Category:

Life

About life in general, and life with God specifically.

And if not, God is still good

written by Deinah

As I was having lunch with a very good friend of mine a few days ago, the conversation merged into a very interesting topic – unanswered prayers. While we were sharing our thoughts it just happened that both of us are/ have been struggling with the question, “why God, why?”

At the end of our lunch date, as I was on my way home, the story of Job came to my mind. A man who lost everything. His possessions, his children and his health. Yet he remained faithful to God, even when his wife encouraged him to curse God and die.

Hold on

Many of us have been in situations of pain and agony where we start asking tons of questions. Why? How? Why did God allow this to happen? Unfortunately, there are questions that we will never get an answer to. However, one thing I do know for a fact is that when we hold on to God, He restores us and makes new. Each time I read the story of Job it moves me. I wonder to myself, “would I have kept my integrity intact as Job did?” Something I think each one of us should ask ourselves.

His promisses

We may never truly understand why God allows certain things to happen. But one thing we can be sure of is that He will always be there to strengthen us, to comfort us, and to give us His peace — a peace that surpasses all human understanding. His promises never fail. After everything Job went through, God blessed the latter part of his life more than the former part. God gave him more than he could have ever imagined.

And if not, He is still good

In conclusion, my friend added: “even though I don’t understand why God allows certain things to happen, I wouldn’t have survived it all without Him. He’s been good to me.” I couldn’t agree more.

With all this being said, I encourage you to hold on to His promises. This life will bring us pain and sorrow, it’s inevitable. However, God will always work all things together for our good if we allow Him to do so. He will never leave us nor forsake us. So regardless of our unanswered prayers and our million and one questions, He is still good and forever faithful. Always was and always will be!

June 18, 2019 Comments

Beauty God Life

Broken Vessels

written by Myra Braswell

Devastation

The endless mounds of rubble and debris lined the narrow street of what had once been the site of many of my fondest childhood memories. A visual example of ruin and destruction sprawled in front of me. Hurricane Michael had ravaged my father’s boyhood homeplace, the place we always came “home” too! It seemed unfathomable that it would never look the same again as it had been rendered all but unrecognizable. My heart sank as I sat gazing through the windshield and I couldn’t help but brush away the warm tears that trickled down my cheeks. I commented how grateful I was that my father wasn’t alive to see the nightmare-ish sight in front of me, and that I knew it would have broken his heart.

June 16, 2019 Comments

Faith God Life Trust

Faced with a challenge

written by Kaitlyn

When was the last time you were faced with a big challenge? Did you think that you would be able to overcome it? Sometimes we are faced with a challenge and we don’t understand why we are faced with it, but its a test… a test of our faith. What do you do when faced with a tough decision do you go to God and ask for His help and for Him to help you understand what you need to do? Or do you think about just giving up? It easy to throw our hands up and give up but one thing that happens is after going through that hard situation, something amazing happens that shows how God is awesome and He will take care of us.

June 14, 2019 Comments

Bible God Life

Remember This Day

written by Myra Braswell

All of us like to remember special occasions and recognize various milestones throughout our lives. Most acknowledge and celebrate the passing of years, educational achievements, career advancements, or relational developments. We mark with grand gestures such notable occasions as weddings, the birth of children, engagements, and even the passing of aged loved ones. The parade of cheers and accolades echo long after the occasion has come and gone.

June 13, 2019 Comments

God Jesus Life

Be the Game Changer

written by Ashley

“We all die the goal isn’t to live forever. The goal is to create something that will.” (Chuck Palahniuk) We all experience grieving and loss in different ways, but have you stopped to think how people will grieve your loss? What impact are you leaving on the people you surround yourself with? Find your “why” and run with it. Be a game changer in this highly competitive world.

June 11, 2019 Comments

General God Life

What’s it Worth to Ya?

written by Laura Richardson

Guard Your Heart

The heart of every bank is its vault. Locked metal cubbies line the walls, but can only be accessed with the owner’s identification and a closely guarded key. It makes you wonder, “What could possibly be in there?” Something of value, to be sure. Of course, not everything that is valuable will fit inside a safe deposit box.

June 6, 2019 Comments

Biblical women Faith Jesus Life Trust

Empty Jars

written by Kelly

There is so much we can learn from Mary, the Mother of Jesus. She is often in the background but when we see her in scripture, she makes bold impacts! For example, when you think of the first miracle of Jesus do you think of Mary? Probably not…but her role was vital! It was her faith and trust in Jesus that lead to the miracle! She gave Him the opportunity to step in and fix a problem and we can do the same thing in our lives, leading to miraculous results!

