Karen Ruhl
Craig and I got a bonus the other day. We were headed to Asheville, NC, to the VA Hospital when we got a call and didn’t have to go that day. Since we were already out and heading over the I-40, we changed plans and we headed to the Flowering Bridge at Lake Lure.
If you haven’t been, be sure to put this on your “To Visit” list. The gardens are beautiful and there is always something new to see.
I took the sunset photo above in Hickory, NC. Such beauty everywhere you look - no matter where you live.
May God bless you and yours,
KarenHello May!
April Showers bring May Flowers - this is so true. Craig and I have been out and about and we are amazed at the trees and how they are budding and turning beautiful shades of green. There are flowers blooming and a sure sign that warmer weather is on its way.
We have an announcement to make, after seven years of doing the magazine, we are taking a two month hiatus. Our goal is to “retool” the magazine and find ways to keep it interesting and one that you love to share with others. We will be back in August!
We are so thrilled to be getting new writer submissions and welcome several in this issue. If you would like to submit, please send us an email to Team@FaithOnEveryCorner.com.
Thank you for being so faithful. As always, we love hearing from you, please drop us a note at the email below.
Much love - may God bless you all.
Karen Ruhl Team@FaithOnEveryCorner.comSee you in August!
Please pray for my sister and her children and our family in the loss of her husband, Earl Robert Snyder. May He Rest In Peace
Karen and Craig Ruhl
COVER AND INSIDE PHOTOS BY KAREN RUHL
Note From The Editor ... page 3
May Prayer by Craig and Karen Ruhl ... page 16
My Israel Journey, New Testament Sites with Photos by Yvonne Morganton ... page 18-21
Serving Others Poetry... by John Alexander ... page 6-7
Mama, I Need You ... by Melissa Henderson ... page 8-9
Food For Thought ... by Andrea Marino ... page 10-11
Morning Coffee ... by Michael E. Wells ... page 12-13
Something Beautiful ...Nicole Byrum ... page 14-15
May Prayer ... by Karen and Craig Ruhl ... page 16
Spledid Blue Dot ... Irene Suyra ... page 17
My Israel Journey, New Testament Sites ... Yvonne Morgan ... page 18-23
My Promises To You ... by Laurie Glass ... page 24
Lead Me To The Cross ... by Donna Arthur Downs ... page 25
On The Porch ... by Craig Ruhl ... page 26-27
Focus ... by Steve Carter ... page 28-29
The Tapestry ... by Sharon K. Connell ... page 30-31
A Mole, A Chicken, and A Mop ... Pam McCormick ... page 32-33
Poems ... Peter Venable ... page 34-35
The First Day ... by Dave Evans ... page 36-37
Let’s Sing!... by Peter Caligiuri ... page 38
Giving It To God ... by Gina Meredith ... page 39
The Power Of Your Words ... by Linda Castro... page 40-41
It Wasn’t Me ... by F.D. Adkins... page 42-43
The Desperate Need of Prayer ... Craig D. Lounsbrough ... page 44-45
Bookshelf Reviews ... by Craig and Karen Ruhl ... page 46
When Quitting Isn’t An Option ... by Edward Tooley ... page 48-49
Power Of the Sword ... by Shara Bueler-Repka ... page 50-51
The Lord’s Deliverance From Early Woes ...by Brenda McDaniel ... page 52
You Are Not Alone ... by Brenda McDaniel ... page-52
Sprouts ... by Diana Derringer ... page 53
God’s Gift Of Love ... by Kathleen Oden ... page 54-55
The Courage To Try ... by Kit Townsend ... page 56-57
Dad’s Memory Glitch ... by Diana Derringer ... page 58-59
Getting Better After A Fall ... by Joseph Akinrinola ... page 60-61
On The Road to Emmaus ... by Esther Bandy ... page 62
Dedicated to All Moms ... by Karen Ruhl ... page 63
Laughing And Waiting ... by Brianna Barrett ... page 64-65
How Could They Sleep ... by Gay Herron ... page 66-67
Poems ... by Joe Bisicchia ... page 68-69
All Children Need God ... by Esther Bandy ... page 70-71
My Visit to India ... by Pat Lomax ... pages 72-75
Has God Ever Spoken To You? ... by Tim Bishop ... page 76-77
Field Of Diamonds ... by Sharon K. Connell ... page 78
As I ponder the ways that I’m able to serve, I’m a bit more limited now in my mid-seventies. I’m still able to write and I still pen a new poem most days, as I’ve done for the last three years. I post them for others and pray that they are a blessing. I publish them in the form of books as some folks prefer to read as they hold a book in their hands. As I’m writing this in early April, I ask for your prayers. Later this month, I begin a new journey of sharing my poems in person. I have my first scheduled event at a local memory care center. If that goes well, I may continue to add a few retirement centers to the places I share. Pray that I’m able to be a blessing as I share poems in person as a new way to reach out to others. Pray that the Lord will provide me with the right places to share.
I pray that the poems I’m sharing this month are a blessing, as you consider ways the Lord will lead you to bless and serve others.
Blessings, John Alexander QuietTimeRhymes.com
Surround me, Lord, with humble folk Who serve because they’ve learned from You, Who take to heart the words You spoke, Who’ve come to know those words are true. Regardless of the task at hand, What role or service they perform, They gladly do and understand A servant’s heart is not the norm. So many hearts are filled with pride. Accomplishment, achieving goals
Can lead to arrogance inside. A cancer forms within the soul. Lord, help me humbly do my part. Instill in me a servant’s heart.
John Alexander lives in Frisco, Texas with his beautiful wife and his Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.Instill in me the will to serve With proper motives, simple, pure, My words and actions when observed Be found congruent, wise, mature. As I pen words to fill each page, To share in rhyme what’s in my heart, I pray my words improve with age, More love, compassion to impart. I pray the words I write and share Will help another known God’s love, Reach out to Him when life’s unfair, Find peace descending like a dove. Lord, help me always lift Your name, In simple words, Your love proclaim.
More focus on others and less on my needs, Always remembering others in prayer, Helps me learn how to serve, how to follow God’s lead.
Lord, I need Your help daily to love and to care.
If my heart and my soul remains focused on You, If I read Your word daily, continue to pray, I’ll more easily see what You’d have me to do, More easily speak what You’d have me to say. I pray that Your Spirit will help me discern How I can serve, the right places to go.
Lord, teach me each day. I have so much to learn, How best to serve others, so much I don’t know.
I’ll continue to write, may You bless every word. I pray as I share that Your message is heard.
Photos by Karen Ruhl
http://www.melissaghenderson.com
“Hey Mama, I need you.” Perhaps you have heard those words or spoken those words out loud. Whether the word “Mom” is referring to a biological parent or an adopted parent, or a neighborhood friend, the sentiment can be heartwarming and life-affirming.
As a young child, I became acquainted with most of the neighborhood folks. There were many widows and a few families who lived on our street. Each time I walked outside to find friends who were available to play, I visited with ladies sitting on their front porches. Some women were older, and their children had grown, married, and moved away. Others were beginning the life of having children. Some did not have children of their own.
Each person brought joy to the people they encountered. My two sisters are grown and married. They had both moved to other areas, so I didn’t see them every day. I was the baby of the family and yes, there were times when I was rotten in my behavior. Perhaps I was seeking attention.
While playing outside, I could sense the ladies sitting on the porches as they watched the children of the neighborhood. The widows sometimes held sewing projects while they moved back and forth in their white wooden rockers. The younger women often worked in their flower beds, planting seeds and pulling weeds. The women sometimes shared conversations across the yards. Other times, the younger ones paused and went to sit with the older women.
Those ladies didn’t know the impact they were having on this little brown-haired, brown-eyed girl. I listened to their conversations. I watched their expressions as they spoke.
And when a neighborhood child had an emergency and needed help, these women of varying ages came to the rescue. A cry of “Mama, I need you.” could be heard when a child stepped into the clover and landed on a bumblebee. Another time, “Mama, I need you” was heard when a young person skidded through the gravel on their bicycle and ended the ride with scrapes and bloody elbows.
No matter the time of day or the situation, these women came to the aid of every child. Perhaps they knew the child personally, or maybe the child was a stranger. Either way, the love of a mother shined through in the voice and tender care given to the one in need.
Click on the book covers to purchase Melissa’s books.
We may have been crying out for our mother, but those women saw a need and offered love and kindness. I remember seeing a Bible on a front porch table at several homes. These were women who loved God and showed His love to others.
Many of the women have passed on to Heaven. I am thankful to God that I was able to have these special people in my life.
My Mama was a very special woman. She was friends with the women on our street and sometimes, would sit on the porch and visit with them. Mama was also one of the ladies who came to the rescue of children in need.
If my Mama learned of a family in need of clothing or food, she and Daddy would offer assistance. I’m thankful for my parents and the compassion they showed to family, friends, and strangers.
When I hear the words, “Mama, I need you.”, I look to see how I can help.
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
(Proverbs 22:6 NIV)
In His Name, Melissa Henderson
Award-winning author Melissa Henderson writes inspirational messages laced with a bit of humor. With stories in books, magazines, devotionals and more, Melissa hopes to encourage readers. Melissa is the author of “Licky the Lizard” and “Grumpy the Gator”. Her passions are helping in community and church. Melissa is an Elder, Deacon and Stephen Minister. Follow Melissa on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and at https://www. facebook.com/melissa.henderson.9440
Read her blogs at:
https://melissaghenderson.com/ It’s Always A Story With The Hendersons
John the Baptist was a messenger, crying out in the wilderness to prepare the way for the Lord. Forerunner of Jesus Christ, John called all people to forsake their sins and be baptized in the Jordan River. The immersion in water was an outward display of an inner willingness to receive the Lord. In fulfillment of Scripture, Jesus, who knew no sin, was baptized by John. Rising up from the water, the heavens parted and the Holy Spirit, appearing as a dove, descended upon Jesus. God’s voice then declared Him to be His own beloved Son. After Jesus’ temptation by Satan for 40 days, He began His public proclamation of all things to be made new. “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the good news!” (Mark 1:15 HCS).
From the first day, the disciples were amazed by Jesus. Hearing Him speak with authority, they saw an unclean spirit come out of a man by His command. All of the sick and demon-possessed brought to Jesus were healed. This is why He came. (Mark 1:38). No surprise many people would pursue Jesus. Jesus did things they had never seen before. If I were alive at that time, I would follow this man. One account in Scripture was of His home so crowded, a paralytic had to be lowered into the room from the rooftop. Seeing this man’s faith, Jesus told him his sins were forgiven. It was a statement to anger the Pharisees and scribes,
who deemed Him blasphemous for making Himself equal to God. You have to admire Jesus’ handling of unbelief and the reasoning of a heart: “Which is easier to say to the paralytic, your sins are forgiven or to say, ‘Get up, pick up your stretcher, and walk?’” (Mark 2:9 HCS). Giving them food for thought, Jesus went on and told the paralytic to get up, pick up his stretcher, and go home. The crowds marveled at His power and gave glory to God. The Scribes and Pharisees plotted with the Herodians, their enemies, to destroy the Son of God.
Jesus came to disturb the status quo. He spoke of evil, lying at the core of every human being, causing a separation from God. We dare not trust the unregenerate heart because it is deceptive; the things coming out of it, in fact, defiling a person (Jeremiah 17:9, Mark 7:20). Relying on man-made rules to be in right-standing before a holy God is to be spiritually blind. (Mark 7:6,7). Better to fall into a place of rock bottom than to continue living in a false sense of lacking nothing. “He who believes (the gospel) will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16 HCS).
Unbelief amazed Jesus. Mark 6:6. I don’t take this Scripture to mean Jesus is ever surprised by anything. I believe the significance is His grief in light of all God was doing to restore fallen man. “O faithless generation… how long shall I be with you?” (Mark 9:19 KJV). Unbelief hardens hearts. Even today, we, who experience miracles, default to seeing only ghosts in the storms. (Mark 6:52). John the Baptist understood and made clear the difference between the waters of baptism and Jesus’ baptism of power through the Holy Spirit. (John 1:33, Acts 1:8). Excellent food for thought is found in Mark 16:18: “In My Name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; they will pick up snakes; and if they should drink anything deadly, it will never harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well.” In all of that, we rejoice our names are written in the Book of Life. (Luke 10:20).
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.
She is the one I drew near when there were times of fear
Always loving year to year my mother whom I hold dear
Right from the very start many things she would impart Receiving Christ would be smart my mother I love with my heart
The years keep passing by though slow them we try Phone rings I wipe my eye hello mom just called to say Hi
“Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His mercy endures forever.” One of life’s most important lessons is that of being grateful. Out of humility and thankfulness comes contentment and fulfillment in life. Not in the sense of doing, but in being. The world measures success by accomplishments, but as we know, our lives can be full of activities on the outside and void in the sense of value on the inside.
The Bible makes clear our mindset in life. It states we are to “love mercy, to do justly and to walk humbly with our God.” Simplicity in life’s purpose brings peace and contentment in a world of chaos and uncertainty. We are to “take joy in the God of our salvation.” It will take us to a state of mind and place of the heart, where life makes sense and our efforts are worthwhile. Truly you and God make a majority, you do not struggle alone.
To have a thankful heart is not one who is pollyannic when confronting problems, believing none exist but one who does not forget whose they are when life happens, for “God keeps those in perfect peace whose minds are stayed on Him.” Life is mind over matter. The mind of Christ over matters of the heart. King David writes, “I would have despaired unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” So believes a thankful heart.
God has promised many things to many people at different times for different reasons and delivered them all to those who heard and believed. Promises are very important in life. They give us hope and patience. There is an old hymn that reads; “Standing on the promises of God my Savior.” Now, if this is where our lives should be centered of great importance is knowing what God has promised us. In John’s first letter to the church (2:25), he makes it clear. God has promised us this... eternal life. He goes on to say he who has the Son has life, but he who does not have the Son does not have life. It is very simple. The life of God is in the Son of God. It is said of Jesus that all the promises of God are yes and amen in Him.
