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October 2026 Photographer Sandra McKinney Williams

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)

Photographer: Sandra McKinney Williams

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I am a North Carolina artist who grew up in the mountains, where the winners were rough and the days were long. Every Saturday, my father and I would turn on PBS and watch Bob Ross. Those Saturday mornings be became special memories for me, and they are where my love for painting began, although I had always loved our. I didn’t truly discover my passion for painting until about five years ago. My journey began at a tent revival when I went through a prayer line with a friend. when I was touched and asked what I wanted. I ask God for my gift. Many years I have heard that God has special talents for all of us. I believe he gave me that gift with the painting, and I have been painting and teaching ever since. I Paint under the name, TGTG creations, which stands for “To God, The Glory creation’s. My art is my way of honoring the gift God gave me and sharing it with others. For me, painting is more than putting paint on a canvas. It is about FAITH, connections, and sharing the glory of creating something beautiful. Sometimes the gifts we are given are simply waiting for us to ask for them. I’m all things praise HIS name.

Sandra McKinney Williams Williamssandra213@gmail

Note From Karen Ruhl, Editor October is here and is ushering in the Fall Fall is here, the rain has been almost every day for awhile and had made up for a very dry year so far. Do you stay home when its raining??? If you can, get out and take a country drive in the rain. It is a very different perspective, especially when you see the horses and other animals enjoying the rain (not storms, just rain). By now, all of the kids are back in school. And though you may have heard some moaning, they are happy by now eagerly getting to school to play and learn. I encourage you to be sure you take them to the library often to get books they want to read. It makes a great way for them to snuggle in a good chair with a light blanket and read their books. If you or anyone you know wants to write and submit an article for the magazine, please share our email team@faithoneverycorner.com and I will answer them and hopefully add a few new writers soon. This time of year is a great time to put a sweater on, put the fireplace on if it is cool enough where you live, take a pad and pen and write down ideas for your book. It might be your first book or 10th, it is a great way to get started. So put your pen to the paper and get creative! I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support in reading this magazine. Our writers are wonderful people who are dedicated to write for you. God bless you all.. Much love and many blessings, Karen karenruhl12@gmail.com Team@faithoneverycorner.com

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I hope you enjoy the magazine filled with great stories, articles, poetry, and photography. Please read and share, everyone who has contributed has taken time to share their work with you. God Bless You.

Photography throughout is by our featured artist Sandra McKinney Williams Poems ... by John Alexander ... Pages 6-7 A Life Hanging in the Balance ... By Douglas J. Lanzo ... Pages 8-9 Smoke That Thunders: Lessons from Victoria Falls ... by Yvonne M. Morgan ... Pages 10-11 Feeling Neighborly ... by Donna J. Miller.. Page 12-13 Morning Coffee... by Michael E. Wells ... Pages 14-15 Celestial City ... by Irene Surya ... Page 16 Friendship ... Karen Ruhl ... Page 17 Is My Soul Well? ... By Brianna Barrett ... Pages 18-19 When a Little Leaven Enters the Conversation ... By Susan W. Paynter ... Page 20-21 Taking It To The Streets ... By Shara Bueler-Repka ... Pages 22-23 Photos by Sandra ... page 24-25 For The Love Of God ... Andrea Marino ... Page 26-27 God Loves You ... By Linda Castro ... Page 28-29

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FALL IS HERE! LEAVES ARE CHANGING AND IT IS GETTING A LITTLE COOLER. IT IS A GREAT TIME TO TAKE YOUR CAMERA FOR A DRIVE!

PHOTO BY Karen Ruhl

Fall is here and the trees are changing fast. If we get heavy wind and rain, the leaves won’t last long - soooo - when you get time, get out and take a drive. It is amazing living so close to the Blue Ridge Parkway. You could go up every day and spend time just “ooooing” and “ahhhhing,” as you stop at the overlooks and see everything from miles away and at some spots, you can see Grandfather Mountain standing high above you. My plans are to try to get out on the weekends with my trusty camera and lenses and find a friend or two to go with me for a photo ride. The difference between a normal ride is hearing this, “Stop, Go Back, Oh, I have to get a picture of that barn, or horse, or lake.” Yep, it becomes a very exciting time for all of us in the car that has a camera - and who doesn’t anymore with cell phones..right! So my advice, is to load up the car, take a cooler with your soft drinks, and head out for some of the best times you will have with your family and friends looking at the beauty around you. And, please, don’t tell me there is nothing around you to take photos of, God created every inch of the world and when you look around, you will starting saying, “Stop!!” Enjoy.

