Saturday, September 23, 2017
I love this quote! I have been trying to teach this to my children all their lives. I try and remember it myself. I have been known to say: "Church is for the sinners, not the saints". Too many of us try way too hard to pretend to be someone we are not on the Sabbath Day. The problem is, that gets exhausting after a while. We can't heal our problems if we are always trying to hind them from others.
This has been brought home to me in such a forceful way. There is someone at church who does not like me. They think that I am somehow to blame for something I did not do. They do not look me in the eye, or are not kind in any way. It makes going to church a little bit hard for me.
But, I will be the first to admit that I am not perfect. It is possible that I have totally wronged someone without meaning to. It is possible that I have made more than one mistake in this crazy mixed up life of mine. And it is completely possible that I have managed to offend others in the process.
When we stop judging others and just love them, we give them permission to change. We help them in that process. Just because someone has made a mistake, does not mean that they are completely evil. The same is true of those whom we perceive to be "good". We all make mistakes. We all do things wrong. We all have more things that we should be doing in our lives. We all sin.
So, as the Sabbath day approaches and we walk into our various churches, let us remember that we are all there for the same reason. We are there to worship our Lord and Savior. We are there to seek His forgiveness as well as His spirit. We aren't there to show anyone else how pious we can be. We are there because we are His.
Thursday, September 21, 2017
This one has been proven true in my own life. No matter how hard I try, it always seems so easy to ignore those first promptings. Sometimes I wonder what Heavenly Father must think of us as we go on our merry way and ignore Him. A really good example of this came from a friend of mine. I really felt like I needed to go see her. I really wanted too, but life has gotten so much in the way of things, that I put it off. In putting it off, I received word that she was in the hospital and soon passed away.
To this day, I feel regret that I did not go and see her before she left this world. I feel sorrow that I had such a strong impression to be with her and that I ignored that feeling for the chaos around me. No matter how busy I was, I know that I could have made time to go and see her. I just did not believe that prompting.
I could tell you of so many instances when I was prompted to do something. When I felt the need to help or just be there, but I made excuses as to why I couldn't go. I can also tell you of times that I felt that strongly about something and went anyway. There are so many times that the spirit wants us to act in His behalf. That we need to help, or just be there for another of God's children.
That first thought that runs through your mind, that first impression, that first moment of decision making, is the one that counts the most.
Do you listen to His promptings? Do you hear the sounds of need? Do you care enough?
My prayer today is that each one of us may stretch our spiritual selves just a little bit further to hear His voice and do His work. My we all be a little kinder to our neighbors and our friends. May we feel the promptings of pure inspiration and help serve those around us.
Saturday, September 9, 2017
My life is being taken over by technology. The phone is always ringing. I can nearly always be reached. I rarely get a moment to put it aside. Have you ever noticed that someone's phone always rings during prayer? Have you ever felt like it would be amazing to sit down to dinner and not have someone answering their phones, or the door, or their email, or facebook, or any other number of apps and annoyances. It seems to me that my life is filled with ring tones.
There are times, I look around and think, how has this happened. Technology was put here to help us do the things we need to do. However, it also makes it easier to do the wrong things instead of the right ones.
In my day, we only had one house phone. I had to sit out on the dog house with the phone as far as it would reach in order to get any privacy at all. Everything was attached by a cord. In this day of wifi and wireless technology, it is way too easy to get attached to the fast paced world that we need to leave behind every once in a while.
This past weekend, we went to the campout for my husbands work. There was no cell reception at the site. It was wonderful to see the kids play and just be kids. No electronics or TV or Gameboys or anything else that required charging and phone service. We took one of our grandsons, and it brought tears to my eyes to see him running and playing all over the camp ground. Of course, he found the mud puddle, and he bathed in it completely. I justified it by thinking it MUST be good for his skin. He had a ball running through the mud and losing his shoes and finding them again.
Technology has it's good points, but also it's bad ones. Anything that comes between us and our communications with our Heavenly Father and our family, really needs to be changed. We need to decide to change it. So, in your life, what is most important to you? What are you going to change?
Thursday, September 7, 2017
I like to find Memes with meaning. Ones that help me through the hour, the day, the week, the life that I am living. This one reminded me today that I really am not alone. And when I think very hard about it, I realize that His spirit does visit me in my sorrows, and it is always uplifting. Sometimes it doesn't take away the pain or the suffering, but it does give me the strength I need to endure.The past several years have been hard on me. I feel like I have aged 10 years for every single one of them. I feel tired and drained. My mind spins with the need to defend myself against the slander of others. Yet, when I pray, I feel His peace. No defense is necessary. Somehow, everything will work out. Maybe, not quite the way I would wish, but it will work out nevertheless.
Letting go of negative feelings can be hard. Letting go of feeling wronged can be even harder. But I know that it is necessary to move on. I am trusting that God has my back and that someday, all will be made right. I don't know how, I don't know when, I don't even know what He will do, but I believe He has the power to change hearts and soften them. I believe that He knows what needs to be done.
So, although He never takes away another's free agency, He also never takes away the consequences of the sin. He lets us make our own decisions and our own choices. I believe that someday, those who do not repent will end up feeling the pain that they have caused others along the way. I think they will come to a realization of the magnitude of suffering that they have inflicted on others. I think that, in the end, they will come to know the pain that I have felt.
His redeeming love and the atonement are there for each one of us. Even (or especially) when we make terrible choices in our lives. Part of repentance is to feel sorrow and make amends. I can wait with the surety that all will be made right.
So today, I choose to be comforted. I choose to be encouraged and inspired. I choose to forgive.
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
What a comfort it is to my heart to read this today. I am pretty sure that every one of us has something in our past we are ashamed of. We have all made mistakes. We have all chosen the wrong path. We have all lived in this crazy mixed up world.
Why is it so hard to forgive ourselves for our past mistakes? Even after we repent, our hearts and minds keep turning back the page and wallowing in the "who we once were", past. It is like we see the atonement as something that applies to everyone else except ourselves. Like we are exempt from the grace that is promised to us. And the Lord's hands that reach out to comfort us.
With all the things going on in the world today, I find it even more necessary to forgive myself for my past mistakes. It becomes even more necessary to live in the present than in the past. It becomes more meaningful. I have a difficult time in letting go of what has happened. Not so much the things that others have done to me, but the things that I have done to myself or to others. I find it hard to forgive the child, the youth or even the adult for the mistakes of the past, even when I have truly repented of them and not repeated them.
I am unsure of what makes it nearly impossible for me to accept the Lord's atonement in my own behalf. It is like there is a voice in my head telling me that I will never be good enough for His love. I have noticed that it is much easier to forgive others and passionately defend their right to repent, than it is to forgive myself. The adult in me expects the five year old child that I was to have known better.
I have learned that depression is living too much of our lives in the past. It robs us of the present with it's whispers of "should have", "could have", and "would have". My present is so mixed up in the past that I find it hard to put it all aside. I am sure that the Savior who suffered so much for my sins, is sad when I can't find it within myself, to extend the law of mercy to even such as I.
My goal for this week is to be a little kinder to myself. To appreciate the present moments. To love myself a little more and protect myself a little less. To allow myself to learn from my mistakes instead of condemning me for them.
It is a comfort for me to know and understand that the Lord forgives and forgets. He doesn't hold the past against me. He wants me to grow and become who I am supposed to be. May we all strive just a little bit harder to be a little bit kinder to ourselves. We are always worth His Love.
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
This one, I have seen for myself. There was a time in my life when I did not know what it was to believe. A time when I was hurt and angry and sure that I was completely unlovable. I have had to learn the "as if" principle in my life.
When you don't know the answer, you live "as if" you do. You keep the commandments that are hard as well as the ones that are easy. You choose to live the way that God tells you to live, and you don't question why. I believe that the answers come when we live the hard things well.
I have learned that God loves me, by living as if I knew that He did. He then provided examples to me that I could not miss. I have learned that obedience is important, by living the commandments that are hard. I can't say that I always do everything right, as a matter of fact, I don't do so many things that I should. But I can say that I try my best.
I have learned that He knows I will make mistakes. I have learned the redeeming power of His atonement through those mistakes. I have felt His love in the midst of repentance. I have felt the change of heart that comes from changing my life.
I believe that it is by small things that great things come to pass. As we struggle and learn and grow, our testimonies are strengthened. Our hearts are changed. Our love for others increases. All these things are good. They remind me that we are each important to our loving Heavenly Father, no matter what our beliefs are. We are His children, and He wants to see us become more than we have ever dreamed we could be.
He knows what bonfires we are capable of blazing.
He knows exactly who we are.
And most of all, He loves us so much more than our mistakes and short comings. He loves us exactly as we are now and also as the men and women that we could be.
Monday, September 4, 2017
Maybe this is something I need to work on. I do not like change. I do not like it when things don't go as planned. I do not like the need to do a 180 degree turn when the road is not wide enough to manage it. I am a planner. I am not spontaneous at all. Really I can say that I know how Martha felt when she was trying to do everything by herself. She had to learn to change. And I bet it wasn't easy at all.
I love Martha, in her worry of whether everything looked good enough for the Savior. In her need for perfection in the humbleness of her home. I sometimes look at my house and wish that magic really existed and that I could wiggle my nose or snap my fingers and have perfect. The desire is there, but the strength is long gone.
2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
When I pass away, one of the first people that I want to meet is Martha. I want to know how she managed to change. How she managed to learn to put her Savior before all else. I want to know how she could put aside the natural woman and choose the good part. When I hear the Savior rebuke her, I hear Him say the same things to me in my heart.
Change is always hard. It is exhausting. It is overwhelming. It is a trial all by itself.
Have you ever had to deal with so many changes that you were overwhelmed into shutdown mode? Have you every been frozen in place and totally and completely unable to cope?
I have, but I wish so much that I was stronger than that.
I remember one year, we came home Christmas eve to water streaming out the ceiling in our garage. Some people can just start cleaning and everything would work out. Me, I go numb. My mind shuts down. I don't know where to start or what to do. The water was freezing. It was about 20 below and it was not a warm night. I did not even know how to help. Thank goodness for a loving home teacher who cam immediately and started getting the water out of there. He was amazing. In my weakness, I found strength and love in the work of another. At that point in my life, I wasn't even capable of being a Martha. I think I was one of multitude that did not know what to do.
I am not always like this. Sometimes I can jump right in and do what needs doing. But sometimes, I just need someone to take over and tell me what to do.
This man, taught me what Christ like love looked like. I am pretty sure Christmas Eve was not the time he wanted to be helping us. But he showed the saviors love by doing that wonderful service for me. He did not know what I was going through at the time. He did not know what I needed. But I believe the Lord touched his heart and at that moment he knew exactly what to do.
I believe the Lord will change our hearts as we seek to become more like Him. He will help us to overcome the water and the world to do a good work. He will let us know how to reach out and help his children. A change of heart is more than accepting the Gospel in our lives. It is more than admitting that Jesus is the Christ. It is more than sharing a gospel message. I believe a true change of heart takes place on evenings like that difficult Christmas eve night. In freezing water and ice, surrounded by ruined things. A true change of heart is what makes us willing to bear one another's burdens. To mourn with those who mourn and comfort those in need of comfort. A true change of heart may not be convenient, but it is necessary. As we seek to serve Him and take upon ourselves His name, our hearts will change to become more like Him.