That being established and settled in our hearts, we ask: what are His promises for me today, tomorrow, next month or next year? His promises are as varied as our needs. We ask, we pursue, we declare, and we request, but what is His response? We have to take into account that all our desires are not necessarily His promises. Yes, the word states He gives us the desires of our heart, but that is after He has changed them. Paul wrote that we don’t even know what to pray for at times. I believe our greatest challenge in life is to hear what God is promising us. The Book of Acts is filled with stories of lives directed by the voice of the Holy Spirit: what to do, where to go, what to say, or what will happen. These were not unique to them only, but available to us today to guide and direct. Some may be short term, others long term. But the key is to desire them, to listen for them and finally hear them from God. And having once heard them... hold on to them.
Paul wrote to the Romans (4:20, 21) of Abraham’s faith once God had told him something. I believe we can place ourselves in this declaration and use it in our own lives concerning things God has spoken to us. Our conviction should be, “I will not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but I will be strengthened in faith, giving glory to God. For I am fully convinced that what God has promised me, He is able to perform.” First, I desire to know, then I ask to hear, now I listen... and when I know I hold on! Some may discount it, many may question your reasoning, and still others may say you must have heard wrong.
They may no longer walk with you or talk with you, but deep down there is a knowing, a sense of purpose born in a time of trial, a path chosen where others walk by. It is the journey of life led by His voice, sustained by His word, and comforted by the promises of God.
A word that has become popular recently in our culture. It is a casual reference to accepting one to view and participate in daily interactions and conversations online. With one click, we can bring a stranger into our innermost personal lives. With another click, we can discard them as to have never been.
It is with such ease that we do this that diminishes the word. Friendship is not to be entered into lightly or ended impulsively. It is a partnership that is approached slowly, engaged deeply, endures steadfastly and brings reward immeasurably. I read where a friend loves at all times, that they stick closer than a brother.
The power of friending. I am reminded of the words spoken by Jesus to His disciples, “Today I call you My friends.” Abraham was called a friend of God and God spoke to Moses as one would to a friend. The friending of God, it is not a simple click but can happen that quick. A relationship born in an instant and enduring for all eternity. Jesus stands at your heart’s door and knocks, “May I come in my friend...”
One of my goals for 2023 is to familiarize myself with 12 different pieces of classical music. The idea is to pick one piece a month and listen often enough so that I can identify it if heard. This goal was inspired by a visit to the Mobile Symphony over Thanksgiving this past year. I realized then how little I knew of classical music! So far this year, I’ve listened to Bach’s Cello Suite in G Major, Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, Mozart’s 40th Symphony in G minor, and Schubert’s Du bist die Ruh.
As I’ve listened to these pieces over the last few months, something interesting has happened— not only have I been able to recognize them, but I’ve actually come to enjoy them! It’s almost impossible to listen and not be awed by the genius it took to compose such pieces or be moved by the skill required to play them. Even more, the music itself possesses a unique beauty capable of stirring a wide range of emotions.
As I listened the other day, I was struck by the sheer beauty of a particular piece… which got me thinking about beauty in general. Specifically, how we are voracious seekers of it. We all want to see, hear, taste, smell, and touch something beautiful.
Have you ever thought about all the ways in which we seek beauty? From planting flowers and instilling landscaping to hanging art and choosing a well-put together outfit; to using lovely perfumes and candles, to listening to beautiful music or the sound of the birds and ocean waves; to feeling a soft, comforting blanket or the firmness of a warm embrace; to tasting a favorite meal or a delicate dessert. We seek beauty every day, whether we recognize our intention to or not!
But why? What compels these actions? Why are we instinctively drawn to beauty? The answer can only be found in Genesis 1:27 (ESV): “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Our Creator is a lover of beauty and is Himself beautiful. One of my favorite examples of God’s love for beauty is found in Exodus 28, when God gave the elaborate descriptions for the priestly garments of the Tabernacle. These garments were intricately and specifically made for one purpose: “For glory and beauty” (v. 2, 28). How wonderful is that? As image bearers of God, it’s no wonder we seek beauty so intensely!
But just as a skyscraper points to an architect, or a carefully crafted novel points to an author, so both the beauty around us (and our ability to create it) points us to the one true God who is the Designer of all things beautiful. For we were not meant to worship beauty, but to worship Him who is most beautiful of all. (Isaiah 33:17, Psalm 27:4).
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.
Still, an amazing thing happens when we fix our eyes on the beauty of our King, the more we look unto Him, the more we become like Him. And the more we become like our King, and unashamedly proclaim His glorious gospel, the more we become a thing of beauty. As Romans 10:15 (ESV) says, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” In this, we become even more beautiful than the greatest symphony composed by Mozart, Bach, or Beethoven.
In this coming week, let’s seek to both behold and become something beautiful. All to the glory and praise of our beautiful God.
Click on book covers to purchase books on Amazon.
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”
(John 17:3 NKJV)Lord God, we praise you for being such a wonderful Father in Heaven. You look over us daily and have left your instructions in the written words in The Bible.
Lord, we pray that the words we share in this magazine are shared with many around the world. We pray that those who don’t know you learn who you are and who you sent to us. We pray that they stop and pray and repent of their sins. Let them understand that we are all sinners, and the biggest difference is that we accepted Christ Jesus as our Savior.
We bow before you and thank you for your Son, Christ Jesus. We turn from our sins and try each day to share the Good News with others.
In this beautiful month of May, open our eyes to the beauty we are surrounded with, and let us remember that when we get to Heaven, the beauty will exceed anything we can even dream about.
We ask for you to watch over your children and keep us all safe. This is a crazy world right now and we need to keep watch daily. We love you with all of our heart, minds, bodies and strength. We praise you, Father God.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.
AmenDr. 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.
God created a splendid blue dot
When He sprinkled the cosmos
With stars and galaxies
A planet where life exists.
Arraying the magnificent mountains
In accordance with His will and wisdom
God colored the earth with beauty
Beyond comprehension.
God created man in His image
Bearing His likeness, To fill the earth and rule with Him
Over His creation.
After falling to the vile craftiness of the devil Man had to be redeemed
By the sacrifice of Jesus Christ
To live a life of faith in the creator.
God gave His great and precious promises
For man to hold onto with faith
Promises of hope
Promises of a blessed life in Christ.
He is the unchanging eternal God
He fulfills what He has promised He is the one who was, Who is and who is to come.
God’s promises are always yes
They never fail
They are the same
Yesterday, today and forever.
God’s promises renew life
Add purpose and meaning to life
Give hope of eternal life
From the perishing world to a glorious home.
Today, let’s continue our journey by visiting my favorite New Testament sites. So where to begin and what to include? We visited more than these, but I wanted to hit the highlights. Before this trip, I never thought of going to the Holy Land, but I am so glad I made the pilgrimage. If you get the chance to go, I highly recommend going. Seeing these Biblical sites in person brought the Gospel to life for me. So once again, grab a cup of coffee and relax as I take you to the Holy Land in words and pictures.
We spent only a little time in Bethlehem because of the crowds. But some things to note show that Bethlehem was a busy city even in Jesus’ day and his birth was more likely a cave than a stable. Caves were everywhere and used by the locals for many purposes, like barns. We spent more time at the site of the Shepards’ field and the church on the site. I love the mosaics inside the church and how they portrayed the birth announcement. As we visited these New Testament sites, I could now picture Jesus walking from place to place. Bethlehem is less than six miles from Jerusalem .
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)
by Yvonne M. Morgan
After spending forty days in the wildness and the temptation of Satan, Jesus returns to Nazareth, his hometown by family heritage. In the synagogue, Jesus announced, “the scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21). As Jesus continued talking, the people became furious and drove him out of town to the hill called Mount Precipice. The hill provided us with incredible views all around, and we witnessed an incredible sunset over the town of Nazareth. Just over 10 miles in the distance, we spotted Mount Tabor. This is where the transfiguration of Jesus occurred. Surrounding this mountain is the Valley of Megiddo, also known as Armageddon. Jesus started his ministry in Nazareth and some day he will return in triumph to Armageddon and usher in a new heaven and new earth.
I think this was my favorite area of the entire trip. The natural beauty, tranquility and quietness made it even more appealing, especially when compared to the crowds in Jerusalem. Much of Jesus’ ministry occurred in this and surrounding areas and some I will detail more below. Jesus began calling disciples as he walked the shores of the lake. We took a boat ride on the lake and they showed the way the disciples fished with nets. I caught a photo of the net toss and thought of how Christ called the disciples and us to become fishers of men. In a nearby museum is a display of a partial fishing boat from the time of Jesus that they recovered in the area.
by Yvonne M. Morgan
Within sight of the Sea of Galilee, we made a stop at the spot believed to be the place Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. The mountain sits between the towns of Capernaum and Tiberias. So many events happened in this area besides just the incredible sermon. Capernaum became the center of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus fed the 5,000 here. Peter’s home is in Capernaum. He preached in the local synagogue and Jesus healed Peter’s mother in the town. Mary Magdalene lived near here in the town of Midgal. The ruins of Peter’s house are in Capernaum and they believe it became the first Christian Church long ago. I felt awestruck as I wandered into the areas where Jesus taught and lived.
No trip to Israel would be complete without a visit to the city of Jerusalem. I’m glad we spent time here, but the crowds took away from the experiences. I think that is why I preferred our time at the Sea of Galilee. Also, there are two sites that claim to be the location of the empty tomb of Christ and we visited both. One is called the Garden Tomb, and the other is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. So, I will do a write about each of with photos. The two tombs are less than half-amile apart from each other.
We visited this one first. They hewed the tomb into the rocks of the city surrounded by a lovely garden. I found the area peaceful in its solitude and simplicity. A smaller crowd allowed a quiet time for peaceful reflection on the risen Christ. We even enjoyed a communion service in one pavilion within the garden area. This is how I pictured the gardens and tombs in my mind for years. The visit humbled me as I stepped inside the tomb and saw that he was not there. I could picture the angels telling the women, “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said.” (Matthew 28:6). I wanted to shout a Hallelujah as I marveled at the empty tomb. (Insert 3 picture that begin with 4a).
This site sat more in the hustle and bustle of the city of Jerusalem, so felt very noisy and extremely crowded, as the pictures will show. Now, back in Jesus’ day, this area might have been on the outskirts of town so not so busy. The church built on the site is impressive, full of beautiful mosaics, golden altars and amazing artwork. But it felt showy compared to the simple garden tomb. This site felt very commercialized. And as we waited to get in, the patriarch of the Greek Orthodox church arrived. They cleared a path for him to enter with the bells tolling loudly as monks in black robes escorted him in. A woman in the crowd ran up to him and kissed his ring. All this seemed out of place and contrary to the way Jesus lived his life here. I think he wants us to follow his examples and find happiness in a simple life. (Insert 3 pictures that begin with 4a).
This is the name given to the spot where Christ appeared to the disciples after he had risen from the grave. Peter returned to fishing on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. He noticed someone on the beach cooking breakfast. After a few moments, Peter recognized the risen Savior and swam to shore. Jesus asked Peter if he loved him three times in these verses and Peter responded. This restored Peter after he denied Christ three times during the trial. This spot also felt humbling as I pictured the scene. A beautiful statue on the ground portrayed the moment of the encounter. Jesus’ presence felt very real in the setting. And he reminded me we are all called to feed his sheep, both physically and spiritually.
As our guide said often, Israel is the land where the Bible hugs you. And he was correct. The difficulties and survival of God’s people from the Bible stood out in these desolate lands. They could not do what they did without God and neither can we. If you ever get the chance to go, I recommend it and we felt safe the entire time we were in the country. I leave you with a couple of special pictures that captured the feelings of being in the country of our Lord’s birth and resurrection. His is risen, hallelujah.
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.
Though troubled times may grip your heart, don’t worry what to do. My loving guidance I’ll impart. I’ve blazed a trial for you.
When wading through the streams of doubt, the water rises up, my leading you won’t be without. Just know that I’m enough.
Although the waves come crashing in, the water makes you sway, Don’t fear them rising up again. They won’t sweep you away.
When fiery blaze invades your soul, heart burns with searing pain, have faith that I am in control. My healing touch will reign.
Afraid of flames engulfing you, recall what you have learned, and recollect my promise true, that you will not be burned.
Though troubled times may grip your heart, don’t worry what to do. My loving guidance I’ll impart. Just let me walk with you.
Inspired by Isaiah 43:2 (NIV): “When you pass through the water, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
Donna Downs is a writer who seeks to tell stories and influence others to do the same. Her writing about real life illuminates emotions often forgotten or hidden in the recesses of our minds. Each phase of life teaches lessons, and as we age, we can learn from the narratives of others. Her goal is to touch hearts and inspire people to tell their stories so generations to come will understand the value of relationships and seek to create memories worth sharing. Donna lives in Fairmount, IN.
Rising from the darkness of a deep suspended pit, climbing, oh, so slowly, I’m crawling out of it, dirty and disgusting from years and years of dross–rising, rising, rising to the glory of the cross.
For years I’ve lived in darkness, seeking light to shine and walking by so many whose flames gave spark to mine. That gentle little flicker unseen and mostly lost now is rising slowly by the power of the cross.
Living with a conscience seared so long ago, feeling like a failure who had nowhere to go, I stumbled to the cross whereon hung my Lord reaching, reaching, reaching just to touch one board...
… or yet to touch his garment, divvied up by lot, give me any part of him.... to touch, to touch – or not. Come to me for comfort, Come to me for peace, Come and give your love to me, And I will bring release.
Lead me to you, Jesus. Lift me from the pit. Take my hand and guide me to a place where we can sit. And there I’ll pledge my life to you as you remove the dross and gently take my outstretched hand ... lead me to the cross.
When I was a kid, back when the world was analog and not yet digital, we lived outside the house more than inside. I remember in the summer, I would leave the house right after breakfast, gather a few neighbor friends, and would not come home until I was hungry, hurt, or it was dinnertime. After dinner, I would go back out until the porch lights came on. Outdoors was the place to be and indoors was where you would be if you were being punished. Sure, thunderstorms and blizzards caused exceptions to be made, but only until Mom said the coast was clear and then it was back out in the world again. Once I was old enough to have a full-size two-wheeled bike, not only was I outside, but I was also gone - with a capital G.