Page 6 HOPE AND JOY

John Alexander It’s hard to believe it’s already October. Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner. The porches will soon be adorned with pumpkins, corn stalks, and all things fall. Before the days get busy with the two big holidays I pray you’re able to have a respite, a time to relax a little, a time to pray and refresh your spirit. I’m sharing some of my more recent poems and pray they’re a blessing to you as you are reading this issue of Faith on Every Corner. These poems along with others are also on my YouTube channel as music videos for you to enjoy. Blessings, John Alexander https://quiettimerhymes.com/ John Alexander YouTube Channel @johnalexander3206

I pray for the sunshine, some joy in your life, Rays full of hope for a respite from strife. I pray that the hope can emerge as a song, A joy that endures when the world seems so wrong. First words, then some notes, give a rhythm a start, Form a song that emerges from deep in your heart. A song to express what you’re feeling inside, The joy in your heart and a hope that abides. No longer in darkness, a long endless night, A new day has dawned, and in hope you delight. So many new pathways you have to explore, A life full of promise, to learn how to soar. A time to stretch wings and to fly like a dove, Spreading your joy, fill the world with your love.

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ALL YOUR DAYS

DAYS OF OLD

I pray that your good days outnumber your bad. I pray that your happiness outweighs your sad. I pray that the sunshine can break through the haze. I pray you find joy in your heart all your days. I pray that your joy can erupt as a smile, One that stays with you and lasts for a while, Spreading to others you pass on the street, Those you may know and the ones you will meet. I pray you are blessed every day of your life, That joy may persist in the midst of your strife. May your journey be fruitful, your pathway be long. May your focus be clear and your confidence strong. I pray you see beauty in all that you find, May you always have joy in your heart, soul, and mind.

I often find wonder in what is now old, Sometimes a bit tarnished but valued like gold. Those that hold mem’ries of times in the past, Preserved to be cherished, those shadows they cast. A church on a hillside, freshly painted in white, Stained glass in the windows, that glow in the light. Old buildings with hist’ry of folks long ago, The tales they could share that we’d all love to know. Old items and buildings unable to share, Inanimate objects unable to care, Cannot hold a candle to folks still alive, Filled with experience, how they survived. Hold onto the memories, don’t hesitate. Spend time with the old folks before it’s too late. Such wisdom and knowledge passed down we can learn. Take time to listen, to hear and discern.

Page 8 A Life Hanging in the Balance By Douglas J. Lanzo

An award-winning poet and author, 603 of Doug’s poems have found homes in 79 literary journals and 9 anthologies across the US, Canada, Caribbean, England, Wales, Austria, Mauritius, India, Japan and Australia. Doug’s debut novel, The Year of the Bear, was named Ames 2023 Best YA Book of the Year and a Finalist for the Hawthorne Prize. His second book, I Have Lived, was named American Book Fest’s Best Novella of 2024. Doug resides in Chevy Chase, Maryland with his wife and twin son poets, enjoying nature, basketball and visiting historical places. His and his sons’ website is located at www.douglaslanzo.com.

“I just felt within myself that God was going to spare his life. That belief became reality.” — Officer, Bishop and Senior Pastor, Antonio Richardson

Two other officers approached asking him to intervene, hoping the part-time pastor could avert tragedy at the scene.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalms 34:18 (NIV) In tribute to Jesse Owens, named the greatest athlete of the first half of the 20 th Century

For forty minutes he called out telling him how much he cared and how much his loved ones would hurt if his precious life were not spared.

Called by emergency dispatch to direct traffic one night, he beheld a young man on edge about to jump out of sight. At a height of fifty meters above dark waters below, the man’s life hung in the balance — unknown which way it would go.

Then reaching out to him in prayer asking him to touch his hand, he felt the power of God act — breaking through Satan’s last stand. Suddenly, the young man’s hand clasped, connecting souls high on a bridge, overwhelming the officer whose voice echoed on the ridge, with words of strong encouragement assuring him he was loved, weeping for joy for the saved soul rescued by the Lord above.

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Megan Starnes

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Smoke That Thunders: Lessons from Victoria Falls By Yvonne M. Morgan

My husband and I took a trip to see Victoria Falls between the borders of Zambia and Zimbabwe, and it did not disappoint. The water thundered as the mist erupted from the river below. We felt the power of the falls shake the earth as we drew closer. The locals call the falls “Mosi-oa-Tunya” which translates to “the smoke that thunders.” It’s the perfect name for the experience of standing near the mighty waters. For a few moments, I simply stood there, speechless. No photograph could capture what my eyes were seeing.

