● The ‘Hidden Epidemic’ of grandparents raising grandkids
● How mentorship changes a child’s story
THERE’S MORE TO C.
MS Christian Living, Inc.
EDITOR
Katie Ginn katie@mschristianliving.com
ART/GRAPHIC DESIGN
Sandra Goff SALES
Teresa Howell
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Bethany Atkinson, Chris Bates, Cassidy Camp, Laura Lee Leathers, Chrissy Sanders, Dr. Teena Welborn, Jade Whitehurst
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY
Joe Ellis Photography
DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS
Linda Roberts, Jerri and Sammy Strickland, Rachel and Bob Whatley
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Trippin’ on vacation
I’ve been blessed to take a couple of long weekend road trips recently. First, in September, I went with my best friend Michelle to Franklin, Tennessee. We stayed in an adorable 1920s-era home, shopped and ate our way through downtown Franklin, and attended a book signing.
One of the highlights was a thunderstorm that had the power going off repeatedly. At one point, when the power was on again, we had the front window open at our Airbnb and were sitting on the couch, reading, and enjoying the sound of the rain. Then the power went off again — and we just switched on our flashlights and kept reading.
That’s what I call A Perfect Vacation.
Then, a couple of weeks ago, Stephen and I drove down to Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Neither of us had been there before, and we were excited to explore the town, see the beach, and escape from stress for a bit.
Our first night there, we discovered a little pack of earplugs on each nightstand. I assumed they were there in case we had noisy neighbors (which we did). Then, between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., as we tried to sleep, a train rattled by, blaring its horn, on four separate occasions. The railroad was right behind our building.
The train and our ensuing lack of sleep derailed (pun intended) our plans for a “beach day” the next day, so we just meandered around downtown and visited the Walter Anderson Museum. In fact, we ended up not doing a beach day on this trip at all. I decided I just needed to see the beach, and walk on it a bit, and I would be fine. We only had two full days on the coast, there were other things we wanted to do, and I was more of a mountain person anyway. Right?
So we ate at Shaggy’s on Biloxi Beach and walked on said beach for a few minutes, and we drove down to Front Beach in Ocean Springs and hung out on the covered pier for a little bit. That was our beach time.
Finally, as we were leaving for home, I realized (too late) that I did want a beach day. I was irrationally angry with Stephen, and more reasonably angry with myself, for not figuring that out sooner. Sigh. I had not experienced A Perfect Vacation.
Going into this trip, I thought I’d have at least a couple of hours under a beach umbrella to read a book while the waves lulled me into relaxation. Instead — again, because I said, “I just need to see the beach” — we mostly walked around and ate, and shopped.
Waaahhh, all I got was a bunch of yummy meals and shopping time! As Chandler famously quipped on “Friends”: “My wallet’s too small for my fifties, and my diamond shoes are too tight!”
I feel like an idiot having to type this after a vacation, but maybe, just maybe, I should be thankful (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and focus on the good things (Philippians 4:8). No, I didn’t get to read for two hours with my feet in the sand. But over the course of the trip, I did read a whole book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Also, much like my trip with Michelle, the highlight of this one wasn’t a Big Vacation Experience, but quality time on the couch — in this case, playing Uno with Stephen. We rarely sit down to play a mindless game, and it was fun.
God is gracious, y’all. Despite my selfishness when things don’t go my way, the Father chose to adopt me into His family through Jesus’ sacrifice. And He’s slowly making me more and more like Jesus (Romans 8), even when it doesn’t seem like it.
Meanwhile, by His grace, I’ll thank Him for vacations and train horns and Uno games. And our next trip? Forget the beach: We’re going to the mountains! Y
Katie Ginn katie@mschristianliving.com
Ready for our fancy dinner at White Pillars in Biloxi, another highlight of our Ocean Springs trip!
Madison family’s unexpected adoption inspires joy
“God always writes stories for our lives that are so much better than we can write for ourselves.” – Suzannah Britt
For Anthony and Suzannah Britt of Madison, life in 2019 felt settled. With two high-schoolers, Hannah Rae and Russ Taylor, they believed their parenting days were nearing a new, quieter season. What they didn’t realize was that God was preparing to write a new and beautiful chapter in their story.
That August, Anthony — who serves as missions pastor at First Baptist Church of Madison — traveled with their daughter, Hannah Rae, and team to Shell, Ecuador, to serve at Casa de Fe, a faith-based children’s home founded by missionary Patti Sue Arnold. During their time there, Patti Sue introduced them to an energetic young boy named Telmo — and gently planted the idea of a possible adoption.
Back home in Mississippi, Suzannah began hearing about Telmo through FaceTime calls. Suzannah couldn’t help but notice that Hannah Rae always seemed to have him nearby. “I remember thinking they might be up to something,” Suzannah laughs. “But I was ready with all the reasons we couldn’t adopt, mainly that we were too old! One child was about to start college, and the other had just begun high school.”
Still, Anthony felt a stirring he couldn’t ignore — the sense that God was weaving something greater through their uncertainty. He told Hannah Rae that if adoption was truly part of God’s plan, they would pray for Him to move her mom’s heart. In time, they began to witness a gentle shift only grace could bring.
A few months later, their church hosted Dr. Paul Chitwood, president of the International Mission Board. He shared how adoption had shaped his own family, saying that every child deserves the love of a mother and a father. “It was as if God was speaking directly to me,” Suzannah recalls. “From that day on, I couldn’t stop thinking about Telmo.”
In March 2020, the Britts returned to Ecuador on a spring break mission trip. On the very first day, Suzannah watched as Anthony and Hannah Rae laughed and played with Telmo, and her heart instantly melted. “Leaving him at the end of the week was heartbreaking,” she reflects. “I knew then that we were supposed to bring him home.”
The next 18 months were filled with paperwork, prayer, and God’s undeniable provision. Family, friends, their church community, and the local ministry Hearts of Compassion surrounded them with encouragement and support. Looking back, the Britts still become emotional remembering how faithfully God provided every step of the way.
In October 2021, after seven weeks in Ecuador to complete the final requirements, the Britts brought Telmo home just in time for Thanksgiving.
