Newsletter – Cultivating Faith

RESPECT

Regard (treat with honor, due obedience, and courtesy) your father and mother, that your days may be long in the land the Lord your God gives you. (Exodus 20:12 AMP)

Long before Aretha Franklin wrote a song about it, God was instructing the children of Israel in how to live a long and happy life. Honor or respect your parents. Honor and respect are synonyms. They mean to treat someone with high regard or place a higher value upon them.

Working in healthcare, I come in contact with many families. There are families of various cultures, ethnicity and dynamics. The situation that often breaks my heart the most: hospitalized parents facing difficult health situations alone. They share that they are estranged from their children for various reasons. To be alone after a stroke, or cancer diagnosis just seems to increased the stress the patient feels. They are utterly alone and facing many medical trials and quality of life issues. They are often overwhelmed. Medical professionals can only assist so much and will not be there daily after discharge from the hospital.

I recognize that not everyone has had great experiences with their parents. Parents are just as falliable as each one of us. It is maturity that helps us recognize our parents are just people: full of hopes, dreams, heartbreak and failures. Their experiences may have had influenced some of their behaviors and actions during our upbringing. Previously, I have shared that my birth father basically abandoned my mother, my siblings, and myself. He formed a new family and other than cards for birthdays and holidays, there wasn’t much contact. Honestly, it took me years to forgive him for the pain resulting from his abandonment and other things I experienced in my early childhood. Although I don’t have a relationship with him, that was by his choosing. If I were to meet him today, I would still treat him with respect.

I don’t always agree with my parents. However as an adult, I understand that not being in agreement does not negate the instruction of God. He doesn’t say, “Honor your parents when your thoughts and actions are in alignment.” Our instruction is to offer them respect because it is the way righteous people act. If my parents do not believe everything I do about the Bible and the Word of God, I will still show them honor, because honoring them shows honor to my God. I am obedient to Him.

Although our culture in the United States has drawn away from the extended family model, it doesn’t mean that we should not remember our parents and provide love and support in their times of need. In Colossians 3:14 we are called to “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Or in Roman 12:10 “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” If we are called to love our neighbor and our enemy, how much more honor should we be willing to give our parents.

We are to be set apart from this world, and that includes how we treat even those who hurt us. We are too used to hearing, “Respect is earned.” This is not in the Bible. We are called to love and love unconditionally. That is the way God chose to love you. Even when you were His enemy (Romans 5:10 ESV). I am not saying it will be easy, but obedience often isn’t. However, it is God’s instruction on how we are to live, and He always equips us in all He calls us to do.

Big Blessings in Little Packages

Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more that food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?” (Luke 12:22-24 NKJV)

“And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all thes things shall be added to you.” (Luke 12:29-31 NKJV)

A couple weeks ago, I wrote about our state of mind and choosing to focus on our blessings. This week I want to show you how God shows up and blesses us even in the tiniest of ways. Remember that often times, God uses us – His children to send blessings, but sometimes He will surprise us. The blessings may come from people or places we couldn’t imagine.

Several years ago, I started keeping a vegetable garden. Whether starting it from seeds or purchasing the plants, I have grown a variety of vegetables every season. Some years have met with success and others a mixture of successes and failures. Gardening is such an expression of love and joy to me, because I always learn something new and many people in this area garden and love to share their ideas with me. This year I had decided I would start my garden from purchased plants. I have had a busy ten months and didn’t have the extra time to start from seeds this year. The problem was that we had a lot going on all through April and the month of May. Every time Alan and I would discuss the garden, some other barrier would come up and we just couldn’t figure out when we would get the garden started. I basically decided that I wouldn’t have a garden this year. I would just appreciate that some of the herbs I had grown in containers last year had burst into fabulous growth again this year. But God!!!

Last week I was driving home, and turning into our neighborhood, I saw a box at the edge of the road saying, “free plants”. I didn’t stop right then, because once I got home I had to run out again and I wanted to keep to my time schedule. As I was getting ready to leave the house again, I kept thinking about those plants. So we stopped as we were leaving the neighborhood and I ended up with several tomato plants – more variations, than I have ever tried growing before. We left some plants, because I wanted someone else to be blessed. However, the following day driving by the same house while running errands another box was there stating again, “free plants”. Stopping to look, there were several varieties of peppers. Again, there were more varieties than I have ever tried growing before. Then this week, while working outside putting up our greenhouse, our neighbor offered some broccoli and cucumber plants. I went from having no plants for this season to having an abudance of plants! We quickly went to work getting them transplanted into our garden.

I know many people will read this and think – that was just luck. But I don’t believe in luck, I believe in the goodness of my God. He is so good that He cares about everything that matters to me. It is His love and good character that drives Him to care for each of us. In the Epistle of First John, it states in chapter 3, verse 1, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” God loves to bless those who are in His family. He understands all our needs and not only fulfills those, but often times desires to give us things that give us joy. Keep looking for God’s big blessings even in the tiniest of packages! Amen.

