“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16Cover Photo by Karen Ruhl
I love this photo of me and Craig. It was taken at the San Clemente Mission. It is at least 14 years old and reminds me of all of the places we visited while in California. Point Vicente Lighhouse is on the cover. It is located in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA.
We have been so blessed to travel across the country several times. There are many states that we have missed and I do my best to find photographers to showcase their states. If you are interested in being on the cover, contact me at team@faithoneverycorner.com.
From California, Arizona, Utah, and Georgia. Like many photographers, I have more photos than I can count. It is all about showing God’s country and His love for us. You can find more photos on https://karen-ruhl.pixels.com/
Karen Ruhl
March - already! Time doesn’t wait for anyone, it certainly marches on.
We have been experiencing some very nice weather here in North Carolina. We even hit 80 degrees one day! For us, it is nice for several reasons. One is that we get to take our grandson for a walk and play outside for a bit. It is so much fun to watch him explore and grow.
I was looking at a back issue of the magazine the other day and went down nostalgia lane for a few minutes. I remembered the car ride in the mountains where God clearly downloaded the information to us and let us know He wanted us to design, write, and publish this magazine. It was an amazing day as He revealed the strengths and experiences he had given Craig and me that would allow us to create and market Faith On Every Corner Magazine. Over six years later, we are still here. We feel blessed that he has given us this ministry, introduced us to so many writer friends, and has blessed our readers.
We will pray for you all and hope that as time marches on, you are all healthy, happy, safe, and loved.
We love to hear from you, so drop us a line at the email below. We are always looking for new writers and photographers. Spread the news!
Much love - may God bless you all.
Karen Ruhl Team@FaithOnEveryCorner.com Karen and Craig RuhlCOVER AND INSIDE COVER BY PHOTOGRAPHER: Karen Ruhl
Note From The Editor ... page 3
March Prayer by Craig and Karen Ruhl ... page 21
Quiet Time Rhymes ... by John Alexander ... page 6-7
Kindness For All ... by Melissa Henderson ... page 8-9
Into The Great Unknown ... by Andrea Marino ... page 10-11
Morning Coffee ... by Michael E. Wells ... page 12-13
Run With Perseverance / Mi Jija (My Daughter) ...Nicole Byrum ... page 14-15
Lilac Prayers ... by Nicole Byrum ... page 16
I Am The Sheep Of Christ’s Flock ... Irene Suyra ... page 17
Where Do We Put Our Trust? ... Yvonne Morgan ... page 18-19
Good Friends Keep You On Track ... by Karen Ruhl ... page 20
March Prayer ... by Craig and Karen Ruhl ... page 21
If We Could Have One Wish ... by Dave Evans ... page 22-23
An Unexpected Ministry ... by Laurie Glass ... page 24-25
A Small Group Of Men ... by Craig Ruhl ... page 26-27
Simply Being There ... by Steve Carter ... page 28-29
The Winds Of March ... by Sharon K. Connell ... page 30-31
The Book ... Pam McCormick ... page 32-33
Road Trippin’ ... by Karen Ruhl with Craig Ruhl ... page 34-37
Ever Present God ... by Diana Derringer ... page 38
Ask And You will Receive ... by Gina Meredith ... page 39
Your Piece Of The Puzzle ... by Linda Castro... page 40-41
Giving It All ... by F.D. Adkins... page 42-43
We Are A Message ... Craig D. Lounsbrough ... page 44-45
Bookshelf Reviews ... by Craig and Karen Ruhl ... page 46-47
Living Faith From A Fast Wheelchair ... by Cindy Curtis ... page 48-49
Though I Walk Through The Valley ... by Shara Bueler-Repka ... page 50-51
The World Now/The World To Come by Brenda McDaniel ... page 52
Our World / The World To Come Poem ... by Brenda McDaniel ... page-53
The Power Of Forgiveness ... by Kathleen Oden ... page 54-55
Paid In Full ... by Brianna Barrett ... page 56-57
Imitators ... by Steve Wilson ... page 58-59
In Step With The Spirit ... by Joanne Hagemeyer ... page 60-61
Ye Of Little Faith ... by Karen Ruhl ... page 62-63
Riding The Long Hills and Singing In The Dark ... by Doc Arnett ... page 64
Riding Toward The Far Ridge ... by Doc Arnett ... page 65
Kindness takes on many forms. It comes in many shapes and sizes. Sharing a simple kindness not only blesses the one who receives it, but also the giver. It is truly a blessing to bless others, to share from the heart, and to share a bit of ourselves with others. We don’t always know what others are going through, but sometimes just a smile, a note, or a small gift shared in love can mean so much. Ask the Lord to allow you to be a blessing today and find a way to reach out in kindness as the Lord leads. I’m blessed each month to be able to share a few poems. I pray they are a blessing to you and encourage you to share kindness with others.
Blessings,
Poems by John Alexander Quiet Time Rhymes
John Alexander
QuietTimeRhymes.com
It’s not so important how long that we live, But rather the value of what we can give. Sometimes just a gesture or even a smile Can let someone know that they’re valued, worthwhile. It’s amazing the impact our words can convey, The way that we act and the things that we say. The life that we’re given is more than a test. Finding ways to bless others is our daily quest. “It’s more blessed to give than it is to receive.” Is a pathway to joy if we dare to believe. Each life is a gift that was given to share, To help out a neighbor in need of our care. As we reach out to others and kindness embrace, We’re sharing God’s love and His mercy and grace.
John Alexander lives in Frisco, Texas with his beautiful wife and his Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Click this link to see all books by John AlexanderWe all can give others some kindness, respect, A habit, when busy, we sometimes neglect. It takes little effort, a nod, or a smile. When you give it a try you will find it worthwhile. For someone in need, you can brighten their day. It’s amazing the kindness your words can convey. It may be a stranger you pass on the street. Perhaps it’s a friend that you happen to meet. Be careful the words that you use when you talk, You don’t know the pathway that others have walked. Find ways to encourage with words from the heart. Lift someone’s spirit before you depart. Some day when you’re troubled, discouraged, or grieved, I pray that same kindness is also received.
With so many lonely, or hurting, or sad, I pray over time they find reasons for glad. I pray there is someone to speak a kind word, Someone to listen, acknowledge they’ve heard. A kindness performed out of love from the heart Can begin someone’s journey to find a fresh start. Even a smile, just a touch or a hug Is better than turning away with a shrug. A little compassion can go a long way Towards lifting the spirit of someone today. Don’t let opportunity slip through your hand, Perhaps a small favor, it needn’t be grand. I try to share kindness with words that I write, Words that I pray are reflecting God’s light.
Photos by Karen Ruhl
Acts of kindness can be a blessing to the giver and the receiver. Have you ever picked up trash that the wind had blown into a neighbor’s yard? What about returning a shopping cart that someone left in the parking lot? Perhaps you have paid for a meal for a stranger?
A dictionary defines “kindness” as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. Acts of kindness do not have to be big gestures. Considerate actions are ways of showing the love of Christ. God wants us to love and care for each other. Scripture shares the powerful words of God.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV)
How do our words and actions affect others? Think of a time when you were surprised by the kindness shown to you. Perhaps during a difficult time in your life, someone offered to pray for you. Maybe a listening ear was offered.
There are times when kind acts are expressed openly. Maybe you allowed someone to go ahead of you in the grocery store checkout line. Conversation and a smile can brighten the day for someone in need of connection.
Have you noticed how children interact with each other? Our two grandchildren have a special relationship with each other. When our five-year-old grandson Rowan is sad, his two-year-old sister Eden will offer a “huggy” or a favorite “stuffy” to snuggle. When Eden is sad, Rowan will rub her arms and try to help her feel better. These are outward acts of kindness. Even after arguments, the two forgive and forget and continue to share giggles and snuggles.
Other times, the acts of caring for others may be done in secret. The important part of showing kindness is in expressing love for God’s creations. When kindness is given without expecting a “thank you” or any kind of acknowledgment, we are expressing love in the way God teaches us to love each other.
Click on the book covers to purchase Melissa’s books.
Ways to show kindness:
● Listen to the person speaking. Look them in the eyes.
● Offer to pray when someone needs prayer.
● Share smiles with family, friends, and strangers.
● Call loved ones. Texts are good, but phone calls are better.
● Send a handwritten note via snail mail.
● Share giggles with children and adults. “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22 NIV)
● Offer to help a neighbor.
● Invite someone to attend the worship service with you.
● Prepare a meal for a neighbor.
● Donate food and/or clothing to a homeless shelter.
● Volunteer with a local food pantry.
● Volunteer at a local school.
● Praise children when you see them being kind.
● Surprise someone with a special treat.
● Share the good news of the gospel.
Can you add acts of kindness to this list? There are many ways to show the love of God in every moment. When we share His love, the world becomes a better place.
Have a blessed day, 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 https://www. facebook.com/melissa.henderson.9440
Read her blogs at:
https://melissaghenderson.com/
It’s Always A Story With The Hendersons
These are undoubtedly trying days to live in. And it’s nothing new. Nevertheless, with a mere mustard seed of faith, we can know the God of Israel is greater than the god of this world. (1 John 4:4) Down through the ages, He has provided prophets to speak on His behalf, to encourage and also warn of the consequences of sin. Elijah was one such prophet. Human as the rest of us, we read of him hiding in a cave, trying to escape the enemy, which included the Israelites who were killing the prophets. God called Elijah out of the cave and into the great unknown. By the close of his ministry on earth, Elijah was calling down fire from Heaven to consume the evil ones of his day. This prophet didn’t die, but was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire. (1 Kings 19:9-14, 2 Kings 1, 2 Kings 2:11)
Elisha, who had been walking with Elijah, asked to inherit a double portion of the spirit, empowering Elijah. It isn’t unusual for Elisha to cry in despair–even to tear his clothes–when his spiritual mentor was gone. But he picked up the mantle and struck the water of the Jordan River now before him. “‘Where is the God of Elijah?’ said he.” (2 Kings 2:13) Was Elisha angry, left to go on without his spiritual mentor/companion? Was he frustrated in how to proceed—if he even should? What we are told is the water of the Jordan River parted, and Elisha walked to the other side. (2 Kings 2:9-14)
Someone taken from us can send faith into a tailspin. This world is full of losses, and it’s painful. Such a shift in life tries the heart and frightens the soul. In the great unknown, we pass through stages of terrific sadness, anger, fear, and more. We question if God is really whom He says He is. We had to put our dog, Coby, down and I am in a state of grief. I miss this tenpound ball of white fluff by my side as a loyal companion. I’m thankful for family and friends coming alongside us to pray and encourage us in the process of change. God is good to provide us with them. But there comes a time to face our ‘Jordan River’ without them. Miracles happen despite the experience and the feel in the natural. God parted the water for Elisha.
My dad was warm and gentle and served a uniquely special role in my life. Mom, however, was like a ‘glue’ holding me together in the tough times of life. I witnessed her resilient spirit and relied upon it to carry me through whatever. After she passed, I had to face the world without her. A mantle of sorts had now been passed to me to be strong in the Lord, His glory to be manifest to my children, as well as those whose paths crossed mine. I recall a pastor/friend asking how I felt in the new role. I really didn’t have a choice. Or did I? There really is no going back. It is always forward we go, even if we are emotionally stuck in want of retreat. Mom’s faith didn’t just happen. Faced with a huge obstacle for years, I heard her express, “Maybe God can’t fix this.” (continued on page 11_
But there is always more going on with God. He would have us know human strength can take us just so far. Through grief, Elisha took hold of the mantle passed to him by God. He did not allow the devil to steal his divine calling, but went forward. My mom did not allow negative circumstances to dictate how she lived. God became strong in her that even during chemotherapy for breast cancer, she encouraged those around her going through the same.
God causes mustard seeds of faith to grow strong if we will allow Him to. Though surrounded by enemies, we can see mighty angel armies beyond them and protecting us. (2 Kings 6:15-17) Surely, the spirit of Elijah is in the world, advancing the cause of Christ for the salvation of the lost and dying. God’s faithfulness throughout history and throughout our lives serves as a protective shield. (Psalm 91:4) “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.’” (Psalm 91:2 NKJV)
Andrea is mom to four great kids and Grammy to four delightful grands. Passionate about Jesus, friends, and people, Andrea loves to share all He has taught her in life. When not writing, Andrea enjoys simple things, such as music, heartwarming movies, reinventing recipes to be healthier, and cycling along one wooded road or other with the Lord.