Now, four years later, they can’t imagine life without him. “People often tell us how lucky Telmo is to have us,” Anthony says. “But we always tell them it’s the other way around — we’re the blessed ones.”
“Our hope is that Eunice B’s will always be a place where Telmo can share his joy while helping customers celebrate life’s moments, big and small,” said Telmo’s mom, Suzannah Britt.
Telmo, now in seventh grade at Germantown Middle School, is non-speaking but communicates through gestures, sign language, and a communication device. He’s known for his bright smile, quick high-fives, and love of compliments — especially about his outfits. His latest fashion signature? Wearing a bowtie to church like his dad.
While praying about Telmo’s future, the Britts found themselves inspired to create something that reflected his cheerful spirit and celebrated joy and creativity. In October 2024, they opened Eunice B’s Gift Wrap & More in Ridgeland, named after Suzannah’s grandmother. The store offers gift wrapping, thoughtful gifts, and charming paper goods.
Telmo proudly serves as the store’s “manager.” He visits after school and on Saturdays, greets customers with high fives, samples the snacks, and creates bowties from leftover ribbons. “Our hope,” Suzannah says, “is that Eunice B’s will always be a place where Telmo can share his joy while helping customers celebrate life’s moments, big and small.”
For the Britt family, adoption has been more than an act of love — it’s been a living testimony of God’s perfect timing and the kind of joy that only He can create. Y
Bethany Atkinson is a graphic designer in the nonprofit news space who loves using creativity to shine a light on people’s stories. A Madison native now living in Brandon, she shares her days with her husband and their beloved mutt, Dexter.
Hannah Rae, Russ Taylor, and Telmo Britt (front).
‘The Hidden Epidemic’ of grandparents raising grandkids
Do you know any grandparents who have adopted their grandchildren? Could it be that you are facing this monumental decision? More than 2.4 million U.S. children are being raised by grandparents or other relatives, according to Psychology Today’s “The Hidden Epidemic: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren” (April 17, 2025) by Dr. Deborah Heiser.
Heiser writes that the reasons (and thus the length of time) grandparents care for grandchildren can vary widely. Also, “limited resources and the fact that they’re often taking on these care roles suddenly (means grandparents have) to navigate new territory that is often overwhelming, isolating, and emotionally draining.”
Causes behind “The Hidden Epidemic” include neglect, substance abuse, death, mental health issues, abandonment, prison, and military duty. Unlike when I first became a grandparent in 2000, today I know grandparents who have adopted their grandchildren in the hopes of providing family stability and a loving environment.
Biblical counseling
I reached out to Bruce Hosket and his wife, Kim, with Renew Ministry. Bruce has over 38 years with French Camp Academy in French Camp, Mississippi, as a teacher, coach, and administrator. Kim has also taught and worked in other capacities at the school. Together, they counsel couples dealing with various life scenarios.
“Adoption at this age and stage of life (as grandparents) requires tremendous work,” Bruce says. “Additionally, it takes a significant amount of support and commitment from others.”
Through their counseling ministry, the Hoskets have seen that many grandparents adopt out of guilt, blaming themselves for their grandchild’s circumstances. The Hoskets suggest that instead of the grandparents adopting, it should come from a generation below them, maybe an aunt or uncle of the child. Then the grandparents offer support and respite. This also releases grandparents to fulfill their role of grandparenting all their grandchildren.
Kim added, “Finding help is not failure. We
need a burden lifter, someone who can help with structure and accountability.”
Visit fcarp.org/renew for more information, or contact Bruce at bhosket@renewministry.ms or 662.770.0509.
Preparation and guidance
What should you consider if faced with the decision of whether to raise a grandchild?
● I once heard a pastor say, “You can always go to God’s Word for answers.” God tells us to seek first His kingdom (Matthew 6:33), ask Him for wisdom (James 1:5), and take everything to His throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16).
● Seek godly counsel from your pastor. In your church, are there other grandparents who have been or are now raising grandkids? Are there members who can babysit, offer respite care, provide transportation to school, or assist with homeschooling?
● Do your homework, research, prepare, and plan. What support groups are available? Listen to Christian podcasters who are addressing the topic of grandparents adopting.
● Is there an organization that can come along beside you? Contact The Baptist
Children’s Village, French Camp Academy, or Methodist Children’s Homes of Mississippi, to name a few.
● If a support group is not in your area, consider starting one at your church, creating a Facebook group, or hosting a regular Zoom meeting.
● Most of all, be realistic!
Unexpected joys and blessings
Many grandparents have traded in the travel and leisure of retirement to impact their grandchildren’s lives and have found immense joy, blessings, a sense of purpose — and most of all, the ability to show God’s love in unexpected ways.
“The Hidden Epidemic” doesn’t need to be hidden any longer. God can bring healing to grandparents and grandchildren the second time around. Y
Laura Lee Leathers is a writer and speaker. Imagine Lois Lane, over 65, living on a farm. Her metropolis is the area of freelance writing. Her primary love interest is the Word of God. She digs for information, interviews fascinating people, offers a cup of biblical hospitali-tea, and encourages, and helps others with the how-to’s of life. Visit LauraLeeLeathers.com.
3 fall favorites
ONION SOUP POT ROAST
After what seems like the hottest summer ever, it finally feels like fall outside, and I couldn’t be happier! Once the temperature drops below 80, I can’t wait to throw a roast into the Crock Pot. This time of year always seems busiest. Somebody always has a school activity or sporting event, and inevitably, someone gets sick. When that happens, throwing a few ingredients into the pot before we head out the door takes a load off my shoulders. (Coming home to the smell of pot roast is a bonus.)
I prefer using canned veggies in this recipe, but you can absolutely use fresh; you can’t go wrong either way!
3 pound chuck roast
2-ounce pkg. Lipton onion soup mix
14.5-ounce can beef broth
14.5-ounce can sliced carrots (drained)
(2) 14.5-ounce cans whole new potatoes (drained)
Add all ingredients to the Crock Pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours until the roast is fork-tender and pulls apart easily.