Yvonne M Morgan, Christian author and speaker

We walked through the area in silent awe of the beauty and majesty of God’s creation. The mist provided water to the surrounding shrubs and trees, which created a mini-rainforest amid a dry and barren land. The closer we drew, the more the spray erupted over us. Even with our protective rain gear, the water soaked us. In years past, we rode the Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls into the spray, but at Victoria Falls, it was so much stronger and wetter. Streams of water ran down our faces, but it did not deter us from lingering near this amazing place.

https://yvonne-morgan.com

Smoke that Thunders

Blog at Turningmountainsintomolehills.org Twitter: @ymmauthor

As we made our way back to the hotel, I thanked God for the beauty he revealed, and it got me thinking about the original name of the falls, smoke that thunders, and that drove me to my Bible to do some research. In the Bible, smoke and thunder represent the awesome power, holiness, and anger of God.

Website: Yvonne-Morgan.com

2 Samuel 22:14 (NIV): “The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded.”

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ YMMauthor/

The thundering water is how I imagine God’s voice sounding, and it is a reminder of his majesty. Several other verses echo this message.

Turning Mountains into Molehills (2017)

Job 37:5 (NIV): “God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.” Psalm 29:3: “The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.” The smoke and thunder of Victoria Falls reminded me that God is powerful, holy, and worthy of our deepest reverence.

Page 11 God’s Promises Another common sight around Victoria Falls is rainbows, and we spotted hundreds of them. Often, we saw pairs of rainbows appear over the falls. Their brilliant colors danced across the mist wherever we looked. Our cameras couldn’t capture all the beauty on display. These reminded me of rainbows in the Bible. In the original Hebrew text, the word used for rainbow is qesheth, which translates to “war bow.” And God placed the bow aimed upward, away from the earth and toward heaven to represent God laying down his anger at his people. The rainbow symbolizes God’s covenant promise after the flood; a reminder of His mercy and faithfulness. The rainbow is a sign for God himself to look upon and remember his promise to us. The imagery of the rainbow extends into Revelations as it encircles the throne of God, showing us that his promises will never end. God sees the same rainbows that we see. How awesome is that promise? The Imagery Victoria Falls offered me so much more than just the natural beauty. I stood in wonder of the fall’s mighty power and reflected on the imposing power of my Lord and Savior. I gazed up at the rainbows and saw the promise of God as he looked down on them too. The strength and promise inspire awe for his great power, mercy, and grace for all of us.

Prayer Almighty and everlasting Father. Thank you for the lessons we learn from the surrounding nature. Open my eyes to see you in the world. Help me notice your beauty and strength in the trees, the wind, and the sky. Quiet my busy mind. Let nature remind me of your love. Give me peace and a thankful heart. In your name I pray, Amen.

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Feeling Neighborly By Donna J. Miller

In early elementary school, I lived in a neighborhood with a dozen or so houses and no thru traffic. There were a number of kids in those houses and most of us were near the same age. We rode bikes and played “Kick the Can.” We pretended we were the Beatles with mops for hair or spies in trench coats (translate that to raincoats - even my green one with white and yellow daisies on it). Best of all, we had woods on one side of the street to explore, we built a club house, and would swing on grapevines. It seemed like the perfect place to live. We were welcomed and safe in all the homes. I loved to visit the Mathis family next door. Sometimes I got tired of playing with the three Mathis boys and my brother, Jeff, so I would go to the kitchen and hang out with their mom. She had an antique butter churn and an antique butter mold. I would “work hard” pretending to churn butter and mold it. I always felt like she enjoyed me hanging around since she didn’t have a girl of her own.

Donna is a preschool curriculum writer for Lifeway and loves teaching two year olds at her church, Hudson First Baptist. She is a retired elementary school media coordinator and K-1 teacher. She loves all children - especially her 4 grandchildren! She loves to read, scrapbook, and make cards. Donna lives in Hudson, NC with her husband, Lewis. They enjoy traveling together.

How times have changed! Now I live in a nice neighborhood, but we don’t interact as much with our neighbors. I know them, but they are busy just like us. We wave and occasionally stop and talk, but are not as close as the families in my childhood neighborhood. People are more reluctant to let children play outside alone, and children definitely don’t roam our neighborhood as we did years ago. However, even now, I see friendly and loving communities of people supporting each other, and serving together. One example is my water aerobics class. We encourage each other several times a week! We have fun together and care deeply for each other. Most of us have joined the class to exercise knees, backs, and shoulders that are effected by age and arthritis. Knee and hip replacements are common. Members of the class frequently ask if we can stop and pray for someone facing health issues. We gather in the pool and pray before beginning class. We remember the Bible tells us to: “Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”(Galatians 6:2) By sharing our lives with each other, we experience encouragement and joy. God’s love is reflected in us! With quick communication by email and text messages, it is easy to spread the word when someone needs prayer or to celebrate a good report from the doctor. A lady in our Sunday School class sends group emails to the whole class with news updates. We pray for the person facing a problem or celebrate good news. This “Pairs and Spares” class is a “neighborhood.” John 13:34-35 describes us well. “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

