and contacted our attorney’s office. Everything was falling into place. This was it—this was the house that God had planned for us! Or so I thought… A week later, they pulled out of the contract. Due to family circumstances, they were unable to move forward with the sale of their house. I was heartbroken. I had been certain that this was THE house. But once again, we took this as a sign of God’s plan. That for whatever reason, it was not meant to be.
We continued the search, and in April, we arranged to view a house that had just been listed. We looked at it, and once again, loved it! It was a little more expensive than the first house, but this one was completely move-in-ready. Our realtor drew up the offer the next morning, and then we waited. The waiting is the most stressful part! About 5:30 that afternoon, God answered—with another no. The owners took another offer. So, we are back to the drawing board. Back to square one. Starting over. But in the process of trying to find “the one”, we are learning to trust The One. The One who knows exactly where our last house will be. The One who is in control, The One who already knows the future we cannot see. Sometimes it is hard to wait, to be content with right now, to hear “no” when all we want is “yes.” But I know God has a plan, and that His plan is better than anything I can come up with on my own. So the search continues. I have faith that the perfect house for us is out there. We just have to be patient. And while we keep looking for THE house, we will keep our eyes on THE One.
Nancy Bockstiegel is a wife and mom who was encouraged to attend a writing conference by a close friend. She entered a contest at the conference and her story was selected for inclusion in the book Blessings in Disguise. Since then, she has written mainly for her own enjoyment, but feels God pulling her toward sharing her writing. She enjoys spending time with family, reading, and cooking.
Kairos
By Craig Ruhl The English Language started fascinating me when I first learned to read and write. Today, I read, write, and edit daily for our magazine, and I love to read for pleasure and education. That is over 70 years’ worth of words. Some words that were quite common fifty years ago are rarely used at all now. Other words have come into existence and popular usage, mostly because of new technology, advances in medicine and science, and general social change. And then, there are the unfamiliar words— words new to me. Kairos is one of those new to me words that was sprung on me a short time ago. A friend emailed me just to give the word kairos, encouraging me to look it up and learn more about it. A quick look at my online dictionary teaches me that the word is from ancient Greece and it is to do with time and opportunity for action. Okay. But why did my friend send me this word? My next step was to consult my favorite resource for knowledge—the Bible. According to Strong’s Greek Concordance, kairos is used 86 times in the New Testament. I quickly found one passage in the Bible that shows the concept of kairos. In Mark 1:15, we are told, “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (NIV) This passage refers to an appointed time for which God has a purpose. Here is where you can learn more: http://biblehub.com/ greek/5550.htm I am thinking this word that my friend gave me is much more than a carpe diem (seize the day) statement. To me it was a call to act now, continuing to plant the seeds of truth in the Kingdom so that there will be a rich harvest when the Lord Jesus Christ returns. That is what I love using words for. Now I pass the word kairos, on to you!
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More Than A Sparrow By Joseph Akinrinola Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31 NIV) Every little thing matters to God. Sometimes what we consider evil or negative has its place on the agenda and program of God. When Jesus was making an illustration using the sparrow, he was teaching us a profound lesson about our faith in God. Knowing we value what is important to us and do all that matters to protect it, God will do the same about us. By the way, what is a sparrow, and what is it worth? (Matthew 10:28-31, 6:25-34) From the statement of Jesus, a sparrow was a small bird that was of little value for two of them to be sold for that small amount, yet God takes cognizance of such a creature. In God’s estimation, all his creatures have reasons for existence. This is enough to build confidence in us because we are more than the sparrow.
Barriers to enjoying the best from God are anxiety and disobedience. These two are the twin sisters of fear. To me, anxiety is fear. We fear the unknown, though we serve the all-knowing God. Often I define anxiety as paying interest on tomorrow’s loan today. If you like, say postdating your problem or borrowing a problem from tomorrow to add to that of today. Jesus said each day has enough of its challenges, so why add to another problem to the problem at hand.
Let me show you my confidence that I am more than the sparrow before God. When I was in the university, one of my classmates dropped out because of financial challenges. She, however, changed her mind after I encouraged her and eventually got the tuition paid. But until that time, unknown to others, I was the only student yet to pay in my department. This was a week At a point, Jesus has to rebuke the forgetfulness of the before the examination, yet they never saw that probdisciples of his past mighty deeds. (Matthew 16:5-12) lem anywhere around me. We are more concerned about what he has not done, forgetting what he did in the past. Our confession and When Jesus said our father, who feeds the birds and attitude during trials are the acid test of our faith in clothes, the lily of the field knew our needs. That God. Whether it is a provision, protection, guidance, should suffice us. Less than twenty-four hours to the or preservation, God may wait until we reach our wit’s exam, someone sent the school fees to me. Still, I had end before appearing on our behalf. a few more hurdles to cross before I would be allowed for the examination. That included withdrawing the money from the bank, paying into a designated bank, and changing the teller to the school’s official receipt, collecting and signing the exam permit.
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The worse of those hurdles was my HOD came to school at will, arrived, and closed at his discretion. And without him signing your exam permit, you have no access to the exam hall. As you read this, you will agree it can only be up to God if I would sit for the exam. To me, I trusted him in the past for a few things and he came through for me. If he did not fail those times, he would not fail now. I got to the bank two hours before the bank’s closing hour and three hours before the school office closes. Behold human traffic like never seen in the banking hall. I knew it would take a God who cares for the sparrows to see me through. As I stood at the extreme of the line, a cashier who was from the branch I opened my account sighed and offer to assist me. Before the people on the line noticed what was going on, I got the cash and zoomed off to school. With that experience in the bank, I knew God was up to something good. I got to my HOD’s office one and a half hours before the official closing time. But the student before me got the last card. But while the man was packing his bag to leave for home, behold, there was an exam permit under a file. That means God reserves that for me. Do you know what confirms all that has been going on? The man said, “God saved you.” and I responded, “God will always save me.” Do you know my confidence? His eyes are on the sparrow, and I am more than many sparrows. Jesus said, “not a strand of your hair will fall without the knowledge of God.” (Luke 21:18) Do you know what that means? Those strands of hair that fall as you comb or brush your hair are not coincidental. It has God’s pre-knowledge. It means if the worse happens (termination of your life) it can’t take place if God did not approve it. If a sparrow and a strand of hair will not fall without his knowledge, then you are more than all the birds combined. Do you know why? You carry God’s gene. You are a fraction of his being.
I am Joseph, an author, blogger, and content writer from Nigeria. In the field of writing, I deliver unique, grammatically correct, and plagiarism-free content. Currently, I work with three online firms specializing in motivation, human capacity development, lifestyle, relationship, and spiritual writings. You can find Joseph on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ groups/2228667160717043
In fact, you are so precious that he gave his only begotten son to redeem you eternally. What greater assurance do you still need? This is my stand. What God has done so far has made me believe him so far, for what he has promised so far. It can only get better from here because you are more than a sparrow.
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Road Tripin’ in The Golden Isles by Karen Ruhl
Our trip to the Golden Isles in Georgia was so amazing. We stayed a night in Savannah and visited Tybee Island as well as a drive down River Road in Savannah - it is where the action is! The tree lined streets with Spanish Moss are breathtaking. Jekyll Island and St Simon’s Island are also beautiful. The St. Simon’s Island Lighthouse and museum are a must see. The lighthouse is still in operation.
Horton House is by Hortan Creek. I didn’t get to visit the creek but I understand there are alligators and wildlife that will bring us back for another visit! I fell in love with Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island. It is a little hike down to the beach but oh so worth it to see the driftwood. If you have a great imagination, you will see shapes in the wood. Do you see a dinosaur in the photo on the left? I did! Craig and I drive quite a bit and explore every nook and cranny of the places we go. There was so much going on as we island hopped. I wish I had the room to show you everything. But, for now, enjoy. Get out and go, the world is waiting.
