Sweet To The Soul FAITH: Grace (Issue 4) by SweetToTheSoul

SWEET TO THE SOUL FAITH

SWEET TO THE SOUL

F AITH

A M A G A Z I N E F O R W O M E N I N S P I R I N G G E N E R AT I O N S

VOLUME II ISSUE I - GRACE

grace. 1. the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God. 2. the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them. Compassion, generosity, kindness, love, charity, favor, pardon, reprieve

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CONTENTS

FORGIVEN 34 L OVE E CHOED B ACK 36 G OD ’ S M ERCIFUL D ISCIPLINE 38 B REAKING THE M OLD

HOPE 62 H ANGING ON TO T HREADBARE H OPE 66 D AISY P ETAL H OPE IN C HRIST 69 W HEN L IFE S EEMS H OPELESS

TESTIFY 88 D EVO S ERIES 97 P RAYER C ARDS 99 H OW TO S HARE Y OUR F AITH S TORY 102 P RAYING F OR AN O PEN D OOR 103 G RACIOUS W ORDS C ARDS

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SOUL INSPIRED 126 H OW TO B ULLET J OURNAL 130 H YMN W ORDSEARCH 133 J OURNALING T EMPLATES / C OLORABLE B OOKMARKS

UNLOCKING THE BIBLE XX W RITING A L EGACY L ETTER Darlene Schacht, Time Warp Wif 12 S PIRITUAL C OMPLACENCY AND H OW TO R ENEW Y OUR F OCUS

FEATURES 16 F INDING F REEDOM F ROM Y OUR P AST Amy Elaine Martinez 20 O UR S OURCE OF U NCOMMON S TRENGTH Lori Ann Wood 24 W E W ERE H OPELESS Gretchen Fleming

SPECIAL GUEST 28 F OUR L ITTLE W ORDS Kim Stewart S PRING 2022 | S WEET T O T HE S OUL FAITH

CONTENTS

MOTHER’S DAY 44 F ORGIVENESS IS P OSSIBLE 48 C OPING WITH THE L OSS OF Y OUR M OTHER 117 M EMORIES IN THE R ECIPE B OX

LIFE MANAGEMENT 54 G OSPEL F OUNDATIONS FOR Y OUR F INANCES 72 F OOD , F AITH , & F REEDOM

FAITH-FULL FELLOWSHIP 114 S PRING T ABLES 122 R ECIPES 118 H OW C LEANING O UT A C LOSET C LEARED O UT M Y S OUL 120 L ETTING G O OF THE C LUTTER FOR G OOD

IN EVERY ISSUE 6 A L ETTER F ROM THE E DITORS 10 S CRIPTURE R EADING L ISTS 19 C OMMUNITY B UZZ 52 E NCOURAGEMENT C ALENDAR 76 F ICTION S ERIES :L OVE P EACE & S ECOND C HANCES 137 R ESOURCES 140 O UR P RAYER 4

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MITZI NEELY Content Director / Editor In Chief JANA KENNEDY-SPICER Art Director / Crea ve Editor STEPHANIE K ADAMS Community Coordinator JODIE BARRETT Bible Study Coordinator TYANNE RAKOWITZ Business Administrator

Sweet To The Soul FAITH - Grace Copyright © 2021 by Sweet To The Soul Ministries All rights reserved. www.SweetToTheSoul.com ISBN: 978-1-953718-13-6 Sweet To The Soul Ministries PO Box 785 Royse City, Tx 75189 No part of this publica on may be reproduced, distributed, or transmi ed in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior wri en permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quota ons embodied in cri cal reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permi ed by copyright law. For inquiries and permission request, contact through website: www.SweetToTheSoul.com Unless noted otherwise, all scripture quota ons are taken from the “ESV”, The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edi on: 2011 Scripture quota ons marked “NIV” are taken from The Holy Bible: New Interna onal Version, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblicia, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. To order copies of this issue and access addi onal resources, visit www.swee othesoulFAITH.com To inquire about ordering in quan es of 10 or more, please email info@swee othesoul.com For informa on regarding adver sement opportuni es, please email info@swee othesoul.com

CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS: Stephanie K Adams, Real Women Ministries Lisa Appalo Monica Bard Jodie Barre , Faithfully Following Ministries Kelly Basham Dr Michelle Bengtson J. E. Berry, J. E. Berry Speaks Sue Carroll, Doodles 101 Becky Cor no Natalia Drumm, A Wife Like Me Donna Fender, Faithfully Following Ministries Gretchen Fleming Karen Friday, Karen “Girl” Friday Ka e Jones, Agape InvesƟng Elaine Lankford, She Steps Forward Ministries Amy Elaine Mar nez, Amy Elaine Ministries, Past to Power Podcast Mitzi Neely, Peacefully Imperfect Ministries Cyndee Ownbey, Women’s Ministry Toolbox Nancy Ormon Melanie Davis Porter, Courage to Endure Tyanne Rakowitz, Sweet To The Soul Ministries Mis Sherman Jodi Melissa Slaughter, Pieces Put Back Together Jana Kennedy Spicer, Sweet To The Soul Ministries Kim Stewart, Book MarkeƟng Mania Mary Kathryn Tiller, New Mercies for Moms Cindy Wilkins Tisha Walker Lori Wood, loriannwood.com ARTWORK CONTRIBUTORS: Debbie Bonner Sue Carroll, doodles101 Jana Kennedy Spicer PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTORS: Terri Hill

Unless otherwise noted, artwork, graphics and photography licensed stock images.

FOLLOW SWEET TO THE SOUL on facebook: @Sweet.To.The.Soul.Ministries on Instagram @jana_swee othesoul

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Hi Friend! Welcome to the Grace issue. We are grateful that you have chosen to spend me in our favorite magazine. These pages are filled with stories of hope, forgiveness, and powerful tes monies from women who have walked through the fire on their way to becoming a stronger, courageous, and more confident daughter of the king. As we look ahead to Easter we are reminded of God‘s bigger plan to bring new life so that we could celebrate victory over sin and death. There’s no more ul mate expression of love than what occurred over 2000 years ago. As you peruse this issue I pray you'll find daily encouragement, biblical truths, and abundant hope in this season and beyond.

Blessings to you!

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Photo by JoAnna Duncan

Spring is here and with it comes the hope for new life. Trees are budding, flowers are blooming and the grass is growing. Nature is a beau ful display of the daily new mercies of God. This spring issue of Sweet To The Soul FAITH is about God’s glorious grace. Throughout this issue you will find tender hearts sharing about real life experiences and struggles. Struggles to forgive others and even harder some mes, to forgive ourselves. You will also find stories of supernatural hope found in the most diﬃcult of mes, hope which only God can supply. Friend, I pray that you are not only blessed by the words you read in these pages but that God will provide encouragement and comfort to your soul at such a level that His love can not help but to overflow from your heart and bless all those around you.

Blessings,

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by grace F OR

YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED THROUGH FAITH . A ND THIS IS NOT YOUR OWN DOING ; IT IS THE GIFT OF G OD , NOT A RESULT OF WORKS , SO THAT NO ONE MAY BOAST . E PHESIANS 2:8-9

FORGIVEN

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Ephesians 4:32 Proverbs 28:13 Matthew 6:14-15 Joel 2:13 Colossians 3:13 2 Chronicles 7:14 Psalm 32:5 Luke 6:37 Acts 2:38 Matthew 18:21-22 Psalm 86:5 Acts 3:19 Micah 7:18-19 Acts 13:38-39 Mark 11:25 1 John 1:9 1 John 2:2 Ephesians 1:7 Isaiah 30:15 Matthew 6:12 Psalm 103:12 Daniel 9:9 Jeremiah 31:24 Isaiah43:25 Luke 23:34 2 Corinthians 7:9 Luke 15:10 Acts 17:30 Psalm 32:1 2 Chronicles 30:9 Isaiah 55:7

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Scripture

Reading Lists

HOPE

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2 Corinthians 3:12 Jeremiah 29:11 Psalm 43:5 Romans 5:3-4 1 Peter 1:13 Hebrews 11:1 Proverbs 24:14 Psalm 71:14 Romans 8:25 Colossians 1:4-5 Job 11:18 Psalm 62:5 Romans 5:5 1 John 3:3 Ephesians 4:4 Micah 7:7 Psalm 71:14 Romans 8:24 1 Timothy 4:10 Jeremiah 14:22 Psalm 39:7 Romans 4:18 1 Peter 3:15 Hebrews 6:18-19 Psalm 130:5 Romans 12:12 Titus 3:6-7 1 Thessalonians 1:3 Isaiah 40:31 Psalm 147:11 Romans 15:13

TESTIFY

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1 Peter 3:15 Acts 10:42 Acts 23:11 Romans 1:15-16 Luke 12:8-9 Romans 10:14-15 John 5:39 2 Timothy 1:12 Matthew 5:13 Acts 4:33 Romans 1:11-12 Acts 5:32 Acts 5:42 Mark 5:19 Isaiah 43:10 2 Timothy 1:7-8 Mark 16:15 Colossians 4:3-4 Romans 12:1 Acts 1:8 2 Timothy 2:1-3 Philippians 2:15 Luke 12:11-12 Titus 2:1 Matthew 28:19 John 20:21 Matthew 5:14-16 2 Corinthians 4:5-6 Matthew 4:19 Matthew 24:14 Acts 22:15 S PRING 2022 | S WEET T O T HE S OUL FAITH

Spiritual Complacency and STEPHANIE K ADAMS

S EVERAL YEARS AGO , ON P ALM S UNDAY , I FOUND MYSELF SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SERMON COMPLETELY TUNED OUT , NOT HEARING A WORD THE

P ASTOR

SPOKE .

It wasn't because he was boring, but instead, I assumed it was the same Palm Sunday/Easter sermon I had heard my en re life. Unfortunately, those long-ago sermons had become so familiar that I became complacent about engaging with the true message of the season and instead dri ed deep into my thoughts where I was no longer present at church. Instead, I was somewhere else in my mind. Moments later, the pastor's voice invaded my thoughts, and I realized I had ignored one of the most founda onal messages of my faith. If I couldn't pay a en on to a sermon about Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, maybe I had also allowed other familiari es to breed complacency in my rela onship with God. The year before this I had finished cancer treatments, where God did healing miracles that le doctors and researchers astonished, and yet there I sat, numb to the very thing that had allowed my healing - the work of the cross. Immediately I felt ashamed and vowed I would not allow myself ever to take the message of the cross for granted. I decided the week of Easter I would be inten onal to read scriptures surrounding the last days of Jesus' life leading up to the cross to help me regain my focus.

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If I couldn't pay attention to a sermon about Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, maybe I had also allowed other familiarities to breed complacency in my relationship with God.

SPIRITUAL COMPLACENCY DOESN'T ONLY HAPPEN AT EASTER Since that day si ng in church, I have found that it isn't just the familiarity of seasonal sermons that cause us to become spiritually complacent. It can happen any me we become accustomed to something that we allow ourselves to become numb and passionless. We can be involved in many good and worthy things of our me, like reading our Bible, yet we can s ll become complacent in our spiritual lives because we have forgo en why we do what we do - our love for God. "I know your works, your toil and your paƟent endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring paƟently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first." Revela on 2:2-5 ESV It is so easy to neglect our spiritual growth because we allow rou ne to become mundane, which causes us to become complacent. Complacency causes us to think we don't need to push forward because we have become accustomed to the rou ne. And so, the cycle con nues. We must break the cycle of familiarity and complacency. But how? How do we renew our focus and regain passion when reading the Bible has become mundane?

FIVE WAYS TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF SPIRITUAL COMPLACENCY 1. Acknowledge where you are Just like I did that Sunday morning si ng in church, we must acknowledge where we are spiritually. Recognize if you are struggling with being passionate about me with God and ask for His help. When we are honest with ourselves and God, we allow space for Him to speak to our hearts and begin to guide us in making changes.

Allow yourself me to process where you are spiritually. Maybe you need to journal your thoughts or write out prayers, but give yourself me to acknowledge the season you're in and ask God to give you a renewed excitement for His word. 2. Change your routine O en we become stuck in our Bible reading and prayer me because we have become bored with our rou ne, so we slowly stop showing up for quiet me. I o en assume I already know what the scripture passage is about, so I glance over it without pondering each verse and its meaning.

So how do we move past complacency when we find ourselves taking the message of the Bible for granted? Change our rou ne. If you usually sit in the same chair, with the same Bible, reading the same devo onal or scripture reading list, then it's me to shake it up a bit. Find a new place to sit, change the type or version of the Bible, begin journaling, or try a new scripture reading list or devo onal. For me, it was essen al to put a reading plan in S PRING 2022 | S WEET T O T HE S OUL FAITH

place to have each Easter season. That's the important part - make a plan and s ck to it. People without a plan rarely move forward because they don't know where to begin. Be sure you come up with a fresh, new, exci ng plan that works with your lifestyle. If you struggle with knowing where to start or crea ng a strategy, reach out to me. I'd love to help you set up a refreshed plan. 3. Be Intentional If we desire to break the cycle of complacency, renew our focus, and grow deeper in our rela onship with God, then we are going to have to put in the me to see results.

Being inten onal was crucial for me to break through complacency and reignite my passion for the story of the cross. I had to invest the me to create a reading plan, schedule the me, and then s ck to it. Unfortunately, there are no magic pills or quick fixes to growing our spiritual life or rela onship with God. We can not depend on social media to tell us what His word says. Instead, we have to find out what He says for ourselves, for our lives, for our situa on. This is why it’s so important to have a plan that fits with your lifestyle. If it’s not easy then you won’t s ck to it. Being inten onal is crucial to breaking complacency and renewing our excitement for God’s word. 4. Be Accountable Finding a Chris an friend to help keep us on track with our spiritual plan is a great way to move past complacency.

Enlis ng friends to read with me kept me mo vated to show up every day during the study of In the Shadow of the Cross. Knowing they would be expec ng to discuss the scriptures and the devo onal study helped me be accountable to my schedule to read God's word every day. Ask a friend if they are willing to help you stay on schedule and s ck to your plan. Be sure they are willing to push you on days when you need it, and give grace on days when life is hard. Having a friend who is more spiritually mature is invaluable when it comes to accountability. 5. Don’t give up "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Gala ans 6:9 ESV

There will be days when we don't s ck to our plan. Instead, we will rush out the door before reading His Word or try desperately to engage in prayer but struggle to focus. There is grace and forgiveness when we don't follow our plan exactly, but don't throw in the towel. Instead, take a deep breath and get back on schedule the following day. We may even encounter a dry season, where we feel like we are doing everything right, but we aren't hearing God, and growth seems to have plateaued. Don't let discouragement turn into complacency. Remember, the me you invest in God's word is like plan ng seeds. It may take a while for them to grow, but you will regain your focus and reestablish your love for God and His word.

STEPHANIE K ADAMS is the founding Director of Real Women Ministries, where she equips women with resources for Bible Study and prayer. She is passionate about helping women find me for God’s Word in the midst of their busy lives.

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FINDING FOCUS FOR EASTER In the years following that Palm Sunday at church, I realized we o en spend more me preparing spiritually for Christmas than Easter. I could find tons of Advent devo onals and studies, but there were very few for the Easter season. How could such a founda onal event in our Chrisan faith not draw as much a en on to studying and preparing our hearts as Christmas? Maybe I wasn't the only one who had become so familiar with the story of the cross that it was overlooked. Maybe others weren't prepared to go into the Easter season also. Perhaps I wasn't alone. A er several years of reading through my Easter scripture list and adding to my devo onal notes, I had the opportunity to publish a resource for others to study during the weeks leading up to Easter.

In the Shadow of the Cross: Following Jesus Through His Last Days was born because I acknowledged my need to break the cycle of complacency, created a reading plan, and became inten onal to spend me reading about Jesus’ last days. The book has helped many regain their focus and passion during the weeks leading up to Easter, as they read what it might have been like to walk with Jesus through His last days before the cross. If you're looking to find a new way to celebrate Easter this year, you can find the In the Shadow of the Cross Scripture reading plan and order the book at RealWomenMinistries.org.

In the Shadow of the Cross is a 21-day journey through Scripture following Christ’s last days as recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John where you will: • •

•

Become an eye witness to Jesus’ last days, seeing them from a new perspective Gain a clearer picture of the events by taking a Second Glance at what Jesus has to say in all the Gospel accounts Discover a deeper understanding by Looking Beyond the big picture and studying the details

Through it all, you’ll find yourself growing closer to Jesus and falling in love with Him all over again…or maybe even for the first time.

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Finding

Freedom From Your Past AMY ELAINE MARTINEZ

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I F KIND WORDS ARE LIKE HONEY TO THE SOUL , SWEET AND HEALING , THEN NEGATIVE SELF - TALK MUST HAVE QUITE THE OPPOSITE EFFECT . In fact, I’ve found being unkind to ourselves is like slow sipping a poisonous concoc on resul ng in slow death. Over me, our unkind words will drown out God’s voice impac ng our rela onship with others and more importantly, with God.

Years a er I commi ed what felt like an unforgivable sin, I experienced a fresh start with God when I confessed my wrongdoing, and He graciously forgave me. I felt freer than I dared to imagine possible. In small ways, I began to step out into the calling God had on my life. This worked well for a while, but then the newfound freedom I had been experiencing wore off and I was stuck. When a new adventure called, I found myself talking myself out of the very thing I’d been longing to do in my service to God and others. Doubt and shame are awfully loud to contend with in the quiet corners of the mind. Drowning out the s ll small voice of God, my inner cri c laid waste to the grace upon grace God promised to provide. (John 1:16) The way we speak to ourselves ma ers; for be er or for worse, we hold the power of grace on our tongues. We can choose to withhold such grace or let it roll off our tongues ensuring freedom reigns as we forge new fron ers with God. There is freedom to be found from our past mistakes when grace is given lavishly. What I found was that while I had received forgiveness for my ugly sin when I prayed and told God I was truly sorry this me, I hadn’t yet forgiven myself. I simply would not allow myself to move forward because I was s ll bera ng my old self for things long forgiven by God. I was stuck and miserable un l I finally gave myself the same grace I’d given others. When a friend betrayed me, I extended grace. When a stranger wronged me, I extended even more grace. When my spouse hurt my feelings, all the more grace abounded. Yet, to myself, I was s ngy with grace, withholding it for no good reason. I was mean and unkind when my heart needed that same grace. But why? Self-forgiveness would prove to be one of the most difficult requests God would make of me. I simply didn’t know how to give myself the same level of decency I imparted to others. My inner mean girl was fierce, never allowing my heart to heal. She ridiculed, punished, and took jabs at my confidence on a regular basis in an effort to keep my behavior in line. What I didn’t

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understand was that more than behavior modificaon, what I really needed was a heart change. I needed that same grace I freely doled out to others and reluctantly received from Christ. If God was gracious, who was I to keep a grudge against myself?

4 STEPS to SELF FORGIVENESS

S: Say you’re sorry; give yourself the same grace you’d give a friend. 2 Corinthians 9:8 E: Express regret, examine your heart, and eagerly forgive yourself as God has you. Acts 2:38

Things changed when God spoke something to my heart in the pages of His Word: L: Learn to let go, let God be God and leave your “Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and burdens with the Burden-Bearer. 1 Peter 5:7 passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, F: Forge forward in the fresh start God intended because he delights in steadfast love. He will for you. Philippians 3:13-14 again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquiƟes underfoot. You will Bearing the weight of unforcast all our sins into the giveness slows us down in our depths of thee sea. You will pursuit of the good things God show faithfulness to Jacob has planned for us. We’re all I realized that and steadfast love to on a spiritual journey, trekking self-forgiveness Abraham as you have sworn through this life with God. was the key to our fathers from the days Whether we take no ce of Him to finding of old.” Micah 7:18-19 or not, God’s design was for us freedom to walk with Him. When we from my past. Was I eleva ng myself above lose our way, veer oﬀ path, or God? May it never be. If God simply get stuck, grace paves forgave my ugliest sins, cas ng the way to finding freedom them into the depths of the from our past. sea, why couldn’t I forgive myself? No wonder I was stuck in my journey with Are you struggling with self-forgiveness too? God; I was trying to play God. Indeed, I wanted to Friend, it’s me for a fresh start with God. If be conformed to the image of God, like Him, yet you’ve asked His forgiveness, know grace is yours. not to be God. In that moment, I realized that selfWith that same grace, be kind to yourself. Speak forgiveness was the key to finding freedom from life over the loudspeaker in your heart of hearts my past. With God’s help, I learned 4 steps to help today! Use the SELF STEPS above when you’re me get unstuck and back on track in my rela onfeeling stuck and step into the grace of selfship with God and all the things He had planned forgiveness. Share your story, tes fy of God’s good for me to do. By giving myself the same grace God grace. This will quiet your inner cri c allowing con nually gives me, I discovered how to move grace to resound and abound in forward. your life. AMY ELAINE MARTINEZ is an author, a speaker, and a Victory Girl. Visit her site amyelaine.com to learn more how to Live Victoriously.

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What is your favorite

Springtime Activity Long walks and hun ng rocks with my grandson. Jodie I love when it warms up enough to get outside and start walking again. Jana I love spring plan ng! Julie

Listening to the rain fall and watching storms roll in. Amy Elaine

Hiking/walking in gardens or public parks where a lot of flowers/ trees/bushes are blooming. Gretchen

Plan ng flowers (zinnias) and watching them grow! Ellen

Spending me at the local nurseries & then working in my containers of flowers & herbs! I love cleaning up, fer lizing & re-po ng with bright, spring flowers & delicious herbs to use in my kitchen It never fails hubby joins me & we get to spend a day working outside together Monica

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Our Source of

Uncommon

Strength

LORI ANN WOOD

THE SUNNY WHEAT FIELD WAS FULL OF MULTIPLE COMBINES, DOZENS OF WORKERS, AND SEVERAL TRUCKS.

BUT IT SHOULDN’T HAVE BEEN. IT WAS ONE OF THE WORST WEEKS IN THE SMALL COMMUNITY’S HISTORY. 20

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Days earlier, my husband’s seven-year-old brother had suﬀocated in a truckload of wheat on their family farm. Time froze and the ripe grain in the field bent uncut, as though weeping in shock with everyone else. A er the funeral, nearby farmers le their own crop to finish the harvest of the grief-stricken family. It is my husband’s most vivid memory of that foggy me. Without even asking, his family was surrounded by help in the field, in the house, with the other children. Work-weary farm families came together, all at great inconvenience, cost, and risk to their own weather-dependent livelihoods.

moments, from anniversary par es to major surgery. In groups we learn, live, and recover from addic ons. But over the past couple of years, we have faced a dilemma. This pandemic, rather than benefi ng from our togetherness, required our separateness. A disease took the “we” away. Hugs, handshakes, and high-fives vanished, and it felt unnatural. We’ve all felt this loss of community. And the loss is a major one, because physical presence ma ers. The Redemp on Story reminds us how much God Himself values it. The Word was wrapped in flesh and lived next door. Right alongside us sinners. Not judging and dicta ng from afar, but holding our hands, wiping our tears, and healing our hurts. For a season, God was si ng at our tables and preaching to our assemblies, together with us.

Pulling up to the house to console my high school boyfriend on the day of the accident, I suppose I had expected a solemn scene. I was relieved to see it abuzz with ac vity. But my comfort was nowhere near what that hur ng family felt as a parade of pickup trucks and sta on wagons made their way down the dusty driveway.

Grief in Separation

Together is How We Do Life

But that innocent Son was also sent here to die. Loss is part of the Story. So we shouldn’t be surprised that it’s part of our life story, too.

Similar scenes have played out throughout this country and around the world for centuries. We have learned to do this diﬃcult, transient life together. There really is no other way. The early Chris ans found safety and spiritual support in community: Acts 2:42 The mere act of gathering brought God’s Spirit into the midst of believers: Ma hew 18:20 It remains one of the hallmarks of God’s community, the Church. In Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeﬀer wrote, “The physical presence of other Chris ans is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer.” It is how humanity handles any of life’s big

Grief is acknowledging and feeling that loss. Through the pandemic, it has felt overwhelming. We are accustomed to doing all of life’s transi ons together, but because of this virus, our grandbabies were born without family arms to hold them, our children graduated without pomp and circumstance, our parents were buried without proper goodbyes. We all felt loss on some level: loss of rou ne, loss of expecta ons, loss of security. And every loss cut deeper due to loss of community. Our joy rang in hollow halls and empty auditoriums, yearning for our community. And pain, rather than being divided among others, was mul plied by their absence.

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Everything seemed more diﬃcult because we felt disconnected. Brene Brown said, “(As a society) we grieved the loss of normal while trying to find our foo ng in a new, isolated normal. It was a big ask.” From my journal just before my life-saving heart surgery: My husband and I arrived at the Cleveland Clinic to get my device installed. Nearly 1,000 miles from home, it’s so much more diﬃcult than any of my local hospital stays. We are separated from our support system. Everyone is tex ng and calling and they’ve sent gi s for us to unpack, but we so miss people praying with family in the wai ng room, and holding our hands at the hospital bed. No homecooked meals will greet us at our temporary recovery residence. My husband will sit through my surgery without any human presence of support. This journey is so much harder alone. Even though the “alone” is only physical, and only temporary.

A Hopeful Stage to Grief Acceptance has tradi onally been considered the fi h and final stage of grief: This is actually happening. We felt that as people in our circles got sick, and some died. And now we have the knowing that all this could happen again. We are mortal and finite and breakable. But finishing grief at that stage has always felt incomplete (and hopeless) to me. Chris an grief can’t end in acceptance. Just like we can’t finish the Story with the grim reality of Jesus in the grave. Recently, grief expert David Kessler added a sixth stage to the grief process: Meaning. The world will be diﬀerent post-pandemic. Each of

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us has changed. Just as we were never the same a er World War II or 9/11. O en we became not less, but more. More security-minded, more aware of what could happen. More apprecia ve of heroes, healthcare workers, and helping professions. More sensi ve to how delicate and brief life is. In our current grief process, we, too, can move past acceptance. We can leverage our loss into meaning. We can emerge not as our normal community, but as something more. Something even be er.