POSSUM PIE
9-inch graham cracker pie crust
3.9-ounce box chocolate fudge instant pudding mix
3.9-ounce box chocolate instant pudding mix
1¾ cups milk, plus 2 Tbsp. (divided)
8-ounce block cream cheese (softened)
½ cup powdered sugar
4 ounces whipped topping
CREAMY CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP
1 stick butter (salted or unsalted)
2 celery stalks (diced)
1 yellow onion (diced)
¼ cup finely diced carrots
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 Tbsp garlic powder
½ Tbsp onion powder
½ Tbsp basil
Salt and Pepper to taste
¼ cup all-purpose flour
6 cups chicken broth
1 chicken breast
2 cups heavy whipping cream
2 cups wide egg noodles
Melt butter in a pot over medium heat (I use a 5.5-qt Dutch oven), then add celery, onion, and carrots. Cook until onions are translucent.
Add minced garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, and salt and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes.
Add flour and cook for another 2 minutes.
Slowly stir in 6 cups of chicken broth, then add the chicken breast. Bring to a boil and cook until chicken has cooked thoroughly. Remove chicken, shred it, and add it back into the pot.
Stir in heavy whipping cream, then add noodles and boil until noodles are tender. Let cool slightly before serving.
In a bowl, whisk together fudge pudding mix, chocolate pudding mix, and 1¾ cups milk until it starts to thicken. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and 2 Tbsp. milk with a hand mixer on low. Add pudding mixture into pie crust and spread evenly, followed by cream cheese mixture. Top with whipped topping, then refrigerate 6 hours before serving. Y
Cassidy Camp is a wife and mother of four from Nesbit, Mississippi. She is a cookbook author and content creator who loves to share affordable, accessible recipes in hopes they will inspire families to slow down and get back to sharing meals around the dinner table. Find her on Facebook as The Cookin Mama, on Instagram @the.cookin.mama_, and on TikTok @the.cookin.mama.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2025
Brynn Knox Bernard Matherne
CHAMPIONS IN RECOVERY RUTH GLAZE DIFFERENCE MAKERS
Kay Miller Exodus Project 21
Rod Thurman Mississippi Public Health Institute
Welcoming non-biological children into your home
“Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.” – Matthew 18:5
Bringing non-biological children into your home, whether you are planning on adoption, foster care, or something else, should be preceded by much consideration and prayer.
My personal experience was incredible! My parents raised my two cousins after their mother passed away from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. My brother and I went from having our own bedroom to sharing it with a boy and a girl we weren’t very acquainted with at the time.
It was important for my parents to involve us in the process. I was 9 and my brother was 7. I remember my parents gathering us for the discussion and asking what we thought. I was excited to get a new little sister! She was 5, and our new brother was 18 months. My young mind did not understand what would be changing or what I would be giving up.
● Emotional considerations.
● Age gaps. Many agencies recommend the adopted children be younger.
“ The last thing I remember was that we were never to say they were not our brother and sister. My father explained that he and our mother never wanted our new siblings to feel they didn’t belong. Our family would be their forever home … no exceptions. ”
Once we discussed the changes that would occur, how our cousins were to be treated, and our parents’ expectations, the adventure began. The last thing I remember was that we were never to say they were not our brother and sister. My father explained that he and our mother never wanted our new siblings to feel they didn’t belong. Our family would be their forever home … no exceptions. Once we entered the agreement, there was no back and forth. I can’t say it was always perfect, but neither is a biological family. When I look back, I would not have changed a thing!
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord.” – Psalm 127:3a
The organization Adoption UK reported in 2021, “Adopting a child when you already have biological children can be a rewarding experience, but it also requires careful consideration of family dynamics and emotional impacts.” They listed the following as important factors to consider:
● Involve all children in setting up space and buying gifts for adopted children.
● Give plenty of opportunities for biological and adopted children to bond.
● Set boundaries. It is important for biological children to have private time and space to adjust.
● Find support groups or other like-minded families to discuss changes or challenges.
It is my experience in the classroom that adopted children can thrive successfully in their new home. I have also seen biological children flourish and be protective of their new sibling if that biological child had a smooth and loving transition into their new shared life.
It is my prayer that anyone considering adoption prays about it and makes sure it is a God-guided adventure for you and your family. There are approximately 113,000 children in the United States wanting a forever home, so if it is something you have considered, research giving them a loving Christian home.
“In you the orphan finds mercy.” – Hosea 14:3 Y
Dr. Teena Welborn is a retired educator and author of “Raising Whosoevers to Be the Heart of Our Schools.” Dr. Welborn and her husband of 37 years, Cliff, live in Florence, Mississippi, where they raised their three boys. They are members of First Baptist Florence. She can be contacted at tlmwelborn13@gmail.com.
Teena’s adopted siblings, Judy (who passed away in 2022) and Richard.
Moses’ mother was pro-life
As a mom to three boys, Elsa the ice queen just isn’t a big deal in our house. No, the movies in our usual rotation are mostly those involving superheroes, dragons, and lightsabers. However, one movie that I introduced my boys to recently was 1998’s “The Prince of Egypt,” based on the Exodus story. In my opinion, the film is still a masterpiece (even nearly 30 years later), and the opening scene brings me to tears like it never did when I watched it as a child.
In the first seven minutes alone, the hauntingly beautiful song “Deliver Us” swells, and we see a desperate mother place her infant son into a basket and push him forward, into the Nile. She doesn’t know what will become of her baby — only that her sacrifice might save his life. It’s one of the most heart-wrenching acts of courage ever portrayed on screen.
That mother, though her name is never mentioned, changed the course of history. Her son would be discovered and adopted into the Egyptian royal family. He would grow up to become Moses, the deliverer of God’s people, and it all began with his mother’s brave, selfless act of letting go.
When we think about adoption today, it’s common and easy to celebrate the adoptive parents — the families who open their homes and hearts to raise a child as their own. They deserve celebration, without a doubt; but, often overlooked is the quiet heroism of the birth mother — the woman who loves her child so deeply that she chooses to place that child’s needs above her own heartache.
At the Center for Pregnancy Choices Metro Area, we’ve had the honor of walking alongside women who face the same decision in a culture that (like the one in ancient Egypt) encourages murdering babies as a solution.