Please visit her Facebook blog: https:// www.facebook.com/In-The-Way-Everlasting-1770074853062907 Andrea is always ready to hear thoughts from her readers. Or you can email her at: rapture927@aol.com
Email: rapture927@aol.com
Facebook Blog: In the Way Everlasting
Click on the photo of the book to purchase from Amazon.
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.
Visually adrift but always completing its circuit, this orb of life spins, silent and alone. Gathered together and fashioned, it is unique and singular. Blue against its black canvas, it is both fragile and complex. Seemingly orphaned with its inhabitants and with no clear record of its origin, the question of existence is asked, “Why?”
Water and soil sustain life as do light and air, but again the question, “For what ultimate purpose?” Ships circle the orb high above its arc, calling out to all who may hear but none reply. And so it journeys and so it remains, locked in its course, bound in its cage.
So the search is within and not without. Is there a voice to hear inside when none will answer from distant lights? Many hear different sounds, some not at all. A few sense a presence, unmistakable and profound. Is this the answer to the question sought, the reason of it all?
Through history, a thread remains, origin and purpose are explained. Cast off by many, but believed by a few. Written down and preserved for me and you. Just a story some complain but life-changing to those who believe just the same. Whose is this voice, and what does it declare? I search the records for truth. Is it there?
I come away confident of the voice. Now freely I make the choice. A presence comes, and a voice is made clearer. I am at peace and understand what we are here for. We are alone, but not by ourselves. Created and contacted by the Creator Himself.
I, like one-third of the inhabitants, have found answers to my existence. It is to know God and to make Him known. To love mercy, to do justly, and walk humbly until He takes me home. So my point is this: as you listen for the voice, the meaning of life is known but now it is your choice.
We who live in the north are more mindful of seasonal change than others because it is all around us. It is a type and shadow of the ebb and flow of our life. In the natural we are born, we thrive, we wane and we die. But the earth reveals a truth of God in that through death there can be new life and as the strength of the sun once again touches the land, so new life comes from old.
It is the same with us, also His creation, that there can be new life on the inside even as the outside wanes. Even the timing of Christ’s birth and resurrection reflected this truth. He was laid in the manger in the dead winter and arose, resurrected with the renewal of spring. It is also available to us in that we can have springtime in the autumn of our life. The Apostle Paul said, “Though the outward person is perishing, the inward person is being renewed day by day.”
But it is only when we have allowed the strength of the Son to touch our lives deep within our souls and only we know if we have done that. It is a renewal of the mind and spirit, a knowing of our relationship with the God Who loves us, and an ever closer walk that causes Life Eternal to spring from our very being. And as we all will one day take our final step on this journey, we are comforted with the words of Christ, “They who believe in Me though they die yet shall they live!”
Nothing remains the same. Friendships, relationships, acquaintances, and loves seem to come and go. Many times through no fault of our own. We may feel the pain of a sudden event or it could just be a slow process of separation. Each one going their own way through individual callings or personal disputes. But always followed by a period of emptiness. These are times when we take inventory of our lives, our pursuits, our goals, our surroundings, and our routines. Times when we appreciate that which remains.
The Apostle Paul wrote that at one point in his life, everyone had left him. He finished by saying, “But the Lord stood by me!” There is only one constant in the life of a believer and that is the ever-present, ever-abiding, and ever-loving God Almighty. Though all may flee, He will never run and though all may turn away, He will never let go. He is the one who sustains us during the changing of the seasons of our souls. The writer of Ecclesiastes observed that to everything, there is a season. There is a time to weep and mourn and a time to laugh and dance. There is a time to embrace and gain and a time to refrain and lose. Therefore, we can say that hope springs eternal because as long as the earth remains, there will be seasons of transition.
You are not today where you were ten years ago, nor shall you be in ten years where you are today. Neither are some people whom you thought would always be there with you here today. We invest so much of our time and resources into endeavors that will fade with the passing of time. With our seasons sometimes being so short, we should aspire to walk through each day with wisdom and discernment relying upon our constant Companion for support and comfort as people and events walk through our lives. With this in mind, the next time you begin to feel the winds of change, you will be able to turn to the Lord and say, “It’s all right this time. I now understand.” As, together, you walk through another change in the seasons of your soul.
on page 15-16
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1 NIV)
If you’ve ever run a long-distance race of any kind, you may have experienced the temptation to stop running. As a long-time runner, this usually isn’t a problem for me. However, there was one 26.2-mile race that was particularly grueling. I wanted to walk off the course and be done, leaving the remaining 14 miles to the other race participants. With encouragement from my husband, I kept going, persevering to the end where a race volunteer placed a finisher’s medal around my sweaty neck.
You may have not known this, but God has a race marked out for you! He has gifted you in specific ways and has called you to faith for a purpose. Just think, the King of the Universe wants to use you for His glory! There will be times you may be tempted to quit your race, but God himself promises to give you the strength necessary for perseverance. And the best part? The reward for finishing our race is something so much better than any medal or trophy. I long for the day when I receive my greatest reward—to hear God say, “Welcome home, my good and faithful servant. Well done.”
Ask God to continue to give you perseverance as you run your race! Keep a journal of the ways he has given you strength, even when you have felt tired and weak. Thank Him for His sustaining hand.
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.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1 NIV)
For the last year, my 11-year-old daughter has been learning French from an app called Duolingo. As I witnessed her becoming more proficient in her new language, I was inspired to brush up on my limited Spanish. Consequently, I have taken to randomly speaking words in Espanol around the house. A few mornings ago, as she lazily made her way down the stairs, I greeted her with, “Hola, buenos dias, mi hija!” Translation: “Hello, good morning, my daughter.”
Now, I typically wouldn’t use this style of greeting in everyday English, but the more I thought about the translation, the more beautiful it seemed. My daughter. Doesn’t that sound so lovely? It’s so personal and describes a uniquely intimate relationship.
Amazingly, the Creator of the universe–our Creator–calls those who are in Christ His children. Through the blood of His son, Jesus, God’s love was lavished upon us. He is ours, and we are His—and nothing can ever change that! We can wake up each morning knowing God our Father delights in us. As we sleepily roll out of bed, we can imagine Him greeting us, “Good morning, my child.”
Develop the habit of talking to God as you lay in your bed before getting up each morning. As a mom, I take great delight in my children telling me “good morning.” I’m sure God feels the same, and desires to greet you, too.
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.
Articles by Nicole Byrum
“May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 141:2 NIV)
As I ran down familiar streets in the quiet of the morning, I enjoyed the coolness of the air and the sunshine on my face. It was a beautiful time of the day for a run. Then, the most wonderful scent of all hit me. The smell of sweet lilacs. My favorite flower. I took a deep breath in and tried to savor every second of that beautiful aroma. As I did so, I was reminded that my prayers are a pleasing fragrance to God; that my prayers to Him resemble something of the sweetness of lilacs.
In the book of Revelation, the apostle John wrote about his vision of heaven. In chapter 5 verse 8, he described golden bowls full of incense, which were the prayers of God’s people. To think, our prayers are received in heaven as fragrant incense! I don’t know about you, but I think that is pretty incredible! How comforting it is to know that our heavenly Father, who loves us, delights in our prayers. Let us come to Him daily with our praise as well as our requests, knowing He graciously receives- and welcomes- the prayers of his children.
Join me in this prayer: Thank you God for not only hearing my prayers, but for delighting in them as well. Gently remind me throughout my day that you are always ready to listen. Thank you for loving me so mightily. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Dr. Irene Surya is an award-winning author of her book, In Solitude with God. Her poems have been published in various magazines and anthologies. She has a passion for writing for the Lord and glorifying His name through her writings. She loves and serves the Lord with her husband.
I am a simple sheep
Rolling meadows are my play area
Lush green valleys are my grazing ground
Crystal clear rivers are my waters.
Though I have the verdant countryside
I don’t know the right path to follow
If I take a path, I think is right
It leads to thorns and thistles.
I always need the Lord by my side
The benevolent, good Shepherd
To take me by my hand and lead me
He is the only way, the truth, and the life.
He enlightens me daily by His Word
Shows me the way to green pastures
To the serene, still waters.
He leads me in the path of righteousness.
I am weak and I stumble
He carries me on His shoulders
He is the gate through which I enter He protects me from the evil one.
I hear His voice and follow Him
He guides me continually to delight in Him
Makes me understand His wonderful ways
Strengthens me with His Word.
He instructs me in the way I should go
Counsels me with His loving eyes
Teaches me His Word.
Opens my eyes to His awesome splendor.
How beautiful it is to be
The sheep of Christ’s pasture
How precious is the thought to be
The sheep of His flock.
In my Sunday School class, we started a study of the Book of James in the New Testament. The study brought a lot of lively discussions. My husband and I continued the discussions as we drove home. I can sum the thoughts up with the question, “Where do we put our trust?”
Before we dig in, let’s look at a summary of the Book of James. The Bible experts believe Jesus’ brother James wrote this book. James did not follow Jesus at the beginning, but became a disciple after the resurrection. The best summary of James comes from the following words from Chuck Swindoll; “faith endures during trials, calls on God for wisdom, bridles the tongue, sets aside wickedness, visits orphans and widows, and does not play favorites. He stressed that the life of faith is comprehensive, impacting every area of our lives and driving us to truly engage in the lives of other people in the world.” To me, James paints a picture of the way the church should look and act. And since we are the church, we are called to reach out to those in need as a way of life.
Yvonne M Morgan, Christian author and speaker
https://yvonne-morgan.com
Blog at Turningmountainsintomolehills.org
Twitter: @ymmauthor
Website: Yvonne-Morgan.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YMMauthor/ Turning Mountains into Molehills (2017)
The study also looked at our money through the eyes of James. Do our finances affect how much we rely on God? Do income levels drive us towards or away from God? These questions caused lots of discussion and reflection. From my experiences on the mission field, I discovered that those with less money seemed to rely on God more than I did. For example, if I am hungry, I go out and buy food. But if they feel hunger, they turn to God and pray for Him to provide. Do I trust my money to satisfy my needs instead of God?
Another angle began by looking at church attendance. Experts see the number of people going to church in developed countries is declining. These are the same countries with offer strong social programs to help the poor within their borders. In contrast, the church continues to grow in underdeveloped countries that do not assist their people in need. So, does that suggest that churches in developed countries yielded their responsibility for caring for those in need of the government? In America, there are resources available to the underprivileged like food stamps, even if this is not a perfect process. Does the availability of these programs make people rationalize they help through their taxes already so now they don’t have personal responsibility? And does the affluence of the west drive people away from churches because they don’t need God?
In Matthew 6:21 (NIV) we find the warning, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Money alone is not a bad thing. But money becomes a problem when we place our trust in it instead of putting our faith in God. Jesus expounds on this idea in Luke 18:24-25 (NIV) “Seeing the man’s sorrow, Jesus said, ‘How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to pass through an eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’” Riches can be a stumbling block to our faith. But there is good news, as Jesus also says in verse and says, “what is impossible with man is possible with God.”
So, what does it look like for us to put our trust in God and not in our resources? The Apostle James stressed that a life of faith is comprehensive, meaning it impacts every area of our lives and drives us to truly engage in the lives of other people around us. So, as the church, we must become the very hands and feet of Christ to everyone around us. We find examples in Matthew 25:35-36 (NIV) of how the people of God should do to help others. “For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
These verses in Matthew are God’s calling to His people, not to the governments of the world. To help others, we should:
• Provide nourishment to the hungry and thirsty
• Welcome the strangers into our midst
• Cloth the poor
• Care for the sick
• Visit those in prison
If today’s church in the west, spent more time reaching beyond its walls by starting programs to help those in need, instead of relying on the government, maybe they could become more relevant to the next generation. A church following James’ call to action will attract others to follow Christ while growing the Kingdom of God. Can we do it?
Dear Lord Jesus. Please help us learn to rely more on you and less on our own ways. Give us willing hearts that help others. Let our love and generosity attract others to follow you. Thank you for all the gifts you give to us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
My friend Jo and I were on our way to an event where she was going to tell a story. She is a professional storyteller and was great. On the way, she asked about our grandson and shared a very personal experience with me. She was giving me advice in the sweetest way about enabling others. I felt her concern and love while she was talking and took in every word she said. When I got home, I talked to Craig, and we prayed about her conversation. I took too long to get back to her and thank her for her advice and friendship. I was out in the yard on another day walking our grandson around and she wanted to apologize for our conversation. It took me by surprise because we took her advice to heart. I told her I thought the information was spot on and that I truly appreciated her sharing her experience. Not only am I grateful for her as a friend and neighbor, but I value her and her experiences and advice.
