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  • Bravery

    Bravery

    Ladies, it’s war out there!

    We didn’t ask for it, we try to avoid it, but the closer we walk with God the harder the enemy will try to attack us, our marriages, our family, and our ministry. Ladies, God didn’t make us weak, He has shown us examples of strong women throughout the Bible for us to look up to.

    Deborah is one of my favorite women in the Bible. She was the original #girlboss, not only was she a wife and judge who held court under the Palm of Deborah (I wish I had a tree named Oak of Tammy) but she was also a prophet and the only female judge that the Bible mentions. I would equate her to today’s modern working woman. 

    Sisera wasn’t cool guy, he was the commander of the army that had cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years which caused them to cry out to the Lord for help. The Lord spoke to Deborah and told her to tell Barak to gather ten thousand soldiers and that the Lord was going to bring Sisera and his army to the Kishon river and give them into their hands. 

    Barak agreed but only if Deborah would go with him. What? He was scared to go into battle without Deborah by his side holding his hand? Another example of why she was the original #girlboss.

    She agreed but told him that because of this, the honor will not be his and the Lord would deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman. Yes ma’am! The lady’s stepping up and handling the Lords’ business!

    Barak rounded up ten thousand men from the two tribes as the Lord instructed. While this was going on, Sisera heard that something was happening and summoned all his men and his nine hundred chariots fitted with iron. Deborah gave Barak the word to go and he led the troops to the river.

    During the battle, Sisera got off his chariot and fled on foot while Barak and his men finished off the rest of Sisera’s army. Sisera fled to the camp of Heber the Kenite because the King had an alliance with them. A woman named Jael saw Sisera and told him not to be scared, that he could hide in her tent, and she covered him with a blanket and gave him something to drink, gaining his confidence. He told her to guard the doorway and not tell anyone that he was there. Sisera fell asleep and Jael picked up a tent peg and a hammer while he was asleep and drove the peg through his temple into the ground killing him.

    Could you imagine just doing your afternoon chores, such as washing dishes or starting dinner, and the Lord saying ‘hey, pick up that tent spike and take out this oppressive leader.’  I’m sure her husband had some questions when he came back from the field and found a dead army commander on his floor. I can imagine Jael saying, ‘the Lord told me to….’  I bet her husband slept with one eye open that night!

    Society has us believing that when you think of the word bravery, the image that comes to mind is someone in the Marines, Special Ops, Police, or Fire/Rescue. Those are true, they do have incredible bravery and courage to do the jobs they do, but this chick was just doing her daily chores and the opportunity came knocking on her door. It would have been much easier to go find someone and have him taken and handed over to Barak and his army, but she didn’t.

    Some of the bravest people I know are only five feet tall and sound like a twelve year old on the phone. These mommas are fierce and don’t even know it. Don’t think you are? You are braver than you think. Have you ever been one of the mommas who have stood up to doctors to get the care for their children that they know they need but for some reason the doctors don’t agree?

    Often times special needs children are not taken as seriously because ailments are blown off as a behavior, even when you know that something is wrong. Standing up to medical professionals when you don’t have a medical degree but your gut instinct says something isn’t right, takes courage and bravery.

    A few years ago, I took my nonverbal daughter to the ER with breathing problems only to be told she only had an upper respiratory infection. They made me feel as if I was overreacting and stupid because they didn’t want to deal with her behaviors or have to sedate her to do the tests.  After insisting for the CT scan, they found two blood clots in her lungs and she was transported to a larger hospital. The Lord will lay things on your heart and give you that instinct to know when to stand up and fight for what is right, even if your knees are shaking.

    Parents standing up at an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meeting against a panel of teachers and professionals who don’t see the need for special plans, protocols, or therapies that you do, counts as bravery. 

    Going to Board of Education meetings and getting kicked out for accusing them of discrimination; standing up for your child when they are bullied or harassed, or not accepting that “boys will be boys” when teen boys harass your daughter… Momma you are child of the King, you are brave and courageous. Don’t ever let someone tell you that you are not.

    You can cry afterwards, even throw up if you want to,  but when you know you are doing the right thing, plant your feet and know that God has put you here for a reason and he will see you through it.

    You can reach out to Tammy at Moppinguptheblessings@gmail.com or find her group on facebook under:  Mopping up the Blessings.

    Have a Blessed Day!