The houses where I grew up had porches, front and back. You could tell where your friends were by the bikes resting in front of the porches. The back porches tended to be screened in to allow air flow on hot days and to keep the bugs out. The front porch had a different purpose. It was where the family would sit in the evenings or during the day on weekends. Neighbors would wave as they came and went, and there was a genuine sense of community. Women could stay home and be full-time mothers. It was not unusual to come home from school to see your mom and another or two sitting on the porch having coffee, tea, or a lemonade. For us kids out playing, it was also comforting to know that most homes had a mom who could help in an emergency. There were many rainy days when my friends and I would play games on the front porches while it rained. I remember a few summer nights that were so stifling hot that we slept on the porch where it was cooler. In the winter, we still played outdoors, but the front porch was more of a place to kick the snow off your boots and store the snow shovels and firewood. It also was a convenient place to hang Christmas lights and decorations.
Americans have viewed the porch as a symbol ever since the country was founded. The large antebellum homes of the 1700s and 1800s all had immense wrap around porches. Neighbors would come onto the porches to visit and share food and drink. Parties took place outside as well as in the home. Houses in the cities, often rows of them, had front stoops and stairs that served as porches. We lived life outside on the porch. Kids played in the street and adults gathered on the steps and porches to talk. Neighbors shared information and gossip on the front porch during the eras before the television, internet or even full telephone service. If you wanted to know what was going on, you needed to be outside and in conversation. During the summer, it was not unusual to see a family sitting there listening to a baseball game or mystery show on the radio. It was often just too hot to be inside. Communities had sidewalks where people out for a stroll could wave at neighbors sitting on their porch and even stop for a few minutes to exchange pleasantries or news. The porch was a buffer between public and private life. Folks could entertain out on the porch without inviting anyone inside the house. This made it easier to socialize without having to clean the house first.
After World War II, American values such as family, community, and nature seemed to change. The architecture of homes evolved, with the porch being less and less prominent. Indoor air conditioning also meant less time spent outdoors during hot summers. There wasn’t a need for the overhang above a porch to lessen the heat in the house. The increased use of automobiles meant less foot traffic past homes, and more noise and air pollution. Gradually, communities moved indoors after being centered outdoors for many generations. Now, we drive past some of the old neighborhoods with homes that have great porches, but we don’t see people sitting on them very often. A sign of the times.
On our frequent drives, we see so many homes that have beautiful porches with inviting wood rocking chairs on them. As we drive by, we wave every once in a while at someone sitting in front of their house. We don’t know them and they don’t know us, but it is fun to see how many wave back. I think that would be a good way to choose a neighborhood to live in.
The house we bought a few years ago is on a corner lot with a large patio/porch area.We quickly realized that sitting on the porch, we could see neighbors as they drove past on both the front street and the side street. We started waving and keeping track of which cars belonged to which houses. People slowed as they passed and waved back.
Karen’s studio office is in the front corner of our house with windows looking out at the corner and both streets. My desk is in front of a window, looking out onto the porch. We love the inside of our home, but we really love taking the breaks and sitting on the porch, waving to the neighbors and talking about how blessed we are to be in this home and in this neighborhood, town, state, and country. We are happy to help to bring back a sense of old-fashioned neighborhood to where we live.
So, if you are in the area and pass by, look for us. We are the couple on the porch who are waving at you even if we haven’t met yet. Please wave back or stop by and say hello. We’ll even leave the porch light on for Y’all.
The Marines could taste the fear that covered them like salty mist pouring over the sides of their landing craft. Incoming gunfire and increasingly accurate artillery signaled that soon these Americans would receive their “Baptism of Fire” on the ash covered island of Iwo Jima. Soon the ramp of his Higgins Boat opened and after stepping over a dead Marine, Bill Hall started running onto the beach littered with fallen Americans.
The intensity of the fighting caused many to freeze up and lay on the ground quivering with fear. Private First Class Hall knew that his best chance for survival lay anywhere except on the open beach. Running in a zigzag line, he got clear of the Killing Zone and started working toward his primary mission of capturing one of the enemy airports. Being somewhat safer off the beach did not put him on easy street, and Bill often dropped into a ditch or shell hole to fire at enemy soldiers with his rifle while incoming bullets and light artillery peppered the surrounding ground.
Unable to hold off determined Marines, the enemy airport soon fell. Once the enemy evacuated the coveted runways, American Navy Seabees started improving them. Many battle-damaged bombers landed at these captured airports before war’s end, thus saving lives that could otherwise have been lost.
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
Despite suffering many casualties, and on the brink of total exhaustion, the Marines were immediately ordered to advance inland. During the sweep toward the island’s opposite shore, our men came under intense fire that sent them scampering into bomb craters for shelter. At this point, a small explosive device landed at the feet of a group of Marines, killing everyone in the shell crater except Bill Hall and his buddy. After regaining consciousness, Bill felt intense pain in his left hand, confirming he had been hit. Counting himself lucky to be alive, he quickly yanked out his shirttail and sent blood flying when he pulled out the hot piece of metal. With no corpsmen around to tend to his wound, two fellow Marines wrapped his hand the best they could, and they got back into the fight. After a couple of days of continual firing with his wounded hand, a corpsman ordered him to a hospital ship to save his hand from amputation. After a short time of receiving medical treatment, Hall happily rejoined his buddies and returned to the fight.
It must be noted that the enemy defending this Pacific Island did not fear death and thought it an honor to die in battle. This mindset sparked fierce fighting that never stopped. Nights were spent in fitful sleep with two men to a foxhole and one of them was always awake for defense. Bill Hall woke up one night to find his fox hole buddy asleep instead of on guard and told him, “I ought to shoot you.” Deadly experience taught our guys that enemy soldiers slipping in among them with sharp knives and explosives would and often forfeited their lives to kill Americans.
As the United States forces took ground and squeezed the enemy into smaller sections of the island, the fighting became fiercer. In an act fueled by desperation, the fanatical enemy started charging over open ground into the blazing guns manned by Marines. The blood-curdling scream of “Banzai” could be heard during the attack. The only way to stop the crazed enemy was with a well-aimed shot. Near panic at the sight of these suicide charges, at first netted more misses than hits! But, with sergeants screaming, “pick your shots,” a calmness came into play. Soon our men started aiming their rifles more accurately, while only worrying about the man directly in front of him and letting the other “Jar Heads” deal with the rest. Our fighting men who did not give in to panic despite facing a fanatical enemy annihilated or turned the attackers back in disgrace.
I personally knew the Marine featured in this story, and we were fast friends. Like most W.W. II veterans, he talked little about the war but told me enough to where I have a graphic picture of what it takes to be an Iwo Jima Survivor.
We’re going to talk about King David for a little while now. I think you’ll see the parallels between his struggles and Bill Hall’s desperate battle and see how they apply to us.
Most folks know, to put it mildly, that King David made a pretty good mess with Bathsheba. First, King David didn’t have his mind or body in the relative safety of camp with his army like it should have been. It’s likely more difficult to notice roof top bathers while dodging spears and engaging in sword fights! The wife of another man had caught his eye, and that’s when the trouble began. Like those rookie Marines, who were killed on the beach after the emotion of fear took over, David’s emotion fueled lust of the flesh caused him much grief for the rest of his life.
After rebuking fear, Bill Hall stayed the course and helped secure the airport. The physical wound he received before battle’s end didn’t distract him from his next assigned task. The wounds we (certainly me) suffer usually come in the form of temptation to do stupid stuff. Regardless, we should be like Bill, and keep on the firing line, focused on our mission.
A very large part of any service to the “King” depends on our ability to keep alert. We cannot panic and miss our target or fall spiritually asleep at our post. He gave us our assignment because He knew we could complete the task and, by doing so, increase His harvest. Sometimes, despite our best intentions, we lose focus on the task at hand and put our efforts into a ministry God already has covered. We must take care of the task put before us, whether it be a physical or spiritual. If we stray, God’s kingdom could suffer and that is not acceptable!
People come and go in our lives. Sometimes causing happiness, sometimes sorrow. They weave in and out like a thread.
Perchance circumstance causes us to change our course in life. Sometimes making us move from here to there. We wonder why these things happen; what is the purpose?
Puzzling as life can be at times, we continue on through the maze, Each of us moving in a way we think God wants us to move, Never really understanding why our lives become as they are.
We look back at the things that have brought us to this place. We remember events and people; questions form in our minds. Why did he leave? Why did she die? Why did it have to happen?
In my mind, everything appears as a tangled web; all knotted and twisted. Like strings that have come undone from a ball of twine. No apparent pattern or organization, no clear picture to be seen.
Then it happens; we take that journey home. Home to be with our Lord and Savior. All is forgotten about the mystery of our early life.
I am brought before a tapestry, so beautiful a scene, it makes me cry. The placard beneath the hanging says, “Your life.” I look up at my Lord with questioning eyes.
Jesus takes my hand and leads me to the back of the tapestry. I see the chaos that makes up the beauty on the other side. Strings of life going here and there, all connected at some point.
I awake, and suddenly it becomes so clear. All the strings, knots, and tangles were the making of a beautiful tapestry. A masterpiece called… “Your Life.” My Life.
One life crosses another and things change. Sometimes for the worse; sometimes for the better. But God has a reason for everything He allows.
I met you, and we became friends. We are learning more about each other every day. Still, there are areas of our lives that remain a mystery.
What will happen down the road, we cannot tell. We must trust our Lord’s guiding Hand. Follow where He leads; not try to forge the path ourselves.
Our Lord knows what’s best in our lives. He will decide where it is best to go and what happens on that path. It is up to us whether we follow His leading or forge out on our own.
The paths we choose to take determine what will happen in our lives. Sometimes we unwittingly choose the wrong path, sometimes blatantly. Sometimes we allow our Lord to lead. Those are the best parts of the tapestry.
He will allow us to choose our own path; He will allow us to go astray. He has given us a free will to choose our own way of life. Sometimes I wish I did not have that choice.
But as we grow, we learn and hopefully have learned to listen to His leading. Still, we make mistakes, but now He’s even closer than before and we trust Him.
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5,6 AKJV)
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.
You’ve seen the arcade game. A hard-shelled, plastic, brown mole pops up out of a hole, and your job is to whack him over the head when you see him pop up, so you can earn points. Whoever came up with such a game was a genius. Great stress reliever, for sure.
It reminded me of a time, kind of like this, that I was told in a recipe to pound a piece of boneless chicken breast to a half inch thickness. Since I didn’t have a meat mallet, which could be bought cheaply at the dollar store, I opted to use one of the heaviest coffee cups I could find. Using one edge, I started pounding away. Got the job done; a little over pounded, but in the end, my husband and I enjoyed a great meal of Chicken Parmesan.
I was texting a good friend about pounding the chicken, and although we were texting, we could hear each other’s smiles and laughter as I proceeded to pound those chickens flat.
In her response to my successful efforts, she remarked, “And you got out your hostilities! Two for one activity, that’s what I like.”
In Proverbs 17:22 NIV, it says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
I saw a daunting task of preparing supper, and it turned into a great way to relieve unresolved stress and laugh with a good friend.
Of course, then a couple of days later, the kitchen floor needed to be swept and mopped. I quickly spoke, “Okay, I’ll give it a lick and a promise.” That’s what my mom used to call it. Hit the bad spots with a damp mop and promise to do it right later.
Well, then, I had an idea. What if I invited my mop and broom to dance with me? Sounds silly, absolutely, but I love to dance, and best of all, they were willing partners, and the two of them and little old me got together and had fun.
If my kitchen floor could talk, it would have said, “Now, see how much fun you had when you took the doldrums out of it.”
Thank the Good Lord no one was watching, because I danced and danced and danced some more to some 60’s music I found on Pandora. Oh, and when “The Twist” by Chubby Checker came on, my white ankle socks and a freshly mopped floor made a slick but perfect opportunity to remember the good times of rock and roll again, getting two for the price of one.
I started thinking about the choices I make every day. As quirky as the title to this story is, there is a message to all of us. We have choices in life. We can see the glass as half empty or half full. We can see our “circumstances”, or we can see the creativity that can come alive inside each of us to be original and see things differently.
In all three short quips, I had fun and got a whole lot of stress out of my system at the same time. Life hurts sometimes, so find something to make you happy. Whether it’s jabbing jaws with a good friend, remembering good times with friends and family, putting together a jigsaw puzzle, taking a hike in the woods and praying no bears have the same plans that day, or talking to a complete stranger and asking them, “How are you doing today?” Together, they all add up to make your day and the day of someone else a little brighter.
God knew that life would be tough. If we listen more to God and stop trying to solve our problems, we might just learn something. We might just learn to smile and relax more and enjoy the simple things in life. As far as the things out of our control, they’ll always be out of our control, so go whack a mole, pound a chicken, or dance a jig with a mop and be silly, because life is way too short to waste being unhappy. Tough times will come, and if you hold on to them, they’ll stay. Let go and give control to the One who desires to make your day.
God delights in us. Think about that. We are His Kids.
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.
Peter Venable has written sacred and secular verse for many decades. He’s appeared in Ancient Paths, Prairie Messenger, The Lyric, The Anglican Theological Review, The Christian Century, The Merton Seasonal, and Windhover. His Jesus Through A Poet’s Lens is an eBook and print paperback available at Amazon. He is on Facebook.
—May I know you; may I know Myself. *
Past seventy, one is forced to reflect. Photo albums. Yes, we still fancy through Faded pictures we love, and recollect— Those precious times we sojourn and renew.
Like you, our memories, and fantasies Replay like old-time movie theater reels And in our minds become realities— Projections what our inner screens reveal.
We preen our virtue and suppress our vice. The Master never flattered mortal souls— The world, the flesh, the devil will entice Until—until the final church bell tolls.
The more I read, reflect, upon His Word His sword severs my darkness from His light. “I can improve myself” … such tripe! Absurd! As if I could, solely on headstrong might ...
Despite my willful pride, pretense, and flaws, I am so graced: the blood pours from the Lamb. I cannot keep, for long, His Holy Laws— The Sacred One loves me just as I am.
*Thomas Merton translation, Contemplative Prayer, p. 67
We’re called to bow and kneel Which makes us stop. Be still! Your soothing hand we feel As we lift up our will.
We walk or bike or drive— We move from here to there. But as we kneel, we strive To breath—be calm—and share.
The peace of God we seek As we pray on our knees. Whether in bliss or bleak— God’s breath is a spring breeze.
*James, “The Just,” “ … was frequently found upon his knees begging forgiveness for the people, so that his knees became hard like those of a camel, … ” Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, Book II, Ch. XXIII.