About a week later, I was with another friend, Robin, at her store. I saw a few things I wanted and put them at the register so I wouldn’t forget when I left. After Robin and I finished with what we were working on, I went to pay. Robin rang me up, handed me the bag and said, “Here you go.” I said but I haven’t paid and started to protest. Robin said, “don’t keep me from giving you a blessing today.” WOW!! This piece of advice was so clear and filled with love, and all I could do was apologize and thank her for the blessing. I told her it was the second time someone said a very similar thing to me. The first time was years ago and not said the same way, but had the same meaning.
I love when my friends keep me on track. If there is anyone I would want to hear it from, it would be my dear friends. Why? Because I know their hearts, and I know they say it out of love. Proverbs 27 9 says:
“Sweet friendships refresh the soul and awaken our hearts with joy, for good friends are like the anointing oil that yields the fragrant incense of God’s presence.”
Maybe the next time your friend gives you advice, know it comes from the love and concern they have for you. Let them know you appreciate them and take time to think about what they shared.
I am truly blessed with many friends. To you, I pray for you and want you to know that I love you dearly. Prayer: Heavenly Father, please give my treasured friends love and blessings without end. Bring contentment in her lives and comfort them in times of strife. Always keep them safe and secure and let their paths to you be sure. Lord God, strengthen me and help me let my friends know how much I love them and their advice. Let me never take their friendships for granted.
I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1131.0
“May your troubles be less, and your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door.”
(Popular Irish Blessing)
Heavenly Father, oh how we praise you. Thank you for each day. Help us look for ways we can help others and for ways we can spread the Good News.
Lord God, there is so much we need to pray for, so many people who are sick and need you. We lift up the families in Turkey and Syria who have lost family members and have been injured by the earthquakes and aftershocks hitting the area. We pray for those who were pulled from the rubble and for those who are homeless in the harsh winter months.
Father God, we ask that you heal your children who are spiritually, physically, mentally, and financially hurting.
We pray for our families, our writers and our readers and their families. Please forgive us our sins and protect our minds. Restore us and strengthen us and fill us with your spirit.
We thank you, love you, and praise you. In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen
Dave Evans recently retired from his career as an estimator for an electrical contractor, but still works part-time. He recently served as Body Care Pastor for a small church and previously taught at a local Bible College for several years. God led him to found and serve in several outreach ministries—a pet therapy ministry, visiting several skilled nursing facilities and retirement homes: a prayer booth on a local street corner to allow people in the community to stop by for prayer needs and an evangelism table, typically set up once a month at various malls or stores, which made Bibles, tracts, DVDs, and other Christian materials available free of charge to interested shoppers. Dave has a bachelor’s degree in business administration/management. As a writer, he has had many poems and articles published in various periodicals and books. And he’s been privileged to do volunteer work for a local police department.
“If you could have one wish, what would it be?” Have you ever been asked that question? Or have you ever thought about how you would answer if asked? Of course, it’s merely fantasy, but what would you do if you knew that your wish would actually be granted, that the question was more than just an invitation to daydream, and that your wish would become your reality? Would your request be for wealth, health, success, long life, material possessions, or perhaps for more wishes?
Well, God made an interesting offer to King Solomon after he had succeeded his father David as King. The author of the book of I Kings reported it as follows: “That night the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, ‘What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!’” (1 Kings 3:5 NLT). Wow! An appearance of God in Solomon’s dream telling him he could ask for whatever he wanted and his request would be granted. That sounds like our hypothetical question, “If you could have one wish, what would it be?”
Dave recently retired from his career as an estimator for an electrical contractor, but still works part time. He recently served as Body Care pastor for a small church and previously taught at a local Bible College for several years. God led him to found and serve in several outreach ministries—a pet therapy ministry, visiting several skilled nursing facilities and retirement homes: a prayer booth on a local street corner to allow people in the community to stop by for prayer needs and an evangelism table, typically set up once a month at various malls or stores, which made Bibles, tracts, DVDs, and other Christian materials available free of charge to interested shoppers. Dave has a bachelor’s degree in business administration/management. As a writer, he has had many poems and articles published in various periodicals and books. And he’s been privileged to do volunteer work for a local police department.
As the new King, Solomon had the colossal responsibility of governing the nation and its people. So, after acknowledging God’s goodness to his father David and to himself, Solomon asked God—“Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” (1 Kings 3:9 NLT). Rather than asking for riches or for personal aggrandizement, Solomon opted for an understanding heart to be able to govern God’s people.
The Hebrew word translated as “understanding” literally means “hearing”, or to understand things heard. He knew the task of governing God’s people would require God’s help, so he asked to be able to hear and understand the things that God would tell him. And then he also asked to be able to discern between right and wrong, an important ability for a leader whom the people would rely upon for equity and justice.
As God’s children, we are privileged to have a Father who attentively hears and understands prayers.
“For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers…” (1 Peter 3:12a NKJV). The Creator of the universe is interested enough to hear your prayers and mine.
Of course, it’s one thing to pray and expect God to hear our prayers, but yet another to have those prayers answered. But that is what God does—He hears and answers: “And this is the confidence that we have before him: that whenever we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask, then we know that we have the requests that we have asked from him.” (1 John 5:14, 14 NET). Did you notice the stipulation? “Whenever we ask anything according to His will”; not according to our will, but to His. Then He hears and promises us His answers. And there is no limitation indicated; instead “whenever we ask”, He hears and answers.
If you could have just one wish, would you settle for it, or would you prefer to make your requests known to a gracious Father and receive an infinite number of answered prayers?
Laurie Glass has a heart for encouraging others through her writing. She has had many poems and articles published in both print and online publications. Laurie is a contributing writer for Chronic Joy, a ministry for those affected by chronic illness and other health issues. In addition, she won the Open Medicine Foundation poetry contest in 2019.
Look for Laurie’s books on Amazon, click the covers below.
It’s funny how it all started. I browsed the Christian bookstore, looking for a plaque for my home. I found those that said “Our Home,” “A Marriage Prayer,” and others with similar themes. But I couldn’t find anything appropriate for someone living alone. I’d written poems on and off since childhood, so I decided to write one about God’s presence in my home. Then I prettied it up, framed it, and hung it on my living room wall. As far as I knew, that was that. Except it wasn’t.
I was suddenly flooded with more ideas, accompanied by an urgency to write more and more poems until I’d written thirty of them in five weeks. All the while, I sensed God brought those thoughts to mind, filling my heart with His message, and then it flowed through my fingertips onto paper. It was a profound experience, but it was even more than that.
Later that year, God did amazing work in my heart and life, helping me to break free of some significant personal issues. And again, He filled my mind with ideas and my heart with inspiration. I had to write… and write… and write. It was clear that He had a message of hope and healing to speak through me.
I felt a nudge to share my poems with others. I was surprised at their responses, sharing how much these simple writings meant to them. One woman said she’d get up and read them when she couldn’t sleep. Others said they didn’t usually like poetry, but they enjoyed reading mine. I had a strong sense that I was supposed to share my words with a wider audience, but I wasn’t sure where to start.
Meanwhile, I prayed repeatedly, asking for God’s leading in my writing. I was certain He had some kind of plan for all of this, but I didn’t know what. I wanted to follow His lead, but I did not know where He was taking me.
At one point, I took a three-ring binder of my writings to a Bible study group and asked them to pray over it. I remember one older gentleman who prayed, “Dear God, if this isn’t of you, nothing will come of it. If it is of you, nothing will stop it.”
God answered and continues to answer those prayers. Fortunately, I found FaithWriters, where I learned more about writing, was introduced to other helpful resources, honed my skills, and learned how to submit writings for publication.
Over time, I’ve had many poems and articles published in both print and online publications, from anthologies to online ministries to church take-home papers to websites, and more. I also ran a website for fourteen years. It’s been amazing to think of so many people from all over the world being touched by the words I have written. Sometimes I’ve pictured people sitting in church pews or looking at screens, reading and experiencing the stirring of the Holy Spirit. That’s where the power is. And I’ve had the privilege of sharing God’s message of hope and healing. I’m so grateful God chose to express a bit of His love through me. It’s been an honor.
And to think, it all started when I searched for one simple item, a plaque for my home. I couldn’t find it, and yet I found so much more. An unexpected ministry awaited me. In this life, I’ll never know all that God has been up to as He has spoken through me. I don’t have to know. It’s His work. I’m just grateful He’s invited me to be a part of it.
Author’s Note: All of this started in March 2003. I’m so grateful for how God has used me over the past 20 years.
By Craig Ruhl
In the early spring of 2005, Karen and I began attending and later became members of a medium-sized Presbyterian Church in Santa Ana, California. We had recently bought my parents’ home from their estate and wanted to find a church home where we could worship and grow in our faith while making friends among the congregation. The church had many vibrant programs, including youth and adult choirs, youth ministries, Sunday school classes for all ages, and small groups for men, women, and couples. My first exposure to a men’s ministry and small group studies was at this church.
There were two services on Sunday mornings, and it was customary for people to meet and mingle on the large patio outside the sanctuary between services. There was a coffee service set up and a series of folding tables with information about many of the programs and services available at the church. It was during this time, while waiting for the second service to begin, that I met some men who would change my life forever and shape how I approached my Christian faith.
Men do not generally engage easily in conversation about their faith. We learn and share differently than women do. Men also tend not to join groups as easily. When I was growing up, I don’t remember my father or grandfathers talking about their faith. They went to church, prayed, and even studied the Bible from time to time, but I just don’t remember them expressing their faith verbally. I was involved with youth fellowship programs at church during my junior high school through college years. These were co-ed groups, usually led by young married couples. Again, I don’t remember the guys gathering to discuss God and how we related to the Lord’s teachings. There were many retreats during those years and opportunities to get together with other boys to discuss what was being taught by the leaders. It didn’t happen. This continued into my adult life. I went to church and learned from the sermons and bible studies, but never really felt called to share my faith with others, let alone ask anyone else about theirs.
One Sunday on the church patio, I was standing next to a table that had information about small group Bible studies. I wasn’t really interested, but I looked at the information anyway. As I was standing there, a man whom I had met before and had spoken to several times said that he was a member of a small men’s group that met weekly in the evenings. I don’t remember his exact words, but he gently invited me and planted the seed that would take root and grow. Over the next few weeks, each Sunday we would chat on the patio and he would invite me to drop into the group just to see what it was all about. I went to one meeting, and I was hooked.
The group comprised about 8 men of varying ages and backgrounds. The format centered on a study of a book or a biblical subject. Each week, the group discussed the material in a round-robin manner, with each man expressing his thoughts and feelings. I think the first meeting that I was a part of concerned a specific book in the Bible with a study workbook that contained weekly readings and questions designed to not just learn the passages but to also explore our feelings about them and how the messages related to our everyday lives. I stayed with the group for about 7 years until we moved from the area and became full-time RVers.
I mentioned earlier that men learn to share their feelings in different ways than women do. It was during those years in that small group I became comfortable and trusting when discussing my faith. I got to know each of the men on much deeper levels than I would have through casual interaction before and after church on Sundays. Through the years, we shared grief and joy, fear and hope, and through it all, we knew that each of the men had the other’s back. In this group, I learned how to pray and how to listen for God’s voice. During this time, I witnessed miracles among the group and was the recipient of several miracles myself. Being part of a faith-based study group strengthened my relationship with my wife and son. The other men expressed how much of a difference it made in each of their lives. Our group was just one of almost a dozen small groups that met regularly, on the church campus, at restaurants, and in homes. Several of the groups had been meeting for 20 years or more. Some groups included fathers and sons and I think there was even one that had three generations taking part regularly.
We all have been commissioned to go out into the world and make disciples of everyone.
“Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18-20 NLT)
Jesus showed us the way by starting with just 12 men in a small group. They became his disciples and I think one of the best ways today to become a disciple and to make disciples is to join a Bible-based study group. You may find one at your local church or maybe start one yourself. In a small group setting, you will learn, share, and explore your faith in an unthreatening and secure way. Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT) states, “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”
Can you imagine the power of a group of 8 to 12 men, praying together, united by faith, friendship, and purpose? I can. I have been there, and I have experienced it.
Thanks, Gary, for the invite!
Driving south on I-65, I had just cleared Birmingham, Alabama traffic. While playing “dodge the truck” my suddenly ringing phone caused a quick glance at my dashboard. The name display announced my long-term (think 55 years) friend Whit was reaching out. My initial fear soon became reality when in a grief-choked voice he told me his beloved mother had passed away earlier that morning!
