LAYOUT EDITOR ........................................ Tom Young
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS................... Joy Dunlap, Rebecca White, Tom Young
PROMOTIONS ............................................ Rebecca White
AWSA ADMINISTRATIVE ASST. ......... Carla Wicks
CONTRIBUTORS ....................................... Karin Beery, Penelope Carlevato, Saundra Dalton-Smith, Pam Farrel, Nancy Tupper Ling, Edie Melson, Karen Porter, Rhonda Rhea, Cynthia L. Simmons, Jenn Taylor
RIGHT TO THE HEART MEDIA NETWORK
ARISE DAILY Julie Coleman, Editor
RIGHT TO THE HEART BOARD
Linda Evans Shepherd (President), Dawn Scott Damon, Edie Melson, Linda Goldfarb, Sharon Norris Elliott, Karen Whiting and Joy A. Schneider
INFORMATION
Leading Hearts magazine for Christian Women is published bimonthly by Right to the Heart Ministries 2024. ISSN 2380-5455
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Cover Photo Courtesy of: Stacy Murphy Photography
Photos courtesy of: Stacy Murphy Photography, Canva, Envato Elements
Have you ever bruised your heart by tripping on a relationship? Maybe your best friend stopped speaking to you, your boss spewed his bad attitude all over your work, or the kids tried to wake you to ‘woke,’ and because you said, ‘no,’ in love, you must deal with the fallout.
These things shouldn’t happen, not when you have God’s Holy Spirit inside of you, right?
Yet, these are the kinds of relationship difficulties that everyone must manage. But our secret power is that we can trust God through it all.
Consider young Joseph, from the Book of Genesis. I’ve sometimes wondered if he was too naïve to understand his brothers’ jealousy. Why else did he flaunt his God-dreams that they would one day bow down to him, their little, noaccount half-brother?
Joseph got his wake-up call when his brothers threatened to kill him, threw him in a pit, and sold him to slavers.
Even through the resulting hardships, Joseph trusted God. Even when he became a household slave and his mistress falsely accused him of a sex crime, and even when he was thrown into jail with no hope of release.
He trusted God and tried to make the best of each difficulty. He worked hard and befriended those who came into his life, including the Pharaoh’s chief butler who also spent a few evenings in Joseph’s jail. It was the butler who eventually put in a good word to the Pharaoh on Joseph’s behalf, resulting in Joseph interpreting the Pharaoh’s dream
about a coming famine. This resulted in Joseph becoming second in command to the Pharaoh so he could create a stockpile of food for the coming days of trouble.
When the day came that Joseph’s hungry brothers came to Egypt to buy grain, they did not know that this young ruler they bowed before was their own brother.
And Joseph didn’t rush to lop off their heads or even greet them with open arms. Instead, he put them to a test to see if they had finally become trustworthy.
But when Ruben, the oldest brother, offered to sacrifice himself to jail to save his father’s youngest son from such a fate, Joseph finally revealed his identity. Later, when Joseph spoke of the long-ago betrayal of his brothers, he said, “What the enemy meant for evil, God meant for good, for the saving of many lives.”
As you read this issue of Leading Hearts I hope you are inspired to love others and trust God, even in your most difficult relationships. For Joseph, the result was a miracle that even Joseph-the-dreamer couldn’t have ever imagined.
Love,
—Linda
Leading Hearts publisher | AWsA founder
Find out more about Linda at lindashepherd.com; gottopray,com; and on her YouTube channel, @LindaEvansShepherd_ GotToPray
Are You Ignoring a Sole Wound?
Walking Toward Soul Healing, One Step at a Time
One
night I found myself in a vivid dream. I was trying to walk, but the skin on the bottom of my foot revealed a deep gaping wound. The pain was excruciating, but with each step I put on my brave face, kept calm and carried on. I limped forward, convinced that moving ahead was more important than taking a pause. The more I relied on my sock to hold my foot together—it was actually holding me back.
This dream speaks volumes about our spiritual journey. How many of us are limping through life, nursing hidden wounds that we’re too afraid or too busy to address? We keep moving, convinced that our purpose lies ahead, all while a “soul wound” is silently sabotaging our progress. Maybe that wound came from someone in the church who betrayed your trust. Perhaps it was inflicted by someone who claimed to love you but was abusive instead. Or possibly your soul wound is actually something you’ve done or said that you can’t undo. The list of potential soul injuries is endless, but the impact is universal: they hinder our walk with God and with each other.
Today, I’m asking you to pause and reflect: How are your soles? Do you have a wound lurking just below the surface?
Have you acknowledged its presence, or are you still trying to ignore the limp? Does it still transport you back to moments you’d rather forget, flooding you with dread or regret? Has it become an emotional yarn ball you can’t quite name or begin to find the loose end to untangle?
Proverbs 27:6 reminds us of the importance of addressing our wounds. “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses” (NIV). Sometimes, acknowledging our pain is the first step toward healing. It’s not always comfortable, but it’s necessary.
In Psalm 147:3, David shares the reality of God’s desire for whole-body healing: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (NIV). He is our healer, but we must first bring ALL our wounds to Him—even those we may see as small and insignificant.
You see, just like you, I’ve had my share of soul wounds, and for the longest time, I thought that I was a stronger woman BECAUSE I pushed through. I wore my ability to “walk it off” like a badge of honor.
But here’s the truth: you can’t outrun pain. It catches up, and when it does, it demands
to be felt.
So, today I’m challenging you—and myself—to take off your shoes and examine your soles. As you do, reflect on the state of your soul. Are there wounds you’ve been ignoring? We must first acknowledge them and bring them to God in order to journey toward complete healing. It’s time to walk in the fullness of our purpose, not hobble around on hidden hurts.
Our healing has already been paid for. (See Isaiah 53:5.) As you read this issue of Leading Hearts I’m praying for all of the secret wounds you carry, so that you may walk into the healing freedom only our Father can give.
Love,
—Amber
Leading Hearts editor | Art director
Amber Weigand-Buckley and Lisa Burris Burns are podcast hosts of “Coffee Chat with Amber & Lisa” as well as co-authors of the award-winning Leading Ladies: Discover Your God-Grown Strategy for Success and companion journal. Learn more at leadingladies.life and find them on YouTube (@leadingladieslife) or wherever you get your podcasts.
Words are powerful. We know this. Daily we see the effect of negative words in the world around us.