All photos by Karen Ruhl - copyrighted 2021
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No Words Required by Yvonne M. Morgan
I know a word that scares many Christians. That word is evangelism—the spreading of the Christian Gospel by public preaching or personal witness. Knees knock and hands sweat at the thought of sharing the Gospel with others. Often, we tell ourselves we are not qualified for such a task or that it should only be done by “professionals.” Even God’s command in Matthew 28:19 does not convince us of our responsibility for spreading God’s word. I want to share this story to encourage each of our fearful hearts.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19 NKJV) The Story Without Word My first mission trip went to Haiti in 1997, and other than the COVID year, I try to go on one every year. In 2003, the mission trip took my family to Salta, Argentina, for a construction project. We participated in building a daycare center at a local church in an impoverished area. I enjoyed this type of mission work because I could serve God without sharing the Good News of Christ. I, too, experienced fear and trepidation when sharing about my faith.
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Like most construction projects, the work started early in the morning so we could beat the heat. The daily hard labor wore us out. The trip to the church took about 30 minutes, so we left the motel each morning around 7 AM. The same four taxis picked us up each morning and brought us back each evening. We just wanted to rest after long days of backs bent in labor. Because of the exhaustion, we rode in silence in the taxis. Finally, the last day to work on the construction arrived. Tears flowed as we bid farewell to the other workers. As we came back to the motel, our taxi driver pulled me aside. I grabbed one of our interrupters to translate for me. What occurred next still fills my heart with joy. The only words I ever spoke to this driver were hello and good night. But he watched our team each day. And now, he commented, “I am not sure what you have in your life, but I want to learn more about it.” He wanted to know what filled our hearts with joy and why we would travel so far to help such needy people. I think my mouth probably dropped open at this point. I explained a little about my faith. Then we connected him with our host to continue the conversation in his native tongue. The seeds of faith were sown without a word spoken—evangelism without words. I learned several important lessons from this event. First, how we live our lives is a testimony to our faith. People without faith watch us to see how we handle the stresses of life. Our actions show them the authenticity of our faith. Next, I learned that doing good works for Christ can and will open the door to share the Gospel. Last, my only job in evangelism is to plant the seeds of the Gospel, as Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 3:6-9:
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So, then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s coworkers. You are God’s field, God’s building.” (1 Corinthians 3:6-9 CSB) Encouragement There is no doubt that our Bible instructs us of our role in spreading the seeds of faith. But, have no fear; God is with us in the task. He gives us the strength and courage to do so, and if necessary, He will also give us the words to share. I used to fear sharing my faith, but I learned that my life is also my testimony since the event in Argentina. Adding words then became much more manageable. God gives us each a unique story to share, and your narrative might be all it takes for someone to turn to Christ. We learned the man from Argentina started going to church to discover about faith too. I leave you with the words of Mark 16:14-16 (ESV) to remind you of the Great Commission:
For the seed shall be blessed; the vine shall give its fruit, and the ground shall give its increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. Zechariah 8:12 MKJV
“Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Blog at Turningmountainsintomolehills.org Twitter: @ymmauthor Website: Yvonne-Morgan.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YMMauthor/ Books: Turning Mountains into Molehills (2017) Rest in God Prayer Journal (9-2020) Faith, Hope, and Love in a Broken World
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Why the Seed of Faith Planted Becomes the Branch Pruned By Tami Thorsen
Ever prayed a prayer similar to this?
Father, my heart, for so long, has felt disengaged like it is severed from my source of nourishment and refreshment I had once experienced as I spend time in your Word and humbly acknowledge your presence throughout my day. It is not so these days. The seed of faith you planted in my heart does not seem to “well-up” within me, moving me with neither reverence, awe, passion, joy, nor eager faith of expectation/anticipation of Your amazing work. Ever thought, ‘this has gone on too long,’ and wanted to get this feeling fixed now? Me too. But then I read in Exodus 32:1, “when the people saw that Moses delayed...” their impatience led them into idolatry. Yikes. This makes my heart both sad and scared. What is going on? What have I done/not done to have such a blanket of “coldness” dampen my heart’s flame? This is my default thinking: it must be something I’ve done wrong. And why not think this way? I know how prone I am to wander, to leave, and go my own way. I am not perfect. I am not sinless. So in this knowledge, I default to think this way. It seems natural.
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Then God brought to mind His “pruning process:” how His sanctifying process includes cutting away even the “good” branches of my life to make way for more fruit to grow. Branches are necessary, that is for sure. And these branches must abide in the vine for sustenance. However, the branches are not the focal point of sanctification. The fruit on which the branches bear is! The fruit that displays Christ’s love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. And this pruning process often “feels” similar to the feelings we experience when undergoing the Spirit’s conviction and disciplinary correction. It feels heavy. It feels interrogating. It feels painful. It feels uncomfortable. And it feels disengagingly long. And though by God’s grace, He plants the seed of faith in our hearts and empowers us to grow, the pruning process is also a part of His perfect, loving plan. Our Gardner comes to “cut away” the good (what has been growing well, healthy and strong) so that what seems to us an absurdity, God sees as Divine because the shortened branch up is now set up (empowered) to bear even more fruit. Abundant fruit. But often my response to His such pruning is to default into thinking “I’m not pleasing my Lord,” or that “I’m involved in some sort of sin that deserves the heaviness of conviction and reproof.” I hardly can fathom the opposite be true: that it is NOT sin which is causing God to pursue me with such heaviness, rather it is because of my righteous walking by the grace of God, that He is desiring to take me even deeper into for His glory and my good.
But I get so impatient with the icky feelings that ensue. I want answers, explanations, understanding. I long for my heart to carry on in the peace, joy, comfort, and engagement it once had. Now. Right now. And so, I work myself into a “fix-it” mode. Like the Israelites in Exodus 32, I take the timing, the process, and the answer into my own hands. The Israelites ask Aaron to make them gods; he makes a golden calf for them to worship so they can carry on in their usual habits of life and experience the engagement, the momentum, the feelings of direction/security they once had, and come to be content in. When all the while, God WAS at His faithful and awesome work up on the mountain with Moses, out of “sight” and behind the scenes, creating the plan of His heart to draw them even closer to Him as their Lord, God, and Heavenly Father. If they would have just waited...and allowed Him to prune them in their waiting… If they would have merely stayed in the “worship lane” they had been taught thus far... If they would have just called on God, instead of man (Aaron) for help, for understanding, for next steps, for clarity, for encouragement... ... and waited with an open heart and, by faith, commit this so-called “disruption” of routine to God...
And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 2:9 NKJV
... they would, in the right time, experience the strengthening of their faith in God’s character and Word, the deepening of their personal relationship with God, and the multiplication of the Divine impact He would have among those in their sphere of influence. Pruning: a testing, a refining, an awakening to much more than eyes can see or minds can fathom.
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.” (Hebrews 12:11-12 NIV)
Tami Thorsen ACC ICF Certified Life-Coach/Trainer Serving you with faith-based 1:1 or group life-coaching journeys &/or Life-coaching-training learning/implementation workshops www.head2heartonward.com
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Faith On Every Corner Bookshelf Life Is Hard Soften It With Laughter By Marlene Ratledge Buchanan Reviewed by Karen Ruhl Have you ever just wanted to pick up a book and enjoy the read maybe even get a chuckle or two? I found myself laughing out loud as I read this book. Marlene has a great sense of humor and uses it as she tells the stories of her life. There are times when you will get wrapped up in a story that is serious, but I guarantee Marlene finds a way to make you smile even through serious situations.