An incoming caller prompted Whit to quickly hang up, and this left me to absorb the tragic, unexpected news. Like Whit, his mother, Mignon, had loomed large in my life. All the way from making sure I made it through high school, to helping me navigate life’s trials, I could always count on her for wise counsel and encouragement.
This carefully planned trip to Florida had, because of a ringing phone, fallen apart at the seams. My original agenda focused primarily on spending time with ailing, long-term musician friends. While staying determined to “hang out” with those guys, that and everything else would revolve around the funeral.
Billy, the first guy I visited, played music with me during my teenage years. Despite the separation of miles and the passage of years, our friendship endured and whenever in Florida, I made it a habit to call him or possibly play a little rock and roll together.
Eventually, Billy’s injuries and declining health made playing music impossible. When that happened, rather than meet on a stage to rock and roll, I would come to his house and we would sit in rocking chairs! As is often the case, as his health got worse, fewer “friends” came around to see him. So, on my first day down there, I made the drive to sit on his porch where we talked for a couple of hours about mostly music while doing a time-honored “Southern thing” of sipping iced tea.
The other “old rocker” I spent a couple of afternoons with found himself in about the same set of circumstances as Billy. So, I drove on over to his place and we headed out in search of some cuisine to our liking. Again, nothing special, just old friends shooting the breeze and spending time together. The second day I visited was pretty much the same. Food and fellowship, this time with the added attraction of a barber shop visit for a much-needed beard trim. The time I spent doesn’t sound like much of an investment, and it wasn’t. But let me tell you guys this; by week’s end, dividends poured in when I received word from his family about how much of a boost it gave him simply because I showed up!
Steve Carter lives in Tupelo, Mississippi. He is a Bible college graduate, military and hospice chaplain, and musician.
Steve may be contacted by email at: Msroadkill@bellsouth.net
I made a few calls to explain to others expecting to see me why I had to leave early, then charted my course before pulling onto I-75 North. I knew Mignon to be in excellent hands hanging out with Jesus, but Whit, her only child, would be carrying a ton of grief on his shoulders. Any doubt about the positive impact I would have on my friend disappeared when he looked up and saw me headed down the center aisle. While dabbing his eyes, Whit called out my name before putting me in a bear hug and thanking me for simply being there. During the embrace, I told my friend, “You knew I’d be here. I’ve always had your back!”
I stayed close to Whit as service time drew near, primarily to make sure he had adequate support. Drifting away from the crowd, I greeted his children and a nephew, and Dale, another friend from high school. Assured that he had several staying close to him, I found a pew and settled in as the time for the Homegoing drew near.
Before service, Whit had mentioned writing songs for his Momma and that he would play piano while singing them to her as part of the service. Because of the tremendous sorrow in his heart, he felt apprehensive about being able to make it through the tribute. After we all assured him he would do great, he removed his formal jacket and invited Dale to say something during the service if he wanted to. Choosing to sing rather than speak, Dale headed out the door and came back in with a hymnal and said, “anyone worth their salt would have one of these in their car.”
Music had always been a large part of Whit and his Momma’s life. It surprised no one and pleased everyone when he planned her going away to consist primarily of song. After Whit spoke briefly on the highlights of Mignon’s life, which were many, he walked to the piano and sang some of the most heartfelt lyrics I have ever heard. One song made it clear to everyone that Whit believed in “Jesus Christ my lord” and that “He died to set me free.” The second song centered around “With you in my life, for the rest of my life, the best of my life is yet to come.”
Well, as usual, when I didn’t see how things could get any better, up walked Dale. Without fanfare or music, he sang a spirit-filled rendition of “Victory in Jesus” and encouraged the congregation to join in, and we joyously did.
During the wonderful music, I felt a sense of peace fill the sanctuary that had a soothing effect on the collective sorrow in the room. After the last note faded and the final remarks ended, we all bowed our heads. Thinking about Mignon’s fierce loyalty to The University of Florida, I whispered, “we’ll see you later, gator” as our dear friend Mignon rolled out of the building for the last time.
I know what you’re wondering. “Why all the fuss over visiting old friends and attending a funeral?” Well, here it is. God put in me an empathetic heart that recognizes and responds to situations where people need more than just a casual “I’ll pray for you” or “I’m sorry.” Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to say that I’m extra spiffy because of the empathy I feel. Trust me, I’m not spiffy at all! It just happens that without God’s guidance, and my obedience, the people I ministered to that week would likely have gone without the fellowship they needed, because only a trusted long-term friend could have provided it.
Simply being there is enough guys, and God will handle the details.
March is “the windy” month. Have you ever thought about what God says about the wind? Throughout the Bible, God teaches us things using illustrations or parables. Take the wind, for example.
John 3:8 says, “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”
What did John mean by that? Well, if we read the account in John 3, we find that the Pharisee, Nicodemus, came to Jesus and acknowledged that he knew Jesus had come from God. Obviously, he’d seen or heard of some of the miracles Jesus had done and rightly figured no one could do these things unless God had allowed Him to. But did he believe Jesus was God Himself? No. We know that because of what Jesus said to him in John 3:3.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
He was telling Nicodemus that he’d never see the kingdom of God unless he was born again. Nicodemus was lost. And he had no idea what Jesus was trying to say to him, as we see in verse 4.
“Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?”
Nicodemus took it literally. But Jesus, knowing what the man was thinking, was ready to explain, and He did it using likenesses. Thank God, Jesus is so patient with us even today. He explained to the Pharisee that he had to have two births. One of water, “… Except a man be born of water,” and one of Spirit, “and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
Jesus further explained to him that the water birth was when he was born in the flesh, but being born of the Spirit is another birth.
Every time I read this passage in the Bible, I can just picture Nicodemus’ face. “Say what?” (In our terms) What Nicodemus responded with is why I figure he had question marks written all over his face, scrunched up, brows knit. Can you picture it? In verse 7, Jesus said to him, “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”
Still, Nicodemus asks, “… How can these things be?”
At this point, Jesus explains things in a manner the Pharisee could better understand. First, he flat out tells Nicodemus that He is from heaven in verse 13. Then, he gives an illustration from the Old Testament in verse 14.
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:”
Later on, Nicodemus would remember this at the crucifixion. He’d realize Jesus was “the Son of man.” Jesus tells him in verse 15, “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
Then, we find the most famous of all Bible verses, John 3:16-18.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
Before Jesus died, we know Nicodemus believed what Jesus said, because Nicodemus defended our Lord in John 7:50, 51.
“Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,) Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?”
But they crucified our Savior, anyway.
Website www.authorsharonkconnell.com
Please subscribe to my monthly newsletter, Novel Thoughts, written for writers and readers. A Variety of articles for everyone. Subscription form is found on my website on the Novel Thoughts page.
We also know that Nicodemus must have gotten saved after Christ’s death, because in the later part of John, chapter 19, we find the man assisting in taking our Lord off the cross and laying him in the tomb. Despite all the fear around them of what the Romans might do to the followers of Christ, he took a hand in this final act.
Can you imagine his thoughts while he helped Joseph of Arimathaea take Jesus’ body off the cross and prepare it for burial? I’m thinking there was a great deal of anticipation in seeing the Kingdom of God someday.
Back to those winds of March. We cannot see the wind when it blows. We know it’s there because we feel and hear it.
Some say you cannot see heaven or Jesus or salvation, so they don’t exist. They only believe in what they can see and prove. Do they believe in the wind? Do you?
I pray you’ve had two births. I also pray the winds of this world will not burn you out on bringing others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. People have to be told their first birth isn’t good enough to get them to heaven. Their life, no matter how kind or good they are, will not get them to heaven. Only the life that Jesus Christ led here on earth, a sinless life, and the Blood he spilled on the cross are good enough to get them to heaven. He was our sacrificial lamb.
Let the soft breath of the Holy Spirit lead you to lead others to our Lord’s Throne of Grace, where they can admit they are a sinner, and accept the FREE gift of salvation, that second birth.
After my mother’s funeral, my sister boxed up many of our mother’s things, and I was asked to look through each box and see if there was anything that I wanted. I saw something that I had never seen in her room before, and yet, it definitely belonged to my mom. A friend had given it to her, probably when she needed it most.
The title on the small paperback was The Bible Promise Book. I had been grieving the loss of my mother and needed something tangible to hold on to until I was okay. When do you stop missing your mom?
I still miss her today, and yet I have the confidence that she is in Heaven, and I will see her again one day.
I tucked the book inside my purse and waited as the apartment was cleared of her belongings, one by one. Ironically, I took many things from her apartment (clothes, other books, ornaments, etc.), in some way hoping that by holding onto those things that belonged to her, I would have her with me always.
I realized that the things I had taken were just that, things, and so I donated many things to a thrift store or gave them away. The little paperback book had more value than all the other things I gathered, and I kept it in my purse, somehow thinking I had a pearl of great value, not realizing that I truly did. Some might say it was just a book, but to me, it was a book that I would one day pass down to my children so that whenever they needed to remember God’s promises to us, they would have it to read or carry with them as well.
Many years passed. I was so proud of my little book. Although I didn’t open it much, I still knew that God’s promises were true, and I carried it more like a security blanket, as Linus did in the Peanuts cartoon series.
One day, I went to a convenience store to buy a lottery ticket. As I left the store and got back into my car, there was a tug on my heart that I could not explain, and yet I waited, got still, and listened. God wanted me to give my little book to the owners inside.
The argument began. I have to interject here that when there is a debate between me and God; He wins every time. It’s easier just to surrender to His plan, even when I don’t understand, but I had to get my point across, too. So glad God loves me still.
Pam McCormick is a writer and retired from teaching in the public school and community college setting. 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 Maryland and her son, his wife and granddaughters, in Fuquay-Varina.
Pam has a new book coming out in early 2023.
You can contact her at pjmc411@gmail.com.
“God, this belonged to my mom. I could never give it up. Don’t you understand? It’s the one thing that she left me that I hold on to because, by holding on to it, I feel like I still have her with me. Please, God, no.”
After pleading, I opened the front flap of the book and wrote on it the plan of salvation. Romans 10:13 says, “Everyone who calls on The Name of The Lord will be saved.” I also included a brief note that God loved them and how precious this book was to me, but for God’s Glory, I would give it up, so they might know His Love too. My heart hurt, and yet, I wanted to stop arguing with God and just listen for a change. I knew Jesus. Was I going to hold on to that little book, or was I going to do what God wanted?
Many months passed, and one day a friend told me about a “yard sale” going on inside an old Kmart building. I said I wasn’t going to go, and yet about 11:00, only God knew why, I was on my way to the store. Along the way, here I am questioning God again and saying, “God, what am I doing? I have other things that need tending to, and I don’t have time to go to this yard sale, plus I don’t need anything.”
The most precious thing about God is that He listens even when I’m complaining, and He loves me just the same. That’s how Great God is. So, I go inside and walk straight, still not knowing why, to a bookcase in the center of the room. For those who don’t know me well, I have never been an avid reader. I read, but just not as much as some others. So why am I at a bookcase full of books, when there were plenty of other things I could have been looking at instead?
Don’t ever try to figure God out, because, to this day, I cannot tell you how wonderfully perfect He was to me that day. There, mixed in with all the other books, was a brand new, never used copy of The Bible Promise Book, just waiting for a small price of fifty cents. Needless to say, I grabbed it and held it close to my heart and praised God for sending me there and giving back to me something that He knew was precious to me.
Right now, the book is beside my bed, and although I forget to read God’s promises to me daily, just having the outside of the book next to me is somehow enough. God knew what I needed more than I did. That’s the way it always is. God knows what everyone needs. We just have to wait on Him, and He knows, He loves, He pursues us too, and He lavishes good gifts on His children because He loves us.
As a footnote, the convenience store owners added some things to their store. Bracelets that say, “Saved by Grace” and crosses too. I don’t know if they know The Lord, but I know this. God is in control, and God had His reasons for me sharing the promise book that day. All I could do was obey, even when I didn’t understand. God would take care of the rest.
Craig and I decided to take a road trip to South Carolina - we love living in Western North Carolina where we can drive to Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia in a couple of hours. We love small towns and always find something fun to photograph. On this trip, we found several murals in Rock Hill and wanted to share them with you.
There is art in so many cities in the Carolinas. The four murals are a full wall at the entrance to town. The Rock Hill mural is on White Street in Old Town as part of the city’s Mural Mile initiative.