After Gal. 6:7
The crop yields not from what we know. It buds from seeds we sow. Nor does it sprout from what we own. We spread and pray it grows.
All we can do is sow His seeds Which shall bear fruit, not weeds. For what we sow, we surely reap. Our fruit is known through deeds.
We never know how ripe the earth Nor can we gauge its worth. We sow His seeds in word and acts: Only the Lord gives birth.
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.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” (Psalm 32:8 NKJV)
The Saturday morning we had been waiting for had arrived. The EZ-up was set up, a table and chairs were stationed underneath, and the banners were in place. After a couple of months of prayer, preparation, and gathering the equipment, the Prayer Booth was now officially in operation.
We began our time that morning in prayer and then waited, perhaps nervously, yet expectantly, while wondering what might transpire. We believed people in our community had needs which we longed to bring before the Lord. But would anyone stop and ask us to pray for them? What needs would they be willing to share with us?
Patiently, we waited, relying on God and the words on the banners to prompt people to stop. Like fishermen baiting their hooks and then patiently waiting for a hungry fish to bite, we sat, waiting for action.
After a while, a car pulled up to the curb and stopped. We watched as the driver’s door opened and a lady exited and walked in our direction until she had joined us in the Prayer Booth. A sense of excitement swept over us to realize we actually had our first “customer.” Greetings were exchanged and then we listened as *Amy shared her prayer request.
God seemed to be calling us to implement this ministry. Our pastor had given us the green light to proceed, but still I desired to be reassured it was what God specifically wanted us to do. In the weeks prior to our first day, I had been asking God if He would send someone to us who didn’t normally drive by the corner where we would be set up.
It’s exciting when God specifically and precisely answers a prayer like that. Especially when He lets you see the answer so quickly.
As the morning passed, *Jeremy, a man from our church, stopped for prayer about a family matter. There we were, out in the community, not intrusively, but passively poised and available to pray for people. The choice to stop and get prayer was entirely theirs. The striking thing was that it was so personal. Instead of a faceless, nameless mass of people with generic needs, these were individual people with names and specific needs.
Later, a young man named *Tim came, and we exchanged names and begin talking. While he was describing the matter about which he wanted us to pray, he unexpectedly shared, “I don’t normally come by this way, but I stopped at a place up the street to get some coffee while on my way to do a workout.” Wow! Do you ever get goose bumps? Well, that was one of those moments. How much more specifically could God have answered my prayers for just that very thing?
But God wasn’t finished amazing us with answers to prayers, as Tim told us, “I was praying about (his prayer need) and asked God to show me a sign. As I drove, I saw your sign” (our 2 ft by 8 ft banners emblazoned with the words “Want Prayer? in white letters on a black background).
By this time, my heart was brimming with exhilaration to realize that God specifically answered his prayer for a sign, and my prayers to send someone by who didn’t normally come by that corner. There was no more question—this was what God wanted us to do.
After the first day, in the years that have followed, God has brought hundreds of people to us for prayer. Each time, He faithfully hears and answers prayers for the people of our community and their many and varied needs.
*names have been changed
“Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!” (Psalm 96:1 ESV)
When people talk about singing in the Bible, we often think of the Psalms, and yes, the Psalms are filled with songs, but they were not the only ones in scripture. Moses wrote a song and then led millions of people in singing after God led them through the Red Sea. In the book of Judges, Deborah and Barak sing together after God had delivered them in battle… Mary after the conception of Jesus and Hannah after the birth of Samuel, both composed songs. While Paul and Silas were in prison, they sang in their jail cell at midnight, and maybe most amazing of all; Jesus sang with His disciples at the end of the last supper!
“And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”
(Matthew 26:30 ESV)
But some of us, including me, have difficulty even singing in church. We reason that others sing better, or that the notes are too high, too low or too loud. Our problem is that we forget our songs for God do not come from our voice box, but from our hearts. As Paul tells the Ephesians believers, we are to be.
“Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,” (Ephesians 5:19 ESV)
So, whether we are in battle, in trouble, in prison, or in church, God will bless us when we sing for Him. He is the inspiration for our lyrics and melodies. So, let’s sing a new song or an old hymn, because Jesus is listening and He loves to join us as we praise!
Gina Barton 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/
You know, I was never one to hold on very well. I would have my pity parties. I would almost suffocate with anger, then lash out in a rage, and I would blame God for every bad thing that happened to me.
Yes, you read that right. I used to blame God, ever since my mom’s accident. I remember I had so much faith that she would get better. I never even dreamed that she wouldn’t heal miraculously and live happily ever after. I was in such denial.
When she didn’t get better, I got angry. I mean, really angry. Why God? Why did you do this? Of course, I now know that He didn’t, but I didn’t understand it before. And that set a precedent for the next few years of my life.
By His grace, He forgave me and took me back into His loving arms. I have been tested, Lord knows, and I wonder why my life keeps being one big pop quiz. Well, it’s because I keep failing. Thank God for do-overs.
At some point, we have to learn what’s most important. God above all. I’m finally beginning to understand that. I’m weathering a storm as I write this, but this time.... this time I will not let go of the one who truly loves me.
He is the one who created me and loves me more than humanly imaginable. He is the one who will never leave, even when everyone else does.
“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
(Matthew 11:28 NIV).
“When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.”
(Psalm 138:3 NIV)
Words are the most powerful thing on this planet!
Example: Mark 4:39 when Jesus was sleeping in the bottom of the boat and a great storm came up. The fishermen were used to the water and storms, but even they were terrified. They went to the bottom of the boat, fearing for their lives, woke Jesus up and what did He do? He spoke to the great storm and there was a great calm. “And he arose and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, “Peace, be still.” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:39 KJV). What do YOU know that can stop a hurricane? Jesus stopped it with His words.
You may think, “well, sure, but that was Jesus”. But what did Jesus tell us in John 14:12? He said, “Verily, verily I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also and greater works than these shall he do because I go to my Father.” (John 14:12 KJV).
Have you ever been outside when it was really cold, and you could see your breath coming out of your mouth? That is what it is like in the spirit realm when our words are released from our mouth.
Just as God spoke the heavens and the earth into existence, everything God said, God saw and as His children and imitators of Him, every word that comes out of our mouth is an act of creation. Because He has given us dominion. We were never supposed to speak anything we didn’t want to see happen or be created in our lives. I’m not suggesting that when you speak to your wallet, it becomes filled with cash, but I suggest that if you put your faith in your words and believe they are God’s wishes for your life, just wait and see what can happen.
Genesis 2:7 (KJV) says, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man because a living soul.”
Someone did an Aramaic translation from the original Hebrew. After the Babylonian captivity, the Jews’ everyday language was Aramaic. In the Hebrew/ Aramaic language, it says “man became a speaking spirit.” According to the Scriptures, the tongue has power. So, we can see that the Word of God is saying that our speech is tremendously important, powerful, and significant. So much so that our words are a matter of life and death. In Proverbs 18:21 (KJV), it says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit therefore.” For either death or life. It didn’t say in the power of Satan. It didn’t say in the power of God. But in the power of your own tongue!
Satan knows this. Jesus has removed Satan’s legal right and authority over us that are saved and pronounce Jesus as our Lord and Savior. So, Satan knows that if he can get us to use our tongue to curse ourselves, then he can legally come in and make that happen. In Matthew 12:37 (KJV), it says: “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words though shalt be condemned.”
Justified and condemned are both legal terms. In Greek, “justified” means to be set free or acquitted. “Condemned” means to place in bondage or be sentenced.
So, Satan has subtly scattered a few words of death, sickness, despair, etc. into our everyday language to where we don’t even notice it anymore.
Have you ever heard someone say:
“I just love her to death.” (I cancel that in my life)
“My feet are killing me!”
“Oh, that just makes me sick!”
“I’m dying to go!”
“I’ve got some time to kill!”
“I get the flu every year!”
“My children get the flu every year!”
“Those flu shots don’t work on me!”
Job 15:6 (KJV) says: “Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I; yea thine own lips testify against thee.”
Or how about this one?
“It’s always something, isn’t it?”
To what someone else replies:
“It sure is!”
So, now we not only have the power of our words that say/implies that one negative/bad thing happens after another after another to the point of “always” but now since we have gotten someone else to agree with us about it, we’ve just added the power of agreement! We did all this in just a passing comment! At this point, Satan is doing a little dance because he now has our permission, out of our own mouth, in agreement with someone else, that he can now wreak havoc in their life as well as ours! And we did it to ourselves with our words.
So, then Satan got even braver, cause we haven’t stopped him yet, and he started inserting his name into things instead of God’s Name. Such as “The devil is in the details.” Or “I’m just playing the devil’s advocate.” Why would you be taking his side in anything? We are not here, Child of God, to take sides. We’re here to take over.
If you’re talking about someone and they happen to walk up, you say, “Speak of the devil.” The idiom really says, “speak of the devil and he appears.”
Jesus declares to us in Matthew 12, the 36th verse says, “But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement.” While there is a day of judgement for us all at the end of the age, perhaps this “day of judgment” could also mean judgement in our lifetime of what our idle words have produced.
So, what do we do? We first need to repent, cancel all the evil seeds we have planted by using wrong words; uproot the harvest and cancel it in the Powerful Name, Words and Blood of Jesus, and then set about using the right words, creating the abundant life that Jesus came to give us for our future and our family. What are the right words? We say what God says and follow His instructions to use the power of our words.
“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.”
(Psalm 141:3 KJV)
“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
(Psalm 34:1 KJV)
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
“It wasn’t me.” I stare in awe at the man I love as the words escape his lips. Let me explain.
Night after night, she watches his eyes locked on the computer screen. She can almost picture the wheels in his mind turning as he thinks, calculates, and draws the design. He captures his vision of their dream home from every angle, noting each dimension and charting the building materials as he works. He even details the slope of the land for the daylight basement. Page after page, he checks and double-checks. When he is certain that the design is perfect and every sketch is precise, he picks up his chainsaw and the keys to his tractor. He knows how much she loves the land.
He remembers the first time they walked through those woods. She had said it was like ten acres of paradise because it had only been touched by the hands of God. With the hum of the breeze through the trees, the crumple of the leaves as a deer moves somewhere close by, and the flow of the water over the rocks in the creek, she feels a million miles away from the chaos of the world. However, paradise had cost a little more than they had planned, but he is determined to give it to her. And since he is going to do all the work himself, he tells himself that he can make up for the extra cost with what he would have spent on labor.
After analyzing its natural lean, he steps up to the first tree, cuts a notch with his chainsaw, and then slices through the trunk. One by one, he falls tree after tree until he clears a seven-hundred-fifty-foot path for the driveway. With the backhoe on the tractor, he digs out stump after stump. He flattens the path with the front loader bucket and then smooths it with the yard box. After a few loads of gravel, the driveway is complete.
Now, the real fun begins. More trees, and more stumps have to go for the house seat. With a spot cleared and the corners staked off, he starts digging the basement with his little tractor and backhoe attachment. Scoop by scoop, he digs it out and then moves the dirt out of the way, load by load. Of course, without big equipment, it is a slow go, and most would probably have given up, but not this man. With patience and diligence, he presses on and is soon digging the footer for the concrete basement walls.
With the foundation in place, the crane sets the concrete walls for the basement, and the one-man construction crew is ready to move on to the framing. He lifts one end of a floor truss, carries it up the ladder, and sets it on the wall. He goes to the other wall, lifts the other end of the truss, and carries it up the ladder. One end at a time, sixty-one floor trusses later, he attaches the subfloor. Board by board, nail by nail, this one man does alone what is usually accomplished by a whole crew. First-floor walls, I-joists for the second floor, second-floor walls, LVL beams, and roof framing are all done by a single set of hands. She watches him day after day, wishing that he could realize just how amazing he is. This house—he designed it. This house— he is building all by himself.
The roof scares her though, and she begs him to hire someone to put the sheathing and shingles on. After all, the back of the house is three stories tall. But when he realizes how much it will cost to have the roof done, he is determined and dives right into accomplishing the unthinkable. One hundred and twenty sheets of five-eighths plywood have to go on the roof. He attaches the grapple to the tractor and slides the plywood sheet by sheet onto the teeth until a small stack is formed. With the tractor holding the grapple with the wood in front of the second-floor window, he pulls the sheets one by one through the window. One at a time, he props the sheets of sheathing up on a ladder, climbs to the roof, and lifts them up between the trusses and onto the roof. Most people would struggle with carrying one piece, but this one man gets over a hundred pieces on the roof by himself. It sounds crazy, but that is just the beginning because after all the sheathing is attached, he has to get the shingles up, all one hundred and ten bundles of them. Each bundle weighs eighty pounds, and he totes them all one bundle at a time up a twenty-eight-foot extension ladder. A week later, the shingles are done. ***
So here we are, standing in the kitchen as my husband is about to leave for work. He reaches down, picks up his lunch box, and starts for the door when he suddenly stops. “God has a reason for all of this.”
His words take me by surprise. “What are you talking about?”
***
He turns to face me. “God has a reason for this house. I’m fifty-one years old. There is no way I could do this... that roof... all those shingles... it wasn’t me. It’s God. He has a purpose for this because otherwise, I could not do it.”
So, as if what he has already done is not mind-blowing enough, I stare in awe at this man because, after all of his treacherous laboring at feats that typically require scores of men, this one-man crew is giving all the credit to God. How rare that is.
At this moment, I have to stop and ask myself how often I give God the credit. Sure, it is easy to go to God and complain when life has its tribulations. However, my husband has just reminded me how important it is to give the credit and praise to God because the truth is that I could do nothing without Him and the strength that He gives me.
As for my one-man construction crew, he is still working away. He works full time during the day, builds our house nights and weekends, and will drop everything at a second’s notice to spend time with his family. After twenty-four years of marriage, I never cease to be amazed at how much he can do. He has taught me so much about hard work, and on top of that, he recently reminded me it is all possible because of the strength God gives. I am so glad that I have taken pictures of this whole process because I have proof in color of Philippians 4:13. There are no limits to what a person can accomplish with God.