Adoption is often the road less traveled when facing an unplanned pregnancy. But why is that? Could it be that adoption is sometimes stigmatized? Too often, the narrative frames it as “giving up” a baby, almost suggesting defeat. But what if instead of “giving up,” we spoke of adoption as giving life? It takes extraordinary strength to carry a child, nurture life within you, and then entrust that life to another family. That’s not abandonment — that’s bravery. And the women who make that choice are not weak: They are thoughtful, courageous, and self-sacrificing. They make their decision on the belief that their child deserves every opportunity to flourish, even if it means their own hearts will ache.
The story of Moses reminds us that God works through such acts of faith, and the same God who watched over a baby in a basket still watches over every child and every mother today. He honors the sacrifices of those who trust that He will carry their babies when they cannot. As we celebrate adoption this month, let’s widen our lens. Let’s remember to celebrate the women who choose to do the hardest thing and push their baskets into the water, too. Y
Chrissy Sanders is communications manager for CPC Metro, where she combines storytelling and multimedia to champion the cause for life. Passionate about apologetics, Chrissy seeks to help others think deeply, love boldly, and see every conversation as an opportunity to point back to the gospel. She and her family live in Clinton, where she graduated from Mississippi College in 2010.
Crafting holy habits
Using your habits and routines to honor God is a wonderful way to integrate your faith into your daily life and to experience Christ more fully. Here are seven suggestions on how you can become more mindful in crafting your own holy habits. After all, it’s mastering the mundane tasks and habits of your life that opens up the possibility of achieving your health and fitness goals. It’s in our habits where we form the disciplines we need to be good stewards of our time and energy, so we can use them in ways that serve and honor God.
1. Seek God’s guidance
Begin each day by seeking God’s guidance and asking for His wisdom in choosing the right habits. Pray for His help in developing habits that align with His will and bring glory to Him.
2. Study and meditate on scripture
Make it a habit to regularly study and meditate on God’s Word. Set aside specific times each day to read the Bible, reflect on its teachings, and apply them to your life. Allow the truths and principles found in scripture to shape your habits.
3. Practice gratitude
Cultivate a habit of gratitude by acknowledging and giving thanks to God for His blessings. Develop a daily practice of expressing gratitude for both the big and small things — even the things that might feel icky, like doing laundry. Recognize that all good things come from God, and offer praise and thanksgiving to Him.
4. Pray without ceasing
Develop a habit of constant communication with God through prayer. Make prayer a regular part of your day, not just during designated times but also in the midst of your activities. “Thank you Lord for the laundry, for it is a blessing to have clothes to wash.”
5. Serve others
Develop habits of service and
selflessness by actively seeking opportunities to serve others. Look for ways to meet the needs of those around you, whether it’s through acts of kindness, volunteering, or supporting charitable causes. Use your time, talents, and resources to bless others and reflect God’s love.
6. Practice self-discipline
Develop habits of self-discipline in areas that honor God. This can include areas such as managing your time wisely, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, controlling your words and thoughts, being a good steward of your finances, and being mindful of your social media scrolling. Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help you develop self-control and resist temptations that go against God’s will.
7. Worship and fellowship
Make it a habit to regularly participate in corporate worship and fellowship with other believers. Attend church services, join small groups or Bible studies, and engage in meaningful conversations with fellow Christians. These habits help strengthen your relationship with God and provide opportunities for spiritual growth and encouragement.
Remember, developing habits that honor God is a lifelong journey. It requires intentionality, perseverance, and reliance on the Holy Spirit’s guidance. As you seek to align your habits with God’s will, trust in His grace and allow His transforming power to work in you. Change has to happen in your heart before it can happen in your habits.
As you gear up to develop holy habits that serve, I want to leave you with this nugget of truth from Matthew 5:37 —
“Let your yes be yes, and your no be no. Anything else comes from the evil one.”
Therefore, I want to simply encourage and challenge you to be a person of integrity who honors and stays true to their word (and actions) — even when it’s just to yourself! You are more precious than rubies, my friend, so live a life that radiates goodness by crafting holy habits, because this will help you tee up and achieve the goals you said you would! Y Jade Whitehurst is a wife, mom, and fitness coach. For more encouragement in your faith, fitness, and health goals, follow her on Instagram @jadewhitehurst_.
CHURCH GROUPS
Adoption 4 families share their stories
Back, from left: Nathan and Savanna Ruth Rice, Noah Hatch. Front, from left: Olivia Gable, Aniyah Grace Hatch, Gemma Rose and Torren Gulley.
In honor of National Adoption Awareness Month, we talked with four adoptive families from Mississippi. Their stories are all different, but they all present a picture of the gospel, in which God has adopted believers into His family (Ephesians 1:5)! If these stories inspire you to learn more about adoption, check out this month’s Feature Story for more resources (page 27).
JAY AND ANDREA GULLEY
● Biological kids Lyndon and Walker (back), 12 and 13 years old respectively
● Adopted daughter Gemma Rose (front right), adopted in Mississippi at a few months old, now 5 years old
● Adopted daughter Torren (front left), fostered in Mississippi at 4 days old, adopted at 22 months old; now 3 years old
● How the Gulleys adopted: Through an agency (domestically) for Gemma Rose; through foster care for Torren
● A favorite family memory: Going to Disney World!
How they decided
“It was actually not on my radar,” says Jay, despite the fact that both he and his sister were adopted.
For Andrea, “the Lord just kept speaking to me through every sermon, every podcast, every Bible study — I think we’re called to do this,” she recalls. “I literally wrote (Jay) a letter (about it).” He read the letter and said yes.
Because the Gulleys already had two young biological kids, international travel would be complicated. So Jay and Andrea opted for a domestic adoption. Thirteen months later, the Gulleys brought Gemma Rose home.
Maybe six months after that, Andrea wanted to adopt again, and Jay said no — at first. Another year went by, and then “I wrote him another letter,” she says. This time, she felt led to foster care, but she was scared. She didn’t mention foster care in the letter.
When Jay read it, he again agreed to adopt — and without knowing Andrea’s thoughts, added, “But I think it needs to be foster care.”