If you know me, truely know me, or are following my blogs; which it seems no one actually is, then you know the beginning of 2012 became a turning point in my life.
To completely understand all of this you will need to read some of my blogs from earlier in the year.
What I will tell you is there came a moment when I decided not only to accept Jesus Christ as my Savior, but I knew it was time to repair the realtionship I had broken with both our Lord and our Father.
In 1993 I had made my way to the altar and I asked for forgiveness. I was saved. I was 22. I tried to read the Bible and to be honoest I was so confused. I had questions upon questions upon questions. So I turned to family members for answers. I was told exactly this, ” Julie, you are overthinking this. You have to trust the word and believe in the word” which quite frankly, left me more then confused how could I trust and believe when I didn’t have the slightest clue as to what the words were saying. I gave up.
I spent the next 18 years bitter and angry. I would tell people “oh God and I have a relationship alright, we agree to disagree”. WOW! How completely ignorant that sounds now.
In that moment back at the beginning of this year when I was on my knees letting it all out and asking once again for His forgiveness, I made a promise to myself and to God, I would not be deterred from rebuilding what I had broken.
I spent months seeking out any and all information I could find to help me understand everything I could. From the writings of the Bible, to what being a Christian really is.
I bought a Bible Dictionary that is truely amazing. I have sought out historical information, you name it. I was thirsty, thirsty to know Him.
In these beginning stages I was “called” to a church. I use the word called because I didn’t feel like this is where I belonged. But, a dear friend did and she was struggling. I walked with her until the day of her Baptizim. Then I found my church family, where I belong. With amazing people to help me along my journey.
And a journey it is. In terms of my walk with God, I am still a toddler learning to maintain my balance. Some days are easy, others I stumble quite a bit. Yet, with each stumble, I am learning something new and amazing, as well as building my relationship with God.
There are days I still feel so alone and sometimes abandoned. Not by God. I feel Him holding my hand or carrying my heavy heart. You see, I feel abandoned by my earthly friends. My chosen sisters. Those who I love and adore and have forever. I don’t tell you this so feel sympathy for me. None is needed. Things happen in life, which being human we allow the emotional aspect of those things or situations to completely take us over. My love for these friends has never wavered. But I can’t allow their choice of going with their feelings of the moment to interfer with my new journey. Those days my feelings of loss and saddness take over, I know without a doubt my Lord and Savior is carrying me through.
July 1rst my Mother & I were baptized, along with 2 amazing people within our church family. I will tell you, I was scared to death. Will I drown? Will I meet Gods expectations? Will I fall? So many things went through my heart, my soul and my mind. For me, my baptizm was an offering of sorts to God that I have every intention of keeping my promise.
I am still learning and eagerly yearning for more knowledge. Excited in my growth process. And I am not one bit ashamed to tell you I love my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am thankful for the sacrifes both he and our Father have made and continue to make so that I can grow in His likeness and follow the path he has planned for me. I still haven’t seen what that path is, but I know with patience and commitment someday it will be revealed. And oh what a glorious day that will be. Because I have no doubt with Jesus Christ beside me I will have the strength and knowledge to walk that path just as He has planned for me.
For now, I am happy with who I am. Confident in the rebuilding my relationship with God. And I have faith in Him and all he carries me through.
May God bless you in all things you do!
Much love to each and everyone of you!


Manny Pacquiao says gays ‘are worse than animals’, forced to apologise
Manila: Eight-time world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao created quite a stir in his country after saying that people in same-sex relationships “are worse than animals”.
Nearing the end of a glorious decades-long boxing career, the 37-year-old is reinventing himself as a conservative Bible-bearing politician ahead of the country’s May elections, when he is running for a senate seat.
Manny Pacquiao. Pic/AFP
“Do you see animals mating with the same sex? Animals are better because they can distinguish male from female. If men mate with men and women mate with women they are worse than animals,” Pacquiao was quoted as saying by the Guardian on Tuesday.
Vice Ganda, Philippines most popular gay funnyman posted on Twitter hitting back at the boxer saying: “#PrayForMannyPacquiao . Some people think they can judge people like God just because they’ve attended a prayer meeting and read the bible. The senate needs experts on politics and law, not blind prophets.”
There were comments made by other top celebrities too.
Responding to the controversy via social media platform Instagram, Pacquiao initially posted an image of himself with his wife, quoting the Bible and writing: “I rather obey the Lord’s command than obeying the desire of the flesh. I’m not condemning anyone, but I’m just telling the truth of what the Bible says.”
However, the boxer later apologised for his comments saying: “I’m sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for those I’ve hurt. I still stand on my belief that I’m against same sex marriage because of what the Bible says, but I’m not condemning LGBT. I love you all with the love of the Lord. God Bless you all and I’m praying for you.”
Gay marriage is outlawed in the Philippines due to strong opposition from the Catholic Church and 80 per cent of the country’s 100 million people subscribe to the faith.
Gay marriages are officiated at small churches but these unions are not recognised by the church or the state.
Singer Aiza Seguerra, who recently married her actress-girlfriend, called on voters to boycott Pacquiao, who is also preparing for his last boxing fight in April, calling him an “ignorant, bigoted hypocrite”.
“You might have done our country proud but with your statement, you just showed the whole country why we shouldn’t vote for you,” Seguerra said in a post on Instagram.
Pacquiao gave the television interview as part of his campaign for one of 12 seats in the nationally-elected senate. The most recent surveys suggest he would win.
He currently represents his wife’s impoverished home province of Sarangani in the House of Representatives and is notorious for his chronic absences, favouring boxing training over legislation.Share:


I’ll continue my series on Motivations and Reactions in my regularly schedule blog later today. But I thought it would be appropriate to take note of an important launch that is happening TODAY.
I went to a talk about a year ago by my buddy John Olson. John showed a list of the Top Ten best-selling novels of all time. I was a bit surprised to see that PILGRIM’S PROGRESS topped the list. I never much liked that book, to be honest. The big surprise to me was that of the other nine books on the list, the overwhelming majority (6 or 7) were in a category that I don’t read much — fantasy. But I’d read all of those on John’s list and loved them all.
John’s point was that there is something in the fantasy genre that is massively appealing to readers. But there’s something very strange about fantasy. Three of the most popular fantasy series of all time are LORD OF THE RINGS, by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling, and the Narnia series, by C.S. Lewis. All three authors were British authors with a strong background in classics, and all three wrote from a Christian worldview, using well-known Christian themes.
The very strange thing is that Christian publishing in the US has been unable to make fantasy “work” as a genre. Yes, there’ve been isolated successes, but the fact is that Christian fiction is dominated by romance, suspense, and women’s fiction, while fantasy novels are blindingly absent. The quickest way to get a rejection from a Christian publisher is to start out saying, “I’m writing a fantasy…”
You might say, “Who cares? Fantasy is doing pretty darn well in the general market. If Christian readers want to buy fantasy, they can go there.”
This is true, but the whole thing just seems strange. A lot of the young writers I meet these days are writing fantasy. In fact, the MAJORITY of the under-25 Christian writers I meet are writing fantasy. And they all have the same question: Where are they going to get their work published? Something is seriously wrong in the Christian publishing industry.
My friend Jeff Gerke is a huge fan of fantasy, science fiction, speculative fiction, and as he say, “anything weird.” Jeff is also a very accomplished editor who has worked at three Christian publishing houses and has acquired a number of excellent authors. One of his goals is to bring fantasy fiction home–to create a publishing house that does those “weirdo books” from a Christian worldview (which can be a very broad label, if you remember that it includes Tolkien, Lewis, Rowling, and a whole lot more).
Today, Jeff is launching the first three books from his publishing house (Marcher Lord Press). He’s giving out some special incentives for people who buy TODAY. So if you like “weird fiction,” check out his first three books: HERO, SECOND CLASS by Mitchell Bonds, SUMMA ELVETICA, by Theodore Beale, and THE PERSONIFID INVASION, by R.E. Bartlett.
You can take a look at them all here: www.MarcherLordPress.com/store
I dropped by Jeff’s online store today to check them out. All three books look seriously weird.
So I bought them all.


