Devotionals for the Heart: Why we need to check the soil of our hearts

Check Your Soil
A devotional by Patricia Russell

“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”—Matthew 13:23 (NIV)

Ontario is the name of the province I’ve lived in for many years.

Growing up, I remember the jingle for a popular commercial went like this: “Good things grow in Ontario”. Grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and small posters on popsicle sticks bore these words.

Jesus Christ often used the illustrations of farmers, fields, and soil to convey the importance of growth. This message wasn’t difficult for His audience to comprehend because agriculture and farming were staples in the Middle East in that era. The industrial revolution had not arrived, so the people would understand well the process of planting seed and reaping in harvest time.

In chapter 13 of the Bible book of Matthew, Jesus told the parable of the sower who went out to plant seed. It was important to note that the quality of the soil determined the growing results of the seed. Some soil had stones, some fell by the wayside, while others took root and grew bountifully. Everyone hearing this parable would be challenged to consider the soil of their heart and decide for themselves if it was ripe for receiving seed and growing.

Personally, I know there have been times when my heart was hard, critical and religious. Just like a gardener who rakes up the soil and sees stones, one has to remove those stones from the soil before planting anything. If you plant a seed amongst stones, you soon notice that the plant is struggling to show any signs of growth. There is an obstruction to its growth. You have to take the stones out of that garden. Likewise, individually, we have to check the soil of our hearts.

Matthew 12:34 states out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. When we speak, it is a reflection of what is happening in our hearts. There is an old saying: “You cannot pour clean water from a dirty vessel.” We have to clean up the inside. We have to see the not so nice areas in our lives that are affecting our growth. We can do this by humbling ourselves and asking the Lord to show us and help us to acknowledge our areas of weakness. Confess our faults. God can handle it. As a matter of fact, He is patiently waiting for us to give our concerns to Him. When we read the Word of God (The Holy Bible) and we are convicted, this might mean there is a stone, an area in our life, God wants us to acknowledge. This is an area that needs to be, shall I say, “weeded out” so that we can grow and mature.

Self-examine your heart. Is there anything that is hindering growth in the Lord? Are there attitudes, mindsets or behaviors that other people have noticed and maybe brought to your attention? Ask the Lord to guide you. You don’t have to struggle alone. Ask a friend who is also following Jesus Christ to pray with you.

Let’s check the soil of our hearts and do some internal weeding so that with the grace of the Holy Spirit we can be a fruitful plant that brings glory to God.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father, I want to grow strong in you. Show me where my heart needs to be tender and help me to respond to your Holy Spirit when you alert me to something that is not right in my life. In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “A Heart Like Yours” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Patricia is a worship leader, songwriter, speaker and compiler of her 2020 best-seller anthology Stronger Resilience: Stories to Empower the Mind, Body and Spirit, as well as Lord I Trust You: Words of Encouragement to encourage readers and share life lessons during her cancer journey. 

Patricia writes, speaks, and teaches on the power of God’s Word to heal and empower you to become all that you are purposed for. She has traveled internationally and shared her gifts with audiences to encourage, empower and share life lessons through word and song. Patricia has sung on national television broadcasts and shared the stage with several respected speakers including Anne Graham Lotz and Rev. E.V. Hill.

Her greatest joy is being married to her husband, Wayne, for 34 years. Together they serve the community through their local congregation as well as providing premarital and marriage coaching. They have two adult children, Raquel and Benjamin. As a two-time breast cancer overcomer, Patricia coaches’ others to develop resilience and live life to their fullest.

Patricia has released two gospel music recordings: “Draw Me Nearer” and “Lord, I Trust You”. In March 2022, she launched her podcast “Becoming Resilient” which can be downloaded wherever you get your podcasts and also seen on YouTube.

When not reading or studying, Patricia loves to eat Thai food and spend time with “Lucy” – her daughter’s Yorkie-poo who has taken up room in her heart.

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Connect with Patricia:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrussellsings/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pat.russell.98877/
Email Patricia: patrussellsings@gmail.com

Devotionals for the Heart: What to do when you're running on empty

Are You Running on Empty?
A devotional by Joyce M. Averils

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” –Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV)

Recently, my friend Annie shared a story that made me stop and reflect for a minute. She ran out of gas right in the middle of one of the busiest intersections in Atlanta. Let me tell you her story of how she got there.

Annie had been having a typical week at the office, which for her meant long hours, back-to-back meetings, and deadlines that kept piling up. Then, in the middle of all that, a close friend got sick and needed someone to care for her. Without hesitation, Annie stepped in. That meant in addition to her demanding sixty-plus hour workweek, she was now preparing meals, picking up prescriptions, and running errands for her friend.

On the outside, she seemed to be managing it all with grace. She juggled work, caregiving, and life’s many other responsibilities until the moment her car wouldn't start. She had just stopped at a red light at Peachtree Street and North Avenue, a major intersection, during the chaos of rush hour traffic. When the light turned green, she pressed the gas pedal and nothing happened. Panic set in. What was wrong? Was the car battery dead? Had the engine failed? She glanced at the dashboard for warning lights, but nothing seemed out of place. Then her eyes dropped to the fuel gauge. It indicated that her gas tank was empty.

In all of her busyness, she had completely forgotten to stop for gas. She meant to. She knew she needed to. But there was always one more thing to do, one more errand to run, one more person who needed her help. And now, at the worst possible moment, her car had come to a complete stop.

Have you ever felt like that? Like you're constantly moving, giving, and doing but never stopping to refuel? Life can be overwhelming at times. Between work, family, ministry, and personal responsibilities, it's easy to push yourself to the limit without realizing how exhausted you’ve become.

Women especially are known for being expert multitaskers. We take pride in our ability to juggle multiple roles, to be there for everyone who needs us. And sometimes, we even convince ourselves that we can keep going without stopping because there’s just too much to do. But here’s the truth: Just like a car, you cannot run on empty. At some point, if you don’t stop to refuel, you will come to a complete halt – physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And often, it happens at the most inconvenient time.