    Tammy Bassett is a speaker and the author of the Mopping Up Your Blessings blog. She was born and raised a country girl who’s roots run deep in the mountains of Appalachia. She has worked a wide variety of jobs ranging from radio to insurance agent. She is now a stay-at-home mom, who along with her husband, are raising five daughters (ages 10 to 25), seven cats and one dog. She uses her accounting and business administration degree to help run her busy household.
    She loves spending time with her family and homeschooling her two youngest children. She spends a lot of her day trying to conquer the obstacles in her home. With four of her children still living at home the laundry pile (nicknamed Mt. Wash-more) is her nemesis. Some days she wins and some days she doesn’t, but she always gets up the next day and tries again.
    She also loves camping with her family as long as there is a camper with air conditioning, a comfy bed, and indoor plumbing. Her downfall is her obsession with iced coffee. Thankfully the closest Starbucks is an hour from her home, or she would be broke. She also loves reading and learning new skills such as homesteading, being more self-sustainable, gardening and foraging.
    She relates the most to her favorite animal, the alpaca. They are both kind of weird and look like they are two months past due on a haircut. Much like alpacas she makes a gentle humming noise when happy and if irritated she often stamps the ground with her feet. Her husband has refused to buy her an alpaca much to her disappointment.
    But more than anything, she loves the Lord and is growing more in her faith each day and hopes to inspire others to do the same. She wants everyone to understand that God’s grace is truly amazing and has changed her from the inside out and he can do the same for you.

  • Scars

    Scars

    But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didyus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the prints of the nails, and put my finger into the prints of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seem me, thou has believed: blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed (John 20:24-29).

    Down through the years, I have become more aware of the fact that there are many hurting people in our world. As we gather in our churches, many people hide their scars behind their smiles and handshakes. This is a shame when you consider that this is the place for people to show their scars to the Lord and receive help and healing.

    Jesus suffered greatly for our sins, sicknesses and various troubles that we face. He bore the scars from that suffering, but was not ashamed to show Thomas his scars. What about us? If we want help and healing, we must show the Lord our scars, our hurts and concerns.

    Jesus’ scars represented His substitution for all of us and the atonement for our sins. 1 John 4:10 says, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” We can all admit that sin has left many scars in our lives.

    Maybe our scars are caused by things we chose to do. Maybe our scars are a result of things done by others. Our scars run deep and may cause us to be ashamed to come to Jesus because we don’t want Him to see them. We need to remember that Jesus was not afraid to show His scars. Why was He willing to show His scars?

    His scars are a window to His heart- the heart of God. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotton Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). It is incredibly amazing to realize that He chose His scars as can be determined from the following verses:

    Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it up again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again (John 10:17-18).

    Jesus chose to suffer for us. He has never been ashamed that He paid that price. We have no reason to be ashamed to come to Him- scars and all.

    Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

    Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

    Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

    Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

  • Our Rise To Greatness… Together

    Our Rise To Greatness… Together

    Joseph had a dream. Actually, he had two dreams. In the first, his sheaf of grain rose and stood upright, while the sheaves of his brothers gathered around his and bowed down to it. In the second, the sun, moon and eleven stars were bowing down to him. These dreams were hard for his brothers to accept. All they knew was that Israel loved Joseph more than the other sons because he was born to him in his old age. The word says that they hated Joseph and had nothing kind to say about him. Then Joseph dreams that his brothers and his parents would both bow down to him. Terrible jealousy arose, to the point that they devised a plan to kill him. However, these dreams were speaking to the future of Joseph and how he would be positioned to help his family in days to come. His life was spared and he ended up in charge of the whole land of Egypt and second in charge to pharaoh.

    We all have dreams. Sometimes those dreams are understood by others, sometimes they are not. Some will support the dream, others will fall into comparison and end up in jealousy. Honestly, jealousy is selfish at its core. Maybe we feel like someone else is getting ahead, making more headway or being more effective than we are. Maybe they’ll gain more influence than what we have or tread on an area where we have taken ownership. Whatever may be the cause, jealousy is selfishness at its core.

    Jealousy is strongly tied to envy. Jealousy causes us to feel threatened, protective, or fearful of losing our position or influence to someone else. Envy is wanting what someone else has, like attributes or possessions. They are not always connected, but can be.

    What is even worse, jealousy and envy are tied to murder. This is exactly what transpired in the account of Joseph and his brothers. They attempted murder.

    Now, most of us would never literally attempt to murder someone. But it’s truth that life and death are in the power of the tongue.

    (Prov. 18:21) With our words we bless or curse. Yes, that is equated with destroying our brothers and sisters. If we pay attention, we can easily recognize the root of jealousy. Do we feel threatened, protective or fearful of losing influence in ‘our’ area of ownership? Does it cause a rise in us? It sure did with Joseph’s brothers.