Click on book cover to purchase this book. Available at https:// www.scribblersweb.com/ or on Amazon. com
As I read the book, I would chuckle just thinking of similar things that my family may have done, or that I did as I was growing up and getting older. We are thrilled to have this book on our bookshelf and will take it out to read it over and over again. I was sitting reading on my patio and a neighbor came over; I read a story to her and her daughter and they both left laughing and smiling. This would be a splendid book to give as a gift to brighten someone’s day. Marlene also writes cozy mysteries - I cannot wait to read Place With A Past and review it for you. She is a columnist, southern humorist, and motivational speaker.
If you would like us to review your book, please contact us at Team@FaithOnEveryCorner.com
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Faith On Every Corner Bookshelf Intervention By Charles De Andrade Reviewed by Craig Ruhl This second book in the Steward series continues the exciting saga of a war that is not fought in conventional terms but in spiritual realms. The setting is during the Vietnam war and details the events, politics, and emotions of that time which are woven into the fictional story. The author uses this technique to draw us in while we are enlightened and educated about the spiritual warfare we are experiencing in our lives. I related to the story as I was in the military during the story’s time period. The tale is great, and the characters are interesting and believable. As the title suggests, we are introduced to the concept of divine intervention. In this book, we learn that as the war between humans and demons rages, God’s grace and mercy are real and available to those He has chosen. Once again, Charles De Andrade delivers a thrilling novel filled with Christian insights and fast-paced action. We are pleased to recommend this book to our readers and have placed a copy on the Faith On Every Corner Bookshelf.
Click on book cover to purchase this book. Available at
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We have been blessed getting to know Charles De Andrade and many of the writers from the Scribblers Christian Writers Club. This community supports and encourages each other in their writing and Christian faith. Over the past weeks, we have attended their Zoom meetings, read several books by their authors, and have begun wonderful friendships. We are pleased to have reviewed their books and direct our readers to their website bookstore and resources for writers. If you are looking for a writing community group to associate with, we wholeheartedly recommend Scribblers.
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Faith On Every Corner Bookshelf
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Quiet Times Rhymes, Into The Light and Quiet Times Rhymes Volume II, Peace In the Pandemic By John Alexander Reviewed by Karen and Craig Ruhl We were first introduced to John’s poetry online, and then he became a Contributing Writer for our magazine. His poems are poems of prayer, hope, and encouragement. They make for great reading when you are doing your daily time with God. John’s love for God is so apparent in his writing and comforts the soul. John wrote Volume II during the pandemic. He writes every morning during his quiet time. His wife encouraged him to put them in a book form. We are so glad she did. We encourage you to buy both of his books and have them near as you read your Bible or study. John’s poems are comforting, loving, and thoughtful. Filled with wisdom. We will probably have these on our desk more than on our personal bookshelf! You can find more of John’s poetry at https://quiettimerhymes.com/ And you can purchase his books on Amazon. 44 | M AG A Z I N E N A M E PAGE 3 43
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Buried For Three Days by Karen Ruhl
Craig and I took a trip to the Golden Isles in Georgia. As we sat on the St. Simon’s Lighthouse yard watching the boat traffic out on the sound go by, we wondered what the contraption was in the sound by a ship that looked lopsided. We discovered it was a ship that capsized two years ago. It had 4,200 vehicles on it and had been loaded topheavy. Our understanding is that the pilot helping the ship sail out of St. Simon’s Sound helped it from completely turning over by moving it toward the side of Jekyll Island so it could turn onto a barge that was in the sound. It kept it from sinking, but it did not save the ship—it was totally lost.
One of the slices of the capsized ship - view fullscreen
We were told about a slice of the ship that was in Brunswick at the dock. While there, we met two other people who told us that some of the crew had been trapped in the engine room for several days. On the third day, they were saved. It was fascinating to find out more about this wreck and talk to people who lived in the area. It wasn’t lost on me that the men were trapped in the engine department - buried alive - for three days and on the third day they were saved. They were trapped in a burning ship, with no way to get fresh air, no water, no lights. Pitch dark. I can only imagine the prayers that were being sent up from them as well as their families. We were so glad to hear that no one perished in this accident.
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To Be Submitted By Craig Ruhl
Craig Ruhl is the Managing Editor of Faith On Every Corner, he is also a writer and handles the business side of Faith On Every Corner, LLC.
Faith On Every Corner will begin the fifth year of publication in just two short months. Karen does the graphic design layout and formatting of the magazine. The tasks that she completes bringing the magazine to life are complicated and require attention to detail and concentration. To aid in the process, Karen uses a spreadsheet to keep track of all the writers who so graciously contribute content. We list the names of the writers along with the title of their article, story, or poem. The word count for each piece and its page number is included. On the spreadsheet, next to my name, Karen enters TBS where the title of my submission would normally go. That stands for To Be Submitted and, yes, I am sometimes the last person to submit an article or story—okay, truth be told, I am almost always tardy. It makes a good title for an article or story, doesn’t it? Karen’s entry on the spreadsheet prompted me to consider not just the tangible submission of my writing for publication but also the act of submission to the Lord in all the work that I do. There is one divine source of clarity on this subject—The Bible.
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We find a good passage in James 4:7-10: “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (NKJV) When I submit to God, I forsake worldly values, ethics, thoughts, and behavior. I lean into and draw closer to the Lord and His will. Submission does not lessen me, but rather, it strengthens me. As I work, my focus should be on being a good and faithful servant to the One who created me in His image.
“Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3 NKJV) Starting as a young boy, I became an eager reader and writer. The words I have read and written over 70 plus years have educated, entertained, encouraged, and instructed not only me but also those I have shared them with. As a writer, book editor, proofreader, and co-publisher of a monthly Christian magazine, I am blessed to work with words that have a global reach and influence. To me, those words are as biblical seeds being sown, some to take root and produce a harvest that will lead the lost to eternal life in heaven. That is pretty heady stuff for a man to consider and a great responsibility to assume.
God has given each of us specific talents and gifts with which we are to toil in the kingdom of God, doing his work. Our purpose is to glorify Him in all we think, say, and do.
“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Romans 12:6-8 ESV) One of the spiritual gifts I have discerned to have been granted to me is encouragement. I believe I am blessed to be able to lift and encourage others through my writing. Our magazine is filled with contributions from others similarly gifted. Through our articles, stories, poetry, and photography, we can inspire others. Sometimes we challenge, but we strive to do it in a non-confrontational manner, always providing comfort and motivation to know Jesus Christ better and to draw nearer to Him.
Some years ago, Karen and I, along with the entire congregation of the church we were members of, read and discussed The Purpose Driven Life written by Rick Warren. This was the first time I seriously thought about my purpose on earth. In the book, we are told about why God created us, what He expected of us, and how each of us can fulfill our pre-ordained destiny. Five purposes for our life are listed: for God’s pleasure, to be in God’s family, to become more like Christ, to serve God, and He created us for a mission. If you haven’t already, I recommend you read this book. It will help you learn your purpose in the Kingdom of Christ. An understanding of our purpose and gifts and talents is not sufficient without a commitment to submit to the Lord. As He repeatedly said to the Father, even on the cross, “Thy will be done,” let us also submit to Him in all ways. Amen? Now it is time to submit this piece of writing to Karen so she can complete this month’s magazine. To the Lord, Jesus Christ, be the glory.
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24 NKJV) It is difficult to be mindful of the purpose God created us for. The world, with all its inherent evil, constantly distracts and ambushes us as we work. We know that there is warfare taking place in heavenly places that is trying to remove us from God. Our society is often the devil’s playground. He stalks us just waiting for the opportunity to attack and distract us from our goal—to become more like Christ.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” (Romans 8:28-29 NIV)
E-mail: Team@FaithOnEveryCorner.com
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Skillful Gardener By Aradhana Thakor
Is there a prayer that you made in earnest that is still left unanswered, or perhaps you have stopped praying about it since you see nothing happening? Friend, cheer up, put that smile back on and get ready, for you have a bountiful harvest to reap! Yes, that’s right. You are about to reap a plentiful overflowing harvest. The seeds which you sowed in tears a long time ago are ripening. That heartfelt prayer you made for a loved one to accept Christ a few years ago or the time when you pleaded before the Lord to restore your marriage are “seeds” which you have sown in faith. How about that time you asked the Lord in faith to give you a breakthrough in your career, finances, or health? These are all “seeds” which you have planted a long time ago.