Even Jesus Christ’s disciples struggled with this. In Mark 6:30-32, the disciples were so busy ministering to people that they didn’t even have time to eat. Jesus saw their exhaustion, so He told them in Mark 6:31 (NIV): “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So, they stepped away. They didn’t argue that there was more work to do. They didn’t feel guilty for taking a break. They followed Christ’s lead and withdrew to a quiet place for rest.

If you feel like you’re running on empty, take a moment to stop. Give yourself permission to rest. Find your quiet place—whether that’s a morning walk, time in prayer, or just sitting in silence with God’s Word. Let Him refill and restore you. Because when you take time to refuel, you’ll find the strength to keep going not just for a moment, but for the long haul.

This is the lesson my friend Annie learned. She told me that while she waited for AAA to bring her some gas, she had the time for the first time that week, to get quiet and really talk to the Lord. In that moment, she realized that just like her gas tank, she was running on empty—something she did not have to do. It was a frustrating and scary way to learn the lesson, but it got her attention. Now she remembers that she must take the time to check her personal tank on a regular basis, just like she checks her gas tank, to make sure it is not empty.

Annie’s story is a lesson for all of us.

Let’s Pray: Lord, I’m tired. I need rest. So, I am coming to you today to lay everything down at your feet. I pray for the space to stop, refuel, and rest in You. Energize me physically and spiritually so that I can be the woman You are calling me to be in every area of my life. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Worn” by Tenth Avenue North. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Joyce M. Averils is an attorney by education and a retired judge who currently works as a Life Purpose and Business Empowerment Coach. 

She attended the University of South Carolina where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities and Social Sciences, with a concentration in Political Science in May 1981. Upon graduation from the University, she attended The Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law, where she graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in June 1984. Joyce was admitted to the Georgia Bar in November of 1984.

During her legal career, she served as the legal advisor for an episode of the American television program “Designing Women”. She also successfully argued a zoning case before the Georgia Supreme Court.

Today, she is the founder of Averils Omnimedia, LLC. It includes Her RICH Coaching where she helps high-achieving women of faith create a purpose-aligned life and business through coaching programs, workshops, and retreats. She recently launched 26th & Alden Paper Design House which will release its first paper product in early 2025.

Joyce believes that God created women to accomplish the extraordinary by living their purpose, calling, and assignment. He has chosen every woman to fulfill a calling that is hers alone. And if she does not answer that calling, then that work will never be done. Joyce knows that there are people who are waiting for help that only God can give and only God can use His people to help each other. Joyce believes that we are called by God to help each other. She wants to answer that call and inspire others to answer it too so we can be of service to God.

Her life verse is John 17:4 (NIV), “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” In addition to being an entrepreneur, Joyce currently serves as the Associate Teaching Director for the Community Bible Study International class in Georgetown, SC.

Joyce makes her home on the coast of South Carolina.

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Connect with Joyce:
Website: www.herrichlife.com
Facebook Ministry: www.facebook.com/groups/thepurposealignedwoman
Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/coachlabforaspiringchristianwomencoaches
Facebook: www.facebook.com/@HerRichLife
Instagram: www.instagram.com/herrichlife
Email address: joyce@herrichlife.com

Devotionals for the Heart: How to write a psalm of Thanksgiving

Writing Your Own Psalm of Thanksgiving
A devotional by Joy Beless

“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.”—Psalm 30:11-12 (NIV)

Much like the fall winds that tug at the leaves on the trees outside my window, so has change come to our family and loved ones.

I will be setting two fewer dinner plates at our table this Thanksgiving. I know I’m not the only one. As much as I want the beautiful tablescape, delicious traditional menu, and smiling faces around my table, the reality cannot be ignored. This year has been marked by loss, grief, and difficult circumstances. I want to honor the loss of loved ones before moving on to the festive table chatter. Much like noticing the fallen leaves before raking them into a pile for my grandchildren to jump in.

I need to step away and take some time to care for my soul and prepare for this hectic but meaningful holiday season. I spend hours preparing the holiday meal, my house, and décor before our loved ones joyfully come through the door announcing their arrival. Likewise, I want to care for my soul to receive my guests from an authentic place of peace and hope, not a cultivated artificial smile.

How do I do this? I begin with a ritual every November of writing my own psalm, patterning after the biblical psalms. There are six different kinds of psalms in the Bible, including those of thanksgiving, which are divided between personal prayers and prayers for the nation of Israel. Written by King David, the psalms are rich in description and often are ones we still sing today. While we generally associate thankful songs as happy and upbeat, a closer look at the personal psalms of David reveals something different. Psalm 30 (referenced above) is written in an authentic and reflective tone. As he looks back, David recalls being “lifted out of the depths” by God and not letting his enemies boast (verse 1), sparing him from sliding into a pit of despair (verse 3) and crying for God’s mercy (verse 8).

David also contrasts calling for God’s help and experiencing his healing (verse 2), God’s anger and his favor, weeping and joy (verse 5), and wailing and dancing (verse 11). Lastly, David mentions singing or praising God five times throughout the twelve verses. As David reflects on a painful and difficult season of his life, he sees the faithfulness, deliverance, and restoring power of God through it all and repeatedly praises Him.

As I consider writing my own psalm of thanksgiving, I will not think too hard about how it sounds or if the grammar is correct, but rather let it simply flow from my thoughts and allow the raw emotions to run through my arm, hand, and pen onto the paper. I may include laments, confessions, and prayers answered and unanswered. As thoughts of God’s goodness and faithfulness throughout this time rise in my soul, I jot those down too. When I recall sweet memories of those who are absent, that also goes on the paper.

My objective is not to have a beautifully crafted psalm for generations to read but rather an outpouring of my soul as an offering for God, who is the sustainer of hope through it all. The words may be something I read to a few close people, but most often will be an entry into my private journal.

When Thanksgiving in the USA ends and I begin to purchase and wrap Christmas gifts, I usually feel an invitation from God to set aside some time to reflect and write down a psalm of thanksgiving and gratitude. I feel encouraged to embrace the season of gratitude similar to the “selah” pause in the Psalms, a reset for my soul. Henri Nouwen said, “Gratitude as a discipline involves a conscious choice.” I agree completely with this sentiment.