Located on the southeast side of The Overhead Station Gift Shop. The artist wanted this piece to act as a reminder that children should always be encouraged to create. “A child’s dreams are fabricated through an imagination that feeds off creativity and it can all start with a crayon.” - Darion Flemming
Another thrill, we spotted Elvis coming out of a building in town. Looks like he is ready to dance!
While you are in Rock Hill, be sure to stop by 300 E. Main Street to see one of the most beautiful fountains I have seen. It is constantly changing designs and will delight your children and the kid in you! We hope you are encouraged to take a drive and get out and explore areas around you. There is so much art and beauty around us in every city, big or small. Be blessed, we will see you in April!
Diana C. Derringer, author of Beyond Bethlehem and Calvary, shares hope and joy through more than 1,100 devotions, articles, dramas, planning guides, Bible studies, and poems in 70-plus publications. She and her husband serve as a friendship family to international university students. Enjoy her Words, Wit, and Wisdom at dianaderringer.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Goodreads, Pinterest, and her Amazon page.
Yet, in those very moments God’s love can be so real, God’s presence so unmistakable, and God’s peace so calming.
God wraps us in arms of peace, fills us with an unexpected joy, and showers us with unconditional love. He gives us hope.
Our difficulties may remain, but we no longer carry them alone. God will not leave. God will not fail. God is ever-present God.
There are times in our lives when the pain is so great, the sorrow so intense, the confusion so overwhelming that we think we cannot possibly endure.
Gina Bargon Meredith 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:
https://ginabartonsewell.wordpress.com/
I can remember a time in my life when it seemed the whole world was just burning all around me and I was left with nothing but ashes. Feeling I had made so many mistakes’ I believed that there was no hope for me.
I was living in a world I did not belong in and did not want to be in, but it seemed that every time I tried to get out, Satan would turn up the heat on me and I would find myself trapped once again.
My lifestyle made me angry. I did not even know what had happened. We had a nice home, family, and wonderfully normal life, then suddenly that was gone and I found myself in a world where drugs and alcohol ruled. I wanted out so badly.
I complained about it—a lot. “I can’t believe this is my life now! How did I get here? Why won’t God help me?”
Then one day I was sitting on my bed all alone, the house was quiet and I began my “poor me” monologue to our Creator and suddenly, in my spirit, I heard, clearly, “you never asked.”
“Umm, what? Excuse me, God, but what do you mean I never asked?” I questioned. “I ask every day.” Then God showed me something that I will never forget. He showed me all the times I had complained and gotten angry about why He wouldn’t help me, the whining, the crying, the pity parties, but I never came out and asked Him.
How can one overlook such an important detail in our prayer life? If we want God to do something for us, we are supposed to ask. You can ask Him for anything. Jesus said in Matthew 7:7 (NIV), “ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.”
I am still not sure why I never asked, whether it was because I thought it was impossible, even though the Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:13 that we can “do all things through Christ who strengthens us.” Or because I felt unworthy, which we should never feel this way, because we all fall short of the glory of God. I’m not sure of the reason, but I know one thing. I learned a very valuable lesson that day.
“If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21:22 NIV)
One Sunday morning a few years ago, I was asking God the question perhaps we all ask at one point in our lives, “Where do I go from here?”
My only child had recently gone to Heaven because of an extremely rare neurological disorder that begins in the 30s or 40s. Even though my son was 46 years old when he left me, he had no children. So, I was left with no children or grandchildren to fill my life. I had taken early retirement to stay at home and care for him for the last five years of his life, so I had no career to return to.
So, “Where do I go from here?”.
In asking God this question, I believe He responded by showing me a picture puzzle. The kind that has the completed picture on the front of the box, yet inside are so many pieces yet to be joined together.
Some of us may have seen or heard teaching about joining together pieces of our own lives, such as family, career, relationships, relaxation, and personality. I believe God showed me writing is my center point and other parts of my life go out from there. But in praying about it, I believe He was showing me something quite different.
He showed me I had one piece of the many pieces that were in the box. My piece was blue. But wait— was it the sky or the sea? Was it a material item at all or a representation of something? I had no clue what it was or where it fit in the puzzle He was showing me. But I knew, like the puzzle in the box, my piece fit together with the next piece and that piece with the next piece, and on and on.
Without a definite material item to concentrate on, I researched the color blue and discovered that the color blue can represent rest and peace. I definitely needed the rest after caring for my son for the last five years of his life, but also the peace of acceptance when the doctors said there was no hope. But how does my rest and peace fit into the next piece of the puzzle?
“Where do I go from here?”.
In discussing my now free time, someone suggested volunteering. It seemed to fit perfectly. So, that piece of the puzzle fit into my need to be active and, after some rest, I began to volunteer.
I volunteered at a food ministry through the Church and could help others, not just with food, but with compassion. My peace, from my blue piece of the puzzle, helped the discouragement of the financial lack of the people using the food ministry.
I was also able to use my peace and experience to encourage others who had lost a loved one. Just like other people had used their peace to encourage me.
So, what was God showing me with this puzzle? It was the most amazing connection in commonplace situations. The puzzle was life! God was simply showing me this puzzle to demonstrate how we all fit together in His plan.
A kind word when someone is hurting is a piece of the puzzle. Kindness is joined together with pain. Donating things you have that someone else may need is generosity, joining together with lack. Encouraging someone who has experienced a loss is compassion joining together with sadness. Inviting others to be included in a group when they are alone is friendship joining together with loneliness. And on it goes.
Each person you meet is a piece of the puzzle. Have you ever met someone and immediately liked that person? Maybe you were able to help that person or that person was able to help you? Like you just fit together.
So, “Where do I go from here?”.
That’s easy. For me, it was simply joining together with volunteering. That opened the door to relationships and created a new path for me.
Do you have children or loved ones you care for? Your piece joins their pieces and all those pieces join together perfectly.
There is a wonderful puzzle for each one of us to discover, no matter what our situation is. Each person we meet is a part of the puzzle. We are all joined together in God’s created plan. His puzzle has all the pieces.
Where does your piece fit? God will show you. You are a part of something. You are a very important piece of the puzzle of life!
As former owner and creative director of two advertising agencies, Linda has years of experience creating a public impression of a product through the media using television commercials, radio and print advertising, press releases, and marketing campaigns .
Linda has been a caregiver for her son; a volunteer who travelled to Egypt and helped Sudanese refugees; a volunteer for a local food ministry, and a Creative Writing teacher for the Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa for their Artists in the Schools program.
By F.D. Adkins
Over the past few months, I have been so grateful for the opportunity to do book signings in a well-known bookstore. And through these events, I have met some wonderful people and been blessed with new friendships. However, it is an encounter that I had at my last book signing in January that I want to share with you because these three young girls not only tugged at my heartstrings, but their actions initiated a whole new realm of thoughts that have been swirling through my brain like a tornado.
My table was set up right by the door, so people could see my books as soon as they entered the store, which also meant that customers would pass by me as they exited the store. As I stood greeting newcomers, three middle-school-aged girls approached my table. I quickly realized that they were waiting on the adults they were there with to finish their purchase at the register. The children were ecstatic to meet an author, which I found surprising since I am a new author, and no one has heard of me. But all the same, they were excited. One of the girls scanned the QR code printed on my sign, and the other two hovered around her as they watched the trailers for my novels. Another of the girls snapped a photo of one of the books lying on the table because she said she wanted to ask her mom to order it for her.
At this point, I was shocked not only that these young people had found it thrilling to meet an author, but that they were so intrigued by a Christian novel. Soon, the adults accompanying them finished at the checkout, and the girls left the store.
I had gone back to greeting other shoppers when suddenly the girls came dashing back into the store. A cacophony of out-of-breath voices speaking at once but not in unison informed me they had come back to buy my book. As I handed them their autographed copy, their eyes lit up, and smiles stretched across their faces as if it were Christmas morning. But that’s not all. Before the girls started toward the checkout line, the youngest of the three extended her hand to me. She said, “It’s not much, but I want you to have it.” I looked down at this little hand with a few one-dollar bills crumpled up in her fingers. Needless to say, it was all I could do to hold back the tears at her act of kindness. Her gesture had taken me by complete surprise. I could not believe this child would want to give me all of her money. I suppose it was because we do not see that kind of generosity so much anymore. Of course, I carefully and graciously refused her money.
The rest of the day and night, I thought of those girls and the priceless gifts that they had given me: gifts that hold no monetary value, gifts such as the joy of seeing God working in and through our youth. When the media floods us with all the horrible happenings, and as parents, when we are aware of all Satan’s tactics in attacking our children through social media and the secular world, what joy it is to see children excited about God. And then, what a gift to be reminded of that childlike faith that Jesus speaks about in Matthew 18:3 (KJV) when He says, “… Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” When a child is excited about something, they put their whole heart into it, just as the little girl did when she was willing to give all she had.
My encounter with these girls continues to weigh on my thoughts because I cannot help but wonder what would happen if we all gave with the full extent of the spiritual gifts that God has endowed upon each of us for His work. I have been asking myself how many more would come to know Jesus. Again, I am not referring to monetary gifts. I am talking about spiritual gifts: those individual and unique talents and abilities that set each of us apart. I am not saying that money is unnecessary to aid in spreading the Word, but God blessed each of us with unique talents so that His love could shine through us.
It is like when we receive homemade crafts from our children. Those creations they make with their hands and their imaginations are beyond value, and we treasure them so much more than presents they could buy us at the store. In the same way, the message we spread from our hearts is what touches the lives of others.
So, I am thankful for those little girls and the reminder of what childlike faith is supposed to be. And I pray God will help me demonstrate that kind of zeal and excitement in showing His love and spreading the Good News.
F. D. Adkins is a Christian fiction author and freelance writer. She hopes to pass along the comfort that comes from having a personal relationship with Jesus while offering her readers a brief escape from life’s struggles through an action-packed story full of suspense, twists, turns, love, and a few laughs. She has written two Christian Suspense Thriller novels, Truth In The Name and Truth In The Word. The third in her Truth series is underway. She has published articles in Focus on the Family magazine.
She lives in South Carolina with her husband of 24 years, Steve, their two teenage children,Landon and Layna, and their dog, Lucy. You may sign up for her newsletter and read her blog at fdadkins.com. For links to her Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, and book trailers, visit her Linktree site at https://linktr.ee/fdadkins.
The nature of our humanity is such that we are thirsty for connectivity, desperate for relationship, vibrantly enlivened by the sharing of souls, and wildly transformed when another life dares to connect with us in those places raw and wounded. We do not live in isolation, and to think so is to ignore the undeniable connectivity that occurs when one human being brushes up against the soul of another. And in the intimacy borne of such a soulful connection barriers birthed of class, or constructed by fear, or reinforced by prejudice, or distanced by cultural or philosophical differences can be handily breached, and in the breaching lives hitherto unreachable can be utterly transformed.
In that connectivity, whether it be brief or elongated, there is a conveyance that carries with it sufficient power to shape the person with whom we are connecting. No life that touches another life goes untouched. No exchange is sterile. No interaction has so much space that nothing is conveyed in the interaction. When we touch a life, we shape a life. Sometimes that shaping is ever so slight, leaving the change nearly imperceptible. At other times, the change is utterly life-altering, redirecting a life and placing it on an entirely different trajectory. To whatever degree it happens, when we touch a life, we shape a life. And when we shape a life, we’ve begun the remarkable process of transforming a culture.
One of the central obstacles to such a connection is fear. And too often, our fear is based on and fed by some element of prejudice, misunderstanding, or some sort of bias. We quickly categorize and duly quantify people into some sort of explicit box that aptly defines who they are. In defining who they are, we can then determine the degree of threat they present or the risk that we would incur in engaging them.
We would likewise be wise to remember that in touching a life, we touch that life for the entirety of that life. Immense changes and massive shifts are most often the result of one simple event that altered the entire direction of a life at a single point in that life. It’s that slight bump, that solitary moment, that one phrase, that simple gesture, that sacrificial act that bumps a life in degrees either large or small and subsequently sets everything else after it off in an entirely different direction. And therefore, to change a life does not demand that we invest with great vigor and time, although that is certainly meaningful and worthwhile. Rather, to change a life can often mean nothing more than intersecting that life for the briefest of moments, for when one soul touches another, it is not the length of the exchange, but simply the fact that the exchange took place.
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 on Christian radio and has published both nationally and internationally.
To date, he has published six books and has had many 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, and church and ministry organizations. Craig may be reached at: craiglpc4@gmail.com
You can find Craig’s books by clicking this link: Amazon.