Rethinking Catholicism in Renaissance Spain claims that theology and canon law were decisive for shaping ideas, debates and decisions about key political and religious problems in Renaissance Spain.This book studies Catholic thought during the Spanish Renaissance, with the various contributors specifically exploring the ecclesiology and heresiology of the period. Today, these two subjects are considered to be strictly branches of theology, but at the time they were also dealt with in the field of canon law. Both ecclesiology, which studied the internal structure of the Church, and heresiology, which identified theological errors, played an important role in shaping ideas, debates and decisions concerning the major political and religious problems of the late medieval and early modern periods. In contrast to the conventional monolithic view of Spanish Catholic thought on ecclesiastical matters, the essays in this book demonstrate that there was a wide spectrum of ideas in the field of theology and canon law. The topics analyzed include Church and Crown relations, diplomatic controversies, doctrinal debates on slavery, ecclesiological disputes in dialogue with the Council of Trent, and theories for distinguishing heresies and repressing them. This book will be essential reading for those interested in disciplines such as Church history, political history, and the history of political and legal thought.


Suffer the little children.
Zeus Top-Down Hierarchy Meme
Zeus "God is Husband" Meme
Zeus Greek-Goddesses-being-Average Meme
The altar of the famous British cathedral will adorn the image of the Jesus as a black man
On July 4, the St. Albanian Cathedral, or St. Alban's Cathedral, will reopen its doors to the general public after protracted quarantine activities. But to meet believers and simply curious tourists, he will not be a traditional Christmas scene with the image of the Virgin Mary, but a new painting that symbolizes the solidarity of the clergy with the Black Lives Matter movement for racial justice.
That week, the Archbishop of Canterbury (head of the Church of England) Justin Welby called for a revision of the tradition of portraying Christ as white. According to him, in churches and temples should also appear images of Jesus in the guise of a black, Asian and representative of the Middle East.
Supporting this philosophy, St. Alban's Cathedral in Hertfordshire closes the triptych in its altar until October, dedicated to the Nativity painting, which depicts the Virgin Mary and the Baby surrounded by shepherds and kings.
Instead, visitors to the cathedral will see a high-resolution print of the work of a contemporary artist, which defies the “Western myth” that Jesus looked European.


Church of God Reformation Heritage
The Ohio River swells over its banks, rising higher and higher. At times the noise is deafening as trees pulled down bang against the sides of the barge. Everywhere you look the water is swirling and churning, carrying debris from the local farms, towns, and forests with its currents. The current is swift today, and the next stop is coming up soon. What condition will the town be in? Will we be able to have a meeting? Will we be able to stop at this port? (1)
These are some of the questions and conditions faced by George T. and Lizzie Clayton. It had already been a long journey. George came up with the idea of taking a barge and converting it into a church and living quarters in 1893. The unpowered barge was impressive and its name even more so as it was christened the Floating Bethel. Most impressive though was the message burning in their hearts and the love they had for those living along the rivers.
Things went fairly smoothly as they left port in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania in 1894. The plan was to float down the Ohio River to Cairo, Illinois, where they would then ride the currents of the Mississippi clear down to New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico. The work was exhilarating as they evangelized both sides of the river at every town they could make a landing, but things soon changed.
In January 1895 the rains fell, the snows melted, and the Ohio River began to overflow. The flood stage was around 25 feet, but the river soon reached 36 feet. Itís an eerie feeling to look out and see the river out of its banks swallowing up farms, towns, trees, animals, and even people. Itís hard to keep your bearings as to where the barge should flow. Though nothing was said, what I know about the river and the flooding that takes place, Iím sure they had to make landing and sit for a while. Where that was, I donít know, but Iím sure the impact of their being there so long had a lasting influence on the community.
In my experiences with the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois Rivers which all converge in the area of Alton, IL, just north of St. Louis, everyone pitches in to help each other. You weep over loss and rejoice over victories of pulling someone from the flood waters or being able to sandbag and stop the water from overtaking a home or business. Iím sure it was much the same then.
Once the flood waters receded to a safe level they would bid their new brothers and sisters farewell and start floating toward the next destination. They were blessed in 1896 to have a year of no flooding. Many towns were certainly visited by the gospel team and many lives brought into the fold.
Winter sets in with lots of snow and ice, but they are able to continue the journeys until around February 24, 1897.(2) Again the waters begin to rise. This time they recognize the signs of the floodís arrival and make a safe landing. ďHow long will we be here,Ē I can hear them ask. They had no way of knowing how high the river might get. This time it rose to 38.8 feet. It would be a long stay.
The following year in March of 1898 they once again had to make a long landing as the waters rose even higher than the year before, 44.6 feet. Though it seemed a tough and dangerous journey, and it was, it was a successful journey. New congregations were started and followed the teachings of D. S. Warner and the Church of God. Warner even joined the Claytons on sections of their journey.
Many of these congregations continue to thrive today. The work in establishing these churches produced some of the greatest leaders in the movement, including William Drew, Herbert M. Riggle, Harry Rogers, and W.W. Titley. These men have carried the Church of God message to many more, thus spreading the work far beyond the shores of the Ohio River.
Four years the Floating Bethel carried the message down the Ohio to every town on each side of the river, but though the message was carried far, the Floating Bethelís time ended in December 1898 while she was docked at Moundsville, West Virginia. Fire consumed the Floating Bethel, but not until after the fire of the message had consumed the communities where she had stopped as she carried the gospel team to deliver the gospel message.
During about the same time as the Floating Bethel was along the upper sections of the Ohio River outside Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, another vessel was leaving from another port in Parkersburg, West Virginia, in May 1895. It was a showboat purchased by L. C. and Jeannie Mast. They took the showboat and changed it into the Gospel Ark. Though they did not get the same publicity as the Floating Bethel did, the work was much the same. They too found them- selves facing the same challenges of the flood waters, but continued their mission of evangelizing the cities and towns along the banks of the Ohio River until their journey ended in 1898 in Point Pleasant, West Virginia.
What an enormous impact these two floating churches had on the Church of God Reformation Movement, and what difficult times these two teams must have faced. As I think of this and I think of the floods they faced, the noises of the trees banging against these vessels as the occupants tried to sleep, I see the debris of ruined lives floating in the waters that churned and swirled around them, the questions and worries they faced as they went to people they didnít know to carry the gospel message.
I canít help but wonder, isnít it the same for us today? Are we willing to face the risks? Are we willing to ford the flood waters to carry that message to a nation whose lives have been ruined by sin? What kind of impact will we leave in the wake of the waters we must travel down? I pray we will be strong, knowing our God is with us and face the floods of our times in order to save people from the rising waters. Open the flood gates and let His message flow!
†††††††††††† 2. Note: Flood stage information was found at
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Another Halloween, another year older. This year Kayann wanted to be 20 different things. We ended up deciding on Doc McStuffins. :) Next year I am thinking princess :) Scroll all the way to the bottom to see what Kayann was in 2013 and 2012! I love watching her grow in photographs!
So most people I am sure have heard of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. However I know more of you have heard of That Mormon Church everyone talks about or The Mormons. The Mormon religion is a Christian religion and the name that the people in the church like to go by and prefer is called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. So now that, that's out of the way. I am sure most of you are aware that the church has a missionary program where young men and young women serve the church as missionaries for 18 months for the ladies and 2 years for the guys. I received a phone call last week to photograph a young woman who had been called to serve a mission for the church. She was leaving the following morning to begin her service to the Lord's work. For all missionaries who serve this is an exciting time for them. I was more than happy to go snap some photos of this young woman with her closest friends and family so that she could have some photographs to look back on. The neat thing is a book will also be made out of the images for her to see while she is away on her mission. When you serve a mission, you are completely devoted to the church and the gospel and it's teachings, and sharing that knowledge and testimony with others. In order to serve to the best of your abilities you must follow some rules as a missionary. You are only allowed to call and talk to your family at certain times and for holidays, and you are not able to come home and visit your family while you are serving. You aren't allowed to date anyone or have someone at home you are fully committed too. Also all those people you saw at your missionary farewell, well you won't get to see them until your mission is over. So pictures are a pretty big deal. I mean that's a long time to not see those people who you love and care so much for. So by having photos you have a great memory to look back on plus maybe while you are away having those photos will bring you some comfort in case you get homesick. Most missionaries I have met tend to bury themselves in the Lords work that they don't get homesick or they don't get homesick until the very end. I hope that when this sister looks back at her photos it brings her some joy and happy memories as well as gets her through that one time she misses someone or just home in general. I would like to congratulate Sister Black on her mission call and wish her good luck. I hope the lord blesses this woman in her endeavor while she serves her call.
Crystal Spear is a local photographer from Enumclaw, Wa who specializes in natural light and outdoor photography. She loves photographing, weddings, couples, families, seniors, and much more!