Foster care always aims to reunify biological families. However, in a rare occurrence, the Gulleys had the opportunity to adopt their very first foster child, Torren.
Challenges and fears
“I was a little worried … could I love a kid as much as I do my biologicals? But the second they put (Gemma Rose) in my arms, that was not a problem,” Jay says.
“One of our other fears was the birth family, the unknown of what that relationship would look like,” Andrea adds. “We had matched with a girl prior to Gemma Rose, and she had not placed with us. I think that was the Lord (helping us) realize this is not just about a child. … This is a full circle ministry to birth families (too).
“Gemma Rose’s birth family we do keep a connection with, and it’s a beautiful, beautiful story.”
Navigating the foster system with Torren’s adoption was probably the Gulleys’ biggest challenge.
“It’s an emotional roller coaster,” Andrea
says. “(But) we would do it all over again. … it’s in the difficult places that you feel the nearness of the Lord.”
Surprises and blessings
Andrea has been surprised how much adoption has impacted her marriage and her family.
“We get to show (our biological kids) the gospel through this process. (And it) allows my dad in his work to say, ‘This is my adopted granddaughter.’”
Also, “We’ve found a network of other (foster and adoptive families),” Jay adds.
That support network is necessary, Andrea says, “because (when you adopt) you’re on mission ... So having like-minded people who understand it (is crucial). I’ve felt like, stepping into this world, I’m in a different place and a different relationship with my Lord and Savior.”
Advice for couples considering adoption
“Do it,” Jay says.
“Call us,” Andrea adds. She and Jay love having dinner with folks who are interested in foster care or adoption.
“Do your research, and don’t be afraid to step into the unknown. For a known God is there to carry you through it,” Andrea says. “You won’t wish you wouldn’t have stepped into a birth mom’s life, stepped into a child’s life.”
“Even when it’s hard, you don’t regret the sacrifices you made,” Jay says. Y
Torren (left) and Gemma Rose Gulley.
PHOTO COURTESY OF GULLEY FAMILY
BO AND REBEKAH RICE
● Biological kids Hannah (back left), Garrett (back right), and Samuel (front right), ages 17, 19, and 14 respectively
● Adopted son Nathan (front left), fostered at 9 months old, adopted at 23 months old, now 9 years old
● Adopted daughter Savanna Ruth (front center), fostered at 2 weeks old, adopted at 26 months old, now 5 years old
● How the Rices adopted: Through foster care in Louisiana, while living there
● Nathan’s favorite thing about his family: “How we do fun things together, like go fun places and have movie nights at home.”
● Savanna Ruth’s favorite thing about her family: “I like playing with my family.”
● All three biological Rice kids said - without the others knowing! - that they do not think of Nathan and Savanna Ruth as “adopted,” and that there is no difference.
How they decided
After experiencing infertility and not knowing if they’d ever get pregnant, the Rices committed to adoption — and then, miraculously, had three biological kids with no medical intervention.
“But the Lord never released us from the call to adoption,” Rebekah says.
Why foster care?
In 2014, Bo asked if Rebekah would consider foster care. “I told him, ‘You are crazy.’” She could never love a child and then give him or her back.
In 2015, they moved to New Orleans, where they attended a conference for families interested in foster care. Rebekah heard a woman speak whose family had fostered 50 children over the years before finally being able to adopt. That woman said her family decided they were called to foster care. They’d also asked themselves, “Is this harder than what Jesus did for us on the cross?”
That was all it took. By fall 2016, the Rices were certified for foster care — and
were preparing to foster 50 kids, with no guarantee of an adoption! But Bo and Rebekah soon got a call about a baby boy, who came home with them that December and never left.
The Rices kept their home open for foster care — despite a 2019 placement that lasted only one week and “absolutely about wrecked us,” Rebekah says. Then, on February 7, 2020, they got the call for Savanna Ruth.
Challenges
Both Nathan and Savanna Ruth were born into addiction. So in the midst of New Orleans’ strict COVID-19 regulations and the older kids’ strenuous online learning during the pandemic, the Rices were “living” at doctors’ offices as Savanna Ruth endured severe drug withdrawals.
“When she was hungry, it registered as pain; when she would eat, it registered as pain,” Rebekah says. “She literally cried for nine months. It would take me an hour to get two ounces of formula down her. She had low muscle tone, so we had to start
physical therapy. … That progressed as she got older into occupational therapy.”
Finally, after about nine months, Savanna Ruth started sleeping and eating.
This past Christmas, after moving to Mississippi, the Rices noticed that Savanna Ruth was losing her ability to walk. After a muscle biopsy this summer, it appears she might have a mitochondrial disease, possibly related to another disease or condition. So the Rices are getting referrals out to children’s hospitals that specialize in mitochondrial disease, as well as looking at research hospitals that might take her case.
“It’s been really scary,” Rebekah says. “There’s still a lot of unknowns as far as her prognosis … But she is thriving in kindergarten. And we have gotten excellent medical care at Batson. (We) have seen the Lord’s hand in her story from the very beginning.”
Advice for couples considering foster care or adoption
“Talk with families that have done it,” Bo says. “Get some preparation. Because it is hard. … But walking the journey with people who’ve been through it is also very encouraging. So finding some kind of support group is necessary.”
Also: “A lot of times we think if we get this child in our home and provide a loving home, then they’ll heal,” Rebekah says. “But you’ve got to have trauma-informed training ... Even in utero, babies experience trauma that impacts their brain. And it’s a lifelong journey of healing.
“Ultimately, it’s a beautiful redemption story, because we’re all broken and we’re all in need of Jesus.” Y
Nathan (left) and Savanna Ruth Rice.
PHOTO COURTESY OF RICE FAMILY
CLINT AND AMANDA (GULLEY) HATCH
● Noah, adopted from Honduras at 2 years old, now 10
● Aniyah Grace, adopted in Mississippi at 6 days old, now 6 years old
● How the Hatches adopted: Via agencies (internationally for Noah, domestically for Aniyah Grace)
● Aniyah Grace’s favorite thing about her family: “I like to play with them.”
● Noah’s favorite thing about his family: “They’re nice.”