Like arrows flung into a battle, someone’s quick-tempered aim may leave us wounded or indignant. Even the absence of words—being “ghosted”—can cause damage. As poet Pearl Strachan Hurd said: “Handle them carefully, for words have more power than atom bombs.”
Long before Hurd, God emphasized the power of the word. In both the Old and New Testament, we discover sage advice, such as “Wise words bring many benefits” (Proverbs 12:14) and “God spoke the world into being by the power of His words (Hebrews 11:3). God reminds us that hope and promise can also flow from the words we share, and healing may follow.
Playing with Words
As a children’s author and poet, I’m drawn to words. I’m forever grateful that the love of books was a big part of my childhood and playing with words seemed fun, like fitting a jigsaw puzzle together. In Peter H. Reynold’s picture book, The Word Collector, his character, Jerome, feels the same way. He loves silly words and dreamy words and powerful words. Similarly, I’ve learned that words bring healing in many ways. A kind word can be a gift.
A reassuring word can bring encouragement to a friend.
A caring word can be a balm in a difficult situation.
Healing from Longing
Today I have two grown daughters. Some days I pinch myself when I think about this fact. For many years the biblical story of Hannah and her struggle with infertility was my own. At first when my husband and I had trouble conceiving a child, we traveled, ballroom danced, and took evening classes. Eventually, our longing became unbearable. Often, I cried out to God: “Didn’t You say children are a blessing?!”
In the midst of this heartache, I turned to my words. As poem after poem poured onto the page, healing gradually followed. One day as I lay prostrate on the floor, I surrendered our future family to Him.
In return, I had one request: “Lord, even if I never get pregnant, could just one poem of mine be published?”
God graciously answered. In between rejections, my first poem was accepted. Others followed, and children did, too. My first poetry collection, Laughter in My Tent, spoke to my infertility experience through words.
By working through my anguish I realized God had been listening all along. For some, catharsis comes through
prayer or journaling or art or music. For me, healing also came through poetry as it did for King David.
Day-to-Day Healing
If we agree that words have the power to heal or hurt, how can we make an effort daily to “spread love everywhere you go” (Mother Teresa)? I’m not always successful, but I try to stay alert to the needs of those around me. For ten years I worked as the Outreach Librarian at a local library. I learned that the simplest note, call or text could brighten someone’s day. Sounds easy, but I needed to be intentional about this task. Writing a letter and putting it in one of my patron’s mailboxes brought joy, especially because she lived alone. Likewise, a sticky note left inside a cabinet or on a car dashboard might be the encouragement my family member needed for their day. Of course, providing actual nourishment is important too. That said I include a verse or a humorous card when I bring a meal.
Healing through Grief
On occasion I’ve also discovered forgotten words—words from someone who has passed away. These treasures have brought healing in my grief. The year after my father’s death, I found a Post-It from him. It said: “Planted Daffodils Today. Signed, Gilroy Was Here!”
This felt like a heavenly hug. Not only did it remind me of his servant’s heart, but I could hear Dad’s humor as well. The right words at the right time say, “I see you. You are beloved.”
Words Bring Forgiveness
The other day I noticed a card on my youngest daughter’s prayer wall. Tucked among her praises and supplications, it was the one I’d written during her junior year of high school. Neither of us remembered the argument that precipitated my note, but it has a place on her wall after all these years. My words aren’t profound, however they reassure her that I see how God is using her mightily. Those words created a path to forgiveness at a time when tensions ran high. Likewise, when someone reaches out to us to make amends, even when it seems impossible, we know nothing is impossible with God.
Words Bring Hope
One of my favorite Jewish theologians, Abraham Herschel, understood that “Speech has power. Words do not fade. What starts out as a sound, ends in a deed.” Truly, it’s our mission to remain alert and observe where we might offer hope to others through our prayers and our words.
I often wonder how we might change the state of our onedge world if we woke up every day and prayed for our words to be both hopeful and uplifting? Perhaps it starts with knowing the healing power of God’s Word and our own.
TWO NEW BOOKS from Nancy Tupper Ling
A beautifully illustrated collection of poems and prayers to help children develop an appreciation for the natural world. Available wherever books are sold or nancytupperling.com /books-for-children
A visually stunning picture book that introduces young readers to the Bible with poetry and art, exploring the entire story in one sitting!
Navigating Leadership with Divine Guidance
Faith
is a word often used in media, sports and everyday life. People say, “Yes, I did it because I had faith” or “We won the game because we had faith.”
But what do they have faith in? It’s one thing to have faith that your chair will hold you when you sit or that your car will start when you turn the key. We need deeper faith.
“If your faith is firmly placed in God, your faith will move mountains and accomplish the impossible.”
The DNA of a Faith-Focused Leader
A leader with faith in God remains calm during crises, finding solutions when others panic. They move on from criticism, drawing confidence from their identity in God. Their strength comes from total dependence on God who gives them power and wisdom.
“Your faith in God influences others on your team to pursue and follow Him too.”
Faith makes a leader approachable and kind. It transforms their leadership style from demanding excellence to nurturing a desire in team members to exceed expectations. As you have faith in God, others will have faith in you, trusting your judgment and following your lead.
Building Blocks to Lead Better
To build the kind of faith a leader needs, consider utilizing these tools:
1. Prayer: Ask God for specific guidance in your leadership roles.
2. The Word of God: Read, study and memorize Scripture daily for insight and understanding.
3. Journaling: Reflect on your actions, plans and God’s presence in your life.
“Remember your leaders, who spoke the Word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7).
Let’s Journal
Try this journaling outline:
Yesterday:
- Write a short account of yesterday’s activities.
- What kind thing did you say or do?
- What do you wish you could take back?
- How did God show up in your day?
Today:
- List planned activities.
- Is your list too long? What can you eliminate?
- What anonymous kindness can you do?
- Who can you encourage today?
By incorporating these practices, leaders can strengthen their faith and positively impact those around them.
Originally printed in the October/November 2019 issue.
In Sickness & In Health:
Couples Caregiving
The past few years have been quite the uphill climb in our marriage. We have been serving as caregivers for Bill’s elderly parents for almost a decade. His father is now in heaven, but his mom will turn 95 in a few weeks!
In addition to this daily caregiving, mostly carried by my husband, about two years ago, Bill rushed me to the ER. I was immediately taken to the ICU where I was diagnosed with a life- threatening DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition where escalating glucose plunges a patient into a diabetic coma). To save my life, the doctors placed me in a medically induced coma.