It is a choice to come to the festive table with a lighter soul and a heart overflowing for the many ways I experienced the love and hope of God. I mentioned the two empty place settings at our table this year, but I’m so very grateful for the two additional place settings that I will add once my two grandbabies can move from their mother’s laps into the high chairs. And for that I’m very grateful and praising God!

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

You have been faithful in the highs and the lows of the past year. Your strength has sustained me, and your love preserves my hope. I am grateful and thankful for so many things, including your presence on the journey.

In Jesus’s Name, I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Sovereign” by Chris Tomlin. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Joy Beless is a worshipper of God and lover of people. 

A practicing Spiritual Director, she is a speaker for retreats and conferences and facilitates guided solitude retreats at the family ranch in North Texas.

A seasoned worship leader and songwriter, she frequently weaves worship, God’s Word and spiritual practices together. She is a chapel provider for a shelter for the houseless and a certified Grief and Trauma Healing Facilitator. Serving at global retreats for Kingdom-minded women delights her soul.

She has written for Global Trellis and Missio Nexus. She connects God’s Word with the reality of our daily in all the ups and downs.

Joy is married to Roger. They live in Coppell (Texas). Joy is called "JoJo" by her nine adorable grandchildren. She enjoys the outdoors and encourages flowers to grow in the Texas heat.

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Connect with Joy:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joy.beless
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joy.beless/
Website: www.joybeless.org

Devotionals for the Heart: How to remember special moments with God

Revisiting Your Altars
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

"The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him. From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord." –Genesis 12:7-8 (NIV)

Of all the people who lived during his era, Abram was selected by God to be the ancestor through whom the Messiah would come. Abram was on a mission to complete a family migration from the area near Iran to the area that now encompasses Israel and Palestine. While on the journey Abram experienced an epiphany. He literally conversed with God.

When the conversation ended, Abram built an altar, a place of worship, a spiritual landmark. As he safely journeyed further, he built altars and worshipped God at the places where he lodged. Travelers behind Abram would know by these altars that special moments had occurred in these places.

Abram’s spiritual journey is mapped by his altars. The milestone events in his life were memorialized by the altars that he built. Among his progeny, this ritual persisted. Centuries later when the descendants of Abram crossed the Jordan River, emancipated from centuries of slavery, they collected stones and they also built an altar (Joshua 4:6-7).

What are the spiritual markers in your life that remind you of interventions and epiphanies in your past? Each one can stand alone as a devotional exercise. They can create a praise perspective and usher you into a hope-filled and optimistic attitude for your current challenges. Each altar says that God was with you. His presence in your past can assure you of His care for you now.

If you have never marked the milestones of your spiritual journey, perhaps it is a good idea for you now. The altars in Abram’s era were often simply, stacked stones. Contemporary altars can be tangible, spatial, art, or prose. Begin by making a timeline of your life.

Mark the moments of the big or meaningful moments. Riding your bike successfully. Skating confidently. First crush on someone special. Baptism? Driving. Graduation. As you review your milestones, do you remember interacting with God or feeling some kind of transcendence?

When my grandson first rode his bicycle without training wheels, he had a spiritual moment. He stopped his bike and asked me what I heard as he rode. I said, “I don’t hear anything.” He said, “I do. Because I don’t hear the training wheels, I hear the birds singing and the cars going by on the other street, and I hear myself singing.”

Then he rode off singing, “Jesus loves me, this I know…”

It was a surreal and spiritual moment for me too. At the most ecstatic moment of his young life, he spontaneously sang to praises God. He and I fondly remember that day. He has had other milestone moments and marks them similarly. I do also. What about you?

I encourage you to spend some time thinking on the latest spiritual moment in your life and build an altar. Not an idol, but an altar. Don’t worship the altar, worship the God who created and facilitated your special moment.

As we approach the season of reflection upon the resurrection, Easter, focusing on how the real and living Savior (Jesus Christ) is present in our lives is a good idea and exercise.

Let’s Pray:

Dear God, thank You for today and the ability to remember and reflect upon how You have guided us in the past. May we find strength and confidence to live this day with courage and boldness because we are assured that as You have been with us in the past, You will guide us safely through today and tomorrow. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Goodness of God” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Chaplain Paul Anderson served for 20 years as a U.S. Navy Chaplain. Over 26 years of active duty, he was promoted through the ranks from Seaman Apprentice (E2) to his final rank as Commander (O5) in the Chaplain’s Corps.

Prior to his Naval career, Chaplain Anderson pastored in the Allegheny East and Potomac Conferences of Seventh-day Adventists. His undergraduate preparation for ministry was completed at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Md.

He has subsequently earned four graduate degrees: a Master of Divinity from Andrews University in Michigan, a Master of Education in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland and a Masters of Sacred Theology in Religion and Culture from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry degree was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Chaplain Anderson also completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He also holds certifications in Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Civil Mediation, Alternative Workplace Dispute Resolution, Temperament Analysis, Marriage Enrichment, Workforce Diversity, and is a certified Life Coach.

You may connect with Chaplain Anderson via email at this address, psanderson75@gmail.com.

Devotionals for the Heart: Ask God

Do We Ask?
A devotional by Wendy Wilson Spooner

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” 

—2 Kings 2:9 (ESV)

When Elisha knew Elijah was soon to be taken from him, he wouldn’t leave him and when his master asked him what he wanted before he left, Elisha asked for a double portion of his spirit to be upon him. As a result, Elisha went on to perform double the number of miracles Elijah had.

I have pondered what each of us can ask of the Lord, ourselves. I have considered the fact that I have never asked for a double portion of God’s spirit to be upon me—I’ve never used those exact words in my prayers. But the story of Elijah and Elisha shows us we can.

Matthew 7:7-8 (ESV) tells us, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”

When I look back on the history of my prayers, I’ve never had a prayer go unanswered. Even if the Lord’s timing was much wiser and different than mine, the prayer was still answered. Sometimes it was just a feeling of peace that everything would be okay, which to me, was as valuable as being given a “double portion” of God’s Holy Spirit.

