The Perfect Match

By Lisa Buffaloe

Anthony Turner had little warning. In 2008, while on vacation with his wife and two young children, an illness struck. Returning home, he sought medical help and was promptly sent by ambulance to the hospital. The prognosis—kidney failure. For reasons unexplained, Anthony’s kidneys were only functioning at three percent.

With no other health issues, and at the age of thirty seven, Anthony was shocked. Without other alternatives, he quit work and began dialysis. Even on a transplant list, his options looked bleak. The wait for a healthy kidney could take five years.

Read more

Keeping the Memories

By Jennifer Kearson

It seems many of the holidays are just around the corner. One of the most traditional American holidays is Thanksgiving. There’s nothing like succulent turkey, piping hot rolls, tasty casseroles and grandma’s apple pie. The only problem is, well, grandma is gone to be with the Lord. It seems since her death, I have been noticing more and more people are losing their battle for life. Of course we all want to be with the Lord, but not until it is our time. As we all know there is a season for everything.

Unfortunately, many family members grow up and move far away, so they only get to see each other every so often. If possible, this year I would encourage you to visit relatives for time is very precious. If you can’t meet them during the holidays, find time to call or write. I have found the web cam to be an instant help. Well, at least I can see the person I am talking to.  For those of you who can see your relatives, take time to really get to see each other. I remember as a child we would go to grandmas to visit. After we devoured the food, the guys would go and watch the football game and the ladies would chat. I understand your favorite team might be playing, but do find some time to talk since you don’t get to see each other anyway.

Read more

Where Do Those Angels Come From?

By Janet Perez Eckles

Crazy, isn’t it? When life goes undisturbed, we stroll through the garden of prosperity and bask in the sunshine of success. Our feet sink in the green grass of hope while inhaling the sweet scent of anticipation for more good things to come.

But suddenly, a loud clap of thunder halts our steps. And a storm of adversity shakes our world. We wonder what happened. What went wrong? Where had we failed? How did we allow the rain of misfortune to pour on us?

But in the midst of our bewilderment, something totally strange, bizarre, actually, happens—an angel appears. Unannounced, often unseen, but definitely felt, angels show up in mighty and sometimes simple ways.

Read more

Trading Places

By Susan Dollyhigh

The call came from New Hanover Hospital’s emergency room after the crisis with my three-year-old granddaughter had passed. “Mom, Katelyn’s okay, but we just spent four hours in the ER with her,” I heard my daughter, Emily, say on the other end of the phone line.

Even as relief flooded my mind with the words, “Katelyn’s okay,” panic rushed right in behind it as the second part of the sentence, “four hours in the ER” seeped in.

“It was just awful, Mom. We were at a self check-out at the grocery store. I was scanning our groceries and Katelyn was sitting in the cart with her baby doll. Turning my back to her for just a second, she attempted to climb out of the cart and fell face first to the floor,” Emily said.

Read more

Puttin’ on the Blinders: How to Keep Our Focus on Christ

By Dianne E. Butts    

In the mountain town where I used to live, big Belgium work horses wore head gear with blinders—big black wings cupping the horse’s eyes. I thought blinders were cruel, but a friend who knows horses, said, “Blinders are useful tools. Horses have limited side vision. Sudden movements can frighten them, causing them to bolt. Plus, blinders help horses focus down the road on their destination.”

What if we had spiritual blinders that would block out what might cause us to shy away from living for Christ while keeping us focused on our destination in Him?

Shying at Shadows

A rustle in a bush or a sudden movement can startle a horse causing it to shy.

Read more

Next Page »