Additionally, we must remember that a life changed does not go on to live out the remainder of its life in some sort of confining isolation. A life changed will itself change others. And such change creates a mounting momentum of humanity transformed that will build on itself until nothing can stand against it and no power can hope to contain it. And if that change is pristinely good, inherently thoughtful, seized by hope, embraced by kindness, marked by integrity and firmly grounded by an uncompromising morality, we can begin to set this culture on a trajectory that is likewise pristinely good, inherently thoughtful, seized by hope, embraced by kindness, marked by integrity and firmly grounded by an uncompromising morality. And in ushering in change of this sort, institutions, legislation, military power, the writing of platitudes, and the wealth that we counted on to change the world for us will instead be changed by us.
A clandestine momentum of this magnitude begins with the single instance where one person touches the life of another person in ways gracious, sacrificial, and meaningful. To transform culture, we don’t transform institutions. Legislation won’t transform. Military power won’t transform. Platitudes won’t transform. Wealth won’t transform. Rather, we transform the world by transforming people. And while we may not have access to institutions, or the penning of legislation, or military power, or the writing of platitudes, or wealth, every single one of us has access to people. And if each one of us touches one person each day, we need not worry about the state of the culture because in those very actions we are dynamically and even radically transforming the state of the culture itself. And who would not give everything to be a part of that?
This is the first book by Press Barnhill that I have read. The Battle is a novel about a group of Christian prayer warriors on a cruise ship. As the story unfolds, the group encounters a variety of nusual challenges, including spiritual warfare. The author explores the concepts of Healing Prayer Ministry and Simple Effective Prayer. They are integral to the major theme of the book. This is the second book in the Freedom In Healing Series, but the reader does not have to have read the first to benefit from or enjoy The Battle. I particularly like the way Press Barnhill handles the subject of Spiritual Warfare in his book. Through the fictional characters, we can recognize and often feel the pain and conflict we all are subject to in our lives. Interestingly, the freedom provided by prayer exampled in the book readily applies in the reader’s life.
The Battle has excellent character development and dialog because of Press Barnhill’s writing style. Although a work of fiction, the story has a sound biblical foundation. I enjoyed the book and highly recommend it as well as the series.
We have placed a copy of The Battle on the Faith On Every Corner Bookshelf.
We are so excited to announce a new book coming soon from our good friend and contributing writer, Steve Carter. Steve has written the story of his bicycle tour across America, and we are proud to be involved in the editing and publishing process for his book. Steve combines his wonderful sense of humor, southern charm, and strong Christian values in this true story. You will laugh at his anecdotes, wince with him through the struggles, and celebrate at the conclusion of his more than month-long journey. Look for Ride ‘Til I Get There to be released in early April 2023. We will feature a full review in an upcoming issue of Faith On Every Corner with links to purchase.
We are looking for testimonials, acts of service, devotions, and articles of how you have witnessed God working in your life or the life of family and friends. Email for submission guidelines.
Team@FaithOnEveryCorner.com
Cindy Barrineau Curtis is a Master teacher, published author, and motivational speaker. Her career spans over 30 years in education, ministry, writing, and speaking. Her nonfiction writing offers hope and empowers readers with methods to manage life’s ups and downs with confidence and grace. She runs IwriteYouwrite LLC offering writing practice and support to teachers, authors and aspiring writers. She is available to speak to your group. Contact her at iwriteyouwrite.com and mrscindycurtis@ gmail.com.
The laughter and tears of the mourners mingled with the sea breeze and carried across the waters of the harbor they loved. They released the ashes of Sully and Karen Wrenn, their parents and mentors, together and at peace, for those who share in suffering love each other deeply.
Sully, strong and wiry, a sharp dresser, with thick dark hair, and a beautiful smile, found a deep and lasting love in newcomer Karen, a slender, outspoken redhead. Loving Katie’s hometown in Pennsylvania too, the three adult daughters eventually settled in those rolling hills with regular visits to the coast. Over the years, they embraced the magic of Charleston’s pungent pluff mud, marsh grass, salty air, and seafood. Their parents moved from house to houseboat, from houseboat to apartment. My husband loved them all as family.
When Karen decided, for health reasons, to leave the coastal life and move to Pennsylvania, closer to their daughters, Sully supported her decision. Michael and I dropped in to see them as they packed. Sully’s eyes twinkled as he picked up the items from their lives.
“Mamma, remember the time we dressed up, me in my tuxedo, and you in that long blue dress that set your eyes off?”
“Yes, we danced in our living room. What made you think of that?” Karen smiled, a soft glow on her face.
Here’s my bow tie and cuff links!” He sweetly kissed her and placed their memories in the box. Maneuvering around the boxes, Michael and I said our bittersweet goodbyes. They considered Michael part of their family, and he was so grateful. We promised to visit. I wondered how they would manage all these changes.
Karen told Sully the move was for her, but shortly after they settled in, she passed away. She knew he would need his daughters. Gen, the youngest, lost her husband days later. Father and daughter sustained each other in a new normal of surreal shared grief.
We kept them in our prayers as they mourned. Sully neglected his health. A series of strokes left him unable to walk. Sully and his daughters had to navigate the angst of moving him to an assisted living facility.
“I’m fine with this. The girls found me a good place! Come and visit me here! We even renovated my van to hold my wheelchair,” he reassured us. We quickly made time to visit.
The road before us shifted gently into the small town where our friends lived. I dreaded this visit more than I was willing to admit. The truth is, I loved visiting Sully. The thought of seeing him in a facility punched me in the gut. I held on to these promises, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” (Philippians 4:9 NLT)
What do you think Sully will be like?” I asked, breaking the silence.
“I honestly don’t know,” Michael answered.
“I’m afraid he’ll be so sad. I don’t handle things like this very well.”
“Me, either,” he replied.
Soon, we eased into a space in the tree-lined parking lot of the facility, Sully’s new home. I took a deep breath, praying for the strength to stay positive as we walked inside. The attendant guided us through the maze of tiled floors to his room. Sully, his clothes sharp and neat, sat up straight and strong in a motorized wheelchair. His beautiful smile welcomed us as he reached out to hug Michael first, and then me. His lilting Charleston dialect was the sweetest music to my ears.
“Thank you, Lord!” I silently prayed.
“I guess you’ve heard about my great escape!”
“We heard about warnings for driving too fast in the hallways,” I answered, laughing.
“Yeah, that’s true. But, the escape is better! The girls got me this wheelchair so I can get around the place without help or tiring out my arms. One of the first things I noticed that needed changing here was the food. No salt and no taste! So, I watched, waited, and made a plan. I took orders for the convenience store on the corner to get us all a grilled hot dog served upright. I pushed the door release button from my chair. I raced out the door before it shut!”
“You did not!” I exclaimed.
“Yes, I did, but they caught me! I got about halfway to those hot dogs, though. Man, this chair can fly!” I shook my head in laughter.
Next, he gave us a narrated tour, and we had to power walk beside him to keep up. He knew everyone by name, telling us a bit about each individual person. He was living in this new home to the best and the fullest of his ability. He championed for others and was the self-assigned social director.
We might be in here, but we can still take part in life! See that young man? His parents can’t take care of him at home. So here he is with all of us old people! He can’t talk, but can be part of our choir! His singing is loud and beautiful noise to the Lord. No one ever tells him to be quiet! I found us some choir robes for when we perform for wheelchair-bound people. We look professional and polished in them! Let’s go to rehearsal! ”
As we listened to the familiar hymns, we saw people transformed by the songs they remembered from their youth. Faces glowed with joy, and the loudest member rendered his version, all glad to be singing to the Lord! Sully beamed in their midst.
“I know this sounds a little crazy, but Karen is with me. I can feel her sitting right here. I can talk to her whenever I need to.”
“That’s beautiful!” I answer, blinking back the tears.
“You know, I try to do the best I can to stay positive and help other people in here. But, I’ve messed up. I need your help. Get my wallet from in that drawer.” He pulled out a crisp $50 bill.
“I need you to go to Wal-Mart and buy a gift card with this. I hurt one of the worker’s feelings by putting my foot in my mouth! This’ll tell her I’m sorry. Yeah, I noticed she had gained some weight, and told her so! Truth is, she’s going to have a baby. The gift card will help her get supplies for the little one and make an old man with a big mouth feel better!” We laughed with him, glad to help out.
Another way he helped improve the facility was to have curtains installed in the women’s shower room. He had a cantankerous roommate who was lonely, depressed, and complained all the time. Sully not only listened, but he admonished and witnessed to him, and when he had enough, he zoomed out of the room in search of better company.
He chose to live for others until he died. His legacy lives on. He left that facility a better place because of his heart for service and living faith from a fast wheelchair.
Ding!
I cringed, forcing myself to look at the instrument panel of our truck. My husband, Bruce, was already eye-balling the orange “check engine” light. A friend hired us to run her event to get her out of a huge jam. Loaded down with all her supplies, we prayed we’d make it safely to the job site. Thankfully, we rolled onto the grounds without incident. After unloading our horses and job supplies, we headed to our camp spot. After locating a mechanic, we limped our truck into the repair shop. “A bad fuel injector leaked into the engine,” the owner said. “It can’t be fixed.” The intense search for an engine began. But even if there was an engine to be found, a new one was out of our price range, and a used one would cost every dollar we had.
The event wrapped up, and our permitted stay on the grounds came to a close. As we desperately prayed for answers, the management gave us grace to stay past our permitted time. But how long would that last? The pressure was on. And everything was on the line: our finances, our ministry on the road, and our way of life. And then, another throw from left field.
Our “friend”, who hired us, began harassing my husband almost every day, inquiring about our engine search. Oh, we got the “I’ll pray for you” line, but she refused to help in her areas of ability and responsibility. The bullying became unbearable when she started asking the management if we were in the way.
One day, as I furiously flung my horse’s manure across the stall into the bin, I ranted to the Lord about our faux-friend’s actions. “Now, every time an official’s golf cart buzzes by, our stomachs do back flips. If they make us leave, where are we going to go? How will we get there?”
I stomped around the stall. I cried. And I probably hit the wall with more manure than what made the bin. And then, that “still small voice” pierced through the murky fog of hurt and confusion: “She’s afraid that your predicament is going to cost her the event contract with the facility.” I stopped flinging. “Hold your peace. Vengeance is mine.” The Holy Spirit also gently, but firmly, reminded me of His blessings that I not get buried under the muck and mire of despair and of His commandment to praise Him, no matter what. Did I feel like praising? Nope. But I needed to turn that tide of despair. Through the frustration, I forced myself to sing. “How Great Thou Art” sounded like a lovesick alley cat, but I forged ahead. The effect was immediate. Peace replaced my dark mood and frustration. Divine intervention moved quickly and more pointed. One day, a vehicle pulled up next to our rig. The woman in the passenger seat wore a management shirt. I steeled myself. The driver introduced himself, as well as the woman, but gave no titles. After we exchanged greetings, the man asked, “Is your electricity working.”
“Uh, yeah, I think so,” I replied.
“Oh, good,” he said. “We received an outage report for this area.” He was gracious, even thanking us for the job we had accomplished there. “If you need anything, please let us know,” he said.
“Thank you. We greatly appreciate being allowed to stay here,” I responded, choking back tears. “We’re trying our best to find an engine so we can leave.” He smiled and nodded.
Shara Bueler-Repka is enjoying life as a singer/songwriter/recording artist, freelance writer, and award-winning author. She and her husband, Bruce, live in their living quarters horse trailer and call “home” wherever their rig is parked. Their mail-base, however, is Hallettsville, Texas. She loves sharing God’s Word through music with her husband, riding their horses (aka The Boys) in the backcountry, and writing about God’s grace in their various adventures on the trail less traveled.
After they drove away, I looked up the man’s name. My jaw dropped when I saw his title. He not only was part of management, but he was also the CFO! And he had our backs.
God also took care of our basic needs. We had water and electricity, and a sewer dump (thanks to an unexpected visit from a groundskeeper). There was a feed store onsite with a delivery service for our horses, and a grocery store for us within walking distance, outside our walled compound. There were many blessings to focus on, as well as the people God brought into our path. It was crucial to have good attitudes and actions. Many were watching us.
But it was a battle. This trail we traveled proved to be a hilly one. Our spirits climbed when other mechanics said they could fix our engine, and then plummeted when it turned out they couldn’t. Our situation seemed impossible. But we started sensing that the Lord had us there for a reason. He would make a way where there seemingly was no way and in His timing.
