If we have learned anything through this year, I hope we have learned to hold the things of this world very loosely. Our world is a mess, and it has seemed to spiral down so quickly this year alone. We need to learn to live with Heaven in view every single day. This is difficult with so many things screaming for our time, as ladies. The kids have outgrown their shoes. You know they need to go to the dentist. It is time to pay the school bill. The list is endless. The little (less important) things clamor for our time. Our Bibles never scream, “Hey read me!” The dishes…yes! The dishes they scream, “Hey look at this mess.” I truly believe if we can train our minds and our thoughts to ask if this is going to matter in light of eternity, then we will major on the things that matter. Our hurt feelings, that rude comment…will it really matter? Can I overlook it? Maybe there are things we are chasing and spending more time on than we should. It is time for Christians to focus on Heaven. Focus on relationships and people. First, are they going to Heaven? Can I give them the Gospel? Can I mend a relationship? I mean, we are going to Heaven together if they are believers. Can I focus on my current ministry or maybe I need to jump into a ministry? I challenge you to take a minute to list your priorities in light of eternity. Heaven is real! We are headed there, my friend.

Glory in my Infirmities - Courtney Bartels

This verse is my life verse, but sometimes our own life verses are hard for us to declare. Last summer the Lord had me carry two precious babies for a very, very short time. I didn't understand why, and it was extremely hard. Shortly after the Lord blessed us once again with a precious baby. I was so scared, I even went to the ER thinking I was going to lose yet another baby. It turned out to be some complications from the previous miscarriages that went away on their own, praise the Lord. But the whole pregnancy I was so nervous. When the time came the Lord gave us our sweet baby girl, the delivery went well but she didn't seem right. She ended up being rushed to the NICU

Children, Faith, Love of God, Peace of God, Prayer, Trials, Trusting GodAmy SappOctober 12, 2020Infirmities, Miscarriage, Babies, Promises, Love, Praying, Trials

Pearls for God - Dawn Hamm

God’s example of a pearl, just as the Church was formed from the redemptive act of Jesus at Calvary who bore our sins upon the cross, a pearl is formed out of suffering and it is only when we as “pearls” come to the end of ourselves that we can look up and see the beauty and love of a God who loves us and paid the ultimate price just to prove that love on Calvary. Pearls like people are a combination of things; it takes at least 3 materials to form a pearl; calcium, the irritant material, and the oyster’s saliva

Christian Life, Christian Service, Faith, God's Will, Love of God, Trusting GodAmy SappOctober 5, 2020Pearls, Love, Price, Struggles, Precious, Gem, Treasure, Material

Be a Good Steward - Maria Komisky

I've struggled with my weight my entire life! I can remember being overweight at the age of nine. I was teased at school for my weight and my lack of coordination. Throughout my teenage years and as an adult, I eased into a sedentary lifestyle. Combined with my love of food, my lack of physical activity caused my weight to balloon to just over 300 pounds at the age of thirty! My mother passed away at the age of 42 because of her lack of self care and not being a good steward of her temple. However, it still took me almost eleven years after her death to "see the light!"

Christian Life, Encouragement, Faith, Friendship, Life Changes, TrialsAmy SappSeptember 28, 2020Journey, Weight Loss, Steward, Thankful, Support, Encourgement

Word of Encouragement - Emily Queen

I think as women in general it is in our nature to give of ourselves in almost everything we do. We have a tendency to put everyone else’s needs before our own, especially in family life. If you are like me and chose a serving profession (nurse), then your job requires a lot of self-giving. So I give all day at work, then I get home and give the rest to my kids, and sometimes it is hard to have the motivation to fill myself back up again by spending time with the best Giver of all, my Heavenly Father.

Wanderer, Come... - Mistie Owens

Oh how I wish that was my life! I have wandered for much of it. Brokenly. Every repeat, reconciled moment with the Lord, I would rejoice in feeling close to Him, yet I would continue sojourning – spiritually never settling down, putting down roots with a home church, developing deep fellowships with other believers – and therefore never getting God's best for me. My growth was stunted, limited to solitary bible study and the occasional chat with a brother or sister in the faith, for much of my adult life. And I longed for the Lord, painfully so.

Your Pastor's Wife is Human! - Amy Sapp

Be faithful to all church services and soul-winning times, BE ON TIME, even be early, nothing shows love like being there! If you are a leader in your church, do better than average, there is a good chance that others will do a little less than what you do.

Hope - Heather Roloson

There’s an “expected end” to loneliness. I had a friend ask me a while ago if it bothered me that all my friends were dating and I was not. Being honest, sometimes there is that insecurity that says there won’t be an end to this season in my life. Then I remember I have a promise from God. Does that mean I will get married? Not necessarily. But the “thing that I long for”? The things that every human being longs for? Belonging and mattering? Oh yes, my friend, it’s coming. If not in my own family, then in the work that God is preparing me to do.

Lessons Learned in Homeschooling - Charity Graber

.I grew up being homeschooled and so did my husband. So when it came to schooling our own children there was no other option for us but to homeschool. I am going on my 10th year of homeschooling and let me share with you my heart. Ladies, I am still learning how this thing works. Last school year many of you were thrust into homeschooling and are looking at doing it again this next school year. I just wanted to maybe give you a little wisdom that I have learned through homeschooling my kids.