According to Matthew 10:29, there is nothing we cannot ask of the Lord. Just as our Father in Heaven notes the fall of a single sparrow, He cares about each one of us! God pays attention to our smallest needs and worries.

At times, I have felt like a sparrow, small, seemingly powerless and unnoticed. But I believe that is exactly why that Bible verse was placed in the book of Matthew—for us. So we would know that we can call upon the all-powerful God of the Universe, our Creator, because He sees us, He hears us, and He knows how to help us! All we have to do is ask.

Let’s Pray:
Father in Heaven, let us always remember Your love for us no matter our circumstance. Help us to ask and turn to You first in all things. Thank You for always being there for us. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “He’s Always There” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Wendy is a Genetic Genealogist by day, a writer by night, and an artist in between. 

Her love of what we can learn from history compels her to write the true stories she unearths because she’s found that truth is indeed much more exciting and inspiring than fiction.

Wendy writes about family, faith, grief, art, and overcoming obstacles in life by coming to know who we really are—the children of God, and the descendants of incredible people who paved the way for us—even if they really struggled. Wendy believes in learning from our ancestors, honoring them, and then standing on their shoulders to become a better generation.

As an award-winning family history writer, Wendy’s debut novel, Once Upon an Irish Summer, released April 3, 2020. This book is a dual timeline historical fiction novel about a young, gifted artist suffering from debilitating grief, who finds healing and inspiration in her Irish ancestry, and goes on to paint a masterpiece.

The sequel, Celtic Winter: Eliza’s Story, released November 5, 2021. The storyline goes back in time to the little sister left behind in Ireland to keep her family alive, woven with present-day Beth’s continuing story as she races the clock with the young man she loves to find the only person who could save his mother’s life.

When Wendy is not researching or writing, she hikes, paints, loves being a church youth leader, binges on epic Bollywood movies, and hangs out with her greatest loves—her family.

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Connect with Wendy:
Website: https://wendywilsonspooner.com/
Blog: https://wendywilsonspooner.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorWendyWilsonSpooner/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyspooner/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wendy_W_Spooner

Devotionals for the Heart: Hope for when our world is in chaos

When Hope Seems Lost
A devotional by Mirachelle Canada

“Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.”– Psalm 119:116 (NKJV)

The world churns in turmoil.

It’s anywhere and everywhere one can see, hear, or go. There are constant calls to do something, say something, think or believe something. Act, fight, defend, accuse! People are scattered, isolated, anxious and fearful…What can they do? What should they do?

Among them hide the once faithful eleven disciples. Their Lord and Messiah, Jesus Christ, is dead. What else can they do when all hope seems lost?

Does the opening scenario sound familiar? It should. It could describe our world today.

Surmounting problems are bombarded at us from every source. And, to the many overwhelmed and heavy burdened, hope seems lost. So, what can we do to restore hope today?

Allow me to suggest two main ideas…

Idea #1: Renew and Sustain Your Hope

Hope is never lost. Hope must be renewed. How? Jesus says in Matthew 11:28 (NIV), “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” To come to Jesus with your troubles simply means to break away, find rest in a quiet place away from others, and focus solely on Him. Give Jesus your time. Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV) says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

When you give Jesus whole-hearted time, He offers us his own yoke, which is easy and light (Matthew 11:30) because He is “gentle and humble in heart.” He promises rest for the weary soul (Matthew 11:29) and to those who have suffered loss, He will change “mourning into gladness” by giving them “comfort and joy” (Jeremiah 31:13).

Hope renewed can be sustained by staying in and praying God’s Word. Staying in The Bible keeps us close to God and He to us. Psalm 119:116 (NKJV) offers the decree, “Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.”

God will give us understanding so that we may live and remain in hope (Psalm 119:144). As you dive into the Word, write out and post your favorite scriptures where you can see them. Let scripture come alive in your dwelling place! Ignite hope into the atmosphere.

Idea #2: Offer Hope to Others

The Bible verse of 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV) encourages us with these words: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Hope is an amazing gift to give! Everyone desires hope. Without it the heart grows sick, but when it is desired, it becomes a “a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12 NIV). A tree, once planted, will grow roots. Throw a lifeline to others and plant hope in their life today!

How can we plant hope in others? Help carry another’s burden (Galatians 6:2 NIV) by willing taking up the yoke alongside with them for a while. Or set aside time to listen to their concerns without prejudice or judgement. It’s amazing what offering hope can do!

You don’t have to solve the world’s problems because Jesus Christ already did. For today, He wants to partner with you to renew hope, sustain hope, and give hope to our world in need. 

Let's Pray: Dear God, thank You for renewing and sustaining me with Your Word so that I might live unashamed of my hope. Thank You for setting me free to offer and plant hope in others according to their need. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Believe for It” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Mirachelle Canada is a writer, playwright, screenwriter, and theatre director/producer from Northern Virginia, where she teaches television production at her high school alma mater. 

She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Script & Screenwriting from Regent University and is an alumnus of Act One: Hollywood Film & Television Writing Program.

Mirachelle is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, American Fiction Writers Virginia Chapter, The Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and Your Novel Blueprint.

She is currently working on her first historical fiction novel set during WWII.

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Connect with Mirachelle:
Website: www.mirachellecanada.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mirachellecanada/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/miracan

Devotionals for the Heart: Grow closer to God and reflect His Image

Broken Image
A devotional by Erin M. Handley

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”

– James 1:22-25 (NIV)

It’s interesting how the human body communicates with us.

It may be something in the air that makes us cough, sneeze, or itch. Sometimes we eat something, and our stomach will always find a way to let us know that it does not agree with what was on the menu. Sometimes we wait too long to eat, and we find ourselves with what some of us refer to as a “hunger headache”. No matter how subtle or severe, our body finds a way to communicate with us. Sometimes we don’t know exactly what is wrong, but we do know that something is not right.

