SWEET TO THE SOUL FAITH
SWEET TO THE SOUL
F AITH
A M A G A Z I N E F O R W O M E N I N S P I R I N G G E N E R AT I O N S
VOLUME II ISSUE I - GRACE
CONTENTS
FORGIVEN 34 L OVE E CHOED B ACK 36 G OD ’ S M ERCIFUL D ISCIPLINE 38 B REAKING THE M OLD
HOPE 62 H ANGING ON TO T HREADBARE H OPE 66 D AISY P ETAL H OPE IN C HRIST 69 W HEN L IFE S EEMS H OPELESS
TESTIFY 88 D EVO S ERIES 97 P RAYER C ARDS 99 H OW TO S HARE Y OUR F AITH S TORY 102 P RAYING F OR AN O PEN D OOR 103 G RACIOUS W ORDS C ARDS
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SOUL INSPIRED 126 H OW TO B ULLET J OURNAL 130 H YMN W ORDSEARCH 133 J OURNALING T EMPLATES / C OLORABLE B OOKMARKS
UNLOCKING THE BIBLE XX W RITING A L EGACY L ETTER Darlene Schacht, Time Warp Wif 12 S PIRITUAL C OMPLACENCY AND H OW TO R ENEW Y OUR F OCUS
FEATURES 16 F INDING F REEDOM F ROM Y OUR P AST Amy Elaine Martinez 20 O UR S OURCE OF U NCOMMON S TRENGTH Lori Ann Wood 24 W E W ERE H OPELESS Gretchen Fleming
SPECIAL GUEST 28 F OUR L ITTLE W ORDS Kim Stewart S PRING 2022 | S WEET T O T HE S OUL FAITH
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by grace F OR
YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED THROUGH FAITH . A ND THIS IS NOT YOUR OWN DOING ; IT IS THE GIFT OF G OD , NOT A RESULT OF WORKS , SO THAT NO ONE MAY BOAST . E PHESIANS 2:8-9
DEAR LORD, WE COME TO YOU TODAY FILLED WITH HOPE AND A GRATEFUL HEART. THERE ARE MANY DAYS THAT WE CAN THANK YOU FOR THE ABUNDANT HOPE YOU SO LOVINGLY PROVIDE. THERE ARE OTHER DAYS WHEN WE RUN INTO SEEMINGLY HOPELESS SITUATIONS, AND YOU ARE THERE TO SCOOP US UP IN YOUR PROTECTIVE HANDS, REASSURING US THAT OUR FAITH IN YOU IS ALL THAT IS NEEDED. FATHER, CONTINUE TO FILL OUR DAYS WITH HOPE AS A REMINDER THAT YOU ARE THE GOD WHO COMFORTS US AND MEETS OUR EVERY NEED. IT IS YOU WHO FILLS US WITH JOY AND PEACE AS WE TRUST IN YOU. LIVING A LIFE FILLED WITH HOPE REQUIRES US TO COMMIT TO THE WORD, READ THE WORD, AND STAY IN THE WORD. OUR COMFORT LIES IN YOUR FAITHFULNESS, PROTECTION, STRENGTH, AND GRACE. YOU HEAR OUR PLEAS AND ANSWER OUR PRAYERS ACCORDING TO YOUR WILL. HELP US TO WALK IN YOUR LIGHT AND TO REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE THE GOD OF HOPE, WHOSE LOVE IS ENDLESS. .
Prayer by Mitzi Neely
IN JESUS’ NAME, AMEN.
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T HEREFORE , PREPARING YOUR MINDS FOR ACTION , AND BEING SOBER - MINDED , SET YOUR HOPE FULLY ON THE GRACE THAT WILL BE BROUGHT TO YOU AT THE REVELATION OF J ESUS
C HRIST .
1 Peter 1:13
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Love, Peace, and
SECOND CHANCES PART 4 : THE GOOD SAMARITAN ON THE WAYSIDE MELANIE DAVIS PORTER
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"Hey, doll, lets me and you hook up for a drink after your shift." "The name is Mae-Lyn, and thank you … but no thank you." "Come on, doll; you're all work and no play around here." Dropping her pen, Mae-Lyn looked up sternly while swiveling her chair to face him.
She grabbed her bag under the desk while pushing her chair back, looking at the clock. “Good grief, I lost track of me. Can you call the nursery school and tell them I’m on my way, Judy?” "Sure, hon." Thunder cracked above as she dug for her keys. The skies opened up again in a blast of hammering raindrops, drenching her good.
“Psychedelic Phil,” he said with a greasy half-grin.