Better Than Normal Most disasters happen locally or regionally. This one touched everyone, everywhere. For the first me in my memory, maybe the first me since the Flood, the en re world was given an opportunity to reset. (Even my parents in rural Kansas who were reluctant to get on board, eventually did, too.) We all have been given a gi —to rethink our lives, to reset our cadence, to render meaning from our losses. What will we look like on the far side of pandemic? Just as Jesus emerged from the tomb, we can emerge from this dark historical me as a diﬀerent, be er collec on of people. I want to come out of this an improved version of the person who skipped into quaran ne in 2020, feeling like it was a snow day or an extra holiday. (I know I’ll have cleaner hands and a more impressive stockpile of toilet paper.) When this is all a memory, a story we bore our grandchildren with, each of us will look more like what we’ve been focusing on. If we’ve consumed ourselves in worry, we will emerge ta ered and red. If we’ve immersed ourselves in His promises, we will look more like Jesus when this pandemic is in the rearview mirror.

This pandemic will not be the last loss we face as a nation or as a group of believers. But our community has a Source of uncommon strength. And through this separateness, we’ve all been given the opportunity to grow…together.

And we will have an experience that will inform our souls. We can have genuine empathy for those forgo en and alone, in nursing homes, prison yards, children’s shelters, rehab facili es, and hospital beds. And maybe most valuable of all, we can now relate to those living isolated in their own lonely homes. Sounds like a good post-pandemic plan: love God and love others. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. It’s the only way we will leverage our loss into meaning, and transform our community into a be er one.

After the Crisis Has Passed Like the early days of my illness, these pandemic months have been a dark me. Our threadbare faith o en seemed li le protec on. But someone once said if you can’t see any light in the tunnel, you must be halfway through. This will end. There will be a post-crisis period. Two months a er the farm accident, the rallying rural community sent my husband to college and we got married in a small church there several years later. Those people, though many moved

away, came together countless mes in the years that followed that tragic harvest: for funerals and farm auc ons, gradua ons and Christmas pageants. Decades later, the home that overflowed with community that solemn summer day was leveled by a tornado. His community, stronger than ever, was there again to pick up the sca ered pieces. Not long a er that, the far-flung group prayed me through the early shock of my heart failure diagnosis. This pandemic will not be the last loss we face as a na on or as a group of believers. But our community has a Source of uncommon strength. And through this separateness, we’ve all been given the opportunity to grow…together. Father, in your great wisdom you gave us each other. Even You exist in community with the Son and Spirit. Your church was founded on this togetherness. We are hur ng now. Restore our sca ered communi es, not only physically but spiritually. Make us be er; make us Yours. Through your Son we are woven into one, Amen.

LORI ANN WOOD currently serves as founding leader of the Parenting Education Ministry at the Church of Christ in Bentonville. She also serves as WomenHeart Champion Community Educator for Arkansas and American Heart Association Ambassador. Having discovered a serious heart condition almost too late, Lori Ann writes to encourage others to find joy in the divine detours of life. Read more from her at loriannwood.com. S PRING 2022 | S WEET T O T HE S OUL FAITH

We Were Si ng there with our youngest that night for his birthday made me think back to 5 years earlier. We were not with him for his 18th birthday. He celebrated it in another state, apart from family and friends. It was 2013 and the hardest year we had ever had.

Hopeless GRETCHEN FLEMING

W E WERE SUFFERING …… WITH FEAR , DREAD , HEARTACHE , BUT WORSE THAN ANYTHING - HOPELESSNESS . Our youngest had been in rebellion for 3 years and we feared for his life and future. We had taken the dras c measure of sending him out of state for his senior year to a Chris an, military boarding school. It was the last op on we were desperately trying to avoid. This was not what we had expected in our lives as parents. No church sermon had prepared us for these twists and turns. It was beyond our comprehension how we could have ended up in this situa on. 24

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Compounding this trauma was another heartache with our oldest. He was going through disappointment and challenges a er he moved out to begin his career in another city. The struggles had mounted for years from his learning disabili es and we wondered how he would do on his own. Would he be able to succeed independently? Were the struggles of the last 18 years since his diagnosis behind us or were they just beginning? In August of 2013, days a er we had been forced to enroll our youngest in military school, we learned that our oldest had lost the job he thought he had been succeeding in when his employer hired an older man with more experience. He called us devastated over the news. It was like the last 18 years had been leading up to this monumental fear coming true. He spent the next months looking for a job in his trade career but with no success. Eventually, he moved back home, broken over all that had not worked out. In both of these situa ons, we were at a complete loss. In a word, hopeless. We did not have the ability to perceive what could help or how God could work either circumstance for good. In our minds, the likelihood of solu ons were zero. And yet, here we are just 5 short years later and the difference is nothing short of miraculous. What I Learned From Our Hopelessness As I look at what God brought about in each son’s circumstance, I could not have envisioned how God could bring order out of chaos and purpose out of pain. In reality, He brought hope out of hopeless situa ons. It is exactly what I see happen to a beggar in Acts 3:1-12. This crippled man had been begging for years. He had no hope of a life any different. All he could dream of was receiving enough handouts to con nue exis ng pi fully, one coin at a me un l someone else had pity upon him. As Peter and John approached, instead of giving him what he needed to connue life as he knew it, they gave him what he didn’t even have the hope to ask for- healing. Isn’t that the same for us? Because of Jesus, we are healed, forgiven and free! When we couldn’t hope for our future to look any different, Jesus paid the price for us in full! He not only changed our eternal future, He has authority over every day un l then. Our hope is not based upon OUR reality but JESUS’ ability. Therefore the op ons are limitless.

Our hope is not based upon OUR reality but JESUS’ ability. Therefore the options are limitless.

Praise God that our lives are not determined by our highest dreams! What we cannot fathom to happen, God gives it lavishly and then uses it to impact others. There was a great commo on that day from the crippled man being healed, which resulted in more than HIS life being changed. Five thousand people were radically saved as described in Acts 4:1-4. Between my own desperate circumstances and this passage of Scripture, several lessons have changed the way I process life for myself and our family. S PRING 2022 | S WEET T O T HE S OUL FAITH

responsibility, so is theirs. He is their burdenbearer, not me. I am gladly not “in charge” of me or anyone else.

Hope means that … 1. I don’t have to be able to find the solu on to problems. God is able to determine what will help the most in dire circumstances. There is NO impossibility God cannot work out for His glory and my good. 2.

God wants more than a momentary solu on or provision. His plan is for my transforma on. He will grant what I don’t even have the imagina on or hope to ask for because He is a er my eternal well-being. Before He changes my circumstances, He will change me. This for fies me for all my future challenges.

What concerns me also concerns the Savior who died for me. He will not forsake me in my need. He is trustworthy and compassionate over that which troubles me. I am surrounded by His love and faithfulness.

God has a glorious purpose for each of us that I could not imagine if I tried. I am too limited by my own deficiencies to fully grasp God’s poten al plans but I can rest assured, He is perfectly in control of them and fully able to implement them. Thankfully, He thinks outside the box, coming up with far greater ideas that I think plausible. I want what He wants for each of us, nothing more and nothing less.

No suﬀering will triumph over me. Either God will get me through it or He will take me home. No ma er how bad it may get, there are limits to what I will need to endure.

I may not know what my future holds but I know who is there wai ng for me with all the support I will need. I need not fear tomorrow.

Those I hold dear are not my responsibility. They are God’s. If they are less than what they should be then that is His area to a end to and not mine. Just as my sanc fica on is His

8. God will root out what does not serve each of us well. No personal or genera onal pa ern will be le untouched because He desires our freedom and holiness. His refining process con nues all the days of our lives. I can trust His a en on and persistence. 9.

Though prayer needs may linger, I can be sure that He is far busier with the “unseen” than what I can see Him doing. His unfailing love keeps Him a en ve to each and every concern whether I am aware of it or not.

10. This life is not what I/we are living for, it is eternity. Our best life will never be this side of heaven. Every single hardship will pale in comparison to what He has in store for us one day.

The Result? I have seen how Christ brings hope out of “hopeless” situa ons. In a span of 5 years, He has done a work for each of my sons that is beyond what I had the mind to conceive and it has forever impacted how I process suﬀering. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Cor. 2:9 NLT So you see, whenever I feel fear or heartache, I process those moments through the hope that permeates life in Christ. God has fundamentally changed me and dare I say, it was worth every agonizing moment I experienced back then. The hope I live with daily is far too precious and it can be for you too. Hope says, “God’s got this AND God has me.”

GRETCHEN FLEMING a Bible teacher, speaker and writer. Visit her site GretchenFleming.com to learn how to follow hard after Christ through the Word that sets men free.

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KIM STEWART

“YOU SHOULD STAY HOME.” WHO KNEW FOUR LITTLE WORDS WOULD HURT SO BAD. EVEN MORE THAN “YOUR SON HAS AUTISM”. I was at a park that day with my friends and their children. My older son was two and my younger son was a few months old. These ou ngs were frequent, we were all stay-at-home moms, our husbands traveled, and our get-togethers saved our sanity. Both my boys were mel ng down. The youngest was hungry, and frustrated that mom was taking so long. But the oldest? I hadn’t a clue. These were the ‘preau sm’ days. He was always my happy, go lucky boy, but that day he was inconsolable. He wasn’t red, he wasn’t hungry or thirsty, he didn’t need his diaper changed. He wasn’t able to tell me what was wrong from his s ll small vocabulary. While his li le brother was calmed by a bo le, there was nothing working to make him happy.

maybe his favorite Blues Clues video. But I do remember the phone calls that came that a ernoon from my friends. “I’m going to drop oﬀ a book on discipline. Maybe he needed a good spanking.” “Maybe ge ng out with two small children is a li le too much for you and perhaps you should stay home for a while instead.” You should stay home. Four li le words that hurt so big. In their defense, my friends didn’t understand what was going on any more than I did. It would be several more months as my son’s plateau in development became more obvious before we heard the other four li le words, “your son has au sm”. We didn’t know what au sm was, and didn’t know anyone with a child with au sm. Googling au sm back then made his future look grim, leading to more calls from friends, now with ques ons. “Will he be able to go to school?”

Was this the terrible twos I always heard about? I was the first in my mom group to have a second baby. I had nothing to compare it to. I quickly packed us up that day and we headed home in the car, all of us in tears.

“Will he ever live on his own?”

I don’t remember what finally calmed my older son that day, maybe the car ride, maybe ge ng back home,

Maybe staying home wasn’t such a bad idea a er all. Hiding out and trying to understand what was going on

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“Will he ever get married?” Not very helpful.

A PRIL IS A UTISM A WARENESS M ONTH and how best to help my son seemed like the right answer. But God knew the journey we were embarking on, and the help I would need, long before I did. When our neighbor heard the news, his family immediately began praying for us. He gave us the number of a friend of his who was a mom just a few years ahead of us on the au sm journey. When I reached out, she had just come home from the hospital with a newborn. She had other children at home, one with au sm, and yet she found me to spend on the phone with me. She shared everything she knew about early interven on for au sm, preschool resources to help us, and her prayers for us. God brought her to us right when we needed her and he would con nue to do that me and me again. I remember my mother-in-law passing along a prayer request from a friend at church. It was a mom whose son also had au sm and I immediately reached out. We discovered our sons with au sm were the same age. Their siblings were the same age. She has been a lifesaver for me in more ways than one, and 20 years later, we are s ll dear friends. God would con nue to open the doors to family and friends that were helpful in providing support and prayers for us. He would also help us set boundaries, and give grace to others who weren’t. God knew our hearts needed to hear four li le words again from family and friends. How can I pray? How can I help? Every family’s needs are diﬀerent, and they change throughout the years. But one thing that remains the same is needing your prayers and support. And when you don’t know what to pray or how to help, ask God those same four li le words and He will answer.

Autism Resources Na onal Au sm Organiza ons h ps://au smsociety.org h ps://na onalau smassocia on.org h ps://www.au smspeaks.org These organiza ons provide lots of informa on on the na onal, state, and local levels, including informa on on resources below. Be sure to look for local parent support groups, and resources for legal and financial planning in your state including special needs trusts, and guardianship at age 18 if needed. Medicaid State Waivers h ps://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/sec on-1115demo/demonstra on-and-waiver-list/index.html These programs are not dependent on family income, but your child's diagnosis and may diﬀer state to state. They provide therapies, in-home and out-ofhome respite, a endant services, day programs, and residen al services for adults. Get on all the waitlists for services even if your child does not need them yet as the waitlists can be long (ie. In TX our waitlist is 15+ years). You never know what the future will bring. Special Needs Ministries h ps://www.joniandfriends.org Seek support through a Special Needs Ministry at a local church. If your church doesn't have one, reach out to Joni and Friends and they can provide informa on on star ng one or recommenda ons to churches in the area that have one. They may also oﬀer a parent support group.

**Disclaimer: this is not meant to be medical or legal advice. Please consult appropriate resources above. This is not an allinclusive list as every state is diﬀerent, and the needs of every family are unique.

KIM STEWART is a wife and mom of two adult sons. Her oldest son, Heath, was diagnosed with autism at age 3. She’s also a book marketing strategist for Christian nonfiction authors and host of the Book Marketing Mania podcast. When she’s not working behind the scenes, you’ll find her in Dallas enjoying time with her family, and indulging in coffee, caramel and Friends reruns. Connect with Kim at kimstewartmarketing.com. S PRING 2022 | S WEET T O T HE S OUL FAITH

stand praying, forgive W HENEVER

YOU

YOU HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST ANYONE , SO THAT YOUR

F ATHER

ALSO WHO IS

IN HEAVEN MAY FORGIVE YOU YOUR TRESPASSES . M ARK 11:25

F ATHER , T HANK IF

YOU FOR YOUR ABUNDANT GRACE AND COMPASSION .

YOU WERE NOT SLOW TO ANGER AND ABOUNDING IN LOVE ,

I I

WOULD SURELY PERISH IN MY SINS .

COME TO YOU WITH A SIN - STAINED HEART .

H UMBLY , I

BOW

BEFORE YOU AND ASK THAT YOU FORGIVE ALL MY SINS .

Y OUR

GRACE IS ENOUGH TO WASH ME CLEAN .

P RAISE G OD ! AS

YOU FORGIVE MY TRESPASSES , HELP ME FORGIVE THE

TRESPASSES OF OTHERS .

F ATHER , FOR YOUR ABUNDANT GRACE AND COMPASSION . Y OU MADE A WAY FOR ALL OUR SINS TO BE FORGIVEN . I REJOICE AND I AM FILLED WITH PRAISE , HONOR , AND WORSHIP AT THE MENTION OF YOUR GREAT NAME . NAME ,

YOU ,

PRAY ,

A MEN .

Prayer by Tyanne Rakowitz

I N J ESUS ’

T HANK

26 32

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N OW RETURN [ IN REPENTANCE ] TO THE LORD YOUR G OD , FOR H E IS GRACIOUS AND COMPASSIONATE , SLOW TO ANGER , ABOUNDING IN LOVINGKINDNESS [ FAITHFUL TO H IS COVENANT WITH H IS PEOPLE ]; AND H E RELENTS [H IS SENTENCE OF ] EVIL [ WHEN H IS PEOPLE GENUINELY REPENT ]. J OEL 2:13

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27 33

ELAINE LANKFORD

“One of my favorite movies growing up was the 1939 classic film The Wizard of Oz. Based on the wriƩen work of L. Frank Baum, most people remember this famous children’s story. It surrounds a band of unlikely characters who set out to find answers in their Ɵme of need. At an impressionable age, I watched the underlying theme involving the forces of good and evil dance across the screen of my television, where good always conquered evil. At the center of the movie was the Land of Oz, a mysƟcal place where dreams came true through the powers of the great and mighty Oz. IniƟally, what held my aƩenƟon was the Emerald City, where life was grand, every day was cheerful and exciƟng, and the residents lived in, what appeared to be, perfect harmony.” (Excerpt from Love Echoed Back)

When I start to tell people about my story of forgiveness through Christ, I always have to start here.

Nurse Prac oner specializing in pain management. Truly, this was my calling, my purpose in life.

Having been raised up in the church and within a tradi onal family, my context of life and Jesus was, well, pre y ar ficial. Real Chris ans don’t have a care in the world, right? I mean, once I gave my life to Christ there was nothing le to repent of, I.was.good. Or so I thought.

And then in 2008, at the height of my professional career, my en re world came crashing down around me. The unthinkable happened. One day I was happily seeing pa ents and the next the doors to the prac ce I was working in were shut by the state authori es that govern medical prac ce. Thirty days later I was in the fight of my life, defending my career, my license, my reputa on.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I appreciate my upbringing. During those years, there were some pre y founda onal things that were planted in my soul. But like many Chris ans who are raised “in the bubble,” the reality of where life can take us and who Christ truly is can get lost in transla on. Fast forward, years later as I entered my twen es, I would also enter the profession of nursing. I felt the call to be a nurse in sixth grade and never looked back. By my thir es, I was climbing the leadership ladder within my profession and excelling to the point that I chose to become a Family 34

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For the next year, the most bi er year of my life, I would wrestle with what was going on around me in u er disbelief. God, you called me to this profession! Why are you not defending your child? Why are you allowing this? Haven’t I been faithful to what you called me too? – Silence. Let me just tell you, my “bubble” had indeed burst. And it could have gone a diﬀerent way. I could have easily thrown up my hands and declared this Chris anity thing doesn’t work, but my heart

wouldn’t let me. You see, I grew up a Chris an, but I was a Chris an not chasing the Savior. Not un l 2006 did I truly press in and begin pursuing this person I said I believed in. Not un l my late thir es did I actually give Jesus room in my life to begin moving around. This was the sin Jesus was slowly washing away.

years! There was so much to confess and clean up. All these areas of my life that I thought I was excelling in I came to realize I was only excelling by the world’s standards not God’s. I would love to tell you that the lessons were light and joyful, but we aren’t in Oz. They were painful and disorien ng at mes. But they were so worth it!

“I would slowly, reluctantly, and tearfully release my status. Over the course of the last several years, I realized how wrapped up my self-image was in my status. For a period, the diplomas on my wall, the ones outlining my steps in life, defining my career, somehow took on a life of their own. They lured me into a false sense of security and safety. They flaƩered me into believing my success in life depended on them. They dulled my sense of hearing to the Father’s call, and they shiŌed my focus onto earthly issues, not eternal ones. They pretended to be my life’s work. So disenchanted by the current events surrounding me, I had to separate myself physically from them or risk drowning in their shadow. I removed them from the walls for a beƩer part of two years, unable to bear their taunts and misleading promises. Broken, I could now be healed. Crushed, I could now truly begin again. No, this wasn’t the work of an angry God, but a compassionate Savior saving me from myself. Life redefined, you bet. Thank goodness He holds an eraser.” (Excerpt from Love Echoed Back)

I would come to understand what it meant to be “saved and redeemed.” I would learn to experience God’s grace in profound ways. And I would indeed learn that His grace is suﬃcient and that His power is made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Oh, how prideful I had become ladies. How confident in my own skill and knowledge. This great gi ing the Lord had given me I had taken advantage of at every turn. How true the words of Proverbs 16:18 rang out in my life: “Pride goes before destruc on, and haugh ness before a fall.” (NLT) Jesus and I would wrestle for another three to four

Now I would love to tell you that my professional troubles resolved. That God did in the end swoop in and take up my cause with the local governing authori es, but He didn’t. Though I can stand before you (and God) and say that there was no medical incompetence on my part and that the things I was accused of came from a place of deep sinister poli cal divide in medicine, I can’t tell you that I wasn’t bruised. I walked away from the profession I loved so deeply and chose my family, my sanity, and my God. And in leaving it all behind and following Him, I gained more than I could imagine …and that piece of the story con nues today! I wish I had me to delve into this deeper with you but for the sake of room, I’ll have to leave it there. What God birthed in me out of this experience was a passion to show Chris ans that yes, this Chris anity thing works but perhaps not in the way you envision. However, our God is never wrong. His ways are truly higher than mine or yours!

Forgiveness is ours for the taking. Let Christ’s forgiveness transform you in ways you can never imagine.

For anyone interested in the en re story, I would like to oﬀer readers of this magazine a FREE copy of Love Echoed Back: I Cried Out; He Answered. It’s my gi to you. Simply email me at info@shestepsforwardministries.org and provide your mailing address. That’s it! I’ll pop a copy in the mail to you within the week. Blessings to you and yours!

ELAINE LANKFORD is an author, a speaker, and a life/leadership coach. Visit her site SheStepsForwardMinistries.org to learn more about discovering and/or fulfilling your God-sized dream.

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God’s Merciful Discipline KELLY BASHAM

"Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject or despise them so as to destroy them and break My covenant with them; for I am the LORD their God. But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their fathers, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the naƟons, that I might be their God. I am the LORD. " (LeviƟcus 26: 44-45 ESV)

Have you ever read a passage from the Bible and been tempted to think God is angry and unforgiving? I recently experienced such a tempta on while reading from the book of Levi cus. In Levi cus Chapter 26 we read a summary of the blessings that come from keeping the rules and laws that the Lord gave to the people of Israel through Moses on Mount Sinai and the curses that will occur if they choose not to follow them. (Levi cus 26:45) I enjoy reading about the blessings. I like knowing that God will provide for, protect and dwell with his people if they are obedient. The curses not so much. It's hard to read that God would take away the blessings and allow such devasta ng suﬀering to befall his people if they walked contrary to His laws and disobeyed his commands. (Levi cus 26:14-39). It's temp ng to read the curses and think that God is unforgiving and believe that if we mess up, God will abandon us. But as we read in Levi cus, we see that isn't true. In Levi cus 26:40-45, God tells the Israelites that if they confess their sins

and humbly seek his forgiveness, he will not disregard them or completely destroy them. Despite the Israelites sin and con nued disdain for God's rules, commandments, and statutes, God would s ll honor his end of the covenant. There would be consequences for their sins, but God would not forsake them; he would have compassion on his chosen people. We may not face consequen al curses, but just as the Israelites would suﬀer discipline for their sins, we, too, will be disciplined by God for our sins. By God's love, grace and mercy, he will discipline us so that we are moved to seek him for help, and in turn, are compelled to change our hearts through convic on so that we will wholeheartedly repent. God's discipline is an act of mercy, love, and compassion intended to turn our hearts back to him. Hebrews 12:6-7 says, "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chas ses every son whom he receives." (Also see Proverbs 3:11-12) And in Psalm 94;12-15, the psalmist writes, " Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law, to give him rest from

KELLY BASHAM is a writer and blogger passionate about pointing others to God’s word for all of life’s obstacles. On her blog, Blossom In Faith, she writes to encourage others to grow in their relationship with Jesus as they seek, study, and reflect on God’s word. 36

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days of trouble, un l a pit is dug for the wicked. For the LORD will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; for jus ce will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it." When we sin, we don't need to fear God's unforgiveness or abandonment; Jesus already paid the price for us when he took our place on the cross as the final atonement for our sins! (John 3:16, 1 John 4:9-10) However, we must acknowledge our sins to God. 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." God will not abandon or forget those who turn their hearts back to him. When we humble ourselves and genuinely repent of our sins, God is merciful and lavishly extends us grace and forgiveness.

Lord, we praise you for your love, compassion, and grace. You are a good and just God. Please, help us see your discipline as an act of love and mercy intended to turn our hearts back to you. We thank you for sending your son Jesus to pay the final atonement for our sins so that we may be reconciled to you. Forgive us when we turn from your word and walk in disobedience. Thank you for being a merciful God who is always ready to forgive his children when they come to you with humble hearts and repent of our sins. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen!

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Breaking the MÌd J.E. BERRY

Play-doh has been a family favorite in our household over the years. There are just so many crea ve possibili es and endless hours of imagina on wrapped up in such a simple material. We have bought several accessories and storage containers to accommodate the innumerable containers of dough and such. The only thing that really isn’t so great about it, is that once you have molded a crea on and you leave it out in the air, it dries and becomes unusable for future crea ons. Which is a bummer because the whole point is to recreate over, and over again. But somemes, if you’re lucky, you can scrape oﬀ the hard outside and find the inside so and squishy.