God wrapped His love and peace around me and ushered me into the heavenlies, while Bill continued to be an advocate for me with the medical team as he waited to see if God would send me back to his arms. I share this story in my interactive memoir, Glimpse of God’s Glory: One Woman’s Near-Death Experience. Bill then helped me rebuild my health and regained the joy of living an active life.
Then, about four months ago, we were visiting our son, daughter-in-law and young grandson for Mother’s Day. We arrived about midnight, I gave hugs, then headed to bed. About 3:30 am I awakened in excruciating abdominal pain.
I tried to tough it out until sunrise, then in unbearable pain, I shrieked,
“Bill, you have to get me to the ER. Something is very wrong!”
Bill, once again, rushed me to the hospital (aptly located on Mercy Lane). After a battery of tests, I was diagnosed with an ovarian cyst and ovarian cancer. Surgery, recovery, and chemo have followed. Once again, Bill is serving as a dual caregiver—this time for me and his mother.
In a caregiving situation in marriage, your love can be nurtured—despite the added responsibility—if you each choose to extend God’s love and tender-loving care to each other. Here’s an acrostic for the C.A.R.E. the caregiver can extend to the patient—or spouse—in need:
C—Comfort: Soothe his/her fears and provide a sense of peace. Be attentive to needs: physical, emotional and spiritual.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4 NIV).
A—Advocate: Speak up for his/her needs and ensure they receive proper care. We found it is vital to attend all doctor appointments together, as it takes two brains to make notes and ask all questions and gain medical clarity.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy” (Proverbs 31:8–9 NIV).
R—Reassure: Calm their anxieties and offer words of hope. Even a spouse with deep faith may experience doubt or question God. As a spouse, fortify your own faith so you can loan and extend it to your mate in times of need.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7 NIV).
E—Encourage: Uplift their spirits and motivate them through the challenges. If you are next to your mate as he/she steps up to various challenges, then victories are shared moments that can draw you closer as a couple.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV).
Conversely, here’s an acronym for G.I.V.E. that focuses on what a patient or ill spouse can do for his/her caregiver:
G—Gratitude: Express appreciation for his/her care and dedication. Say, “Thank you!” often and frequently throughout the season of stress.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV).
I—Inspire: Encourage your caregiver by showing resilience and hope. Our caregiver should not work harder on our wellness journey than we are willing to work. Our positive mindset can be contagious to the entire family.
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 NIV).
V—Value: Acknowledge their efforts and the sacrifices they make. Be specific in your praise and gratitude for their contributions. Be sure to praise them in front of family, friends and the medical community.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12 NIV).
E—Empathize: Show understanding for their feelings and challenges. Pressure will build up. If they express emotion, be compassionate toward their unique journey.
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ”
(Galatians 6:2 NIV).
THE BIG Q
with Cynthia L. Simmons | clsimmons.com
Q: We all want to look good, but how do we learn to balance our desire for outward beauty and inward character in a media-saturated world?
A: We all desire to present our best selves to the world, but we must be careful not to let our focus on outward appearance overshadow the development of our inner beauty. Throughout history, women have gone to extreme lengths to enhance their looks, sometimes costing their health, their bank accounts and even their lives. The desire to enhance one’s appearance is a natural part of being human. I can imagine even Eve adorning herself with flowers or fashioning necklaces from ivy. Over the centuries, women have followed some rather unusual beauty regimens. Some applied overnight masks of opium, rinsing them off with vinegar come morning. In Austria, ladies consumed arsenic-laced wafers in pursuit of fair, radiant skin. Tragically, a few paid the ultimate price for this dangerous practice.
For centuries, Venetian ceruse, a mixture of vinegar, water, and lead, was highly prized. It promised a luxurious, translucent complexion, but at a terrible cost.
The more one used it, the more one needed, and it caused blemishes, premature aging, and symptoms of lead poisoning like hair loss and anemia. Thankfully, modern cosmetics have come a long way in terms of safety.
Yet as believers, we’re called to look beyond the surface and consider the state of our hearts. The Bible reminds us that even Satan’s beauty led to his downfall. If beauty could corrupt an angel, how much more should we be on guard? After all, no one truly enjoys the company of a selfish or
rude person, no matter how stunning they may appear. As Proverbs 11:22 so vividly puts it, “Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion” (ESV).
The apostle Peter offers timeless wisdom when he advises, “Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear” (1 Peter 3:3 ESV). He’s not saying we can’t enjoy beautifying ourselves, but rather that we shouldn’t stop there. He continues, “but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:4 ESV). True loveliness shines through when we cultivate the fruit of the spirit.
Consider this image from 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” Just as Moses’ face glowed after spending time with God, we too can radiate an inner light through our relationship with Jesus. The more time we spend in His presence, the more we reflect His beauty.
In
essence, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying fashion, makeup or other forms of self-expression. It’s part of the joy of being human, but don’t forget to pair it with an even bolder spirit.
Let’s remember as we apply that mascara or choose the perfect outfit, that we also give more attention to the qualities that make us truly radiant from within—kindness, compassion, wisdom. When we blend physical beauty with inner radiance from spending time with Jesus and letting Him transform us from within, that’s when we truly shine!
karin beery with sioni rodriguez | bit.ly/rebuildingwhatwasdestroyed
A Story of Hope & Redemption
People might think Sioni Rodriguez has a life “degree” in hope. Raised in an abusive home, sold into slavery and helpless to save her daughter from prison, she’s had no earthly reason to stay positive.
But a chance encounter during her childhood introduced her to Christ, and her life has become a testament to the power of prayer and hope.
A Painful Journey to Hope
Born in India, Sioni immigrated to Costa Rica when she was five years old. Raised in poverty by alcoholic parents, she
Sioni Rodriguez
suffered harsh and frequent physical abuse, but it didn’t compare to the horrors of the sexual abuse that started after toddlerhood.
At the age of nine, her mother sold her for the first time. Sioni escaped and returned home to more abuse. But when she was twelve, she went to the store for her mom, and everything changed. “Next door to the store, I heard a tambourine,” she said. “As a little girl, I was curious. I went to the house and found they were having church. For the first time, I felt so much love that I’d never experienced. The pastor asked if anyone wanted to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and I jumped up.”