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 desperate need for prayer in our world can hardly be understated. It is the invincible porthole that grants us access to the halls of heaven and the throne of God. It is the hope for this world of ours as the solutions of men are simply that… of men. And since men have crafted the devastation and darkness that lays thick and dense around us, I doubt that the solutions of men will cure it. It is by bold, persistent and dogged prayer that we will change the world. It is time to pray. To pray hard. To pray, baring the fullest of our souls and exhausting the whole of our energies. It is time to pray as we have never prayed. Included in this article are a series of quotes regarding prayer. I hope that they will enlighten you, compel you, and lift you to pray as never before.
“Prayer penetrates the underside of heaven and sends the full force of an invisible realm hurdling against the adversaries that are too naïve to understand what’s about to descend upon them.”
“I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have come to prayer broken far beyond any conceivable hope of repair. I have likewise come without anywhere to turn simply because, much like myself, everything around me lies broken beyond repair. And I cannot tell you how many times God has taken that which is broken and has used it to do what could never have done should any of that had been whole.”
“I am convinced beyond words to convey that prayer is infinitely more than the mindless ranting of some poor, delusional soul talking to some imaginary friend in some imaginary place. Oh, to the contrary. Prayer is the manifest pleading of a soul worn raw that, by the simple act of prayer, unleashes untold forces that we can’t imagine that surge in a descent so massive and so inconceivably powerful that the ground of everything before them shakes. And in this descent, lives are changed beyond recognition, nations are transformed beyond comprehension, and history is brought to its knees in the face of a God who says, “be healed.” That, my friend, is nothing of a delusional soul or imaginary friend or any other such nonsense.”
“Do not be fooled. Passive prayers hastily tossed out as some second-thought appeasement at those junctures when life’s more pressing duties benevolently grant us a moment of reprieve are nothing of prayer. Real prayer is first realizing the fact that prayer ‘is’ the pressing duty. And second, that real prayer is doggedly pushing everything else aside to deliberately act on that fact.”
“How do I tell you what prayer is? It is everything that I need every time I kneel in the practice of it. It shakes the infinite alive and sets its armies afoot in defense of me. It will never run aground or find itself drowning in the waters of the adversity that I bring to it. Nothing it faces is insurmountable, for to think that such an adversary exists is to run a fool’s errand. It will shield me in its advance, it will beckon me to anticipate the miracles that it is about to wield, and in the midst of it all it calms me as it whispers, “Be still and know that I am God.” And because of these reasons and a million more, I find prayer the single greatest place that I could ever imagine being.”
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.
“I don’t fight battles by penning words or crafting syntax designed to bring people to tears by liberating their hearts or calling out their souls. Nor do I fight them by sitting with untold thousands and granting them counsel in the darkness of their darkest hours. No. Rather, I fight them prone on my knees in morning’s darkness before the sun has roused a wounded world awake to feel its pain yet again. I fight them throughout the day as I ‘pray without ceasing’ because troubles befall us without ceasing. I fight them by praying for the impossible in lives devastated beyond redemption, for rogue nations that spread destruction as though destroying life was the answer to life, for the weak who stand teetering precariously on some emotional or relational or financial abyss, and for an impossible number of situations that everyone else has deemed as impossible. I fight in prayer. And despite the massive weaponry available to mankind, I am utterly convinced that a single man on his knees in humble petition before God exceeds the armament of all the world’s nations combined. This is what I believe. And therefore, this is how I fight.”
“Prayer is where I trade the rhetoric of men the for the promises of God. It is where I petition perfection instead of count on those who someone survived an election. It is to accept the incomprehensible invitation of God to have this weak voice of mine thunder down the halls of heaven and roll up to the throne of the God of all eternity so that as small as I am, I might have an audience with this King of kings. It is where my fatigue becomes a stage upon which God can unveil His strength in stunning fashion, and where my fear is obliterated by His courage. Prayer is where I rise above
this tangled world and find myself enveloped by a world that I visit today but will live in tomorrow. Prayer is utterly indispensable to this cringing existence, for unless I rise above it I will be consumed by the darkness of it. Prayer is this and does this and will always be this.”
It is my prayer that your life becomes an existence irrefutably defined by prayer so much so that you cannot see yourself as anything less. That by being on our knees, we raise the world to stand on God’s promises instead of tripping over man’s folly. And that in it all, we are the unbridled force through which God rips down this veil of darkness and throws the brilliance of His light to every corner of every life. It is my prayer that you pray, and that by virtue of that action, all that we know is blatantly, brilliantly and eternally transformed beyond recognition by that most potent and providential action.
Click on book covers to learn more and purchase.
Reviewed by Craig Ruhl
Have you ever thought about taking a bicycle tour across the United States? Steve Carter has done just that, twice. In Ride ‘Til I Get There, he tells his story of the adventures, trials, and triumphs he encountered along the cross-country journey he took at age 49. He invites us to ride along with him as he shares his southern charm, Christian values, and seamless humor. We enjoyed the ride and think you will too. In Ride ‘Til I Get There, Steve recounts the life lessons he learned and how his faith was strengthened during his trip. Steve’s conversational writing style is straightforward and a joy to read and you are quickly drawn into the tale.
We at Faith On Every Corner were blessed to be able to assist Steve in bringing this book to life and are proud to have placed a copy on the Faith On Every Corner Bookshelf.
If you are in the area join Steve at his booksigning at Trails & Treads
3870 Market Center Drive Suite #200, Tupelo, MS 38804 on May 31st from 4-6 pm
Reviewed by Craig Ruhl
This is a wonderful book of short poems written by Joe Bisicchia on, as the title suggests, the subject of Love. I particularly like the style the author uses to express all the different aspects of love. Easy to read and yet filled with deep insights. This is one of my favorite books to keep on the reading table, to be picked up from time to time in order to refresh the soul and embrace the love.
I recommend this book to our readers and am pleased to have a signed copy on the Faith On Every Corner Bookshelf.
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
“I think I am going to quit the credential program!”
Those words were uttered by Ron, a student in an introductory class I was teaching. The class just added a new technology component required for those seeking to secure a teaching credential. Fortunately, I had coaxed the best technology teacher in the land to help me teach this facet of the class. This person was my beloved wife, Laura. She is a pro when it comes to explaining the intricacies that involve technology. My skill level with technology has improved, but it was still elementary at best. I felt much more confident having her come to teach this segment of the class. As we would find out, Ron was a genius when it pertained to science, the subject matter he desired to teach. However, his capability and understanding of technology were at the opposite end of the spectrum.
Each student that did not own a computer was provided with a laptop during the first class meeting. As Laura began to teach the class how to navigate each skill, I noticed Ron was having some MAJOR TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES. The other students seemed confident and maneuvered with ease through each directive.
These students I could help by just staying clear. Laura’s attention went to Ron. Laura is an exceptional communicator. She can talk students through complex tasks by using simple and direct language. Unfortunately, Ron was still having a difficult time keeping up. Then, without notice, Ron let loose those infamous words about how this would be too much for him and that he would drop out of the program.
When Ron shared these words, various class members gasped in disbelief. It was exhilarating to hear students shower Ron with encouraging and edifying words. I convinced Ron we would work tirelessly to help him pass this class and program. I was saying that he could accomplish this task with God’s strength and help and with Laura as a tutor. Ron felt a tad better, but still doubted his ability to overcome what looked like an insurmountable obstacle. In each class, Laura would encourage Ron by exclaiming how he was catching on and improving. It became apparent that Ron had a solid work ethic. He had bought a computer with the help and recommendations from other classmates. You might say Ron was becoming pretty good friends with his new companion by practicing what he was learning in class. It was apparent that Ron worked hard between classes to make up for lost time. His passion for teaching was the driving force in accomplishing this goal. The class could see Ron getting increasingly comfortable and confident with each meeting. What a JOY it was to see other students besides Laura with a technology background encourage and help Ron when he ran into a roadblock. When we came to the end of class and the technology unit, Ron was more than prepared to complete each required task to pass the program. God has engraved Ron’s broad and satisfied smile into my memory as he was notified of his passing grade. Ron was so thrilled and, more than anything, so thankful for all the support and encouragement from each class member.
I like celebrating at the final class meeting by scheduling a potluck dinner. There is something memorable and unique about sharing a meal with the students when you end a challenging and significant task. Ron brought goodies galore. He brought presents for each class member and a special gift for Laura. God gave me another gift from this experience with Ron not long ago. I logged onto the school website where Ron worked to see what classes he was teaching. Just to come across his name was a special blessing for me. Then to see that Ron was not only the chemistry teacher but the AP, or Advanced Placement chemistry teacher, gave me an additional thrill. The most incredible joy came from the realization that God can dramatically use us to change the lives of others by simply sharing our concern for them, sprinkled with encouraging and affirming words.
Edward Tooley has had numerous articles published about education, adolescence, parenting, creation, and Christian Living. His work has also been featured in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Edward’s first book for children, Rounding Third and Headed for Home, is written in rhyme and is based on a true story of perseverance. Edward’s second book for children was just released and is a fictional account based on a true story of hope and a miracle. The Lighthouse/El Faro is a dual language book - both English and Spanish on the same page.
“For the word of God is living and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
(Hebrews 4:12 NKJV)
My insides lurched as I clutched the receiver, trying to digest my brother’s words on the other end of the line.
“Dad’s pretty ill, Shara,” my brother was saying. “He’s been diagnosed with a debilitating disease that could be life-threatening. The doctors gave him medication they hope will work.” He paused. “It doesn’t look good.”
I called my mom for an update, and in the midst of our conversation, my dad frantically motioned to her to call 9-1-1.
Everything my husband, Bruce, and I considered normal life abruptly came to a halt. Leaving him in Texas to tend to our horses and music ministry, I flew to California. In one phone call, I became the foreman, secretary, and bookkeeper in my dad’s construction business, as well as a caregiver.
My plan to stay a couple of weeks turned into two months. Hope reigned when he received treatment at the hospital and returned home. But after a short time, I was dialing 9-1-1 or rushing him back to the hospital myself. I continually canceled my flights home and finally gave up booking them.
I needed help beyond the physical. God Himself needed to show up in a big way.
Sitting in the emergency room once again, I helplessly stared at the surrounding scene: Doctors and nurses hurried from one section to another; A gunshot victim groaned through the partition on one side; And some sort of unidentifiable commotion resounded on the other. I glanced at my 75-year-old dad—the epitome of resilience, cheer, and health. It was nearly unbearable to see him in a hospital bed hooked up to a bunch of tubes.
The tightening sensation of fear threatened to suffocate me. I choked back tears and tried to stay strong. All the Bible verses and sermons I had heard went straight out the window—I remembered none of them. At that moment, all I could say was, “Jesus, help me.”
A still, small voice stirred within me, “Didn’t you bring your Bible?” I reached for my bag and yes, there it was. Blinded by the fear that gripped me, I never saw the tabs and bookmarks that flagged my favorite verses. I just opened my Bible and numbly, randomly, flipped the pages. On my second “flip” it opened, miraculously, to 1 Corinthians 2:5 KJV: “that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.” Encouraged, I flipped one more time and again, miraculously, the pages fell open to 2 Corinthians 5:7: “for we walk by faith, not by sight.” The Lord knew I would need these two verses then and throughout the entire two months. I grabbed hold of them with a white-knuckled grip.
His Presence in the emergency room jarred me loose from the paralyzing grasp of fear. His encouragement caused me to reach for Him through His Word, giving me hope even through distressing doctors’ reports and procedures; the stress of running a construction company; and other unthinkable situations that tested me during that time.
God’s Word saved me, and, in turn, saved my dad.
It happened one night as we sat together in his hospital room. Suddenly, for no reason, his blood pressure shot up into the danger zone. The Lord’s urgency spurred my heart as He told me to start reading His Word—out loud! I grabbed my Bible.
By this time, my dad’s face was beet-red. I looked at his face, looked up at his patient monitor, looked down at my Bible, and started reading. As I read, a nurse came in with a shot. Lord, no! Please, no more medications for my dad! I silently prayed. Now, I have no medical training whatsoever, but I sensed in my spirit that shot was the wrong thing to do. I was close to panicking as the nurse stood there with the needle poised. All I could do was sit there, read, and pray.
Curiously, though, the nurse didn’t move. She quietly watched the monitor, and I kept reading the Word. As suddenly as his blood pressure rose, it dropped. I stared in amazement as my dad safely recovered. The nurse, visibly relieved, said, “Good, I really didn’t want to give him this,” and walked out of the room.
Later in the evening, I found her at the nurses’ station and asked her what had happened. She confirmed there was no explanation why my dad’s blood pressure skyrocketed. And then added thoughtfully, “I heard you reading the Bible when I walked in.” I nodded.
“Well, I’m quite sure that is why your dad’s blood pressure came down.”
She then shared something I will never forget. “I’ve seen powerful things happen when the Word of God is read to patients,” she said. “I’ve worked at this hospital for many years and have seen a marked difference between the patients who have the Word read to them and the ones who don’t.”
“Well, I’m quite sure that is why your dad’s blood pressure came down.”
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.
She then shared something I will never forget. “I’ve seen powerful things happen when the Word of God is read to patients,” she said. “I’ve worked at this hospital for many years and have seen a marked difference between the patients who have the Word read to them and the ones who don’t.”
Wow. The Word of God, as it proclaims, is life.
From then on, I read to my dad every day—the spoken Word of God was a powerful force! Sometimes he was awake, sometimes he was asleep. But I continued to read, if only in a whisper, saying his name in all the personal spots of the verses: “John Bueler, Sr. will live and not die”—Psalm 118:17; “No weapon formed against John Bueler, Sr. will prosper”—Isaiah 54:17, etc.
My dad lived 15 more years, passing away a few months after his 90th birthday—a walking miracle.
“Don’t rest on the wisdom of men, but the power of God,” and “walk by faith, not by sight”!
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 a child, I felt the Lord was close to me and my family, even in troubled times. My dad, as a young married man in his twenties, suffered from schizophrenia. He and our family often went through very dark times. My mother, brother, and I prayed, which always got us through bad times. We also had our faith in dad to overcome. Eventually. new medicines for schizophrenia helped him a lot.
As young children, the Lord watched me and brother, Steven. We had accidents while playing, such as me falling off a roof and running into a snake. Steven fell through the attic into the first floor of our house. He also protected my mom in a nasty car accident that was driven by a co-worker.