To date, you have seen nothing manifest, so you have probably given up and stopped praying about it. But do you know that our dear Lord has been taking care of these seeds which you planted day after day by watering, nourishing, and preparing them for rich fruition? He is a skillful Gardener of souls! He is the Rose of Sharon! (Song of Solomon 2:1) You may have even forgotten about the prayer you first made to the Lord, but nothing escapes the One who loves you dearly and gave everything up for you on the cross. Do you know how deeply loved you are? Just imagine, heaven’s most Beloved, became a man. This, itself, was a great sacrifice, having to leave the divine atmosphere of glory and adoration of the heavenly hosts to come into this sinful earth and live in the atmosphere of sin. That is how much He loves you and it’s just the beginning of the length, breadth, depth, and height of His love. Friend, I encourage you today to look with the eyes of faith towards those bountiful ripe fields bursting forth with the harvest you have longed for that was once sown in tears. For He truly is a skillful Gardener!
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Aradhana Thakor is from India and lives with her husband in Calgary, Canada. “Burning Passion for Lost Souls” is her debut non-fiction book. She recently published a new book, “Sixteen Letters.”
“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6:8-13 NKJV
You can connect with her on Facebook @ Aradhana2020 or email at aradhanathakor@ gmail.com
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A New Life—Starting Over By Craig D. Lounsbrough Ever feel dead? I mean the kind of dead where life has lost its vitality, its meaning, and every bit of its luster? The kind of dead that leaves you feeling entirely numb and completely hopeless all at the same time; being stranded in this limp limbo where you’re alive but you don’t feel like it at all? Ever feel like there’s absolutely no purpose, no direction from here to some place other than here, no value whatsoever, no redeeming quality anywhere, and no ladder to get you out of the bottomless hole you’re in? Ever feel dead? Here’s a curious bit of information that’s quite striking. Archeological excavations unearthed wheat seeds in pyramids dating back to 2500 B.C. That makes these ancient seeds somewhere around 4500 years old, give or take a century. In order to determine the types of grains used in the ancient world, archeologists planted them to see what would happen. They grew! Somehow, the spark of life hung in there for four and a half millennia. What should have been long dead was very much alive. What should have been snuffed out was not. What should have been entirely hopeless wasn’t. Think about it. It’s that time of year when things become new. Spring is a reminder of that which was terribly dead being made impossibly alive. There is a restorative quality about this time of year, where something whispers wild rumors of new beginnings arising from the seemingly dead seeds in our lives. There’s something almost cruel about it all as if there might be some sort of truth about a new life actually being possible. Maybe it is true.
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Starting Over How many times have we wished that we could just start over? Would it be better to be dead and start over all new and fresh? Sometimes it seems that it would be a whole lot easier to simply wipe the slate clean of whatever life has been. There’s nothing like a fresh start, a clean break, a new day, a mulligan, or a do-over. However, life doesn’t grant us those options. History is history. It’s carved in granite in some sort of indelible script on the pavers that mark the road of our lives. We can heal from it, learn from it, grow because of it, forgive what we did to others, and forgive what was done to us. We can let it haunt us, dog us, diminish us and destroy us if we let it, but we can’t change it. It’s a resource or demon. It’s something that can be an asset or liability; a gift that blesses us or a ghost that haunts us depending on how we use it, but it’s there for good. So, we’re stuck with our pasts. Is life then about starting again, or is it about taking the resources of our past and using them to start over again? Do we really want a fresh start, beginning with nothing in an attempt to build something? Or would we be wiser to take whatever we have, whether it’s perfect or painful, and start from there? Would it be wiser, possibly much wiser, to plant that which seems dead and see what happens?
Starting Over is Not Starting Fresh
Start Over by Reinvesting Your Life
Starting over is an acceptance of a past we can’t change, an unrelenting conviction that the future can be different, and the stubborn wisdom to use the past to make the future what the past was not. New starts are best built on the difficulties, failures, and pain of the past. It’s not about wiping the slate clean. It’s about diligently studying what’s written there, learning from it, discerning its messages, drawing from it, and applying what’s there. Life from death is a resurrecting cycle where what kills us is turned in on itself to build us.
Try again. Give life another shot. Do it differently maybe but go at it again. Believe that things in life spend infinitely more energy trying to live than working to die. Life is about living. Look around you as spring moves across the landscape. Life fights back. It’s designed to overcome. It’s intentional about living with intention. It takes seeds that seem dead and from them, life brings forth life. How about you? Ever feel dead? How about believing in a new day, giving life another shot, and watching what happens. The seeds are ready.
Starting over is taking what life has dealt us and learning to see it as a resource when all we see is ruin. In the oddity or maybe the miracle of life, the roots of something new frequently lie in the decaying husks of something old. We just don’t see it that way. We discard the old because we assume old equates with dead and useless. Nothing could be further from the truth. that? Starting Over by Believing that You Can The seed in you is not dead. Sometimes we don’t start over because all seems dead, anyway. There’s no life left, so what’s the sense. It’s all lain barren for so long that nothing could possibly hold any spark of life. Whatever is in us seems parched, dusty, and long ago abandoned to the sands of time and hands of fate. Life, however, is teeming with vitality and is likewise terribly tenacious, holding on against impossible odds in impossible situations over impossible lengths of time. There are seeds within us that seem long dead that are, in reality, very much alive. New beginnings lay in dead husks. Starting Over by Looking Back So, what are the lessons back there that lay strewn among the ashes and carnage? We would rather not pick through that stuff if we had our druthers. It’s ugly. It’s often painful. And sometimes there’s a stench back there that reeks of abuse, abandonment, betrayal, and loss. So, we’ve buried it—a long time ago. Why unearth it? We unearth it because seeds for growth are sown in fields of pain. What seems dead is very often alive.
