abandoned to Christ.

Earlier today at 6:45 a.m., a horrifyingly sinful act was witnessed when three innocent people were gunned down in Moneta, Virginia during a live WDBJ-TV interview: a reporter (Alison Parker, 24), a cameraman (Adam Ward, 27), and a woman being interviewed (Vicki  Gardner). It is heartbreaking that both Alison and Adam were killed, but I'm grateful to the Lord that Vicki has already undergone surgery and is in stable condition. Though I'm aware of the evil in this world, I was still stunned by this act of violence by Bryce Williams (legal name: Vester Lee Flanagan) who was once a reporter and co-worker of both Alison and Adam at WDBJ. Two hours after the shooting, Williams faxed a 23-page manifesto to ABC News. In this manifesto, Williams claims that he was racially discriminated against and harassed by black men and white women because he was a homosexual black man. Williams also stated that he's  "been a human powder keg for a while…just waiting to go BOOM!!...

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." -Psalm 73:26, ESV Psalm 73:25 says, "Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you." Both verses 25 and 26 resonate the song of my literal and figurative heart; for God alone makes my physical heart beat, and He alone made my figurative heart alive in Christ. Without the LORD I wouldn't have physical or spiritual life...and neither would anyone else. This past Friday, my Cardiac Electrophysiologist confirmed that I have an uncommon heart arrhythmia called sick sinus syndrome (SSS) . What this means is that my heart can no longer keep a steady rhythm because it's "sick". The short version is that my natural pacemaker (sinus node) is no longer functioning properly so I have bradycardia (heart rate under 60 bpm) which causes me to be very lightheaded, dizzy and weak due to the lack of blood flow...

It's been a while since I've shared anything about my physical health ( my last post was in November 2014 ). Perhaps you thought the Lord healed me from my serious health afflictions...but He hasn't...yet. And that's okay with me. I'm now entering my 11th year of constant and often debilitating pain, extreme fatigue, seven surgeries in seven years (my most recent was a few weeks ago). I'm also still adding new specialists to my already large repertoire (an Endocrinologist, Cardiac Electrophysiologist, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, and more). In addition to all this, it looks as if I'm going to need at least one more, and possibly two surgeries this year (one for my hyperparathyroidism and the other for a cardiac pacemaker). The reason it's been so long since I've shared anything about my continually declining health, is because I've wrongly concluded that it's better for me to encourage you rather than burden you with my seemingly, ...

What does it mean, to give thanks in all circumstances? In First Thessalonians chapter five, the Apostle Paul closes with a list of things that every Christian ought to do (vv. 12-22), but can't do in our own strength or by our own sheer will. Perhaps we can accomplish some, or all that's on this list, but it would only be a temporary appearance of godly character rather than a faithful and continual walk. For we know if we do not abide in Christ, we will not bear His fruit. And any true godly quality we exhibit is a demonstration of the power of the Holy Spirit within us (1 Cor 2:5), not from our flesh that continually desires the ways of this world. I often refer to my physical trials as a gift from the Lord and something He has seen fit to work in my life for my greatest benefit. And often, I get questions and comments from people who are outraged by my proclamation that a good and loving God would bring pain into my life. They tell me I'm rather foolish and ...

There's so much in this life to be fearful of: loving someone, because they may not love you back; rejection from family, friends, co-workers and even other Christians; public humiliation; being ignored, forgotten and used. I don't want to be afraid of what others think of me, will do to me, or not do to me (Gal 1:10). I don't want to be afraid of never being physically healed. I don't want to be afraid that my doctors may not always know exactly the right thing to do (Prov 2:6). I don't want to be afraid of giving up on ministry opportunities or public services because of my faith and abandon to Christ and His Word. I don't want to be afraid of that phone call, text or email where someone tells me that I'm too narrow-minded of a Christian for their feel-good, man-centered ministry (Gal 2:20). I don't want to be afraid of speaking the truth in love, just because it's not the truth someone wants to hear (Prov 27:5-6). "...

Being "out there" in social media and writing online brings a lot of people into my life. More than I can fit into my home and more than I can usually respond to in a timely manner...if at all. This makes life a bit more interesting and often fills my days and heart with praise to God, prayers for friends (some I've never met in person) and also some heartaches along the way. I never set out to be a writer. I never set out to have readers or have people who would "follow" me. I wasn't raised in a Christian home, so I set out to be a diligent student of God's Word. I wanted to learn how to be an excellent Proverbs 31 wife and mother, a loving sister/friend to fellow Christians and an exemplary witness of Christ to the lost world. I set out to know what my spiritual gifts are and use them as God has ordained in His Word (Rom 1:11-12, 15:2; 1 Cor 12:7) to edify the Body and cause many to give thanks to the Father—while bringing glory and honor to Hi...