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I work with two-year-olds on Sunday mornings and enjoy relationships with my little ones and their parents. The “twos” often want to scream their heads off when Mom and Dad leave. I love being able to assure parents that if their child doesn’t stop crying in a few minutes, I will text them. Usually within a few minutes, I text a photograph of their child playing happily. That text allows them to relax and worship. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 reminds us to “Encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.” Parents of two-year-olds need encouragement! The Facebook and cyber community? I know, I know…It can be filled with ads, drama, and more. However, it is often a place a person goes quickly and easily to ask for prayer. Facebook and other technology allows us to support people that we rarely see. I have Facebook friends that I played with as a child, friends from high school and college, friends I worked with, friends from all over the country from LifeWay’s writer conferences, not to mention family spread in multiple states! Facebook, used well, can foster love, support, and caring. Galatians 6:2 reminds us to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” We can be Facebook neighbors, no matter how far apart we live! Be creative! As 1 John 4:7 reminds us, “Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” I have always thought, nothing beats the love shown on a Facebook birthday, when you get many wishes from friends everywhere! I see neighborly attitudes and strong community in my life. What do you see in yours? Remember Psalm 133:1 says “How delightfully good when brothers live together in harmony.” All scriptures from the Christian Standard Bible.

Page 14 CLEAR THE COOKIES Our brains and our computers have much in common. They can become too full of both inconsequential and harmful information. Over a period of time they may no longer operate at an optimum. It is a simple thing to defrag, clean disc, download updates, delete cookies, scan for viruses, malware and spyware in order to maintain the full functionality of our computers but quite another for our minds. Our brain being the device and our mind the software it is not so easy to clean up and restart. Learning to navigate the system is the key. The programming is there, accessing it is the challenge. Sleep is a great way to defrag. Cleaning up all those disjointed scenes that play in your mind right before you awaken fresh. Then as you get up it is a good time for updates as you wait meditatively before the Lord, word open and mind fixed. Updates may take some time, the hour glass may spin in your mind but be patient a new Morning Coffee window will open. Now you can scan for all manner of viruses. Harmful info and ideas you may have picked up the day before. Stealth is the mode of deception in the mind. It can control our by Michael E. Wells beliefs and actions. It needs to be sought out and deleted from our consciousness. So waking up defragged, waiting on the Lord for updates and scanning for malware you are now ready for the Michael E. Wells has a passion for writing let- day. One last thing before you get up...don’t forget to clear the cookies. ters of Christian encouragement. With poetic style and moving messages, the reader is often comforted and consoled, inspired and refreshed. Since his retirement from Federal Service in 2006, most mornings are spent penning letters of the heart. Tucked away in the foothills of Pennsylvania, his is an idyllic lifestyle in a pastoral setting. This backdrop helps to set both mood and message for his many writings. You can find his book, “Morning Coffee with Words For The Day” at Amazon.com.

A WORLD AWAY ...There is a place not far from us that once entered into is not of this world. Someone once said experience trumps opinion. You cannot debate away another person’s moments of tangible encounters. Jesus once said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” Paul said our citizenship is in heaven and that right now on the earth we experience the kingdom, which is right standing with God, peace of heart and joy in the Holy Spirit. ...It is a spiritual place of connection not an ethereal setting for chanting. It is moments with God, moments that after we have said our peace He brings thoughts to mind. Thoughts that would not have normally come, solutions we had not pondered, a closeness we had needed and a joy rising up seemingly from nowhere. He brings fresh revelation to our mind of His word that we have placed in our heart. Purpose is restored and peace reigns. ...Though some may not experience this it does not change the reality for those who do. The presence of God does come, it’s not for a select few but for all those who desire Him. The Bible states God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Our spirits are lifted to another place if but for a moment but it is enough. It is a glimpse of eternal things to come and though you may just be praying in your room, it is truly a world away.

Page 15 LIVE YOUR LIFE

For those in middle America whose hearts and minds have been held captive to daily tragedies in our big cities, it is time to break free. The prophet Isaiah in comforting his people in a time of great uncertainty all around simply said, “...do not live in dread of what frightens them.” Isaiah 8:12 We who live in small town America constantly trouble ourselves through the media with the harsh realities of big city news. Yes, they do have big problems but that’s why we don’t live there and yet our mindset can become as those who do. Fear and dread are a state of mind in which some live. Mass media is a new phenomenon in history. It has exposed the worst of our cities and the world to the tranquil remote areas of America and caused some to fear where there was no cause. These are not ours to remedy. We empower local leaders to promote and maintain our best interests while we pray for theirs. Today let your mind live locally. Turn off the device, take a walk through town or the place where you live. Tip your hat to strangers and open doors for ladies. Enjoy the company of friends and neighbors. God hands out life one day at a time, be sure to live yours today and rest in Him for your tomorrows.

