Mary Magdalene: First Witness to the Resurrection
Mary Magdalene arrives at the tomb on that first day of the week to discover the tomb is empty. They are afraid, but an angel tells them that Jesus is not there but has…
God is Faithful
In the last three months, we have begun instituting new programs and initiatives to improve the quality of life for our residents. While I’d written a grant for the majority of these plans, there…
Hall of Faith: Samson, Made the Ultimate Sacrifice
We all know the story of Samson and Delilah, but there is much more to Samson’s story than just the finale we are all familiar with. Samson was one of the last judge of the…
Breaking the Bonds
Breaking the bonds in an abusive relationship is not easy. Even once I was free from my abuser, I continued to long to stay bound to my abuser. He did everything he could to maintain…
Behind the Hymn: I Will Sing of My Redeemer
God tells us that he will use our trials and tragedies for his good. I Will Sing of My Redeemer was born of tragedy, but had the lasting effect of good. I Will Sing of…
Mary Magdalene: Discovered the Tomb Empty
We left Mary Magdalene at the crucifixion. Jesus is dead and they have taken his body to the grave, but the Sabbath was beginning and the women could not prepare his body. So, they go…
Jesus Came that We Might Be Saved
I recently had a friend ask me about Jesus and Mary Magdalene. The individual, who was not raised in church, believed that they were married and the misconception that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute.…
Hall of Faith: Barak, the Unknown Soldier
Barak was a 12th-century BC ruler and Judge of Ancient Israel. As military commander in the biblical Book of Judges, Barak, with Deborah the prophetess, from the Tribe of Ephraim, defeated the Canaanite armies led…
High Drama Turns Others Away
In the days when I was in my abusive relationship, I had several friends who were willing to help me escape. However, they all had one stipulation. When I walked away, I could not have…
Behind the Hymn: He Lives
Can you imagine what the disciples and followers of Jesus must have said as word spread that he was not in the tomb? The words, “He lives” seem to be one option that is plausible.…
Mary Magdalene: Witness to the Crucifixion
The next mention we have of Mary Magdalene after Jesus heals her, is of her presence at the crucifixion. Luke 23:49 says, “”women who had followed him from Galilee” standing at a distance”, but does not…
God Has a Plan
I recently overheard a conversation in which the person said, “I’m ready to die. I want to see Jesus.” My heart broke for this individual, but as I…
Hall of Faith: Gideon, He Lead for God
Gideon was the son of Joash, from the Abiezrite clan in the tribe of Manasseh and lived in Ephra. As a leader of the Israelites, he won a decisive victory over a Midianite army despite…
Listening to our Intuition
In the early days of my relationship, when circumstances began to spin out of control, my gut began to knot up. I knew that something was wrong and this was not how it should be.…
Behind the Hymn: Are you washed in the Blood
Are you washed in the Blood was written by Elisha Hoffman. Elisha Hoffman was born on May 7, 1839 in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania. He was a Presbyterian minister and composer of over 2,000 hymns and 50…