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The crea ve capacity of the heart and mind are vast. Our hearts and minds are just like that Playdoh. They can be stretched and shaped and spread out through life experience. But also, if they are misshapen by trauma, abuse, and emo onal neglect, then le out to dry without care, they can become hard to mold properly and reshape. However, with a li le scrapping and loving care, you may be able to get back down to the so squishy parts. Forgiveness is about scrapping oﬀ the hard crusty parts that have sealed in the bad impressions to reveal a so moldable surface that can be reshaped. Parental trauma is one of the hardest and most impac ul circumstances of a person’s life. The heart and mind of a child, like dough, can be shaped and molded by every horrible experience along the way. Making presupposi ons for adulthood. Every interac on leaves an impression, whether deep or shallow. The so , precious memories of adolescence, become a pla orm for response and acceptance in adulthood. Making the damage done in a parent child environment, painful indenta ons. Hard pills to swallow, I know. I come from a family of double-sided trauma. Substance abuse on both sides. My parents were looked to as the savior of both sides though they were extremely young when they got married (19 and 15). My father was stable, hardworking, loving, funny, and charisma c. My mother was (and is) one of the very best of caretakers, an awesome friend, faithful, giving, and loving. Our household was the place of gathering and where all the single parent kids came for the complete

family experience. Our home was a haven for so many. But all that pressure revealed a crack in the founda on of our family of four. A house divided. A woman who loved God and a man who loved himself. Slowly, the enemy staked his claim on our household and did not let up un l he got what he wanted. Our broken home. Soon it was all unrecognizable. Screams replaced laughter. Nightmares replaced dreams. Growing up, I some mes felt completely at the mercy of circumstance, which made me feel small and powerless. Though there were many happy memories coupled with the trauma c experiences, unfortunately, the la er moments le las ng impressions that shaped my dough-like mind for early adult life. Which meant a lot of adult size hurt that was formed in a li le me. My li le eyes had seen an angry father with substance issues and a hur ng mother full of fear. All of that stored itself in me to create a wall that I thought could not be penetrated by pain from others. All I knew was that I didn’t want to become either of them at the me. I wanted nothing to do with a man like my father. And I was not going to give in to fear like my mom. I grew up to be non tolerant, prideful (though kind), and an undercover control freak. My length of grace was about as long as a grain of rice. I didn’t want anything to do with anyone I couldn’t trust, though I hardly trusted anyone. I had to have control of my environment. Totally healthy right? I was so overwhelmed with all that emo onal rug sweeping that I couldn’t see that there was some unforgiveness buried in me from the years of

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having a front seat to the demise of my parents’ marriage. I thought I was over everything, “moving on”. Deep down I was angry at my mom for staying in the marriage. I was angry at my father for choosing himself over us. Over me. And I was angry at myself some mes that I even let it bother me. But mostly because I allowed my hurt to cause me to behave in a way that was not in alignment with my faith. I carried so much shame. What a mess?! I knew that I needed forgiveness. I also knew that I needed to forgive. “bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Colossians 3:13 ESV You see, in all the turmoil that played out in my family home, my mother s ll found it impera ve to take me to church. I guess she thought it was our only hope. She was right. Because when I was 12 years old, during the height of our home’s meltdown, I was saved. And though the impact of all the trauma had yet to surface (sin of all sorts), Jesus found me right where I was. A fact that hit me as a young adult who needed to forgive and be forgiven. I recalled that Jesus had taken me in, full of sin and shame, never leaving my side even in all my foolishness. If God had forgiven me of my many sins against Him, what right did I have to hold unforgiveness in my heart? No ma er how jus fied I felt.

I started to ask myself ques ons like: “How could I truly love God and not believe what He says?” “How could I expect grace if I refuse to give it?” I chose to repent and forgive. I chose to wrap my mind around truths found in Scripture regarding what it means to forgive and what real love is. “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31 ESV I had to give Him all of me. That meant my pain too. I now have an incredible rela onship with my mother with no emo ons hidden under the rug. My father and I have a good rela onship. S ll believing for him to surrender his life to Jesus. But that’s okay because I am s ll praying and as long as I s ck with him, he has a lifeline. As for me, I am in love with who I have become with all my dough pieces reshaped and made into something only God could create from such a mess. I have forgiven myself for all the choices I made as a young angry girl, who just wanted to feel like she could control something. Every crust of bi erness around my heart has been surrendered to the Lord. God is good.

J. E. (JADE) BERRY is a writer/speaker, songwriter, wife and mom to five children, with a heart for seeing people come to know freedom through a relationship with Christ Jesus. Connect with her at JEBerrySpeaks.com.

S WEET T O T HE S OUL FAITH | S PRING 2022

SCRIPTURE C ARDS Cut out Scripture cards and tuck in your Bible or display around your home or oﬃce; or write an encouragement on the back and share with a friend.

“I F

MY PEOPLE WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME HUMBLE THEMSELVES , AND PRAY AND SEEK MY FACE AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS , THEN I WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN AND WILL FORGIVE THEIR SIN AND HEAL THEIR LAND .” 2 C HRONICLES 7:14

“A ND WHENEVER YOU STAND PRAYING , FORGIVE , IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST ANYONE , SO THAT YOUR F ATHER ALSO WHO IS IN HEAVEN MAY FORGIVE YOU YOUR TRESPASSES .” M ARK 11:25

SWEET TO THE SOUL FAITH

“I N

HIM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD ,

THE FORGIVENESS OF OUR

“B E

KIND AND

TRESPASSES , ACCORDING TO

TENDERHEARTED

THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE ,”

TO ONE ANOTHER ,

E PHESIANS 1:7

FORGIVING EACH OTHER JUST AS

C HRIST G OD FORGAVE YOU .” E PHESIANS 4:32 IN

SWEET TO THE SOUL FAITH

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SCRIPTURE C ARDS

Cut out Scripture cards and tuck in your Bible or display around your home or oﬃce; or write an encouragement on the back and share with a friend.

SWEET TO THE SOUL FAITH

S WEET T O T HE S OUL FAITH | S PRING 2022

It absolutely is because joy is a gift from God. This life will be filled with struggles, ups and downs, and times of living in the valley and on the mountain top, but God’s provision surpasses any of the experiences that attempt to interfere with our joy and happiness.

PEACEFULLYIMPERFECT.net/books/

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Forgiveness Is Possible BECKY CORTINO

Some forgiveness stories span a lifetime. Many years ago, a baby girl was privately adopted by a couple who lost their firstborn daughter within weeks of birth. They took their adopted baby in and loved her. They told her she was chosen and special. She felt loved. A few years later, another daughter was born into the family. Now the adopted girl had a sister! Darkness soon began to swirl, overtaking the family. It caused brokenness, uncertainty and excrucia ng pain for everyone. Beginning from a young age, the adopted daughter became despised, felt unworthy and served as a scapegoat for many of her parents’ devasta ng personal choices. Surrounded by loving rela ves, encouraging friends, church family and Jesus, the young girl tried her best to please her parents. She hoped

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with all her heart to make them proud of her. Unfortunately, it was as if they never no ced. They never experienced the true blessings and simple joys of her childhood and growing up. Perhaps the pain they carried was too great a burden, making seeing beyond it impossible. Breaking free of pressing restraints, she went on to accomplish things she wanted to do and felt led to do in her adult life.

That adopted baby girl is me. As I look back on those early years and how grace played out in my life, I am humbled to discover how this story — my story — is my heart’s mission to share, as I assure you that forgiveness is possible. When we realize loss amidst the brokenness and wholeheartedly seek to make things right, God works in powerful ways to heal and transform us

The truth is: things happen in this world we will never understand. When the unimaginable intrudes into our lives, we are always left with choosing how to handle it.

and our rela onships. If we are willing to resolve hard life issues and seek restora on for the broken places, there is a way. For many years, I remember approaching my parents with a renewed spirit, always hoping for a fresh start. Each me my hopes for restora on and a new beginning with them were repeatedly dashed. One day in the middle of an a ernoon (half a life me ago), I received a phone call from my mother. Her pancrea c cancer diagnosis kept my sister and I always standing by for phone calls. This call seemed diﬀerent from all of the phone conversaons we’d had through the years. Our conversa on was pleasant, as we shared life updates. In addi on to running my successful consul ng business, I was in the middle of planning my wedding in three months. Looking back, I’m sure everything I said was as she expected and normal, compared to the cancer rollercoaster she had been on. I hoped by sharing our wedding plans with her, it would give her something to look forward to. We cha ed for as long as she enough energy. Just before saying our goodbyes and I love you, she paused the conversa on and apologized for “always pu ng me last.” Her sincere admission caught me so by surprise I didn’t know what to say. Realizing the gravity of this moment, I oﬀered

her the most gracious and truthful words I could think of, reassuring her all was well and I always loved her. That was our last conversa on.

Over the years, I’ve replayed this amazing conversa on, listening to her astonishing words in my heart. I’ve held them close to me. I’ve marveled at them with great wonder. I’ll always treasure them. I remember sensing an incredibly calm, peaceful spirit surrounding us during our call. The sound of her voice seemed to reflect her spirit as somehow diﬀerent than at any me before. Even the words were not as she normally would have said — yet, she spoke them lovingly to me. She gave voice to what I never dared to think or ever say. At that moment, a heart transforma on was undeniable. Forgiveness took place that day. Grace was extended (and received) in authen c love. My story about the last conversa on with my adopted mother illustrates Jesus’ presence in our lives and rela onships. I believe He was there with us the en re me. He knew our situa on well — from before I was born, to when my mother’s last breath on earth would be. He knew the true unspoken longing of our hearts and great need for restora on, forgiveness, grace, and peace. That day, He delivered it to us in the most beau ful way. It was truly a sacred moment, as we were drawn into that quiet, safe space together. The truth is: things happen in this world we

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THE STEPS TO FORGIVING BEGIN WITH CARE, AND END WITH “I FORGIVE YOU,” ALL COVERED IN PRAYER: will never understand. When the unimaginable intrudes into our lives, we are always le with choosing how to handle it.

Forgiveness is an ongoing process. Forgiving is not a “one-and-done” easy-peasy procedure. Everyone has someone in their life needing grace, or to ask forgiveness. Grace is a life essen al. It is an integral part of rela onships. I’m not saying it’s simple to do, but I am saying it’s necessary and the process is far simpler than we think.

Forgiveness is possible for you in your broken places. It’s impera ve to take a fresh look at the reasons everyday methods don’t work to ‘fix’ our painful rela onal problems. When we move toward restoring broken rela onships, we can begin to regain the peace we long for in life. In 1 John 4:7-21, the case for forgiveness is laid out. It is because of Him (and through Him) we are loved, do love, and are capable of loving others. As followers of Christ who love God, Scripture tell us we are to love others and never withhold grace. If we fully embrace God’s ways as believers, forgiving is not an op on. Forgiveness is possible when we apply Jesus’ perfect example to our life by uncondi onally loving and freely forgiving. It begins with God’s love for all of us.

ACCOUNTABILITY: The forgiveness process starts with acknowledging the wrong done. Some mes those involved deny their role or refuse grace. You can forgive without contact with them (advisable when personal safety is an issue; or perhaps the person is deceased).

COUNT THE COST: Considering the gain and loss of forgiving or withholding grace shows us what we may miss out on in life, if the issue con nues. Reflec ng on what might be and possible life events you will be miss is shocking!

EXTEND GRACE: Forgive. Hanging on to unforgiveness is voluntarily carrying a burden every day for the rest of your life. Self-inflicted pain becomes a nagging companion for as long as we hold on to the unwanted. True joy comes when the heavy load is li ed through grace.

Rela onships involve more than just “one.” It’s not just you. It’s not just me. In fact, it’s not just “us.” It also includes our heavenly Father. He is with us, even in our mes of separa on and distress. He wants us to repair and restore our brokenness. In His immense love and never-ending grace always freely available to all, He wants to hold us closely. Together.

BECKY CORTINO is an author, mo va onal speaker and ghtrope walker. Her heart’s mission is to share the important message of grace and finding forgiveness is possible. Be inspired by her ministry of Encouraging Words for Hur ng Hearts at: LivRad.com.

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Happy Mother’s Day

H ER

CHILDREN RISE UP AND CALL HER

Blessed P ROVERBS 31:28

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Coping with the Loss of Your Mother on Mother’s Day MITZI NEELY

"Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." Proverbs 31:31

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A N EW N ORMAL Another Mother’s Day is upon us and admittedly my emotions are all over the chart. I lost my sweet mama three years ago and the thought of not celebrating with her is surreal. Some days the tears just flow. Other days I'm remembering the special times we had together and I smile. Whether I like it or not, things have changed. Her loss is still a reminder of the gaping hole that feels like it is a mile wide. So how do I cope with the loss of mom on Mother's Day?

Deal with Reality When it Hits Reality can hit each of us hard. Maybe visi ng their favorite stores brings back memories of days gone by. Or maybe when we’re perusing the Mother’s Day card display out of habit and we realize we’re not buying a card this year. I don’t know about you but I wasn’t prepared for the swell of emo ons that occurred. Tears well in my eyes and my throat ghtens just thinking about my mom and the fact that she’s no longer here with me to fuss over and treat like a queen. But instead of ge ng mired down in the sadness I try to focus on the good mes. I con nue to think: Did I spend enough me with her? Could I have been more pa ent with her? Were our conversa ons always filled with kind words?

Remember Her Devotion I know that God doesn’t want us to sink in doubt or second guess ourselves. He wants us to remember that a mother and her love is a direct reflecon of His love. He wants us to remember her sacrifices and her devo on to her family. I was blessed to spend a lot of me with my mom. We lived close and I was able to visit her several mes a week. I also made it a priority to talk with her every single day--some mes mul ple mes a day just to check in. Oh, how I miss this sweet me. She was loyal, loved fiercely, and had my back. I would also love to tell you that every conversaon we had in the last few years was void of any conflict, but I cannot. She needed to go to her doctor appointments, but some mes she just wouldn’t. I’m sure I sounded like a mother scolding her daughter, but I did it because I loved her. Then there were mes when she would tell us to clean up or throw away, only to supervise what would stay and what could go. Regardless of the discussions, I always made sure at the end of each visit, that I kissed her, told her I loved her, and that I would see her soon. That held true all the way to her drawing her last breath. I am grateful for the me we had together.

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Love Like Jesus God's Word tells us we're to love unselfishly and fiercely. We’re to be loyal and care for others. Mother’s are special individuals and they deserve our respect, gentleness and kindness, because they are a beau ful example of God’s love. Right now I would love nothing more than to be with my mama to celebrate her special day. Maybe you feel the same way. Maybe you're feeling the same sadness and tears because you've suﬀered your own loss. Whichever it is, I know this--I miss her terribly. Some days I wake up thinking about her with tears rolling down my cheeks. Other days, I smile up at her, tell her I love her, and keep moving forward. That's what she would want. Since I can’t see my mama face-to-face or hear her sweet voice or say I love you, I’ll remember her as the best mother ever. I’m grateful for the sacrifices she made for me; for the love she so uncondi onally showered, and most importantly, for the legacy she le me, my sister, and her grandchildren. Whether you're situa on is recent or you've been without your mom for years, it's okay to cry and grieve. As I encounter yet another Mom’s Day, here are five ways I’m remembering my mama. Regardless of the emo ons I'm facing, I'm choosing to focus on what I have rather than what I don’t. I hope they help you too.

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Honor Your Mom's Memory I loved my mom for many reasons but I’m especially thankful for her strength and grace. She faced some tough journeys in her life, but she always came out on the other side a stronger, more confident and courageous woman. She made sure we were raised with those same a ributes. “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Proverbs 31:25 NLT

Be Thankful for Her Example I’m grateful for the way my mom treated and cared for others. She was kind, loving and gracious to those around her. “Love is paƟent and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude, it does not insist on its own way, it is not irritable or resenƞul, it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV

She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. Proverbs 31:25

Appreciate Her Influence

Surround Yourself with People You Love

I'm thankful for the impact mom had on my life. We don’t always recognize a mom's powerful influence un l years later when we find ourselves in her same shoes.

Today I'm choosing to honor my mother by celebra ng those who are a part of her legacy– my daughter, my sister, my nieces and precious friends. They are women I count on. They are strong, confident, gracious, and joy-filled women who remind me of her.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Ephesians 6:2 ESV

Give Yourself Some Grace

“Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to insight, “You are my relaƟve.” Proverbs 7:4 NIV I'm praying for you as you cope with the loss your mom. Remember her and thank God for His glorious gi !

It’s okay to be sad one minute and happy the next. The emo ons will come quickly and o en, but give yourself some grace. Take me to mourn and grieve--it’s necessary. You're dealing with the loss of your mom and God is there to guide you every step of the way. "Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.” John 16:22

MITZI NEELY is a wife, mom, and grandmother who encourages and inspires women of all ages through her teachings on grace, love, joy, and peace.. She just debuted a new book, Zizi’s Kitchen: Gathering Hearts in Faith-full Fellowship. You can connect with Mitzi at peacefullyimperfect.net

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Encouragement Calendar

Extend kindness to a stranger Be slow to speak and be gracious with your words Take opportunities to be with someone in time of grief Take time to tell others ‘thank you’ Look for opportunities to meet the needs of others Be purposeful to respond to others in grace, not rudeness Be quick to apologize when you make a mistake Pay a kindness forward to co-worker Prepare a meal for someone in need

The unbelieving world should see our testimony lived out daily because it just may point them to the Savior. Billy Graham

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Pick one book of the Bible and read it everyday for 30 days.

Extend Grace

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Pray for someone you do not know Pray for the person ahead of you in traffic Pray someone every day at noon Ask God to help you forgive someone who has hurt you

Prayer Prompts

Pray for a family member every day Pray for someone in a spiritual battle Pray for God to reveal the name of someone who needs to hear from you Pray for understanding of other’s point of view Pray for someone instead of talking about them

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Hope anchors the soul.

A calendar without dates or days of the week? Yes! Our Encouragement Calendar looks diﬀerent than a regular calendar and it also serves a special purpose .. To bring you encouragement and to help you encourage others. During this quarter, come visit these pages o en and find a thing or two to read, to contemplate, to pray about, to challenge you, to give thanks, to journal about, and more!

Step out of your comfort zone to make a new friend Invite a visitor at church to lunch Get up 15 minutes earlier each morning and read the Bible Find a way to be a blessing to a neighbor Write a note of appreciation to your pastor or ministry leader Make a dietary change toward better health Select an area of your home each month to declutter Take a prayer walk Volunteer with a local charity or support organization

Never be afraid to trust an

□ □

Everyday for 30 days, tell someone “thank you”. Plant seeds and watch them grow.

unknown future to a known God. Corrie Ten Boom

And you know, when you've experienced grace and you feel like you've been forgiven, you're a lot more forgiving of other people. You're a lot more gracious to others. Rick Warren

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Ask God to open the door for you to share your testimony with someone.

Accept the Challenge

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Journal about a time when you were extended grace by someone

Write it Down

Develop the practice of daily writing Scripture Recall a time when you received forgiveness from God Select Scriptures to journal and pray over family members Share a note of encouragement with someone having a difficult time Journal about someone who met your personal needs Write out what you would share with someone giving your testimony

Journal about a circumstance which felt hopeless and how God provided

Lord show me everyday how I can be a blessing. Amen

Be kind.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

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Gospel Foundations for Your Finances KATIE JONES

Money is a language we all speak. No matter where you’re from, what year you were born, who you are or what you believe, you use money. It is inescapable, for better or for worse. Not only is money everywhere, but it also holds a lot of power over us.

Whether you realize it or not, how you use your money says a lot about who you are, and what you believe. It was the late Billy Graham who said, “Give me 5 minutes with a person’s checkbook and I will tell you where they’re heart is.” While you probably aren’t using a checkbook regularly, the same can be said about taking a look at your bank account statements. So let me ask you a ques on… If I were to comb through all of your purchases from the past year, what would I find? Would I be able to tell that Jesus is Lord over your life? Or would it be hard to decipher that your faith is a key element in your life? Now I don’t ask this ques on to point fingers or make you feel ashamed. My goal is to sincerely get you to reflect on the way you view and use your money. Remember that how you use your money says a lot about what you believe about the one who gave it all to you, Yahweh. As you read this ar cle, I bet this one thing is true about you… You have a deep desire to honor God

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with your finances, and yet, you realize that no one has really ever taught you how to prac cally do that. Did I get that right? As a money coach who has worked with many believers these past few years, I have found that this statement is true for the majority of the people that I mentor. I personally struggled with this same problem! The lessons I was learning in church about money were conceptual rather than prac cal. I heard many sermons about thing and not loving my money, but surely that couldn’t be the end of God’s lessons about personal finances! Right?

What Does God Have to Say About Money? The Bible has over 2,300 verses that men on money, wealth, possessions, and finances. Clearly, God had so much to say about how we use this resource that touches all of our lives. He recognized long before all of us that money has this dis nct power over us and causes many of us to stumble. The scariest part is that many believers across genera ons do not recognize the hold that money has on our hearts and decisions. It is no wonder that we are warned about money in 1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” If you have been around the church a while, you have probably heard or read this verse countless mes and thought, “This does not apply to me, surely I am not in love with my money.” I personally believe that God speaks so much about money throughout the Bible because, whether we want to admit it or not, we ALL struggle with loving money more than God. Take a moment and really reflect over your last year’s spending pa erns. What percentage of your money actually went toward building the Kingdom of God? If it is 10% or less, I would challenge you to rethink whether you love your money or not. However, I am not here to argue how much you should be giving to kingdom-advancing opportuni es. What I’d like to do is help you reframe the way you view and use your money. My goal today is to help you build a solid founda on so you can have a biblical view for your finances so you can make one step forward towards confidently using it in a way that does bring honor to God.

The 4 Founda ons to a Biblical View for Your Finances As with everything in our lives, the Gospel has the power to transform the way we view our finances. Here are four of the main Gospel founda ons and how they apply to our money management. God is at the center Everything in the universe was created by God for God. This means our money and even the ability to produce wealth was given to us by God. Nothing we have truly belongs to us, but rather, we are simply given talents and resources to manage. The way I like to view this is that we are money managers, or more commonly known in the church - stewards.

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Our world is broken by sin Unfortunately, due to sin and our broken nature we are bound to use our money improperly and inevitably end up with money problems, stress, and anxiety. We will con nuously fail to understand money and our money problems if we ignore or even minimize the fact that we live in a world so broken by sin that it does not func on the way God originally intended it. Not only that, but you and I need to be humble enough to admit our own faults and recognize that we each fall prey to the love of money to some degree. Even as a money coach, there is always room to grow, and you have room to grow as well. God offers life transforming grace The good news is that there is a solu on; and that solu on isn’t just a new budget, money strategy, or investment. The solu on begins with the forgiving, rescuing, and transforming grace that is offered only by Jesus Christ. If we do not first admit our shortcomings and our need to be rescued, we will fail to properly address our money problems. God’s grace opens the door to a whole new relaonship with money for each of us, not because we are good and deserve it, but because God is that good, and he offers us grace that is that powerful. We were created by him for something bigger than ourselves Most believers will readily admit that their money comes from God alone, but fail to recognize the true purpose of His generosity. Many of us believe that God wants us to live financially comfortable lives, with big bank accounts, nice houses, and luxury vaca ons. I do believe that God wants to bless us abundantly, but not primarily for our own comforts.

In order to redeem your financial situa on you must first accept God’s transforming grace and second you must surrender your finances over to His greater plan for them. What is this plan you ask? Paul explains this purpose very well in his 2nd le er to the church in Corinth. “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all Ɵmes, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is wriƩen: “They have freely scaƩered their giŌs to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” 2 Corinthians 9:8-11 2 Corinthians 9 gives us a beau ful picture of God’s original design for our money. Paul sums it up nicely in verse 11 by saying that you have been enriched so you can be generous! If you want to enjoy the fullness of God’s blessing, I would encourage you to ac vely seek out ways to be a conduit of the generosity God shows to you. The Gospel is so powerful and if you allow it, it has the ability to transform every area of your life; your marriage, your rela onships, your work, and yes, even your finances. It is me that you le your money struggles in the past. Let go of your need to accumulate money for your own security and comforts and open your eyes to all the opportuni es that allow you to parcipate in the building of God’s Kingdom through your generosity this year!

KATIE JONES is a youth-pastor’s wife, a traveling enthusiast, a real estate agent & investor, and a money coach. After struggling to reconcile her faith with real estate investing and a passion for personal finances, God finally showed her how to confidently manage money in a way that acknowledges and glorifies him. Visit her at agapeinvests.com 56

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Listen to This If you love reading the articles from our contributors, we know you will enjoy listening to them even more. Check out these podcasts featuring Melanie, Becky and Natalia:

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we are saved. F OR

N OW HOPE F OR WHO

IN THIS

HOPE

THAT IS SEEN IS NOT HOPE .

HOPES IN WHAT HE SEES ?

R OMANS 8:24

DEAR LORD, WE COME TO YOU TODAY FILLED WITH HOPE AND A GRATEFUL HEART. THERE ARE MANY DAYS THAT WE CAN THANK YOU FOR THE ABUNDANT HOPE YOU SO LOVINGLY PROVIDE. THERE ARE OTHER DAYS WHEN WE RUN INTO SEEMINGLY HOPELESS SITUATIONS, AND YOU ARE THERE TO SCOOP US UP IN YOUR PROTECTIVE HANDS, REASSURING US THAT OUR FAITH IN YOU IS ALL THAT IS NEEDED. FATHER, CONTINUE TO FILL OUR DAYS WITH HOPE AS A REMINDER THAT YOU ARE THE GOD WHO COMFORTS US AND MEETS OUR EVERY NEED. IT IS YOU WHO FILLS US WITH JOY AND PEACE AS WE TRUST IN YOU. LIVING A LIFE FILLED WITH HOPE REQUIRES US TO COMMIT TO THE WORD, READ THE WORD, AND STAY IN THE WORD. OUR COMFORT LIES IN YOUR FAITHFULNESS, PROTECTION, STRENGTH, AND GRACE. YOU HEAR OUR PLEAS AND ANSWER OUR PRAYERS ACCORDING TO YOUR WILL. HELP US TO WALK IN YOUR LIGHT AND TO REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE THE GOD OF HOPE, WHOSE LOVE IS ENDLESS. .

Prayer by Mitzi Neely

IN JESUS’ NAME, AMEN.

58 60

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T HEREFORE , PREPARING YOUR MINDS FOR ACTION , AND BEING SOBER - MINDED , SET YOUR HOPE FULLY ON THE GRACE THAT WILL BE BROUGHT TO YOU AT THE REVELATION OF J ESUS

C HRIST .

1 Peter 1:13

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59 61

Hanging On to Threadbare LISA APPELO

Hope

S HE WAS AT THE END OF HER ROPE . She ignored her gnawing hunger as she walked past the fish market and the baker’s cart, smelling warm bread as she passed. Her mind churned on overdrive, replaying the events of the last year. Her stomach now seized with a diﬀerent pain as memories of her late husband flooded in. What she would give to have those days back.