Faith in the Fire
After that, Sioni expected her life to get better, but things became worse. Her mother sold her again, this time to a brothel, where Sioni lived for three years. Many of the girls there used drugs and alcohol to dull the pain, but Sioni resisted. “I knew that God was going to set me free from that place,” she said. “The girls laughed at me, but I knew as surely as the sun set that was not my destiny.”
When she finally left the brothel, her mother sold her one last time to a man who married Sioni and took her to the United States. There, he abused her until he left her and her two children to fend for themselves. Despite the emotional and physical pain, heartbreak and struggles, Sioni never lost hope.
“The devil had a plan to destroy me, but he’s not the author of what will happen to us. God is, and He’s a good God.”
Sioni met people who helped her and her children. She found a job that led to a better job, which increased her
SIONI RODRIGUEZ
confidence. Today, she is remarried to a man who loves and fears God. She is a wife, mother and grandmother with a good job and a supportive church family. Her faith in God and unwillingness to give up hope sustained her through her trials and into God’s promises. Finally, she could rest in the peace of God’s blessings.
Living in Truth
But then, in 2007, she got “the call”—her seventeen-yearold daughter Scheila had been arrested and was facing fourteen years in prison in Seattle. Sioni was at work when she received the call and didn’t know what to do.
“I had created a fake image that, as Christians, we don’t go
through anything hard,” she said. “I
looked around and thought, what will people say about me if they know the truth?”
God. Now with a Master of Theology degree, she and her mother minister to incarcerated women. These days, with overcrowded prisons and lawlessness abounding, the need is great, and the imprisoned women they meet all need the same thing—the hope that only Christ can give.
Rebuilding What Was Destroyed
“I believe we have to take back what the devil tried to take,” Sioni said. “Prison is like the church. It’s full of people with all kinds of pains. Scheila and I tell them God can change that. If He can do it for my daughter, He can do it for you.”
Her faith in God’s promises inspired her latest book, Rebuilding What Was Destroyed: How a Mother’s Bold Faith Changed Everything. In it, Sioni and her daughter tell Scheila’s story by weaving it together with other women’s testimonies. “It has restored people’s lives and given them hope,” Sioni said.
She ran to the bathroom and cried. After everything she’d already endured, why was this happening to her family?
Despair threatened to consume her, but Sioni’s unstoppable faith stirred, and she started praying. One morning, God answered her prayer by waking Sioni before dawn. “He told me clearly to go up to my computer and email churches in Seattle.” She contacted more than 100 churches asking for someone to visit her daughter. One pastor replied, but that was all God needed.
Every Thursday, this pastor visited Scheila. As he did, her heart changed from blaming God to accepting the consequences of her actions. Eventually, she accepted the truth—she could live a life of misery or abundance inside or outside of the prison. The choice was hers.
Scheila accepted the gospel, and when she was released from prison, she dedicated her life to serving
She plans to take that hope and share it with more women internationally. The first step was made possible this year with the Spanish-language release of her first book, Three Times Sold. Sioni hopes to take the Spanish translation into Central and South American prisons to reach more women.
Between her story of survival and Scheila’s story of restoration, Sioni can relate to the broken and hopeless women in a way that few people can. And when she finally gets the chance to share her testimony, she knows exactly what she’ll say:
“Prayer
changes everything. When answers don’t immediately come, keep praying. Sometimes you want to give up on hope, but hope doesn’t want to give up on you.”
Find Sioni’s books Three Times Sold: A Story of Faith, Survival and Forgiveness and Rebuilding What Was Destroyed: How A Mother’s Bold Faith Changed Everything , co-written with daughter Scheila on Amazon.
Sioni with members of A Time to Heal: Beyond Survival Ministries in Costa Rica to bring food people on the streets, the hotel in which they were staying and helped out in the small community. Also, we helped single moms and people from the hotel in which we stayed..
Sioni’s second ministry trip to Costa Rica: Serving in prisons, streets, and the red-light district with A Time to Heal: Beyond Survival Ministries. Feeding the homeless and spreading hope.
Interceding for the Abused Children Among Us
linda evans shepherd | lindashepherd.com
I was snuggled deep in the covers when my eyes popped open and I heard the still, small voice of the Lord whisper to my heart. It’s time to pray for the hurting children.
“What hurting children, Lord?” I asked.
The children who were molested tonight.
“But where are they?” I asked. In neighborhoods all around you.
I sat up with tears in my eyes. It was as if I could see the tear-stained faces of kids who had cried themselves back to sleep. I was stunned.
“Really, Lord, all around me?”
The Lord gently whispered: For miles; you would be shocked if you could see what I see.
If we could truly see the pain of the children, even in our own neighborhoods, and know who is hurting, maybe we would do something about it. But this kind of trauma and pain is all but invisible because the victims suffer in silence, their abuse hidden. Most child abuse is never reported, according to the National Center for Victims of Crime. This would mean that the National Center’s statistic—that one in five girls and one in twenty boys have been victims of sexual abuse—is far below reality.
I sat up in bed and began to pray for the children who had been assaulted that evening.
I didn’t know who they were, but God knew, and He wanted
me to bring them comfort and relief through my prayers. You can also join me in praying this prayer: Dear Lord,
I pray for all the hurting children in my community who have been molested or assaulted. Please let them know that You are with them, that You see what’s happened, and that You care. Let them feel Your loving presence and comfort. Appear to these children in their dreams and let them know they are not alone as You hold them close.
Meanwhile, I ask you to break the power of sexual assault and abuse over their lives and pray they will grow up in the power of Your love and protection.
I pray that these children will heal from their trauma and come to know Your great love and healing. I also ask that You stop the abuse and assaults against these children. I pray against the demons that provoke these attacks and, by the power of the blood of Jesus, I declare that the demons must cease and desist. I also pray for the abusers, that they be set free from their sin. I pray this in the powerful name and blood of Jesus.
For those who have also experienced childhood sexual trauma assault, please pray with me:
Lord, through the blood of Jesus, You have washed me clean. I give You my trauma, grief, anger, and bitterness caused by these assaults and violent acts committed against me. Lord, I lay down my broken, bitter heart at the foot of the cross and give You all my pain. Lord, restore my heart with Your love and peace, and help me to be forever free as I learn to walk in Your freedom.