Beyond Blessed

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:1-5 NKJV)

Listening to conversations happening around me, lately I have been hearing people spend a great deal of their time complaining about first world problems. They complain about the weather, when they have a roof over their head to keep them dry and warm. They complain about their health, but they have access to medical treatments and doctors – unlike many people in other countries. They complain about feeling alone, but they are only interested in the phone they hold in their hands. I have found myself often complain about traffic, but fail to recognize the vehicle that I have is a convenience and many others do not have access to the same.

As a nation, we have been so blessed, but we choose to complain instead of rejoice. We have become like spoiled children, undisciplined and ungrateful. Today, I need this reminder of how blessed I am. I will recall, with wonder, the goodness of God in my life. He has provided me with so many blessings: family, friends, a home, a job, and my health. Why do I have any right to complain about the goodness that God has poured into my life?

Maybe you see your blessings too, but the negativity that surrounds you from within the world, has twisted your thoughts and speech. Now is a great time to get on top of it. We do have control of our negative thoughts and emotions. We are told in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” When we spend time in God’s word and with Him in prayer it becomes harder to see anything but His goodness and His love. He is the perfect embodiment of love.

Next week, let’s start our mornings reflecting on how good and loving God has been to us. Before our feet even hit the floor for the day, spend time thanking Him for your blessings. Then our armor is in place (Ephesians 6:10-19), and we will be able to withstand the negativity of those around us. We will be able to throw off the shackles of their disappointments and tap into the joy of the Lord – maintaining our strength and our purpose to bring light into the dark places of this earth. Amen!

The Great Lie

“but it is the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 3:22-24 NASB95)

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. (Romans 10:9-10 NLT)

I believe we have an enemy, and he hates everything God created and everything God represents. That means he hates goodness and righteousness. Satan hates life and health. He hates truth and love. We are told that he was given dominion over the earth through Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-15). It is his plan to keep us separated from the love of God. Satan is a liar, but the great lie is often one we tell ourselves – “I’m okay”, or “I am a good person, I am certainly not as bad as other people in the world”. The enemy loves it when we believe we are self sufficient or compare ourselves to others. This viewpoint keeps us from feeling convicted and then we have no need for repentance or salvation. Repentance simply means recognizing that you need to change.

This world has become very proficient in helping us become self absorbed. I can fall for it as easily as the next person. Give me an advertisement about a hair product that can make my hair shiny, and manageable -I am instantly captivated. Well I used to be- maybe now the thing that entices me is a pretty dress. But worldly things can not fulfill us. They leave us with temporary happiness, because they will never fill the space in us that was designed to hold the spirit of the living God. God gives us new life. Life to our spirit, which then enables us to be filled with eternal things: joy, peace, love, faith, kindness, goodness, patience and gentleness. These attributes that fill us are the very nature of God. We become less consumed with things to fill our own lives and start living a life for others. No one is ever too far away from God that they can’t turn back to Him and no one is too old to choose Him. He loves when we call out to Him whether we are 2 or 92 years of age. We are His creation, His beloved. He sacrificed His only Son so that we all could go from death to eternal life. We just have to stop lying to ourselves – there is no other way. We cannot make it on our own, we are not good enough, but there is grace – the most beautiful gift given from our Heavenly Father.

It isn’t about anyone else, this is only about you and God. This relationship, this fellowship, this life-long journey cannot be walked out through anyone else but you. All who believe in their heart and speak aloud in faith that Jesus Christ is their Savior will have salvation. It is still the best decision I have ever made. It is my heart’s desire that each of you and your family and children to a thousand generations will make the same choice!

Heavenly Father, I thank you for revealing to our hearts a love like no other. You made a way to make us righteous through the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ. Thank you for this gift of grace that I did not deserve. Your love is the thing that fulfills me and sustains me. It has been amazing to see some of my own family give their hearts to you and have their lives transformed. I can’t wait to see you do it again and again and again. Amen!

From Mourning to Dancing

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 NASB95

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn,” Isaiah 61:1-2 NASB95

Thinking about Mother’s Day as it approaches, it is with mixed emotions. I am so very thankful and blessed to celebrate my Mom. She is generous and kind. She loves her family and has always put their many needs above her own. I am also blessed to have many other women in my life who have shown me great love, provided guidance and held me up when I needed strength greater than my own. These women deserve to be honored on Mother’s Day. However, it is a day that I also, like many others, grieve. On this day, there is a sadness that I usually keep boxed up. Things I don’t speak about often and keep wrapped tightly. I know I am not alone and that many other women feel as bittersweet about this day. The loss of a mother, the loss of child, a miscarriage, the woman who prayed and believed for a child that never came. These things speak of lost time, chances and opportunities to make precious memories. In my spirit I recognize that these things were not God’s design. Loss was never meant to be a part of our lives. God created us (Genesis 1-3) and placed us in a perfect garden. We were placed in charge of everything created, but we wanted more. We wanted equality with God. Our choice ushered in the knowledge of good and bad, joy and sorrow. Since then God has been working to restore us to His original plan. He is working to restore us to eternity with Him.

