The Spring of Hope

Tomorrow is my Mother-in-Love’s birthday. Lula Mae Willis always joked about being born on Ground Hog’s Day. My husband was also due on that date, but stubbornly waited until February 8th to arrive. This way, his mom got a day all to herself.

Mom Willis was one of my role models. I’ll never attain to her skills as a homemaker and penny pincher. But she gave me her heart for helping tween and teen girls. She attentively listened to them—not just hearing them, but enjoying their company, and always had two or three “adopted” well after her own girls had left home. She sang hymns with gusto and listened intently to sermons. She was uncomfortable in the water, especially before moving to a home that had its own pool, and it was a real act of faith when she was baptized by immersion. She always said as long as her feet could touch the bottom and her hair didn’t get wet, she could deal with being in the water-obviously baptism broke those two rules! She had a giving heart and loved seeing and meeting needs, often sensing someone was hurting when no one else noticed.
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What To Do In The Test

By Brenda Jackson

Trials will come and trials will go! Just like the seasons, never remaining the same. God said we would have them, to prove us, to perfect us and to prepare us for what’s to come and for our destiny.

Trials hurt, they are uncomfortable, painful, and some even may cost us in some area or way in our lives. Whether it be material or emotional! But most importantly to me they perfect us into the image our Father wants us to have. God has a plan, to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11NIV)

He even made it easy for us by telling us in (Ephesians 6:14-15NIV) to prepare by allowing the Word of God to be our firm foundation in which we as Christians are to stand. Be ready to defend by the Word of God. Not getting ready for the fight but already girded up for the fight with the word.

For me I thought I was ready when the trial came. That in the devil’s mind was to kill me and destroy me. At first I complained about it, murmured about it, and felt sorry for myself. I would be ok for about a week, and then I would focus on the pain and what all I had lost. I would return to my flesh and look at the trial instead of the deliverer. I would think this is not God, why is he allowing the devil to overtake me. 

At the time I did know enough to dig my way out, but I was tired of fighting. So finally the Lord gave me a word. I began to not complain. I began to pray, cry and read allowing the Word to become Rhema in my spirit man. I began to feast on the word letting it be my only defense! 

Allowing patience and endurance to have its perfect work in me! Yes patience and endurance must be obtained, even when it hurts and you can hardly pray for yourself. Do know that because God loves us so much he is forever mindful of us. He had people praying for me during this whole time that knew and did not know of my situation.

I had to surrender the trial to God and let him fight for me! Fight how, you may ask, by the Word of God I spoke out of my mouth. I also had to realize that God has given me all power over the enemy to take authority over the attack and command the hands of the enemy down. 

When we are going through a trial we must remember that just as David knew more than anything that God was with him, he remembered the memoirs of the lion and bear. So if we keep our focus that God is with you in the trial, it is subject to change. God does deliver his own against all odds. Our trials, battle’s are the Lord’s put the contest into proper perspective. Don’t let the enemy catch you off guard. 

Continually speak the word and pray over yourself, your children, your business, your church. As women we tend to get so busy and forget where our children our concerned to pray before the enemy can get them. The word is a seed for everything; the word is what WORKS prayer alone does not bring you the results you need to overcome your trial.

When you impart the Word of God in you, let it get rooted deep down in your heart it will save your soul!

Grocery Store Tips

By Brooke Parker

The best way to implement your healthy New Year nutrition goals is to start at the grocery store with a plan.  I often tell my clients, “If you don’t buy it, you won’t eat it.”  This saying applies to produce, fiber-rich foods, dairy foods and even lean meats.  Without prior thought and planning these types of food, which actually constitute the bulk of a healthy diet, will be left out.  If the grocery store or meal planning seems overwhelming to you, don’t sweat it.  The following tips will allow you to conquer the aisles without breaking the bank.

Prepare before entering the store:

• Create a list full of nutrient-dense foods.
• Determine general food needs for breakfast, lunch and snacks.
• List four to five dinner ideas for the week and include ingredients you will need.
• Read ads for store specials and bring coupons if applicable.
• Do NOT shop when hungry. Impulse buying will get you every time.
• Include fun foods in moderation.  Depriving yourself of ALL “treats” does not work.

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Does God Have A Workout Plan?

By Cheri Cowell

Most of us have some form of health goals for the New Year. It seems that every other commercial on television is about losing weight or getting healthy. I’m told that gym memberships increase by over 60% the first six weeks of the year, but decline to their normal numbers after that. Just this week I heard a fitness expert say we need to spend at least three hours each week on some form of physical exercise, and double that if we want to lose weight. He said that for most people, simply walking more is a good place to start in order to create an exercise habit that will stay with us throughout our lives.

How many of us have similar goals for our spiritual exercise? The goal of living longer, being healthier, and possibly looking better this time next year propels us towards making lifestyle changes. But what image or goal is going to drive us to make the commitments needed for our spiritual exercise?

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I Resolve To Learn How To Cook

By Jodi Whisenhunt

A few years back, my teenage niece wanted to know how to make some basic meals and asked for a few emailed suggestions. That request evolved into a spiral bound collection of 150 appetizers, entrees, desserts, and drink ideas from ten families, complete with photographs and tales of recipe origins.

Well, since my niece doesn’t eat all that much and her mom hates to cook, the book, although bound beautifully, just collects dust on their shelf. I, however, have found it to be kitchen stress relief. While several of the listings could win me a spot on “The Next Iron Chef,” here are a few that might not.

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