After about a month, Bruce received a phone call from longtime friends. Since we live on the road, they contacted us for advice on RV camping spots to stay at on their way back to Texas. Bruce told him about the available spots on the other side of the property from where we stayed. When they asked how we were doing, Bruce shared a little of what was going on. They settled into their camp spot, only figuring to stay overnight. But they prayed about how they could help us. Picking us up in their car, they drove us beyond the concrete jungle and into the country. Thus far, we had only been able to leave the grounds to walk to the corner grocery store.
The sheer beauty of the mesas, rivers, and canyons was like someone breathing new life into us. You don’t realize what you take for granted until it’s gone. Our friends prayed with us, took us wherever we needed, and even paid for every meal while we were out—ignoring our protests. Like the Good Samaritan, their support was like salve on our wounds.
And then the bottom dropped out, yet again, in our situation. But they informed us they would not leave until we could all pull out together.
Stay tuned for next month’s continuation of … “Though I Walk Through the Valley …”
Brenda McDaniel is the author of My Angel My Hero with two more books soon to be published. She is from Roanoke, VA. She holds a B.S in Psychology and M.A. in Counseling. She has enjoyed writing poetry and short stories, even as a small child. Brenda says she is now living her dream come true!
As I remember my past and reflect on the world, then and now, my childhood was one of wonder and amazement. It was a time of learning, questions, and unimaginable answers. It was the beginning of the space age. Learning about new discoveries, fantastic ideas, and answers to long unanswered questions.
Growing older, the world seemed colder and more confusing. It was in the sixties, a time of division and war. A lot of young people were against the Vietnam War. There were protests in the streets and race riots in the ghetto. And yet there was also extreme kindness, love, and a feeling of loss. When President Kennedy was killed in Texas, our hearts were broken and the nation mourned together. Even with all the problems in our nation at that time, the hearts and minds of our people came together as one. Still, our nation held together.
Now, as an older person who has lived through the good and bad times, I see more good in our people than bad. Even through the worst of times. The kindness, caring, forgiveness, and love of our people overcome any threat, obstacle, or evil. Many people in our military, police, medical, scientific, religious, and education fields have given their lives to better our nation and world.
As Charles Dickens said, “It was the best of times. And the worst of times.” Love and goodness, always overcome, hate and evil! My many prayers are for this world and our nation. I pray we stop killing off our animals or forcing them into extinction. And that we stop destroying the environment with all the pollution and toxins we put out into the world. I pray for all people, in our nation, and around the world. To, once and for all, stop the wars and killing. To come together, as the world’s people, in harmony and respect for each other! I pray for more help for the mentally ill, and for those who now live in jails and prisons. They need help and I pray they get it. I know, that there are devoted and good people, who are trying to fix these problems. And they deserve all the help and respect we can give them for their heroic efforts.
All these things, and more, I pray for. The one who can change our world is our Lord Jesus Christ! He can heal all our wounds, pains, and broken hearts. And he can renew our broken world. He is the answer to our prayers. And, in the end, He will come back to take his people home. And there will be a new and better world for us all!
“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.
There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’”
(Revelation 21:1-4 NKJV)
Mother Nature cries, Our wild animals die, Our children are confused!
Some, so abused!
By, bullies, just excused!
But, wait there’s a new Horizon!
Claimed for us by Jesus, God’s Son!
For, he has fought and Won!
A new World, has been unfurled!
There, will be Peace and Love!
Brought to us by Heavens Dove!
No, more hurt or pain!
Look, what our Lord has gained!
For, us all!
So, we don’t have to fall!
But, can forever, stand tall! To purchase, click on the book cover.
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
Forgiveness is one of the most essential virtues found in the Bible. It is one of the acts of love that God commands us to do… forgive others as He has forgiven us. Throughout the scriptures, God continually reminds us of the importance of forgiveness and its power to heal broken relationships and restore peace. However, it is totally up to us to obey Him.
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
(Matthew 6:9-15 KJV)
The power of forgiveness refers to the ability or the act of forgiveness to bring about positive change in a person’s life. When someone forgives others and themselves, they free themselves from the bondage of bitterness and/or resentment and replace them with peace and joy.
Proverbs 28:13 encourages us to be honest with ourselves and confess our sins to receive God’s mercy. He wants us to offer love and compassion to our brothers and sisters in Christ and those that do not yet know the Lord.
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”
The power of forgiveness brings about healing and often enables people to move forward and leave past mistakes, wrongdoing, and grudges behind. And the power of forgiveness is trans-formative and can help us experience both freedom and transformation in our lives. Sometimes MAN forgets that forgiveness is not an option. It is a commandment!
Holding onto resentment, grudges, hate, anger… etc., can cause stress to build up, allowing both physical and even mental illnesses to manifest. Some people hold on to hurts and bad feelings instead of turning them over to God. 1 Peter 5:7 says: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
The power of forgiveness can have significant physical and mental health benefits. It can reduce stress, anger, resentment, and anxiety, improve self-esteem, boost happiness, and foster healthier relationships. It can also help to address unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as engaging in unhealthy behavior or poor self-care, that may lead to further health issues. And it can also help to reduce blood pressure and improve overall well-being.
Also, the power of forgiveness can be used to reduce negative emotions such as fear, worry, and sadness, while increasing feelings of joy, peace, and contentment. It can help to create a sense of understanding, compassion, and acceptance in relationships, which can lead to greater connections and improve communication with others.
However, the number one thing that can help us move forward is LOVE. It is the main Fruit of the Spirit. It plays a monumental part in a person’s mental and physical being and can lead to increased spiritual growth. No matter what the situation is, we are in control of our relationship with others. And we can stay in control by keeping love and the power of forgiveness in our hearts.
Here is a simple, easy, and healthy tea recipe for stress relief:
- Start by boiling 2 cups of water.
- Once the water is boiling, add 1 teaspoon of chamomile, 1 teaspoon of lemon balm, and 1 teaspoon of lavender herbs.
- Allow the herbs to steep for 5 minutes before straining out the herbs.
- Once the mixture is cooled, enjoy a cup of this relaxing tea.
- You can also add a bit of honey to sweeten the taste.
- Enjoy the calming effects of this herbal tea to relieve stress.
My first Virtual Bible Study Journal https://drkbiblestudy.now.site/
Please remit payment… due upon receipt… this bill is due… overdue notice…
I sat in the waiting room at the orthodontist reading my book, minding my own business, wondering if we would actually make it to school to be counted present for the day. A dad and his daughter walked into the building and walked to check in at the desk. The daughter gave the receptionist her name and sat down across from me in the waiting room. Her dad started inquiring about their account. The receptionist told the dad, “Sir, you are paid in full.”
The dad asked, “Ma’am, are you sure? I need you to double-check that. How is that possible?”
The receptionist replied, “sir, the computer says right here that you are paid in full.”
After hearing this news, this full-grown linebacker-sized man did a little club dance move in the waiting room, much to his daughter’s dismay. Then he approached me with the biggest smile on his face. “Ma’am, did you hear that? She said I was paid in full!” You couldn’t help but share his joy.
Have you ever heard those words? You are paid in full. As those words roll around my head and off my tongue, all I can think of is Jesus. Jesus says the same thing to us. He paid for our sins on that old rugged cross, not just our sins of today but our past, present, and future sins.
Your past disobedience paid in full. Your sins are paid in full. How incredible to hear those words. There is no more debt, no more condemnation. Because of Jesus, we are paid in full.
Jesus didn’t take on just part of our sins, but ALL of our sins. He paid for us, no balance due. 1 Corinthians 6:20 in the New Living Translation speaks to this when Paul is writing to the church at Corinth, “for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” Paul continues into the next chapter, addressing it again in 1 Corinthians 7:23, “God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world” (NLT). Within these two chapters, Paul addressed the high price that God paid for us. It’s hard to think about how much God loves us to be willing to sacrifice His Son Jesus to pay for our sins “by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:14 ESV). He canceled our debt on the cross!
I have good news to share with you today: you are Paid in full. Jesus has paid for your sins, (fill in your name).
Those words bring me such joy and I hope those words bring you joy.
If you don’t know Jesus or want to know more about Him, please contact me at my website at www.briannagrams.com or any of the wonderful authors in this magazine.
In the meantime, if you are ready to accept Jesus into your heart today, here’s a prayer for you to say to ask Jesus into your heart:
Lord, I believe you are the Son of God and the Savior of the world. I believe you died on the cross for my sins and that you rose again on the third day. I am a sinner. Forgive me for my sins. I want You, Jesus, to be my Savior and I want You to live within me. I ask you, Lord, to be part of my life, and help me follow you from this day forth. In your Heavenly Name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer today, welcome to Christ’s family. I hope that you too will share the Good News of Christ with others.
Brianna is a Carolina girl that loves Jesus and her family. She enjoys watching the sunrise, photography, reading, and paddleboarding. According to her teenage son, she’s a master chef in the kitchen making gluten-free cuisine from around the world. Join her at www.briannagrams.com and connect with her on Instagram @sunriseoceanwave.
When our granddaughter was almost eight months old, she began to imitate other’s actions such as waving bye and attempting to move her finger up and down across her lips while making noises; she preferred her entire fist, though, resulting in a saliva fest. It seems we spent our entire life either following someone else’s example or being a role model for someone else to follow.
I remember growing up during my influential years in the 1960s and ’70s when everyone seemed to express one’s self in different ways. Smoking was one of those things taken for granted and a lot of my family participated in this freedom to inhale toxic fumes.
Living in the country afforded a few freedoms as well. For instance, the freedom to burn trash in the open air. Being the imitator as a kid but without having the means to try smoking with an actual cigarette, I found some dry hollow reeds down along the creek bank by the square brick burning pit while I was burning trash one day. The gray-white fibers of the reeds resembled the white paper of the cancer stick. I decided I wanted to look and act as cool as my older siblings, so I broke off a four-inch section of the reed and put the tip of the “cigarette” in the flames until the end glowed red from the embers. I put the imitation cigarette to my mouth like I had seen others do many times before and inhaled.
What happened next was nothing less than life-changing. Small flames entered my throat along with smoky air, singeing my esophagus in the process. My eyes grew wide from the pain and the smoky, pungent smell of burning reed racing down my lungs. I involuntarily coughed uncontrollably, the blackish-gray smoke bellowing out as if more anxious to rise to the surface than I was to get it out so I could breathe again. I stood there, continuing to cough violently as well as mentally kicking myself across the yard. I desperately glanced in all directions to see if anyone else had witnessed the blatant stupidity of a young boy trying to imitate the foolishness of others. As providence would have it, my niece, Carol, had seen the whole mishap of a foolish youth!
Fast forward more than a couple of decades and I find myself once again in the present, hopefully much wiser and aware of the consequences of imitating others or following someone’s example without first analyzing and reasoning out their intentions and possible negative outcomes. However, I am greatly concerned and have been for some time that it seems many blindly follow and imitate the latest trends, fads, and popular people in the spotlight, and yes, even governmental politics bent toward entitlement and socialism without first stepping back for even a split second to think of the eventual consequences of said blind following.
Steve and Jenny WilsonA healthcare Business Analyst by trade, Steve Wilson is a retired husband, father, and grandfather who loves to see and write about finding God in the everyday. Originally from Ohio, he and his wife Jenny now live in Granite Falls, North Carolina. In his spare time, Steve enjoys reflective writing, dabbling in stained glass, and, of course, spending time with their daughter and her family.
Don’t you think it is past time to be the responsible, accountable “grown-ups” we are supposed to be and pray to again become the examples of those growing up around us? And before you judge me for seemingly being such a self-righteous hypocrite, brandishing my pistol of one-sided opinions, may I remind you I only write what is on my heart that God is also speaking to me; I’m certainly aware of my own shortcomings—and I need help.
Ephesians 5:1-2(ESV) reads, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” What an awesome reminder of whom we should imitate constantly in thought, word, and deed so we have a chance to be that example others are looking for to follow. And now that I find myself in the position of tribal elder in our little family nucleus, I am once again reminded of the grave responsibility we have as humans to impress upon our next generation not only the common courtesies and manners of life, the do’s and don’ts that separate the civilized from the savages but especially the eternal. For it is only through the grace of God that we are still here, breathing on this earth, and it is only by His mercy through His son Jesus Christ that we have hope for a future far better than our present circumstances.
The next time you see a child doing something they shouldn’t, even to the point of foolishly ingesting noxious fumes from a weed, fight the inner adult child within that wants to sit back and see what happens so you can be entertained, and use this as a time of instruction, of lovingly guiding that student on to a better path of wisdom and understanding. And remember, those eyes are on you whether or not you want them to be, imitating your every move; make the most of it.
