The Possibility of Love

By Jane Thornton

“Papa, tell me a story about the wild, wild, west!”

“I’ll tell you a story about the wild, wild, west where I met the girl I loved the best, and her name was Mimi Hot Shot.”

Thus began many a tale told by my grandfather to my big brother. I often listened in, but I don’t remember any of the adventures, dangers, or shootouts. Girly girl that I am, that introduction sticks out for me. Papa loved Mimi. Their love story lingers as a family legend.

Read more

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.

Read more

From Promiscuity To Purity

By Keisha Bass

Not your usual order of things, but at any rate, it can be done. Many of us have fallen to temptation and have lived with the guilt of our actions for quite awhile. Did you know that you can repent, turn from those ways, and start anew? God doesn’t remember every mistake that we make. He chooses to wipe our slates clean. Thank goodness. It can be hard to believe, but it’s true.

Growing up with a lot of freedom in high school, I began heading the wrong direction looking for a meaningful relationship. Then in college, I mistakenly thought sex meant love. I knew pre-marital sex was wrong, but longed for a male’s attention. And wanted that instant gratification as well as live my own life and do what I wanted to do, no matter the consequences. Little did I know that it would hurt me in the long run. I jumped from relationship to relationship and fell into many other temptations by following those I “loved” in the things they did.

Read more

A Labor Of Love

By Rachael Sales

As the mother of eight children, six of which I naturally birthed, I am always interested in hearing the testimonies from the birthing room experience. As an avid supporter and participant of supernatural childbirthing, it never ceases to amaze me how God births life in and through the very creation that He birthed and that He paid the price on Calvary for it to be a glorious experience. There is nothing more beautiful (after experiencing new birth in Christ) than watching a child take its first breath on this side of it all. For this reason, I count it a privilege and a joy to gather the stories of wives and mothers, and provide a platform for them to be heard. Amidst the piles of laundry, the late night feedings and the little bumps and bruises, their voices cry out declaring that God is both able and willing to keep. Consider the following snippet of the labor room experience from wife and mother Kimberly Van Johnson:

When it actually came time to birth, our daughter came two weeks early. I started out contracting at home and later that evening went to the doctor. They sent me back home saying that I had dilated four to five centimeters. The contractions continued to come once I was home. One of the most beautiful things about that time was that my mother and mother-in- law were both there with me. I slept between both of them. Between contractions I’d just turn over and rest between them. One was on each side of me and my husband was kind of over all of us.

Read more

« Previous Page — Next Page »