Linda Evans Shepherd is the author of Praying through Hard Times (Revell) and the publisher of Leading Hearts. Visit her website at: gottopray.com and lindashepherd.com.
lh music contributor jennifer taylor
The Journey of Skye Reedy From Background to Center Stage
Skye Reedy’s path to becoming a worship leader was far from straightforward.
Despite an early start in church singing and nearly signing a major label deal at 16, tragedy struck when her mother passed away during her junior year of high school.
“I thought, I’m just gonna put music on a shelf, put it away,” Skye recalled.
“The Lord was just opening doors, but at that same time, my mom got super sick and ended up passing away at the end of my junior year of high school.”
At her father’s encouragement, Skye attended Belmont University in Nashville. This decision proved pivotal, leading to a profound encounter with God that began healing her heart. As she opened up to music again, Skye found herself singing background vocals for Christian artists like Mandisa and Michael W. Smith.
Finding Her Voice Again
While touring as a background vocalist, Skye had a lifechanging moment. “There was one day I’ll never forget. I was standing backstage of this arena that we had just performed in, and I so clearly heard the Holy Spirit say, ‘This is not what you’re supposed to do with the rest of your life.’”
“I
knew that the love and the healing of God was so powerful and that I just wanted to be obedient to share it
in whatever way He wanted me to do.”
A powerful encounter with God led to Skye’s healing from a 25-year battle with an autoimmune disease. This miraculous event ignited her passion for songwriting. “I felt really inspired to write songs that other people could use to sing truth over themselves and encourage themselves,” Skye explained.
Learning from Legends
Working closely with artists like Mandisa and Michael W. Smith profoundly influenced Skye’s approach to worship and ministry. She observed their unwavering focus on
Jesus and learned valuable lessons about following the Spirit in worship leading.
“It’s such a beautiful thing to lead worship with people that you love and trust, and you’re able to go places musically and do things together that just take you deeper into an encounter with God.”
In June, Skye released her live worship album, a testament to her healing journey. Recorded in a small 100-year-old church in Nashville, the album focuses on themes of healing and the true nature of the Church.
“This project is a lot about healing. ‘Your Church,’ the title track, is about what the Church is called to, what people who love Jesus are supposed to look like,” Skye shared.
The Power of Worship in Turbulent Times
Skye believes that worship is crucial, especially during challenging times. “As soon as we step back into alignment with heaven and start to see things through His eyes and through supernatural eyes, I think that peace begins to come over us,” she explained.
“People are really sensing the authenticity because they’re wanting to be led into a real encounter with God.”
This fall, Skye will join other worship artists on the Citywide Worship Nights Tour. Reflecting on her journey, she concluded, “I’m grateful for how it all worked out. I never saw any of that coming. But I think that’s what I love about the Lord. If you say yes, you definitely know it’s going to be a wild adventure.”
Be sure to check out Skye’s debut album, Your Church, available now. Scan the code below to hear it on Apple Music.You can follow her latest news at skyereedy.com.
Where History & Memory Connect Halifax—
Halifax, Nova Scotia—a city long on my bucket list— finally became a reality for me this past month.
Known for its deep connection to the sea, Halifax is a captivating blend of old-world charm and modern high-rises, nestled on one of the world’s largest natural harbors. But its historical significance, particularly regarding the Titanic, adds a unique depth to its allure. In April 1912, Halifax played a pivotal role in the recovery efforts following the Titanic’s tragic sinking, a connection that made my visit even more meaningful.
A Lifelong Curiosity Ignited at Sea
My fascination with the Titanic began during a childhood trip to England on the SS United States, the world’s fastest ocean liner at the time. One serene afternoon, while having tea in the ship’s lounge, my mother made a casual comment: “This must have been what it was like on the Titanic—tea at sea.” Her whimsical remark sparked a curiosity about the ill-fated ship that has stayed with me throughout my life.
The largest and most luxurious British passenger ship of its time, the Titanic was considered by many to be “unsinkable.” It set sail from Southampton on April 10, 1912,
with 2,240 passengers and crew. Tragically, just five days later, the ship struck an iceberg and sank, claiming 1,500 lives. Honoring their memory through storytelling remains one of the most powerful ways to keep their legacy alive.
When History Becomes Personal
My research and writing on the culture and customs of the Titanic era have only deepened my interest in Halifax. The era itself, with its strict social hierarchies and elaborate customs, forms the backdrop for many of the personal stories tied to the Titanic. Visiting Halifax allowed me to physically connect with that history.
Standing in Fairview Lawn Cemetery, I realized the rows of gravestones weren’t just numbers—they were real people shaped by the customs and societal norms of the Titanic era. Halifax became more than a chapter in the Titanic’s aftermath—it became a place where history and memory converge.
Life’s Briefness and Eternity’s Shore
Reflecting on the Titanic and its legacy brings a stark reminder of life’s fragility. As we journey through life, how often do we take our salvation for granted? The uncertainty and brevity of life are real, and many of our friends and loved ones may not have the assurance of arriving safely on eternity’s shore. The devil works hard to make us believe we have unlimited time to get right with God.
“O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!” (Psalm 39:4 ESV).
Sharing Faith One Meal at a Time
One of life’s most significant callings is to share Christ with others. We must remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings, ready to act when the moment arises. The Spirit prepares the hearts of those we encounter, creating opportunities for us to share our faith. Whether it’s through a kind word, a simple action, or extending an invitation to share a meal, these moments can make an eternal impact.
“One of life’s most significant callings is to share Christ with others. We must remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s promptings, ready to act when the moment arises.”
For me, the most meaningful way to share Christ’s love is often over a cup of tea and scones. There’s something uniquely powerful about inviting someone into your home to break bread together.
However, after my trip to Canada, I’ve been inspired to mix things up. Halifax’s delicious seafood chowder left a lasting impression on me. I want to share this recipe with you. There’s connection that comes from sharing a hearty meal like this, one I hope will not only warm your heart but also provide a perfect setting to share faith and fellowship.
Seafood Chowder
Ingredients:
• 6 slices bacon, cut into small pieces
• ¼ cup butter
• 1 diced onion
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup flour
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp thyme
• 2 stalks celery, sliced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 5 cups broth
• ½ cup white wine (optional)
• ½ pound fish (salmon, cod, haddock, or lobster), cut into chunks
• ½ pound scallops, quartered
• ¾ pound shrimp, tails off
• 1 small can of chopped clams, drained
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tbsp parsley
• 2 tsp dill
Instructions:
1. Cook bacon until semi-crisp; add onion, garlic, and butter, and cook until tender.
2. Add flour and seasonings; stir, cooking for 2-3 minutes.
3. Add carrots, celery, potatoes, broth, and wine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Stir in seafood, cooking until fish is flaky and potatoes are tender, about 8–10 minutes.