Proverbs 14:12 (ESV)—There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would approach God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NRSV)
Paul tossed restlessly through the night. He had been wanting to forge new territory for a while now, trying several times to lead his team toward the province of Asia. Yet, each time, the Holy Spirit had blocked their way. Frustrated, perplexed, and unnerved, Paul had perceived the difference between spiritual opposition and God’s prevention. He was trying to serve the Lord with all he had, but it was the Lord Who kept standing in his way. Why?
So, Paul and his companions bunked down for the night in the bustling sea town of Troas, hoping to get some well-needed rest.
Finally, he settled into a troubled sleep to the rhythmic sound of the ocean as a backdrop. Sea air, soothing and cool, came in through the window of the inn’s upstairs room, gentling him into the otherworld of dreams.
Suddenly, there before him was a man from Macedonia. Perhaps it was his distinctive Macedonian clothing, or his cut of hair, or his accent, that gave him away. He was begging Paul about something. In his dream, Paul may have been lying in his bed, eyes wide, as this man stood over him, wringing his hands, with worried eyebrows and a taut mouth. “Please, you have to come. You have to help,” the man pleaded, in Paul’s vision. “Macedonia. You’ve got to come to Macedonia and help us.”
Suddenly the sun was shining through the window and the call of seagulls and fishmongers’ cries wafted in. Paul awoke with a start, adrenalin coursing through his body. Luke wrote that day they got ready “at once.” Paul had gotten his marching orders, and he was going to wait for no man. God was sending them to Macedonia.
They traveled nonstop till they reached Philippi, where they found to their dismay a group of women worshiping and praying. The “man from Macedonia” was a woman from Lydia, a region in the province of Asia.
Understanding immediately this was of the Lord, the apostle delivered the good news of the Gospel with enthusiasm, and many lives were redeemed that day to glory. The small church grew, gathering in Lydia’s spacious home. A young, enslaved girl freed from a demon joined them, as well as a jailer and his family, along with a few of his erstwhile prisoners. All of Lydia’s household became believers. (Acts 16)
Years later, Paul wrote to them, “how I long for all of you with the tender affection of Christ Jesus.” He had kept in step with the Spirit, and how grateful he was that he had. (Philippians 1:8)
Oh Lord, increase our sensitivity to Your guidance that we may keep in step with You. When we turn to the right or to the left, help us to hear Your word behind us, saying, “This is the way; walk in it,” to the praise of Your glory and grace, and for the good of all whom You love, amen. (Isaiah 30:21)
Joanne Guarnieri HagemeyerExcept where noted, the Bible translation is my own.
Joanne Guarnieri
Hagemeyer, retired Teaching Leader and Area Advisor with Bible Study Fellowship, now teaches at Grace and Peace Joanne, LLC, and serves on the pastoral and pulpit teaching teams of New Hope Chapel, Arnold, Maryland. She is a member of the Board of Directors for Lay Counselor Institute and the Biblical Archaeology Forum. She has participated in two archaeological excavations, at Tel Kabri and Tel Akko, Israel, and has joined the study team for the Akko Excavation. She has written two books: Love Feast (January 2020) and Broken, Searching, Trusted, Powerful (July 2020). Joanne earned her Master of Arts in Theological Studies at Portland Seminary and currently lives in Maryland with her husband, enjoying canoeing, singing, traveling, and visiting their three grown children. To learn more about Joanne, please visit GraceandPeaceJoanne.com, watch a multimedia presentation on the “Grace and Peace, Joanne” channel at YouTube, or visit her at “Grace and Peace, Joanne” on Facebook.
Links:
Website: www.graceandpeacejoanne.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GraceAndPeaceJoanne/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCmgaep9yGNBwvhGsdlV1vMA
“Love Feast” link: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/ B083XW6866/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_FAA2FbV7CVGG7
As we were editing this issue of Faith On Every Corner Magazine, I felt the urge to look into what the Bible says about faith. We were less than 24 hours from needing to publish and yet I knew I needed to write. Just before I opened Word to write the article, I received this verse:
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV)
I started writing and stopped; I realized I didn’t pray before typing. So, I went to prayer and thanked God for all He gives us and to bless this article and let it reach those who may need to read its message.
So, what did Jesus say about faith? In Matthew 17:20 (NKJV), Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” How many times have you prayed for a family problem, health issue, or financial need and had it answered? We all need to remember what we have prayed for, especially when we are burdened. Many times over, I prayed and had others praying for situations where God was the only answer (as He always is). I had faith that God would answer the prayer, but asked if He would move mountains that needed to be moved. He did, and there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that it was God moving the mountain.
There are also times when I know we have all prayed and maybe didn’t realize how God moved the mountain. Sometimes it takes distance from the situation to be able to look back and realize God was there indeed. He may not have answered the way you prayed, and yet, the prayer was answered, and the problem was resolved. “For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37 NKJV)
I have a confession; I have been watching the reels on social media! There are several Christian ministries that are helping the homeless. They are so touching. One that made me think about God moving mountains was about a woman who lost the bottom of her legs because of an illness. She was alone and had no one to help her. She was on the street and trying to simply stay alive. A Good Samaritan met her and asked how he could make her day better. She was hungry, so he bought her food. He also bought other essentials and gave them to her, along with money. She immediately wanted to help others with the money.
So they went together, and she started sharing by buying food and other necessities for others. After a while, the missionary started picking her up and letting her go with him on his missions to help others.
The last reel I watched was of her RV/Bus getting renovated so she could once again have a home of her own. She was giving children money to thank them for helping her; it was such a blessing for these kids.
.
Click on Book Cover to Order from Amazon.
Scooter And The Blanket Snatcher! is coming soon!
What does this have to do with Faith?
First, the Good Samaritan prayed for God to lead him to those in need.
Second, she accepted and praised God. The Good Samaritan always asks if they want prayer or a hug before he leaves them. She chose a prayer.
Third, God moved mountains as people started to follow this Good Samaritan and donate to the causes he finds. One time, he and his contributors were able to collect enough money to get a family of 5 off of the street and into an apartment.
Fourth, they prayed along with many who follow him and asked God to literally move mountains.
Do you have little faith? Ask God to help you grow your relationship with Him and your faith will follow. If you don’t belong to a church, find a Bible-based church, and start going. Get involved at church and don’t forget to ask for prayer
If you want to receive Christ Jesus and have your faith strengthened, follow these simple things to do. (By the way, we are all sinners)
If you want to receive Christ Jesus and have your faith strengthened, follow these simple things to do. (By the way, we are all sinners)
1. Admit your need. (I am a sinner)
2. Be willing to turn from your sins. (Repent)
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave. (Be saved by faith)
4. Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive him as Lord and Savior)
We suggest a prayer like this one:
“Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that He died for my sin and that you raised Him to life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord, from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.”
*If you prayed this prayer, send us an email to Team@FaithOnEveryCorner.com And welcome to the family.
Even now, near the end of my seventh decade and after nearly forty years away from there, I still remember riding the rolling hills of western Kentucky. Sometimes the slopes seemed long and low, sometimes steeper. Most of the trips I remember were from our home in eastern Todd County between Pembroke and Elkton over to Horton’s Chapel in Muhlenberg County. That’s where Dad preached for several years in my pre and early adolescence.
There were a couple of spots on that route where the hill was steep enough that cresting the top at road speed would give you that sweet little roller coaster lift of your stomach and other internal parts. I sometimes imagined going over those at eighty miles an hour and wondered if all four wheels would actually leave the ground. We moved away before I was old enough to verify, but I wouldn’t be surprised if one of my older brothers could testify regarding the matter.
Apart from that small thrill, some of my favorite memories go back to those rides. Especially the ones in the dark.
Much of the time, it was just Dad and me on those preaching trips. Every Sunday morning, after the early milking and the cleaning up afterward, we’d head over to Horton’s Chapel Church of Christ. Mom and Paul would often stay at home to do the evening milking. Dad and I would spend the afternoon with one of the church families who would feed us dinner and supper.
After evening services, we’d head back home.
I loved the smells of the fields and farms: freshcut hay, tasseling corn, honeysuckle. Sometimes, I’d stick my arm out the window and pretend my hand was an airplane. Tilting up or down, curving to one side or another. Sometimes Dad would tune in to a ballgame on the radio and sometimes catch the news. Sometimes he’d turn off the radio, and we’d sing church songs. Old hymns and some not as old.
We’d sing “The Old Rugged Cross,” “Tell Me the Old, Old Story,” or one of a hundred others. Dad was a good singer. He didn’t have an amazing voice, but it was strong and solid, and he never missed a note, whether he was singing lead or bass. (In his later years, the voice faltered a bit, and he sometimes was off-key, possibly a combination of old age and impaired hearing.) He also knew how to read shape notes and could sing some tunes by the names of the notes: “Do, do, do, ray, me; me, me, me, ray, do…” I may be wrong, but I think that was the start of “Leaning on Jesus.”
Whether my shape note recollection is accurate or not, I am quite sure that all those hours of a Capella music in the car helped me with more than learning how to sing. Those old hymns reinforced doctrine, offered encouragement, and brought about an early awareness regarding mortality and accountability. To this day, I still find comfort and familiarity in them. And the singing gave Dad and me a closeness that I would never experience in any other way with him.
Headed through the night on our way home, able to see only a few hundred feet in front of us, we drove down those long slopes into the low parts along the creeks and ditches. With woods lining both sides of the road and the stars a vast canopy over us, we’d sing “We Are Going Down the Valley” through those darkest stretches, knowing that we’d soon be home.
Somewhere in between West Virginia and North Carolina, Interstate-Seventy-Seven makes a long downhill slide through a place that is not quite heaven but definitely well this side of hell
and off to the east side through the gaps in the trees you can occasionally see miles of Virginia valley and distant mountains,
and although it is not the Shenandoah, it is mighty beautiful on a green summer day— the way one shade layers behind another and another, and in the far distance, greens turn into blues and grays.
I would have to say that seventy miles an hour on a motorcycle is not the best way to take in views like this; but there are suppers I don’t want to miss and I am too riveted on the road ahead
to be turning my head off to the side in a place in the world where rocks sometimes slide out into the paths that we have meant for other things, and it takes less than a second
for life to bring something you hadn’t counted on, didn’t see coming, and getting there safely takes more than a measure of luck and a quickly murmured prayer with each passing truck.
Since 1975, Doc Arnett served as a bi-vocational, non-denominational minister for congregations in Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Missouri, and Kansas. In January 2020, he retired after a forty-year career in education, including teaching and administration. A native of West Kentucky, he currently lives with his wife Randa in northeastern Kansas. They share eight children and thirty grandchildren. Doc enjoys writing, public speaking, playing guitar, singing, woodworking, and remodeling
Still, I wish I’d built in more time for the traveling so that I could swing over onto the shoulder in the thick shade of this chiseled bluff, lean the bike over on the kickstand, cross these two lanes and stand in the shadows of tall hardwoods looking out over these forested miles until I could finally whisper, “I have had enough— at least for a while,”
then smile to myself and be ready again for riding further on this long road that I have chosen.
Publisher & Editor in Chief: Karen Ruhl
Managing Editor
Craig Ruhl
Photography: Karen Ruhl (unless otherwise credited)
Staff Writers: Craig Ruhl Karen Ruhl
Submit Articles For Consideration to: Team@faithoneverycorner.com Phone: 828-305-8571
www.FaithOnEveryCorner.com
©Copyright: Faith On Every Corner, LLC 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
The Information contained in the published works of Faith On Every Corner has been received from sources we believe to be reliable. However, neither Faith On Every Corner nor its authors, writers, editors, or publishers can guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information published. Faith On Every Corner, its authors, editors, and publishers are not responsible for any errors or omissions in our published works. The opinions and theology expressed by contributing writers are their own and not necessarily that of Faith On Every Corner, LLC., its owners or staff.
All Faith On Every Corner, LLC publications, websites, blogs, and other media are copyrighted. All rights are reserved. Contents published in Faith On Every Corner Magazine may be reproduced, shared, copied, or transmitted as long as the published work is unaltered and contains proper attribution to Faith On Every Corner. Contributing writers to Faith On Every Corner retain full rights to their contributed content.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®, NIV ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc. ™
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ® (ESV ®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) taken from the New King James Version ® (NKJV ®). Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission, all rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (CSB) taken from The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (KJV) taken from The King James Bible, public domain.