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Everything changed with her husband’s death. No one expected it and, really, she could have done li le to prepare for it. Friends had flocked to her home, bringing food and giving condolences at the funeral. But they’d long since gone back to caring for their own families during a famine, leaving her to find her own way. From the beginning, she ra oned stores from her pantry and went without to make ends meet, anything to keep bread on the table. Day a er day, month a er month, she found grit to keep going, to parent her growing boy through lonely grief. But today she’d reached the end. Brushing away hot tears, she set about with grim resolve to find firewood and get home. Bending to pick up a large branch, someone called to her. She looked up and saw a traveler dressed like an Israelite. She’d heard stories of the neighboring Hebrews and their Hebrew God. “Would you bring me a li le water in a jar so I may have a drink?” the stranger asked.

ceeded her diﬃcult circumstances. The stranger from Israel was none other than Elijah the prophet, whom God had sent to this des tute widow. Though she only had enough flour and oil for one last loaf for her and her son, Elijah told her to first make bread for him. “For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says,” Elijah relayed. “The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry un l the day the Lord sends rain on the land” (1 Kings 17:14). This was a huge ask. Elijah was asking for all she had. But the young widow did as Elijah instructed, and a erward, her flour jar never went empty and her oil jar never ran dry, just as God had promised. In fact, there was enough to feed the widow, her family, and Elijah throughout the en re mul -year drought. Our world of microwaves and cell phones may look diﬀerent from this widow’s world, but she teaches us three huge lessons on hope.

She nodded in respect and turned toward the well. “And bring me, please, a piece of bread,” he added. His words caught her short. Turning slowly toward him, she kept her eyes on her bare feet as she answered, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a li le olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few s cks to take home to make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” The despair in these words is piercing. She could see no other choice. She was out of op ons. Out of resources. Out of hope. While you probably haven’t had to gather wood to make a last meal, maybe you know a similar kind of hopelessness as the widow in 1 Kings 17. But hopelessness wasn’t the end of this young woman’s story. God was doing something that far ex-

1. THERE IS NO HOPELESSNESS IN GOD. Our circumstances never tell the whole story; they tell only what we can see. But the eternal God is our refuge, and always, always underneath are his everlas ng arms. You may be facing big unknowns. You may be at the end of your own ability, and you may not see the way through your circumstances. But the end of your rope is the middle of God’s story. The end of your rope is the middle of God’s story. First Kings 17 tells us God ini ally provided for Elijah through ravens, who made a daily bread delivery to him. If that seems crazy, it’s just as farfetched that God provided for Elijah through a woman—and not only a woman, but a widow, and

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a gen le at that! As a gen le widow living outside of Israel, she was outside the protec ons of Jewish law and would have been among the most poor and needy. But God’s resources are unlimited and his ming is perfect. We may not see a way through, but there is never hopelessness with God.

2. THERE IS NO LACK IN GOD. I imagine this young mom watched her flour and oil dwindle for months. Maybe if she knocked every last bit from the container’s sides and le her oil jar to hang upside down, she’d get just enough to make one last loaf. Long before she ever reached the place of need, God knew how he would meet it. Her flour was ge ng low, but God would send Elijah. Her oil was running thin, but God would send Elijah. She began to gather s cks for a last meal, but God would send Elijah. Right now, in your desperate need, God knows how he’s going to care for you. In fact, God knows how he will meet needs you don’t even have yet. God will provide guidance as you need it. God will provide wisdom as you need it. God will provide comfort as you need it. God will provide materially as you need it. God will provide grace as you need it. God will provide for each circumstance as you need it.

3. THERE IS NO LACK IN GOD—BUT THERE ARE TESTS OF FAITH. God owns the ca le on a thousand hills, and he could have hand-delivered one to this woman. But instead, he asked her to trust and obey. She had to give the last of what she had to the Elijah, trus ng God’s promise that he wouldn’t let her flour or oil run out un l the drought was over. See, God wanted more than to simply meet this woman’s needs. It wasn’t just that she was physically poor; she was spiritually impoverished as well. God wanted this woman living in a gen le country outside of Israel to know him as the one true God. He was wooing her. When she trusted God with everything she had, God provided everything she needed. And of course, God was faithful to his promise as he only can be. For three years, every me she reached into that jar of flour, there was enough. Every me she poured oil from the jar, there was enough. Every me she made cakes for Elijah, there was enough. When her growing boy was hungry, there was enough. God provided for Elijah, this woman, and her son when she trusted God with everything she had. God wants the same for us. When you find yourself at the end of hope and in deep need, God will meet your need—he promises us that. But he wants more for you. He wants to feed your soul and give you eternal hope beyond this life. There is no hopelessness in God. And while there are tests of faith, there is no lack in God either. The same God who provided for Elijah and this widow in drought and despera on is the same God who is faithful to us as well, if we will trust and obey.

LISA APPELO is a speaker and writer who inspires women to cultivate faith in life’s storms. Nine years ago, Lisa became a sudden widow and single mom to 7. She’s passionate about rich Bible study and has taught a weekly ladies Bible class for many years. Grab your free copy of Flourish in Life’s Unexpected at LisaAppelo.com.

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Daisy Petal

Hope in Christ KAREN FRIDAY

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“He loves me, he loves me not.” I plucked the white daisy petals, deciding the outcome of my childhood crush. Years later during a Sunday church service, daisies on my dress s rred those memories as I waited for my pastor-husband Mike to call me to the pla orm. He’d asked me to share the long journey of praying for my father to come to Christ. First we watched the Billy Graham video Hope for America—a Message of the Cross.

D AISY P ETAL H OPE

• •

God is a disciplinary father-figure punishing us for poor choices with stern consequences. God is like our earthly father who abandoned us physically or emo onally—perhaps both. We cannot count on him.

You see, abandonment confused my no ons on love. And I wasn’t sure what I thought about God. When my dad came back, my twin sister and I spent every other weekend with him. A selfproclaimed atheist, he o en said, “People think there is a God, but there isn’t.” My mother introduced me to truths about God, and we a ended a small-town church in Virginia. Then something wonderful happened. At sixteen, both me and my twin sister prayed to receive Jesus Christ as Savior at a church revival. Sixteen turned out to be sweet a er all.

While I waited for my cue, the white-and-yellow daisies on a background of black seemed to blossom on my dress. The Lord put an image in my heart of plucking flower petals, represen ng a young girl’s hope for love. The image conveyed a message. Hope comes from the kind of love that goes to the cross. As a young girl, I longed for love—especially from a father. But my father was out of my life at the me.

P RAYER

Star ng in childhood we form beliefs about love. Beliefs about God o en shape what we think about love.

Though I prayed fervently, every day, I s ll found it hard to visualize my father coming to Christ. I admit my faith waned many mes. My dad seemed hard-hearted and unreachable.

There may be unbelief in God’s existence. Or we may believe there’s a God but form wrong thoughts about His character in these three ways.

G OD I S •

God is a cosmic cop watching our every move, ready to bust us for every wrong turn and slap us with jus ce.

That night as I crawled into bed, I decided to pray daily for my father to believe in God and accept Christ. Even though I was a young Chris an, I missed very few days praying for my dad. OF

H OPE

So when I was a young woman, a mentor encouraged me to insert my father’s name into Scripture about salva on and pray it out loud. John 3:16, For God so loved Gene, that he gave his only Son, that if Gene believes in him, he will not perish but have eternal life. Romans 10:13, If Gene calls on the name of the Lord, he will be saved.

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When I prayed, inser ng my father’s name into these Scriptures, they became my hope in my father’s salva on. Believable promises opening my faith eyes. “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

know the hope in my heavenly Father, now his heavenly Father.

H OPE

P RAYER

We pray to a God of hope who is able. Like hope in a daughter’s prayer for her atheist dad’s salvaon, prayed for sixteen years, and over 5,000 mes. I’m a testament to faithful prayer. Never, ever give up on prayer or hope in God.

H OPE C AME Fast forward a few years. We were having a birthday party for my paternal grandmother at her nursing home. Dad approached me teary-eyed, “Karen, did you hear the news? I accepted Christ as my Savior.”

Hope

COMES FROM THE KIND OF LOVE

My heart hardly believed it! Wow! and Praise Jesus! resounded in my soul. And I rejoiced. I cried happy tears over a long-awaited answer to a prayer I hoped would come true one day.

THAT GOES TO THE CROSS .

I was thirty-two. A sixteen-year prayer finally answered. Sixteen long and o en impa ent years grew my faith in God and my firm belief in prayer. Finally, my father had accepted the message of the cross. He realized God existed—a God who loved him and wanted him. It’s been eleven years since my father passed away five days before Christmas. So thankful he came to

God is not the earthly pictures we paint. There is a God. He is love. Love originated with Him and from Him. He loves us. Hope in God’s love and grace is not condi onal on anything we do or don’t do. And hope in his love is not based on some whimsical hope of the last flower petal landing on “he loves me.”

Instead, there’s a message forever ingrained on my heart. The hope of true love is found in the cross. Plucking petals from a flower, we can never say about God, “He loves me not.” It is always, “He loves me, he loves me. Jesus loves me, God, you love me, you love me, you love me, you love me!” And he loves you!

KAREN FRIDAY is passionate about showing others they are never far from hope. To discover an undeniable hope in an uncertain world, visit her website, Hope is Among Us, at KarenGirlFriday.com

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When Life Seems

Hopeless DR. MICHELLE BENGTSON

Have you ever had one of those days (weeks, months, or years even) when things just seemed to go from not great to bad or worse? When things felt hopeless? What do you do then? How do you find hope when life seems hopeless?

The sta s cs are staggering: over 23 million Americans suﬀer from anxiety disorders, almost 18 million Americans suﬀer from clinical depression, and rates of suicide have skyrocketed exponen ally over the last couple years especially among teens and young adults. Everyday countless people endure daily feelings of fear and hopelessness. Pa ents agonize over diagnoses, treatment, and prognoses. Parents worry about keeping their job, food on the table, a roof over their family’s head, and a good educa on for their children. Students are concerned about the usefulness of their degrees and the lack of poten al job prospects a er working so hard to get an educa on. Sadly, accolades, awards, and even wealth don’t prevent hopelessness. O en, in fact, the more successful we are, the emp er we feel, and the

more pressure we entertain to do more, be more, and have more. When things seem hopeless, we get to choose how we will respond. How do we maintain our hope and faith when situa ons look hopeless? We can employ the same strategies modeled for us in God’s Word. For example, God richly rewarded Abraham for his obedience and he is now known as the father of faith. I’ve had plenty of mes when life just seemed to spin out of control. And I like to be in control. So, mes like that don’t mesh well with my in-charge, get-it-done personality. If I’m being open and honest with you, I’d have to admit that some mes my ini al response isn’t the best response. I’ve o en go en ed up in frustraon. Or agita on. Or anxiety…which has o en then led to me feeling overwhelmed. If the situa-

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on has gone on too long, I’ve been known to get down, some mes to the point of feeling hopeless. If you’ve ever found yourself in a pit of hopelessness, let me assure you from my own experience, you are not alone. And even though it felt like it at the me, neither was I. Many go through mes like this in their life. The good news is that God promises never to leave us or forsake us. Life has a way of throwing us curves, and some mes mountains and valleys. Circumstances and situa ons will come out of nowhere like a summer a ernoon thunderstorm in Florida, leaving us soaked and beaten down. I’ve found, however, that whatever we focus on grows.

1. When he was hopeless, he believed anyway, despite what he saw and felt in his human experience. It’s been said that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Abraham maintained his faith, kept believing in the sovereignty of God, in the provision of God, in the faithfulness of God even when he didn’t see.

God knew we would struggle, & He gave us His word to instruct & guide us.

So, when I focus on how bad things are, before long, all I can see is the bad. That leads to feelings of hopelessness. But when I focus on the goodness of God, the more I experience His good heart toward me, which oﬀers hope. I’m comforted to see that God knew we would struggle, and He gave us His word to instruct us and guide us, and godly men to lead by example. Otherwise, I would be even more tempted than I already am to fall into a pit of shame over the moments when my hope lags behind.

H OW DO YOU HAVE FAITH WHEN THINGS SEEM HOPELESS ?

The enemy is not very crea ve …he con nues to use the same tricks and tools he has used since the beginning of me. He casts doubt in our mind so that we won’t trust the truth of God’s Word. In Genesis, Satan was cunning when he approached Eve and caused her to doubt what she knew to be true, as he whispered, “Did God really say…?” He o en does that to us too. Maybe you’ve heard his whispers too: “If God could really heal you, why aren’t you healed by now?” “If God really loved you, why didn’t He prevent this from happening?” When we cannot see God’s hand at work, it’s then that we must trust His character, and remember that God has never gone back on a promise before, so He will be faithful to the end.

“When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn’t do but on what God said he could do” (Romans 4:18 MSG).

Perhaps our key is best found in Psalm 56:3, “When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me.”

Abraham led by example, and acts as a guide to us today. When things seemed hopeless, he responded with these three strategies:

The key is trus ng in God despite what we see.

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W HAT DO YOU DO WHEN

H OW CAN WE HAVE HOPE

YOUR SITUATION SEEMS HOPELESS ?

WHEN EVERYTHING LOOKS HOPELESS ?

2. When everything around him was hopeless, Abraham was inten onal. Even when Abraham felt hopeless, he believed anyway and decided on how he was going to live. When crises come, they are more easily managed when we’ve already decided ahead of me how we will respond. We can’t trust our emo ons when we’re in crisis or feeling angry, anxious, down, or helpless, so deciding ahead of me how we will respond will buoy our strength when the hurricanes of life threaten to take us under. Taking the me to know God’s Word before crises hit is paramount for falling back on the hope we have in God to see us through them. But it requires inten onality. We will all go through diﬃcult mes at some point, but what makes them hard is that we rarely get any forewarning. Psalm 62:8 exemplifies such inten onality. “Trust in Him at all mes, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Trust is a choice—we can choose to either trust God, His promises, and His faithfulness, or we can trust in ourselves or this world which will never fully sa sfy.

3. When everything in life looked hopeless, Abraham focused his a en on on God rather than his problems. Abraham decided to live his life based on what God could do rather than what Abraham could do in his own strength. He believed God was greater than his circumstance. Remember I said that whatever we focus on grows? Abraham focused on God and what God could do. And God did not disappoint. God rewarded Abraham’s faithfulness and made him a father of na ons. So, when things seem hopeless, remember we can’t see the whole scenario from beginning to resolu on. But God can. Focus on the solver of your problems rather than on the problems themselves. Focusing on God brings great reward. Romans 15:13 reminds us of such rewards: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” It’s God who fills us with hope, joy, and peace when we trust in Him. As you believe in God, inten onally pursue a relaonship with Him, and choose to focus on the problem solver rather than the problem, may you experience His hope that prevails!

Hope Prevails Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression With the deep compassion of someone who has been there, Dr. Bengtson blends her training and that vital missing piece she discovered to offer you a hope grounded in God’s love and grace. She helps you understand what depression is, how it affects you spiritually, and what, by God’s grace, depression cannot do. The result is an approach that offers not just the management of symptoms but the hope of true release.

DR. MICHELLE BENGTSON has been a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist for almost 30 years. She is a multi-award winning author and an international speaker, podcast host, and coach whose mission it is to restore hope, renew minds, and empower others to live in their God-given identity. Connect with her at DrMichelleB.com S PRING 2022 | S WEET T O T HE S OUL FAITH

Faith, and Freedom MISTY SHERMAN

The first time I remember being aware of a strong pull toward food was sometime in my preteen or early teen years.

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I don’t remember if our family was ge ng together for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, but I do remember the pie. It was the perfect blend of gooey chocolatey goodness that had me finding reasons to sneak into the kitchen for more when I thought no one was looking. Now, I know I’m not the first person to ever do that, but as I said, it was the first me I remember being aware of that pull, though I definitely didn’t understand it at the me. Almost every day for the last year and a half of high school I ate a salad for lunch. This was not an a empt to be healthy, it’s just that the salad bar

was really cheap and I had enough money le over to get myself some candy and some mes even a soda to go with my salad. It all balanced out anyway, right? Obviously, I was clueless about good nutri on.

learn more about it and about how to change. Over the next few years of a ending CR I became keenly aware that God was calling me to also work on my problem with food, which I had finally come to understand and admit was an addic on to food.

I did not focus on ea ng healthy while in college either (does anyone, really?), although there was a period of me when I did focus on ge ng in be er shape through exercising. A er college I became more aware of this pull toward food. I gradually became willing to admit to some “occasional” overea ng, being an emo onal eater, and ea ng too many sweets. And then I experienced binge ea ng for the first me. One day when I was at home alone, I began to eat one thing a er another and could not stop ea ng un l I had made myself physically sick.

Maybe you’re thinking, “I was with you un l you called it an addic on.” I get it. Calling it an addicon makes it sound so serious, right? Well, it is. Thankfully, the Lord began teaching me six years ago how to walk in freedom from food addic on. I have had ups and downs on this journey, but it has forever changed my life.

Die ng or exercising some mes helped me manage my ea ng habits, for a me anyway. I joined an accountability group and that helped. But I was not being completely honest with anyone. Just as I felt the need to sneak back into the kitchen for more pie as a kid, I was hiding the severity of my problem with food from everyone, including myself. I hid through “managing” my ea ng habits. I hid through denial of my ea ng habits. I would literally hide the wrapper of the candy or food I had just eaten by burying it under other things in the trash can. (I have come to realize that when I feel the need to hide something, it’s probably because I know I shouldn’t be doing it!) I carried these behaviors into marriage and into motherhood. Ea ng was one way I chose to cope with life. And while I thought I could manage or at least hide my ea ng habits well as a single person, marriage and motherhood brought with them new things to cope with, along with people I couldn’t always hide my ea ng from. A few years into our marriage my husband and I began a ending a Christ-centered recovery program called Celebrate Recovery (CR). My husband had his own reason for going, but I had become aware that I was codependent, and I wanted to

I’ve learned quite a bit about food addic on in the last six years, and I’d like to share with you just a few of those things.

F OOD

ADDICTION IS FIRST AND FOREMOST A SPIRITUAL PROBLEM . Throughout my teen years and into adulthood I always believed my main problem was my weight. This belief kept me focused on outward a empts to control my ea ng – watching what I ate, trying diﬀerent diets, exercising. I am not saying those things are bad, but they did nothing to solve my problem long-term, because my problem was much deeper. Spiritually speaking, I turned to food to find comfort and/or control instead of turning to God. It became an idol. It was not an inten onal act that I consciously thought about. Food was just an easy and tangible source (and pre y acceptable in the church, I might add) to turn to in mes of stress or uncertainty or even to celebrate something. And while I may have been able to control my ea ng habits for a me, the compulsive need for food ended up controlling me. For so long I struggled to fight against my food addic on because I did not call it what it really is: sin. And that makes it a spiritual problem that requires a spiritual solu on.

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F OOD

ADDICTION DESCRIBES BEHAVIOR ; IT DOES NOT DEFINE IDENTITY .

Addic on is consuming. While in my addic on, most or all of my thoughts were focused on food. I was constantly thinking about what, how much, and when I could eat. My addic on aﬀected my feelings, my rela onships, and my decisions. Everything revolved around ea ng. It felt like food addic on defined who I was. God’s Word tells us in 1 John 3:1 not just that we are children of God, but that we are called children of God. I can’t just declare myself to be a child of God. He has called me, declared me to be His child because I have declared His Son to be my Lord and Savior. This is my iden ty. This is who I am. I am a child of God. Nothing can change that. Food addic on is something I struggle with and it has consumed me at mes. It describes my behavior, but it does not define who I am.

IS POSSIBLE TO FIND FREEDOM FROM FOOD ADDICTION !

Over me I came to believe freedom from my addic on was impossible. I had begged God to take this addic on from me but He didn’t. In 2016 I began to earnestly pray for God’s help. As I prayed, God revealed to me that I had been trying to overcome my addic on my own way. I had never asked Him to show me how to overcome it His way. Some mes God removes a struggle from our lives, and some mes He doesn’t. But if He leaves the struggle, it’s always because He plans to use it. God has le my struggle, but He has never le my side. What I didn’t realize for so many years is I do have a choice whether to stay in my addic on or

not – because I have the Holy Spirit’s help and access to His power that allows me to choose freedom over addic on. So, although choosing freedom some mes feels impossible, it is altogether possible with God. God’s path to freedom at first felt like a normal diet in that He told me to stop ea ng certain foods. I call these my food boundaries. Keeping these food boundaries over me revealed to me that these certain foods were triggers for me. When I ate them, they led me to want to eat more. In the absence of these trigger foods, I began to seek the Lord in their place. I also began to feel what I hadn’t felt in a long me – I felt alive! Even a er I knew what walking in freedom felt like, I s ll relapsed a couple of mes. But I am learning that it’s not about perfec on but about progress. Philippians 1:6 says, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to comple on at the day of Jesus Christ.” This verse tells us that God con nually works in us to make us more like Jesus. And it’s a process that will not be completed un l Jesus returns. I would love to know that one day in this life I will no longer struggle with food addic on. However, I have seen how God is using this struggle to stretch me out of my complacent spiritual comfort zone and challenge me to walk in obedience to Christ. I am not where I want to be, but I am also not where I was six years ago! If you related to any of my story, I want to encourage you to be honest about where you’re at. Ask God to guide you. He is ready and wai ng and completely able to help you start walking in freedom. Also, find a friend or mentor that you can ask to walk through this with you. James 5:16 instructs us to “confess your sins to each other and pray for each other, that you may be healed.” I know it’s hard to ask for help but it is worth it. Freedom is possible for YOU!

MISTY SHERMAN is a follower of Jesus, wife, mother of five, author and Bible teacher. She has a heart for teaching women God’s Word and encouraging them to draw close to Jesus. You can learn more about her journey and even start your own through her book, Losing and Gaining: Finding Freedom from Food Addiction, available on Amazon. 74

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When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul. It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul.

Love, Peace, and

SECOND CHANCES PART 4 : THE GOOD SAMARITAN ON THE WAYSIDE MELANIE DAVIS PORTER

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"Hey, doll, lets me and you hook up for a drink after your shift." "The name is Mae-Lyn, and thank you … but no thank you." "Come on, doll; you're all work and no play around here." Dropping her pen, Mae-Lyn looked up sternly while swiveling her chair to face him.

She grabbed her bag under the desk while pushing her chair back, looking at the clock. “Good grief, I lost track of me. Can you call the nursery school and tell them I’m on my way, Judy?” "Sure, hon." Thunder cracked above as she dug for her keys. The skies opened up again in a blast of hammering raindrops, drenching her good.

“Psychedelic Phil,” he said with a greasy half-grin.

Pulling up to the sidewalk, she saw the disgust on Lily’s face through the door window. Grabbing her umbrella, she raced to her pint-sized roommate, dreading her sullenness.

Crossing her arms, she smiled in amusement.

“Wate again, Mae.”

What a name. These DJs never cease to amaze me with their corny a empts to make a splash.

“I’m sorry, Lily. I’m so sorry.”

“Listen … what’s your name again?”

"Listen, Phil, I'm busy, and as soon as I clock out, I have to pick up my child.” “You got a kid?” “Yes, I have a child in my care that I am responsible for keeping alive and mee ng every need or want she desires.”

Lily's bo om lip protruded along with her ghtened eyes as she stared straight ahead. "Look, Lily. It's just going to take some me to get back into a rou ne, but we will." “No boo- ne gonna’ fix this, Mae.”

“No prob, catch you later.”

"Quit calling me Mae; you've always called me MaeMae. It was one of the first words you learned to say, young lady.”

“Works every me,” she mu ered, rolling her eyes.

“I cantz call you Mae-Mae no more.”

Andy sure didn't run away because of Lily; he was nuts about her. Quit thinking about Andy.

“Why, Lily?”

Rubbing the back of her neck, she looked out the window. It had been exactly 16 days since she rolled out of River View, and the rain had been relentless. She yawned, closing her eyes.

“I know you’re upset with me, but you are going to have to stop being mad at me! Just like this blasted rain will eventually have to stop.”

“Cauz, I mad at you.”

If only I could sleep.

“Rain won’t stop Mae.”

Every me she closed her eyes, she saw him standing in the pouring rain, watching them drive away. With every salty tear she cried, she tasted his lips.

“Yes, it will!”

Marvin Gaye’s velvety voice blared over the sta on speakers in the hallway. I’m too busy thinking about my baby; oh, I ain’t got me for nothin’ else, Yeah, Yeah.

“No, it won’t!” "Yes! The rain will stop, and you will be happy again." “No, I nevah be happy. You takes me away from my Andy and the bestest place I everah been. It will rain in my heartz forevah.”

I hate that song.

Stunned, Mae-Lynn turned the car oﬀ. Noisy pelts of raindrops filled the long silence between them.

Flopping her arms down on the desk, she rested her head, feeling tears clouding her eyes.

"Look, Lily, we can't go on like this. You won't play with me; you barely talk. You're having nightmares again."

“Hey Mae Babe, don’t you have to get Lily by five?”

“So are you!”

Si ng up, she scrubbed her hand across her face.

“How do you know? You won’t sleep in my bed or let me lay with you?”

I fell asleep! What me is it?

“You wakes me up crying for momma,” Lily screamed, S PRING 2022 | S WEET T O T HE S OUL FAITH

turning to Mae-Lyn while speaking through her teeth with a clenched jaw. “I’m so sorry, Lily.” Tears exploded from her eyes as she struggled to find the right words. She rested her forehead on the steering wheel, sobbing uncontrollably. “I’m sorry that I took you away from Andy and River View. I’m so sorry that your momma and daddy died. And I’m sorry that you’re stuck with me. But Philly is the only home I know. I have a job here, a home for you, and you have stability with your school and teachers. I don't have any of that back in River View. I'm doing the best I can, but I don't know how to make you happy at this point." Lily remained stoic, staring straight ahead. They pulled into their parking spot at the rundown Sierra apartment complex twenty minutes later. Mae-Lyn grabbed her bag and umbrella, ready to make a run for it under the unyielding rainstorm. “Take me to chaurrrch.” “What?” “Take me to chaurrrch. You wantz to make me happy again, den takes me to chaurrrch. I liked chaurrrch in River Vuzes and my friendz, Tracy, sayz her love her chaurrrch. Take me to Tracy’s chaurrrch.”