    See, the thing is, Joseph was raised up to be a source of help to his family. Because the brothers hated him, they weren’t able to receive the dreams as anything positive. Their jealousy of him caused them to despise the fact that he might have influence over them.

    In our time, there is great Kingdom work to be done. We all play a part. To be effective, we must recognize that we each have a role, a dream, a sphere and be secure in the part that we are called into. At the same time, we must recognize that we are a body and we are interconnected. That means there may be cross pollination.

    Now, before we jump to saying yes and amen, let’s think about it for a moment. Susie Q has a ministry unlike ours and we rally around and support Susie Q because we feel no threat or need to protect our area of influence. But then there’s Mary May and her calling rubs a little too closely to ours and all of a sudden, we become territorial, feel threatened and protective over what we are called to do. Isn’t it funny how we can be?

    Joseph was being positioned to help his family and a region. What he was purposed to do wasn’t recognized by his family but God saw that His purpose prevailed. Many of us are also being positioned to help others in the days to come. We come from many different walks of life, experiences, and areas. But our end goal is the same. Being positioned for a greater purpose to be a help in days to come.

    Leading is serving, not gaining influence. However, influence may come as we serve. This is the time to rally the troops and recognize that we are all on the same team. We are the corporate body called to walk in unity to fulfill the high calling of Christ Jesus. We will accomplish more together. We need each other and we will need each other even more in the days to come. Even more so with those who are around us and have similar callings.

    To be effective in the place of prayer, in the things we are asking of the Lord, our motives must be pure. Now, in all honesty, that is probably not the case all of the time. Sometimes we ask amiss. We get a little skewed in our thought processes and areas tucked away in the crevices of our hearts start to rise to the surface. If we spent our whole lives trying to protect ourselves as a defense mechanism, we may still find that seeping out of our hearts when things feel challenging. There’s no shame here. Just the need for transparency and honesty.

    Let’s thank the Holy Spirit for His Word that is a lamp unto our feet and a light to our path. He illuminates the way. Let’s make it a priority to rid ourselves of any jealousy or envy with the help of Holy Spirit. Let’s make it our aim to truly work together for the good of all.

    There is a coming move of God that far surpasses anything we have ever seen. Whole cities and regions will give freely of what they’ve received. Cross pollination will happen often as we truly are able to give and receive. We will walk together to take regions and there will be no need at all to self protect or feel threatened. Not with our true brothers and sisters. Yes, there will be imposters, but when we truly see Truth, as a person, we will recognize those who come disguised as wolves in sheep’s clothing.

    Lay down every weight and let’s run together. Get rid of all envy, jealousy, corrupt talk, self protection, and be secure in who you are called to be. Be willing to truly link together and thus share in all things. There’s no need to feel threatened anymore. Time is short. We can take things so far but an army can take whole territories.

    We are better together.
    Let’s do this!!

    Gen. 37:1-36

    James 4:2-3 (Amp)

    You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your lust goes unfulfilled; so you murder. You are envious and cannot obtain [the object of your envy]; so you fight and battle. You do not have because you do not ask [it of God]. You ask [God for something] and do not receive it, because you ask with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your [hedonistic] desires.

    Deidre Gaines resides in West Virginia with her husband and best friend, Richard. She has three grown children and one granddaughter.  Deidre is a Licensed Minister, Prophetic intercessor, blogger (Shamar), speaker and encourager with a heart to see the nature of Jesus put on display for the world to see.  She is passionate to see His love, unity, presence, power and authority transform hearts, cities, regions and the nations through bringing glory and honor to His name. Deidre desires to see the church walk in the fullness of His Kingdom come, His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, Matthew 6:10. She enjoys spending time with her family, sports, crocheting and being outdoors. Especially taking rides in the side by side with her husband Richard.

  • Suit Up And Stand

    Suit Up And Stand

    Many times in life we forget that no matter what comes our way, the God we serve is much bigger than the troubles we face. He promised to never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Why do we choose a fact over the truth? The fact is that we may not feel like He is near, but the truth is that He is. The hustle and bustle of our daily lives can become so mundane that we end up on auto pilot. We all have been there at some point, but how can we be more effective?

    Is it time for a change? I am not speaking of picking up and moving three states away to have change. I am talking about something to add or take away from your daily routine to keep life fresh. What is one thing you could do different in your life? I know for me, I could be a better listener. Most people just want to be heard. They don’t want our story or even our opinion, they want us to shut up and listen. So I am challenging myself this month to do just that. Zip it and listen. James 1:19 reads, “to be quick to hear and slow to speak.”