How they decided
Like her brother Jay Gulley, Amanda was adopted. Still, adopting her own kids “wasn’t on my radar either, which is weird,” she says. “But basically, we got to a point where we had to decide (between) medical options or adoption.
“Clint first felt the call for adoption, and I just kind of shut that down once or twice when he asked. I was just ‘stuck’ on having biological children and hesitant about how I would feel about bringing in non-biological children.”
Then one night, she Googled adoption without Clint knowing. The next morning,
“our pastor preached specifically toward caring for orphans,” Amanda says.
Clint recalls their drive home that day: “I remember thinking, ‘Should I say anything, or should I not?’ And finally, I just hesitantly (asked her what she thought).” Amanda admitted to her Google search and said the sermon had confirmed that they needed to adopt.
Why Honduras?
“First, God led us to adopt internationally,” Clint recalls. Then, after choosing an adoption agency, the Hatches
zeroed in on three countries based on their restrictions and requirements: Honduras, Ethiopia, and Bulgaria.
Thanks to mission trips to Guatemala, the Hatches felt a pull toward Central American culture. “You can’t adopt from Guatemala, and Honduras was the next closest, culturally,” Amanda says.
Why adopt domestically?
The Hatches were number 70 on the waiting list for a Honduran adoption and ultimately waited six years before bringing Noah home. The wait was more than worth it, but Clint and Amanda weren’t getting any younger as they aimed to adopt again.
Their adoption agency, Lifeline Children’s Services, was pushing adoptions of Mississippi children, “and we just felt the need there,” Clint says.
Unlike their international adoption, there was no “first-come, first-served” waiting list. Instead, the Hatches had to create a family scrapbook for birth mothers to peruse. Clint and Amanda could’ve sat around for years while birth mothers selected other couples. Fortunately, a birth mom chose them in about six months, and they brought Aniyah Grace home.
Challenges and fears
The Hatches wondered how they’d be accepted as a multicultural family. “That has turned out, of course, to be insignificant,” Amanda says.
“It’s been more of a thing of curiosity,”
Noah (left) and Aniyah Grace Hatch.
PHOTO COURTESY OF HATCH FAMILY
Clint says. “I pray God can use that to speak to people.”
Another unexpected trial turned into a blessing: Two and a half years into their sixyear wait to adopt Noah, Amanda was diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. A fundraiser was done for her cancer treatments, but “I didn’t have to use any of that, because my insurance covered it all,” she says.
“All of that (money raised) was almost exactly the amount we needed for Noah’s adoption (at that point).”
As of July 2025, Amanda is 10 years cancer-free.
She and Clint have open discussions with their kids about being adopted. “As they get older, it’ll be a little more difficult, I’m sure, as other questions arise,” Amanda says. “(We just want) to assure them they’re loved and they’re chosen.”
Biggest surprise
“Maybe just how natural everything has seemed,” Amanda says. “This is our family. These are our babies, and we’re they’re parents. (After we adopted), I said I wasn’t sure I could love biological children as much as I love these!”
Advice for couples considering adoption
“Do it. Do it now. Don’t wait!” Amanda says.
“You need to be praying about it as a couple,” Clint says. “So when I was feeling the pull for it, one of our pastors said, just be patient with your wife. … and God has to be in the middle of it. But once you’re on the same page … you’ve got to step out in faith.”
Y
JACOB AND KATIE GABLE
● Biological son Gus, 8
● Adopted daughter Olivia, adopted as a newborn from Texas, now 2 and a half years old
● How the Gables adopted: via an agency (domestically)
● Olivia’s favorite thing about her family: “If I had to answer that, I think it would be her brother,” Jacob says. “She’s obsessed with him.”
● Gus’ favorite part of the adoption story: “Finding out that I was going to have a little sister.”
How they decided
“We had some fertility issues (and) were considering adopting when we found out we were pregnant with (Gus),” Katie says.
When Gus was a year and a half old, Katie was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma — which had been fed by pregnancy hormones. She underwent treatment and was told, “You’ll be fine as long as you don’t have any more babies.”
“That was devastating,” Katie says. “But that just turned us back around to adoption.”
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Why adopt domestically?
“We considered fostering, but given Gus’ age, we thought that might be a little traumatic for him if it didn’t work out,” Katie says.
An international adoption would require them to be away from Gus and their jobs for too long, and some countries were closing adoptions with no notice. So Jacob and Katie chose to adopt domestically.
● Dental Care for children from infant to adolescence.
● Focus on preventative care.
William C. Sullivan, DVM
Jennifer S. Sullivan, DVM
Jason Gray, DVM
Gina Blackwell, DVM
William Alexander, DVM
Kayla Collins, DVM
From Christmas to Easter
In December 2022, ten months after starting the adoption process, the Gables were matched with a birth mom on the coast and drove down for the birth. Then the mom changed her mind at the hospital.
“It was five days before Christmas,” Katie says.
After taking several days to grieve and finally posting the news on Facebook, they heard from a girl at their church who knew a birth mom in Texas who needed help.
“It would kind of come together and it would fall apart (over the next few months),” Katie says. “We had put a lawyer on retainer, and (the mom) would never contact them.”
Finally, one day that spring, Katie wasn’t feeling great and stayed home from work. She was bored, started praying — and heard God tell her to call that Texas birth mom.
Katie is glad she obeyed. The very next day, the Gables traveled to Texas for the birth. The following Saturday, they came home as a family of four — just in time for Easter.
The biggest surprise: It’s a girl!
The birth mom had been told initially that she was having a boy, but she never went back for another ultrasound.
On their way to the hospital, the Gables got a call: “She’s here!” She??
When Katie and Jacob told Gus he was getting a baby sister, he quipped, “Well, I knew that, because that’s what God and I talked about.”
Challenges and fears
“We thought we couldn’t afford it,” Katie says. “We thought we had to literally come up with $25,000-plus.”
Then they discovered grants through organizations like Lifesong, Hearts of Compassion, and Zacchaeus Tree — a ministry of Crossgates Church in Brandon, founded by the late Chris Gray, who was a huge influence in the Gables’ choosing to adopt.
