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Priceless Blessings…
Little boys in church shirts Eating church candy Squirming in church pews — The sweetest of God’s blessings for the church. Little boys falling asleep, Nudging each other before Momma sees Laughing, squirming, bright shining stars Straight from God’s own canvas. The sweetest blessings to the church. The Rev. Dr. Emma Jordan-Simpson Brooklyn, NY Matthew…
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A Promise from Isaiah 43
When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end– Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for…
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For All The Saints…
None of us can claim our “own strength” as the sole reason for our accomplishments. We all stand on the accomplishments of people who came before us. We stand on their struggles, their determination, their refusal to quit — their power to keep going. We stand on their ability to see a future that was…
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Rest A Little While…
Mark 630 The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in…
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We Can Prevent Child Sexual Abuse
12 It is not enemies who taunt me— I could bear that; it is not adversaries who deal insolently with me— I could hide from them. 13 But it is you, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend, 14 with whom I kept pleasant company; we walked in the house of God with the throng.…
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Remember Me!
What in the world would we do if God decided that the path for our entire lives would be determined solely by the stupid, wrong, hurtful and immature things we did before we were 16 years old? Think about all the things you did – and you didn’t get caught! Well, you think you didn’t!…
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Christmas Still and Not Embarrassed….
It’s July but my soul has been thirsty for the Christmas story. My children tease me and are prone to fits of embarrassment and anguish right now —“OMG, really Mom?! Really?! Blasting Christmas carols in the car! In July?! Dad, get your wife, please!!” (Don’t worry, I’m not intimidated. I remind them that they can…
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Not Alone in the Dark
I don’t remember the last time I sat in a movie theater. I love movies. I hate the darkness. Let me rephrase that – I’ve been afraid to sit in darkness. Ridiculous. I’m a grown woman. But I’m also a deeply wounded grown woman. A survivor, yes. But yet a wounded survivor. The movie is…
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Battle Songs…
Harder yet may be the fight Right may often yield to mightWickedness awhile may reignSatan’s cause may seem to gainThere is a God that rules above With hand of power and heart of loveIf we are right, He’ll fight our battles —We shall have peace some day!(Beams of Heaven, Charles Tindley)Sometimes, it seems as if this mean old…
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Sweet Little Jesus Boy
Christmas at the House of Prayer Episcopal Church was my favorite time of the year when I was growing up in Newark, NJ and the Negro Spiritual, “Sweet Little Jesus Boy,” had everything to do with that. I didn’t look forward to the gift giving. I still don’t. Enough said. It wasn’t about snow or…
A Voice In Ramah
Another world is possible…
A Voice In Ramah 