Mae-Mae. Wiping her eyes, she leaned into the toddler, touching her chin. “Okay, kid … you’re going to church this Sunday.” “Oh Mae-Mae, we can goez tonight. Dey do fun stuﬀs on Wednesdayz, and todayz is Wednesdayz, can you believez it, Mae-Mae?” Closing her eyes in joyful disbelief, she burst out laughing at Lily’s persistence. “It startz at seben o’clocks, Mae-Mae.” Uncontrollable laughter released Mae-Lyn’s dammedup tears inside of the steamy Volkswagen Beetle. She leaned in, wrapping her arms around Lily. Relieved and anxious all at the same me, she planted a kiss on top of her damp, crazy curls. Gads. We’re going to church, but at least she’s talking to me. “Hey Mae-Mae, wook! It stop raining! The sun beamed through the fogged windows to MaeLyn’s astonishment. She didn't know what she was feeling, but it was that odd yearning she first sensed in River View. “See … my heartz feeling be erz all-readie!”

Mae-Lyn released a heavy sigh as her head fell back on the headrest.

"Of course, it is Lily," she said, marveling at the sudden ending of the rain as if someone had turned it oﬀ at the spicket.

Church. The place I must go to pay my penance to a four -year dictator.

*******************************

“And where would this church be, Lily?” “Itz the big brown onez on the street where school iz.” She knew where it was—the brown, stone church on the corner where the yellow daﬀodils blanket the en re yard in Spring.

The early autumn rain le a chill in the night air, but as soon as she stepped through the big double doors, she felt warm all over. “Ders Tracy, Mae-Mae!” Mae-Lyn followed as Lily ran toward her friend.

“Okay, Lily. If I take you to church, will you play with me again and quit being mad at me?”

“Hi there, Lily. I’m so glad you came. You must be MaeMae. I’m Jenn.”

“Dis hurt in my heart gonna be insidez me a long mez, kinda’ like momma going to be wit da angels. But I knoz chaurrrch will helpz it somehowz, Mae-Mae.”

“Yes, I am. But big kids call me Mae-Lyn, she said with a laugh. “Nice to meet you, Jenn.”

The corners of Mae-Lyn’s lips turned up in a smile. There it was … the name she had missed for two weeks. Good grief, how does she say it so eloquently? How does she fight for what she wants so persuasively? Tears blurred her eyes. I don't want to cry again, but dang it, she's calling me 78 S WEET T O T HE S OUL FAITH | S PRING 2022

“Want to walk with me to the girl’s classroom?” “Sure.” Lily and Tracy walked about ten feet ahead, holding hands and enjoying an expressive conversa on. “Tracy loves Lily. She talks about her singing and funny jokes.” “That would be my silly Lily. She loves your Tracy, too. I

hear she’s quite the ar st.”

floor, recalling the day she met Andy.

"Well, she's my kid, but she knows her way around a box of crayons."

He was all about ac on. Andy showed me genuine love and concern.

Mae-Lyn laughed, finding the conversa on and atmosphere easy. She waved bye to a beaming Lily. She hadn’t seen the child smile that big since Andy carried her in his arms.

"We will never reach those who don't know Jesus if we distance ourselves because of self-righteous criteria. It doesn't ma er the color of skin; it doesn't ma er how they live, talk, or even how they sin diﬀerently than we do. If we love God, we will love the broken as he loves us."

“Do you want to go upstairs to the worship service or go to the fellowship hall for Bible study with the girls? My friend, uKayla, always brings the best lemon cookies.” “How can a girl turn down cookies?” “I’m so glad you agree,” Jenn said with a giggle while wrapping her arm around Mae-Lyn’s arm. Something familiar s rred in her heart, and then she remembered. She and Faith used to lock arms. No tears allowed in this church, girl. These people will think your nuts. They’re not like Andy. Quit thinking about Andy. They grabbed their cookies along with a cold bo le of Coca Cola then took a seat. The chairs were in a big circle. Looking around the room, no one seemed to no ce her; they were all focused on the gray-haired lady with kind eyes and a so voice. “The good Samaritan was a parable that Jesus shared in the tenth chapter of the Gospel of Luke. It’s a fi ng story for the world we are living in today. There’s so much division and strife, but Jesus used this parable to teach us that loving God and loving our neighbors like we love ourselves is the way to eternal life.” Awkwardly mirroring the behavior of those around her, she crossed her legs. She had heard the words eternal life, but where? It wasn’t the old preacher in River View, but where? “During ancient Biblical mes, Jewish people didn't associate with Samaritans. They deemed the Samaritans low in society. In this parable, a Jewish man was beaten, robbed, and le to die by the road. A priest and a Levite both walked by but didn't help him. It was a Samaritan who stopped to help the Jewish man. He was the true neighbor showing true love and concern for his fellowman.” Mae-Lyn’s heart raced. “Girls, this is the most important truth you will hear me say tonight: Ac ons mean more than words to people walking around with broken hearts.” Figh ng back the tears, she shi ed her glance to the

Suddenly, she felt self-conscious. She’s talking about me. Wiping her nose on her sleeve, she wanted to run. Jenn discreetly handed her a ssue. Mae-Lyn laughed under her breath. It's not monogrammed with a big K, but it will do for a broken girl who needs to start carrying a roll of toilet paper when she goes to church. She struggled to pay a en on. All she could think about was all the kindness Andy had shown her and Lily. Minutes later, she refocused as the women joined hands. Bowing their heads, the older lady started praying. Oddly, she felt a kinship. Locking hands with strangers somehow made her hopeful. It was a fellowship she knew she needed. “I’m so glad you came. It was so nice to meet you, MaeLyn,” Jenn said with a sincere smile. “Thank you, Jenn.” A few others introduced themselves, but she wasn't diges ng their names. All she could think about was the older lady's words. Jenn led her back to the children's room, where a gleeful Lily ran straight into her arms. “Oh Mae-Mae, it waz wonda-ful. Thankz for breenging me. I met a man named Zacius who knoz Jesus. Pleeze breeng me back.” Raising her eyebrows in confusion, she glanced up at Jenn. “The college kids dress up as Bible characters to teach the lessons.” Mae-Lyn smiled, nodding her head at Jenn’s explanaon. “I would love to have you girls come home with us for lunch, Sunday a er church. What do you say?” “Oh pleeze, pleeze, Mae-Mae. Can we goez?” “Why not? Can I bring something?” “Nah, I got it covered.” S PRING 2022 | S WEET T O T HE S OUL FAITH

Lily talked the whole ride home, but she slept like a baby snuggled up to Mae-Lyn along with Curious George.

“If only I had a dime for every lie he wrote about me in the high school newspaper or told behind my back," Andy said, shaking his head in disgust.

Stupid monkey.

He set his fork down while staring at the red geraniums by the biscuit plate.

She told Lily to put it back in the closet the day they le , but Lily hid the monkey and Andy’s Bible in her bag. Li le S nker. Gads, I love her. ***************************** The early frost didn't catch him by surprise. The crispness below his feet was comfor ng. Farm life has a way of revealing the secrets of the land to those who pay a en on. Nothing stays the same. Change is always around the corner because God leaves nothing undone. God, You created change for many reasons besides the obvious seasons we enjoy. Please send posi ve change with grace to Mae-Lyn and Lily in their rou ne. Send people who will lead her to You. He smelled the sausage as soon as he stepped onto the mud porch. “Smells delicious, Birdie.” “I thought you needed some sausage gravy, Andy boy. You been looking lower than a bow-legged caterpillar.” Andy smiled, pa ng Birdie on the back while plan ng a light kiss on her cheek. "Thanks, Birdie. I'll be okay." "Yeah, you will, but I don’t like seeing you down in the mouth, boy.” Andy filled his plate with three biscuits then spooned the steaming hot gravy on top. “Son, I hate to be the bearer of poten ally bad news, but Chaz Parker is taking Harold’s place at the River View News. Harold’s re ring at the end of next month.” Just inches from taking a big bite, Andy paused, glancing at his father in disbelief. “Great. That’s all we need.” “Well, maybe it won’t be as bad as we think.” “No, it will be worse, Dad. He loathes every Keller in this town. Every story that has our name a ached will be forever slanted and not in a good way.” "Well, the board has to meet to approve Harold's replacement. Of course, I won't vote for him, but Chaz is a slick one. He’s fooled a lot of those high rollers by pumping them up with what they like to hear.” 80

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Please, God, don't let Chaz have that power over the people of River View. “I’m having lunch with Harold today. He’s always been a reasonable man, listens to both sides.” “He didn’t listen when Chaz wrote those lies about the bad milk that made all those kids sick. He listed us with the poten al milk farms as a possible source even though you told him we didn’t deliver to Haywood County.” "I know, but he did reprint a correc on.” "Only a er you threatened legal ac on." “I think he realized Chaz stretched the truth when it was all said and done. It won't do us any good stewing about it before it happens. The best thing we can do is pray. You be er eat that gravy, or Birdie will spoonfeed you.” Don’t let fear of something that may never happen ruin your day. Okay, God, help me not to worry. Remind me to trust you … about everything—even Mae-Lyn and Lily. Oh God, I'm so worried about them. Did they even make it back safe to Philadelphia? Quit worrying, Andy. “Eat up, son. Nobody makes sausage gravy like Birdie, not even your momma, but don’t tell her I said that.” Andy savored the bite, closing his eyes. Maybe I need to get out of town? I could visit Caleb and his family. He's been begging me to come to Philly for bow season. Maybe I could check in on Mae-Lyn and Lily? “Dad, could you and Hank handle things around here without me for a week?” “I’m sure we can manage. You going to Philly?” “How’d you know?” “Son, I know when a man is in love, and you are heartsick over that girl and her baby." “I don’t know if I’m …” “Yeah, you are. But can I give you some unsolicited advice?” “Of course.” “You been rescuing animals and people all your life, that’s just the heart the good Lord gave you, and I’m grateful. It makes me proud of you. But this girl doesn't

know Jesus, and you're unequally yoked un l she does. I don't want to see you get any more hurt than you already are.” “She’d never heard of Jesus un l I told her about Him, Dad.” “I know. But she’s carrying a lot of baggage, son. I'm just telling you to be careful, but most of all, be prayerful. Let God lead you.” “I know. Daddy, I don’t want what God doesn’t want me to have. But I want Mae-Lyn to know Jesus because that’s the only chance she or Lily are going to have at finding some happiness in this ro en world.” Tears streamed down his cheeks as his desperate convic on se led in the air. “I guess you be er get your belly full; it's a long drive. But don’t leave without le ng your mother and me pray with you.” Andy nodded, wiping his cheeks with the fresh co on napkin. *********************************** Mae-Lyn was grateful for a long Saturday to play with Lily. The park was buzzing with people, but their favorite spot under the giant oaks was open. The color was peeking out through the leaves all over Philly, courtesy of the long rains. Lily saw a friend and ran to the swings just a few feet away while Mae-Lyn unfolded a ragged quilt. She packed a basket of goodies, Lily’s favorite apple juice, and a few beloved books. She sat down while popping a grape in her mouth. Look at your smile just like your momma's, Lily girl. Things were looking up since they went to church. Lily seemed happier and men oned Andy less. Oh, Andy. I believe you are one of the good guys. You are my good Samaritan. She found the story in Andy’s Bible and had read it repeatedly since Wednesday night. Til ng her head back, she closed her eyes while li ing her chin to feel the breeze dance across her face. God, if you’re real, help me believe. Lily played so hard she fell asleep on the ride home. Mae-Lyn carried her to bed and slipped the worn-out Scooby-Doo t-shirt on without waking her. Lying down beside her, she pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes. I’ll just rest my eyes for a few minutes. A few hours later, she sat straight up in bed.

The le er! Faith’s le er! That’s where I’ve heard the words eternal life. She ran to her bedroom and pulled Faith’s canvas aviator bag out from under the bed. Clicking on the end table lamp, she sat on the floor, shuﬄing papers around un l she found the envelope. Pausing for a moment, she blinked back the tears with a heavy sigh. Gently removing the paper, she opened the folded flaps and started reading. Dear Mae-Lyn, I know we said no goodbyes, only hugs, and laughs to the end. But this isn't a goodbye, so don't panic. You're my only family. You're the sister I never had. You've been there for everything in my life, and I can't leave this earth without sharing what happened to me. A sweet, old lady named Ruth came to see me today. She said one of the nurses, a friend, told her I was very sick. This woman had a Bible, and she shared with me about God and his Son, Jesus. He's real, Mae-Lyn! She told me how God created us for His glory and fellowship, but that sin entered the world through a man and woman named Adam and Eve, and because of that, we sin and experience other’s sin. This is not how God intended the world to be, so he made another way to forgive and save us. He sent his Son, Jesus, to earth as a baby born to a young, virgin girl named Mary to be the perfect sacrifice for our sin. You see, the Bible says that the wages of sin is death. Someone had to pay the res tu on for our sin. Jesus was that someone. History books prove that Jesus walked the earth over 2,000 years ago and performed miracles, healing the sick. Ruth said that these books line up with everything in the Bible. He’s so real, Mae-Lyn. She told me her life story and how an abusive mother and alcoholic dad raised her. She didn’t have it easy either; she went through many hardships like us. But she went to church with a neighbor and learned about God. She learned Bible stories that helped her see who God and Jesus really are. I told her that I didn't have me to learn these stories, but I wanted to believe there is a God because that feels hopeful. She read me some scriptures and said that trus ng in Jesus by asking forgiveness for our sin is what will save us and give us eternal life. There they were—the two words haun ng her mind for days. Mae-Lyn, I prayed with her. She helped me. I asked Jesus to forgive me for all the bad things I've done. I've S PRING 2022 | S WEET T O T HE S OUL FAITH

put my trust in Him so that I can be with Him when I die. I can't tell you the burdens, guilt, and worries that fell oﬀ my shoulders a er that prayer. I must have cried an hour while Ruth held me like you do. She cried with me, and we laughed too. I told her all about you and Lily. I asked her to pray that you would believe in God. I know we always turned our noses up to people who went to church, but we were so wrong, Mae-Lyn. Ruth is so kind, so loving. She has the pre est blue eyes and a so voice. I feel God’s love through her even as I lay here taking my last earthly breaths. Please, my sweet Mae-Mae. I want to see you and Lily again, and the only way that will happen is if you both trust Jesus, too. Please take Lily to church to learn about God. I’m so happy. I’ve never felt such peace. I wish I had found Jesus earlier, but Ruth says it's never too late to put our faith in God. Please, Mae-Lyn, take Lily to church. I love you with all my heart, Mae-Mae. See you soon. Faith Mae-Lyn fell on her side, tucking her knees into her chest while sobbing uncontrollably. Oh, Faith, you're s ll trying to take care of me from the grave. Help me, God, please help me. ************************** Jenn and Tracy were wai ng by the big doors. “I’m so sorry we’re late. I overslept.”

“Yes, I thought so too.” “Can I ask you a ques on, Jenn?” “Sure.” “How did you learn about God?” “Oh, I found God through my husband. I was a wayward hippy six years ago. I dropped out of college, started smoking weed, and got arrested. The charges were dropped. I didn't have weed in my possession, but my husband was a police oﬃcer and arrested me. He's a detec ve now.” Mae-Lyn’s mouth dropped open with a surprised laugh. “What? You seem like June Cleaver from Leave it to Beaver!” “Yeah, but I was lost to the world. Jesus le the ninetynine sheep to find the one lost.” If she was lost, then I must be a million miles from nowhere. “The first me I heard about Jesus was a month ago. Is that crazy?” “No, it’s not Mae-Lyn. Some people go their whole lives and don’t find Jesus un l they’re about to die.” Tears welled up in her eyes. “I’ll be right back. I need to show you something.” Mae-Lyn ran to her car to get Faith's le er stuﬀed into Andy's Bible. Breathless, she sat down next to Jenn on the couch.

“Oh, you’re not late. Coﬀee and donuts are always served in the fellowship hall before church starts.”

“Lily’s mom was my best friend, but she died of a brain tumor four months ago. But before she died, she wrote this le er to me. Oh, Jenn, I want to believe, I truly do."

They walked the girls to class then se led in on the second pew. Mae-Lyn loved the music. She wasn’t expec ng a full band with drums and guitars.

Jenn opened the le er and started reading. A few seconds later, she gasped.

A young, confident pastor passionately talked about a woman at the well who met Jesus.

“Mae-Lyn! Ruth is the lady that teaches our women’s Bible study on Wednesday nights! I’m the nurse that asked her to go see Faith!”

This is one of those Bible stories. If he knew all about her, then he knows all about me.

“What?!”

Mae-Lyn knew she had a past, but she found comfort in the fact that Jesus didn’t just know her sin but that he knew her hurts too.

“I'm a nurse; I work nights because Jim is on dayshi . I took care of Faith. I was with her when she died. I am the one who called you. I had no idea she was Lily’s mother.”

The laughs were eﬀortless, and the food was delicious at Jenn's. A er lunch, they se led in the sunroom to keep an eye on the girls playing outside. Mae-Lyn felt safe, just like she did with Andy. “Did you like Pastor Paul’s sermon today?” 82

“Yes, very much. It was comfor ng.”

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“Wait … my head is spinning.” “Oh Mae-Lyn, God has gone out of His way to find you, sweetheart.” Mae-Lyn fell into her arms, overwhelmed in tears. Jenn

shared about Faith’s peaceful last moments. Mae-Lyn asked ques ons about Jesus and why He would die for her sins. And then, as the sunlight jumped from window to window, cas ng brilliant rays in all direc ons, MaeLyn surrendered her broken heart and asked Jesus to be the Lord of her life. Peace. Perfect peace filled her mind, soul, and body, and suddenly she felt whole. She understood why Faith wrote the le er. She didn’t want her best friend to miss out on eternal life. ************************** Starring out the window, she thought about heaven. I bet you’re singing again, Faith. "Hey Mae Babe, a hunky guy is asking for you. Says his name is Andy Keller.”

home to Jesus. He’s real good at that, you know.” “What do you mean?” “Honey, Andy is a good Samaritan. That big beau ful horse out there in the pasture, he broke his leg when he was born. The breeder planned to shoot him, but Andy nursed him back to health. He named him Thunder a er he kicked the stall door open with a cast on his leg. Then that crazy Oscar that lives behind the barn, Andy, found him on the side of the road without any fleece on his hide. Andy started feeding Oscar special food and vitamins, and that old alpaca struts around here like he’s won a prize.” Gentle laughter filled the air as Katheryn squeezed her hand.

“Andy?”

“Then there’s Roscoe down at the diner. He was a drunkard living on the streets. Andy loved that old man straight to Jesus and sobriety.”

“Yeah, you know him?”

“He’s incredible, Kathryn. God sent him to me too.”

Mae-Lyn slammed her chair against the wall as she jumped up and ran past Judy out to the hallway. There he stood, looking at album covers on the wall.

"I know, swee e."

“Andy!” He turned, and their eyes locked. Mae-Lyn took oﬀ running, and he met her halfway. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he picked her up. Looking into his eyes, she knew God sent him. “Andy, I trusted Jesus last night. I believe now!” He cradled her neck with his le hand and passionately pressed his lips against hers. The kiss lingered so that a crowd of co-workers started gathering. “I love you, Mae-Lyn. I’ve loved you since the day I laid eyes on you.” “I love you, Andy Keller!” *************************** “I’m so glad you’re home, Mae-Lyn.”

“Hey, you two gonna’ talk all day or play some kickball?” “I think we be er get in the game, Mae-Lyn; Andy's ge ng impa ent. Come on, let’s show these boys how to play kickball.” Katheryn skipped down the steps like a teenager. Stepping up to the porch railing, Mae-Lyn watched Andy tossing Lily into the air over and over, catching her in his strong arms. Closing her eyes, she listened as Lily’s giggles reminded her of Faith’s. Oh, my sweet Faith. You helped me find home, too. Thank you, Lord. Tell Faith I’ll see her soon.

Catch up on the rest of Peace, Love & Second Chances in the Inspire, Woven and Splendor issues of Sweet To The Soul FAITH.

Turning to face Andy’s mom, she felt wanted and loved. Much like the first moments when she trusted Jesus as her Savior. Til ng her head, she smiled while reaching for Katheryn’s hand. “Home. That sounds so good, Katheryn.” “I knew the day Andy met you that he would love you

MELANIE DAVIS PORTER is a simple girl who loves Jesus, the Arts, and good books. She is an experienced playwright for the church and writes for Proverbs 31 Ministries First 5 App. To connect with Melanie, visit www.melaniedavisporter.com

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F OR I LONG TO SEE YOU , THAT I MAY IMPART TO YOU SOME

spiritual gift to strengthen you THAT IS , THAT WE MAY BE MUTUALLY ENCOURAGED BY EACH OTHER ’ S FAITH , BOTH YOURS AND MINE . R OMANS 1:11-12

D EAR L ORD ,

MAY MY LIFE BE A TESTIMONY OF YOUR GOODNESS

AND FAITHFULNESS .

M AY

MY ACTIONS , MORE THAN MY WORDS ,

SHOW LOVE AND COMPASSION TO THOSE AROUND ME . I N EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE ,

PRAY

WOULD BE AN EXAMPLE OF THE GRACE

AND MERCY YOU HAVE SO GENEROUSLY GIVEN .

W HEN

CONFLICT ARISES , OR

FIND MYSELF IN DISAGREEMENT WITH

OTHERS , PLEASE GIVE ME THE BOLDNESS TO SHARE YOUR TRUTH WITH A GENTLENESS OF SPIRIT AND KIND WORDS . ONE OF LOVE AND KINDNESS , EVEN AS

G IVE

ME FAITH WHEN

HEART IS HEAVY . FAITHFUL IN MY

M AY

MY ATTITUDE BE

STAND FIRM IN YOUR WORD .

FACE CHALLENGING SITUATIONS , AND MY

P LEASE REMIND ME OF THE WAYS PAST . Y OU GIVE ME HOPE TO FACE

YOU HAVE BEEN THE UNKNOWN ;

MAY OTHERS KNOW THEY CAN ALSO HAVE HOPE DURING LIFE ’ S STORMS .

T HANK

YOU FOR WRITING YOUR STORY ON MY HEART .

PRAY YOU

WILL USE ME TO HELP SOMEONE ELSE KNOW OF YOUR STEADFAST LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS TO POUR OUT GOODNESS FOR YOUR CHILDREN .

M AY

MY LIFE BE AN EXAMPLE OF THE HOPE WE HAVE IN YOU .

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NAME ,

PRAY ,

A MEN .

Prayer by Stephanie K Adams

I N J ESUS ’

I N YOUR HEARTS HONOR C HRIST THE L ORD AS HOLY , ALWAYS BEING PREPARED TO MAKE A DEFENSE TO ANYONE WHO ASKS YOU FOR A REASON FOR THE HOPE THAT IS IN YOU ; YET DO IT WITH GENTLENESS AND RESPECT . 1 Peter 3:15

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I Love to Tell the Story DONNA FENDER

“For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” 2 Corinthians 4:5 (NIV) When my children were preschoolers, we would o en watch a cartoon en tled “Franny’s Feet.” Franny was a li le girl who helped her grandfather repair shoes. When a customer would drop oﬀ shoes, Franny would place them in the “fix-it box” and an adventure would ensue. Franny would ask, “Where will my feet take me today?” and a story would unfold, giving a tes mony about the shoes. In the past, I have been known to snap a picture or two of feet because they tell a story about where my family and friends have been and what they have done. My daughter’s senior pictures feature a few of her feet in her pointe shoes because they tell a story. I have watched over the years as my daughter has followed the Lord while dancing for His glory; but I have also watched her don a pair of tennis shoes to help in ministry with her youth group. Her feet carry her as she uses her talents to share the Good News with others. Her feet, her life, they tell a story. My parents o en shared their wisdom with me and cau oned me to be careful where I went and who I followed. I am grateful for their direc on. They knew my feet, my life, would tell a story and could be used to bring light into a dark world. Isaiah 52:7 declares, “How beau ful are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good dings, who proclaim salva on, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns’.” (NIV) My feet, my life, they tell a story. By the grace of God, overwhelmingly, my feet tell a sweet story of trus ng Jesus even when the storms of life come. Just like Deborah who reminds us that in the ba les of life, we are not alone or unaided. (Judges 4-5) My feet tell a story of using the gi of song to reach people for Christ, no ma er the genera on. A story of trust in the wai ng and a story of praise even when it seemed that the world was crashing down around me. Just like Mary, who did not fully comprehend what the future would hold, sang a song to glorify the Lord. (Luke 1:46-55) My feet tell a story of a woman who almost gave up on church when the church had failed her husband. They tell a story of keeping joy while hiding a struggle with depression and anxiety, to now being able to share openly and walk with other women who struggle with the same. Just like Ruth who walked alongside Naomi through her season of depression and grief, being restored and providing hope through her marriage to Boaz and the birth of Naomi’s grandson. (Ruth 1-4)

My feet tell a story of walking alongside women through a ministry known as Faithfully Following, right in my own backyard. Con nuing to stand up for Christ in the workplace, even when it is not equitable. Just like Esther, who showed herself to be brave and strong in the face of danger, for such a me as this. (Book of Esther) Most importantly, my feet tell a story of someone undeserving of God’s grace being raised from the dead in Jesus! Just like Paul who reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4: 5-6, “For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” (NIV) All that other stuﬀ is just details. How about you? Your feet, your life, they tell a story. I pray that it is a tes mony of God’s love, grace, and mercy. “How beau ful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:15b (NIV) As we study others in the Bible, we can ask ourselves, “Where will our feet take us today and how can I share the Good News with others so they know and trust His grace is available to everyone?” His feet, His life, His story. I love to tell the story! . R EFLECTION : Spend some me studying either Deborah, Mary, Ruth or Esther and then answer the following ques ons: How did the woman you studied use her feet to tes fy for Christ? What was the overwhelming lesson you learned from the woman that you studied? How can you apply her life to you today? What is God speaking to you?