The biggest challenge now? “We can look at Gus and understand what he’s doing and why he’s doing it, because we see us (in him),” Jacob says. “But there are things that Olivia does that we don’t see in
us, and it’s just like, how do we combat that?”
Advice for couples considering adoption
“Have an open mind and heart,” Jacob says. “It was amazing to see how many people were able to donate (toward Olivia’s adoption) … and now they get to see the fruits of their dollars (when they see her at church). They’ll have an even bigger impact on her life as she grows up.”
“Don’t give in to the fear,” Katie says. “And allow people to help you. And if anybody has any questions or is considering, reach out to us.”
Also, “be part of an organization. Zaccheus Tree has adoption classes every first and third Wednesday at Crossgates, for free.” Y
Olivia Gable.
Mississippi ministries for adoption, foster care, and pouring into kids
Interested in fostering, adopting, or supporting those who do? Here are just a few Mississippi ministries that focus on adoption, foster care, or simply helping every child achieve a better future.
Hearts of Compassion
Hearts of Compassion is a ministry of Colonial Heights Baptist Church that supports Christ-centered foster and adoptive families through prayer, encouragement, and financial assistance.
Grounded in James 1:27, HOC helps families meet practical needs and walk faithfully through the adoption journey. Each year, the HOC5K raises awareness and funds for the Adoption Fund, providing grants and no-interest loans to families. This year’s race is November 8, welcoming runners, walkers, and supporters of all ages. Through events like the HOC5K and year-round care, Hearts of Compassion reflects God’s heart for the
fatherless and strengthens families called to care for them.
Lifeline Children’s Services: Rewritten by the gospel In a world where millions of children
601.609.5540
chimneysweepms.com info@chimneysweepms.com
remain vulnerable and without families, Lifeline Children’s Services stands as a beacon of hope. Founded in 1981, Lifeline has grown into the largest evangelical child welfare and adoption agency in the United States, driven by a mission to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children and equip the body of Christ to live out James 1:27.
At the heart of Lifeline’s ministry is adoption. With programs in domestic adoption, international adoption, and foster care, Lifeline adoptions are designed to walk alongside Christian missional families, offering resources, training, and spiritual support as they welcome children into their homes.
Lifeline’s approach is deeply relational, prioritizing the needs of both the child and the birth family, and emphasizing the eternal impact of placing children in loving, gospel-centered homes.
With active programs in 18 countries and a legacy of placing more than 3,000 orphaned children into families, Lifeline continues to expand its reach and deepen its impact. Their work doesn’t stop at placement, though. Lifeline’s ministry also includes pregnancy counseling, family preservation, and strategic partnerships that serve children globally.
In every adoption story, Lifeline sees the redemptive hand of God, setting the lonely in families, restoring hope, and building legacies of love. This National Adoption Month, Lifeline invites communities to answer the call, support the mission, and be part of a movement that rewrites the story of lives forever.
Methodist Children’s Homes of Mississippi
Methodist Children’s Homes of Mississippi seeks to bring healing to Mississippi’s children and youth who have been victims of neglect, abuse, or human trafficking. By the end of their time with us, we hope each child experiences restored relationships, love within an adoptive family, or flourishes in life independently.
New Beginnings
New Beginnings International Children and Family Services is a domestic and
international adoption agency that has been licensed in the state of Mississippi since 1988. The mission statement is “Promoting life and new beginnings for children, birth mothers, and families through parenting education and adoption.” New Beginnings is Hague Accredited to provide international adoption services, with an adoption program in the country of Poland that has already welcomed many children home. Though the total number of international adoptions into the U.S. has continually decreased over the last 20 years, the need for adoptive families for these precious children remains crucial. New Beginnings is committed to helping children find forever families through international adoption. New Beginnings also has an active domestic adoption program and a home study program that provides domestic and international home study and post-placement services to families throughout the state through our network of licensed social workers.
Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth: Bringing hope through foster care
At Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth, we believe every child deserves a safe, loving, and supportive home. Through our foster care and postadopt programs, we recruit, train, and support families who open their hearts and homes to children in need. Our goal is to provide stability and healing for children and sibling groups who have experienced trauma, while working toward family reunification or adoption when possible. Foster parents receive specialized training and ongoing guidance to ensure they are equipped to meet each child’s emotional and developmental needs. Together, we can bring hope when children need it most. If you’ve ever felt called to make a difference, fostering a child may be your opportunity to transform a life and your own. Learn more at SunriseMS.org or contact us at info@scscy.org. Y
How mentorship changes a child’s story
An interview with Kiona Pharr, LSW, Senior Director of Children’s Programs at Palmer Home for Children.
When children grow up without a consistent role model, they often miss out on more than guidance. They miss seeing what patience looks like, what trust sounds like, and what it means to be cared for through life’s ups and downs. At Palmer Home for Children, mentorship helps fill that gap.
Through its mentor program, Palmer Home connects children with caring adults and families who walk alongside them through everyday moments, the kind that build confidence and belonging over time.
Q: For someone new to the idea, what does mentorship look like at Palmer Home?
A: Mentorship can take different forms. Some mentors build a one-on-one relationship with a child, spending time together, attending church, or joining in special events. Others serve as mentor families, opening their homes for weekends or school breaks. They go through our Safe Home Study process and provide a consistent, loving space where a child can simply be part of family life.
Q: What difference can a mentor make in a child’s life?
A: A mentor helps a child see that relationships can be safe and lasting. For many of our children, consistency has been missing from their lives. When someone continuously shows up for them, listens to them, and helps them set and achieve their goals, it starts to build trust. Over time, that trust turns into confidence and hope.
Q: What kinds of people make good mentors or mentor families?
A: There isn’t one kind of person because there isn’t one kind of child. We have single adults, young couples, and
families with children who serve as mentors. What they have in common is flexibility, patience, and a willingness to grow. You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to care enough to keep showing up.
Q: How does faith guide the mentor program?
A: For many of our mentors, this feels like a calling. They see it as local mission work, a way to live out their faith right here in their own community. Through mentoring, they reflect God’s love in a personal and practical way that reminds each child how deeply they are valued.
Q: How can someone get involved?