Children, Christian Life, Trusting God, Life ChangesAmy SappAugust 31, 2020homeschooling, teaching, school, children, learning

A Pattern of Good Works - Tracybeth Medford

The only good in us is because Jesus Christs righteousness and the Holy spirit that dwells in us. This past fall I went to a ladies craft day at a church camp with the ladies of our church. They go to this event every year, but this was my very first time attending. As I entered the room I saw four different craft stations set up, and at each station was an example of what we were about to create. Stacked neatly in piles on the tables were all the supplies needed to make that item. There were no written instructions on how to put it together but there was a leader stationed there if you needed any help. Guess who needed help?

Romeo & Juliet - Kelly Gray

Nature has a way of teaching us many lessons about life. One of my morning rituals is sitting on my back porch spending time with the Lord before my day gets started. This ritual always brings with it the combination of the beautiful East Texas morning, creation, and the love of God. Last week, I once again found myself on the back porch spending time with the Lord. However, this time two hummingbirds showed up to join me. I sat very still as I watched them hovering over the feeder.

ARE YOU SAFE? DO YOU FEEL SAFE? - Elaine Kaighen

Several years ago, my husband preached a message concerning “the name of the LORD”. He explained that the phrase, “the name of” was a way of saying “the character of”, or what that person is known for. It was not simply using that person’s name, but rather knowing that person’s character. This was eye-opening for me, and it transformed my life enabling me to repent of living a life filled with WORRY.

Anxiety, Children, Christian Life, God's Will, Life Changes, Peace of God, Trusting GodAmy SappAugust 10, 2020Safe, Shelter, Children, Trust, Safety

Guarding Your Children - Angela Grice

There are so many ways Satan can attack our children these days. Evil influences can enter your home through television and movies, social media, the internet, YouTube, game systems, music, friends, activities, sports and more. If we aren’t in our towers watching for these breaches to our home, it could be too late to do anything. As mothers, we can learn so much from a medieval castle design to teach us about guarding our children from evil attackers and invaders.

Children, Christian Life, God's Will, Trusting GodAmy SappAugust 3, 2020Castle, Protection, Children, Guard, Guarding

Sit Down, Take Your Shoes Off, Sit a Spell... - Penny Owens

Cut people a lot of slack. Why? Because they need it just like we do. God says in Psalms 86:15, But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. People are our most important business because they are the most important thing to God’s heart. I have been humbled many times by the knowledge that the pain I feel because of other’s actions towards me is the same feeling of pain I give to God when I hurt or disappoint Him. When we genuinely love people, we will work hard to show the same compassion, grace, mercy, and longsuffering that Jesus showed toward us. Be kind Wow! Have you ever seen an age where people are so thoughtless, selfish, uncaring, rude, and down right mean to others? Sadly, we Christians have not exempted ourselves from these faults. We criticize, demean, post critical memes, and name call, all in the veneer of being “on the right side”

Walk in the Spirit - Lisa Gillespie

How can I stay right with God? Stay on the right path and going the right direction? How do I keep the decisions I made at camp or at any point? How do I continue growing and make a difference?

Bible Reading, Christian Life, Faith, Peace of God, Trusting GodAmy SappJuly 20, 2020Walking, Spirit, Humility, Godliness, Flesh, Spiritual, Faith

Crave the Potter's Wheel - Jennifer Smith

This year has seemed like none other year I have experienced. Through all the trials and struggles One thing has remained, God’s Constant and continual faithfulness!
One valley in particular that comes to mind I knew I had to go deeper into the crevice before God would deliver. Psalm 138:8 is and was my verse for those difficult days. God is not concerned with our comfort but with our character.

Amy SappJuly 13, 2020

Coined as a Christian - Dianne McQueen

First the coin is minted. I think the day we are saved we are minted for Christ. By being minted the coin is stamped with an image, because it has a value. The penny has Lincoln, the nickel has Jefferson, dime has Roosevelt and so on. When we are saved we have Gods image stamped on our lives therefore we are of more value than any coin.

It Came from Within - Amber Garcia

There are four primary enemies of the heart – four life blocking agents that become lodged in the heart, poisoning our relationships, our faith, and our character. These corrosive forces gain strength from the darkness. Secrecy is their greatest ally! Left to their own, they grow in power and influence.

Christian Life, Friendship, Life Changes, TrialsAmy SappJune 29, 2020Guilt, Greed, Jealousy, Heart, Enemies, Relationships

Thoughts in Helping Young People / Ladies Going Through College - Stephanie Flesher

Each of us is on a journey. Education is important in learning the skills, truths, and concepts of a given topic, but scholastic education is not needed to be successful in life. Learning how to LIVE successfully for Christ is the most important education to receive. Learn at your own pace, but be responsible; get back up when you make a mistake; learn, know, and experience the love of Christ; and know that you are valued and valuable. You are enough for God. ☺

My Strong Tower - Carrie Furman

So, as far back as about 4 yrs old, I remember my mom waking me up on Sunday mornings and putting me on a bus to go to church. She never went with me, but honestly the only adults that I ever saw were my teachers, so I never thought anything about it. But I remember, no matter what, every Sunday, without fail, I’d get up and go to Sunday school. I remember learning all the Old Testament stories. I remember learning about Jesus being God’s Son, and also being God.

Christian Life, Encouragement, Faith, God's Will, Trials, Trusting GodAmy SappJune 15, 2020tower, strong, testimony, cancer