P RAYER : Lord, thank You for our feet. Lord, I pray that You will guide our feet along the path that You have laid out for them allowing Your light to shine along the way. Lord, give us the faith of Deborah to follow You when others are following the world, listening to Your word. Lord, give us a heart like Mary, open to things that we are uncertain of and singing praises to You. Lord, give us the faithfulness of Ruth to be there for other women in their struggles. And Lord, give us the brave spirit of Esther standing up for You even when others do not, for such a me as this. Lord, take our feet where You need them to go. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

DONNA FENDER is known for her ability to bring laughter and joy to a room with her thoughtful stories and beautiful voice. Her gift of sharing God’s love through song leaves women resting at the foot of the cross as they grow closer to Jesus note by note. Connect with Donna at FaithfullyFollowingMinistries.org.

S WEET T O T HE S OUL FAITH | S PRING 2022

Tell the Next Generation TISHA WALKER

“...we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.” Psalm 78:4b (NIV) Growing up, my family a ended a small church. The building wasn’t fancy, but God didn’t seem to mind, and neither did I. I s ll remember the squeak of the old pier-and-beam floor, the neat rows of church pews lining the small sanctuary, and the smell of the wellworn hymnals. Everyone knew everyone, and many of us were related. I remember when it was me for “tes monies.” This was a me when anyone who desired could stand and tell what God had done for them. This might be a story of a recent blessing, an expression of gra tude for an answered prayer, or the tes mony of how they came to be saved. Some would start with, “I love the Lord” and then tell why. There were no rules, really, just a chance to share something praiseworthy. It was almost always the older genera on who stood. What they were doing, whether they realized it or not, was telling the next genera on about the goodness of God and their love for Christ. “...we will tell the next genera on the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.” (Psalm 78:4b NIV) We have the Bible because faithful people wrote down what God did. We have our faith and therefore salva on because faithful people told us of God’s grace and Jesus’s sacrifice. The best ones lived out their faith in front of us. I spent a lot of me with my grandmother growing up. She recalled a story from when I was a child. She said that I looked up at her and said, “Nanny, all you do is pray and sing and read your Bible.” She said that at first she laughed, and then she cried because she realized what a precious compliment that was. Of course, those were not the only things she ever did, but those things stood out to me at a very early age. She was witnessing to me with her life as well as her lips. Now, that’s a powerful tes mony. Are we leaving behind the same legacy of faith? I can’t help but think of Paul. He went from persecu ng Chris ans to becoming one, and I don’t think there was anyone more passionate about spreading the gospel, apart from Jesus, than he was. Even while imprisoned in Rome, his desire was to encourage fellow Chris ans. You see, once you’ve met Jesus, your life is never the same, and Paul had something worth telling! “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. … the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10: 9, 12b-13 VERSION)

Friends, that is excellent news! Life is hard, but there is hope. Paul goes on to say, “How then can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is wri en: “How beau ful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:14-15 VERSION) Once Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus, he was never the same. He wanted everyone to know Jesus. Do you and I have that same compassion for the lost or the weak in faith? 1 Peter 3:15 (NLT) tells us that ‘if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.’ It is up to you and I to tell the next genera on all the wonderful things God has done for us. Start with your own family! Help build their faith because the world will surely try to destroy it.

R EFLECTION : Recall a me when God showed up in your life in a tangible way. Journal about this experience.

Consider what witness of God you are living out for your family to see. How can you live a daily tes mony for others to see.

P RAYER : Heavenly Father, help me to never miss an opportunity to share what you have done for me. You have brought me through so many trials. You have cleaned up messes I created. Even when I ran from you, you sought me out because you love me and want what’s best for me. You are faithful. I praise you! You are my rock and my fortress - my DELIVERER - and I love you! In Jesus’s name, Amen.

TISHA WALKER is a girl with a heart for Jesus who hopes to use her past trauma to offer hope to someone else going through something similar. She is a former writing teacher with a passion for learning. Her goal is to dig deeper into God's word and help others do the same. S PRING 2022 | S WEET T O T HE S OUL FAITH

Testifying Through Our Actions MONICA BARD

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (ESV) Have you ever been in a situa on when someone told you something, yet their ac ons caused you to doubt their words? Sadly, I have. In the darkest decade of my marriage, my husband said he loved me, but my heart believed otherwise based on his ac ons. No ma er how much I tried to convince myself his "I love you" u ered in the middle of an argument was true, his ac ons always trumped his words. Although he didn't understand it at that me, I needed him to engage and fight for us rather than walk away from the ba le to save our marriage. The bo om line? He believed his words should be enough. I know he meant them…now. But from my vantage point at the me, his ac ons spoke louder than words. When it comes to our Chris an tes monies, shouldn’t our ac ons speak louder than words?

only child belongs to you, not her Dad and me. She is a gi . We’re only entrusted with guiding and teaching her on earth, but ul mately, she is yours. I don’t know where my marriage is headed, and we’ve failed at being the Chris an parents we’re called to be. If you'll show me the way and help me raise my daughter to be a strong, Chris an woman under these circumstances, I won’t get in her way as she follows You. And I won’t let anyone else interfere either. I made that vow when Meredith was twelve. As she followed God’s call, there were challenges to honoring it when she was called to spread the Gospel in places I never imagined--Hai , Cuba, Europe, and Asia. She’s now thirty and s ll a missionary, working with others to plant churches and spread the name of Jesus across the world.

Paraphrasing Ma hew 5:16 ESV, Jesus tells us to let our lights shine before others, so that they may see our ac ons and give glory to our Father in heaven. Jesus' words confirm this: People watch what we do. When our ac ons align with our words, that's when we draw people to Jesus!

Did I have moments of weakness? You bet. Each me God gave me the courage to do my part--step out of her way and pray. Was I ques oned by her Dad and others about “le ng her go” on those missions? Yes. God always gave me the courage and the words to explain that my ac ons had to edify my words.

Let’s take a closer look at two women in the Bible, Lydia and Hannah. Did their ac ons speak louder than words?

As believers in Jesus Christ, we must always ensure our tes monies are backed by our ac ons. Our ac ons must authen cate, corroborate, and illuminate our words--our tes mony of living by the inspired word of God. Titus 1:16.

On their second missionary journey, Paul, Timothy & Silas meet with women by the river outside Philippi; Lydia is one of them. Scripture tells us the Lord opens her heart to listen a en vely to the message shared by Paul. How did she tes fy? • Lydia was bap zed. • Lydia’s en re household was bap zed. • Lydia opened her home to the missionaries, and her home became the first house church. Now let’s look at Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel 1:1-28. Hannah was unable to bear children for her husband. She pled her desires to God and made a vow. If the Lord blesses her with a son, she vows to give him to the Lord. Strong words by a desperate but faithful woman. Words that could be hard to honor with the subsequent ac on. Yet, Hannah did just that, giving her son to the Lord when he was weaned. Samuel grew up, and the Lord was with him. I wasn’t familiar with Hannah’s story in the dark decade of my marriage, but I experienced a Hannah-like moment one day. The day I knew it was no longer possible to hide our disintegra ng marriage from our daughter. As my husband drove away, I found myself on bare knees in our gravel driveway. I pleaded with God and made this vow: God, I desperately need you. I realize that our

R EFLECTION : Take a moment to write out your personal tes mony. Reflect on whether your ac ons authen cate your tes mony.

P RAYER : Lord, thank You for the saving gi of Your Son. Give me courage to tes fy to the salva on that can only be found in Jesus. May the words of my tes mony reflect the redemp on You oﬀer everyone. And, Lord, may my ac ons always speak louder than my words so that my light shines brightly, drawing others near to You. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

MONICA BARD Perseverant. Resilient. Overcomer. Monica’s life summarized. Along the way, she discovered she didn’t do this alone. She couldn’t. Today her little family enjoys the sweet times of restoration and redemption--because God loved them and pursued her. When Monica was hanging by a thread, God carried her. She prayed too little, but God answers big! MonicaBard.com 90

S WEET T O T HE S OUL FAITH | S PRING 2022

A World Changing Testimony JODI MELISSA SLAUGHTER

"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:14-15 (ESV) John 4 tells us about a woman who had been discriminated against her en re life because of her gender and ethnicity. As a Samaritan woman, she was despised, seen as less than, and not allowed to interact with Jews. John 4:4 tells us that “Jesus had to go through Samaria.” The truth is that He did not…but it was necessary. No self-respec ng Jew ever willingly went through Samaria. He chose to go out of his way to meet a woman who never felt like her life ma ered. To meet a woman who we would never know by name, only by the place where her life intersected with the Messiah who completely transformed her life. We know that she came to the well physically thirsty, but there was a deeper thirst in her soul that le her aching to belong and looking for love and worth in all of the wrong places. (I don’t know about you, but I have felt this type of emp ness). The thirst that she had could only be quenched by the Living Water. She received eternal life right in the middle of that conversa on. I am certain that Jesus was the last person she wanted to see that day. That is why she showed up at a me when she knew that no one else should have been there, much less, a Jew. I find it very interes ng that a Samaritan and a Jew were both thirsty and both had to come to the well for water.

freely. She was forever changed by his love and her sharing the gospel changed her en re community. He is extending that same love to you. He doesn’t want you to just encounter Him, He wants you to be transformed by his love, mercy, and forgiveness.

R EFLECTION : What areas of your life do you think Jesus wants to transform?

In what areas of your life are you not being completely vulnerable and honest with God?

What are you willing to leave behind in order to receive the Living Water?

Jesus has a way of mee ng us in the place of our deepest need. He didn’t lead the line of ques oning with her past. He led with asking her for water to drink. He wanted to get to her heart. He didn’t shame her; He built a rela onship. Her life was so important that Jesus sat and waited for her to show up and had the longest conversa on with her recorded in the book of John. Her transforma on that eventually became her tes mony is a sign that Jesus is the Son of God who came to save the world. I believe that she became filled with the Living Water during their conversa on. At the well, the woman with no name became a part of history. The scripture tells us that she le her water pot to begin her calling as an evangelist.

P RAYER : Father, forgive me when I have changed the subject because I didn’t want to deal with the areas in my life you wanted to address. Forgive me when I pretended that everything was okay, when you know the whole truth about my life. Forgive me when I have searched for valida on and aﬃrma on in everyone and everything but you. Help me to receive your love for me without hesita on. Remind me that I can worship you in spirit and truth because you can handle all of my truth. Please fill me with your Living Water that I may never thirst again. In Jesus’ Name! Amen.

She asked for what she needed from Him, and He gave it to her,

JODI MELISSA SLAUGHTER is a prophet, counselor, speaker, teacher, radio/TV co-host whose passion is to lead women into uncovering their identity and purpose by helping them heal from past wounds while boldly walking in freedom and confidence! S PRING 2022 | S WEET T O T HE S OUL FAITH

When Hope Rose From the Grave KAREN FRIDAY

“Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel.” Colossians 1:4-5 (ESV) Peeking through the curtain, I scanned the audience and hoped my en re family showed up.

Hope unveiled in amazing grace. The spotlight on God’s mercy freeing us from sin and shame.

I’d landed my first high-school role in the musical, South Pacific. With sweaty palms, I checked the seats again. And if my people show up, would I make them proud when I took my final bow?

When we accept God’s salva on, it raises us to new life and new hope in the name of Jesus.

From side stage during the first scene, my gaze spo ed them through the blinding light. All my loved ones occupied the third row. I found my groove and remembered my lines with no blunders. But my glory days as an actress ended soon a er. History also recounts a glory day when hope showed up—big. Over 2000 years ago, God set the stage for a story of hope to unfold. The birth of the Christ-child took place in a lowly stable, animals occupied the front-row seats. Jesus grew and carried out the heavenly Father’s will. The supernatural happened in his presence. He served the community and reached out to wanderers, outcasts, and the wayward lost without hope.

Jesus Christ played the leading role in God’s story of hope. Because hope has a name. It’s Jesus. And God is the true hope-giver. The heavenly Father desires to make a grand entrance in our life with show-stopping miracles of hope, eternal and abundant life. And Jesus is saving us front-row seats. Accept God’s invita on to the curtain call where our ordinary life becomes extraordinary with Jesus taking a bow.

R EFLECTION : When the world’s forms of hope fizzle and fade away, do I realize I only find true hope in Christ alone? Will I seek hope from the hopegiver?

Jesus’ life, center stage, pointed the glory and applause to God alone. Yet, an enemy, Satan, plo ed to destroy God’s plans to bring hope to a hopeless people. S ll, the Savior died on a cross for the sins of the world…my sins and yours.

What does it mean to have a hope laid up in heaven for me? (Colossians 1:4-5)

Jesus spilled his blood for us. His broken body lay in a borrowed tomb. But the enemy and Jesus’ accusers celebrated a bit too soon. Three days a er the crucifixion, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and the other women went to the tomb at dawn with spices for the body. Instead, they discovered an empty tomb with angelic messengers sta ng how they searched for the living among the dead. They ran to tell the apostles. (See Luke 24:1-12.) Come and see! He is risen, just as He said! Hallelujah! Hopeless never gets the last word. Hope rose from the dead when Jesus Christ conquered the grave.

P RAYER : God, I place my faith and trust in you. Thank you for hope in your resurrec on power and glory. Your hope trumps all other hope. Help me to share the word of truth, the gospel, with others. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

He provided a way for us to become children of God and gain eternal life. The resurrec on—the day hope showed up and showed up big.

KAREN FRIDAY is passionate about showing others they are never far from hope. To discover an undeniable hope in an uncertain world, visit her website, Hope is Among Us, at KarenGirlFriday.com

S WEET T O T HE S OUL FAITH | S PRING 2022

In the Heat of the Night ELAINE LANKFORD

"For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” Psalm 103:11-12 (NLT)

When I think about the tes monials we will hear in Heaven, the one I want to hear the most is that of Rahab. The Bible clearly states that Rahab was a Canaanite pros tute. In other words, she was defiled and unholy, a foreigner to the Israelites. Her profession would most likely have skilled her at lying, manipula on, and scheming. What use would the all-powerful, holy God of Israel have with such a woman? Apparently, a great use. God had the most audacious plans for her and her life, and we can learn much from her story. Can you imagine the night the Israelite spies came crashing into her world? What possessed Rahab to open her door that night and take in these enemies of her country? When she could have easily “cashed in” on exposing them, why would she risk her own life and hide these men when they were sought out by the King of Jericho? Rahab, like us, was a sinner seeking a be er life. Though she did not understand Judaism, she simply understood the Israelite God was bigger and more powerful than any god she had knowledge of. Keenly aware of the Israelites’ victorious reputa on, she tells the spies: “No wonder our hearts have melted in fear! No one has the courage to fight a er hearing such things. For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below.” Joshua 2:11 NLT Using her street smarts, Rahab was able to clearly discern that Jericho’s days were numbered. Cra ing her pitch carefully, she pleads for protec on for herself and her family when the Israelite invasion occurs. In response, the Lord grants her favor. Most of us know how the story ends. Israel invades Jericho. Rahab and the spies uphold their agreement, and Rahab and her family are spared. But don’t miss the concluding verses of Joshua 6. Verse 23 tells us Rahab’s family was given safe haven “near the camp of Israel,” but verse 25 tells us of Rahab “she lives among the Israelites to this day.” Did you catch that? Rahab’s family relocated “near” the Israelite camp, but Rahab herself lived “among” them. God was more than a li le moved by Rahab. Just like us, He was willing to give Rahab a new beginning no ma er her past. What

Rahab started in the dead of night with God, He later revealed for all to see. Rahab would have a legacy and her legacy is found in the first chapter of Ma hew: “This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham: …Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab)”. Ma hew 1:1, 5 NLT Talk about redeemed and restored! This woman of the night becomes a direct descendent of the greatest light this Earth has ever known. What a story she has to tell! When we see Rahab, I believe she’ll tell us this: “For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” Psalm 103:11-12 NLT

R EFLECTION : What part of your story are you holding back from telling?

Iden fy the emo on that is causing you to withhold pieces of your story (e.g., fear, embarrassment, grief) and ask God to help you work through those feelings so the full beauty of your story can be revealed. Someone is wai ng to hear your story!

P RAYER : Father God, let our hearts be humbled by Rahab’s story. May we remember that You are the supreme God of Heaven and Earth and that you have cra ed each piece of our stories so that they glorify You. We don’t have to withhold any piece of them. In fact, it is through our u er brokenness that You shine all the brighter. Let us push back the lies of the enemy that those pieces forever define us but rightly proclaim how they show Your grace in our lives. Let our stories, like Rahab’s, encourage others today and forevermore. In Christ’s name, amen.

ELAINE LANKFORD is an author, a speaker, and a life/leadership coach. Visit her site transformingloveministries.org to learn more about discovering and/or fulfilling your God-sized dream.

S PRING 2022 | S WEET T O T HE S OUL FAITH

Bold Beliefs Lead to Bold Requests NATALIA DRUMM

“Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. ” 2 Corinthians 3:12 (ESV)

“Can I have this?” His sparkling eyes held up a toy in the store that was far above his meager pocket change. My son knew I had the money in my purse to make the purchase, it was simply whether I would allow it for him. For weeks my son had been eyeing this toy, working and saving, but s ll coming up short. He was unable to get what he wanted on his own and knew I could get it for him––but he needed to ask. My son didn’t ask the store a endant to buy him the toy, rather he asked me, his mother. Because even at his young age he knew that there were people who were your people. People who would work on your behalf, people who could do for you what others couldn’t. Asking his friends on the playground wouldn’t get him the toy although it’s possible he asked them! Asking a lady in the store wouldn’t get him the toy, and asking his brothers wouldn’t get him the toy. He needed to ask the right person––Mom. The one at the store and the one with the ability and resources to get him what he wanted.

love for me, my boldness has increased. I’ve prayed and asked for some crazy wild requests. Provision, protec on, and pleasures of this life that at mes I thought for certain He would deny because they were such bold requests. In truth, I’m o en s ll surprised at God’s responses. How He steps into my struggles and situa ons and shows oﬀ. With every bold request I’ve made, He’s countered with an even bolder answer. Situa ons deemed impossible are no match for our God. Struggles that have held us in bondage for decades don’t hold a match to the One who controls me. Redemp on. Provision. Protec on. Peace. All these abound, and so much more, when we simply come to our Father and ask. R EFLECTION : Mary asked of Jesus a bold request in Cana because she knew Who she was asking of. Do we?

He had hope. Bold hope. Confident hope. Worst case he would walk out without the toy. Which in the moment, he didn’t have anyway. Best case, I would say yes, and the toy would go home with him. The request was bold for his li le self. It wasn’t every day that toys were purchased, and it wasn’t yet a birthday or holiday for such an event, yet he held bold hope that it would be his. It makes me think about the boldness Mary, the mother of Jesus, had when she asked Jesus to fix the crisis at the wedding feast in Cana. (John 2) Mary knew who Jesus was. She knew his power, authority, and ability. Wine would be a simple crea on for the One who ordered the stars and held the boundaries of the seas. Many could say her request was bold, and perhaps it was. But the request was rooted in the knowledge of the power of the One she asked of. Her bold ask came from a bold belief. She knew who Jesus was and therefore knew what she could ask of Him. A stranger in the aisle of the toys would have perceived my li le boy to be asking for a bold request at his age that day, but my son knew his bold request was rooted in a bold belief. As his mother he knew my record of provision, protec on, and pleasure. I had not withheld good from him. Yes, some mes, the answer to his requests was a no, but it was always with a purpose and a plan. Friend, I’ll be the first to admit I have failed to be bold in my requests of God. Fearful I’d be disappointed if He didn’t come through for me. Assuming I knew the best and only outcome for my struggles. As I’ve grown in my faith and understanding of His great

Do we really know the Father’s heart for us? Have we drawn near to Him and heard His voice to us?

Have we surrendered our lives to the trust that He knows best for us? Have we stepped out in faith and asked boldly of the One who gave everything for us?

Let’s live in bold beliefs and walk forward this season in bold requests.

P RAYER : Father, help us to come boldly to the throne of grace where we can receive all that we need from You. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

NATALIA DRUMM is is a graduate student at Dallas Theological Seminary and founder and creator of Girlfriends in the Word™ where she leads Bible study groups and produces study books and resources for busy women to grow in God’s Word. She also writes for Lifeway Women, A Wife Like Me and Sweet to the Soul. Visit her website at www.nataliadrumm.com. 94

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Singing the Song of Our Salvation MARY KATHRYN TILLER

"Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing. And Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.” Exodus 15:20-21 (ESV) Miriam felt her sandals sink into the muddy banks of the Nile River as she concealed herself behind a clump of reeds. While she was several feet away from the small floa ng basket, she could just make out her baby brother’s babbling coming from inside. At her age, Miriam was old enough to know what was going on. Pharaoh had decreed that all Hebrew boys be put to death upon their birth. Though her parents whispered, they couldn’t hide the sense of dread that blanketed their community. Fortunately, her mother’s midwives feared God more than Pharaoh and had helped deliver Miriam’s brother, Moses, safely and quietly. Her family had managed to keep him a secret for several months. But this week, something had changed. Her mother began making a ny boat of reeds and pitch and this morning she had placed Moses inside and set him in the river. Now Miriam sat watching him, praying for a miracle. While Miriam is perhaps a lesser-known woman of the Bible, she was given a front-row seat to some of the most drama c miracles in history, star ng with the one that unfolded on the banks of the Nile River. God saved Moses’ life through the hand of an Egyp an Princess that day and she would raise him as her own. As a young man, Moses’ misplaced passion would lead him to murder an Egyp an, flee the country, and live for many years as a desert shepherd. Un l one day, when God called him back to deliver his people out of slavery and out of Egypt. Miriam would then watch as her middle brother Aaron would stand alongside Moses and oppose Pharaoh. Ten mes, she would witness God move on behalf of His people as plague a er plague fell upon the Egyp ans. Finally, on the evening of their first Passover meal, the Israelite Na on would be released from cap vity. Two weeks had passed since her people had le Egypt and Miriam’s heart was at ease. They had followed God’s presence across the desert and now they were coming to rest along the shores of the Red Sea. But the peace was not to last. Late in the day, the cry first went out and fear tore through the community. Pharaoh's army had been spo ed in the distance, swi ly advancing, trapping them against the sea. Ba ling a rising sense of dread, Miriam locked eyes with Moses

and remembered that day by the Nile. God had made a way for life back then; surely He would do it again. And He did. Just as God delivered Moses out of the Nile River, He delivered His people out of the Red Sea. As God parted the water, Miriam and her people walked across dry land, and then watched as their enemy was swallowed up by the waters, once and for all. Exodus 15:20 tells us that Miriam was so overcome that she poured out her praise in a song. She gathered together the women around her and led them to tes fy to the greatness and wonders of God. Throughout our lives, we are sure to experience moments like this moments where we witness the undeniable hand of God. When these miracles happen, what is our response? I pray that we can be inspired by Miriam’s story and use those moments of salva on to sing out and tell others about God. I pray, like Miriam, we would lead other women to praise Him for the amazing, miraculous things He has done. R EFLECTION : When have you seen God make a way when it seemed there wasn’t one?

How has God saved you from your spiritual or physical enemies?

Who can you tell your story of salva on to today?

P RAYER : Father God, you are mighty to save! You make a way when all seems lost. You have silenced my enemies and led me into life. Thank you, Father, for all of these things! Help me be like Miriam! May I be so overwhelmed by the salva on you have given me, that I cannot help but sing my song and lead others to join me in it. Thank you, God, for all you have done and all you have yet to do. Amen

MARY KATHRYN TILLER lives in East Texas with her husband, two kids, and thirty head of cattle. She is a writer, speaker, and adjunct professor. Her passion is helping entrepreneurial mamas connect more deeply with Christ so they can thrive in all He's called them to do. You can connect with her on Instagram @MaryKathrynTiller. S PRING 2022 | S WEET T O T HE S OUL FAITH

Living Out “Love Like Jesus” TYANNE RAKOWITZ

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27 (ESV) In my 25-minute commute to and from work each day, you’ll find the radio on the Chris an sta on in our area. One of my favorite segment’s airs during my commute home. It’s called “I’m not crying, you’re crying.” And yes! I’m usually crying by the end. Each story just exudes love, hope and compassion; loving our neighbors like Jesus. In Luke 10, we find Jesus being ques oned about how one can inherit eternal life. Jesus asks the man about what the law says, and when the man answers, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (vs. 27), Jesus tell him, he is correct. Love your neighbor as you love yourself. Sounds simple, right? Then I wonder why do we find this so diﬃcult? Could our inac ons be mo vated by fear? The parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-36) reveals just how we can love like Jesus despite our fears. Historically, the Israelites refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. But in Jesus’ parable; it’s the man’s enemy--a Samaritan--who extends a helping hand. Not his people. In a broken world with great divide, could it be possible for us, as adults, to see others through the eyes of a child? No color. No hate. Only love. Just like Jesus. The sweetest story I’ve recently heard reveals just how we can. A five-year-old boy tells his mom he has a twin at school. He insists they look iden cal. For twin day, they need to dress alike. Mom, annoyed with her son’s request, does her best to comply. As she sends her son to school the next day, she asks the teacher to snap a picture of the boys. She wants to see the resemblance for herself. The photo cause the mom to shed tears of joy. Obviously, the boys are far from iden cal. Her son, fair-skinned and light hair. His twin, dark-skinned and dark hair. Quite opposite in fact, but her son didn’t see that. His child-like love bridges any divide. How can you love like Jesus? 1. Show kindness. It can be as simple as to write an encouraging word on a s cky note and post it somewhere that will surprise and delight whoever finds it! That’s another favorite from the Chris an radio sta on in my area. An opportunity to love the people around you. Just like Jesus.