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CELESTIAL CITY By Irene Surya

Gazing at the picturesque landscape, At the rain washed trees, At the dew covered leaves, At the freshly blossomed flowers, I wondered hard About the marvelous celestial view, I am about to witness When I reach the eternal shore. My righteous King Sits there on the throne, Dr. Irene Surya is an award- He who is the Alpha and the Omega, winning author of her book, The beginning and the end.

In Solitude with God. Her poems have been published in various magazines and His face is like the sun anthologies. She has a In all its brilliance, passion for writing for the His eyes, like flames of fire, Lord and glorifying His His voice like mighty waves. name through her writings. She loves and serves the I am going there Lord with her husband. To worship my Lord and Savior, With the multitude of angels, To sing His praise all day.

What a blessed promise The Lord has given to His children, To be with Him and His chosen ones And enjoy His presence forevermore.

Click on book to purchase from Amazon.

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FRIENDSHIP By Karen Ruhl

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 I cherish my friends and love to spend time with them. I think friends may mean a lot to me because my family moved so many times when I was growing up, that I didn’t always get a chance to meet and get to know my neighbors very well. I know you may giggle on this line but, I was very blessed that I was given the “gift of gab” according to my mother. But as I got older, I realized it was a true blessing to be able to talk to anyone and everyone. When you observe and then get to know people, you find ways where you can come beside them when they need you. I am so blessed to still know friends from my high school. It was the school I stayed in for 4 years, oh, we moved but we moved to different streets in the same small city. I loved Blue Ash, Ohio and lived there as an adult for several years. It was nice because my school friends and I stayed close and still stay in touch. So why do you think having friends is important? It is not only important of having friends, it is important that YOU are a friend. Stay in touch with friends as you can. The internet has made it so simple to stay in touch with your friends from all over the world. Facebook allows you to chat in person and see your friend and their family. How fun it is to see their children grown up with kids of their own. To be a good friend, ask them how they are doing. Ask them how you can pray for them. Take time to listen something I learned and sometimes have to remind myself - listening is how you come beside your friends and help them through rough times but also laugh with them through the good times. The bible tells us what to do, read and think about this verse. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:11 I’ll leave you with that verse. I hope you reach out to your friends and say simple words. “I love you.” Have a blessed day.

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Is My Soul Well? By Brianna Barrett

Recently my mom and I watched “I Can Only Imagine 2”. In case you haven’t seen it, the movie is a MercyMe and Tim Timmons as they wrote the song “Even If”. That movie hit hard as I watched i always, it came at the perfect time. I needed the encouragement and reminder that God is alw good. For two days, I’ve sung the lyrics over and over,

“I know You’re able and I know You can Save through the fire with Your mighty hand But even if You don’t My hope is You alone I know the sorrow, and I know the hurt Would all go away if You’d just say the word Brianna is a Carolina girl who loves Jesus But even if You don’t and her family. She enjoys watching the My hope is You alone sunrise, photography, reading, writing, and paddleboarding. According to her You’ve been faithful, You’ve been good teenage son, she’s a master chef in All of my days Jesus, I will cling to You the kitchen, making gluten-free cuisine Come what may from around the world. Her writing ‘Cause I know You’re able and photography have appeared in I know You can” (Mercy Me) numerous publications including Faith On Every Corner, Creation Illustrated, Mercy Me, “Even If” Lifer., Fair Trade Services, 2017. and Our Story Magazine, and she is a contributor to The Grit and Grace Those words, I know you are able. I know you can. This song infused my faith that day. I had spen Project and Broken But Priceless many months just going through the motions, waiting for my faith to catch up with my head and he Magazine where she writes the column, Waiting for the Lord to see me and answer my prayers. But He’s been there the whole time. It wa who lost my focus. It was me who allowed my circumstances to dominate my thoughts, my heart “From A Homemaker’s Heart”. Her my life. It was fear that I let cloud my judgment. But after watching that movie, and playing this s first devotional book, “Hope in the on REPEAT for two days, it’s infused my soul. Healing: A 40-Day Devotional Journey Through Chronic Illness” is due out this Nobody tells you the hard parts all the time of a Christian walk. So often it’s glossed over and portra spring. Check out her latest works at as if bad things don’t happen and then some well-meaning person gives us some Christianism www.briannagrams.com and connect call it (some little saying like, if it doesn’t kill you it only makes you stronger”). Well I felt dead. I with her on Instagram, Facebook, or couldn’t handle one more thing. And you know what, I couldn’t. I couldn’t handle it. I couldn’t do it Pinterest. God can and will. It’s not about the storms because they will always come. Some days are ha

than others. But storms will come. That’s when we should stop focusing on the storms and allow to be our focus.