Jacob Jonathan "Jake" Hardin was born on Wednesday, September 2 at 9:12 p.m. He weighed 7 lbs, 2 oz and measured 19.5 inches long. He surprised us by being five days early, weighing 7 lbs, 2 oz (instead of 8 or 9 lbs!) and sporting a head full of honey blonde-brown hair. He is already the light and the love of our lives.
A dozen years have passed since...
I lost my grandma and the future namesake of Gerald & Joan.
I moved to Oxford, Mississippi and into a condo next door to Jonathan Hardin.
Life fell apart and then truly began for me.
I'm not sure how it's possible to lose and gain so much at the very same time, but that happened in August 2003. I never imagined what life would look like a dozen years later, but if I could have picked a story line, this one most definitely would have exceeded my wildest dreams.
For many years, I dreaded this day because it was the most difficult one of my life. After twelve years, I choose to remember it as the start of my new life, one that included my next door neighbor and soon-to-become best friend, husband and father of my child.
As my grandma was ever the optimist, I think she'd want me to remember it that way.
Our nephew, Hudson Glenn Durham, came into the world on Wednesday, July 1 at 10:26 p.m. weighing 8 lbs 3 oz and measuring 20.25 inches long.
His cousin might have been a little jealous during our first cuddle. He kicked a little to remind us that he was present the entire time.
By day three, my mom and sister had already captured Hudson smiling. Doesn't he look like he heard a really funny joke?
He's absolutely perfect in every way. Our family is so, so blessed.
One year ago today, I had surgery to remove precancerous cells from my cervix, and three days later, our dog, Porter, had his second surgery of 2014 to remove a possible mast cell tumor from his side.
It was a tough week for us. At times, 2014 was a tough year for us, but it also gave me and Jonathan the first real opportunity to work through very adult issues on our own. Throughout the ordeal, we found the most comfort in church. After years of visiting different churches infrequently and then the same church frequently, we made a commitment and found ourselves more centered than we'd ever been. Church has been the link that has connected us to God and our community. For people who had previously struggled to find their place in the world, this has been a huge blessing.
I wrote these Bible verses in my prayer journal one year ago this week, so it seemed fitting to share them here today. Today and every day, I count my blessings.


Hello! Welcome to the children's ministry page. We hope you find what you are looking for here at Calloway Heights. We are glad you have visited today and hope to get to know you and your family better sometime soon. Throughout the week, we offer a variety of activities for the children at Calloway Heights Baptist Church.
Sunday School Service: 9:45 AM ; Morning service 10:45 for Super Church. Come and join us on an adventure through the Bible. Sunday and wednesday evenings at 630 are times for children activities as well!


Wednesday Night Supper 4:30 - 5:45
Kids Praise 5:00-6:00
Awana Clubs 6:00-7:30
Adult Prayer & Bible Study 6:00-7:15
Adult Choir 7:15-8:30
View our Calendar for more activities.
Contact Our Church
700 N Citrus Avenue
Crystal River, FL 34428
Welcome to First Baptist Church of Crystal River, Florida
We welcome everyone to our church and fellowship. If you are looking for a loving, caring and Bible preaching church, come and visit us at First Baptist. Our doors are always open. If you have special needs or need someone to pray with you, feel free to call our church office.
The ABC's of Becoming A Christian
- Admit that you have sinned, that you have broken God’s Law.
- Believe that Jesus Christ died for every wrong thing you’ve ever done. Believe that He was buried and rose again on the third day.
- Confess to Jesus that you want Him to forgive you and lead your life.
Are you ready to receive Jesus into your life? Say this prayer, “God, I admit that I have sinned against you. I believe that Jesus died for me and rose again. The best way I know how, I receive Jesus into my life to lead me and save me. Amen.”
Please contact one of our staff so that we may pray with you and help you
understand what it means to becoming a Christian.
A Note From Our Pastor
The hot days of August mark a time for new beginnings. Our teachers and students will soon be making their way back to school with all the challenges of beginning a new grade. Our church is approaching a new fall season with dreams and anticipation of what God is going to do. Keep praying for the search team as they seek God’s guidance in the hiring of our new Minister of Music. Get ready for a new church adventure called “Love Your Neighbor and Share Christ” coming at the end of August. Start praying now about a series of evangelistic meetings coming October 26-28.
Have you found your place in ministry? Have you found the ministry that is right for you? I will be presenting a workshop called “PLACE” on Saturday, August 23, from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon. This workshop will help you learn many things about yourself and will guide you in finding the ministry that is just right for you. The word “PLACE” is an acronym that means the following:
Learning Spiritual Gifts
Connecting Passion to Ministry
Experiences of Life
The Summer Message Series called “Faith Stories” continues during the month of August. We will look at several people in the Bible who stepped out in faith and believed God for their future. I pray that this series will help increase our faith as we trust God for great things both in our personal lives and in the life of our church. This series will get our hearts prepared for all the good things that God wants to do in our church this fall. The message series includes the following stories:
August 3 David
August 10 The Roman Centurion
August 17 Simon Peter
Thinking about joining our church family? The next New Members Class is Saturday, September 20th from 8:30 a.m. until 12:00 noon. You can sign-up in the Relational Center. Get ready for a great fall season!
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6)


I'm going to end today with a thought for you all to ponder.
Where would you be today, right now, without the Bible?
I'm including a video below and it's about how precious the Bible is to people who don't have access to them. John Bechtel was a missionary to China, and he tells a story about the T-Shirt Bible he made to give to a Christian Chinese woman. It's an amazing story. I hope you take the time to watch it. Don't take the Bible for granted friends. Treasure it, and memorize the Word. :)
Christ's richest blessings to you all,
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.


Sex dating bible passages
Question: "What does the Bible say about dating / courting?" Answer: Although the words “courtship” and “dating” are not found in the Bible, we are given some principles that Christians are to go by during the time before marriage.What should I do if I cannot decide who I should be dating?
Also, we are not to defile our bodies by having premarital sex (1 Corinthians 6:9, 13; 2 Timothy ).
) “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:” (1 Thes.
4:3) “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;” (Eph.
Within its pages, there is a lot of useful advice on a wide range of topics like commerce, culture, government, worship, and even relationships.
Nowadays, it’s hard to find a trusted source with great counsel on the matters of love, adultery, fornication/sex, forgiveness, and marriage.


|First Congregational United Church of Christ
worshipping in unity with First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
|900 Hodgson Street + Eureka CA
95503 + 707-445-5488
"The Ark" for Children + Wheelchair
|No matter who you are...
No matter where you are on life's journey...
YOU ARE WELCOME HERE!
10:30 a.m. Sundays
What to expect
What we believe
Where we are:


Charter Organization Because the aims and purposes for St. Joseph Marello youth are in harmony with Scouting’s, we may make use of the Boy Scouts of America’s educational resource program. The Boy Scouts of America makes its program available by issuing a charter for each unit (Cub Scout pack, Boy Scout troop, Varsity Scout team, Venturing crew) the parish decides to operate. Thus, the parish may have one or more charters from the Boy Scouts of America for one or more Scouting units. This charter authorizes the parish to make use of the Scouting program as a part of its total youth ministry, under leadership the parish has selected, for all youth who want to join.
Charter Org Representative The chartered organization representative’s primary responsibilities are to help units to be successful and to provide coordination between the chartered organization and Scouting. They head the “Scouting ministry” at the parish and are responsible for the success of its Scouting units.
Memorandum of Understanding The Sacramento Catholic Diocese requires that Scouting units meeting in church facilities sign an agreement with the parish to establish a framework of cooperation that defines the relationship between the troop and parish. Each party to the agreement makes a number of commitments. For example, the first five of fifteen specific obligations for the scout units are:
- Respect the values and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and the policies, objectives, aims and practices of the diocese and associated Catholic institution;
- Assist in meeting those objectives through appropriate programming for youth ages 5‐17, and through participation in available diocesan youth programs and activities;
- Promote and provide support for the achievement of religious recognition awards available through their national organization or affiliates (i.e. Boy Scouts of America, National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry);
- Work to achieve unit/troop excellence awards where offered by affiliated national Catholic organization (i.e. “National Catholic Unit Excellence Award”, National Catholic Committee on Scouting, www.nccs-bsa.org);
- Screen and approve adult leaders and other volunteers in accordance with Scouting policies and procedures and the policies and procedures of the diocese and Catholic institution;
The Memorandum is renewed annually, and may be reviewed HERE.