As time passed, He continued to deliver and protect us from dangerous situations, illnesses, and automobile accidents. There was the time when my mom was almost shot by a man who entered the hospital where she worked and killed his wife. Steven, as a child, had a dangerous streptococcus infection and a high fever. My mom was a well-trained nurse and took good care of him. As she stayed by his side, off from work, until the crisis passed, she and I prayed for him continually.
My mother’s doctor found she had an intestinal tumor that was cancerous. By detecting and removing the intestinal tumor early, he saved her life. She lived into her eighties. My brother had tongue cancer twice. But again, this was found early, and he survived his brush with death, too.
So, the Lord’s promises and His deliverance from many situations throughout our lifetimes show God is with us always. Even to the end of the earth! Trust and hope in him, always. And He will guide, protect, and love you and your family. Until the end of time! For, he loves you and only wants the best for you, always and forever!!
I cried in pain! As, I had lain, Down on my bed. I felt led, Cried out to the Lord I can’t afford, To be a lost soul! Free me from the hold, Of the evil of sin! So, I too, can Win!!
As a tree sways in the wind but remains rooted to the life-giving earth, may we as adults have the flexibility to deal with the needs of our children, recognizing the unique personality of each one, while providing a firm foundation of truth from which they all can grow.
“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 NKJV).
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
God’s Gift of Love is an everlasting blessing that He has freely given to all of us. Regardless of our past mistakes, the struggles we are currently going through, or the fears that reside in our hearts, God’s gift of love conquers all! His love for us is so deep that He sent His only Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. No matter what life throws at us, we can always turn to God for comfort and strength. He is always there with open arms, ready to give us His everlasting gift of love.
God’s love is not based on what we do or how much we have achieved, it is based on who He is. There is no gift like the Gift of God’s love. It is an unending source of strength, guidance, and comfort that can help us through all of life’s struggles. His love brings hope to those who are in despair, joy to those who are feeling burdened, and peace to those who are anxious. His love is not based on what we can do for Him. Through His love, we can experience freedom from our fears, freedom from our sins, and freedom from anything that weighs us down.
God’s gift of love is unconditional and everlasting. No matter what happens in our lives, God’s love remains the same. He has no favorites and loves everyone equally. The Bible says, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, KJV). His love is not based on our abilities or accomplishments! The Bible says, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5, KJV).
If you are one that does not know that God loves you, or maybe you heard it, but you don’t believe it. That was me many years ago. Due to the trials and troubles that were in my life, there was no way that He could love me. However, I did not know God, or that God is LOVE. But we must come to realize that “He still loves me in spite of me”. In spite of how we feel about Him, He still loves us even if we don’t love Him back!
So many people in the world today say, “ I love you” and have no idea what REAL love is. And the truth is they cannot love others because they have no love to give. In order to give love to others, you have to have two things. First, you must know God and then you have to receive His love before you can give it out. But many people are saying they love others without the love of God in their heart.
I heard someone say Americans use the word love to loosely. We love this and we love that. For example, most Americans say they love chicken. However, we kill them and eat them. What happens to the love? At any rate, we do love to eat. Unfortunately, some of us like to eat too much as well as eat unhealthy and this can cause us to have health issues. Why don’t we love ourselves enough to stop this trend and bad habit? Easier said than done, right?
Nothing like some good BBQ Chicken! Yummy Right? Add some veggies to the grill and WOW a healthy summer meal that is fun to cook, plus healthy and tasty to eat! I like the tasty part… lol The best thing I learned about eating healthy is that it does not have to be boring and healthy food does not have to taste bad. You just have to learn how to cook healthily and make it tasty as well. Today, more than ever, there are thousands of “healthy tasty” recipes on the internet.
And learning to eat healthy is easier than most people think. Yes, it is a process; however, it doesn’t have to be a difficult one. Some so-called professionals make the process harder by instructing you to give up all or most of the foods you really love to eat. The truth is, strict diets are unnecessary. Allowing a health crisis to force you into eating healthier is not the best course of action either. We need to nourish our bodies and still enjoy foods we love in moderation. This will allow us to take care of ourselves without sacrificing the enjoyment that food provides us. Let’s give thanks to the Lord and pass that tasty BBQ chicken! The permission to eat meat after the great flood, during Noah’s era, can be viewed as God’s Gift of Love to mankind.
Dr. Kathleen B. OdenHere is a super easy and healthy chicken recipe that you’ll love to cook over and over!
Ingredients:
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 2 bell peppers (any color), cut into large chunks
• 1 zucchini, sliced into rounds
• 1 yellow squash, sliced into rounds
• 1 red onion, cut into wedges
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
Instructions:
1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
2. Thread the chicken onto skewers, alternating with the vegetables.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, Honey and lime juice.
4. Brush the marinade over the chicken and veggies with a brush or spoon.
5. Grill on medium-high heat for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally until the chicken is cooked through and the veggies are tender.
6. Serve hot and enjoy!
Click on the link below to get more healthy and delicious recipes that you’ll love to cook:
https://heyzine.com/flip-book/6a2ab4ca51. html
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid: do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
(Joshua 1:9 NIV)
I sat down in my usual spot before class started and bowed my head to say a rather ridiculous prayer. Not the part about the focus to learn or the ability to retain information, though I prayed for those things, too. And as for determination to not give up? Surely the Lord knew what he was doing when he made stubbornness as common a trait in my family as brown eyes.
No. That ridiculous prayer was for the courage to try, because when you’re out of your element, it’s easy to want to sink into the back corner of the room, pray you suddenly become invisible, and let someone more talented take the attention.
Anyone in my class could have assured you I am not the most proficient Taekwondo student. The bookwork of studying history and memorizing the number system in Korean will only get you so far. Martial Arts are about moving, about doing, about pressing the limit of what you thought was possible, and that isn’t a talent of mine. It isn’t unusual for me to wonder what exactly it is I’m doing in this class. Am I sure I didn’t mean to go to book club instead? This definitely wasn’t book club.
Yet there I was, praying for courage to try at the things I knew I was going to be horrible at. Maybe I should have prayed a little harder. Bravery feels a lot like fear at times. And as I stood at the edge of the cobalt blue gymnastic mats, I was definitely not feeling courageous. Two simultaneous flying front snap kicks? Both feet up in the air at the same time? Striking separate targets in a rapidly consecutive order? In front of the entire class? They did know I had never done so much as one proper flying kick in my life, right?
Of course, I had managed to be the last student in line to try the technique, somehow hoping the instructor would forget I was there. I had watched the other students make their attempts. Even the highest belts had taken a few tries to perform the technique correctly, and with the lowly green belt tied around my waist, I wasn’t enthusiastic. Eight other students waited impatiently in the line in front of me, all of whom were younger and arguably more athletic. There hadn’t been a great deal of success with the technique thus far. One unfortunate student had landed on the padded mat with a “thud” after attempting the kick. The hushed laughter from several onlookers had been, unfortunately, obvious.
Now I stood there, sure I was somehow going to fail in a bewilderingly more spectacular fashion. My instructor stood several feet away with the targets in hand, optimistic that by some miracle, I could do this. Depending on your point of view, it can be a blessing or a curse to have an instructor who believes you can handle techniques that you’ve thus far shown no skill in.
I focused on the targets, stepped into a stride that would get me to the point of contact with momentum enough to succeed, tried to control the motion enough not to strike my poor teacher instead, and rather missed the target too!
So much for flying front snap kicks.
After class, I tugged the knot out of my belt and let the lengthy fabric rope droop to the floor. I had tried and failed at flying kicks. In fact, I failed at a lot of things each time I stepped into class. Yet I was reminded that it was because I’d had the courage to try those things that I eventually got better at them. The green belt in my hands was proof that I had improved, even if I don’t boast a reserve of natural talent in the realm of martial arts.
The Bible reminds us that courage is a big deal to God. He reminded His holy people often to have courage because He had their back. Even when the odds looked long and the enemy looked tough and Goliath looked too tall, God asked for courage and trust of His chosen ones. It was the ones who were willing to step out in that trust who did incredible and impossible things. And while few of us are likely to face the battles Joshua and the Israelites did when they entered the land of Canaan or fight a giant like David did (or even use flying kicks in actual self-defense), God’s words are still as true today, even if it’s a different kind of courage.
It isn’t easy to feel courageous when we face something we’re not good at or something we think we are going to fail. When we don’t want to get involved in a church ministry, we are passionate about because we don’t feel adequate, maybe it’s time to pray for courage. When we are reluctant to take the plunge on a dream that will glorify God, maybe it’s time we stop letting ourselves be held back in fear. When we know a co-worker needs to hear about Jesus, but our tongues get tied up with words and we would rather wait for a pastor or missionary to get around to it, maybe it’s time to remember that courage is moving forward despite being afraid.
Is there a chance we will fail? Yes. Sometimes we will fail. Sometimes we’ll fail a hundred times before we get it right. Yet I’m reminded of something my Tae Kwon Do instructor has said many times. “Focus on your target. The landing will take care of itself.” When we give it our best shot, do the things that our Heavenly Father has called us to do. Even if we fail, we can depend on the Lord to take care of the landing.
“Listen, my child, to the instruction from your father, and do not forsake the teaching from your mother.”
(Proverbs 1:8 NET)
“You’re never too old to learn.”
“Get all the knowledge you can.”
“Make the most of your opportunities.”
The driving quest to learn and improve continued for my dad until his final days. Yet that, along with his love for the fine art of communication, proved his undoing as a young man.
With a limited formal childhood education, Dad sought every possible learning experience in adulthood. Tight finances in the early years prevented many luxuries, yet he managed to take several college and community education classes after obtaining his general education degree (GED). He firmly believed in using his head for more than a hat rack.
You’re never too young to make mistakes.
In Dad’s work on our family farm and as an insurance agent, a good memory provided an extra edge. One of his favorite classes, well known and quite popular, promised memory improvement. How he loved to show off for the rest of the family and anyone else he could corner. Tossing out a challenge to remember long lists of information, he became quite adept at this new skill. Classes stretched over several weeks during the worst of winter weather. Snow blew, ice stung, and the wind howled, but they failed to slow him down.
Dad’s work usually required a trip on Fridays to the regional office near my maternal grandmother’s house. My mom, sister, and I occasionally visited with her until Dad’s return. Of course, he had to demonstrate his exceptional abilities to Granny as well. After a brief visit on a bitterly cold day, he left us as usual but failed to return at the expected time.
We began wringing our hands, with eyes peeled to the window. Finally, Dad eased into the driveway. His stroll through the yard took forever. When he entered the living room, Mom’s questions flew. “Where have you been? Are you alright? We were worried to death!”
Always quick in conversation, he appeared particularly reluctant to answer. He sheepishly looked at his feet, mumbled a bit, and then summoned the courage to admit, “I forgot to pick you up.” He had traveled several miles beyond Granny’s house before he remembered we were there.
His humiliation was far from complete.
Following a fair amount of good-natured ribbing, Granny said, “Well, take off your coat and sit a spell.” His hesitation puzzled everyone. Another round of delaying tactics preceded his acknowledgment. “I forgot to wear my belt.”
However, Dad’s embarrassment did not diminish his enthusiasm for the class. Within a couple of days, he returned to sharing any newfound skills with everyone far and wide.
Never let mistakes hold you back.
Despite suffering torment when he stumbled in his drive for knowledge, Dad refused to let that slow him down. He kept his mind and his eyes wide open for opportunities to learn and serve others. He always surrounded himself with books, magazines, and every newfangled gadget he could get his hands on, if it would expand his mind and spiritual understanding. The stack of books beside his recliner may have been an accident waiting to happen but perish the thought of moving a single item. Until he read it, no one dared move it. If he really liked it, he let it remain.
Lessons learned from Dad’s example:
1. Don’t allow life’s circumstances to defeat you.
2. Work, study, and play hard.
3. Make the most of every moment.
4. Acknowledge and learn from mistakes.
5. Above all, embrace relationships with God and family.
We enjoyed giving Dad a hard time. Nevertheless, we’re thankful he passed on his passion for learning and love for God to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Through his words and deeds, he taught lessons we will never forget.
Diana 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, including The Upper Room, The Secret Place, Clubhouse, Country, and Missions Mosaic, plus several anthologies. She also writes radio drama for Christ to the World Ministries and shares weekly blog posts on Words, Wit, and Wisdom: Life Lessons from English Expressions. Her adventures as a social worker, adjunct professor, youth Bible study teacher, and friendship family for international university students supply a constant flow of writing ideas. Visit her at dianaderringer.com.
I am Joseph, an author, blogger, and content writer from Nigeria. In the field of writing, I deliver unique, grammatically correct, and plagiarism-free content. Currently, I work with three online firms specializing in motivation, human capacity development, lifestyle, relationship, and spiritual writings.
“For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.”
(Proverbs 24:16 NKJV)
“Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.”
(Micah 7:8 NKJV)
No one likes to fall, yet growth involves a series of learning curves. And in those curves, something involves falling. That is likened to a tree that must shed its leaves annually to take new leaves to increase in size, height and deeply rooted. Such is life when you fail and fall. One of the NBA’s greats, Michael Jordan, said he failed severally. That was why he won. J. K. Rowling, the fictional fantasy novel writer of the award-winning Harry Potter series, also went through rejections before hitting the bull’s eye.
What was the secret of these people getting better after a fall? I have found five tips that would help you navigate the moment of your disappointment so you could become better.
One, express your feelings. Some people in certain quarters opined why men die earlier than women are the bottling of their negative emotions. In most cultures, men are not to weep. They see it as a mark of weakness. That is not scriptural, because prominent men in the Bible wept, including Jesus. (1 Samuel 30:4, Ezra 3:2, Genesis 43:30, John 11:35, Acts 20:37).
Thus, admitting your pain, loss, and disappointment is the key to your recovery. Do not act as if nothing happened. Agree you messed up. Grief over your pain, but do not allow it to hold you down. It is normal and right. In fact, it detoxifies your system. (2 Samuel 12:1-25).
Two, identify the cause or causes of your fall. Identifying what was wrong but not who is wrong helps you get back on your feet quickly and early. Are you too ambitious? Do you set unrealistic goals, trust so much in people, or underestimate your opponents? These are a few reasons you fall. At other times, your inexperience or failure to seek direction from God might be the reason you suffer that loss.
Joshua asked and evaluated why they could not defeat Ai after God gave the fortified city of Jericho to them. Analyzing the situation helped him discover the error, deal with the culprit, and devise better plans that gave him and his people victory when next they launched out. (Joshua 7:1-26).