2. Pray for others. Praying for one another is a powerful way for us to bear one another’s burdens. Taking another’s hand and praying for them is a powerful blessing you can give another person. 3. Meet a need. In Mark 12:31 (ESV), “The second is this: “Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” Your neighbor is anyone who needs help. Who do you know that needs to receive some love from you? Provide dinner to a weary mom. Or designate me and spend it with the elderly--so many are alone. Could you drive someone to a doctor’s appointment? It doesn’t have to be big to share your love with others. Just love like Jesus. 4. Love your enemies. In the parable, it was the Samaritan who lent a helping hand. Not a friend. Can you find it in your heart to put aside any wrongs, and love them as a fellow human being? It’s not easy, I know. “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expec ng nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as you Father is merciful.” Luke 6:35-36 (ESV) We may not have the ability to feed 5,000 with five loaves and two fish or heal the sick, but that’s not what Jesus asks of us. Merely, love your neighbor as yourself. Nothing extraordinary. Just love like Jesus does. R EFLECTION : Are you stepping out or playing it safe? Think about diﬀerent ways you can love your neighbor.

P RAYER : “Your love, God, is my song, and I’ll sing it! I’m forever telling everyone how faithful you are. I’ll never quit telling the story of your love – how you built the cosmos and guaranteed everything in it. Your love has always been our lives’ founda on, your fidelity has been the roof over our world. You once said, “I joined forces with my chosen leader, I pledged my word to my servant, David, saying, ‘Everyone descending from you is guaranteed life; I’ll make your rule as solid and las ng as rock.’” Psalm 89:1-4 MSG Your love endures forever. Amen.

TYANNE RAKOWITZ is wife to high school sweetheart for 39+ years. Mom to 6; 3 by blood and 3 by love. Grammy to 5 little boys. Humbly serving Christ Lutheran Church as the Office Administrator. And serves as the Business Administrator for Sweet to the Soul. Planner and organizer extraordinaire! 96

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P R AY E R C A R D S Cut out prayer cards and tuck in your Bible or display around your home or oﬃce; or write an encouragement on the back and share with a friend.

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:5 ESV

You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. Matthew 5:13 ESV

SWEET TO THE SOUL FAITH

“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. Isaiah 43:10 ESV

SWEET TO THE SOUL FAITH

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8 ESV

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P R AY E R C A R D S

Cut out prayer cards and tuck in your Bible or display around your home or oﬃce; or write an encouragement on the back and share with a friend.

Father, thank You for allowing me to be the salt of Your creation. Help me to stay close to You and learn from You, so I can be salt and light to this world. Keep me effective in this world by growing my heart and mind closer to You and learning Your ways. In Jesus name, Amen.

Lord, thank You for the faith You have given me and the hope of grace before me. Help me have a humble heart and kind words to the world around me as I share the hope of salvation with them. Give me confidence in Your Word and fill me with Your Spirit of boldness when I need to speak. In Jesus name, Amen.

Father, thank You for not leaving us alone and ill-equipped for the mission You have called us to. Thank You for Your presence through Your Spirit and the empowering You offer us to do Your work. Help me to be faithful in telling others of the hope I have in you. Bind away my fear and fill me with your confidence to go forth and speak about You. In Jesus's name, Amen.

Lord, thank You for entrusting me with the opportunity to be Your witness to the world. You give me a front row seat to the work of your majesty and grace. You shower my life with Your grace. Help me to be a voice to the world around me of Your faithfulness. Let me honor You in my life and witness. . In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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CYNDEE OWNBEY

Her name faded from memory years ago, but her story stuck with me. I heard Susan, let’s call her, speak at the first women’s ministry event I remember a ending. Her story wasn’t flashy or drama c, but it resonated deeply with me. Susan spoke about growing up in the church and realizing as an adult she didn’t have a personal rela onship with Christ. She knew who God was, but she didn’t know Him personally. She admi ed that she used to struggle to share her story of coming to faith because it lacked the drama and ac on of so many other faith stories she had heard. There was no earthquake moment. No tragic circumstance. No story that would bring an audience to tears. Li le did she realize that her story had me figh ng back tears! As she spoke God connected the dots of my conversion in a new way. Hearing her story finally helped me put into words my own story. I, too, grew up in the church but lacked that personal rela onship with God. I thought because I knew who Jesus was and I was a “good girl”, I was headed to Heaven when I died. It wasn’t un l I was a young mom that I realized there was more to being a Chris an. Knowing who God is and knowing God are two completely diﬀerent things.

If you’ve ever struggled to put into words how God has been at work in your life, this ar cle is for you! I’d love to be your Susan – to help put your faith stories into words so that other people in your life can hear about God’s faithfulness. If you’ve ever been asked to share your “tes mony”, you may be familiar with that feeling of dread and fear that o en accompanies such a serious request. A tes mony is o en defined as the personal retelling of the moment of conversion. It’s a story of an encounter with Christ, the moment of salva on. The MerriamWebster Online Dic onary defines a religious tes mony as “a public profession of religious experience.” While a tes mony, is and can be about the singular point at which we accepted Christ, a tes mony can also communicate any experience we’ve had with Christ. I’ve found swapping out that scary word “tes mony” with “faith story” relieves a lot of the pressure we place on ourselves. Stories are familiar and stories are relatable. Faith stories: • Give hope • Provide encouragement • Create connec on • Model obedience • Provide tes mony of God’s faithfulness and love S PRING 2022 | S WEET T O T HE S OUL FAITH

Sharing our faith stories can inspire other people to look for God’s fingerprints on their current situa on and circumstances. While we may be tempted to keep our stories of God’s faithfulness and love to ourselves, scripture is clear that we are to tell our story to others. We are to make known what God has done. “Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the na ons what he has done.” 1 Chronicles 16:8 ESV People cannot believe in God, if they’ve never heard about God. “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” Romans 10:14 NLT Our stories give the reason for the hope that we have in Christ. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” 1 Peter 3:15 ESV We can offer an eye-witness account of God in ac on. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 ESV We can comfort others with the comfort we received from God. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:3–5 ESV Yet, our minds o en overcomplicate the sharing of our faith stories. What do I include? How many details do I share? How long should I talk? John 9 offers a simple recipe for sharing our stories. Here we find the story of Jesus giving sight to a blind man. When asked what had happened, the blind man replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see” (John 9:11). While our faith story might not be as short as those three sentences, the format is one we can easily follow. The story consists of three parts: 1. How I was 2. What happened 3. How I am now In John 9 we see: 1. The man was blind. 2. Jesus made some mud, put it on his eyes, and told him to wash it off. 3. Now he can see. 100

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As we think through what happened or changed in our life, we want to make certain our story focuses on what God did. And then as we share how we are diﬀerent, we want to include the transforma on God did in our life. I find these three C’s helpful in shaping what I am sharing: Current - Our stories should be current, focusing on a recent lesson (within the last year, if possible). Keeping it current reminds others that God is always at work! Concise – Our stories don’t need to be lengthy. Even if we’re sharing our faith story publicly, we’ve not been asked to be the keynote speaker or teach a Bible lesson. What we share should last between five and ten minutes, no more. Prac ce sharing it. Record yourself and listen to make sure your story is coming across as intended. If you’re speaking in front of a group, jot down a few notes so you don’t lose focus. Christ-centered – Our faith stories should be focused on what God has done, not on drama c details. It’s

Faith stories that are current, concise, and Christ-centered will ensure the words we share give glory to God.

about Him, not about us. We want others who hear our story to remember what God accomplished through us or the circumstance. When our eyes and words are focused on God, others see that and can learn by our example. Faith stories that are current, concise, and Christcentered will ensure the words we share give glory to God.

I’ve heard it said that we should speak from our scars, and not from our wounds. I’ve found these to be wise words as I’ve watched women share on a couple of occasions faith stories that were more about their feelings than God’s healing. Here are a few other things to consider when sharing your story:

•

Please do not share anything that would embarrass someone or lead to gossip.

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Protect your spouse, your family, and anyone who is a part of your story.

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You want to be more general than specific, especially when sharing with a group.

•

Be prayerful and careful with details you share.

•

Whenever possible get permission and input from anyone that is a part of your story.

For example, if you are sharing about a hard season in your marriage, your spouse needs to be completely aware and on board with what you are sharing. The specific details of that hard season are for you, your husband, and God to know. Hearing someone reflect on God’s faithfulness in diﬃcult circumstances can be an encouragement. What story is it that you sense God wants you to share? Do you need to tell about how God has provided for you or your family? Is there something God has rescued you from? Has God healed a rela onship or helped you to overcome a loss? You may find it helpful to write down your story. Journal all the ni y-gri y details and then decide what parts are for public consump on and which stay between you and God. I pray we’ll embrace the opportuni es God gives us to be a witness (Acts 1:8), oﬀer comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3 –5), proclaim God’s power (1 Chronicles 16:8), and give a reason for our hope (1 Peter 3:15).

CYNDEE OWNBEY is an author, speaker, podcaster, and women's ministry mentor. She equips women's ministry leaders to cultivate a Christ-focused community through her ministry website: womensministrytoolbox.com S PRING 2022 | S WEET T O T HE S OUL FAITH

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Praying for an

Open Door

NANCY ORMON

“A ND

PRAY FOR US , TOO , THAT

G OD

MAY OPEN A DOOR FOR OUR MESSAGE , SO THAT

C HRIST , FOR WHICH I AM IN CHAINS . P RAY CLEARLY , AS I SHOULD .” Colossians 4:3-4 (NIV)

WE MAY PROCLAIM THE MYSTERY OF

MAY PROCLAIM IT

Even though Paul was in chains, he was praying to the Colossal Christians, not for his freedom, but for opportunities to share the gospel. I have learned from my life experiences that God can and will use me regardless of what posi on I am in, good or bad.

In February of 2020, I had acute renal failure, a er having a perfect physical just one month before. The Doctor said all was good, keep on doing what I was doing. Then, ONE DAY, bam! Just like that! At a me like this it would seem you certainly would not be thinking how you can serve God. I was figh ng for my life because of the meline of ge ng to the hospital for help. During my 11 day stay, I had all kinds of emo ons going through my head. One morning I actually found some quiet me to spend with the Lord and give him my concerns and then quote his promises back to me. This was all in my journal – circumstances vs Gods promises. For the moment it kept my head above water. I had to have a kidney transplant and there were many delays ge ng my son approved to be my donor. As I journaled, God spoke to me that these were not denials, just delays. Then, I felt in my heart it was possible I could help someone when I had my surgery, or maybe it was about a Doctor or nurse helping with my care that I could witness to. As God answered my prayer to be purposeful for Him during my hospital stay, He sent me a nurse who needed encouragement. She was taking care of me a er my transplant. I gave her a God Thought Card, which is an

encouragement card with scripture and a posi ve saying that always relates to the person I give it to. I always pray before I give those to anyone, and God always shows up. She took the card and got big tears in her eyes. She came back later and asked me to sign her card. She was so encouraged. That is a moment in me I could have let pass by, however, I went to the hospital with those cards in my bag to hand out as I felt led. And God already knew who needed a word from Him that I could pass on. As with Paul, I was chained to my health situa on, wai ng to break the chains with a transplant. However, God used me at the same me to touch someone else with a li le nudge of love. God asks us to seek him and we will find him. He asks us to knock on the door and he will answer. Who, TODAY, can you reach out to and make a diﬀerence for them? You don’t have to worry about the results, you just get to enjoy the opportunity to ‘reach out’ and give them a li le nudge of love. God will always bring the results. Father God, thank you so very much for our teachers, like Paul, who taught us to ask you for opportuni es to share your message, regardless what situa on we, ourselves, are in. Oh, God, you are so faithful to do the work and bring the results for the recipient. Help us to be bold with a heart to share your message. Use us each today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

NANCY ORMON resides in Lubbock Tx with her husband Tommy and has a heart to give HOPE to others by sharing God stories around her testimony. She has been a speaker/teacher in many different platforms and her prayer is to connect hearts to God and open ears to hear what He has for them. Nancy has recently published her book Stronger Than I Thought. 102

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THAT

G R AC I O U S W O R D S C A R D S

Original Artwork by: Jana Kennedy Spicer

Cut out these Gracious Words cards and share with others. Ask God to open doors for you to share about His love and presence in your life. There’s space on the back for you to write a special encouragement.

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G R AC I O U S W O R D S C A R D S

Original Artwork by: Jana Kennedy Spicer

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In those times when our world shifts on its axis, we turn to the scriptures for comfort and God’s reassurances – and rightly so. One scripture that Christians take great comfort in is Jeremiah 29:11. “This Time” will take you on a deeper journey of this popular scripture to understand what Jeremiah was actually saying to the people of Israel in his letter and learn if it holds a promise for us today.

D OWNLOAD

AT :

S WEET T O T HE S OUL . COM /I NSPIRED -I NBOX

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Planting Seeds I N Y OUR O WN B ACKYARD CINDY WILKINS

There it was again. Not just a nudge, but a firm push this me. I really tried to ignore it; however the prodding didn’t let up. No, it wasn’t a physical pressure I was experiencing, but rather a spiritual one. Try as I might not to react, and believe me I tried, there was no denying I was being pressed to do more than I’d planned. My rural church is small in size and number. That means we wear many hats in doing the work of the church. One of mine is what I like to call, “hostess with the mostest,” that means when it comes to anything hospitality-wise, I’m the gal in charge. It was in the midst of doing that job I first began to feel the tap on my shoulder. Gentle at first, I convinced myself it was nothing, but as it grew stronger and stronger, this “cling to my comfort zone kinda girl” had no doubt Who was pushing me to move out. And may I just say, I wanted to stay right where I was! Hos ng our church’s annual Fourth of July Picnic was something I looked forward to each year. We’d gather as a congrega on at the pavilion and spend the a ernoon sharing food, stories, laughter, and fun. But this year, God wanted to shake things up and I was holding on for dear life as I sensed Him urging me to reach outside the church doors and into the community. A missionary in my own backyard? Me? As a natural born procras nator, it was easy to put

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oﬀ talking to my church family about changing the picnic. But as always happens, the deadline was drawing near and I was running out of me. The idea to invite the families in the surrounding neighborhood was well received. To my dismay, God wasn’t le ng me oﬀ the hook that easily. And so, what could I do but step reluctantly into hyperhostess-mode. Menus were made, decora ons ordered, games planned, and last but not least, invita ons created. Everything was ready, except that is, me. The thought of going door to door, talking to people I didn’t know about coming to a church event le me feeling, well, nauseous! “Looks like rain today. Be er not go.” Tap, tap. “I

have a lot to do, maybe I’ll take them tomorrow.” of the weather. Just as we were about to walk out Nudge, nudge. A friend, no cing my reluctance, the door, our phone rang. Quickly picking up, a offered to go with me to deliver the invita ons; woman on the other end asked if we were holding and while I wanted to say yes, I knew this was a church that morning. Telling her that we were, she mission God had planned for responded that her son was me. Funny, realizing I should interested in a ending. We turn down her kind offer was assured her that we’d be there the push I needed to finally to greet him if he decided to “PLANT YOUR SEED follow through. So, with invitacome. It had been a very long ons in hand, a roll of scotch me since our sanctuary welIN THE MORNING AND tape in my pocket, and the comed someone new and it KEEP BUSY ALL desire to do His will in my seemed unlikely to us that this heart, I stepped out leaning on wintery Sunday would be any AFTERNOON, FOR YOU God’s strength, leaving comdifferent. DON ’ T KNOW IF PROFIT fort behind. Every me the swinging doors WILL COME FROM ONE As it turned out though, many opened I glanced hopefully of my knocks remained unanover my shoulder to see if the ACTIVITY OR ANOTHER swered, so most of the invitayoung man would actually join - OR MAYBE BOTH.” ons were le taped to front us. Just as the prelude began doors, but, all had been delivthe doors brushed open and Ecclesiastes 11:6 (NLT) ered and I sighed with relief sure enough, to my surprise he and thanksgiving to have comwalked in and sat down in a pleted the job. back pew. A er the service concluded my husband walked Sunshine greeted us on the morning of the picnic. over to greet our guest. They talked for a bit and Everything was ready and I felt a mixture of excitethen we all went our separate ways. ment and nerves. Scrolling through the checklist in my head, I wanted to be sure nothing had been Se ling in the car to leave, my husband turned to forgo en. This event just had to be perfect. A er me and asked if I knew why the unexpected visitor all, God helped in the planning! had decided to come to church. Of course I had no idea. Thankfully I was already si ng down because One by one, church members began arriving what came next was enough to send me to my with warm gree ngs, lawn chairs, and dishes of knees! He con nued to share that a er finding an delicious food. The atmosphere was full of invita on to a Fourth of July picnic taped to his celebra on, but as the minutes cked by I felt door, this young man couldn’t stop thinking about anything but celebratory. Not one neighborhood how nice it had been to be invited and that, was family joined us at the pavilion. Zero! Had I heard what prompted him to want to join with us in God wrong? Was it all in my imagina on? All that worship. I immediately burst into tears of amazeworry, stress, and planning for nothing! It felt as if ment. Gra tude was now inscribed on my heart. the joke was on me. “Failure” was wri en on my “Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted heart in my own familiar hand. the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but Fast forward to a January morning that dawned it was God who made it grow. It’s not important completely the opposite of that day in July. Snow who does the plan ng, or who does the watering. covered the ground and clouds covered the sun as What’s important is that God makes the seed the flakes con nued to fall. Living in the moungrow.” 1 Corinthians 3:5b-7 (NLT) tains, this is the weather that prompts a discussion Paul reminds us in the verses above, as do our about closing church or not. A er some back and barren church picnic and the fruitless months to forth we decided to go ahead with services in spite

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follow, that when God sends us out to plant seeds, success is not based on what our eﬀorts produce. As we walk with the One who tends the seeds, we do not fail, even when the results aren’t what we hope for. We may never see the harvest of our labor or maybe…like on that January morning, six months later, God will show us what has grown from a seed we planted. But either way, our growth comes when we are obedient (even reluctantly) to do the plan ng. The young man who joined us that wintery Sunday? He’s now an ac ve, faithful church member and we’ll soon celebrate his bap sm! Taping a church picnic invita on on someone’s door was a li le thing really, like a mustard seed, but we know that with God, the smallest seed can grow into the largest plant. What about you? Perhaps you’re feeling a tap, nudge, or outright push to plant seeds in your own backyard. Believe me, I know how easy it is to say, “Missionary? Me?” Maybe the thought of being God’s worker leaves you clinging to your comfort zone like I wanted to. But this experience has taught me, and I hope encourages you, to remember that “what’s important is that God makes the seed grow;” we just need to step into the field He calls us to and believe He’ll equip us for the work He gives. Yes, our “backyards” may all be diﬀerent. The seeds we use will be too. But, God provides each of us many opportuni es, gi s really, to be a part of the wonderful mission of sowing His love. Hearts are being prepared. Are we ready to step out? Let’s plant those seeds together and then from your backyard to mine, when the me is right, God will make them grow.

CINDY WILKINS has a love for story telling and a passion for sharing lessons God is teaching her in everyday moments as MiMi, Mom, Wife, Daughter, and Friend. You can read more of her stories, ponderings, and what she’s learning along the way in her Christian Walk at www.myseaofthought.com .

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12 Ways To Be On Mission In Your Backyard JODIE BARRETT

God also called me into backyard missions ten years ago. It began with oﬀering a free exercise ministry to women in my community, but wow has it taken many shapes over the last ten years. No ma er how God asks you to love and serve those around you, trust that He will give you everything you need when you step forward saying, “Here I am. Send me.”

Oﬀer a Bible Study in your home or community. There are many resources available to guide you in how to host a small group Bible Study. Set a date and invite others to join you. Someone is wai ng for your invita on!

Open your home for someone else to oﬀer a Bible Study. O en Youth Ministry Leaders are seeking homes to host small groups for preteens and teens. You can help with refreshments and oﬀer to pray for leaders and students.

Teach a useful skill or hobby to the next genera on. This opens the door for building rela onships. Conversa on about Jesus tends to flow more freely when we are sharing everyday ac vi es.

Volunteer to read to children. Schools and libraries o en allow volunteers. Also, consider a single parent who may need help assis ng their children with homework. When possible, read books that share about Jesus’ love and even an ageappropriate Bible.

Host a movie night. Choose a family-friendly movie with a Chris an message to share with others. Oﬀer snacks and consider making it a monthly event. Pray that God would use the message of the movie to speak to the hearts of those a ending.

Prepare hygiene items for a nursing home or other long-term care facility. Bundle a comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, and lo on together in a bag. Tuck in a cheerful gree ng card with scripture and a prayer.

Begin a prayer chain for the lost in your community. You can organize a prayer walk, where you and a few others walk through the neighborhood as you pray for all those who live in the houses you pass. A small note can be taped or hung on doors to let others know that someone prayed for them.

Deliver meals or baked goods to those unable to leave home. Ask your church if they have materials that can be given to others as you make deliveries. Many churches have resources designed for outreach.

Volunteer to help during Vaca on Bible School. This program is designed to reach far into the community for the purpose of sharing the gospel to those who have not heard the Good News.

Donate needed items to community organizaons. Ask if cards containing God’s word can be included. Many shelters need socks and undergarments all year long. Encouragement cards can be a ached to these items, so the recipient has an opportunity to read God’s word.

Be a cheerful giver. Look for ways to share blessings as you dine out, visit the grocery store, or pump gas. Ask God for ways to give that share His love and meet the needs of others.

Smile o en. Speak kindly. Others are watching and listening, and they will no ce, o en asking where your joy comes from. This allows you to share freely about the love Jesus has for everyone.

Many mes, we think being a missionary means that we must travel far from home to share about Jesus, but o en God calls us to make an impact right in our own backyard. There are unreached people everywhere, even steps from where we live.

JODIE BARRETT is a speaker and writer with a passion for Jesus. Visit her at faithfullyfollowingministries.org to discover more about finding joy even in the midst of pain.

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A ND

THEY DEVOTED THEMSELVES

TO THE APOSTLES ’ TEACHING AND THE

fel owship

TO THE BREAKING OF BREAD AND THE PRAYERS .

A CTS 2:42

MITZI NEELY

Each season brings special events to plan and prepare for, and spring brings two favorites, Easter and Mother’s Day.

Both holidays are brimming with faith, family, friends, and fellowship as we gather around the table with gra tude. You will find delicious and meless recipes that make any meal special in the pages that follow. The favorite ‘mom’ recipes pay tribute to the remarkable women who raised, loved, and influenced us to be godly women. Celebrate with your friends and family, make new memories, and give gra tude and glory to God.

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Photos by Terri Hill

Mother’s Day

Easy Tomato Basil Soup

Shrimp & Cucumber Tea Sandwich

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Fluffy Marshmellow Salad

Squash Casserole

Photos by Terri Hill

Easter Lunch Chocolate Cake

Brussel Sprouts

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Memories in the Recipe Box

Recipe boxes o en contain more than just recipes. Some of the favorite cards in my worn and aged recipe box are not necessarily favorites because of the way they fill out the menu, but rather because of the memories a ached. We’ve aske some of our contributors to share some of their memorable recipe cards.

One Minute Cookies from Misty My Gran made these cookies for my mom and my aunt when they were growing up, and they became my mom’s favorite cookies. Then my mom made these for us growing up and they became my favorite cookies as well! In fact, when my sister and I were away at college, these were the cookies we begged Mom to send us. She would try her best to carefully package them but about half of them ended up crumbled by the me they arrived. You be er believe we ate every last crumb, though! I think that, while they were delicious, they were really more than just cookies; they were one of the ways Mom said (and s ll says!), “I love you.”

Delta Bars from Elaine Lankford My mother was big on desserts! She had several recipes that made us come running when she made them. My absolute favorite was her Delta Bars. Her Delta Bars struck that balance between something slightly lighter than a brownie but sensa onal enough to tame any sweet tooth. I hope you enjoy this delicious treat and know that Ms. Dora is smiling down on you!

Chocolate Sheath Cake from Tyanne Rakowitz I love chocolate! Mom’s chocolate sheath cake quickly became my favorite and she knew it. I would walk in the door and she’d say, I made your favorite. Just from that, I knew she had made her chocolate sheath cake and of course, I’d indulge in a piece or two. Yum! She’s not able to bake any more but I will always cherish hearing her say, I made your favorite! I love you Mom!

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How Cleaning a Closet

Cleared Out My Soul

NATALIA DRUMM

Scrolling the beau fully curated photos of Instagram creates a tension in my soul. I go from wan ng to get rid of everything and live a minimalist lifestyle to wan ng everything and clicking on every “shop now” link I see. The struggle is real, friends.