Pulling up to the sidewalk, she saw the disgust on Lily’s face through the door window. Grabbing her umbrella, she raced to her pint-sized roommate, dreading her sullenness.
Crossing her arms, she smiled in amusement.
“Wate again, Mae.”
What a name. These DJs never cease to amaze me with their corny a empts to make a splash.
“I’m sorry, Lily. I’m so sorry.”
“Listen … what’s your name again?”
"Listen, Phil, I'm busy, and as soon as I clock out, I have to pick up my child.” “You got a kid?” “Yes, I have a child in my care that I am responsible for keeping alive and mee ng every need or want she desires.”
Lily's bo om lip protruded along with her ghtened eyes as she stared straight ahead. "Look, Lily. It's just going to take some me to get back into a rou ne, but we will." “No boo- ne gonna’ fix this, Mae.”
“No prob, catch you later.”
"Quit calling me Mae; you've always called me MaeMae. It was one of the first words you learned to say, young lady.”
“Works every me,” she mu ered, rolling her eyes.
“I cantz call you Mae-Mae no more.”
Andy sure didn't run away because of Lily; he was nuts about her. Quit thinking about Andy.
“Why, Lily?”
Rubbing the back of her neck, she looked out the window. It had been exactly 16 days since she rolled out of River View, and the rain had been relentless. She yawned, closing her eyes.
“I know you’re upset with me, but you are going to have to stop being mad at me! Just like this blasted rain will eventually have to stop.”
“Cauz, I mad at you.”
If only I could sleep.
“Rain won’t stop Mae.”
Every me she closed her eyes, she saw him standing in the pouring rain, watching them drive away. With every salty tear she cried, she tasted his lips.
“Yes, it will!”
Marvin Gaye’s velvety voice blared over the sta on speakers in the hallway. I’m too busy thinking about my baby; oh, I ain’t got me for nothin’ else, Yeah, Yeah.
“No, it won’t!” "Yes! The rain will stop, and you will be happy again." “No, I nevah be happy. You takes me away from my Andy and the bestest place I everah been. It will rain in my heartz forevah.”
I hate that song.
Stunned, Mae-Lynn turned the car off. Noisy pelts of raindrops filled the long silence between them.
Flopping her arms down on the desk, she rested her head, feeling tears clouding her eyes.
"Look, Lily, we can't go on like this. You won't play with me; you barely talk. You're having nightmares again."
“Hey Mae Babe, don’t you have to get Lily by five?”
“So are you!”
Si ng up, she scrubbed her hand across her face.
“How do you know? You won’t sleep in my bed or let me lay with you?”
I fell asleep! What me is it?
“You wakes me up crying for momma,” Lily screamed, S PRING 2022 | S WEET T O T HE S OUL FAITH
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Living Out “Love Like Jesus” TYANNE RAKOWITZ
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27 (ESV) In my 25-minute commute to and from work each day, you’ll find the radio on the Chris an sta on in our area. One of my favorite segment’s airs during my commute home. It’s called “I’m not crying, you’re crying.” And yes! I’m usually crying by the end. Each story just exudes love, hope and compassion; loving our neighbors like Jesus. In Luke 10, we find Jesus being ques oned about how one can inherit eternal life. Jesus asks the man about what the law says, and when the man answers, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (vs. 27), Jesus tell him, he is correct. Love your neighbor as you love yourself. Sounds simple, right? Then I wonder why do we find this so difficult? Could our inac ons be mo vated by fear? The parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-36) reveals just how we can love like Jesus despite our fears. Historically, the Israelites refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. But in Jesus’ parable; it’s the man’s enemy--a Samaritan--who extends a helping hand. Not his people. In a broken world with great divide, could it be possible for us, as adults, to see others through the eyes of a child? No color. No hate. Only love. Just like Jesus. The sweetest story I’ve recently heard reveals just how we can. A five-year-old boy tells his mom he has a twin at school. He insists they look iden cal. For twin day, they need to dress alike. Mom, annoyed with her son’s request, does her best to comply. As she sends her son to school the next day, she asks the teacher to snap a picture of the boys. She wants to see the resemblance for herself. The photo cause the mom to shed tears of joy. Obviously, the boys are far from iden cal. Her son, fair-skinned and light hair. His twin, dark-skinned and dark hair. Quite opposite in fact, but her son didn’t see that. His child-like love bridges any divide. How can you love like Jesus? 1. Show kindness. It can be as simple as to write an encouraging word on a s cky note and post it somewhere that will surprise and delight whoever finds it! That’s another favorite from the Chris an radio sta on in my area. An opportunity to love the people around you. Just like Jesus.