Three, talk to God. (Job 13:15, Psalm 14:2-3). God is not unaware of your negative experiences. In reality, he sometimes allowed them to make you better. In my experience on this side of life, I have realized God sometimes permits some ugly experiences to teach, correct, warn, or rebuke us.
At another time, God permits us to go through an unpleasant route to connect with someone who would add value to us. Some negative experiences we pass through become testimonies that could encourage someone to pass through a similar experience. All these are ways that can help you or someone get better after a fall.
Four, talk to a friend. (Proverbs 15:22, 19:20-21, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 1 Thessalonians 5:11). There is always someone who has passed through or is passing through what you are going through. One of the deceits of the devil is to make you see your problem as the worst. That is not correct. Your problems are better than what some others have. Why do you think Jesus and Paul requested prayer from their followers? This is because we are social beings. The journey of life becomes easier if we walk together. Somebody said, you can walk faster if you walk alone, but you will walk far if you walk with others.
Thus, getting better from a fall would be quicker and easier if you share your pain and burden with someone. The chances are there is a fellow that had overcome the same challenge. If you do not open up, no one will know what you are going through. As you know, a problem shared is half solved. Five, try a fresh approach. It is inherent in man to make mistakes. That is okay. It, however, becomes an issue if you continue making those mistakes.
If you hope to make your stumbling blocks as a stepping stone, you will need to change your method of doing things. Like I said earlier, look for the reason for your fall, and admit your error, but do not allow it to stagnate you. Getting better after a challenge may require you to learn from others. See what works for others, and prayerfully consider duplicating the same in your case. (Joshua 7:1-26).
As I close this article, every one of us falls and fails once in a while. Some of us will fall more than a few times. The important thing is not to remain on the floor but to bounce to a greater height. See you on the other side of success. Let me leave you with this popular saying of Abraham Lincoln. Winners never quit and quitters never win.
Joseph Akinrinola lives in Lagos, Nigeria, with his wife and four adorable children. He served with the Gospel Faith Mission International for over three decades. Besides, he is a Sunday school coach, an author, a blogger, and a freelance. He has served in Sunday school for over three decades. His friends and students call him “Mr. Sunday school”. Joseph has published five books with two classics titled “Effective Sunday School Management Made Simple” and “Effective Sunday School Teacher.”
While with the Gospel Faith Mission International, he was a regional coordinator. He oversees the activities of the Sunday school in over a hundred and twenty churches. Then, he sat on the extended board of his Sunday school writing the weekly and daily devotionals read by over 2 million readers globally. Currently, he is the pastor of a new church, the Levites Chapel International, Lagos, Nigeria.
His passion is to reach young people with the Bible truth about relationships, Christian lifestyle, and personal development. This informs the creation of his blog, www.thewisdombase.com. In addition, he writes for online and international magazines. He is a member of Amnesty International.
You can find Joseph on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ groups/2228667160717043
Two hopeless men on the road to Emmaus Downcast, despairing, they talked as they walked. A third man came near and walked along with them.
“Why are you sad, and of what do you talk?”
“We thought it was He, our beloved Messiah, But now he is dead, and our hope has been lost.” He said, “Foolish ones. Why did you not know this?” Then He talked of Moses, the prophets, and Psalms.
As Jesus spoke to them, He opened the Scriptures. Then when He broke bread, He opened their eyes! The Lord Jesus Christ is truly Messiah, He suffered and died, but now He’s alive!
This poem was inspired by Luke 24:13-35 and by the following verses:
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4 KJV)
“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” (2 Peter 1:19-20 KJV)
I am writing this just after giving our grandson a bottle in the middle of the night. My mind started thinking of all the moms in my life. I was blessed with a wonderful mother; I used to watch her as we kidded around with her. Her eyes would sparkle, and you could just feel the love from her facial expressions. Likewise, you could also tell when she was not happy with your behavior.
The love that we feel as we watch our sleeping grandbaby is amazing. The quiet time is nice because, at 16 months, he is an active little one. I notice I use some of my mother’s facial expressions when I am happy with him and when I am letting him know he is not making me happy.
We are blessed to have a big family - Craig and I. I grew up with three brothers and two sisters. Craig has two sisters. Between us, well, I don’t think I can even keep up with the number of children, many grown up with children of their own. The internet is great for being able to keep up with all the moms in my family. Our family is scattered from coast to coast - East to West, and North to South.
In Proverbs 31:26, we read that, “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
And in Proverbs 31:28–29, we read, “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.’”
And what is a mother’s worth in the Bible? Proverbs 31:10-12 says:
“Her value is far above pearls. Her husband entrusts his heart to her, and with her he will have all he needs. She brings him good and not trouble all the days of her life.” The Good News: An honorable, capable wife and mother is someone who instills confidence in her family and brings them joy.”
For all the mothers I know, I pray that you all have a wonderful Mother’s Day and know that you are a blessing to your children, husband, and everyone around you.
Love, Karen
Genesis 18:11-15 (NLT) tells us: “Abraham and Sarah were both very old by this time, and Sarah was long past the age of having children. So, she laughed silently to herself and said, ‘How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?’ Then the LORD said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’ ‘Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.’ Sarah was afraid, so she denied it, saying, ‘I didn’t laugh.’ But the LORD said, ‘No, you did laugh.’”
Have you ever been waiting on God to answer a prayer and felt like it would never happen?
Have you ever taken matters into your own hands because you were tired of waiting on God?
I have, but one of the first families in the Bible also understands because they did the same thing. Abraham and Sarah did just that. How did that work out for them?
In today’s scripture, God told Abraham and Sarah they would have a son by that time next year. Since Sarah was 90 (Genesis 17:17) she doubted God. She laughed when she heard God say this to Abraham. In her defense, she was old, and probably thought her chance at motherhood was long gone.
Have you ever laughed at God when He told you He would do something, but doubt filled you?
:: Sheepishly raising my hand::
I never thought the dreams that God laid on my heart would come to fruition, but friends, they did. I laughed like Sarah, but even though Sarah laughed, God still blessed them with a baby. Prior to Sarah laughing at God, they had already tried taking matters into their own hands. At Sarai’s urging, Abram slept with Hagar, Sarai’s Egyptian servant, and she became pregnant with a baby named Ishmael. This is prior to God renaming Abram to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah.
This whole mess turned into a debacle. Sarai started being mistreated by Hagar because Hagar was having Abram’s baby. Then Hagar runs away; yet she meets God in her desperation in the desert. (Genesis 16).
Sarah is doubting, and Hagar is running. What about Abraham? God didn’t forget Abraham. He had promised as many descendants as the stars. (Genesis 17:2). Sarah’s skepticism changed to rejoicing when God delivered on His promise to her. Sarah had a son named Isaac with Abraham. Not only was Sarah a mother now, but it also happened at the time God said it would (Genesis 21:2). God delivered on His promise to Abraham and Sarah and continues to deliver on His promises to us on His plans for our lives. Sometimes we have to wait (sometimes that waiting is long) but God has a plan for us.
Hagar and Ishmael were sent away after they were caught making fun of Isaac. God provided for Hagar and Ishmael in the wilderness (Genesis 2: 8-21) but Ishmael was in conflict with his family. (Genesis 16:12). The stress and strain that Abraham and Hagar experienced came from taking matters into their own hands, and it should be a lesson for us. We need to wait patiently for God’s timing. When God says He will, trust Him. Even if it sounds too far-fetched, if God says He will, then He will. Just ask Sarah.
Lord, thank You for Your grace and for the Word. Help me wait patiently for Your promises and goodness. Forgive me for trying to take matters into my own hands at times and for doubting. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Brianna is a Carolina girl that loves Jesus and her family. She enjoys watching the sunrise, photography, reading, writing, and paddleboarding. According to her teenage son, she’s a master chef in the kitchen, making gluten-free cuisine from around the world. She is conquering fears and anxiety daily by being her son’s co-driver for his teen series drag races. Check out her latest works at www.briannagrams.com and connect with her on Instagram @ sunriseoceanwave.
When Christ was crucified up on that cross, How was their sorrow revealed?
When skies were darkened and all hope seemed lost, When Christ their savior was killed.
How could they ever lay down and sleep? Stop their minds from endless turning?
How could they close their eyes at all? How could they silence their yearning?
Then morning came, and He was no longer there. The tomb was empty that day
How did they face it?
How did they fare, when looking where once He had lay?
Oh, Mary and ladies, oh, Peter and John and all who saw him again.
How could you rest?
How could you sleep?
After seeing His nail scarred hands?
Were your hearts not full and ready to burst?
Did you gather and recount the scene?
I can only imagine the joy and relief, the tears, the laughter, and screams!
He’s alive, He’s alive, as you all fell in praise! Did you think it was only a dream? Were there moments of doubt or questions of why? Was it as hard as it seems?
How could you sleep and go back to your ways, to duties and dreary routines? How did you sleep and slow down your praise, after seeing all that you’d seen.
I wish I could know how you could sleep. How you could rest at all.
Once Jesus had risen and walked in your midst, and showed you the things that you saw.
Oh, praise Him, our Savior, our risen King! Our Jesus who still lives today! His goodness and mercy, kindness, and love, teaching and showing the way.
Gay and her husband live in the foothills of Western North Carolina on a small farm with horses, turkeys, goats, chickens and two hard working barn cats. She is a devoted wife, mom, and grandmom who loves spending time with her family and enjoying all the farm life offers. Writing has always been a passion since she was a young girl and now, at this stage in her life, she finally has the time to explore all the possibilities.
Married and divorced at a young age, she struggled as a single parent, but God was always faithful to care for her and her two boys. Her youngest, born with a severe disability, Spina Bifida, had a childhood of many operations, physical therapy and doctor appointments. A native of Georgia, she moved to the mountains of western North Carolina with her two young sons to be close to family and start a new chapter in her life. She enjoyed working as a floral designer and later in bookkeeping and sales.
At 44 she met her husband at church in 2003 and they married in 2004, blending their family and now have three children and two grandsons. Along with the farm to keep her busy, she also manages a successful mountain vacation home in Black Mountain, NC. Gay can be reached at mountainskyjoy@gmail.com
Joe Bisicchia writes of our shared dynamic. An Honorable Mention recipient for the Fernando Rielo XXXII World Prize for Mystical Poetry, his works have appeared in numerous publications with over 175 individual poems published. Commonality of humankind runs through all his work, and he writes of the extraordinary power of faith in ordinary, everyday life. The collection widewide.world to unwind has been published by Cyberwit. His website is www.widewide.world.
Poems by Joe Bisicchi
Ever gentle, it goes broad-shouldered. Moves the stars across the sky. All powerful, it offers itself tender. Such intimacy breathes a humanity hallowed, filled with more than earth. Speaks a divine tongue, yet ordinary. It is not the obsession of possession, but found in the giving away. In that way, it is never self-seeking. Love is believing all this as holy. As seen everywhere as a sacrament in an everyday way to be lived. Yes, Love is meant to give. We can choose to give ourselves to it. And to do this, Who shall we love? Who shall we love over everything? The Sacred Heart. Not just the image and likeness, but the very Heart of Love.
If only the world could know, God is always at work through us. Even when all seems as doom, most especially then, see what God shall do. Yes, see, we are all broken people providing the way to bring the world together. Love is the glue.
By the grace of God, we move and have our being. And no matter the place, the grace has no limit. Simply put, Love is where there are angels, and we all are. Everywhere.
Sadly, in our culture, many schools, books, and movies teach an anti-God agenda. Some children have been deceived, and they’re confused, depressed, and even suicidal. God offers hope and peace through Christ. If children don’t have the Holy Spirit, and we don’t teach them God’s Word, they’ll be victims of Satan’s lies.
I was five when Mrs. Raffa invited the neighborhood children to her Good News Club. She taught Bible stories and explained who Jesus is and what He did. I understood I was a sinner, and Jesus died for my sins. The day I received Christ was the best day of my life. Years later, my husband and I taught Good News Clubs to many children.
“I’m not too little!” five-year-old Michael shouted after I explained the gospel in our Good News Club. He ran to me before the other children could move. Michael told me he tried to get saved in church, but they said he was too little. As we talked, I realized he understood the gospel better than many adults I’d spoken with. That day, he received Jesus.
Some Christians are reluctant to share the gospel with young children but consider these words from Jesus: “… Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4 KJV).
(Matthew
Why is it easier for children to be saved than for adults? Young children are humble, and adults must become humble to trust in Christ to save them. Also, little children haven’t been deceived by false religions, and they aren’t yet in bondage to sinful lifestyles.
Many Christians teach Bible stories and Christian songs to children. They teach them to behave like Christians, and that’s important. But we must teach them how to become Christians before we teach them how to behave like Christians.
Nicodemus knew the laws and traditions of his faith. However, that wasn’t enough. Jesus said, “… Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:1-3 KJV).
People need to understand the gospel and receive Christ to be born again. Before we’re saved, we don’t have the Holy Spirit. When we receive Jesus, we’re sealed by the Holy Spirit. “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise…” (Ephesians 1:13 KJV)
Without the Holy Spirit, we can’t understand spiritual truth. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV).
Paul wrote that Christ is the foundation of our faith. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11 KJV).
That’s why the first thing Paul taught people was the gospel. “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV).
We must build our faith on Christ and teach our children to do that too. As Paul wrote to Timothy, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:15 KJV).
Our salvation is a gift. “For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.”
(Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV).
After we’re saved, God wants us to grow spiritually, and He expects us to do good works. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10 KJV).
Jesus said, “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.” (John 3:16-18 KJV).
In order for children to believe in Jesus, they need to hear the gospel in a way they can understand.
Eric was seven when he heard the gospel in our Good News Club. He understood it, believed in Jesus, and prayed to receive Christ. When he left Good News Club that day he knew he’d been forgiven of his sins, and he was a child of God. A few weeks later he stopped coming to the club. I heard that he was in the hospital, and he was very sick. When my husband and I visited him, we learned that he’d been diagnosed with an aggressive type of cancer. His eyes sparkled when he told us, “I’m not afraid to die. I’m going to live with Jesus.”
All children need Jesus. Will you share the gospel with them?
Please take God’s Word to the hearts of the children. How can they believe if they still haven’t heard? The most fruitful fields have long been neglected. You’ll find them waiting all over the world.