Some can attest to suffering from an allergy or a symptom of some type. It can be a nuisance, but it can also serve as a gentle reminder that a change has to be made in order to fix what is essentially broken. The sneezing, itching, or watery eyes can serve as a reminder that allergy medicine must be taken to prevent an allergy attack. The stomachache that is a result of eating the wrong food can be the body’s way of requesting a change in diet. The hunger headache may very well be the body’s way of saying we have to slow down to take care of ourselves by simply feeding the body.

But what happens when the symptom is ignored?

Do the seasonal allergies grow into more severe allergies? Do the stomachaches turn into ongoing stomach issues if a change in diet does not occur? What is the worst that could happen if a person chose to never eat again? Yes, this series of questions may seem to become slightly irrational, but what happens when the tendency to ignore symptoms evolves into a habit of ignoring our sins?

The body communicates when it does not agree with something in our environment. On a spiritual level, the Holy Spirit is with us to help make us more like Jesus Christ. If we are doing something that takes us further away from Christ’s image, the Holy Spirit lets us know in efforts of getting us back on track. So much like ignoring when our body tells us that it does not agree with something it has been exposed to (food, allergens, etc.), ignoring when the Holy Spirit tells us that we are not in alignment with God’s plans for us, is us making the decision to ignore our sins.

The Lord consistently sends us reminders as ways to grow closer to Him and get better at loving Him. Some things are easier to address than others, but what about when we are intentional about ignoring His Word (The Holy Bible)? James 1:22 tells us that we can’t just listen His Word; we have to actually abide by it (do what it says). If we don’t, then we prove to be the person who looks in the mirror and walks away without remembering what they just saw in the mirror. Even worse, sometimes we develop a pattern of avoiding the mirror to prevent the image we are not ready to see. If a person does not want to see what the mirror has to offer, it can often be because the person is not ready to address that, unlike the pristine mirror, the image is broken.

Don’t take for granted all the opportunities we have to look in the mirror and address what is not in agreement with God’s Word. The Holy Spirit (our mirror) will continue to be the constant reminder of who we are and who God created us to be. The Holy Spirit urges us to remember that Jesus is the Savior. Our Savior is the reflection we should aim to be in alignment with. God knows we will not always get it right, but our attempt to look in the mirror to address our flaws is what He recognizes and will ultimately bless us for.

Let’s Pray: Lord, thank you for your subtle reminders that we sometimes need to slow down and remember that you are in control. We also thank you for your mercy. Sometimes, you elevate from the gentle reminders to reminders that are more aggressive. No matter how intense the reminder is, it is still rooted in love. If we never understood what firm love was before, we understand it once we realize you were attempting to get our attention for some time. So, we thank you for your patience. We thank you for your grace. And we thank you for loving us through our process of growth. We thank you, and we love you. All these things we pray in Jesus’s Name. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

With an ever-growing desire to continually learn the Word of God and present teachings based on Biblical principles, Erin M. Handley is committed to her calling of teaching and inspiring others to ‘be more by doing more’. With this in mind, Erin mentors young women and appreciates seeing the growth and change in the lives she impacts. 

While she sincerely enjoys mentoring and speaking to young people, she is most passionate about educating and empowering women from various stages of life about Biblical Womanhood and how to live out those principles in today’s world.

For over 15 years, Erin has worked with youth and adolescents in the fields of mental and behavioral health, education, and ministry. When reflecting on her experiences in ministry and non-ministry settings, her most memorable encounters have been those that allowed her the opportunity to teach the Word of God in a way that is most relatable to the audience she served in that moment. She has enjoyed writing since her youth, but only recently felt the call to share her writing with the world.

With an undergraduate degree in English and a graduate degree in Ministry and Pastoral Counseling, Erin M. Handley has been fortunate to be able to leverage her gifts and her passions throughout her career in Education.

Aside from reading, writing, and mentoring, Erin enjoys dancing, interior design, cooking, and most other activities which allow her to utilize her creativity.

Devotionals for the Heart: Reflection

Reflection for Growth
A devotional by Erin M. Handley

“…but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

– 1 Corinthians 13:10-13 (NIV)

Reflection is a beautiful thing.

As we approach the last few days of 2021, many of us may feel overwhelmed with goal setting, creating resolutions, and identifying the promises we are agreeing to take into 2022.

But while we are so focused on preparing for what is to come, it is just as important to take a moment to reflect on the experiences you have had thus far. The trajectory you are on now is primarily based on the experiences you have had up until this moment. Because of the significance of your experiences, it is important to take a moment to reflect on where you have been, what you have experienced, and how those things affect where you may be going.

Reflection helps us to make wise, sound decisions. Reflection helps us take a moment to measure our effectiveness in the work we do from day-to-day. Reflection helps us ensure our ‘why’ is still our ‘why’ right now.

As we reflect to prepare for a new year, we can easily find ourselves focusing on all the things we were not able to accomplish in 2021. We quickly recall all the ways we feel that we failed: in our professional life, in our personal life, in our relationships, in the way we show up for others, and even in the way we show up for ourselves. We focus on the things we did not do in efforts of making these things priorities that we can cross off our to-do lists.

But please allow me the opportunity to encourage you to leverage your strengths by acknowledging all of the things you accomplished this year. It may have been the success in your relationships or the promotion in your professional life. Maybe it is that you made strides with your health and nutrition goals. Maybe it is something else that is tangible and documented.

I also want to make sure we allow ourselves the space to own the growth we have experienced in our spiritual life. We have opened our hearts to be willing to hear God as He may speak to us in a new way that is unconventional to us. We have learned to be still for the purpose of thinking more clearly and simply waiting to hear God’s voice.

We have accepted that we must view ourselves with a Kingdom mindset. We have recognized that our identity is rooted in His purpose for us and is not limited to the roles we play in the lives of those we love. We have shifted our perspective and our posture before Him in order to receive all the things He has in store for us. And at the end of it all, we have learned to “praise our way through” so we can truly embody the joy we have been searching for.