June 4, 2019 Comments

Fellowship Life Lifestyle Relationships

Be the church

written by Ashley

This past week I attended a funeral of one of the most faithful and inspiring women I had the pleasure of growing up with in church. As I was preparing food for the family, the song “Church (take me back)” by Cochren & Co came on. If you are not familiar with it, the chorus says “take me back to place that feels like home, to the people I can depend on, to the faith that is in my bones….”

June 1, 2019 Comments

Faith General God Life Trust

God, are you sure?

written by Ashley

How many times have you been on that road trip and the directions are telling you to turn left at the fork in the road but you are thinking that one of your girlfriends told you that going right was quicker? Do you turn left because you actually took the time to print off the directions before you left home and your GPS is telling you to turn left, or do you trust that your friend would know because she has been that route dozens of times? Perhaps you are just going to sit right in the middle of the fork in the road and hope that after all the cars zoom by there will be a big neon sign that reads, “THIS WAY.”

May 30, 2019 Comments

Bible God Life

In the Shadow of a Hero

written by Myra Braswell

Across the big screen in a theater near you (and me), cinematographers have created larger than life avenging personalities for our entertainment and thrill. These characters are empowered with extravagant physical and mental abilities; and can defend the universe with their speed, strength, sharpness, and stamina. They embody capabilities that far exceed what is humanly possible and are virtually invincible.

When we face the most menacing of life’s obstacles, we often imagine ourselves being able to take on characteristics such as theirs; able to scale the tallest buildings, fly high above the rooftops, crush enemies beneath our feet, meld or transform into our surroundings or render ourselves invisible. Thus, conquering whatever life must throw at us in the most flamboyant manner and causing quite a stir in the process. The villains of life will have met their match and onlookers would watch in amazement! If only that were possible!

Everyday Hero

As a young girl I thought of my father as a bit of a super-hero. He seemed so brave, strong, fearless, and fabulous! He could absolutely do anything! I was totally in awe of him, and often walked around with my little feet slid down inside his combat boots trying to imagine being like him. He was tall, rugged, and a handsome military man with a commanding presence. He seemed so powerful to this little girl of 4 or 5. Whenever I needed anything, he could fix it! I knew that all would be righted again if I could just “tell my Daddy” about it, no matter what it was! I could crawl up in his lap, hear his reassuring words, feel his arms around me, and know that I was secure and loved.

Nothing delighted me more than to spend time with my super-hero. Whether I was watching him fix a car, tinker on a project, play his guitar, work in the yard, fly a helicopter, or stand in a pulpit to preach a sermon, he was SUPER! To this day, I have not known his equal. He was extraordinary, exceptional, and incredible to be around. Nothing could substitute for the feeling of being with this larger-than-life man! No villain, imagined or otherwise, could harm me just as long as I stayed in the shadow of my hero!

Just like that awe-struck child looking up at her Daddy, our heavenly Father longs to have us gaze into His presence with wide-eyed wonder, admiration, and awe. He longs to have us with Him, to dwell in safety and to stay by His side! He encourages us to rest in His shadow, away from all harm and danger! Psalm 91:1-4 says,

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress my God, in whom I trust.” Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

Just as an impressionable child idolizes and admires their earthly father, so our heavenly Father longs to have us feel about Him. He wants us to desire the sweetness of His fellowship and closeness; to listen intently when He speaks and thrill as He demonstrates His awesome power and presence in our lives. He is certainly worthy of our admiration and His power and might should indeed leave us awestruck and in wonder!

Better than Fiction

He is more than a Hollywood super-hero could ever capture and more than all imagination and creativity could ever portray. He is more than amazing, more than incredible, and more than our human frailty will ever comprehend! He is marvelous, miraculous, full of splendor, glory, power, and might! He is our Defender, our Warrior, Protector, God Almighty, our Heavenly Father, the true Super-Hero of all humanity! He has conquered our sin, triumphed over death, defeated hell, and the grave! He has thwarted the evil plans of our enemies, broken chains of despair and darkness; He is light eternal and He reigns victorious forevermore!

There has never been, nor will there ever be a Super-Hero greater! No, not in any theater, not on any stage; no one is more or better! He longs to write His autograph across the life pages of your heart and mine! He is hoping that you and I will realize that we have been given a front row seat for the best performance in history: His redemptive purchase of our very lives through the sacrifice of His own. Come near for an up-close and personal look! Come near and rest there; ever to remain in His shadow, the shadow of prevailing love and grace. Live in the shadow of a Hero, THE HERO, the Super-Hero Christ our Lord! Amen!