Sunday was all about celebrating “The Strength of a Woman” during our annual women’s day.  And oh, what a time we had.  Service culminated with a power message of resilience.  We unpacked what it means to be relentless in our pursuit of God. The message was taken from Matthew 15:21-28.  A woman of Canaan comes crying out to Jesus.  Her daughter is demon-possessed.  Actually, not just demon possessed.  Severely demon possessed.  There are levels to the power that Satan holds over lives, and her daughter suffers from an extreme case.  The woman knows that there is nothing in her power that can change the situation.  She wisely cries out to…

Bible Study Brother and I have a tradition of reading book series and discussing them as we read.  We have read the Percy Jackson series of books, the Divergent books, and the Hunger Game books just to name a few.  Since I am a faster reader, I read the book of the series first before I pass it on to him.  I do not like to have to wait to get to the ending.  I was the first to discover how Hunger Games ended because of this.  I was in shock.  I did not see it coming.  Bible Study Brother kept asking for hints and trying to understand why I…

Fear is a part of our lives.  There is a healthy fear.  This is the fear that keeps us safe.  It keeps us aware of our surroundings and alert to present dangers.  There is also an unhealthy fear.  This is the fear that paralyzes us and keeps us from moving forward.  If you are in need of a push…just some encouragement to keep trusting and believing God…then Sunday’s sermon was for you.  Every week, God uses my pastor to speak directly to my heart’s issues.  This week we journeyed to Mark 5:21-43.  We are privy to an interaction of faith triumphing over fear. Jesus is by the sea and has…

On Sunday, Pastor wrapped up our journey through the book of Habakkuk.  And what a journey it has been.  Habakkuk began the book by asking God the tough questions.  He then had to stand ready to receive the answer that God had for him.  I don’t know about you, but it can be a challenge to hear a response that you did not anticipate.  Habakkuk handles it in stride. In Habakkuk 3:17-19, we get to witness a wonderful relationship.  Although Habakkuk has been angry with God…although he has been frustrated by the trials and tribulations that have threatened to overtake him, he continues to talk to God.  I just have…

I am grateful.  Every time I reach an uncertain moment in my walk with the Lord, He always sends reassurance.  Sunday’s sermon encouraged me.  It’s like Jesus sat down with me and said, “Girl, I got this.”  Hopefully, the sermon recap will let you know that He has you too. We are still in the book of Habakkuk.  Sunday’s sermon shined the spotlight on Habakkuk 2:1-4.  Habakkuk, a prophet continues to ask God the tough questions.  The nation of Israel is being persecuted by the Babylonians.  Essentially Habakkuk is concerned with why this is happening and how long they will have to endure the tough times.  These trials do not…

Let me tell you upfront.  Sunday’s sermon was off the chain.  Every Sunday I get a word, but this Sunday hit a nerve.  This sermon pulled up a chair in my house and sat right at the dinner table.  I ate it up and left the table more than satisfied.  I left the table absolutely full. Habakkuk 1:1-6 was the focal point of the sermon.  Habakkuk is considered a minor prophet.  Not because his ministry lacks validity but because his book in the Bible is small.  Small book but mighty message.  In these verses, we find the prophet Habakkuk frustrated.  He is concerned.  Injustice is prevalent everywhere he turns.  He…

2020 has been a challenge for many of us.  Global pandemic, financial issues, relationship problems…the list goes on.  In the midst of all our trials, we have needed constant reminders to keep us encouraged.  We need strength to endure.  Where can we pull that strength from?  Sunday’s sermon gave me and boost and reminded me where my help comes from. King David is the author of Psalms 27.  He spends the first half of the psalm encouraging others and then there is a shift.  He begins to speak about his personal experiences with the Lord.  He begins to remind himself of the goodness of the Lord.  He begins to encourage…

Relationships are not always what they seem.  Sadly, some people stick close to you in an effort to see you fall.  Jesus accepted an invitation to dinner at Simon’s house in Luke 7:36-50.  Simon was a Pharisee.  He knew the rules and customs.  He knew the etiquette and traditions.  But he did not anticipate the way that Jesus would interact with a woman that Simon considered to be beneath him.  Today’s sermon recap recounts the events at that dinner and challenges us to dig deeper. As Jesus is reclined at the table, a woman of the night enters the home with an alabaster flask of fragrant oil.  She does not…

The very first month that I moved to Houston a hurricane was forecast to hit the city.  Growing up in Arkansas had prepared me to survive tornadoes.  We go to the room that is the closest to the center of the house.  We run to our bathrooms and get in the tubs.  But I had no experience with a hurricane.  A completely different storm that I was not prepared to weather.  In that instance, I was able to return to safety.  Well, at least safety as I knew it.  I drove to Arkansas and watched others in Houston ride out the storm.  Usually, we have no clue when personal storms…