Whatever you do, don’t allow the things you were not able to do to overshadow the major milestones you have reached in your life. The growth you have experienced simply serves as a reminder that you have been equipped for this, and there is so much more to come.

Let’s Pray: Lord, we simply want to use this moment to reflect and say thank You. We thank You for allowing us continued opportunities to grow in You. We thank You for your grace, your mercy and your kindness. We thank You for the love you show to us. We thank You for loving us when we struggle to know what love is and how to show love, grace, and kindness to ourselves and others. We thank You for life. We thank You for everything—seen and unseen, spoken and unspoken. We are in awe of You and or your work. Thank You. In Jesus’s Name we pray. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio:

With an ever-growing desire to continually learn the Word of God and present teachings based on Biblical principles, Erin M. Handley is committed to her calling of teaching and inspiring others to ‘be more by doing more.’ With this in mind, Erin mentors young women and appreciates seeing the growth and change in the lives she impacts.

While she sincerely enjoys mentoring and speaking to young people, she is most passionate about educating and empowering women from various stages of life about Biblical womanhood and how to live out those principles in today’s world.

For over 15 years, Erin has worked with youth and adolescents in the fields of mental and behavioral health, education, and ministry.

When reflecting on her experiences in ministry and non-ministry settings, her most memorable encounters have been those that allowed her the opportunity to teach the Word of God in a way that is most relatable to the audience she served in that moment. She has enjoyed writing since her youth, but only recently felt the call to share her writing with the world.

With an undergraduate degree in English and a graduate degree in Ministry and Pastoral Counseling, Erin M. Handley has been fortunate to be able to leverage her gifts and her passions throughout her career in Education.

Aside from reading, writing, and mentoring, Erin enjoys dancing, interior design, cooking, and most other activities which allow her to utilize her creativity.

Devotionals for the Heart: God's Love

The Measure of God’s Love
A devotional by Mirachelle Canada

“...so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” – Ephesians 3:17-19 (ESV)

How do we measure the love of God? God is great. He is the creator and master of the vast, never-ending universe. He has no beginning or end. Then, the essence of all He is must be immeasurable, right?

When growing up in church, young children are often taught to sing the famous hymn “Jesus Loves Me.” In the very first verse is the assurance that His love is true. It says, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” Children rarely question this or ask where in the Bible it states Jesus loves me. A child’s faith level allows them to accept this as truth unconditionally. It’s only as we grow older (and imagine ourselves wiser) that we question the truth of who God is, and the validity of His love for us.

Have you ever questioned God with, “If you love me, why did you let this happen?” Or requested of Him, “If you love me, show me...tell me...let me...” If is a word that isn’t in God’s vocabulary of Love. If casts doubt on who God says He is. When we doubt His love, we have but to go the Bible for clarification and assurance to find Ephesians 3:18 that tells us that the measure of God’s love goes to “the breath and length and height and depth” and also that there is a depth of His love that “surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 3:19). Meaning God’s love knows no worldly bounds. As God is out of this world, so too is His love.

So, how then do we understand the level of God’s supernatural love?

We gain understanding by allowing God to fully dwell in our hearts through our faith (Ephesians 3:17). “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1 ESV). The measurement of God’s love is determined by how deep we are willing to let our faith (and hope) go with Him beyond the confines of our contradicting mind and flesh. To any height, depth, breath, or length. To the expanse of a never-ending universe! To that incomprehensible place where only He can impart the surpassing knowledge of His love so that we may be filled with His fullness (Ephesians 3:19). Then, by being filled with His Spirit, it will bear witness with our spirit (Romans 8:16) and produce in our lives God’s fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV).

By acknowledging the greatness of God and being willing to go to immeasurable, supernatural lengths to be rooted and grounded in His love, we can be confident “that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39 ESV). Thank you, Jesus!

Let’s pray: Lord, I thank you for your boundless love. Help me to overcome any doubt and to unconditionally accept your love for me. Lead me into a deeper understanding with you so that I may be one with your Spirit and honor your purpose for first loving me. In Jesus's Name I pray. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

How has God shown you the levels of His immeasurable love in your life? 

Share your experience in the comments below. 

Are you struggling with accepting God’s love? 

Leave a comment below so we may know how to pray for you. 

~*~
Author Bio:

Mirachelle Canada is a writer, playwright, screenwriter, and theatre director/producer from Northern Virginia, where she teaches television production at her high school alma mater. 

She earned her Master of Fine Arts in Script & Screenwriting from Regent University and is an alumnus of Act One: Hollywood Film & Television Writing Program.

Mirachelle is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, American Fiction Writers Virginia Chapter, The Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and Your Novel Blueprint.

She is currently working on her first historical fiction novel set during WWII.

~*~
Connect with Mirachelle:
Website: www.mirachellecanada.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mirachellecanada/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/miracan

Devotionals for the Heart: Creation

Falling in Love with God’s Creation
A devotional by Jessica Brodie

One of the most beautiful things I’ve discovered about life is something I spent decades taking for granted: God’s creation.

It’s not that I was completely oblivious. All of us can appreciate a gorgeous sunset or one of those perfect spring days, when it’s comfortably warm with no humidity and just a gentle breeze, the kind of day that makes you seek out patio dining or take a long walk just for the pleasure of it.

But as a type-A-personality do-er, I had a tendency to get so focused on my tasks that I’d tune out the beauty of life as simply “pretty setting,” of no real importance.

One day reading the Bible, it hit me that not only does God love me, but He also loves this whole planet. He designed everything—every flower petal. Every rock. Every single atom. Nothing was by accident! He intentionally handcrafted every star in the sky for His enjoyment. He loves creation—so why was I taking it for granted, thinking I was somehow “wasting time” when I lost myself marveling at the trees, the oceans, the rivers, or the rainbows?

One of my favorite Bible verses right now is one that eluded me for many years: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10a NIV). Learning to do that—be still—wasn’t easy for me at first. But I’ve come to understand forcing myself to sit and just be with the Lord is important. I’ve realized many of us are afraid of the quiet and the solitude because, deep down, we know when the noise and the excitement stops, we’ll be all alone. In the quiet, that’s when we are most likely to encounter God and wrestle with our true natures, and sometimes, we fear this.