Craig’s background includes over thirty years of experience as a counselor in a variety of treatment settings including psychiatric hospitals, schools for the blind, organizations for the physically handicapped, churches, and outpatient settings. He also possesses ten years of experience in pastoral ministry. Craig spent two years broadcasting in Christian radio and has published both nationally and internationally. To date, he has published six books and has had a large number of other works published in a wide variety of magazines. Craig founded an outpatient practice that provides counseling, coaching, and consulting services to individuals, marriages, families, various businesses as well as church and ministry organizations. Additionally, he has developed an extensive Social Media arm that reaches 500,000+ individuals each month with a wide variety of quotes, articles, blogs, and videos. Craig is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado, a Certified Professional Life Coach, and an Ordained Minister. He is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. Finally, Craig completed the coursework toward a Doctor of Ministry degree in Marriage and Family Counseling at Denver Seminary. A full Vitae is available upon request. https://craiglpc.com/ mailto: craiglpc4@gmail.com To view all of Craig’s books, click here: https://craiglpc.com/shop/
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The Golden Rule
By Maureen Kambarami
I remember one year when I was still a child, there was a drought spell in my country. During that time, all farmers would wake up daily to look at their crops as they wilted with the increasing heat. It was very sad witnessing the despair on their faces. My mother would wake us up early each day so that we could weed the crops while the soil was still cool so that by the time the sun came up, we would stop weeding. The explanation was that hot soil would kill the crops further. For me, weeding was a waste of time as it was evident that the crops did not stand a chance against the scorching heat. My mother refused to give up hope, besides she was the expert in farming. She kept saying that it would rain one day and continued to drag us out of bed each day, firmly believing that God knows what we need and when we need it. One day, without warning, it rained and continued pouring for days until people started complaining about the rain again, forgetting that they had been desperately praying for a miracle all along. It continued raining until the fields got flooded, creating a fresh fear that the crops would die because of flooding. Some people even started complaining that it seemed God had lost the keys of the heavens, leading to the excessive flooding. However, one day, in the same abrupt way that it had started raining, the rain suddenly stopped completely. The sun came out in full force and the somber atmosphere vanished. The dying crops also came to life and there was laughter everywhere as people tended to their fields in anticipation of a huge harvest. It became evident that God knew what he was doing all along! 54 | M AG A Z I N E N A M E PAGE 3 53
Later on, when I reflected on this incident as an adult, I realized that after a dry spell in our lives, there follows a period of abundance, and sometimes overflowing. God always knows when the time is right. It is never according to our own time, evaluation, or assessment. All we have to do is trust in him and place him at the center of our lives. To do that, we must have faith that he knows what is best for us for he never disappoints or forsakes his own. However, more often than not, we only turn to God when we face problems, but when life is rosy, we move God to the back seat. We tend to forget that God cannot and will not be bribed. He loves us unconditionally and expects us to do the same to him and our neighbors. However, our world has become so materialistic and corrupt that almost everything can be bought with money, even loyalty. If you want a favor from someone, you must be prepared to part with some cash or a gift of some kind. In my country, “buy me a cool drink” has become a common phrase since there are no free favors anymore. Recently, I visited a friend who asked a colleague for a “cool drink” to retrieve a file that he desperately needed. I could not believe my ears when I heard this, and it saddened me that as humans we have lost our empathy and become so self-centered. A dear friend of mine also narrated how men from her neighborhood had approached her following the death of her biological mother when
she was only 16 and she was left to fend for herself and two young siblings. Most of these men offered her food and money but they asked for something in return, sexual favors, citing that free favors did not exist. Imagine if God would make us pay for answering our prayers, or for every little favor or blessing. Who would afford to continuously pay him? If that was the case, I bet by now, most of us would have either run out of money or we would have incurred an enormous bill that we can never settle in this lifetime. We need to re-kindle the spirit of humanity and destroy the spirit of self-centeredness that has engulfed our world. If we make it a point to love our neighbors as we love ourselves and to help the next person, expecting nothing in return, our world would become a better place indeed.
Maureen Cresencia Kambarami is a Social Worker with extensive experience in family counseling and therapy. A woman after God’s word and principles, she is passionate about writing Christian articles and believes in telling authentic stories to inspire and uplift others.
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Marriage Doesn’t Have to Be Hard By Joel Berry
1. Prioritize your relationship with God. Keep your heart and mind in tune with God. “How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word” (Psalms 119:9, NLT). A heart and mind in tune with God will produce a right heart and mind toward your spouse. Cultivate a deep relationship with God through disciplines of Bible study, worship, and prayer. 2. Love your spouse.
Joel Berry A pastor entered center stage and began his sermon with the statement “Marriage is hard!” I watched as many in the audience nodded, and I heard one hearty “Amen!” I thought of my two adult sons, one married and the other engaged, and wondered if they would agree. After all, the American Psychological Association reports a forty to fifty percent divorce rate in the United States. Perhaps the pastor had a point. My wife, Cheri, and I discussed the statement as we drove home from church. We have had our share of disagreements over the years, and on rare occasions, have exchanged harsh words; but neither of us considers marriage hard. For the past thirty-seven years, we have enjoyed a relationship built on love, respect, cooperation, and commitment to one another. Many couples find marriage difficult. Personality conflicts, pride, selfishness, poor choices, and wrong attitudes can make marriage hard. I believe, however, that God’s grace enables any couple willing to invest the effort to experience harmony as my wife and I have experienced. I invite you to consider the following recommendations for harmony in marriage:
The Apostle Paul writes, “Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 14:1 NLT). He prefaces his statement with a comprehensive definition of love: “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, end endures through every circumstance” (1 Corinthians 13:4–7 NLT). Meditate on this passage and commit it to memory. Paul wrote this to encourage all believers to love one another; just think of the impact on your marriage if you practice loving your spouse in this way! 3. Pray together and pray for each other. “Praying with your spouse will change the course of your life, marriage, family and legacy” (Dennis Rainey, “40 Lessons from 40 Years of Marriage.”) Praying together cultivates fertile soil, not only for spiritual growth but for deep, abiding affection for one another. Secure in God’s presence, you have an opportunity to discover your spouse’s needs that might not be expressed except during prayer. Also, pray for each other. I cannot count the number of times Cheri has told me she prays for me. What an encouragement! We can only do so much to help and encourage each other, but we know God extends his grace whenever we ask. Lift up your spouse in prayer throughout your day, every day.
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4. Communicate honestly and attentively. “One can do many external deeds of love and still hold back the really precious gift, the inner self. This gift can be given only through communication” (Gary Thomas, Sacred Marriage). Put your phone and tablet away and talk with each other. Listen with interest to what your spouse has to say—how their day went, what they’re excited about, or what they fear. Give each other freedom to express both good and bad feelings. Tell each other when something is wrong, but do so with grace. Respond with kindness, remembering Paul’s words about love. Do your best to accommodate one another. 5. Cooperate instead of compromise. “Compromise, within the context of relationships, is troublesome because it implies that someone is giving something up. Cooperation, on the other hand, strengthens the underlying fabric of relationship through balanced interchange, open communication and mutual understanding” (Michael J. Formica, Psychology Today). We learn, as children, the art of compromise. “If you will do this, I will do that, but if you don’t, I won’t.” Compromise rarely focuses on the best outcome. Harmony in marriage results, not when one must give to get, but when husband and wife work together to achieve a common goal.
Make time to enjoy one another. Be spontaneous and do fun things. Even the small things count. Put some Alan Jackson (okay, choose your favorite artist) on the stereo and slow dance on the patio. Make the effort to enjoy a happy, harmonious relationship with your spouse. Marriage doesn’t have to be hard!
Joel Berry will soon graduate from Dallas Theological Seminary with an M.A. in Biblical Studies. A CPA by profession, Joel serves as a spiritual mentor for men in his local church and leads an independent Bible study group for married couples. God used a difficult season to lead Joel to discover his love for writing, and to pursue seminary education at DTS. Joel desires to encourage believers to grow deep roots in Jesus Christ so they will remain steadfast in their faith. Joel and his wife, Cheri, have been married thirty-seven years and live in Roswell, GA. They have two wonderful sons and daughters-in-law. Read Joel’s Blog at https://www.outoftheblocksblog.com/
6. Resolve conflicts respectfully. Conflict rears its ugly head every now and then, even in the best of marriages. Couples who live together in harmony learn to resolve conflicts without wounding one another. Hurtful words do not resolve conflict. Learn to recognize when you need a cooling-off period and make that known. Don’t just storm out of the room or give the silent treatment. Also, never air your grievances in front of others, and do not criticize your spouse in the presence of friends. If needed, seek the counsel of a trusted friend or professional counselor who seeks wisdom from God, and then talk with your spouse. Be kind to each other. 7. Keep romance alive. When Cheri and I were dating, we looked for opportunities to spend time together and to demonstrate affection for one another. We have continued to do this throughout our marriage. Sure, having kids and keeping up with jobs and family and friends and a thousand other things get in the way, but we always find a way to do special things.
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Mike Buchanan is a Christian writer and the author of the book Mountains of Hope Surrounding the Valley of Cancer. He uses his writing talents to further Jesus’ Gospel.