I’m strangely drawn to the Temple Church in the small village of Temple in the parish of Blisland on Bodmin Moor. I love visiting ancient churches anyway but churches that have a Templar connection are of special interest to me.
I’m a bit obsessed with anything to do with the Knights Templar. Especially the Knights Templars connection to Cornwall.
I’ve been here a few times recently. I don’t need much of an excuse to go to Bodmin Moor and every time I do I pop into the Templar Church.
I’m fascinated by what went on here hundreds of years ago. I think it’s part of getting older, I’m 45 now and I have definitely developed a voracious appetite for Cornish history especially anything that involves the Knights Templars activities in Cornwall.
Something odd happened while I was filming inside the Templar Church on my last visit. In certain parts of the church, I picked up strange audio interference on my iPhone XS. It didn’t happen all over the church just certain parts. Nothing like that has ever happened before. I know my iPhone is in perfect working order so I really can’t explain what was going on. It’s the reason why I removed the ambient sound from the video because the static interference sound being produced was just too annoying to listen to. Spooky!
Where is Temple Church?
Temple Church is set in a beautiful location on Bodmin Moor.
If you are planning a visit to the church it’s also well worth spending some time exploring Bodmin Moor. There’s so much to see and do and the scenery is absolutely spectacular at any time of year.
History of the Templar Church
Temple Church is Grade II listed. It was built around 1120 on land that was owned by the Knights Templar. It used to be a place where marriages could be performed without the necessary ‘banns’ or ‘licences’, much liked Gretna Green.
This ended around 1744 when the church came under episcopal jurisdiction. Eventually, the church fell into disrepair and the final church service took place in 1882. It was rebuilt the following year by Silvanus Trevail and was dedicated to St Catherine.
If you are in a rush you can watch this 60-second video of my recent trip to Temple Church, Temple, Bodmin Moor.
View this post on Instagram
Further Information about Temple Church
- GENUKI entry for Temple
- The History of Temple Church (PDF)
- Temple Church (from Church Plans online)
- About the Church
Looking for somewhere to stay in and around Bodmin Moor?
Are you looking for accommodation in Bodmin Moor? You can use this handy search tool powered by Booking.com to find your accommodation.


Thursday, January 24, 2008
What am I Doing for God Today?
Here's something that's close to my heart many times.Stories of foreign missions,of inner city outreaches etc. always sound so inspiring and we tend to think Yeah,that's where lots of God's work is done or we tend to wait for some dramatic moment to do some great work for God.But what about right where we live? Do we care that we've lived next door to a family and never gone to meet them? Do we care that we don't know most of the families on our street,or our neighborhood? Do we? Or do we wait for some big moment,some trip to be of service to our fellow humans,people who have needs just like you and me? Shouldn't we be just as concerned that the real Gospel in all its simplicity be preached close to home? A challenge that can take courage as well. Marcella


When I started this great ride across the country, I knew that it would be more than physical. It was to be an emotional and spiritual journey as well.
Most visibly, I’ve changed physically. I’ve dropped from a high of 214 pounds in January to 188 pounds in July. At the same time, my legs have become insanely strong: able to climb several mountains in a day at speed, and to do so on consecutive days over a long period of time. My heart is stronger. Even at the height of marathon training, I never had a resting heart rate in the low 50s like I currently have. In addition to the changes in my body, I’ve started an experiment of giving up meat that’s now about a month long and seems to be going strong.
Less visible, but readily apparent to myself, I’ve changed emotionally. Prior to my trip, I was stressed about the IPO, merger, and leadership transition at GrubHub. I was frustrated about the trends that go along with a company getting larger and going public: an unhealthy shift of the pendulum towards shareholder returns and public perception to the detriment of employee benefit. I’m still frustrated by those changes, but I can also accept that in some ways it isn’t personal. Further, I can be honest with myself in realizing I’m culpable for those changes as well: I could have more effectively fought for the principles I believed in if I had been less selfish in getting my own interests served (for example, transitioning out quickly to move on to the next phase of my own life).
The most ethereal of the changes has been the spiritual journey. It has been a slow change, composed of imperceptible increments. At various points on the trip, I have taken inventory to see if I’ve learned anything profound. No great lightning strikes of insight have shifted my world view to the accompaniment of angelic choirs. But as the physical boundary representing the end of the journey approached, my mind sharpened on these deeper issues. Conversations with people, both strangers, and my new close friends Paul and Terry have taken deeper turns.
The common element of my conversations on this trip is that I’ve had an abundance of time. I learned that when one of the participants in a conversation has the time to listen, the nature of those conversations tends towards the profound.
Strangers opened their hearts to me in Virginia and Kentucky after just moments of conversation. Their rapid revelations hint at a desire for community. A desire for confession. A desire to have their troubles shared. A desire to be known.
Two friends from my “real life” joined me for a week each. With the distractions of work and the busyness of life left behind, we had conversations searching for answers to deeper questions. These conversations revealed a desire for deeper connections in community. Even in long term friendships, there exists a latent desire to move away from superficiality, politeness, and boundaries.
I also made some new friends on the trip who have become very important to me. New friends and traveling companions have marveled at the beauty of this world around us as we cycle through it at 10 miles per hour. We’ve struggled to find the words and capture the images of the beauty around us. In our best moments, we surrendered the desire to document and understand our surroundings. We simply perceived. And a deep and abiding peace entered our hearts in these fleeting moments. Maybe only 20-30 minutes out of the 75 days of this trip. Well worth the cost.
Of all my conversations, both inwardly, and with my traveling companions, the most important to me has been the exploration of faith and doubt. I’ve often marveled, and perhaps envied, the evangelical Christian completely cemented in their beliefs and emotionally overflowing with joy. I’ve also had a perplexed respect for the peaceful atheist: that rare individual who is comfortable with the clockwork nature of the universe who shows their peace by following an admirable moral code without the need to attack other individuals of belief.
But for myself, and I suspect most other people, faith and doubt exist in a complex counterpoint. They are not mutually exclusive, nor are they polar opposites. Both faith and doubt exist on several levels: rational, emotional, and something deeper. On this journey, that something deeper has been experiential. And this journey has been long on experiences.
I’ve felt the charge of adventure on the cusp of the Atlantic ocean.
I’ve seen the majesty of snow capped mountains grandly emerging from a docile plain.
I’ve seen the fragile delicacy of a hummingbird moth living on the precarious life of a desert flower.
I’ve shrunk from the total darkness of a cave several hundred feet underground.
I’ve been humbled at a memorial cemetery by long rows of men who died to create a better life for future generations
I’ve reveled in the simple joy of a superbly prepared breakfast.
I’ve exulted in the growing strength of my own body.
I’ve tread in the footsteps and wagon ruts of pioneers that have come before me on this very path.
I’ve experienced the kindness of strangers that speaks of a bone deep desire for connection and love.
I’ve witnessed the nobility of a proud elk stag in the quiet of a still morning.
I’ve felt the desolate serenity of the high desert in the pink of an evening sunlight.
I’ve groaned at the prospect of an unexpected additional 15 miles of torturous hills after an already brutal day of climbing.
I”ve sung and Seussed.
I’ve saved turtles from certain doom.
I’ve had a tearful moment with a couple of Brits on a pub crawl.
I’ve met some very kind and completely crazy folks along the way.
I’ve heard a peace that surpasses understanding unexpectedly at the top of a long hot hill in Missouri.
I’ve crossed the Mississippi with a close friend on my bike with a police escort.
I’ve experienced an Atomic Pie Bomb.
I’ve crossed the Continental Divide nine times on my bike.
I’ve donated a pint of blood to mosquitos.
I’ve staggered in the awesome power of a tornado forming over the Kansas plain.
I’ve ridden my bike across the United States.
In the sum of all of these experiences, the pendulum swings to ‘Yes’ in answer to the questions: “Does God exist? Does He care? Does it matter?” This answer is neither completely confirmed by rational thought, nor is reached by the suspension of scientific reason. It isn’t just a good “feeling,” nor does it sit well with my reaction to the horror of some events of this world. This answer, call it faith, exists concurrently with my doubts.
On one of the final days of my trip I read a church marquee with one of my favorite verses from the bible. It is in Micah and it reads: “What does God require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God”. My journey has taught me two things relevant to this verse. The deeply personal and meaningful experiences of this trip point to the personal nature of the word “your” in this verse. And my doubts exist in harmony with the humility powerfully exhorted here.
Again, I reflect that this journey has been physical, emotional, and spiritual. The peace I feel at the completion parallels the varied nature of the journey itself. My understanding of faith and doubt existing simultaneously has brought me a measure of spiritual peace. The time to enjoy the beauty of this country has composed in me an emotional peace. The strenuous exercise and physical challenge has built a physical peace. And so then, this has been my journey:
I began on the Atlantic, and I ended in Peace.


