-
The Self-Care Craze: A Faux Gospel?
By Tess Lopez Photo by Taryn Elliott from Pexels We’re living in a bit of a self-care craze. Our culture tells us when we’re feeling down in the dumps, overwhelmed, or when something in our daily life goes awry; we need to apply some self-care. You know, a dedicated spa day; a shopping spree; throwing…
-
You Can Make Disciples
By Alea Anderson I was known as the quiet kid growing up. I was never the one to raise my hand when a teacher asked the class a question or offered to lead small groups in our class projects. When I took my required public speaking class, I struggled through every speaking assignment. It’s only…
-
It’s Time for some Spring cleaning!
By Adrianna La Tortue It’s that time of year again! Spring cleaning is the time to clean our homes with extra care. From dusting to organizing, I make sure my house is spotless. I love cleaning, but only if I pace myself. It is best if you do the same. It is too easy to…
-
Mama Kay: The Woman Behind the Jesus Movement
Pastor Chuck Smith’s wife, Kay, was the force behind one of America’s greatest revivals. In the foreword to her book Pleasing God, Pastor Chuck wrote, “Kay was the first to reach out to the hippies of the ’60s. Her prayers and tears laid the foundation for our church, Calvary Chapel.” But to understand her heart…
-
Who is Madam C. J. Walker: What did she do?
Women’s History Month By Autumn Edwards Madam C.J. Walker was a talented entrepreneur who created a path forward with her thriving at-home hair care products. She became the first Black woman to become a self-made millionaire in the United States. Trailblazing and creating a legacy all her own, Madam C. J. Walker is an incredible…
-
“He gets us,” but do We Get Him?
A day or two after Super Bowl LVII, a friend messaged me and asked if I had seen the “He Gets Us” commercials that aired during the game. I am not a football fan. I have nothing against those who love the game but have little interest in anything it offers. So, I told my…
-
An August Morning
The Monday before my birthday should have been a day to celebrate with my husband. But on this beautiful August morning, I was donning black garments to mourn a loss. He was in his dress uniform for the sheriff’s office and was leaving just after 8 am to go honor a deputy that served with…
-
Knowing & Believing the Love
Every February, florists, jewelers, restaurants, greeting card companies, chocolatiers and bakeries, and party supply stores prepare far in advance for the crowds who want to express their love for that special someone. Perhaps, you go with a bouquet, a piece of jewelry, reservations at a favorite restaurant, a greeting card, a heart-shaped box of chocolates,…
-
All Means ALL
It’s a simple three-letter word – A-L-L. Yet, in Scrabble, it earns a whopping three points. Sometimes we fail to realize just how big the little, low-point word can be. When the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Philippi in chapter four, he gave them, and consequently us, a preview of how big ALL…
-
The Importance of Staying in the Word Daily
We’re only one month into a new year, and life is already taking its toll. Our schedules are busy. We are anxious as we try to keep up with everything. We begin our day with a blaring alarm on our phone, forcing us out of bed and then heading into our day jam-packed with meetings,…
-
Happy 2023!
It’s the new year, so it is time for New Year’s resolutions or, some might say new commitments!
-
The Darkest Day
The winter solstice. The time of year when the sun reaches the tropic of Capricorn, and we have our shortest day and our longest night. I wasn’t aware of this as a teenager. It was the darkest day of the year, yet it became the most important day of my life, full of the Light of…
-
Making Time
By Adrianna La Tortue Life is an endless succession we go through every day. We find that as time passes, we start to take on more and more responsibilities. We start spending less time with friends, family, and even God. One can be fully committed to God and miss attending church because they’re so busy…
-
The Essence of Taking a Holiday: Five Key Benefits
By Akosua Frempong Everyone wants to de-stress! With a surge in mental health challenges due to COVID-19, many people are looking for an outlet. For this reason, let’s discuss the importance of taking a vacation. Even if it is a ‘staycation,’ a holiday you take within your home country, as per the British, it is…
-
Inner Doubt
Many of us face inner doubt regularly. When I say inner doubt, I mean that little voice in your head and that slight tug at your heart that contradicts what you want or think. I struggle with the question that nags at my mind. Should you listen to it? Should you second-guess yourself? The classic thing…
-
Here I Am: Search Me
I have been overwhelmed with my inadequacies all summer in light of who God is. I have asked myself what God is teaching me this season, but I can’t find an answer. I felt so near to God 4 months ago. I knew what he was teaching me, and from that, I was teaching others.…
-
Homeschool: More Popular Than Ever
By Dakota Moore In the aftermath of the Covid 19 pandemic, the purported increase in school shootings, the lapsing trust in public school education, and the flexibility and control homeschooling offers inspired an unprecedented rise in homeschoolers. As we enter the month of August, many more parents consider it one of the schooling options available,…
-
Where is Your Glory?
Jeremiah 9:23-24
-
Breathe, For God is With You Always
In today’s world, full of negativity and aggression, it’s all too easy to give in to lies whispered by others; especially the lies we tell ourselves.
-
Denying Jesus
By Robyn Spradlin How often have you read the passage of Peter’s denial of Jesus and felt sorry for Peter because he failed to stand up for Jesus? I have. One day, when considering his denial again, it suddenly dawned on me how often we Christians do the same thing every day. The Lord prompts us…
-
Restore Me, Lord
By Lilly Kramar Recently, I’ve had some hard conversations and challenging things to confront about the way I have been living. I have come to the end of myself and how I have approached my summer break, my relationship, and leadership preparations. However, I found myself sharing my pleadings with the Lord while rereading some…
-
Spaces for Growth
By Lilly Kramar Last night, I had the chance to listen in on a conversation with an old friend and my older sister. My sister, Olivia, has just returned home from her mission trip to Ecuador, and our friend, Aly, has recently had many life changes. Upon this humbling, reflective conversation, I gleaned many tidbits…
-
A Safe Haven
By Adrianna La Tortue Growing up is not easy, especially when you’re a military kid. My dad was in the Army. People always call us Army (military) brats, but I never understood that because I don’t see how being a military kid would make me a brat. On the contrary, I started to figure out…
-
A Freedom Unmatched
By Summer Elizabeth Ball Romans 6:20-23 says, “For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become…
-
Stepping into Leadership
By Lilly Kramar The summer has begun, and there are many new opportunities and people to engage with! With these might come new roles and responsibilities to step into. With many fears and unknowns to confront, we can look at an Old Testament predecessor to see how to handle it. By looking at Exodus 3…
-
Father’s Day Without A Father: Neither Alone nor Forgotten
By Akosua Frempong, Ph.D. Today, many women celebrate Father’s Day, some without their fathers. Their fathers may not have been present in their lives physically, emotionally, spiritually, or in other important ways, though they are alive. For those women and girls whose fathers were not present in their lives, helping, supporting, encouraging, affirming, and showing…
-
Us and Them, Uvalde School Shooting
By Tess Lopez After the initial wave of shock and grief subsided following the tragic eventsthat unfolded in Texas on May 24, 2022, the messages on my social media began tochange. Posts had now pivoted from graduation ceremonies and celebrations toangry retweets and finger-pointing over which politician, group, lawmaker,etc., were to blame for the shooting.…
-
Remaining Connected
By Robyn Spradlin Have you ever wondered how some people can stay focused on something continuously? Of course, we all have. These people have one goal in mind as they press forward with all of their might. While considering their single-mindedness, I had a passage of Scripture come to mind that I posted on Facebook.…
