“So don’t be afraid: I’m with you. I’ll round up all your scattered children; pull them in from east and west. I’ll send orders north and south: ‘Send them back. Return my sons from distant lands, my daughters from faraway places. I want them back, every last one who bears my name, every man, woman, and child Whom I created for my glory, yes, personally formed and made each one.’” (Isaiah 43:5-7, MSG) This is a verse of encouragement for {Read More}

Have you ever been deathly afraid? Had fear gripped you in a way that you were absolutely desperate for help from anyone or anything? What did you do? What would you do? Let me share a story with you of absolute desperation… Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and {Read More}

As a mom I am constantly amazed at how many times I have to explain something to one of my kids before it just clicks. My children, as wonderful as they are will try all sorts of methods, schemes, crazy ideas, instead of just doing what works…the tried and true method. As a parent, I get so frustrated because they just won’t listen. Or does my frustration come out of the thought that they just don’t trust me?Then I stop {Read More}

God hears our prayers. He knows our heart.  God draws close to us when we call out to Him and He intervenes in every area of our life.  God pleads the causes of our soul. You heard my voice [then]: [Oh] hide not Your ear [now] at my prayer for relief. You drew near on the day I called to You; You said, Fear not. O Lord, You have pleaded the causes of my soul [You have managed my affairs {Read More}

I remember growing up, my mother had this philosophy.  Don’t let the world know your troubles; just sweep them under the rug.  What matters is what is on the outside, your manners, your speech, the impression you leave. Raised in the south, my mom became the epitome of the perfect lady, and she expected the same from me.  As I have grown into the lady or woman that I have become, I realize that I must have been a disappointment {Read More}

Seems everywhere you look people seem to be in crisis. Possibly a financial crisis is hovering due to the ups and downs of our current economy.  Or possibly be a health issue or a painful recurrence of a lingering injury. What about the family, is it in upheaval? For me, it could be any one of the above, or any combination thereof on any given day. During this same season two years ago, I was in an out of the {Read More}

How has your year been? Have you lost heart? Felt like you didn’t accomplish anything? This time of year most of us look back at all the should-a, would-a, could-a’s of the past year and determine ourselves to do better, make changes, have a great year. Then another year passes and back we are in this never ending cycle of wanting more and going nowhere.  In Ephesians 3:13, we are told: So I ask you not to lose heart [not {Read More}