Hagar (meaning flight or forsaken), handmaid of Sarai, acts as a model of hope in the midst of distressing circumstances. Tasked with bearing a son for her mistress Sarai, Hagar was thereafter banished to the desert in what must have felt like an ultimate act of betrayal and unkindness from her mistress.
Read MoreWe’ve all heard the story of the innkeeper. He’s the bad guy in the story, right? The one we talk about who forced Jesus to be born in a barn. It’s interesting to me that he gets a bad rap. God started showing me how the innkeeper was a good guy in the story. He’s the one who gave what he had. He didn’t have a palace, but he gave what he had. That makes him a hero in the story and why he was given a place in the story.
Read MoreNursing was my dream. I had worked so hard to become a nurse, and was blessed with the most amazing jobs: Labor and Delivery Nurse & Forensic Nurse. I woke up everyday so grateful to serve my community in this manner, and I was so honored that God chose me for that profession.
Read MoreI love music - I've been playing instruments and singing for as long as I can remember. Not only that, but I would say about 80 percent of my day is spent listening to music - Pandora is always on while I'm at work, studying, driving, etc... - music is a big part of my life.
Read MoreIf the last chapter of my life could be labeled, it would be “Breaking Generational Cycles.” For those who are unaware, generational cycles are patterns passed down from each generation of your family - they can be both good & bad! The chapter I’m currently living is titled “Foundations.”
Read MoreI was now working as a forensic nurse. It was truly such a special job, but it definitely required a calling to be able to work in that field, just due to the nature of the job. As a forensic nurse, most people assumed two things: I worked with dead people, or that I was at crime scenes doing CSI work. NOT QUITE.
Read MoreLately, I've been praying a lot about ministry - it's a topic that's always been quite foreign to me, but lately I've felt a need to dedicate my life to ministry. Yet, I wasn't sure what that meant exactly. Growing up, the word ministry brought to mind missionaries and church leaders - of people like Mother Teresa, Billy Graham or the people I know who are always going on one missionary trip after another. But, since the Bible tells us that we're all called to a life of ministry in Christ, I know that it extends beyond just missionary or church work.
Read MoreSitting by the potted plants on our balcony, I opened my Bible and read these verses. I had read the passage many times before, but today it seemed to call me to pay attention as it popped out of the page.
Read MoreIf you are like me, you probably recognize the names Priscilla and Aquila. They are mentioned several times by Paul in the books of Romans, 1 Corinthians, and 2 Timothy. They are also noted in the book of Acts. If you are also like me, you may have unfortunately glossed over their story. I am here to share their lives more in depth with you, as they are an amazing example individually, and even more so as husband and wife, of living out your life for the Lord.
Read MoreThe phrase used in this verse ‘eager hands’ brings these images to my mind: a tired mother cooking, cleaning and running errands, a student who puts in her best effort as she toils on the paper due next week, or a young computer specialist, a hardworking surgeon, who starts her day drawing from God’s strength, eager to be right in the place God has placed her.
Read MoreI had landed my DREAM job. I was working as a labor and delivery registered nurse in the Texas Medical Center, the number one medical center in the world! It was extremely competitive to get that job, and I absolutely saw the favor of God as I walked in my calling as a nurse.
Read MoreLast week, after an exhausting day at work when I was juggling way to many responsibilities at once, I began thinking about acts of kindness. Sometimes, they're simple things, like holding a door open for someone whose hands are full of stuff.
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” That’s the question for every child when they go to school, meet older people, or just casually walk around the grocery store. It’s always a thought to consider.
Read MoreThis week we have a WORD STUDY for you. You will need a journal and pen to complete it. It can be done through the week or in a couple of days. You can do it on your own or with a group of friends. The word we are going to study this week is thanks.
Read MoreAs children, we learned about the history of Thanksgiving. We made turkeys out of our painted hands and Indian and Pilgrim hats out of construction paper. We learned that Thanksgiving was a time when people from two diverse backgrounds shared a meal together. Yet, there is more to Thanksgiving than just this.
Read MoreAs Thanksgiving approaches, it becomes a time we can reflect and thank back on the year we have lived. Maybe this has been the worst year of your life. Maybe this has been the best. Either way, reflecting back, you always, always have something to be thankful to God for.
Read More3 true life stories- from North Berwick, Auckland and Ashford to inspire you to send out invitations of love!
It was a bright summer day in the UK. We were visiting our son who works at Milton Keynes. Today, the three of us were on a train to visit Wendy at North Berwick. Bob, Wendy’s dear husband of 50 odd years had passed away a few months back. Wendy insisted that we should join her for dinner at home.
Read MoreWhen I decided to write about ‘giving’ I wrote down all the verses I I could find in the Bible about the topic. From them I learnt that we could give of our money, our time and what we no longer need or use. Jesus talks of the importance of giving and a lifestyle of generosity.
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