We live in very fast paced society. The world of Internet, iPads, Blackberries, iPhones, Facebook, & Twitter… These platforms allow us to be more productive and efficient. They accelerated the process of seeking information and knowledge, and connected us with millions of people around the world in a second. As a result, it created a world of ME - My world, My rules, My time. It makes it seem like we have forever.
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God is known for explaining His nature in terms of the nature we see around us every day. The Bible talks about “peace in the midst of storms”, the “trying and testing of the desert”, and also “the valley of the shadow of death”. Normally, just the mention of shadows and death are enough to make me want to turn and run the other way – missing out completely on the valley.
But God, in His wisdom, allows valleys in our life to help refine our walk, refill our souls, and to remind us whose really in charge. The valleys have been some of my greatest journeys. They have allowed me to find and define myself
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Do you need to be set free from your past? The sins and struggles of our parents can follow us, but Jesus promises freedom - not just from the cause, but also from the fear of turning out the same. Our Voice Sherea shares an inspiring story of how God broke the cycle of substance abuse in her family and set her free from fear.
Recently, I had an opportunity to spend time with my mom. We laughed, talked, looked at photos, and of course, we cried.
It’s no secret that my mom struggled with substance abuse most of her adult life (this is something she would say and use as her testimony, especially now that she is free from that struggle). The details of that situation will remain her story. I am a firm believer in letting others tell their own story, ‘cause there are always two sides. I’ll do my best to keep this post one-sided.
Because of HER struggle, I grew up having a fear of taking any medications or other types of symptom relieving drugs because I thought I would struggle with drugs as an adult…[click “Read More” below to continue]
In the spirit of Mother’s Day this week, our Voice Sherea shares her story of what it means to be called as a mother.
Every night before my two young girls get ready for bed, we spend time enjoying their favorite books. Although my goal is to keep it to one favorite, the girls always end up choosing five or six. One night, my oldest daughter selected the book “When I Grow Up” to be included in the volumes of children’s stories we would enjoy that evening.
“When I Grow Up” had lots of cute pictures to keep kids interested and highlighted enough high profile careers to impress even the most eager-to-see-their-kids-be-successful parents. “Great choice,” I thought, as my mind danced at the thought of how much potential my daughter must have to already be planning her profession at the tender age of four.
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John 1:12-13 (New International Version):
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
Almost 2 years ago, I took the day off from work and celebrated my 39th birthday….for the first time!!!!!!!
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Don’t give up. Pray it up. Our Voice Sherea shares an encouraging story of how God knows us and grows us out of His love.
Last year my husband and I enrolled our daughter KS in our local community youth basketball team. KS has always expressed her interest in becoming a WNBA basketball player. By the way, she is only ten years old. My oldest daughter JC would attend practices with KS and one day decided she wanted to play. JC is 11 and is about 5’6. JC who never expressed interest in basketball, slowly but surely became very noticeable on the court. Besides her being the tallest girl, she was also pretty good.
At the end of the season, JC was chosen to play in the ALL-star game. Oh my! Things were already a little tight in the back seat on the way home from practices, now this. As time passed this became a little tough to deal with as a parent.
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Our story this week comes from our friend, Sherea. She grew up without a father because she was told he died before she was born, however, through a divine meeting she came to understand that God is a father for the fatherless (Psalm 68:5).
Excerpted from the book “Realistically Speaking” by Sherea Ve Juan: http://www.scribd.com/The-Return-of-My-Father-Who-Never-Left/d/33245207
Years ago, I was told my father was killed in a car accident one month after I was born. Well I found out recently that he was very much alive. I always wanted to know how it felt to have a father, a Dad, a pal, a counselor to walk me through the rules of life, you know the birds and the bees.
One day to my surprise, I was on my way to a retreat at church. All of a sudden, I became so angry inside. I wanted to know why he had to die before I had a chance to know him? Why did he leave his only child? Why couldn’t he drive more carefully? Did he love me when he was here? If he were alive today, would he have left me anyway?
I approached my destination with tears in my eyes, my shirt soaked with tears of pain. A big man with a still voice called my name so clear I knew it was Him. I did not have to ask, I didn’t need identification, a physical description, I could hear in His voice. I knew by the way He called my name that He was my Father. “But how could this be, they told me you were dead, but yet, you are very much alive.” I began crying and weeping. I was so confused I didn’t know if I should be crying or if I should be angry with Him for not finding me sooner. I had so many more questions. “Why did you leave me? Why didn’t you search for me? You never provided for me? You missed my wedding and my graduation. But at the same time I wanted to hug him, I wanted him to just wrap his arms around me and tell me all about his life. I wanted to learn everything about him that I missed out for years. So I asked “Where do we start?” [Click “Read More” below to continue]