5. Stir in milk, cream, parsley, and dill. Serve and enjoy!
With new reports of data breaches and suspicious messages popping up everywhere we look, scams have become a major concern today for everyone.
As we navigate this landscape of deception, it’s important to equip ourselves with knowledge and strategies to stay safe. By being smart about our own security, we can also help protect those around us from falling victim to these scams.
Craft a Defense
We begin our defense on our knees. In these days of online attacks, a wise woman prays:
• before she opens her computer
• before she opens an email or a message
• before she responds
Urgency is a trick every scammer uses. If they cause us to react in haste, we are much more vulnerable. To combat this trick, slow down and take time to pray.
• Remember who the true enemy is. “For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens” (Ephesians 6:12 HCSB). Not all those who send scam messages or make scam phone calls are doing it because they want to. Scam farms are full of trafficked men and women who are enslaved and forced to spend hours a day sending out scams. They are punished if they don’t get results—another reason to begin our warfare with prayer.
• Remain aware. Every single time there is a security breach, there will be an uptick in scams. Pay attention to notices that warn of a breach that may contain your personal information. Then go one step further. Visit one of these two sites to see if your password/social security number/email address has been compromised.
https://haveibeenpwned.com and https://cybernews.com/personal-data-leak-check/
• Develop a healthy skepticism. Every time you get an email, begin by assuming it’s a lie. Skepticism can be a great defense to help us stay safe. Start with the assumption you’re being scammed and unfortunately, you won’t be far from wrong.
• Never use public wifi to sign into any website that uses a password. Public wifi is vulnerable to spoofing. Do your banking and anything that has a password on a private—secure—wifi.
• Sign up for two-factor authentication. Yes, it’s an inconvenience to sign in with extra steps. But that inconvenience is nothing compared to dealing with a scammer.
• Use the HIDE YOUR EMAIL option when you enter your email online. This is relatively new and it seems counterintuitive, but it is infinitely safer and can keep hackers from getting your email address in a breach.
• Use a different password for every single account. Don’t ever repeat a password; this makes you vulnerable to hackers. I use a password program to keep up with my passwords and help me remember when I need to change them. There are lots of good ones out there. Look for 32-bit encryption when you’re choosing one.
Bottom Line: Know the Warning Signs
• An email address that’s close to a legitimate email. Look for extra numbers and letters.
• Poor grammar. Even AI hasn’t perfected grammar in subject lines or in the body of messages.
• A ticking clock. Scams rely on making the recipient panic or worry about time running out.
• A request for personal information, like passwords, banking info, user names, etc. Legitimate companies would never ask for this information.
• A link to click. When you’re asked to click a link—even if you think it’s legitimate—go to the website on a separate browser and investigate.
With these steps we can all stay safe online.
Every leader has room for spiritual and professional growth.
Ultimately, Holy Spirit is our faithful guide leading us into all things pertaining to godliness, but God’s Word does encourage mentoring relationships. One of the best examples of this is shown in the relationship between Paul and Timothy. It is also referenced in Titus regarding older women mentoring younger women.
Even the relationship Jesus shared with His disciples is a form of mentoring.
Mentoring is more than merely telling someone about the Word of God. It involves showing someone how to love and serve God. It is an active form of blessing where one person serves another through the shared gift of their life experience. Whether you are looking to develop your understanding of Scripture, clarify your calling, build your leadership gifts, or deepen your spiritual walk, you can benefit from a godly mentor.
A spiritual mentor can help you develop your overall skills in multiple areas as a leader or help you if you feel stuck and unsure about your next steps.
Mentors often function at a level of experience and success you aspire to achieve. Their spiritual intelligence has been developed through experience with God in places you may not have encountered yet. Mentors can offer wise counsel and advice based on their own journey alongside the examples from Scripture. They are living epistles from which you can glean.
A mentor is concerned about all aspects of your growth and well-being. They often desire to have a doing-life-together relationship where they give you access to intimate parts of their life.
Spiritual mentors may also share personal details with you about their discipleship habits, introduce you to their friends, and act as a referral source for new opportunities to directly help you move forward in your calling.
Mentoring is usually a mutual agreement based on relationships. Your mentor should want to mentor you as much as you want to be mentored by them.
Godly mentoring can be healing and restorative for both parties involved when they share these five characteristics.
5 Key Characteristics of Healthy Mentoring Relationships
#1 Vulnerability
Mentoring relationships will require a greater level of vulnerability from both sides. The mentor must be comfortable sharing about both the high and low points of their journey, and the mentee should be open to discussing their current struggles and difficulties.
#2 Personal growth
Mentoring often covers many interlinking personal growth areas affecting your calling. If you are embarking on a new opportunity, a mentoring relationship would encompass a holistic look at advancement in your personal growth.
#3 Accountability
Mentoring is not rigid but should have some level of ongoing feedback to keep you on track. There will likely be no established performance measures or specific assignments related to the mentoring relationship. Improvement is often measured by intangible interpersonal changes. The accountability is to help keep you from getting stuck in your problems and instead moving forward as you focus on God.
#4 Mindset management
A mentoring mindset focuses on a long-term relationship. When seeking mentorship, consider someone you know personally or professionally who you admire and would like to achieve a similar level of growth in an area.
#5 Authenticity
In your mentoring relationships, you should strive to be authentic in your interactions. For a mentor to guide well, you will need to feel comfortable being truthful about where you are getting stuck and most needing assistance. Before they can help you move forward, they will need to see where you are currently in the process.
Lack of authenticity will negatively affect the effectiveness and limit the healing benefits of having a mentor.
Originally printed in the Holiday Issue 2021.
awsa memberships
AWSA PROTÉGÉ —
For women who feel called to communicate.
The Advanced Writers & Speakers Association (AWSA) has two levels of membership.s specifically designed for Christian Women Communicators.