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I read my Bible every day, I did the Bible studies, I prayed - I journaled, I did all the things, but something was missing. My heart was somewhere else; my heart and mind were sitting over there with worry and doubt. I was worried about the what-ifs, the what will we do, and man, I doubted because I was relying on myself, not on God. With God, anything is possible. But I can’t do it. You can’t do it either, but the One who created us can. So today, I’m laying every burden down, every worry, every fear, every doubt, and clinging to the one I know who can. I am clinging to Him, hoping in Him and Him alone. Not a doctor, not a surgery, not some fancy degree, I’m clinging to God. I want faith like the bleeding woman. She believed and was healed. I want faith like Daniel: “‘But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.’” Daniel 3:18 NLT. Even if he doesn’t heal me, I will praise Him. Even if he doesn’t fix my finances, I will still worship Him. Even if he doesn’t ease my pain, I will still thank Him. Even if things don’t change and they get worse, I will still have hope in Him and only Him. Even if the surgery isn’t approved and the medicine doesn’t work, I will still trust Him. Today, what is holding you back from a deeper relationship with the Lord? I felt like the scales of my heart had been removed and the weeds plucked out. When I read my Bible today, I felt Him speaking to me. And I keep reciting - “It is well with my soul.” Work Cited Mercy Me, ‘Even If” Lifer., Fair Trade Services, 2017.

CLICK ON BOOK PHOTO TO FIND THIS BOOK

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When a Little Leaven Enters the Conversation Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? By Susan W. Paynter 1 Corinthians 5:6 (NIV) As a young Mom, I’d often pack up my kids and meet other moms at a nearby park. Our children played while we gathered around wooden tables with our coffees and snack-stuffed diaper bags to share tips about potty training, food allergies, and getting our little ones to sleep through the night. It was a sweet respite. Then it happened. One mom said, “I wish my husband would get up at night with the baby. I’m so tired.” Everyone murmured their understanding. Suzanne W. Paynter is mother to three adult children, one grandchild (so far!) and blessed to be married to her husband of 36 years. She’s worked as a professional ballet dancer, a sales trainer, a scriptwriter and a homeschool Mom—to name a few of the “careers” God has blessed her with. She currently has her own vintage jewelry business called The Elegant Muse. After her first child was born, she sensed the Holy Spirit encouraging her to write, and she honored that for many years. Her work was published in many magazines including The Old Schoolhouse, Proverbs 31 Woman, Highlights for Kids, and Ladybug. When she sensed His guidance to homeschool her children, she put writing on the back burner–but always knew she’d return to it someday. Many hills and valleys later, she felt His gentle nudge to write again and is honoring that by once more joyfully tapping the laptop keys. Grateful and humbled by His bountiful blessings.

And a tiny speck of leaven had seeped into the conversation. Another mom added, “John doesn’t even help me at bath time!” Then another, “Matt is always traveling – I have to do everything!” After that, the husband complaints spread like a virus at preschool. “Bill should …” “David can’t even …” A Tiny Speck of Leaven Had Grown to Infiltrate Our Entire Mom Group And what did I do? Did I say something profound and Godly to stop the flow? I wish I could say I did. But I just sat there, sipping my latte and desperately trying to resist the temptation to join in. I simply had no idea what to say. In the days that followed, I prayed. I asked God to help me next time I found myself in a similar situation. Tell me what to say, Lord… please give me the words.

Page 21 That was when I ran across the Bible verse about leaven. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? I learned that leaven illustrates how sin can begin small, then grow to permeate deep into our hearts. At the park that day, I had witnessed just how easily this could happen—one critical comment about a husband had led to many others disparaging their spouses. So how can we fight this leaven and keep it from infiltrating our conversations? The Leaven Repellent Plan We can use a Leaven Repellent Plan– three steps to keep leaven in check: 1. Recognize the tiny speck of leaven when it first appears (You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak…see James 1:19) 2. Resist the temptation to join in. (No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able…see 1 Corinthians 10:13) 3. Pray in the moment! Ask the Holy Spirit to provide a gentle response. (…with all humility and gentleness…bearing with one another in love…see Ephesians 4:2) Today I’m no longer a young Mom packing diapers and juice pouches but a grandmother whose handbag always holds a piece or two of dark chocolate. I wish I could say we older Moms are immune from leaven-laden conversations, but I still need my Leaven Repellent Plan. Recently, a speck of leaven appeared at a friends’ gathering. “Tom is so needy when he’s sick. He’s like a child! Are any of your husbands like that?” (Step 1 – Recognize the tiny speck of leaven) All hands went up - except mine. And it was noticed. (Step 2: Resist the temptation to join in.) “Really?” One of the women asked. (Step 3: Pray for guidance.) I took a deep breath then answered, “Chuck’s certainly not perfect. But neither am I. I’m just glad he puts up with all my faults!” Heads nodded, smiles all around. The conversation continued—but it was no longer about the faults of our husbands.