For information on Good News Clubs, go to: https:// www.cefonline.com/ministries/goodnewsclub/.
When Esther Bandy was five, a neighbor taught a Good News Club. She heard the gospel there, and she received the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior. That was the most important day in her life. She later worked as a nurse, a missionary, a director with Child Evangelism Fellowship, and a Spanish teacher at a Christian school. Now, she’s an author. Esther’s “Don’t Ask Why, Ask What” was previously published in “Triumph from Tragedy”. She’s been published in two anthologies: Treasures of a Woman’s Heart and Triumph from Tragedy. Her debut middle grade novel, Under the Tangerine Tree, was published in January 2022
esthermbandy.com
https://www.facebook.com/EstherMBandy @EstherMBandy
“Why don’t you want to go back to India?” The words came clearly and unexpectedly, sometime before Covid. I was standing at a bus stop, not really thinking of anything in particular—certainly not India. It had been twelve years since I had been there. Although I gave my reasons why, I felt the Lord was saying He was sending me. I was willing to go if that is what He wanted; but… where when?
Covid happened and I couldn’t go anywhere; but always praying to know His will. In time and in God’s amazing ways, that eventually became clear. Although I needed so much confirmation that, too, finally came clearly and unmistakably. And, so I went, on my own, but His promise had come: “My Presence will go with you”. I wasn’t sure why exactly I was going. I knew that I would be blessed and be a blessing. I certainly have been blessed and I pray that any little blessing that I may have been will be taken like the loaves and fishes and multiplied.
So it was, that at the beginning of February this year (2023), I set off for Andhra Pradesh to a village called Puritigadda. There, a couple called Suresh and Roja have a ministry www.indiavillage.org) to the people in need in the villages round about. They serve the people in a variety of ways as the needs arise. While I was there, we went to a couple of slums where they gifted bags of rice and other commodities to the people.
For many years, they have cared for children in different ways—now educating 140 children by paying for school/college fees and books, providing transport to school and once a month bringing children to their premises to be encouraged and given a meal. Then, also once a month, about 70 elderly people are provided with a bag of rice and other food items. Several with disabilities have been given hand-pedaled tricycles. Once a year, widows are gifted with a new sari. It was fascinating to see how beautiful saris are made locally on very basic looms.
I enjoyed being driven round the local countryside where bullock carts abound. At the end of the day, the oxen make their way home, even in the dark—no need for the drivers to guide them!
Other scenes come to mind—two young women at a village pump, laughing as they fill a water container, a man smiling for the camera while having his hair trimmed in a little wooden shack by the wayside, about 20 colorfully dressed people crammed into an auto rickshaw, goat herders with flocks of goats, a smiling couple selling bananas and roasting corn at the side of the road, men on bicycles with great loads strapped across the back, women planting corn in a field, a lady walking gracefully down a country road with a bowl of washing on her head, water buffalos wandering down the road, black-faced monkeys coming for my camera!
Reluctantly leaving them, I headed next for Kolkata, where I stayed in the Baptist Missionary Guest house for a few days. The BMS guest house is an oasis amidst the noise, chaos and slums of Kolkata, where life is hard. Street scenes themselves are fascinating as they flash by whilst in a taxi—a man cleaning his teeth, another cleaning idols, others abluting in a variety of ways, pavement dwellers, vendors spreading out fruit, vegetables and other wares. Someone was being given a shave, washing hung over the railings between roads. Men pulled rickshaws by hand or pedal bike. There were crowded buses, people everywhere, cows on the road—all to the constant noise of horns.
I so enjoyed being with the family. They cared for me well and introduced me to many new dishes, kindly keeping the strength of the spices down for me! First, though, on arrival, they took me from the airport into the town of Vijayawada to experience an authentic Indian meal. Such a selection of dishes! Both there and in their home, they kindly provided me with a fork and knife. I need a little more practice at eating with my fingers. They do it so neatly!
An hour’s flight due north from Kolkata took me onto Bagdogra where I was met by a driver to take me the three and a half hour journey to Dr Graham’s Homes in Kalimpong—up in the foothills of the Himalayas. The previous time that I had done this trip, it been a hair-raising ride at great speed, up winding mountain roads that were so bad my head was frequently hitting the roof of the taxi. This time, however, it was much better with a careful driver, a good vehicle and somewhat better roads. There still wasn’t much opportunity for photography, though. There were glimpses of lovely scenery with a river winding below, sometimes very far below, monkeys sitting on the little walls that acted as barriers (vainly at times as the gaps bore testimony!). We were going through a pleasant, wooded area when I suddenly saw the notice, “This is an elephant crossing area”! Apparently, elephants can stand in the middle of the road and attack the cars. The best thing to do, I am told, (if you are ever in the position of elephants being difficult!) is to keep blowing the horn. Their ears don’t like it. I can sympathize!
As we wound up towards Kalimpong, the road got narrower and really quite bad. I was getting very weary, but then a car would come towards us with, Praise the Lord or Jesus is Saviour emblazoned on it. It was an encouragement! Eventually, after one bad bend that nearly went right back on itself, there suddenly was AHAVA, the guest house. We had arrived! I write back home, “Now, after a good sleep, I am writing this in the garden, looking over to the hills and mountains that are unfortunately a bit in the haze, but it is warm and lovely. A dog has come and curled up at my feet.”
Quoting from the website drgrahamshomes. co.uk, “Perched on a ridge in the Himalayas, Dr Graham’s Homes is a school like no other. It was created to provide a home and education for the “Tea Garden Children”, young Anglo-Indians who had been abandoned to poverty through illegitimacy or because of their mixed-race heritage.
Over the years, Dr Graham’s Homes has evolved into a fully-fledged boarding school with pupils from all over Southern Asia. But its core vision lives on. Of the 1,300-plus children who attend today, over 10% are from disadvantaged backgrounds—children born into slums, parentless families or broken homes, who would otherwise have no hope of an education. Building upon Dr Graham’s original vision, many are Anglo Indians. Dr Graham’s philosophy was to “meet people at the point of their need,” equipping them with everything they need for a life of love and service to others.
There are now 9 cottages, each with up to 35 children aged from 2 to 18 years old, cared for by house mothers or, in the case of boys, house parents. The cottages and indeed most of the buildings are now in great need of repair, being well over 100 years old. The alumni have taken the role of fundraising for this. https://www.dghogbs.com/
It was a joy to meet the lovely fourteen-year-old girl that I sponsor, and many of the other girls. I would encourage anyone reading this to think of sponsoring a child—and then visiting! You will be blessed.
I was also encouraged just listening to staff talk among themselves to see how they really care for these children and are concerned for those still in need of sponsorship.
Although I was coming back to DGH, I had arranged to go further north to visit some friends. The mountainous road initially wound through houses that looked bright and clean with pot plants lined up on walls. But we went higher—and higher; no houses now, a narrow road that hugged the mountain side. I glanced down to the left. It was a breath stopping view even in the haze, but the bottom looked far, far away and we were very close to the edge. I think it was a mercy the haze was there! It was lovely, though, and I think I was wide-eyed most of the way. Photography was impossible. We had come down the mountain a bit and eventually we suddenly turned off to the left, down what seemed more akin to a riverbed. I was beginning to get a bit worried but my driver said, “Road bad, ma’am for 2 kilometres, then good. Shortcut.” So, we bumped along for 2 kilometres, then it did get better and it was pleasant, though still single track and mostly only the ditch for a passing place. Eventually, we came down and joined the main highway. And so, in time, we arrived. Lovely to see my friends again. I so enjoyed the time with the family. As well as having two children, a little boy and girl, there are five young people that have been with them for varying lengths of time, all with different stories. There were only four of them there while I was there, but I became very fond of them. Lots of laughter in the house.
At over 5,000 ft the houses are stacked up the mountainside, built four to five stories high with only three feet between the buildings! Land is at a premium! On the top of my friends’ house there is a terrace, the only bit of garden they have. Again, it was hazy, but despite that, the view was spectacular. The next day I was taken on the tourist trail—a mixture of interesting places and lovely views even in the haze, and to a lovely place in the country. Where they are having a house built.
It was a short visit that had been delayed by my friends being unwell with the noravirus. They seemed to be clear of it but unfortunately by the time I got back to DGH, it was brewing in me! However, my room in the guest house was a pleasant place to rest and on the last afternoon the pastor took me on the back of his motor scooter to visit a dear elderly blind pastor and his (sadly very ill) wife who lived further up the mountain. They had previously been kind to me and I was keen to visit. This gentleman has composed many songs/hymns. I was touched when he sang,
“Thanks to God for my Redeemer, Thanks for all Thou dost provide!
Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered, Thanks for what Thou dost deny! Thanks for storms that I have weathered, Thanks for all Thou dost supply! Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure, Thanks for comfort in despair!
Thanks for grace that none can measure, Thanks for love beyond compare!”
My Indian story isn’t finished but I leave it there. And that indeed was where I had meant to leave it, but I began to think of the tapestry of my life and how much I would like to be able to unpick all the bits messed up by my own doing. But then I thought, “Wait a minute, those bits aren’t there anymore! I am clothed in the righteousness of Christ by what He did on the cross, not my own righteousness or unrighteousness. What an amazing thing! “As far as the east is from the west, does He remove our transgressions from us.”
(Psalm 103:12 ESV)
As I travel in Christian circles, I hear this phrase more and more: “God told me…”. Oh really? I think. I’ve never heard His audible voice. What’s that make me? I feel like saying, “The next time you hear from Him, please record it on your phone. It may help convince some unsaved loved ones.” If so many people hear from God, is He discreet enough to speak only when no one else can overhear Him?
I learned skepticism growing up and in the business world. It’s a useful trait. But with my desire for hard evidence, it’s a miracle that I believe in an unseen and, at least to me, an unheard God.
Despite my misgivings, I have a confession. Call me a hypocrite, but God spoke to me, too. No, I didn’t hear an audible voice, nor was the tone still and small, as Elijah described it (I Kings 19:12). It felt more like a seismic shift.
It was 1995, midway through my single adulthood, as I was crying out in loneliness for God to end it. I traveled from Maine to Connecticut on vacation to visit my cousin. After a gym workout, we were riding back to his house when he said, “What’s that verse?”
In a daze from pumping iron, I looked up and followed his pointing finger to the back of a tractor-trailer, with the spread wings of an eagle splashed on it. “What verse?”
He pointed again. Then I saw the inscription, Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV). “Oh, I dunno. I’ll look it up when we get back.” I did so and read it to my cousin and one of his sons.
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
I thought the words might mean more to them than to me, since I already knew the verse well. That night, like all nights back then, I wrestled with God to do something about the unfulfilled longing in my heart. My dogged determination in prayer had become a ritual after what felt like years of silence.
The next day, I visited a friend, a committed Christian, elsewhere in Connecticut. I shared my “woe-be-gone” plight of singleness. During our conversation, he recited Isaiah 40:31. “Huh,” I said. “I just saw that verse yesterday… on the back of a trailer.”
A few days later, I was back in my apartment, where I’d been holed up in prayer for a decade. Kneeling at the side of my bed that evening, I felt compelled to interrupt my prayer time. Strange, I never do this.
The strong urge was to check my calendar in the other room. What for?
Just do it.
So, I did. What do you suppose I saw on the calendar?
The words of Isaiah 40: 31. They’d been there, above the tear-away sheets, for nine months, but had I noticed them before? Not like I did then. A heavenly mallet thumped my hard head. Oh, this verse is for me?
A week later, I was vacationing in Canada with my mother. We visited a small logging museum in the middle of nowhere. While Mom spoke with the curator, a hymnal resting atop an organ captured my attention. I opened it—randomly. A chill flashed through my body. I didn’t know such a hymn existed, but the entire words of it were those of Isaiah 40:31. You must be kidding.
God had spoken to me. I wasn’t sure exactly what He meant, but, deep within, I knew it was Him. That encounter with the Almighty shaped my faith walk in the years that followed.
I’m convinced God “speaks” to a person in a way that only he or she recognizes. That’s how personal He is. No wonder I’m questioning my peers’ ethereal hearing. Maybe now, they’ll doubt mine too. God may need to beat us over the head before we understand, but doing so reveals how much He loves us.
Has God spoken to you? Others want to—or need to— know. They may be facing monumental challenges or simply finding themselves in a desert of silence. Please encourage them today. Let them know how you heard the voice of God.
This little story was given to my author-friend Kathy McKinsey for her March 17th blog. She had asked her readers if they had any stories to tell about when God came to their rescue. Mine isn’t a dramatic tale, but to me, it was God’s hand intervening on one of those days when I was really down.
The funny thing about it is, I can’t remember what had me so depressed. I don’t think I remembered why I’d been so down right after this event, either.
Many years ago now, the day started with me preparing for work. Prior to 1988, I lived in Illinois and worked in advertising for a food broker. Something had depressed me and continued to sadden me from the previous day. Whatever it was, it brought me to tears.
Driving down a busy highway running along an interstate with a ton of cars all around me is not a good place to have tears in one’s eyes, but that was the case.
It had been raining that morning, and dark clouds overshadowed the sky. A few blocks from the turnoff to the building where I worked, I came to a stop at a red light. I tried to wipe my tears before the light turned green again.
A break in the clouds appeared, and a wide ray of sunlight came down, just like you see in a painting. It shined across a stretch of grass next to the interstate, where little droplets of dew were still on the tips of the blades of grass. My line of vision followed the rays as they became extremely intense. As the sunrays moved across the patch of grass and lit up the entire patch. The drops of dew glistened as if they were each a half-karat diamond.
Imagine hundreds of diamonds glowing in the sunlight. My unhappy mouth turned into an ear-to-ear smile and I laughed.
I cried out, “Thank you, Lord. You knew I needed to see a glorious sight like this.” My heart lifted, and I forgot all about the depression for that day. I’ve always referred to this little miracle as “My Field of Diamonds from God.”
If you are going through something right now, and it has you deep in the throes of despair, I hope this blessing from God brings a smile to you, too. Our Lord is able to turn any situation around. Just trust Him. Call out to Him the way I did that morning before I left the house. He cares. God may not bring about sunshine in your heart right away, but He will when He knows you need it the most. Our Lord always has for me. He’ll do it for you, too.
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 AKJV)
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.