Still, the quiet always comes. Even when we fight it, there comes a time sooner or later when the noise stops and we are left alone with our Creator. The sooner we can know it, face it, embrace it, and own it, the sooner we can stop going through the motions of living and start truly living.

In the quiet of creation, our souls can simply unite with God.

Look around—the flowers barely sway in the breeze, yet their vibrant-hued faces are turned upward, focused on the Lord. Notice how perfectly crafted every tree is, every blade of grass, every rock, every creature.

I’ve shared before how God recently nudged me to produce a mini book to help people shrug off their worries and center themselves in the Lord. Called A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices When You’re Feeling Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed, the book is free for anyone who signs up to receive my blog by email.

One of the tips in that book is this one: Spend time outdoors. Soak up the sun! And most importantly, doing while you relax. Be still and know—that God created all this beauty! That His hand and His heart designed every bird chirping outside my screened patio.

Go outside and just bask in creation. Grab a folding chair or sit on a blanket by a garden, take a seat on your front porch step, or cuddle up in your jammies in a sunny patch someplace in your house.

Leave your phone and your book behind. Just go and sit in the silence of the Lord as His masterpiece of nature unfolds all around you.

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind” (Job 12:7-10 NIV).

“In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land” (Psalm 95:4-5 NIV).

There’s a rhythm and a unity, a harmony, undergirding it all. Take some time in the quiet to truly see it.

We get so busy in life. We get so focused on our purpose, on our people, on the work we are doing for the Lord, and while all that is good and important, if we’re not also taking the time to rest and bask in God’s creation, we’re missing out on an important way to get to know Him.

To love what He made—whether it’s people or the earth in general—is to love the Lord.

For other tips on how to be rooted in God and live a God-centered life, check out my free eBook, here.

~*~
Author Bio:

Jessica Brodie is an award-winning Christian novelist, journalist, editor, blogger, and writing coach and the recipient of the 2018 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award for her novel, The Memory Garden.

She is also the editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, the oldest newspaper in Methodism.

Learn more about her fiction and read her faith blog at http://jessicabrodie.com. 

You can also connect with her on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and more.

Devotionals for the Heart: Self-Care

The Rainbow and Self-Care
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

“As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night.”– Genesis 8:22 (NLT)

Crises are what they are because they suddenly and sometimes imperceptibly rob us of our sense of self, autonomy, community and security. When the enemy is silent and invisible, it is feared all the more because there is no apparent defense against it. We are vulnerable and as we have seen with COVID-19 the enemy may be indiscriminate and merciless.

Yet in the midst of it all, one day I went outside and almost immediately my visage, countenance and perspective changed. Why? Because I saw the sky. It was limitless. The clouds were floating silently in their appointed courses, gathering moisture to deliver somewhere else as rain.

I looked at the trees and the grass and saw that they were becoming verdant and green. Birds were chirping and squirrels were darting across the yard and through the trees. It occurred to me then, that a pandemic can stop the world economy. Travel, commerce, community and church stopped and regrouped. However, the earth kept spinning on its axis, which made the clouds move. The orbit around the sun changed the season from Winter to Spring.

Then I remembered the rainbow and God’s promise that from now on and forever, there will be seed time and harvest. The cycle of cold and heat, Summer and Winter will persist and day will inexorably, follow night.

That blessed assurance of tomorrow comes with a divine guarantee that each sunrise will be accompanied by new mercies and compassion sufficient for the day, because God is faithful. Great is thy faithfulness. That faithfulness gives us hope.

My sense of hope and my identity and security in Christ were renewed when I went outside and looked up. If you are feeling the blues because of this current pandemic, the isolation borne of social distancing, and the incessant news, get up! Go outside! Look up at the sky and see the vastness. Look at the nature around you and be comforted that Our God is greater than COVID-19 and any other malady that we might meet.

Go outside and see if you don’t reconnect with your sense of hope, security, and purpose. I did, and several songs came to mind: “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less,” “I Know My Redeemer Lives,” “Because He Lives,” and “Blessed Assurance,” among others.

So, when you go outside in your yard, balcony or courtyard, look up! Look around!

Feel the air on your skin and perhaps be soothed by a breeze. Listen for the birds chirping and the sounds of your neighborhood. Listen for the whisper of God in your soul.

Does a song come to mind? If so, let it envelop you and wash through your psyche. You may begin to relax. Vital metrics may slow down and balance. Whatever your experience will be, I would like to hear about. Leave a comment below this blog post and let’s talk about what you heard and felt when in pursuit of self care, you went outside.

~*~
Author Bio:

Chaplain Anderson served for 20 years as a U.S. Navy Chaplain. Over 26 years of active duty, he was promoted through the ranks from Seaman Apprentice (E2) to his final rank as Commander (O5) in the Chaplain’s Corps.

Prior to his Naval career, Chaplain Anderson pastored in the Allegheny East and Potomac Conferences of Seventh-day Adventists. His undergraduate preparation for ministry was completed at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Md.

He has subsequently earned four graduate degrees: a Master of Divinity from Andrews University in Michigan, a Master of Education in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland and a Masters of Sacred Theology in Religion and Culture from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry degree was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Chaplain Anderson also completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He also holds certifications in Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Civil Mediation, Alternative Workplace Dispute Resolution, Temperament Analysis, Marriage Enrichment, Workforce Diversity, and is a certified Life Coach.

Devotionals for the Heart: Thoughts on How to Satisfy Soul Hunger

Spiritual Olestra
A devotional by Chaplain Paul Anderson

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” 

–Matthew 5:6 (KJV)

Recently, I went on a retreat. It was not a vacation.

I was depleted, physically, emotionally and spiritually. I did not know why I felt so drained. I am healthy. I’m overweight, but vibrant and strong. In my devotional quiet, I came to the awareness that my soul was empty. I had a clawing, soul hunger.

My thoughts were: How could my soul be empty? I have an active devotional life.