2. Pray for others. Praying for one another is a powerful way for us to bear one another’s burdens. Taking another’s hand and praying for them is a powerful blessing you can give another person. 3. Meet a need. In Mark 12:31 (ESV), “The second is this: “Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” Your neighbor is anyone who needs help. Who do you know that needs to receive some love from you? Provide dinner to a weary mom. Or designate me and spend it with the elderly--so many are alone. Could you drive someone to a doctor’s appointment? It doesn’t have to be big to share your love with others. Just love like Jesus. 4. Love your enemies. In the parable, it was the Samaritan who lent a helping hand. Not a friend. Can you find it in your heart to put aside any wrongs, and love them as a fellow human being? It’s not easy, I know. “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expec ng nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as you Father is merciful.” Luke 6:35-36 (ESV) We may not have the ability to feed 5,000 with five loaves and two fish or heal the sick, but that’s not what Jesus asks of us. Merely, love your neighbor as yourself. Nothing extraordinary. Just love like Jesus does. R EFLECTION : Are you stepping out or playing it safe? Think about different ways you can love your neighbor.
P RAYER : “Your love, God, is my song, and I’ll sing it! I’m forever telling everyone how faithful you are. I’ll never quit telling the story of your love – how you built the cosmos and guaranteed everything in it. Your love has always been our lives’ founda on, your fidelity has been the roof over our world. You once said, “I joined forces with my chosen leader, I pledged my word to my servant, David, saying, ‘Everyone descending from you is guaranteed life; I’ll make your rule as solid and las ng as rock.’” Psalm 89:1-4 MSG Your love endures forever. Amen.
TYANNE RAKOWITZ is wife to high school sweetheart for 39+ years. Mom to 6; 3 by blood and 3 by love. Grammy to 5 little boys. Humbly serving Christ Lutheran Church as the Office Administrator. And serves as the Business Administrator for Sweet to the Soul. Planner and organizer extraordinaire! 96
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P R AY E R C A R D S Cut out prayer cards and tuck in your Bible or display around your home or office; or write an encouragement on the back and share with a friend.
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:5 ESV
You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. Matthew 5:13 ESV
SWEET TO THE SOUL FAITH
“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. Isaiah 43:10 ESV
SWEET TO THE SOUL FAITH
SWEET TO THE SOUL FAITH
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8 ESV
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MITZI NEELY
Each season brings special events to plan and prepare for, and spring brings two favorites, Easter and Mother’s Day.
Both holidays are brimming with faith, family, friends, and fellowship as we gather around the table with gra tude. You will find delicious and meless recipes that make any meal special in the pages that follow. The favorite ‘mom’ recipes pay tribute to the remarkable women who raised, loved, and influenced us to be godly women. Celebrate with your friends and family, make new memories, and give gra tude and glory to God.
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Photos by Terri Hill
Mother’s Day
Easy Tomato Basil Soup
Shrimp & Cucumber Tea Sandwich
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Garden of Life is a coloring book with Inspirational Scripture and encouraging quotes featured on each page through beautifully hand-drawn artwork.
Be inspired as you spend time reflecting on scripture while enjoying the calming and refreshing benefits of coloring.
A VAILABLE
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ON
A MAZON
J O U R N A L I N G T E M P L AT E S / B O O K M A R K S
Original Artwork by: Jana Kennedy Spicer
SONG OF SOLOMON 2:1O
HEBREWS 6:19
Color or paint each design then cut out and use as a book mark or add to a journal or Bible as a “ p-in”. Or transfer or trace each design directly into a journal or Bible.
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Commitment to Deepen My Walk with God Father God, today I want to make a commitment to you to deepen our relationship and my walk with You. I commit to meet with you on a regular basis to deepen our relationship through Prayer. ”And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Ephesians 6:18a NIV
I commit to spend time with you each day reading and studying the Scriptures. ”Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” Joshua 1:8 NIV
I commit to honoring your daily through the offering of Worship. ”Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” Hebrews 13:15 NIV
I commit to contribute to the building of Your Kingdom by sharing my faith with others. “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15 NIV
”Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,” Hebrews 6:1 NIV
I commit to encourage and support the family of God through fellowship and corporate worship with fellow believers. ”They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2 42 NIV
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Prayer by Jana Kennedy-Spicer
I commit to continue to grow in spiritual maturity by making myself accountable to other Christians.
We live in a dark world and it seems to be getting darker but there is hope there is a light
THE WOVEN JOURNAL - AUTUMN 2021
Let Your Light Shine Devotional