Annual Membership includes:
• Opportunity to attend live conferences and network with published authors. ($1000 value)
• Invitation to join Protégé Power Call — lively group coaching with experts. ($300 value)
• AWSA Connect, virtual, quarterly mini-conferences with small group network time. ($500 value)
• Invitation to submit to AWSA’s Leading Hearts magazine and daily e-devotionals. (($100 value)
• Access to Certified Writing Coaches. ($100 value)
• News and happenings, plus invitations to ministry/career changing courses. ($500 value)
• Fast Acting Bonus: “How to Get More Speaking Engagements” course. ($500 value)
• Fast Acting Bonus: Writing and Speaking Guides by Kathy Collard Miller. ($200 value)
Annual package worth: $3200; Yours: $47.00 per year.*
AWSA PROFESSIONAL –
For women who are professional writers, speakers, or communicators.
Annual Membership includes:
• An online networking and resource loop. ($1000 value)
• Online prayer loop. (Priceless)
• Opportunity to attend live conferences and network with editors and published authors. ($1000 value)
• Opportunity to become an AWSA Certified Coach. ($100 value)
• Opportunity to become a P.O.W.E.R. Certified Speaker. ($100 value)
• News and happenings, plus invitations to ministry/career changing courses. ($500 value.)
• AWSA Connect, virtual, quarterly mini-conferences with small group network time. ($500 value)
• Invitation to submit to AWSA’s Leading Hearts magazine and Arise Daily e-devotionals. ($100 value)
• Fast Acting Bonus: “How to Get More Speaking Engagements” course. ($500 value)
• Fast Acting Bonus: Writing and Speaking Guides by Kathy Collard Miller. ($200 value)
• Exclusive access to Golden Scroll Awards Contest. (Priceless) Annual package worth: $4000; Yours: $47.00 per year.*
Write Yourself into Someone’s
Redemption Story
cherie denna | cheriedenna.com
This job interview was like no other. The director looked up from my resume. Her tear-filled eyes reflected genuine empathy.
“What happened to you, Cherie?” She looked straight into my heart. Connection accomplished.
My own shame and self-condemnation had held me back from pursuing a respectable profession. But God had other plans. The director of the nonprofit believed in my potential. God’s purpose in leading me there involved intense healing and restoration and revealed His call on my life. Through her genuine care, my director advocated for me and empowered me. I am grateful she chose to write herself into my redemption story.
Write Yourself In: The C.A.R.E. Method
Writing ourselves into someone’s redemption story is a powerful way to unite our narratives. As founder of the Everyday Belonging Movement, I encourage
The C.A.R.E. Method:
Connect, Advocate, Restore, and Empower
C—CONNECT
Cultivate community. Connection is essential to embrace the broken and alienated. Everyone needs to feel known, heard, seen and valued—without judgment.
CONNECT Calls to Action:
· Resolve division or conflict with someone in your life.
· Invite someone over you’ve been meaning to call; be present without judgment.
· Mail a handwritten card to someone who is walking through a tough time.
· Invite the store cashier to church.
Connecting with isolated individuals helps promote their recovery and strengthens the community.
A—ADVOCATE
Promote the justice of their cause. Advocacy involves using your voice, influence or platform to help someone who might otherwise be overlooked or misunderstood.
ADVOCATE Calls to Action:
· Volunteer with programs that serve isolated individuals.
· Support the cause, purpose, and goals of someone within your circle of influence.
· Organize a social event or support group.
· Plan a picnic with other community members to raise awareness of needs in your area.
Advocating for the outcast and alienated involves actively working to dismantle the barriers that contribute to their exclusion.
R—RESTORE
Serve others to bring restoration and reconciliation. We restore hope through our demonstration of compassion, grace and authenticity. Once we’ve made a genuine effort to connect and establish trust with someone, we have the ability to provide access to resources and disciple them.
RESTORE Calls to Action:
· Provide supportive companionship with your presence and empathy.
· Offer guidance on practical steps they can take to overcome obstacles.
· Inspire personal and spiritual growth.
· Share your own personal redemption experiences.
Is there someone you know whose faith seems to be faltering, someone who is struggling with their beliefs? We can help them heal by providing tools and support.
E—EMPOWER
Amplify voices by creating opportunities to express perspectives and aspirations. When we mentor others, we show them that redemption and transformation are possible and help them believe in their own ability to change.
EMPOWER Calls to Action:
· Encourage others to share their perspectives, talents and aspirations.
· Embolden them to share their story.
· Create opportunities for them to use their God-given gifts.
· Reassure them that their past does not define them.
To empower others, we must embrace imperfections and view vulnerability as strength. Is God calling you to mentor someone?
Use Prayerful Discernment
In each of these steps—whether connecting, advocating, restoring or empowering—it’s crucial to use wisdom and prayerful discernment to avoid becoming overburdened or enabling destructive behaviors. Pray for when to step in and when to step back. Ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in how to approach each step of their redemption journey. Set healthy boundaries to protect your emotional, spiritual and mental well-being. Helping someone should not come at the expense of your own health or lead to codependency.
Just as Barnabas played a pivotal role in Paul’s redemption, we too are invited to step into the stories of others. We can make a profound impact when we choose to see beyond someone’s present struggles and into their potential for transformation. When we truly C.A.R.E. to write ourselves into someone’s redemption arc, the power of God’s love is manifested, forever altering the course of their story.
CHERIE DENNA is a women’s ministry director, author, and speaker. You can find her hanging over an ocean bluff with her camera and frothed coffee in hand. Find out more at www.cheriedenna.com.
Carrying on About Grace
I can carry all those plastic bags. I’m sure of it. It required most of an entire cart to get them from the store to the car, but from the car to the house?
My two skinny arms should work just fine, thanks.
Those bags are going to leave marks across my hands and the backs of my skinny forearms, and those marks will last three days, but that’s fine. Because I will carry them. All.
I can ignore the fact that my scrawny biceps are burning like a thousand suns because I’ve made it to the front porch. But then as I’m ready to reach for the doorknob, I realize both burning-like-a-thousand-suns arms are more than occupied. Elbows won’t turn knobs. Feet? Nope. Mouth? That’s just silly. If I put the bags down, however, I know there’s no regathering that tangly mess of loopy handles. Miss a bag handle and everything inside slops out of the bag in a potentially toxic porch spill. The whole thing is an epic, hot fail.
So no choice. This is where I live now. On my porch. With all these bags.
Anytime I find myself living in the space of my own hot failures—even real and hotter failures—I find comfort and almost inexpressible relief in focusing on the unconditional and never-changing love of my God of grace.