With three boys moving into the teenage years, my home is far from a minimalist home. Add in the fact that I run an online business, and homeschool these boys, and my house can feel full to the brim some days, with school books, supplies, sports equipment, and laundry piles. Oh, the laundry. Several years ago, in the days when my boys s ll napped, I felt an urging from the Lord to clean out the closets in our home. Par cularly our master bedroom closet. We had just moved into the house the summer before, and I had simply stuck

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things in my new huge closets without really sor ng and cleaning things out. Now, mind you, I’m an organized and dy person. Everything needs a place, and I func on best with order, not clu er and chaos. So, I assumed cleaning out these closets would be a simple one hour task. My li le one went down for a morning nap, and I took a contractor sized garbage bag upstairs to the master bedroom. Not certain why the Lord kept pressing this task on my heart but willing to obey. Either God really had something to say to me in that closet, or at least I would have some more order to my life by the end of the task. It would be a win-win morning. As I tore down boxes I had once tucked away, I found remnants of a life I once lived. Pictures, le ers, mementos, and memories. Some good, some not so good. Slowly I began to make piles in the closet. Trash. Dona ons. Keep. I sorted clothes and had a conversa on with the Lord about how uncomfortable I felt in this new

body that didn’t fit into those ny jeans anymore. I threw out old notes from crushes and spoke with the Lord about how grateful I was for the man He brought me to marry. With every trash bag I filled and every box I cleaned out, it created an invitaon for me to speak with the Lord about the past, release pain, and pray through the future. Now hours into my project, I had filled far more bags than I an cipated. I removed them from the closet and thought the Lord simply wanted me to have a chance to talk with him. Confident I was done with the whole experience I looked at the freshly organized closet and heard His whisper to my soul, “I’m doing a new work in your life this year, but before I can bring in new, I needed you to release the old. I need you to make room in your life. Not just your closets. Make room in your heart for what I’m going to do. Make space in your life for Me to move.” Clu er has a way of creeping into our homes, our closets, and our hearts. It doesn’t o en happen all at once. Rather it’s o en a slow process. We pick up extra décor, new clothes, a fresh something or another for the house and we fail to purge out the old stuff. The same is true for our hearts. Slowly over me we can pick up offense, bi erness, pain, en tlement. Clearing out the closets of our home is a great prac ce we should do every year, or every season, but clearing out the clu er of our hearts is something we must do. If we fail to clear out the clu er of our hearts, we become hard hearted. S ffness isn’t what works well with God. He’s looking for hearts that are humble, so , and surrendered.

God won’t put new wine into old wineskins. The fresh, new work He is looking to do in our lives needs hearts that have space to receive Him. Hearts that are free from the clu er of this world. This spring, as we pack away winter, swap out wardrobes and clean out our cabinets and closets, let’s clean out our hearts as well. When we make space to see God move, we see Him. We live in an cipa on of His work. We live with eyes focused on Him instead of ourselves. This spring plan out some me to go room by room in your home and fill bags of things that no longer serve their purpose in your life. Perhaps it’s outgrown clothing, or toys that no longer get played with. Pass them on to people who can use them. Si through the cabinets and reset the space. Bring order and func on to your space. Most importantly, spend me this spring cleaning out the crevices of your heart. Have you picked up bi erness or resentment in the past year? Lay it down at the feet of Jesus. Have you found disillusionment in your heart when reality wasn’t what you expected? Give it over to God. God is God enough to handle all the secrets stored away in the crevices of our hearts. He wants to clear them out of there, heal them and then do something new and fresh in our lives. He wants to make us more like Him and transform us into His image. This spring let’s clear out the clu er of our closets and our hearts! Father, thank You for the fresh new work You are wan ng to do in our lives. Help me to make room in my heart for You. Keep my eyes fixed on what You are doing and not on this world.

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Thankfully I've learned to reign in my Martha tendencies because perfec on doesn't exist, and overkill doesn't ma er. I want to enjoy the moment and the fellowship and not be wrapped up in ridiculous amounts of planning and doing.

Letting Go of the Clutter for Good MITZI NEELY

There are days I look around my house and see the clutter building right before my eyes. What starts as a harmless stack can quickly spill over into other areas of the home if I don't pay attention. If I'm honest, the same can be said for my life. I like and appreciate organiza on, and for the most part, I do pre y well. But I have a so side that some mes allows extra stuﬀ to creep in even when I know it's not good for me. It reminds me of Martha when Jesus came for a visit. I can iden fy with Martha when it comes to ge ng caught up in the planning and busyness of an event. When I'm in Martha mode, I can get distracted by the details and miss the opportunies right before me. I hate when that happens. All that busyness and for what?

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Maybe it's never happened to you, but it feels like I am a walking billboard for overextending. We can pretend it doesn't happen, but it does. There's something to be said for having a Mary heart in a Martha world. There are many days that I long to be more like Mary. Sound familiar? As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparaƟons that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has leŌ me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is beƩer, and it will not be taken away from her." Every day I work to manage be er the extra things taking up residence in my heart and mind. The overcommitments and long to-do lists can quickly get in the way of my quiet me, my resolve to focus on Christ and my family, and the things I want to be inten onal about. So how do I prevent the clu er from piling up and taking over my spiritual life and my home? How can I stop being a packrat of sorts? By cuƫng the cord, leƫng go for good, and saying no and meaning it.

3 WAYS TO EFFECTIVELY SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE 1. Recognize what causes you to keep things you no longer need. It's essen al to recognize the underlying root cause. Collec ng paper, cra supplies, and magazines is no diﬀerent than collec ng pain, challenges, and hurt feelings. One set is tangible; one is not. But they all take up space and weigh us down. None of it is good for us and ul mately keeps us from being our best.

We take on more than we need and make the mistake of mee ng the world's standards instead of God's standards. Instead, I'm choosing to trust God and listen to His direc ons through Scripture. Just as I need to let go of hurt feelings and s nging words, I must also remove the stacks of paper and household clu er. It's a necessity that I find freedom from the baggage. God's word tells us, "Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. PracƟcally everything that goes on in the world—wanƟng your way, wanƟng everything for yourself, wanƟng to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanƟng, wanƟng, wanƟng is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity." 1 John 2:15-17 MSG 2. Release the fear associated with leƫng go of the cluƩer. It's so important to surrender our fears to God. Easier said than done. For example, I'm afraid of what I might throw away or give away because I believe I'll need it later. I know some people feel the same way. But I've had to let go of the fear and trust God to help me see that less is more. Le ng go is difficult, and it hurts. Some mes I feel like I'm losing a part of myself. But I know God wants me to be free from the trappings of the extra stuff and the extra responsibili es I'm collec ng. Le ng go offers a huge sense of relief because I trust that God has something be er for you and me. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 3. Start the sorƟng and separaƟon process now. This step can be overwhelming, but it is necessary. God loves us regardless of our stuff, but He also longs for us to be free from the baggage we surround ourselves with.

My problem with clu er is sor ng through things ONE me and one me only and making a definive decision about what and where it needs to go. It's the same with over-scheduling, missing my quiet me, and postponing a project because I've commi ed to too much. My head knows exactly what needs to go, but it's the heart that hangs on for dear life. So I think of my daughter (who is a minimalist) when she says: if you don't need it, get rid of it. If it's too much, don't do it." I love the valuable ps my girl gives me to live freely. Paring down is diﬃcult, but once I see results, I realize I no longer need to feel regret or remorse for ge ng rid of the extra clu er physically or spiritually. NOT. EVER. Through prayer and studying God's Word, I am thankful that I can fully trust Him to help me focus on the areas I need help with. I no longer want to accumulate when I can simplify. It's a process, and it's worth it. God's word says, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans." Proverbs 16:3 NIV So as you move forward, allow God to help you divide and conquer the extras when your life feels like it's going in a hundred direc ons. There is no need to obsess over a full schedule or company coming or throwing away clu er ever again. Ask Him to help you lay aside the commitments and tasks that are no longer best for you and simplify your soul. What's stopping you from le ng go for good? I am praying for you as you take control and simplify your life.

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Mot h er’ s Day Tabl e Tomato Basil Soup Ingredients: 1 (29 oz) can of tomato puree’ 2 cups (4 to 6) tomatoes, peeled, cored and chopped OR 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes ½ cup tomato juice 2 cups chicken broth 6 to 8 fresh basil leaves, chopped 1 cup heavy cream ¼ lb. sweet, unsalted bu er Salt and pepper to taste Garlic salt

Directions: 1.

Combine tomatoes, juice/stock in a large saucepan or dutch oven. Simmer for 30 minutes, s rring o en. 2. Add basil leaves, heavy cream, bu er, while s rring over low heat. 3. Con nue to simmer and add seasoning for desired taste. Serves 6 to 8

Shrimp & Cucumber Tea Sandwich Ingredients: 1 cup finely chopped shrimp (about 1 lb. of fresh shrimp) ½ cup finely grated cucumber (no seeds) 2 small green onions, finely chopped 1 to 2 tsp. lemon juice ¼ cup sour cream 2 tsp. chopped parsley 1 dash of Tabasco or 2-3 dashes of Tony Chachere seasoning Pinch of seasoned salt Dash paprika Directions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Combine all ingredients and chill thoroughly. Remove crusts from white bread. Spread with a thin layer of margarine. Fill sandwiches with shrimp & cucumber filling, about 2 tablespoons each. One recipe makes approximately 32 finger sandwiches. Cut each sandwich into 4 triangles (finger sandwiches)

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Fruit Salad with Poppyseed Dressing Ingredients: 1 cantaloupe, seeded and cubed (about 3 cups) 1 pineapple, cored and cubed (about 4 cups) or 1 large can of chunks, drained 1 cup blueberries 4 medium nectarines, sliced (about 2 cups) or 2 cups of mandarin oranges *can subs tute fresh strawberries in place of cantaloupe Dressing: 2 T. lemon juice 2 T. honey ½ tsp. Dijon mustard ¼ tsp. salt ⅛ tsp. ground white pepper 2 T. canola oil Directions: 1. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, honey, mustard, salt, and pepper un l blended. *Add another tablespoon of honey if desired. 2. Add oil in a slow, steady stream, whisking constantly, un l dressing becomes thick and emulsified. 3. In a large bowl combine cantaloupe or strawberries, pineapple, blueberries and nectarines or mandarin oranges. 4. Chill un l ready to serve. Just before serving, toss fruit with dressing and s r gently to coat. Serve cold.

Cannoli Cheescake Ingredients for cheesecake: ¾ c. mini chocolate chips, plus more for garnish 1 tsp. Flour 2 (8 oz) packages of cream cheese, room temperature 1 (15 oz) container of rico a cheese, drained 1 ¼ cups sugar ½ tsp. kosher salt 1 T. vanilla extract 4 large eggs, room temperature Broken waﬄe cones for garnish

Ingredients for crust: 15 graham crackers 3 T sugar ⅛ tsp. kosher salt 4 T bu er, melted

Directions: 1.

To make the crust, bu er a 9 inch springform pan and wrap bo om and sides of pan in a double layer of alu-

3. 4.

6. 7. 8.

9. 10. 11. 12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

minum foil. Set a rack in the middle of oven and preheat to 350 degrees. In a food processor or blender, grind graham crackers into fine crumbs. Add sugar and salt and pulse to combine. Pour into a medium bowl, add bu er, and mix together un l crumbs are evenly moist. Transfer crust to pan and press into bo om, filling pan about a third of the way up the sides. Freeze 10 minutes. Place pan on baking sheet and bake crust 10 minutes. Set on a rack to cook and reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. In a small bowl, toss mini chocolate chips with flour and set aside. Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. In a large bowl using a hand mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer using the whisk a achment, beat cream cheese on medium, scraping down the bowl as necessary, un l completely smooth for 3 to 4 minutes. Add rico a and beat, scraping down the bowl as necessary, un l just combined, about 1 minute. Add sugar, salt, and vanilla, and beat un l combined, about 30 seconds. Add eggs, 1 at a me, bea ng 1 minute a er each addi on and scraping down bowl as necessary. Pour about a third of the cheesecake ba er into the cooled crust, sprinkle with a third of the chocolate chips, repeat with the next one-third of ba er and chocolate chips, followed by the remainder of the ba er and chocolate chips. Place cheesecake pan in a deep roas ng pan and set on the middle rack of the oven. Carefully pour enough boiling water into the roas ng pan to come about halfway up the sides of the springform pan. Bake un l the top is just star ng to brown and crack, approximately 1 ¼ to 1 ½ hours. Turn oﬀ the oven, prop the door open with a wooden spoon, and let cheesecake slowly cool in a water bath for one hour. Remove the roas ng pan and springform pan from the oven, then carefully li the springform pan out of the water and remove foil. Set cheesecake on a rack and let cool to room temperature. Once completely cool, loosely cover cheesecake in plas c wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. When ready to serve, carefully remove sides of the springform pan, slice and garnish with chocolate syrup and crushed waﬄe cone pieces. Refrigerate cheesecake for up to 4 hours or overnight.

Eas t e r Tabl e Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic Dressing Ingredients: 2 lbs. fresh brussel sprouts 1 to 2 T. avocado oil Pink Salt Pepper 1 cup cooked, crumbled bacon or real bacon bits 2 T. balsamic glaze (Tradi onal Balsamic Reduc on by Alessi) 2 T. maple syrup Directions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Cut Brussel sprouts in half, toss with avocado oil, pink salt and pepper. Spread out in a 9x13 dish. Sprinkle liberally with crumbled bacon. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Mix balsamic glaze and maple syrup in a saucer and set aside. Remove from oven and drizzle glaze/syrup mixture with a spoon over brussel sprouts. Return to oven for 5-7 minutes un l sauce is bubbly. Remove from oven and serve.

Classic Southern Squash Casserole Ingredients: 3 lbs. yellow squash, sliced or cut into smaller pieces ½ cup white onion, diced 1 can Cream of Mushroom soup 1 cup mayonnaise 1 egg 8 oz shredded cheese 1 tsp. Salt ½ tsp. Pepper Topping: 1 ½ sleeves of Ritz cracker, crushed 1 s ck melted margarine or bu er Directions: 1. 2.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wash and slice squash into thin medallions or dice into smaller pieces if the squash is large. I prefer to cut the larger slices in half or quarter them. Place in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together the soup, mayonnaise, egg, cheese, onions, salt and pepper.

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4. 5. 6.

7. 8.

Pour over squash. S r un l well mixed. Pour into a 9x13 greased dish or pan for baking. Place Ritz crackers in a resealable plas c bag and crush with a rolling pin. Pour into a bowl and s r melted margarine into crackers un l moist. Sprinkle on top of casserole. You could use two sleeves of crackers for more goodness. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15-20 minutes un l topping is light brown.

Easy Chocolate Cake Ingredients: 1 Chocolate Cake Mix (Milk Chocolate) 1 Brownie Mix (Milk Chocolate) 4 Eggs 1 ¼ cups water 1 cup oil 1 cup chopped pecans Directions: 1. Combine cake mix, brownie mix, eggs, water, and oil. Mix for two minutes un l smooth. S r in pecans. 2. Pour ba er into a greased and floured tube pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 50-60 minutes. Set the mer for 50 minutes and watch accordingly un l toothpick comes out clean. 3. Cool cake in pan for 30 minutes. Turn out onto a cake pla er. Slice and enjoy.

Fluffy Marshmallow Salad Ingredients: 2-3 cans mandarin oranges drained 1 can pineapple dbits drained Half bag of mini marshmallows 1 to 1 ½ cups green grapes cut in half 4 oz. cream cheese 1 individual serving cup vanilla yogurt ½ cup sugar ½ to 1 cup chopped nuts

The Girls Aloud Scholarship was created by Peacefully Imperfect Ministries to benefit graduating senior girls who wish to pursue post-secondary education. The premise of the scholarship is to empower young women to use their voices through leadership and service opportunities in their communities, school, and organizations. To find out more information, including how you can support the Girls Aloud Scholarship, contact Mitzi at peacefullyimperfect@gmail.com

Directions: 1. 2.

3. 4.

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Put the mandarin oranges, pineapple, green grapes is desired, and marshmallows in a large bowl. In a separate bowl put a half bar (4 oz) so ened cream cheese, one individual serving cup vanilla yogurt and 1/2 cup sugar and mix well with whisk. Pour that over fruit and marshmallows, gently toss and refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. You can also add ½ to 1 c chopped nuts to the fruit mixture.

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Girls Aloud Scholarship page peacefullyimperfect.net/ girls-aloud-scholarship/

N E W C O O K B O O K F R O M M I T Z I N E E LY

Zizi’s Kitchen was designed to help you create your own special moments around your table. It’s a place where hearts gather in faith-full fellowship alongside amazing recipes to build lasting memories with those you treasure most. The pages of this cookbook are filled with delicious recipes. All are tried and true and have been made and served countless times. They are taste tested by my own family and friends and are requested many times over. Some may call the dishes I serve comfort food, but more than that, I like to think of it as just good home cooking. I hope you add Zizi’s Kitchen to your collection today! It’s refreshing, easy to follow, and filled with beautiful pictures, anecdotes and more.

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How to Bullet JOurnal SUE CARROLL—DOODLE’S 101

Bible Journaling or Bullet Journaling (used for the study of God’s Word) is the process of intentionally spending time in God’s Word while praying, studying, listening, and then recording the truth the Holy Spirit has revealed to your heart. This becomes a memorial to the Lord (Joshua 4) and a remembrance of how He has provided for you. A place where you have met. Through obedience, the Lord blesses us with a deeper understanding of His character and his love for us. He develops good fruit in us as we grow to become more like Christ. Journaling is something personal, between you and God. For some, images help develop a deeper understanding and memory of truth, for others, simply re-wri ng God’s Word is a prac ce that facilitates these same things. As we pray, write, draw images, read and re-read scripture, it becomes more familiar to us. We develop a kind of muscle memory, it s cks to our ribs and then truth easily falls oﬀ our tongue bringing us power and life. I find that as I create an image to express a passage in scripture, it allows me the me to rest in truth… to sit with it, meditate over it, and listen to what the Holy Spirit is teaching me. I can go back and see an image and immediately recall the truth it represents. There are many ways to journal as you study God’s Word. Bullet journaling is one way I structure my notes as I study. It can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. On the following page, I have given you an example of a simple format (on a dot grid) I o en use as I

study scripture or spend me in a devo onal. It is broken down into “boxes” formed by connec ng the dots. I am the worst at drawing straight lines, or measuring, so these li le dots make it easy to create boxes to highlight specific points I want to remember. •

The box, top le (10 x 10 dots) is for the month at a glance, with a few important dates highlighted. You’ll no ce that the space created by 2 rows of dots, is perfect for wri ng text.

•

The top right box (shaped like a Polaroid photo), is for re-wri ng scripture. (13 x 14)

•

The bo om le (long) box, is to highlight a word in the passage that I want to know more about, and remember. (4 x 24)

•

The sec on under the scripture is for notes.

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I leave some space for doodling an image or images, but you could also cut out a photo from a magazine or print and cut one from the internet. You cra y girls can pull out stamps, stencils, washi tape, s ckers, and more!

When reading God’s Word, there is always an ac on of obedience we are to glean. This is how the Word becomes alive and ac ve in our lives. I always include an ac on step, a plan, for moving forward in the direc on the Lord is calling me to go. Finally, I find that if I make the page structure too complicated, I get lost in the business of crea ng, and lose the process of reading, studying and listening. I o en use the same page structure throughout a whole journal. (Keeping it simple!) As I spend me in God’s word, scripture, highlighted words, and notes come easily as I prayerfully listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. (1 Cor 2) Find what works for you by trying some of these ideas for yourself on the blank (do ed) page included for you!

SUE CARROLL is a mom of 4 and wife of 36 years. Her chosen forms of creativity come in the way of food, mixed media, creative lettering and photography. The ultimate link to all of these is love. Connect with Sue on Instagram @doodle101s. 126

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Original Artwork by: Sue Carroll

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DOODLE 101 SUE CARROLL

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H YMN W ORD S EARCH: N OT M Y W ILL Take a break and accept the challenge. This word search includes 29 words/phrases from the hymn “Not My Will”. You will find the words in all direc ons, forwards and backwards, up and down or diagonal. Enjoy! Each word/phrase underlined and bolden is located within the word search puzzle.

I F I ASK FOR THINGS THAT I SHOULD NOT ASK FOR I F I PRAY FOR THINGS SELFISHLY I F I ASK FOR MYSELF AND NOT FOR MY NEIGHBOR T AKE THIS VEIL FROM MY EYES AND LET ME SEE "N OT MY WILL , BUT THINE BE DONE ," PRAYED J ESUS . M AY THIS SAME PRAYER BE MINE EVERY DAY . W HEN THIS ROBE OF FLESH THAT I WEAR MAKES ME FALTER G UIDE MY STEPS , HOLD MY HAND ALL THE WAY .

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Original Artwork by: Jana Kennedy Spicer

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Garden of Life is a coloring book with Inspirational Scripture and encouraging quotes featured on each page through beautifully hand-drawn artwork.

Be inspired as you spend time reflecting on scripture while enjoying the calming and refreshing benefits of coloring.

A VAILABLE

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A MAZON

J O U R N A L I N G T E M P L AT E S / B O O K M A R K S

Original Artwork by: Jana Kennedy Spicer

SONG OF SOLOMON 2:1O

HEBREWS 6:19

Color or paint each design then cut out and use as a book mark or add to a journal or Bible as a “ p-in”. Or transfer or trace each design directly into a journal or Bible.

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Original Artwork by: Debbie Bonner

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A DDITIONAL C ONTRIBUTORS DEBBIE BONNER is a wife, mom and grandmother of three rowdy grandsons. She found Bible journaling a few years ago and has been using that creative outlet to spread the Word, as well as lettering Bible verses, ever since.

TERRI HILL is a mother of five, grandmother of two, wife of one, semi-retired multimedia journalist. She and her husband Darren live on a farm in East Texas with their six dogs, multiple horses, donkeys, chickens and cats.

PRINTABLE JOURNALING KIT

Bookmarks Templates / Colorable Bookmarks Journaling Cards Journaling prompt words Scripture Cards - Art elements Scripture Reading List

We would love for you to come visit our on-line store

SWEET TO THE SOUL SHOPPE

to see our wide selection of Bible Journaling Resources Books & Journals Digital Downloads & Printables Encouragement Cards Coloring Books Special Book Bundles and more! www.SWEETTOTHESOULSHOPPE.com Use the coupon code GRACE at checkout for 10% off your order through May 31, 2022

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R ESOURCES

FROM OUR

C ONTRIBUTORS

SweetToTheSoul.com

Faithfullyfollowingministries.org

jeberryspeaks.com

amyelaine.com

PeacefullyImperfect.net

womensministrytoolbox.com

SweetToTheSoul.com

NewMerciesForMoms.com

RealWomenMinistries.org

Misty Sherman

LisaAppalo.com

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YO U K N O W J E S U S ?

God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to pay the price for our sins and bring us into a rela onship with Him. (John 3:16) Through Christ, we can know the promise of eternal life and experience the joy of knowing God here on earth! If you would like to have a rela onship with God, the Bible tells us that the first step is acknowledging that we have sinned and that there is nothing we can do to earn God’s love (Romans 3:23-26). Next, we believe and confess that Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9) and allow Him to guide our lives. Where we once wanted to control our own future, we now invite Jesus into our hearts to be Lord over our lives. Knowing God’s peace, perspec ve and purpose for your life begins with a personal rela onship with Jesus. Would you like to accept Jesus as Lord of your life? You can pray the following prayer:

Lord, I confess that I have sinned against You and ask You to forgive me. I’m sorry that my sin has hurt You and other people in my life. I acknowledge that I could never earn salvaƟon by my good works, but I come to You and trust in what Jesus did for me on the cross. I believe that You love me and that Jesus died and rose again so that I can be forgiven and come to know You. I ask You to come into my heart and be Lord of my life. I trust You with everything, and I thank You for loving me so much that I can know You here on earth and spend the rest of eternity with You in heaven. In Jesus name, Amen

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VISIT US ON-LINE SweetToTheSoulFAITH.com

SweetToTheSoul.com

SweetToTheSoulShoppe.com

SCRIPTURE READING PLANS : Each month consists of a topic-driven reading plan, complete

with 31 Scriptures to use in your Bible study and quiet me. The verses serve as a guide to dive deep into God’s Word as you focus on small por ons. Blank Scripture Journal pages are also available for download.

BIBLE STUDY RESOURCES : Soul Inspired Bible Study is about spending me in the scripture

with God and allowing the Holy Spirit to give us understanding. These Bible Studies cover a variety of topics and oﬀer resources in mul ple formats including journals, devo onals and more.

INSPIRED INBOX : These free Soul Inspired Bible Studies are delivered directly to your inbox.

Choose from several topics. Just sign up, check your email box, then download and print all your study materials. Study alone at your own pace or invite friends to join you and study the Bible together.

SOUL INSPIRED BIBLE JOURNALING RESOURCES : are designed to inspire your soul

and encourage you to use your crea vity during your Bible Study me. Our journaling resources include Bible Journaling Kits, printable templates / colorable bookmarks, coloring pages, scripture cards and more!

COLORING BOOKS : Coloring is a wonderful way to relax and destress. Our coloring books

include inspira onal Scripture and encouraging quotes through beau fully hand-drawn artwork. Be inspired as you spend me reflec ng on scripture as well as enjoying the calming and refreshing benefits of coloring.

SWEET TO THE SOUL SHOPPE : Our on-line shoppe is where you will find all of our Bible

Journaling and crea ve resources. Many resources are printable instant digital downloads. We also have several sets of scripture cards and blank encouragement cards. Visit swee othesoulshoppe.com to see our full line of products.

Our Bible Studies and Journals are available for purchase via Amazon. Visit swee othesoul.com for direct links to each of our books or journals.

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Commitment to Deepen My Walk with God Father God, today I want to make a commitment to you to deepen our relationship and my walk with You. I commit to meet with you on a regular basis to deepen our relationship through Prayer. ”And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Ephesians 6:18a NIV

I commit to spend time with you each day reading and studying the Scriptures. ”Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” Joshua 1:8 NIV

I commit to honoring your daily through the offering of Worship. ”Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” Hebrews 13:15 NIV

I commit to contribute to the building of Your Kingdom by sharing my faith with others. “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15 NIV

”Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,” Hebrews 6:1 NIV

I commit to encourage and support the family of God through fellowship and corporate worship with fellow believers. ”They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2 42 NIV

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Prayer by Jana Kennedy-Spicer

I commit to continue to grow in spiritual maturity by making myself accountable to other Christians.

We live in a dark world and it seems to be getting darker but there is hope there is a light

THE WOVEN JOURNAL - AUTUMN 2021

Let Your Light Shine Devotional