I believe God is who He says and is more than able to do all He has promised. I choose to look past my “knowledge” and trust in the Creator of all things. In Revelation, chapter 21, verse 4, states: “God Himself will be among them and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning or crying or pain; for the first things have passed away.”

There are times in life when I have to trust in God and not my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). There will always be things in this life that will be a mystery until I am standing face to face with my God and King (Deuteronomy 29:29). But I know that He has provided protection when I needed it, strength when I was weak and a peace when I had none. He has taken times of sorrow and replaced them with joy. The pain of loss will never fully dissipate, but the intensity of it lessens with time. Not because we forget, but because God is faithful to pour out His supernatural grace and peace when it is needed most.

Lord, I pray for my sisters in Christ. They are grandmothers, mothers, aunts, daughters, sisters, nieces and cousins. They have an incredible impact on the lives around them. I speak Your strength upon them. I declare that they recognize Your Spirit in them and allow You to work in mighty ways through them. Comfort them when they feel the sting of loss and pour out your peace that embraces them through it all. Help us to see one another in all the aspects of life’s journey and to encourage one another building each up in Your most perfect love. May they recall Your outpouring of grace and mercy over their lives and allow it to build their faith in Your everlasting goodness. May they feel the power of Your love upon them this day and all throughout the year. Fill their Mother’s Day with rejoicing and dancing. For they are above all Your daughters and You love them more than they can even imagine! Amen!

What’s Growing in Your Garden?

I was working in my garden today, after neglecting it way too long this spring. I felt like the Holy Spirit was speaking some wisdom to me that I wanted to share. First, as I was pulling out the weeds that had grown in among my flowers, I felt the spirit of God whisper, this is what can happen when you neglect spending time with me. Things that you don’t want in your life can begin to take root. In the bed up by my mailbox, clover had grown rapidly, but it was difficult to pull out. The roots had embedded deep into the soil and I had to work hard and pulling them out. Most of us who love God are not looking to sin, but it is often like a weed, slowly taking root and destroying the the garden it enters. Secondly, I noticed that often the weeds grew close to or even within the base of a healthy plant, making it even harder to tear out. Weeds are not desirable in a garden, because they steal the nutrients from the soil needed for healthy plants to grow. Sin is like this and steals our joy, our peace, our loving kindness and replaces it with fear, shame, anger and bitterness. This is why we have to be so careful with what we are feeding our spirits. Proverbs 4:23 tells us to, “Guard your heart above all else for it determines the course of your life.” In Hebrews 12:15 we are instructed, “Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” I see the hand of God at work in our hearts the same way a gardener creates a garden: tilling, fertilizing, watering, weeding and pruning. It is through His loving hand that we can grow to fullness and bear the fruit which He promised is ours when we stay connected to Him. Our part is to understand that the garden of our spirit requires our care and preseveration. So I ask you again, “What is growing in your garden?” Are you planting the word of God or the cares of this world? One will grow into a faith-filled life of purpose and the other will drain you of all life. Just as a garden requires us to tend it, so our spirit requires us to continually ensure that we are feeding it with the Word of God which promises to help us stay filled so that we may overflow.

Thank you Father, that you allow me to see You through all of creation. You amaze me in the beauty and majesty that is around me in every season. Help me to be aware of what I allow into my heart, mind and spirit. Reveal to me things that will steal from the purpose and calling You placed on my life and allow me to be pruned that I may yield fruit that will bless those You called me to interact with in all areas of life. May I become more like Your son, Jesus Christ, that I may be pleasing in Your sight. I love you, Lord. Amen.

Resurrection Power

March 5, 2026

And He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘O dry bones hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and brin flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. The you shall know that I am the Lord.'” (Ezekiel 37:4-6)

If you read further into this chapter in Ezekiel you will see that during this vision, Ezekiel prophesied exactly as the Lord had commanded him and a valley of dry bones became a vast army. The Lord gave the prophet this vision so that he could encourage Israel that they would not be forgotten by the Lord. That He was faithful to fulfill His promises to Israel.

I am not sure what you are going through in life right now, but I want you to know that there is no area of your life that God cannot restore. There is nothing in you too sick, too broken, too damaged, that He cannot heal and resurrect it. It may not look exactly like it did before, but that is because God is going to make it better. In Ephesians 3:20 we read: “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” God is going to work it out in a way we couldn’t even imagine it.

Recently, I had something happen within my job that really took me by surprise. It wasn’t a good outcome and I certainly didn’t anticipate it. However, after a couple of days I realize that God was taking me out of a situation that was causing me a great deal of stress. I wasn’t recognizing the negative impact it was having and God made a way to call me out of it. It wasn’t comfortable, but I trust God to keep working for my good. And in a way He already has because He eased the stress in this area of my life.

Father God, I thank you for always working everything for good in my life. I speak now for the ones reading this: That you God will demonstrate your resurrection power over their lives. Whatever looks broken or beyond repair, Lord you are making a way. There is no wilderness that you cannot navigate through or sea you can’t split. They will see the goodness of Your hand in these places and strongholds will break. I praise you God, for your grace and mercy never fail. You always fulfill what You promise. I love you Lord! Amen and amen.