Is there life after death? Are we reincarnated and come back as something else depending on the kind of life we previously lived? Can the dead rise back to life? Is there really a Heaven and Hell? The answers are: yes, there is life after death; no,  reincarnation isn't real; and yes, when a person dies, they will be resurrected either to eternal life in Heaven with God, or eternal damnation in Hell with Satan and his demons (John 5:28-29). Two days ago, we rejoiced in the reason why Good Friday is so good—because, once and for all, the penalty for sin was paid in full for those who by faith, repent and trust their lives to Jesus (Hebrews 10:10). Today, we rejoice that Jesus Christ is risen! The grave that could not hold our Savior, cannot hold us. The power of sin and Satan were defeated so that sinners whom Christ came to save would be guaranteed eternal life in Him. Many will celebrate today with chocolate, bunnies, Easter eggs, new dresses and hat...

Faithful and beloved saints of Christ Jesus, I need your prayer support again. Earlier today, I was contacted by a precious sister in the Lord, Amy Spreeman who co-hosts  "Stand Up For the Truth" , (with Mike LeMay ), on  Q90 FM ,  in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Amy requested an interview with me that will air live, tomorrow (March 27, 2013) from 9:00-10:00 a.m. My segment will go from 9:00-9:20 a.m. You can either listen live by clicking this link: Stand Up For the Truth , or listen later by clicking this link: archived podcasts . Okay, it's confession time. Most of you may not know this, but I'm an ardent introvert. I like  love being alone and I love the quiet. Being with a group of more than one other person makes me nervous...sometimes even one other person makes me nervous, depending on who they are. Most of my life, I've loved silence and precious times of meditating on God's word. And none of this is because I'm such a wonderfully strong...

Following the Master of my soul is sometimes a lonely road; sadly, even within the Christian community. It seems these days, that Christians have become as worldly as the world we live in. We live, laugh and love with those who live, laugh and love with us, while we shun those who make us feel uncomfortable. We hypocritically and foolishly judge one another based on our personal affinities and ideologies of how we think life ought to be lived, whilst all the time, we dismiss our Savior's command to love as He has loved us; in accordance with His perfect and righteous judgment (John 7:24), rather than with our imperfect and Pharisaical views (Psalm 55:12-14, Matt 7:5). If we encourage and excuse those who indulge in the same sins we do, while we condemn and reject those who love us enough to reprove us with the Word of God (2 Tim 3:16-17), how will we ever mature in our faith (Prov 27:6)? Sometimes I wonder if I've lived my life in vain. If the love I've...

To abort or not to abort...that is the question. But what is the answer? I mean, the right answer? It’s amazing how many people establish an opinion on important issues without having all the facts. If we're honest, we'll all admit, everything we hear or read in the media isn't “the whole truth and nothing but the truth”. The media (depending on the source), will either skew facts or completely dismiss some, so the public will have no choice but to agree with the media representative's opinion. Personally, I don't believe the American people are so feeble-minded. I believe whether Christian or non-Christian, we're all endowed by our Creator with a conscience that allows us to distinguish between right and wrong. And if we're provided with accurate information regarding any issue, we are capable of making decisions that are right in the sight of God.  Almost one and a half years ago (September 26, 2011),  Living Waters Publications  (LWP) rele...

Remember when we were little and there was always that older family member or teacher in our life that we could always trust to look out for our best interest...whether or not we wanted them to? Remember how they always spoke the truth to you, with a loving smile, a gentle touch and strong words of wisdom that cut your heart if you were in sin, yet was exactly what you needed to carry you through a trial? I'm grateful to my heavenly Father for all those adults who were used by God (whether they knew it or not) to make a frightened and often troubled little girl feel safe and loved. And as if that weren't more than I deserved, by God's grace and tender mercies, He provided me with the most magnificent husband who loves me better than anyone ever has because He loves me with God's perfect love that considers Christ first, rather than his personal desires, or even mine. I rest perfectly in that love. "but let him who boasts boast in this, that he u...

Mike Huckabee , former Governor of Arkansas has encouraged faithful Christians across our great nation to support Chick-fil-A and the Cathy Family (owner/founder of the company) as they uphold God's definition for marriage. As expected, the world is enraged with Christians who are honest and loving enough to stand firm in the faith they profess. Often Christians are called hypocrites because when push comes to shove, we don't stand firm in what we claim to believe. Like many, peer pressure cripples our personal convictions and sadly makes us deny the words of the Christ who died to save our lives. Ironically, these same people who are persecuting the Cathy family claim they would never want to believe in Christ because we don't always live what we claim to believe. Basically, if we don't stand firm and live holy lives as unto the Lord Jesus the world hates us and ridicules us, labeling us as spineless hypocrites. But if we do stand firm on the precepts of o...

When I was only three years old and I lied, I knew it was wrong. No one had to tell me lying was wrong. I knew lying was wrong even when I thought up the lie and chose the “perfect” time to tell it. When I was about five years old, I knew it was wrong to steal my friend's ring, but I wanted it. Knowing it was wrong, I stole it in secret. Just like my lie was crafted in secret; and so are all sins...planned and plotted in the recesses of our sin-filled flesh that only Christians battle with daily. God is faithful, and He did for us, what He promised: “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” ~ Hebrews 10:16 One of the things that amazes me about God is how He enables our finite minds to understand deep things about His infinite Being no matter our age or intellect. I came to know Jesus as my Lord, my Master, my Savior and God when I was only four...