Scattering Sacred Seeds By Mike Buchanan
One day Jesus told His disciples a parable about a sower who went out to scatter seeds. Luke tells us the Sower was Christ Himself, the field He sowed in was the world, and the seed He scattered was the Word of God. In this parable, it is said that the seed is scattered, not planted. According to the interpretation, this caused some of it to fall on less than beneficial ground. It didn’t produce the intended fruit. Now, in reality, Christ was not only a sower, He was also a planter. Let’s look at what that means to us today, as we try to carry on with both of those spiritual professions. When seed is scattered, it can fall on ground that doesn’t help the seed flourish. Maybe it falls on rocky ground or on the path you’re walking on, then it is either eaten by birds or it doesn’t have a chance to really put down roots. Perhaps it falls among thorns, then the cares and concerns of the world strangle it. Some will fall on good ground, though, and God will cause that seed to multiply and bring forth fruit many times over. Our job is to start by scattering. So pray for opportunities. Maybe it’s a quick Jesus loves you to the cashier. Perhaps it’s a discussion with a medical assistant as they take your vitals about what they think of the pandemic. You might ask how they cope with all the stress involved.
As you scatter seed, the Lord might impress on you to plant certain seeds a little deeper. Recently I was in a situation where I was just making a brief comment about how something on TV wasn’t clever. It was deceptive. I thought I was scattering seed. Two different people responded in different ways, and over the next two or three days I ended up planting seeds about us not evolving, and that Jesus was the only way to the Father. 2 Timothy 4:2 says we should “Preach the Gospel; be instant in season, out of season…” (KJV) Perhaps it speaks to having a bag of “all-purpose” seeds for whatever field our Gardener places us in to use for any given moment. Jesus told His disciples the harvest is plenty but the laborers are few. He never told them not to continue to plant seeds. He also never told them they would be the ones to gather them in. In fact, He made it clear that it is the work of the Holy Spirit. Our first job in the process is to scatter seed, and if the occasion allows, if the Spirit leads, to plant it. Yes, there are also those times when we can water as well. We all want to be there when the born again experience happens, but it is always God who gives the increase. Are we willing to be ready to scatter continually so that the growth can happen in His timing?
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Soul Planting By P. Diane Buie Planting seeds fills a need. Removing weeds creates deed like fine steeds. Souls are won. Hope is spun. Love has done and what fun! Life with God brings this sod peace in pod wink & nod!
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV) “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10 NIV) P.S. I hope you can see & feel the humor in this short, rhyming poem. It was challenging to create it! Thanks for taking the time to read it. Diane Buie has always had a desire for teaching the lives of young children (and their families hoping to lead their faith to one that embraces God and His son, Jesus. Diane has taught preschoolers, been a church staff minister for children, a “lunch lady,” and bus aide with Special Needs Children. The education, nurture, and care for preschoolers and children has been at the heart of Diane’s work. She writes occasionally with Union Gospel Press and is self-publishing children’s books for preschoolers. She also has authored a novel for young adults, What If Birds Could Talk, an autobiographical story about dealing with chronic illnesses. You can find her books on Lulu.com and Amazon.com. Diane has a Master’s degree in Divinity and a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education & Child/Family Studies. She lives in Greer, SC near her parents and adult siblings. When she is not writing or reading, you can find her being crafty, gardening, and hanging out with friends and family. You can find more info about her from the following social media sites: buierocks2002@wordpress.com PDBuie@pd_bee (Twitter) DianeBuie@WritingWordsThatMatter (FB/ author page)
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I’m Sowing Seeds By Sharon K Connell
When I hear the term, sowing seeds, the first thing that comes to my mind is a farmer in a field before the days of modern equipment which has taken the work out of walking a furrow, dipping the hand into a pouch, and dropping the seeds by hand into a shallow trench. It may be because my mother’s family were all farmers, at least as far back as the 1800s. What does sowing seed mean today? If you’re a dedicated Christian, following the will of our Lord, it would mean sowing the seeds of God’s Word. For most, it means preaching. Well, I’m not a preacher, but as I have mentioned before, we all preach in one way or another. What kind of seeds are you sowing? Are they seeds of love or hate? Seeds of discourse or peace? Seeds of truth or lies? In Luke 8:5-15, God tells us a parable about sowing seeds and what happened to those seeds. You see, it’s important to God what kind of seeds you are sowing and where you sow them.
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Today, for me, sowing seeds and preaching come in the way of writing my stories. As an author, having written seven books and working on my eighth, I sow the seeds of God’s words into the pages of my tales. Before I start working each day, I ask my Lord for guidance in writing in the words He wants me to put into the story to lead a soul to His Throne of Grace. I also ask Him to help me know what words to take out of the story. Although my stories are not all about getting saved, or repentance, most of them show the road to salvation in some way. Or they show a character realizing the error of their ways and coming to the Throne for repentance. This is my way of sowing seeds. Before I became an author, I sowed seeds in my daily routine. It came down to what kind of life I was living. I’m not perfect. No one here on earth is. But I tried to be the woman God wanted me to be in front of my co-workers and other people I met every day. It wasn’t always easy. I’m Irish, I have an Irish temper, but praise God, He’s shown me I can control that. And when I did something I knew my Lord was not pleased with, I asked for forgiveness, both from God and, if possible, from the person I hurt. Another kind of sowing seeds. Yes, we all sow seeds each day of our lives. What kind of seeds are you sowing? “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” (Luke 8:15 King James Authorized Version)
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. Click on the photo to see Sharon’s books on Amazon.com
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 NIV
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More Than A Dog, He Was My Son By Cindy Oriol A week before Halloween my husband John asked me if I wanted a dog. He could see the depression I was carrying around, from being stuck in a wheelchair for a year and not being able to serve the Lord. John told me that the Metro Animal Services was having a special for $31.00. When we arrived there, almost immediately, a black and white SHIH TZU came up to us. He was really cute but because of my health; I had already decided that I would need a smaller dog to make it easier for John to take care of him. We looked in every kennel and finally; we found a Yorkie. He had a few days left before anyone could come and claim him. On the last day, I called them to tell them we were still interested. I was told that his owner had come to take him home. I was so sad, but then I remembered that sweet SHIH TZU and how friendly he was. We decided to take him home with us. He was so grungy looking with matted hair, but after we gave him his bath he was so cute. We decided we would call him Beau. A few days later, John took out the broom to sweep the kitchen floor and Beau was petrified. He ran and hid in my closet. We looked everywhere for him and finally; I saw these two eyeballs staring at me. He was still shaking so hard. We think someone had previously hit him with a broom. He cuddled in my arms and went to sleep.
He wasn’t a good watchdog. When someone was at the door, he would get so excited. As soon as we opened the door, he was already jumping up and down and giving them kisses. He loved people, but not other animals. His first winter with us, we bought him a camouflage jacket. He was so adorable. After John took his jacket off, he wanted to cuddle with his mommy. He would jump behind my legs while I was lying on the couch and rest his little head and fall asleep. He also loved being held by his daddy. They had a special bond with each other. One day while we were taking a stroll at his favorite park, he had a seizure and was so lethargic that we had to take him home. Upon arriving there, John laid him on the couch where he slept for hours. The next day as we were going to the car, Beau was very exhausted, so John took him to the vet hospital. After running several tests, the doctor said that his mitral valve was leaking, and he had congestive heart failure. He told us Beau wasn’t suffering now, but later he would. He estimated Beau would still be with us for at least a year or two.
Beau was afraid of storms. He would start shaking all over and run to the bathroom to hide. John would get his bed and he would climb inside.
