Stephanie Pavlantos: Tribulation in the Lab

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. ~Hebrews 11:1 ESV At twenty-five years old, I had a stomach ulcer from the unbearable stress of my job. I had found a laboratory that would hire an inexperienced college graduate with a B.S. in biology. The VA hospital needed a histology technician, and they would train me to do the job. Histologists make slides from the tissue removed from the body during surgery which … Continue reading →

Ed Chappelle: Rock, Rattle, and Roll

It was another hot and windless day in San Francisco on October 17, 1989. There was a sense of electricity in the air as the anticipation built. The game would be three of the World Series playoffs. The contest was scheduled to begin at 5:35 pm. The San Francisco Giants and the Oakland A’s were going through the pre-game ceremonies at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California.

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Diane Virginia: Frayed Jeans (3-Min)

He who believes in Me, the works that I do will he do also; and greater works than these he will do. John 14:12b I was folding my husband’s jeans, checking the hems for frays. That’s how I determine at a glance which are his work jeans verses his dress jeans. The thought came to me that I am like a pair of jeans that are frayed on the ends—less than perfect, but usable to the majestic God I serve. … Continue reading →

Diane Virginia: The Whisperer

She came to Him, crawling. If her declaration was voiced, it was softer than a whisper…

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Stephanie Pavlantos: “Daddy’s Girl”

God is not ashamed to be called their God. ~Hebrews 11:16b NKJV My father was fifty years old when I was born, and I was a daddy’s girl. Daddy held me on his lap when the doctor gave my vaccines with a gun-like device that left a scar the size of a dime on my upper arm. He taught me to ride my bike. He made me and my siblings homemade donuts before leaving for work as an executive chef. … Continue reading →

Diane Virginia: Breakfast of Champions (3-Min)

Delight thyself also in the LORD. Psalm 37:4a KJV Every morning, I prepare breakfast for our dogs. I rotate between doggies, feeding them morsels from a designated fork. Occasionally, one will rise. If I say, “sit,” the dog will listen, but only if I preface this with their name. Otherwise, she assumes I’m talking to another pack member. Our senior pooch stomps during the entire breakfast. She wants to make sure I notice her. Our youngest gal takes each morsel … Continue reading →

Shanda Neighbors: The “Messterpiece”

Whoever hears these sayings of Mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock. ~Matthew 7:24b NKJV I watched from the sidelines. It was supposed to be a team project. Parental involvement was not allowed. The goal was stated simply enough: “Build a tower as tall as possible, out of the designated amount of plastic drinking straws, paperclips, and masking tape.” My daughter and her team huddled together. But the … Continue reading →

Diane Virginia: The Power of Grace

My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weaknesses. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV Grace…. We say grace before a meal. We speak of God’s grace. But do we really know what grace is? Grace comes from the word charis and may be defined as “the divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life. (Strongs’ Concordance, NT#5485)” Grace is something that happens within the spirit of man. Paul knew something about grace. He … Continue reading →

Julie Souza Bradley Lilly: Are You Myth-ing Something?

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Psalm 91:1-2 NIV Ever have one of those nights when you wake up for no apparent reason and can’t get back to sleep? I had one of those earlier this week and grabbed my phone to do a word search in an attempt to … Continue reading →

Diane Virginia: Frayed Jeans

He who believes in Me, the works that I do will he do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father John 14:12b NKJV I was folding my husband’s jeans, and checking the hems for frays. That’s how I determine at a glance which are his work jeans versus his dress jeans. The thought came to me that I am like a pair of jeans that are frayed on the ends—less than … Continue reading →

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