Thank you, Lord. The next time leaven creeps into your gathering, I hope you’ll remember the Leaven Repellent Plan. Take a breath; and as the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart, listen to what the Lord wants you to say.

Page 22 Takin’ It to the Streets (Adventure 1) by Shara Bueler-Repka

“But someone may well say, ‘You have faith and I have works’; show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:18, NKJV) Anyone with a heart of compassion has only to watch the “6:00 News” and the world in general and be compelled to ask, “Am I doing enough? Am I doing all God has called me to do?” For some it may get a bit chilly leaving the warmth of a church pew or descending from

Shara Bueler-Repka is the heights of the choir loft (or stage) to go out to that cold and unknown world to minister enjoying life as a singer/ (Romans 12:1). Ministry, however, is just another word for service. And when Jesus said, songwriter/recording artist, freelance writer, and award- “Go, make disciples,” He meant GO to the people: show God’s grace through Jesus by winning author. She and her meeting their needs, then teach them to go. (Matthew 10:7-8; Luke 4:18-19; Matthew husband, Bruce, live in their 28:18-20) living quarters horse trailer and call “home” wherever Service can take on different faces depending on the need at hand. I ask the Lord everyday their rig is parked. Their mail- for clear eyes to recognize every opportunity He brings my way (no matter how small or base, however, is Hallettsville, Texas. She loves sharing how big) and the boldness to rise up in that calling to be His hands, feet, and voice—His God’s Word through music heart. The opportunities the Lord has given Bruce and me are so diverse that if we wrote with her husband, riding their it all down on a resume, we’d probably run out of ink! horses (aka The Boys) in the backcountry, and writing The Lord said: “Listen to Me. What/who have I placed in front of you? Be My hands and about God’s grace in their feet, My voice and My eyes. Be My message and My love to others ... to whomever I place various adventures on the in front of you ... in whatever place/ location that may be ... accepting whatever “face” it trail less traveled.

may have ...”

Restaurant Rendezvous She was cocky and fun. Complimenting my boots and trying to interest Bruce and me in a margarita, she glided through her duties with the smoothness and ease of a dancer. She was an accomplished server. Our friends were running late, so she playfully offered to sit with us—in case those friends proved imaginary —just so we wouldn’t be alone. She was awesome.

Our friends finally arrived, and we settled into conversation and order-taking, continuing the good hearted banter with our now, favorite waitress. Toward the end of our meal, our friends introduced themselves as the pastors of a cowboy church and us, as traveling, music evangelists. Intrigued, she shared that she also was involved in a small church in that town. She let her heart tentatively reach out. “Can I ask you something after I finish up in the back?” she asked. “Of course,” we replied. She came back a bit later, bending down with her arms resting on the table. “What does the Bible mean ‘to be fearfully and wonderfully made’?” she quietly asked. (Let the ministry (service) begin.) “God cares about every detail of our lives, from the time of conception and forming in our mother’s womb to when we finally arrive to see daylight,” we explained. “And we all are created for a special, specific destiny.” Tears filled her eyes and her brave face no longer hid her hurting heart: the veil of “everything’s OK” was disappearing by the minute. “My fiancé left me after finding out I was pregnant,” she said, “but I couldn’t bring myself to have an abortion. When I delivered the baby, the Lord sent me a couple who could not have children.” She paused, and our tears flowed along with hers. “I’m grateful for the safe, secure home He provided,” she continued, regaining composure. “Even though I know I did the right thing, it’s been really tough, giving my baby up.” That particular day, the family had sent her pictures of her baby daughter so she could still be involved with the little one’s growth and well-being. She appreciated the pictures, but the emotions of letting her go were still raw. She had seen in the picture a plaque above the baby’s cradle proclaiming the Bible verse, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14-16). The Lord steered us all there to the right place, at the right time. We could have sat anywhere in that restaurant. We could have picked any other day to have dinner. But God had it all worked out. We prayed with her and did not judge her for the mistakes she had made. We encouraged her that now her little girl could fulfill her destiny in the Lord because of the right decision she had made. We also assured our precious server that God still loved her, and she still had an incredible destiny to fulfill for Him. As we left the restaurant, we all warmly hugged each other, and we all walked away in awe of God’s grace. (Romans 8:38-39)

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Sandra McKinney Williams Art

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Page 26 For The Love Of God Andrea Marino

