by Angele Tanyeri
The Collyde Summit is a gathering of passionate believers in the NY, NJ, and PA area, who love Jesus and are convicted to become world changers. Collyde turned out to be a life-changing experience for me! To gather and worship in this way was profound. It also gave me a chance to ‘collide’ with individuals I may not have had an opportunity to meet otherwise.
by Elise Daly Parker
So for pretty much the 30+ years my beloved and I have been married, we have been “working” on our finances. Initially, it was just a matter of trying to be responsible with our money and not get in over our heads with debt. Truth be told, our success was short term. Some of this was circumstantial – unanticipated life and salary changes threw us for a loop. But, really? We overspent.
by Kathleen Whittam
There is a nickname for people who only go to church on Christmas and Easter--a ChrEaster. My mom has long been a fan of the Christmas cactus, a plant that, oddly enough, blooms around Christmas as well as Easter. I started calling them a ChrEaster Cactus.
By Beth Stiff
I wanted to start from the beginning...
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.~ Genesis 1:1-2
My focal point was going to be on the three words God says over and over again in the first chapter of Genesis: “…it is good."
He looked at all He created and said it was good. ~ Genesis 1:31
Starting from the beginning sounded like a good plan because I’m currently reading from the Book of Genesis and those three words jumped off the pages as I read. If we believe everything He said as truth, and he says those three words several times, I’m thinking those words are rather important. [Continue Reading...]
by Elise Daly Parker
Even if you don’t go for a big New Year’s Eve celebration, the New Year can mark a fresh start, a new beginning, a shift in focus. It’s a good time to take a look back at the past, and consider a vision for the year ahead.
Many people choose a New Year’s resolution or two… [Continue Reading...]
by Wodline Hippolyte
I was crying hysterically while one of my closest friend’s tried to console me. She dropped everything to come over to my apartment after a brief phone conversation. I knew I could call on her because she’d been in my shoes before. Though I was ashamed, she never judged me or made me feel embarrassed about everything I was facing at the time.
by Sheri Stewart
I am walking the right path, which is strong steady and chosen by God. HIS love and forgiveness bless my life giving me knowledge that my faith will see me through any storm. Lunch with Jesus today stripped away my lost sadness and renewed my soul.
by Sandy DelGrande
Before life with the GPS, I was often reluctant to drive anywhere too far away or any location that required following complicated directions. The thought occurred to me, I wish I trusted God like I trust this GPS. If I did, I could relax and know for certain that, no matter what, God is going to lead me home even when I find myself in unfamiliar places I’d rather not be.
by Micalagh Moritz
I recently had the privilege of spending an overnight with a sect of Old Order Mennonites in Belize, Central America, where I was living. A surprise to most, there are several Mennonite communities in Belize that are very similar to the Amish in the United States. They have managed to preserve a distinct culture, religion, and way of life despite the climate and culture of Belize.
By Mellany Paynter
Grief is personal yes, but there are elements of this journey we all share. As I open up to my family slowly about how I still struggle sometimes with the thought of my mother gone forever, I realize that they too are hurting.
by Kathy Cheek
For me, quiet thoughts are a sweet savor, yet to have quiet thoughts there must first be quiet moments. I have found quiet thoughts and quiet moments are sanctuary. Sometimes I think something is wrong with me because I enjoy a quieter, slower pace in a world driven to go and do 24/7.
by Susan Panzica
The question of the day – most every day – for those who desire to follow God is How can I know God’s will? No matter how strong our desire is to follow God’s plan, when given a variety of options, it's may not be easy to make the right choice. The answer is not always crystal clear.
by Kristin Hill Taylor
The creator and sustainer of time, God uses seasons to shape us and grow us. Sure, waiting is hard sometimes, but God doesn’t waste that time. He wants us to worship Him while we wait for the next season. Waiting may mean putting a dream on hold until God opens the necessary doors.
By Micalagh Moritz
Volunteering is one of the best decisions you’ll make. For me, it turned out to be a life-changing year of growth, challenges, joys, and deepened faith. I lived with six other women in a beautiful old house in a neighborhood that was rapidly gentrifying.
by Kimberly Coyle
And I grew angry with myself for writing about my daily life on the most public forum on the planet, and withering when faced with criticism there. I exposed my son to people who, quite honestly, think the marriage of faith and everyday life is downright crazy.
by Wodline Hippolyte
There I was, standing at the bus stop in all black, holding up my umbrella. When the bus arrived, I entered, paid my fare, and took a seat. I brought a book to read, but when I opened it I couldn’t even get through a paragraph. I had so much on my mind. This was going to be a day that would change my life forever.
by Kimberly Coyle
You and I might not be artists in the capital “A” sense, but we all have dreams that rise up from the dark and quiet places of our heart. God knit you together in a particular fashion, and the world may not believe it, and your family might not understand it, and your paycheck may not reflect it, but you can honor the dream and respect it.
By Micalagh Moritz
After a year and a half of living in Belize, Central America, my husband and I have returned to the United States…a bit sooner than expected, and a bit surprised to be coming home pregnant! God has not disappointed us. Over and over again in these past two months, we have been provided for by family, friends, and even strangers.
by Elise Daly Parker
I cried. I cried out. I was desperately sad, living a nightmare for a time. I just couldn’t square God’s supposed love for me with this loss. He was God…He could’ve prevented this and He didn’t. Turned out this God who I thought was for me, was cruel and heartless.
by Kimberly Amici
It was the middle of the afternoon when I received the call. The voice on the other end was my best friend. A girl I’ve known since kindergarten, the one who had been through thick and thin with me. The one who was about to walk yet another journey with me. She sounded calm as she said, “Did you hear what happened?”
by Elizabeth Myer
The sound of the heartbeat monitor made a slow decent into a flat line…My heart knew before I heard the final beep, that he was gone. It's been almost eight years since I last held my sweet laughing baby boy in my arms. Eight years of aching to hold him. Eights years of knowing my life will never be the same. Eight years of being gloriously ruined. As a young wife and mother, just barely 22, I was planning my child's funeral.
by Wodline Hippolyte
It was the time of year when all high school seniors were applying to colleges. I was both excited and nervous because I didn’t know if I would be accepted into the schools I applied to. And if I did get in, how were my parents going to pay for my tuition? I was considered an international student, so my parents had to pay out-of-pocket.
by Chelle Wilson
Leave it to me to quietly manage a miscarriage while hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner Party for 12…I am superwoman (or so I thought). I can manage anything (I foolishly believed). I am in control (I never was).
by Susan Panzica
I grew up in a Jewish home, a mosh-pit of damaged emotions. My parents had separated before I was born, reunited, but eventually divorced when I was 13. There were deep emotional issues that lingered on into adulthood. I was shy, fearful, and filled with insecurities.
by Elaine O'Neill
I did not understand. Devastation, frustration, and confusion filled my heart and mind. Why didn’t God answer my prayer? Maybe I should have prayed harder. Proverbs 30:16 says that one thing that cannot be satisfied is the barren womb. The issue of childlessness shook my heart and I fell apart emotionally.