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A few months passed, and he was getting worse, so we took him to see a new vet for a second opinion. This vet said that we wouldn’t have him for much longer. I felt like my heart had just been stabbed. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I asked the Lord for a sign to let us know what to do. An answer to my prayer came the very next day. While I was in my prayer room, Beau came in and laid at my feet under the chair and cried for 20 minutes. It was horrible. My little guy was dying and there was nothing I could do. I picked him up and with every stroke of me rubbing his back; I told him I loved him so much. With tears burning down my cheeks, I screamed at the Lord, “Why, Lord, why.” He answered, “It’s his time and he won’t be suffering anymore.” John came home from doing the grocery shopping. I called him in and with all the strength I had in my voice, I told him it was time. Making that decision was one of the hardest decisions John and I had ever had to make. We took Beau to the animal hospital. While we were loving on him, the vet came in with a needle to calm him down, and then he told us that it was finished. We were in shock. We didn’t know what he meant. I asked him, “Is he dead?” He was. The vet gave us time alone to be with him. We were stroking on our little guy, telling him what he meant to us, how much we loved him. Beau was such a great pet. As I held his beautiful, precious head in my hands, looking down at the face of what was once so full of joy and laughter, I told him, “You are more than a dog, you are my son.” John and I were locked in each other’s arms, knowing that we only had a few more minutes with our little guy. We were there supporting each other, crying hysterically, and we said our last goodbyes.
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The Foolish Farmer By Chad Thieman You see the field all laid out in front of you, This field of yours which has not been tended to. You wonder to yourself if you will ever succeed; Though, you have yet to plant a single seed. You need a change of direction in your life. True change does not happen overnight. Small steps will help you achieve your goals. If you want to reap, you must first learn to sow. God will reward the hard-working laborer. They will partake, their harvest they will savor! Only a foolish farmer expects a harvest without first planting his seed. There is a time for planting, a time for nurturing, and a time for reaping. If we hold on to our seed, then all we will have in the end is the seed. If we plant, water, and nurture it, then we will reap a great harvest. At first, we will not see the fruit of our labor, but if we are patient and wait a season, we will see it! Remember, the type of seed that we plant, the amount of light and water it receives, as well as the quality of the soil it is planted in, all factor into the greatness of our harvest. All of these things help determine how healthy the crop will become and how great the harvest is that we will receive. Ask the Father for His Spirit, so that you may plant good seed in the finest of soil. Pray that you will have the ability and the resources to produce a successful harvest and that the Lord will do His part to help water and nurture it. Even foolish farmers can plant on the earth, but a wise farmer will plant in heaven. Whatever a man sows, whether it be of the earth or the Spirit, that the man shall reap. If we do not plant, then we will reap nothing; but if we sow much seed, then we will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 64 | M AG A Z I N E N A M E PAGE 3 63
Every day we have the opportunity to plant into the lives of those around us. Every missed opportunity is another seed that goes unplanted. Everything that we possess is a possible seed we can invest. We must take advantage of every good opportunity to plant them into the Kingdom. Even you are a seed to be planted! Now, when you plant your seed, you don’t use a stick of dynamite to blow a hole in the ground; rather, remove a little dirt and plant it gently. Once the seed has taken root, then it will grow up, mature, and understand the greater things. The one who plants is greater than that which is planted, but for now, tend to your harvest. For the greatest among you must show yourselves as the least of all. After the farmer plants the seed in his field, how is he to be repaid? Is he not sustained by his harvest? Whatever he sows will grow up, mature, and sustain him. If a man sows, shall he not also reap, from that which he has sown? Let each man be sustained by his own harvest. The fruit of his labor shall sustain him. Shall one eat from another man’s harvest? No, by one’s own field, shall a man eat. It would not be proper for a man to do the labor and yet not eat of the fruit of that labor. All who plant good seed, their physical and spiritual needs should be met. Those who teach the Gospel of the Kingdom of Christ should be sustained by it. Planting good seed and investing into the lives of others can bring forth a great harvest for all.
Remember, do all of your giving in secret. Let the Lord water your investment and bring it to fruition. When we invest in others with love, we invest in the Kingdom of Heaven; and the better the soil, the better the harvest. My friends, to make your harvest truly great, invest the very first fruits of your harvest back into the Kingdom. When your harvest has come in its fullness, you will know it has come; thresh and winnow the wheat, and separate the chaff from the grain.
Chad writes Christ-centered and faith-filled poetry, parables, proverbs, devotions, and inspirational short stories. He and his wife, Tina, live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. They both enjoy walking in nature, inspiring others, and living out their faith in the local community. Chad’s books are available on all major online book retailers.
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Memories By Jeff Foster
When I first met my wife back in the years B.C., (before cellphones), she had an amazing talent of remembering the phone number of everyone she knew. That gift has long faded away as there is no longer a need. Now we can quickly recall the numbers of thousands of contacts in a little handheld device that is always within reach. The online version of Psychology Today magazine has an incredibly detailed definition of memory with lots of fancy medical terms if you’re interested in that sort of thing. If you want the plain English version just stick with me here. Basically, there are two types of memory, things we’ve experienced and things we’ve learned. It’s best to have a good balance between both types. We rely on our memory to tell stories from our past experiences. Some stories are used to teach a lesson, but some are purely for our nostalgic entertainment. When I was growing up, we had annual family reunions, usually in September. There was always plenty of wonderful food and we always ate more than we should. After we ate, we’d gather in small groups under the shade of trees with our folding chairs and the older folks would begin spinning their tales of a time gone by. We had heard most of the stories before, but from year to year the details would change a little as memories faded further in the past.
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We all have stories from our memory that others can learn from. The best teachers combine experienced memories with learned memories in order to paint an illustration of the subject that is being taught. When we as Christians share the gospel message of Jesus Christ, we do exactly that. We combine our salvation experience and what God has done in our lives with what we have learned from studying God’s word to tell a story that will hopefully lead another person to follow Jesus. That word that frightens so many Christians, witnessing, is simply telling a story drawn from your memory of what Jesus has done for you and why you chose to follow Him. God ordained many methods to help us remember things that are important. He understands that we sometimes have trouble remembering. The great commentator Matthew Henry wrote this when explaining the fourth chapter of the book of Joshua, “But God, knowing their frame, and how apt they had been soon to forget his works, ordered an expedient for the keeping of this in remembrance to all generations, that those who could not, or would not, read the record of it in the sacred history, might come to the knowledge of it by the monument set up in remembrance of it,”
The Lord commanded Joshua to build a stone monument as a reminder of when He held back the waters of the Jordan River so the children of Israel could pass into their promised land. He did this because He knew they would soon forget. God set the rainbow in the sky to remind us He would never again destroy the world with a flood. The greatest reminder of all, though, is His word that we can read every day in the Bible. Everyone has their own unique memories. Some are pleasant, such as those nostalgic memories of family reunions. Others can be bittersweet when we think of loved ones that have passed on. Memories are also able to cause anxieties and fear when we think about tragic events or circumstances from our past. All of our memories wrapped up together are a part of who we are and show how God has worked in our life. God uses our memory to show us He has sovereign control over each event in our life. When we are distressed, He sometimes gives us virtual “monuments” to remind us we can find comfort in Him. When I hear that old hymn, The Old Rugged Cross, it’s a reminder to me of the congregation singing on a Sunday night in 1971 when I trusted Jesus as my Savior. Thank God for memories.
I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. (Psalms 77:11 KJV)
Jeff Foster and his wife Lorena live in Granite Falls, NC. Jeff is passionate about sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ while serving in his local church. He finds purpose in his writing, hoping to encourage the saints and inspire them to strive for a closer walk with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He publishes a weekly update of encouragement and biblical study on his website, http://www.seedsowing.org
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Tim Ferrara has grown up in the church and has held various leadership positions, both in business and in the church. Tim is currently the Executive Pastor at LifePoint Church in Arizona. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Arizona State University along with an MBA from the University of Phoenix. He has had a career in business management for over 20 years and has worked as Faculty for two different colleges. Tim started the ministry of Discerning Dad (www.discerning-dad.com) to write and encourage Christians to grow in discernment and make better decisions that honor God. He has written a book called Everyday Discernment: The Importance of Spirit-Led Decision Making as well as multiple YouVersion Bible Plans. Tim lives with his wife Jamie and their two children in Arizona.
