God was certainly with me then and he remains with me every day. He always has hold of my hand. My prayers were answered. I was able to be with her when her earthly journey ended.
Read MoreTo me a “culture of connection” includes church. A church, especially one as welcoming as St. Francis-in-the-Field, is a wonderful place to find friends and get involved in activities. But even more important than a “culture of connection” with other people is our connection with God.
Read MoreWhen I am on my knees before my King, I find this is the place that I need to be. It is not difficult for me to celebrate with Jesus during times of joyful occasions but much more difficult for me to be thankful in times of distress.
Read MoreGod wants us to reach for Him and to wait for Him with confidence and knowledge that He will be there to protect us, secure us, and surround us with His love. Let’s do that today and in all the days to come whether our worries are large or small.
Read MoreOur Father has bestowed upon us so many beautiful gifts. Let’s make certain we use them to celebrate our love for Him. Let’s do everything this Christmas season with our Savior as our focus. Let’s make sure that He is the Light of our Christmas season and that we give Him all of our attention! What gifts are you planning to share with Jesus during this Advent season?
Read MoreTo say he is the love of my life would be an understatement. I keep the white shell to remind me of God’s promise to me. I am sharing my life with a godly man and together we thank God for our life together.
Read MoreI try to think about my actions, large and small, in this light; not as a chance to win a place in heaven, but to represent God on earth. Of course, I fail often, but I can be peaceful because I know that ultimately, I am loved, was loved at the beginning and can pass this love to others.
Read MoreAnyone who recognizes an answered prayer that is unexpected but so much better than they could have hoped for, knows the power of seeking God’s best for them. My own answered prayers, that have been more than I could ever have hoped for or imagined, have been my family. A husband whose godliness constantly amazes me and children filled with compassion towards others are daily reminders of God’s goodness.
Read MoreAfter a while, a friend at Bible Study offered a free coaching session to help me get back on track. So, we prepared a written outline of the kind of job that I hoped to get, the salary, the timeframe, etc. and I truly left the rest up to God. Unbelievably, and without any effort on my part, a former employer unexpectedly called me and offered me a position that met all of my criteria.
Read MoreI attended services regularly but felt unworthy to take the Eucharist that was offered each Sunday. It was only after completion of an Adult Confirmation Class, resulting in confirmation by the Bishop, that I comprehended the Episcopalian view of Eucharist and felt comfortable participating. Since then, for the past 30 years it has become a very meaningful part of my spiritual life.
Read MoreMy mother always took us to church; however, I really didn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus; I was simply going through the motions. When I was fifteen at cheer camp, my roommate introduced me to Jesus. It was absolutely amazing, and I decided immediately that I was going to become perfect so that I was worthy of His love. Obviously, I had missed the point of belonging to Jesus.
Read MoreMy solution was to turn to God for my salvation and trust in his promises. Every day, before I got out of the car at work, I prayed Ephesians 6:10-18, starting with - Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Read MoreAdvent as a child was filled with light. I watched in awe as my father hung each shimmering strands of tinsel one by one. Cardboard pictures with little punch out windows celebrated each passing day. The dancing lights of pink and purple candles joyfully helped to bring light to the early winter darkness.
Read MoreOur friendship and love for one another grew. Even though we both moved away from the small Florida town, we stayed close. It was comforting to know that she was always there. We shared calls, photos of family, and prayers. She shared her love of the Lord and showed me that even in tough times, you can get through it with Him. The Lord sent Lillian to me as one of his angels.
Read MoreMy friends…we are so fortunate to live in gorgeous St. Augustine with so much beauty and history around us. One of my favorite historical landmarks is the St. Augustine Castillo de San Marcos Fort.
Read MoreNot only did God grant us eternal life through the death and resurrection of His son - but He also gave us comfort and peace when someone close to us passes from this life into the next. Having grown up in the Christian faith, I had just accepted the church’s teachings without really thinking too deeply about them. This was especially true of anything related to death.
Read MoreFor the longest time I walked my own path, not the path that God had planned for me. Of course, I didn't know what that meant. From early childhood, my life was full of chaos, anxiety, and uncertainty. After the birth of my first child, my physical health started taking a steep decline. That took a toll on my mental health, my marriage, and my family, then I discovered the Power of Praying to God.
Read MoreI love that Cohen has David singing Hallelujahs to God in this moment. Other men might have rejected God and continued their lives of sin, but David does the opposite. He sings a song of praise to his God.
Read MoreFor many years, I had endured debilitating pain in my back. I had tried numerous techniques (prayer, meditation, exercise, Vax D, massage, acupuncture) to gain relief from my constant pain. Finally, in 2004, I made an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon who said that he could relieve my chronic pain by a spinal fusion. Honestly, once I heard him say that- I did not remember anything further from the appointment; however, my husband was taking careful notes so he had a record of the conversation with all the specifics.
Read MoreFor many years, I had endured debilitating pain in my back. I had tried numerous techniques (prayer, meditation, exercise, Vax D, massage, acupuncture) to gain relief from my constant pain. Finally, in 2004, I made an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon who said that he could relieve my chronic pain by a spinal fusion. Honestly, once I heard him say that- I did not remember anything further from the appointment; however, my husband was taking careful notes so he had a record of the conversation with all the specifics.
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