Satan roams the earth. One day, along with the sons of God, he came before the Lord who asked him: “Have you considered my servant Job. No one is like him on earth, a man of perfect integrity who fears God and turns away from evil.” Job 1:6-8. Satan presented a challenging response that Job was this way because a ‘hedge of protection’ had been placed around him. So, God lifted this ‘hedge’, and seemingly in an instant, Job lost his children and entire livestock. Yet, even when his body broke out in boils, his wife telling him to curse God and die, Job trusted God. He fell to the ground, expressing, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Praise the name of Yahweh.” Job 1:20,21. I wish I could say, without a shadow of doubt, I would act and speak as Job did in such a predicament. God permitted Satan to attack Job, “without just cause”. Job 2:3. Can we accept that what God allows in our lives is for our ‘internal improvement’? God promises to work Satan’s harm for the good of those who love Him. Granted, life’s happening can cause us to feel like Job; and Job articulated he wished he was never born, actually cursing the day he was. There is a large picture on my wall over my desk. It is of the Lord, above water, holding out His hand to someone who is drowning. I have found myself in many spiritual battles that I thought would do me in. How could I go on? I recount one particular time of deep despair that I heard very clearly in my head, “Trust Me.” It is in our weakness the Lord shows Himself strong. He pulls us through each situation and lifts us up. Here is hope in heartache and pain.

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Job has a series of conversations with friends that begin as a source of help and comfort. In his grappling of ‘why’ this awful twist of fate had befallen him, these friends quit answering Job “because he was righteous in his own eyes” and “had justified himself rather than God” Job 32:1,2. Job had to frustrated. Surely, Job appears angry with God when God intervenes in conversation. It’s easy to indulge in anger- filled pity parties with things we have no control over. But God never leaves us as is. He is known to shake things up in our lives to get our attention to the basics of life, namely the eternal existence of our souls when the temporary existence upon this earth is over. From a whirlwind, the Lord spoke in tough love means to Job, basically posing ideas such as “Where were you when I established the earth?” and “will the one who contends with the almighty correct Him?” (Job 38-42) What does anyone learn when life is a bowl of cherries anyway? I think it’s wise to heed Jesus words: “fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Mathew 10:28 Satan is still roaming the earth, seeking to steal, kill and destroy as many as possible. Disaster after disaster, devastating report after devastating report, loss after loss is ever-increasing. The Lord gives and He can take it all away. I wonder how many people will say, as Job said: “I heard about You, but now my eyes have seen You. Therefore, I take back my words and repent.” Job 42:5,6 And the end result with God is as was the case with Job. Restoration double fold. We can have peace in the storms of our lives. Our Redeemer lives to restore all that the locusts have eaten.

Page 28 GOD LOVES YOU By Linda Castro

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3) “Have you ever felt like no one loves you?” Barbara Miller asked her best friend, Debbie Hawthorne. “No matter what I do to help people or how kind I am to others, it’s like they just don’t see me as important to them.” “Barb.” Debbie responded, “A lot of times, people just don’t respond the way we need them to, for our own emotional health. They may assume that we see their care as love, when, perhaps, it doesn’t come across like love. And, there are some people who just can’t openly show love because they consider it a weakness. Maybe that was created in their own childhood experiences.”. “But, one thing you can know for sure,” she continued, “is God loves YOU!” “He tells us over and over in His Word, how much He loves us and even calls us His children” “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we As former owner and creative director of two should be called children of God; and that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1). advertising agencies, Linda has years of experience creating a public impression of a product through “Can you imagine?” Debbie said, “ Not only does He tell us in His Word, but he the media using television commercials, radio and acts on it!”. print advertising, press releases, and marketing campaigns. “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love, he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice Linda has been a caregiver for her son; a volunteer over you with singing”. (Zephaniah 3:17). “God’s joy and delight in us makes Him who travelled to Egypt and helped Sudanese sing!”. Debbie exclaimed! refugees; a volunteer for a local food ministry, and a Creative Writing teacher for the Arts and “I guess I never really thought about God in such a personal way, “ Barbara Humanities Council of Tulsa for their Artists in the confessed, “To me, He has always been something just out of reach, not someone Schools program. who laughs with us, loves us so much and is always willing to help! I mean, I know that from Church and Bible study, but I guess I never thought I was important enough for God Almighty to care for me on such a personal level. But now, I’m starting to realize just what God’s love really means!”

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Barbara’s tears began to flow as the impact of her importance to God actually started to become real to her. “So, each of us is so very important to God.” She said, “ God loves each of us so much!” “I am reminded, “ Debbie said, “of the famous verse we all learned early in our Christian experience: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16). “This verse highlights the ultimate expression of God’s love through the gift of Jesus Christ.” God’s love is faithful. God’s love is enduring. Barbara reminds us “ If anyone ever feels like no one loves them, like she was feeling earlier that day, just remind yourself, that “God so loved the world” and of all the people God has created, God loves YOU”!

C O N TA C T U S . . .

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