My tendency is to imagine the Father seeing my failures the same way I do. But He puts them in an entirely different bag. All condemning thoughts I think about myself and my failures are all and only my thoughts. Not His. He’s made
clear again and again His overwhelming, unshakable love for me, skinny-scarred arms and all.
Paul drives it home in Romans 8. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death” (verses 1–2 CSB). No condemnation. Not one hot speck.
Oh, the freedom. As I let go of erroneous views of a God who only condemns, I find myself living in peace. And joy. In security.
In His love. My toxic mess-ups don’t define me. In Jesus, I am forgiven. Blameless and untangled. Free.
“Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds as expressed in your evil actions. But now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before him” (Colossians 1:21–22 CSB). Trying to skinny-arm carry guilt and shame will leave us tied up in knots in mind and heart.
We were never meant to carry that heavy load. We’re reconciled through the sacrifice of Christ, “holy, faultless, and blameless.”
Could I encourage you to open your heart and mind this very day to the freedom found in embracing forgiveness? Live in the light of His saving grace. It’s complete. It’s enough. Abundant, even.
Psalm 130:7 reminds us that “there is faithful love with the Lord, and with him is redemption in abundance” (CSB).
Redemption bigger than I can mess up. Looped together in His faithful love.
I can live well there. In the house, on the porch—anywhere.
Experienced Communicator -
W H A T ' S B E I N G S A I D
. . .
Joy Dunlap’s "Speaking Joyfully" messages always encourage and uplift, bringing hope and truth in each one. She takes everyday things we often overlook or coun as “that’s just the way it is” and turns them into opportunities fo her readers to experience more fulfilled lives.
Practical, thoughtful, and always applicable, Joy has a remarkable way of bringing biblical truth to light by sharing the observations she makes in daily life.
I marvel at how (Joy) has taken personal experiences and turned them into teaching moments...an most importantly kept it interesting and funny, albeit at (her) own expense in some cases
Award-winning Blogger - Speaking Joyfully
Certified P.O.W.E.R. Speaker - Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA)
Worked as VP, Radio Operations - National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) broadcast, print and podium
(Speaking Joyfully") is thoughtfu and fun, and always a reminder o our Loving God and His presence both the simple and the miraculo
p e a k i n g j o y f u l l y . c o m j o y d u n l a p . c o m
meet the editor
meet the team
meet the publisher
LINDA EVANS SHEPHERD @LINDASHEPHERD is publisher of Leading Hearts magazine. She is also a best-selling author, an in-demand speaker, YouTuber and president of Right to the Heart ministries. She is founder of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA). She lives in Colorado with husband, Paul, and son, Jimmy. Subscribe to her “Prayer Investigator” show on YouTube and visit her at www.lindashepherd.com as well as gottopray.com
AMBER WEIGAND-BUCKLEY @BAREFACEDGIRL is managing editor and art director for Leading Hearts magazine and brand manager for AWSA. She is a writer, speaker, book cover designer and multi-award-winning editor, having spent 26 years in the magazine industry. Amber is owner of #barefacedcreative, providing branding support for authors, speakers, businesses and missionaries. She and her Brit-native husband, Philip, live in Missouri with two of their daughters: Imogen and Penelope. Their oldest, Saffron, is a student at Missouri State. Amber’s award-winning book, Leading Ladies: Discover Your God-Grown Strategy for Success and My Discovery and Next Steps Journal (Bold Vision Books), co-authored with Lisa Burris Burns features the stories of over 30 world-changing women. The duo co-hosts “Coffee Chat with Amber & Lisa: Real Life. Real Influence. No Makeup Required” which is available on all podcast networks. Find out more at www.leadingladies.life.
KARIN BEERY writes contemporary stories with a healthy dose of romance. If she’s not writing fiction, she’s editing or teaching others at conferences and through the PEN Institute. When not engaged in writerly pursuits, she enjoys time at home with her husband and fur babies. www.karinbeery.com
PENELOPE CARLEVATO is the author of The Art of Afternoon Tea: From the Era of Downton Abbey and the Titanic as well as Tea on the Titanic, First Class Etiquette, and her latest, The Tea Lover’s Journal www.penelopecarlevato.com
DR. SAUNDRA DALTON-SMITH is an internal medicine physician, author, and speaker. She has been an adjunct faculty member at Baker College and Davenport University in Michigan. Dr. Dalton-Smith is the founder of the I Choose My Best Life ministry. www.ichoosemybestlife.com
CHERIE DENNA is a women’s ministry director, author, and speaker. You can find her hanging over an ocean bluff with her camera and frothed coffee in hand. Find out more at www.cheriedenna.com
PAM FARREL is an international speaker, author of 59 books, including her newest, Discovering Good News In John: A Creative Bible Study. Pam and her husband, Bill, are co-directors of LoveWise, a ministry to enrich, educate, and encourage people’s most vital relationships. When not traveling for speaking, the Farrels enjoy kayaking, paddle boarding, walking the beach, and hosting guests on their floating home on the ocean. www.love-wise.com
NANCY TUPPER LING is the winner of the prestigious Writer’s Digest Grand Prize and the Pat Parnell Poetry Award. She draws her inspiration from the multicultural background of her family. She is also the founder of Fine Line Poets. www.nancytupperling.com
contributors
EDIE MELSON is an author, blogger, and speaker who has penned numerous books, including While My Child Is Away, a book of prayers for when we’re apart. Her top-ranked blog for writers, The Write Conversation, reaches thousands each month, and she’s the Director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. www.ediemelson.com
KAREN PORTER is an international speaker, the author of six books, and a successful business woman. She is president of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, serves on several boards, and coaches aspiring writers and speakers. She and her husband, George, own Bold Vision Books, a Christian publishing company. www.karenporter.com
RHONDA RHEA is an author, humor columnist, and TV personality. Her newest release with co-authors Monica Schmelter and Kaley Rhea, Messy to Meaningful — My Purse Runneth Over is available on Amazon. www.rhondarhea.com
CYNTHIA L. SIMMONS is the mother of five grown children, past president of Christian Authors Guild, radio host, media coach. She writes both fiction and non-fiction and loves history. She ministers to women of all ages but has a special place in her heart for young mothers and homeschool mothers. www.clsimmons.com
JENNIFER TAYLOR is a reviewer and profile contributor for Leading Hearts magazine.
