Jewel’s pace quickened as their excitement could be seen from miles away. Her parents guided her into the house and up to her room. In the corner they had placed a beautiful wooden mirror, The Mirror of Authority. The gift was beautiful with its carved edges and clear, clean glass; but as she stepped in front of the mirror she was confused. What were these lines on her new mirror? Why had her parents drawn them?
Read MoreOne of my favorite verbs in the Word of God is the word edify. It means to “build up.”
Read MoreTo be dramatic is to over exaggerate. Many of us over the years have at some point been involved in either being in a church Christmas play or being part of directing one. We all know when we are practicing, we are trying to get the kids to over express or emphasize their actions or their words. This is exactly where drama should be used, to get the point across as they are acting. Key word here is acting. It is not real life. When working with the children involved in the play, typically it is harder to get them to be dramatic, because everyone is watching.
Read MoreRecently, my family and I were at Cracker Barrel, a restaurant that I love, and we were talking about some old memories from years gone by. Some pictures had come up on my Facebook page from when my kids were little. This caused us to talk about old times, and in the conversation, my sons started telling us some funny stories, which involved some of the rules that I had when they were little. And looking back, fifteen-plus years later, I can laugh and say I did have some funny rules for my kids, especially my oldest.
Read MoreWe may have a shared or common calling for ministry, but the way we carry it out may look different, based on the story God gave us personally.
God called me to be a wife, homemaker, friend, encourager, conference speaker, and Sunday school teacher. Daily, He is molding me in each of these areas.
Read MoreMan’s opinions of what is acceptable have changed. The world once validated a women who was the keeper of the home, had moral purity, and upheld other things that Christians also valued. The world tells us we need to be one way while the word of God tells us to be another way. This is true from our gender to our demeanor. The opinions of man change, laws of what is acceptable change, and what is expected of people change. That's why I must have validation from the Lord.
Read MoreJust as we need to clean our homes, we need to keep our “temples” clean! The Bible says, “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19.
Read MoreActively seek God by praying together and for each other daily. Dedicate a specific time to pray together, away from the kids and the distractions of daily living.
Read MoreTreat her like you would treat any other church members. Don't lay expectations on her to lead a group or be super involved in certain areas that you may think is "typical". Please do NOT compare her to your previous Pastor's Wife. She, just like YOU, is a work in progress. She, just like you, is uniquely created by God to serve in ways she has been gifted, and according to her season of life. Give her space to figure this out. Once she figures it out, and she will, cheer her on like crazy, and encourage her, like you would want to be encouraged! Absolutely no extra pressure.
Read MoreIf I am drawing nigh to the Lord as I should, God says I will have not only peace, but GREAT peace, and NOTHING will offend me!
Read MoreSometimes a kind word or deed from a friend helps us to keep going when we want to quit. It is such a blessing to have someone come to me and say they are praying for me or to find a note slipped under my door telling me they care.
Read MoreEarly on a Thursday morning, I began to feel bad with a terrible headache, nausea and my vision became blurred. I endured the symptoms for two days before deciding to go to urgent care for some relief. The doctor there seemed perplexed and prescribed an antibiotic deciding that it may be an inner ear infection. He advised me to see my primary care doctor on Monday. On Monday, my doctor sent me to an ophthalmologist to determine the cause of my blurred vision. The eye doctor told me the dreaded words that I never thought I would hear. He said I had a stroke.
Read MoreIn order for us to grow in Christ; we need to
G- Get
R- Rid
O- Of Old
W-Ways and put into practice new ways!
Read MoreHowever, there are some responsibilities that come with this job. Not to burst your bubble, but a real princess here on earth does not get to lounge around and be pampered all day (though that would be really nice!). Nope, an earthly princess has appointments, school, planned-out schedules, friends that must go through background checks; and above all, they have a reputation to keep. This is a reputation that needs to be protected and clean just like we all have.
Read MoreWomen in the Bible can offer us deep meaning and teach us! These women can teach us so much about-facing brokenness and hopelessness with courage even TODAY! They probably do not show up in VBS songs, or many Sunday School lessons. These women even today can teach us to live courageously, through difficult or even dangerous situations!
Read MoreHis name is Joseph. I first saw him walking through our quaint downtown square with a bundle of blankets tucked under his arm . He was obviously malnourished. His hair and beard were unkempt and his skin bore the marks of weathering both the physical and spiritual storms of life. In my mind’s eye I immediately saw him as someone’s son, someone’s brother, perhaps, someone’s husband or father. My heart hurt for him. It was a short and simple prayer that I prayed that day, “Lord, show me how I could help someone like that.” The light turned green and I drove on.
Read MoreHave you ever really pondered what a true biblical friendship is? Having the right…or wrong kind of friends will make such an impact on your life, either for good or bad. How many times have we told others to be wise and careful in choosing the right friends, realizing the impact it will have on them, but ignore this wisdom for ourselves.
Read MoreYou see, I remember the times I prayed. When I was a teenager, I prayed for a husband. I asked God over and over to give me a husband. You see my dad pastored in a pretty bad part of Memphis, Tn and let’s just say there was no one around to marry. I even told my mom God won’t send anyone here for me to marry. You see, I did doubt that God could do it…maybe I didn’t doubt God could as much as I doubted that God would do it for me. I was discouraged, would God ever send me my future husband?
Read MoreOh how often I feel IT'S NOT IN ME ---but God shall give an answer of peace! Life can be so pressing at times and I don't have an answer. I'm thankful that I can run to Jesus. Psalm 86:7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: FOR THOU WILT ANSWER ME.
Read MoreAgain, living for the Lord has many mountains and valleys. It’s not an easy road,
but don’t give up, or you will miss the best of the best!
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