A: Anyone who feels drawn to serve can begin by learning more about our mentor program at palmerhome.org/mentors. The process starts with a simple inquiry and a conversation with our team. From there, we walk alongside potential mentors or families through every step of preparation and training. Y
Every child at Palmer Home deserves someone steady in their corner. If you’ve ever wondered how to make a difference close to home, mentorship is one of the simplest and most lasting ways to do it.
Reflections from the river
OUTSIDE
In early fall several years ago, I spent a cool, clear, high mountain day trout fishing alone along Colorado’s Taylor River at about 8,000 feet elevation. I slowly worked my way wading upriver, pausing at each turn and eddy area to run my flies repeatedly past better spots for bigger fish. As the day grew warmer, the fish became less active, so I sat down for lunch on a smooth ledge on one side of the river.
The quiet rhythm of the river and its rippling water gave me rare time to reflect on a recent conversation with a friend who was burdened by regret over some poor decisions. I was reminded of something we all know but often forget: that if we are human, we are fallible. We strive to live rightly, but our nature tempts us toward what soothes and pacifies in the moment.
As Don Henley and Glenn Frey once sang, “I guess every form of refuge has its price.” When we seek comfort, it’s easy to reach for quick fixes like dishonesty, substance use, hurtful statements to a loved one, or other subtle choices. Maybe it’s padding an invoice, numbing stress with another drink, or concealing a money issue from a spouse. These compromises offer temporary refuge, but at a cost.
The costs often appear in the form of guilt, regret, or the erosion of trust. God placed those internal signals within us to guide us back toward Him. Our choices can fracture relationships with others, ourselves, and most significantly, with God.
IN
The path to healing and restoration comes in two parts, according to the Serenity Prayer: what we can change, and what only God can. Some behaviors fall within our control. We have God-given resources: a loving spouse, family, church, support
groups, wise friends, even professional help. Sometimes all that’s required is surrendering our pride and asking for help. Other burdens, such as addiction, resentment, or deep-rooted sin, require divine intervention. Human willpower rarely wins those battles. Romans 3:23-24 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Tim Keller once said, “Grace is stunning!” It truly is. Grace defies logic. It restores what’s broken, redeems what’s lost, and empowers us to change in ways we never could on our own. When we seek God’s help and follow the path He lays out, no habit or transgression is beyond repair.
MESSAGE
Proverbs 3 reminds us how to live when we’re tempted to pacify our difficulties with empty comforts. Verses 3 and 4 say, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” Those verses can hold a pathway to lasting change.
When we feel lost in guilt or habit, it’s easy to believe we’re beyond redemption. God’s grace says otherwise. He calls us into freedom, community, and faithfulness. Every “refuge” that we create apart from Him eventually collapses. When we take refuge in Him, the price has already been paid. Through Christ, we find both forgiveness and strength to walk in new ways.
The next time there is an “easy” option to pacify the ache or justify a shortcut, let’s pause and ask ourselves what the real price of that refuge is. Let’s remember we are given grace. Let’s remember the One who paid it all on our behalf, and let His love and faithfulness guide us. Y
Chris Bates is CEO of AgoraEversole, a full-service marketing agency in Jackson, and can be reached at Chris@AgoraEversole.com. He and his wife, Stacy, live in Madison and have adult children and three grandboys.
If you aren’t sure whether you have a relationship with God or where you’ll go when you die, please don’t put this magazine down until you’ve read the following:
✝ THE PROBLEM
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. – Romans 3:23
For the wages of sin is death … – Romans 6:23a
The natural result and consequence of our sin is eternal death, or hell (Revelation 20:15), separated from God. This is because God is completely perfect and holy (Matthew 5:48), and His justice demands that sin be punished (Proverbs 11:21).
✝ THE SOLUTION
… but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. – Romans 6:23b
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8
Jesus Christ died in our place on the cross and took on the punishment for all our sins (Isaiah 53:4-6). Then God raised Him from the dead (John 20)!
✝ HOW TO RECEIVE SALVATION
If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. – Romans 10:9
Trust in what Jesus has done for you — His death for your sins and His resurrection — and trust Him as Lord.
✝ IS IT FOR ANYONE?
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. – Romans 10:13
✝ THE RESULTS
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. – Romans 5:1
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39
✝ WHAT TO DO NEXT
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. – Romans 10:17
If you decided to trust in Jesus, grow in your faith by reading more of God’s Word in the Bible. We recommend the gospel of John (it comes just after Luke) as a good starting point — or Romans!
Finding a church close to you that teaches faith in Christ is another important step. It’s crucial to spend time with other believers so we can encourage each other in our faith.
If you have questions about anything on this page, please contact us at 601.896.1432, or send us a message on Facebook @MSChristianLiving, Instagram @mschristianmag or Twitter @MSChristLiving.
BAPTIST CHILDREN’S VILLAGE and Family Ministries MISSISSIPPI TAX CREDIT
State law provides donors with tax credits for their donation to Eligible Charitable Organizations (ECO), Qualified Foster Care Charitable Organizations (QFCCO), and Eligible Transitional Housing Organizations (ETHO).
BCV is registered as an ECO, QFCCO, and ETHO.
A donor is a business entity (Corporation, Partnership, Limited Liability Company, and Sole Proprietorship), married couple, or single individual.
Businesses and individuals may receive a dollar-for-dollar reduction in their state tax bill of up to 100 percent by donating to The Baptist Children’s Village.
You have a choice: give your total tax liability to the state of Mississippi . . . or help Baptist Children’s Village and Family Ministries provide for children and families in need.
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CUT OUT THE SCRIPTURES AND QUOTES AND PLACE THEM AROUND YOUR HOME FOR DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT!
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”
~ JOHN 14:18, NIV
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
~ COLOSSIANS 3:16, NIV
“You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you.”
~ PSALM 118:28, NIV
“He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.”
~ EPHESIANS 1:5, NIV
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
~ LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23, NIV
“Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.”
~ PSALM 27:10, NIV
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.”
~ GALATIANS 3:26, NIV
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
~ 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18, NIV
“Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord.”
~ PSALM 150:1-6, NIV
“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sunscorched land.”
~ PSALM 68:5-6, NIV
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
~ PSALM 107:1, NIV
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