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Published: Tuesday 05th of December 2017|F


Anush A. John
Seven Lingering Days - Noah and the Flood
A Sermon on Noah and the Flood
Flood in the Kessennuma region.
Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made.”
In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened.
Mount Ararat (https://leipsanothiki.blogspot.com/2014/02/247.html)
Evidence of it being an actual event
1. Geological evidence
a. Coconino sandstone deposits on the red mudstone of the hermit shale layer.
b. Whale fossils in the Miocene Pliocene Pisco formation
2. Cultural evidence
a. Traditions of Western Asia, including the Chaldean, the Phoenician, the Phrygian, the Syrian, and the Armenian stories;
b. Traditions of Eastern Asia, including the Persian, Indian, and Chinese;
c. Traditions of the American Nations—the Cherokee, various tribes of Mexican Indians, and Fiji islands.
d. Traditions of Greek Nations.
1. Righteousness – in the face of wickedness.
But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.
Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation.
Noah walked with God.
2. Obedience – in the face of ridicule.
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.
Does God speak to you today?
Are we in a position to hear if He told us something completely opposite to what we think is right?
To hear God more clearly, we have to walk with Him more closely.
3. Preaching – in the face of failure.
2 Peter 2:5
if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others;
2 Peter 3:9, 15 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. … Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation…
1 Peter 3:20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built….


Sleeping Giant Build Receives Gift from the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal
Sleeping Giant Build, a community build under Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven, has been fortunate to receive donations for several years from the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal in the Archdiocese of Hartford. This fall, they received a donation of $10,000, the largest donation to date. Sleeping Giant Chair Arnie Cary and Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven Board Member Don Deloge accepted the donation from Archbishop Leonard P. Blair at a ceremony this past September. Funds are distributed from the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal based on recommendations from local parishes. Clergy at Divine Mecy Parish in Hamden have submitted Sleeping Giant Build for several years. Sleeping Giant Build used these funds as part of their sponsorship of 55 Redfield Street, the Hickman family’s home, which was dedicated in October. Thank you to Divine Mercy Parish and the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal for helping to fund Sleeping Giant Build’s tenth Habitat home!


We’re the Swartzfagers. The Footprints farmers. Like any great story, ours starts with love. Love for our Creator. Love for our family. Love for our purpose…
About nine years ago, we realized our purpose was to work this land God has given us and to use it to create healthy food, and as a result, healthy people.
Jeremy: I love to learn old farming techniques and wish in many ways I could have lived in the 1880’s. All my life I have enjoyed studying nature and learning about how to restore health to creation; harnessing and managing the energy provided by the sun to grow healthy plants and animals all while caring for our soil for the next generations.
Ellen: Hi there. I’m Ellen. The lady of the farm. My husband calls me the animal whisperer extraordinaire. That’s because I love animals. And they love me. One of my favorite parts of this whole thing is getting to see firsthand, every day, God’s handiwork come to life all around me. In the animals, in the food, in the land. I love Jesus, homesteading, working hard and making my hubby proud, seeing my kids work the farm with their daddy, volunteering with teens in our church, taking slow walks… The days are long and the work is hard, but I’d say I’m pretty blessed to be living the life of a farmer.
Elsie: This is Elsie. Our oldest. And, currently, our best farmhand. Elsie loves helping with the chickens. She loves to chase them. And she is really good at catching them. She collects eggs every day with Mommy and Daddy. She is a pro at taking care of the baby chicks. And when we need to find duck eggs, Elsie is the girl for the job. When she’s not helping with the farm animals, Elsie likes to use her vivid imagination with fort building and going on adventures.
Isaac: This is Isaac, our big boy. Even at his young age, his is already a gadget guy. He has a high affinity for power tools, just like his daddy. One of his favorite things to do is take shoulder rides (if you ever meet him, just be prepared to give him a free ride!). He loves to help cut and gather firewood. And he is the little man to ask for help with shoveling.
Hannah: This is Hannah, our fun and fearless baby girl. This girl truly isn’t afraid of a thing! She’s a big helper on the farm. She loves to catch chickens, carry firewood and pick vegetables from the garden. Her favorite? Harvest time for our lunch box peppers. Somehow, though, her bucket is always empty. And her mouth is always covered in pepper juice.


Joseph Tests His Brothers
44 Then he commanded pthe steward of his house, q“Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the mouth of his sack, 2 and put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, with his money for the grain.” And he did as Joseph told him.
3 As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away with their donkeys. 4 They had gone only a short distance from the city. Now Joseph said to his rsteward, “Up, follow after the men, and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good? … ’”And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. 13 Then they wtore their clothes, and every man loaded his donkey, and they returned to the city.
… 16 And Judah said, “What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? Or how can we clear ourselves? God has found out zthe guilt of your servants; behold, we are amy lord’s servants, both we and he also in whose hand the cup has been found.” 17 But he said, “Far be it from me that I should do so! Only the man in whose hand the cup was found shall be my servant. But as for you, go up in peace to your father.”
18 Then Judah went up to him and said, b“Oh, my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s ears, and clet not your anger burn against your servant, for dyou are like Pharaoh himself. 19 My lord asked his servants, saying, ‘Have you a father, or a brother?’ …’ 22 We said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, hhis father would die.’ 23 Then you said to your servants, i‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall not see my face again.’
… 25 And when jour father said, ‘Go again, buy us a little food,’ 26 we said, ‘We cannot go down. If our youngest brother goes with us, then we will go down. For we cannot see the man’s face unless our youngest brother is with us.’ 27 Then your servant my father said to us, ‘You know that my wife bore me ktwo sons. 28 One left me, and I said, l“Surely he has been torn to pieces,” and I have never seen him since. 29 If you mtake this one also from me, nand harm happens to him, you will bring down my gray hairs in evil to Sheol.’
30 “Now therefore, as soon as I come to your servant my father, and the boy is not with us, then, as his life is bound up in the boy’s life, 31 as soon as he sees that the boy is not with us, he will die, and your servants will bring down the gray hairs of your servant our father with sorrow to Sheol. 32 For your servant became a pledge of safety for the boy to my father, saying, o‘If I do not bring him back to you, then I shall bear the blame before my father all my life.’ 33 Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the boy as a servant to my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers. 34 For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I fear to see the evil that would find my father.”
WHAT A MESS! AND ALL OVER FOOD?


We can arrange both Anglican and Catholic Church weddings for you here in Cyprus. Anglican weddings are the most popular, and it isn’t necessary to have your Banns read before the wedding as is the case in the UK. Anglican weddings can take place in any of the local churches and also at selected wedding venues such as hotels and private venues which have been approved by the church office, so if your dream is to have a wedding outside in the sun, we are able to arrange this for you. It is possible to have an Anglican wedding if either or both the bride and groom have been divorced. Catholic church weddings are a little more complicated to arrange as the church requires each couple to go through the prenuptial enquiry process with their local priest, so you should allow 6 months to complete this process and the necessary paperwork. Catholic weddings can only take place in a church and must be preceded by a civil ceremony which can take place in one of the local Town Halls, either on the morning of the wedding day or the day before whichever you prefer.
This is an extremely popular venue for both Anglican or a Catholic church weddings so early booking is essential in order to secure your chosen date. This beautiful modern chapel is located in an elevated position next to St Georges Hotel in Chloraka. The chapel has stunning decorative frescoes covering the entire inside of the chapel and can hold up to 30 seated guests and no more than 40 people comfortably so is ideal for the smaller wedding parties. Catholic services are held on Monday and Tuesday of each week, and Anglican services on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of each week.
This Byzantine style church was built around the 13th century and is a very popular venue for both an Anglican and Catholic Church Wedding ceremony. Known in Cyprus as Ayia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa it is steeped in history and is surrounded by the ancient ruins and mosaics of previous churches offering a stunning setting for the wedding photographs. The church can hold up to 110 guests so is ideal for the bigger weddings. Anglican services are held on Monday & Tuesday, and Catholic services on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of each week.
This beautiful chapel is located right by the sea in the heart of the tourist area close to the hotels. It is the iconic image of a blue roofed church by the sea for stunning church weddings virtually on the beach. The church is surprisingly large inside and can easily hold a party of 50-60 guests. There is an additional 200 Euro hire fee payable to the Greek Orthodox Church who donate this to local charities. If you want a combination of church and beach then this venue definitely has it all!
A number of local hotels have chapels in their grounds which can also be used for a church weddings, please ask for further details…


On Easter Sunday, the most holy day of the Christian calendar, marking the resurrection of Jesus that the faithful say took place three days after his crucifixion. Believers attend religious services all around the world- whether among the packed crowds before the new pope in St. Peter’s Square, Italy or at sunrise service in India or at churches flanked by blast walls and security cordons in Iraq.
Not all Easter celebrations are strictly religious. Hundreds of New Yorkers are expected to participate in the annual Easter Parade that features the city’s residents clothed in the best finery topped with elaborate millinery creations.
Pakistani Christian girls, decorate their hands with bangles and henna as they celebrate Easter holiday following a mass at Islamabad.
South Korea, children exchange decorative eggs to celebrate Easter day. Whilst the adults pray for peace, during the annual Easter service.
Indian Christians light candles and prey beside the graves of their loved ones, as they observe Easter.
In Rome, Italy Pope Francis delivers the ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing at the end of his first Easter mass in St Peters Square.
United Kingdom, families unite in their Sunday best outfits to attend church services, followed by a traditional Sunday roast dinner. Many events are held for children such as Easter bonnet making and Easter egg hunts. Hot cross buns are also eaten around this time!
New Jersey, US people attended an early sunrise Easter service inside the Music Pier building in Ocean City.
In Jerusalem’s Old City, nuns and locals gathered for Easter mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Christ.
Iraq held Easter mass in churches with blasted walls and cordoned off by security cordons, attendees also had to be searched by police before entering.
Filipino devotees held candles at dawn, during the traditional Easter Sunday ritual of meeting of the ‘Risen Christ’ and ‘Mother mary’ held at Santo Domingo Church, North of Manila, Philippines.