Waiting On The Harvest By Tim Ferrara
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9 NIV) There’s a lot of farming analogies in the Bible, and unless you are proficient in agriculture, they can be lost in translation. I can understand what Paul is trying to say here, but for the culture at the time, this was their life and livelihood! Farmers put a lot of time and effort into planting and cultivating a crop for an eventual reward—the harvest. The harvest not only fed their families but also allowed for them to pay for everything else, as well as support the local community, and be able to invest in future crops. I think of the Little House on the Prairie series I used to watch as a kid. Pa would spend time planting but then he might get hurt. There would be a tornado, a frost, a storm, or any number of other tragedies that would make for a good episode. If a crop was lost, it was devastating to the family. The blood, sweat, and tears put into seeing the crop to harvest were all worth the effort because it meant food on the table. It’s easy to think in our microwave culture that if I don’t see the immediate results of my good actions (like tithing, being faithful, avoiding sin, or loving my neighbor) that they won’t come. However, God promises that the last will be first and the first will be last. We have an eternal reward but also earthly blessings if we follow God in obedience. We must remember to not make the blessing our focus, instead focus on keeping our eyes on Jesus! 68 | M AG A Z I N E N A M E PAGE 3 67
It’s important for us as Christians to remember that we don’t always reap in the same season we sow. Our verse in Galatians reminds us to not get tired of doing good. It can be easy to get burned out, especially if you work in ministry or volunteer. Our flesh can become tired of doing good. We need to be strengthened by the Spirit of God daily. There are also consequences for sin; we will reap what we sow when it comes to unrepentant sin. Everything that is in the dark will be brought to light, the Bible says (Luke 12.2). Even if it looks like we “got away” with something, we really didn’t. God sees all, and even though grace can cover our salvation, it doesn’t prevent earthly consequences from our stupid mistakes. This is why keeping your eyes on Jesus and discernment is so important! Reflect: What am I sowing now into my life and those around me? What is the future harvest that I can expect from my actions today?
Brenda McDaniel is the author of My Angel My Hero with two more books soon to be published. She is from Roanoke, VA. She has a B.S. degree in Psychology and a M.A. degree 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! You can find her book by clicking on this link: My Angel My Hero.
The Christian Seeds By Brenda McDaniel
The weather is warmer, birds are singing, and insects are multiplying. Animals are coming out of hibernation and increasing big and small. Trees, bushes, and flowers are flourishing and beautify our world. It’s also the time to plant gardens, buying new seeds, or using ones we saved. Whether it’s a vegetable or flower garden, it finally will bloom or flourish, if we have patience and work hard on it. But the starting point for the birth of animals or our natural world is the seed. Without a seed, there is no life. This is the same in the life of a Christian. If we can plant a seed in the hearts and minds of others, whether lost or saved, we can help guide the lost to hope, faith and love. God’s forgiveness and love are the seeds of faith. The lost are drifting, confused, and looking for something or someone to truly believe in and cure their emptiness. And we, as Christians, have a duty! To share our happiness, peace, and love. Our Savior Jesus Christ gave to us as a gift on the cross. Just plant a small seed in someone’s life who is hurting or lost. And with God’s help and our prayers see it grow into something beautiful and blossom. Or encourage other Christians and help to strengthen their faith with encouragement and love.
“Neither do we light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.” (Matthew 5:15 KJV) Brenda E McDaniel is an author. Her book can be purchased on Amazon. Click on the book cover to purchase.
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Click on book to order. 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.
TOP TEN REASONS TO BE THANKFUL By Michael Wells #10 - God judges me by what’s in my heart and not by what’s on my mind.
#8 - God sees me as precious, something worth dying for.
“It is with the heart one believes to right standing with God,” so writes Paul. (Romans 10:10) Our struggle is not so much with the heart as it is with the mind. Many times our heart is steadfast while our mind wavers. Our minds are quick to condemn us if we allow and to talk us out of what our heart believes. A good way to be at peace with what you believe in your heart is by ignoring most of what is on your mind.
Many times when we are given a moment to think quietly about ourselves, the word precious doesn’t come to mind. But it does to God. There is an old saying, “Can’t nobody do ya like Jesus.” Only He sees past what we and others think and feel about us. We are unique in all His creation. So precious, in fact, to place Himself within us but at tremendous cost. His death brought forth life and His Spirit is still available to all people He still sees as precious.
#9 - God chose to love me first and loves me best. Before we ever knew God, He loved us. Even in the midst of our personal struggles, He still loves us. Others may have walked away, but the love of God is here to stay. It’s a love that won’t let go, no matter our level of devotion. But sometimes it is in the absence of the presence of that love one begins to truly appreciate it. How thankful we are that when we come to our senses as the prodigal son or daughter that the Father is still standing, waiting for our return to receive us once more.
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#7 - God lives in me now and I with Him later. Those who have not experienced the entrance of God into their lives cannot understand the unmistakable change that comes inside. Some would challenge our mental stability, but we who have walked in this new life know better. But what we enjoy now is just a taste of things to come, a guarantee of a future life with God as well. As Paul wrote, we are to consider ourselves to be citizens of Heaven now. Even to the point of further considering that we are seated with Christ Jesus in heavenly places. I’m thankful that with God there is a now and a later.
#6 - God draws me near when others have walked away.
#3 - God forgives and forgets when I confess and repent.
For the believer, God is our only constant in life. Never changing His affection for us or His commitment to us. Others, no matter their sincerity, can fail us, no matter our intention, misunderstand us, or through no fault of our own, abuse us. We can be assured God will never leave the room closing the door behind Him. When all others seem to have fled your side, He comes alongside. He is your covering when you feel exposed, your support when you are weak, He is the compassionate listener to your broken heart, the one who draws you and heals your soul when others have walked away.
It may be because of this that we treat sin so casually. It is for our benefit that God forgives and forgets when we confess and repent. Unlike those around us who sometimes forgive but can never forget our words or deeds, God does. But remembering our old sins will weigh heavily on us at times. We may feel shame as we approach God, but if we were to tell Him why we felt this way saying, “Lord, do you remember when...” God would simply say, “No.” We are thankful as we live in His Presence we have no past.
#5 - God speaks truth to my mind when I listen with my heart. Many voices cloud my mind. With many choices to make, where do I find answers? Truth is not in the whirlwind of thought, but by the whisper in the heart. It is not natural but supernatural and placed within from without. Available to all but sought by few. Words written millennia ago, given life to the reader by a presence. One in which whispers truth to the heart when called upon. #4 - God brings to light hidden things to expel from my life. It is for our good that God desires to remove the bad from us. We are our worst enemy most times in life. We make compromises on our promises with God. We revise our agreements with Him more times than the apps on our phones do. Solomon noted it was the little foxes that spoil the vine. It is the secret sins that ruin the peace and joy that could be had. It is good to lay down that which holds you down. God knows better than us what hurts us and brings them to our attention to deal with them.
#2 - God is my sanity in a world that’s gone crazy. Each generation seems to have its own chaos— ours is no different. But ours is amplified by the 24/7 verbal and visual assault on us. We have allowed ourselves to be brought into everyone’s personal tragedies. It overwhelms our senses at times. Our lives can seem adrift in the continual madness displayed before our eyes. But in the midst of all this, there is God who brings sanity. Not only do we find our place in Him, but our peace. Only He can whisper the words that calm our spirit and renew our faith. Only with God can we be in our right mind. # 1 - God is more than enough for all I will ever need It is the essence of our faith in God that whatever the situation I find myself in, whatever the need that may arise, I will be made to handle it and be provided for. No obstacle too great and no trial too difficult that I cannot overcome with God’s help. He states in His word, “Call on Me and I will answer you.” He is not Google or Siri but has the knowledge of the universe. He is not the Head of Surgeons at John Hopkins, but He is the healer of your soul. Not the latest government program, but your Provider. He is wisdom, healing, and provision. He is all you or I will ever need. And that’s something to be thankful for.
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