I would pray and listen to hear God speak. I knew that even though I was in the right space, personally and professionally, I was in a wrong place on the inside. God called me to explore my inner life.

The vacuous gaps in my soul confronted me. My unconscious tics and subconscious habits became visible to me. Then I became aware that some of my conscious behaviors were counterproductive to my spiritual growth.

I used to love Pringle’s Potato chips, until I found out that they were produced with Olestra. Olestra is a chemical compound that is used as a fat substitute that prevents absorption of fat and some nutrients during digestion. Some of my life habits were like Olestra, in that they prevented my soul from digesting the goodness and graces that God was granting, new every morning.

God confronted me that it was time to let go of some of my old pacifiers. I was led to a blog post written by Rachel Foy that listed “11 Signs of a Hungry Soul.” I was inspired to inventory the idols/vices that blocked or stole my spiritual fiber and left the hunger in my soul. Because drugs and alcohol were not vices that I embraced, I had to search a bit deeper in my core. It was there that I found 12 of my own.

My exercise in transparency below may be instructive and inspirational for you. If it drives you to reflect and create your own list then my writing and your reading will have been successful.

My "spiritual Olestra" included:

1. Insatiable appetites

2. Self-medicating behavior that soothed the soul pains of my childhood and youth.

3. Buying stuff that I could afford but didn’t need.

4. Overwhelmed and stuck

5. Pensive and irritable

6. Boredom with unwillingness and inability to be creative

7. Mindless TV watching and flights of fantasy

8. Emotional doldrums

9. Unrefreshing sleep

10. Inexplicable anxiety

11. Hollow expectations

12. Intentional isolation excused by natural introversion

The remedy to my “soul hunger” was discovered by addressing the list above with spiritual conviction. Shifting from one side of the continuum to the other was where I regained my stride and found my soul hunger could be satisfied and my spirituality reinvigorated.

If you are moved by my list then I advise you to make one of your own. Put the depleting behavior on the left side of a horizontal line. Ask yourself what the opposite or desired behavior would be. Place that on the right end of the horizontal line.

By creating that continuum, you can begin to visualize and quantify the journey to wholeness that you must now begin. Remember, soul hunger is not a sin. In fact, the texts above promise a blessing to those who admit, identify and share their hunger with God. He promises not to leave us famished and will give us the desires of our heart.

Evading the signs of soul hunger may lead to sin. Don’t settle for spiritual junk food or devotional fast food. Go to the God’s Table instead. After dining there, Psalm 23 in The Holy Bible assures us that goodness and mercy will follow you. Then, you will dwell in God's peace with inexplicable joy.

I think that is where Heaven on Earth is found. I’ll see you there.

~*~
Author Bio:

Chaplain Anderson served for 20 years as a U.S. Navy Chaplain. Over 26 years of active duty, he was promoted through the ranks from Seaman Apprentice (E2) to his final rank as Commander (O5) in the Chaplain’s Corps. 

Prior to his Naval career, Chaplain Anderson pastored in the Allegheny East and Potomac Conferences of Seventh-day Adventists. His undergraduate preparation for ministry was completed at Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Md.

He has subsequently earned four graduate degrees: a Master of Divinity from Andrews University in Michigan, a Master of Education in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland and a Masters of Sacred Theology in Religion and Culture from Boston University. His Doctor of Ministry degree was conferred by Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Chaplain Anderson also completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He also holds certifications in Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Civil Mediation, Alternative Workplace Dispute Resolution, Temperament Analysis, Marriage Enrichment, Workforce Diversity, and is a certified Life Coach.

Devotionals for the Heart: Change

Change
A devotional by Gail Kittleson

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

– 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV)

Looking back over the decades of New Year’s holidays I’ve experienced gives me pause. December 31 and January 1 have always put me into a reflective mood that revolves around a word we often resist: change.

This word appears in the passage above as a strong verb. The New KJV translates change as transform. But the by remains the same, signaling the passive voice. Passive? How can we be passive facing a new year?

Normally on New Years, I spend time reflecting on the past 365 days, and do some journaling and list writing. What areas should I work on in the coming year?

In recent years, I devote more time to giving thanks for all the ways God has blessed and guided me during the year than wallowing in regret over my failures. That signifies progress, because all these years of trying to “walk the walk” have taught me that whatever true change occurs in me comes by grace rather than my own efforts.

We all know about the earth-shattering discovery of penicillin during World War II that saved countless soldiers’ lives.

In 1945, Sir Alexander Fleming, Ernst Boris Chain and Sir Howard Walter Florey won the Nobel Prize in physiology in medicine. Penicillin’s curative effect on various infectious diseases changed the world forever.

But here’s an interesting angle: Nearly seventy-five years later, doctors still say, “Take the whole course of antibiotics.” These instructions stem from Alexander Fleming’s belief, but modern research now challenges this idea, and many physicians believe that taking the entire course of antibiotics unwise.

With no medical expertise, I wouldn’t lobby for one action or the other, but it’s interesting to consider how difficult change can be, even in the scientific world. We can easily understand transformation being difficult in relationships, but since science is devoted to the study of alterations in nature and our society, we assume there would be less clinging to tradition.

As we face another new year, that word change looms before us. It’s only human to cling to the way we’ve always been and done things.

It’s easy to pray, “Change me, Lord,” but much more difficult to live through those changes, especially to allow God to choose what it is that needs to be transformed. This annual holiday reminds us to adopt the “Show Me” motto: “Show me what You want.”

My Prayer: Dear Lord of change and circumstance, grant me courage to embrace what You want for me in this new year of opportunity. Help me to remember that You love me and long for me to become more like Your Son.

~*~
Author Bio:

When Gail Kittleson's not steeped in World War II research, drafting scenes, or deep in an edit of her 1940’s novels, she does a limited amount of editing for other authors.

She also facilitates writing and creativity workshops, both in Iowa and Arizona, where she and her husband like to spend part of the winter in the amazing Ponderosa pine forest under the Mogollon Rim.

Favorites: spending time with grandchildren, walking, reading, meeting new people, and hearing from readers who fall in love with her characters.