I pray now a prayer unlike You’ve heard from me yet. Let my prayer be felt in Your heart, not heard in Your ears. Let me be known to You, in all that I am, all that I’ve felt, all that I’ve felt or cared for. Let this be the prayer in which You knew me, and I knew You.Let there be poetry, let there be visions, let there be Father and child here. Let me speak true and speak void of self with an honest heart.
Father I long for a day that sets the numbers aside. The number arrives and I wake, the papers show a number that comes short of the goal for an entity that men have devised. The banks that caption my worth within imaginary money, Father I’m tired of it. I’m exhausted.
The numbers can’t speak to how well I do at raising a child. The numbers don’t speak to the selflessness of my heart. Numbers cannot relate to my love and my compassion. Yet this culture, these people, this world asks that I lay all aside in favor of the numbers. Well I don’t love the numbers. I have no heart for them.
I hear the words of Your messenger. He instructs us to give it all away and follow Him. Yet those that claim to speak on His behalf today are the most prominent proponents of the numbers. How is it that the man who speaks out against the Pharisees is now spoken for by Pharisees?
Yeshua tells us to serve only one master, yet these people speak of a nation more highly than You. They sell nothing and they go against his parables, burying their belongings rather than investing them. And the size of their hoardings is heralded by these people and their nation. My Father these are not Your people. They cannot be, it could never be. Their vanity shows this.
I live among a lie. I live among a people that love false, invisible entities. If they own much, they say “I am blessed.” Why don’t they say “I am a unaware,” or “I serve another master”? And they believe it. It’s truth to them.
Father, to know You in the midst of all this is the most difficult of things. You said that I would be hated for You. And I can see that I will be hated. I am woeful that those who will hate me are those that most firmly believe they do it in Your name. Protect and further this message Father. Let us all soon return to the values of love, and begin our rejection of the numbers and our makings. Let the Pharisees of today be called out for who they are. Provide me with joy, no matter the circumstances. Let me know You, let me be with You, and show me the way to make You proud.
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Caring for the special needs orphans and abandoned children of Ethiopia with the love of Christ.
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meals provided to children every year
current orphans in care
assisted impoverished children every year
Our mission is to provide Christ-like care to abandoned, special needs and orphaned children as well as severely impoverished children and mothers in Ethiopia. Our first priority is to keep children with their parents and families through sponsorship, training and micro-grants for income generating activities. However, when family preservation is not possible, we care for children in family-like environments of love, care and compassion. Our homes provide the best and most attentive care for unwanted children who have special needs as well as children without special needs.
Our vision is to create and empower self-sufficient and productive members of society that were once orphaned, abandoned or impoverished. We seek to provide the best care in order to raise our children into educated and compassionate leaders as well as prevent children orphaned.
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“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”


Piedmont Christian Home began its tradition of care in 1965. The Home was established by Ben and Irene Hunt and the first residents were admitted on June 21, 1965.
Mr. Hunt had been in the Christian church ministry all of his adult life. A series of health problems forced him to find another way of ministering to the needs of people. Piedmont Christian Home is the result of his search for a way to continue to serve.
During the first years, Mr. and Mrs. Hunt lived on the property, ate their meals in the facility dining room, and were directly involved with the care of the residents. A pattern of concern was begun during those years which continues to the present. In 1995, members of the Hunt family assumed the responsibility of continuing to offer concerned care in a secure, homelike atmosphere.


We believe Scripture calls us to share Christ with people locally, nationally and internationally to bring people into a life changing relationship with Him.
Missions supported by FOR
Pikes Peak Association
Southern Baptist Convention
Springs Rescue Mission
Salvation Army Medical Support Fund - New Hope Center
Salvation Army Meals
His Healing Light Ministries
Missionaries supported by FOR
Phillips (African Inland Mission International)
Louie Schmitz - Uncharted Waters
Andrew Powell - Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Josh Gregory - Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Mike and Michelle Chapman - Cru
Katie Knight - InterVarsity
Ed Ross - Young Life
If you would like to apply for a One Time Event Support click here.
If you would like to apply for a Missionary Support Application click here.


Welcome to the website of Tressler Mennonite Church.
We are a fellowship of Christians of all ages and a common belief that Jesus Christ is central to our faith and practice, and that his life, death and resurrection has brought us new life and peace with God. Some attenders are members, and some aren’t; some have been Mennonites their entire lives and others are newer to the denomination.
Who are Mennonites?
Mennonites are among the Christian groups that split from the Catholic Church in the 1500s during the Protestant Reformation. They shared with the other Protestant groups an insistence on the Bible as a foundation for doctrine, above church authority.
Mennonites emphasize nonviolence and love for their enemies, obedience to God over secular authorities, and the importance of living out the teachings of Jesus in daily life.
Within that tradition, there’s a lot of variety. Some groups emphasize a life of simplicity and separation from the world, dressing in plain clothing and staying out of politics. They are often confused with Amish, leading to the stereotype of horses, buggies and beards. Others don’t have a distinctive way of dressing and embrace social activism.


I wonder what proportion of remaining members realize that the church they knew for so long has been hijacked by extremists pushing non-religious-related nonsense such as anti-Israelism and anti-Semitism.
Ms. Tindal goes on to explain that she, yes, "cares for creation," drives a Smart car and, God love her, wants to "build a safe place for people to be fully themselves. That means safe enough to bring differing opinions without fear of attack or blame."
This, remember, is the same United Church that presented background material just a few weeks ago questioning whether Jewish MPs were genuinely Canadian and arguing that Jewish groups had bribed politicians with free vacations in Israel.
I'm sure Jews and Christian supporters of Israel feel wonderfully safe and cuddly in such company.
New ministers have arrived, made people feel unwanted because they refuse to embrace secular leftism, and then the churches are closed down.
Of course, all churches have their own problems with extremists infiltrating and hijacking their agendas.
The members need to awaken to this reality and take a closer look at their ministers, priests, etc., who say suddenly strange things that don't seem to have anything to do with the Bible and sound suspiciously like positions and talking points already being spewed by the Far Left and the Big Media.
Churches are supposed to be places of worship, not policital activism and hatemongering. Yet there have been aggressive folks who infiltrated and hijacked them for such purposes. Oh, yeah, that's in addition to those "priests" we've heard about who entered the priesthood with the hidden agenda of sodomizing little altar boys... those are just one example of such corruptors within.
It's no surprise that the Devil would send some of his minions to corrupt the churches from within. It's what such an evil entity would do.
Church members have every right and every interest in maintaining (or restoring) the sanctity of their houses of worship. They must begin to demand scrupulousness of their ministers, priests, etc., and stop trying to "embrace all ideologies" by letting just anyone become ministers, priests, etc., without undergoing an intrusive background check and intensive interviewing as to their many positions and as to what they would do if they become clergy (will they stick to the real job of clergy, or do they plan to abuse their positions to spew secular-left-wing political propaganda?).
Corrupt clergy ought to be fired and excommunicated for their sins and crimes which harm the churches and the public image of Christianity.
Politics and foreign ideologies ought to be banned from houses of worship.
Churches have every right to be outwardly active, but the outside world has no business intruding into the churches and telling their members to think and believe things that have nothing to do with the religion and the Bible.


Pictured from left to right are the hostesses of the baby shower held at First Baptist Church Sevierville. Jessica Brewer, Cynthia Grantham, Lisa Wyrick, Rebecca Latta, Candy Ward, Karen Price and Laura Boling.
Since 1990, the Women’s Care Center of Sevier County, Inc. (WCC) has served women and their families in the greater Sevier County area facing unintended pregnancies by offering free pregnancy tests, education, resources, community referrals and peer-counseling. Countless families have benefited from one-time donations of diapers, formula or baby clothes in emergency situations. To further assist expectant women parenting classes, peer-counseling, mentoring and prayers are provided by volunteers and staff who have taken on the challenge to provide life-changing hope to each person who comes through the door. The WCC has been providing services at the sweet little white house at the intersection of 304 Eastgate Road, Park Road and Belle Avenue in Sevierville since 2001. A new journey now begins for the WCC.
With great excitement, the WCC is pleased to announce the opening of a second center that is located at 118 Marine Way in Seymour, TN. Opening day was February 2, 2015, and the same free services are being provided as at the Sevierville center. Plans are to convert the pregnancy resource center to a pregnancy medical center later this year. “The mission of the WCC is to engage in the life of the community by empowering individuals and families to make healthy, life-affirming choices regarding pregnancy and reproductive health,” stated Billie Jeanne Peattie, Chairman of The Board of Directors for the WCC.
The community has rallied around the opening of the center with the recent acknowledgement of Sanctity of Human Life Sunday that took place on January 18, 2015 where several Sevier County churches joined with congregations across the country to remember National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, a day of observance declared by several U.S. Presidents. President Ronald Reagan designated January 22, 1984 as the first National Sanctity of Human Life Day. In support of the WCC, churches showed an informative video entitled “The Difference Is Life” that stirred the emotions across the county causing several to call the WCC and say they want to become volunteers for the ministry. Many churches took up an offering to assist the WCC to carry out its mission and move toward its vision for the residents of Sevier County.
First Baptist Church of Sevierville took it a step further and held a “Baby Shower” that afternoon where members of the congregation brought baby items to benefit WCC clients. Many of the items will be used in the layettes provided for each expectant mom who participates in the parenting classes throughout her pregnancy.
On January 15, 2015, the WCC held an appreciation dinner to show gratitude to the many community volunteers who helped in the remodeling of the building. The dinner was held at the WCC Seymour location so the volunteers could see “the finished product” before it was opened to the public.
This new journey for the WCC is exciting. Never before has our community had a pregnancy medical resource center. The Seymour Knights of Columbus is holding a fundraising event on April 12, 2015 and will donate all proceeds toward the purchase of an ultrasound machine for the WCC. The WCC is so eager to be able to offer free sonograms to the women who have a positive pregnancy test result.
For more information on the Women’s Care Center of Sevier County, Inc. you may visit them online at www.wccsevier.org or call their Sevierville office at 865.428.4673 or their Seymour office at 865.223.7771.


Greeting in Jesus name the son of the living God . All work together for good to them that love God, Romans 8:28. i am pastor Frederick founder of a church here in West Africa Country , Cote d' ivoire for the purpose of bringing the lost sheep out of darkness into the tremendous light of God in Christ Jesus Mathew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Yes how great is the commission that Jesus gave to us .Haven we received this great commission in our heart , our great vision is to wine soul unto Jesus Christ who by his grace has given us this commission I say may his name be exhorted forever amen.
However, we do not only wine soul unto God , we also believed in the helping ministry ( compassion) of Jesus Christ , John 6:1-10, verse 5When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? for this reason we create the charity home name ( FEED THE NATION) in general our great vision is to wine soul and feed them . For us to accomplish what Jesus said in Mathew 25:35-40 35‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me
In fact this great vision started two year ago ,with to person , but today as write you this mail we are up to 45-50 members . Is that not wonderful ? yes God is great in all is doing . We are into deliverance and healing ministry , we believe in the truth word of God, John 8:32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. we are members of one body of Christ Jesus 1 Corinthian 12:12 .
Although , we received and start this great vision , but the worker are very few, Luke 10:2 , He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field, for this reason we contact you to be a one of the worker in this great vision for the accomplishment of the gospel of Jesus Christ here on earth . For the word said 2 Corintians 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain
We therefore solicit your help for assistance to join us accomplish this great vision , God will bless you amen , remember what the word said in Mark 9:41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. We are very concern to let you know you will not regret your partnership with us for the sake of Christ Jesus .
Sir, you will agreed with me that as a new founded Vision (ministries) It is absolutely normal that we are in need of many things to help us spread this great vision across the globe . 1peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: As a new church we need spiritual and material assistance to be effective in our working with God . We are proud for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ to announce that we are in need of the following Material things like :
1) Bibles , Tracks , Christian Books, Instruments, House rent , land for church building , etc , If God bless you and you want help us kindly find below our contacts address .
I am happy to meet with you , we believe your experience in the work of God will help us in this great vision . We will like to invite to our fourth coming revival program . Tell us if that is possible so that we can include your name as one of the speakers .
I will like to stop here , Please always remember us in your prayer. May God bless you as you help amen.
Hopping to hear from you soon
Solution Chapel Ministry Ci
13 BP 1428 Abidjan 13
Abobo,Abidjan - cote d' ivoire
Tel : 22545284296


I bet you are wondering how in the world Australia has anything to do with our hometown store in Hiram, GA… Well hold on because boy do I have a story for you!
During college my dream was always to do a study abroad. I loved the idea of experiencing a new culture and meeting new people. My bucket list country has always been Australia. Why you may ask? Honestly, I couldn't tell you… there was just a connection to this beautiful country I have never been (plus they spoke English which helped a lot lol). My dream came true in the Fall semester of 2017 where I spent 3 months living in Australia working for a nonprofit organization as a marketing intern. To say it was the coolest experience is an understatement. Naturally, I am a people person and met someone who lived there. We spent 2 years together going back and forth from country to country trying to make things work. After graduating from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelors in Marketing the summer of 2019, I decided it was time for me to spend another 3 months in Australia to see where my life would take me. Don’t get me wrong, it was extremely hard to leave my job I loved, family I would miss dearly, and all of my friends, but I was ready to take on this new chapter of my life.
While there, I struggled finding my place and figuring out how to make a life abroad so I did what I always knew would help: starting digging into the Word and finding a church family to call home. I’m not typically a reader, but boy do I love to learn about God’s love for us and our mission for the Kingdom. On my way home from church one Sunday afternoon, I was reading Francis Chan’s book Crazy Love (side-note: I HIGHLY recommend reading this book). At this time, I was really struggling knowing the person that I thought I wanted to build a life with did not believe in God like I did. Being raised in church and having a deep personal relationship with Jesus, I knew that is what I needed in a husband and I have always dreamed of having as a head of my household. Sitting on the train that Sunday afternoon reading that book, I felt God speaking to me through Francis saying, “Do you choose to love a man or me more?” That question struck me to my core. How can I sit here and say I choose an imperfect human over the Creator of this universe. I couldn’t.
That question right there is what changed it all for me. I knew I couldn't be there any longer and God was calling me back home. To say that was a hard time in my life is an understatement. Here is a man that already doesn’t believe in God and I have to tell him that God is calling me home/not to be with him any longer. It was devastating. After many long nights and tear filled eyes, I was able to come home a week later.
I arrived home just in time for Thanksgiving and all the holidays thereafter. The entire month of December I just kept thinking to myself: Now what?? At this point, I had given up my job, my apartment, moved everything to my parents house because I truly thought I would create a life in Australia. Thankfully, everyone welcomed me home with open arms. My parents let me stay and my old boss was so excited to have me back.
Fast forward to New Year’s Eve, my best friend got engaged to the man of her dreams. I was so thankful I was back home to do all the fun celebratory things that come with planning a wedding. Just a couple of weeks into the new year, we all went wedding dress shopping. That is where she told me she was moving her business out of their current location and into the building behind them. Katie, being the amazing friend she is, said, “Lauren, you have always loved fashion, why don’t you do a boutique in the space we are moving out of. Hiram really needs more clothing stores. Plus, the clothing store we had attached to the salon did so well when it was in that location.” I looked over to her mom (which was the owner of the store Katie was referring to) and said “Dad and I have always said we need another men’s store like y’all had. We need a place for men to come shop for anything they need no matter what size they are… Joy, would you help me if I really look into this”. Being the second mom to me always, of course she said yes.
I was so excited to go home that night to tell my parents all about what we had talked about. To my surprise, they were behind my vision 100%. The next month, I worked relentlessly on the vision for a store that men could feel was theirs. A place they would actually want to stop at. A place where they felt welcomed and at home. A place to call their very own. Doing my due diligence, I created a business plan for the store I had not named yet and presented it to our local Small Business Administration (SBA) coordinator. After the meeting, I was a little down and still didn’t know if this was what God was really calling me to do or if this was another one of Lauren’s life plans. Seconds later, I received a phone call from Joy saying there was a local business closing down and they had all the fixtures I needed to open the store with. If that isn’t God right there, I don't know what is!
I drove straight there and got all the fixtures you see that is still in the store today. I was blown away with just how many times God places people and events in my life to set me forward in this adventure. The next step was to come up with a name.
I had all hands on deck coming up with the perfect name for this store. I wanted it to be something that represented not only the store, but the story of how it came to be. A friend texted me one night with all sorts of names... the last one she sent was Homeward Bound. (Yes, like the children’s movie that I LOVED growing up.) After shortening it to Home Bound, I was sold. That was it. The perfect name for our perfect store that I couldn’t believe God had pieced together. Once that name was spoken, I couldn’t picture it any other way.
With tremendous Faith, support from my amazing Family, and a little Hard Work, Home Bound Apparel was created. I could not have imagined this is what God was leading me to just one short year ago, but boy am I glad He has bigger plans than me. He has blessed me not only with this amazing store, but has also lead me to the love of my life. A man that leads me towards God and pushes me to be the best I can possibly be. He loves me through all the long and crazy hours of being a store owner and is right by my side through it all.
I cannot wait to see how God uses this story of His unconditional love to help others. I am so thankful to be here and can’t wait to serve you all.