    Keeping our lives fresh also requires keeping our minds renewed. Most thoughts that we have whether negative or positive are repeated thoughts. Take the time to invest in yourself. Write down confessions to refocus your self image into His image. Stop speaking word curses over yourself and others. It truly is effective to just be quiet if we send knocking negative words towards ourselves or others. We are called to build up ourselves and each other.

    Pick one person this month to pray for that you have never prayed for. Making small changes will create permanent progression. Shake off the bad and cling to the good. Whatever you do, do it with a right attitude.

    Therefore, when all seems like it is failing, stand. When it seems like the walls are caving in, stand. When you have done all you know to do, stand.

    Keep standing equipped with the armor of God. Suit up and stand!

    Tina Bassett resides in New Martinsville. She is a single mom of three beautiful daughters: Rachel, Charity, and Destiny. She is the director of the greeters/ushers, serves on the prayer team, and also participates on the praise and worship team at her local church. She loves animals and the beach. More than anything she wants her life to reflect God’s love and have an impact on those around her.

  • First Things First

    First Things First

    But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33).

    Now that we are in the first month of a new year, I have really been considering what is most important in life. I am not concerned with New Year’s resolutions. I am more concerned with living my life in such a way that I keep important things at the top of my priorities.

    Jesus simplified this when he said, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God.” It goes without saying that in order to know about the kingdom we need to know the King of the kingdom. This requires an all in commitment to our Savior. The following words from the Apostle Paul exemplify this truth:

    Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death (Philippians 3:8-10).

    David echoed the desire to know God in Psalm 27:8 when he wrote, “When thou sadist, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, I will seek.” Notice- we are to seek His face- not His hand. Notice- we are to seek who He is- not what He can do. Why? Remember- Jesus said if we seek the kingdom of God all other things will be added to us.

    God’s righteousness is the second part of what Jesus told us to seek. This is interesting considering what people considered right and wrong in the past and what people consider right and wrong today. This can be especially obvious in the church world. Many years ago it seemed the church considered nearly everything to be wrong, or at least, questionable. Sadly, the pendulum has seemingly swung to the opposite extreme. The question can be asked, what is right? Obviously, our sense of right and wrong is flawed. The truth is- God’s righteousness is what matters.

    The Apostle Paul addressed the problem of righteousness established by people verses the righteousness of God in the following verses:

    Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bare them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God (Romans 10:1-3).

    Notice the phrase: have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God. In our seeking His righteousness, we must also be willing to submit to His righteousness.

    This can be simplified by determining in our hearts to follow God’s Word in matters of holiness. If God’s Word says do this, we do it. If God’s Word says don’t do this, we don’t do it- or, if we are doing it, we quit doing it with the Lord’s help.

    The sum of it all is we have to put first things first. When we truly desire to be fruitful Christians we must be intently involved in seeking God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness.

    Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

    Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

    Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

    Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

  • Taking Care Of Yourself

    Taking Care Of Yourself

    Happy New Year, everyone!!!

    Peter 5:7… “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

    I want to touch on something that a lot of us may deal with this time of year: the depression, anxiety, feelings of hopelessness.

    I deal with some depression during the holidays. Growing up, Christmas was a big deal in my family. My parents were all about the cooking, gatherings, decorating, etc. But my family were not Christians, so I didn’t know the real reason for celebrating Christmas.

    When my husband and I started going to church I learned the true meaning of Christmas. I had missed so much. But I can’t go back and change that… I can only change things moving forward.

    Now, let’s talk about the reason for the title of this blog. The holidays tear me up. Mainly because of not having my parents or grandparents around anymore. It is truly hard for me to bare it and think about them (sigh).

    But I know I cannot let this take over. I have to have my cry or meltdown and then move on. If we aren’t careful we can spiral out of control. Sometimes just talking to a friend, family member, pastor or whoever you feel the most comfortable talking to helps. You might just need someone to listen. And that’s ok. We all deal with this in different ways. And this can be applied to daily issues, too.

    We can’t let the enemy take over our lives and keep us in a dark hole. We need to fight it with all we have.

    Psalm 34:17-18: “The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”

    God doesn’t want us to deal with this on our own. He wants us to go to Him. He is there for us in everything.

    Psalms 32:8: The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”

    I hope this will inspire someone today.

    Be a blessing to someone…and may your cup never run empty. ☕️

    Lou Ann Virden is the author of the blog Farmhouse, Coffee and Jesus. She is very active in her church. She volunteers in the food pantry, usher/greeter team, and cleaning crew. She is on the prayer team, is over the sound room team, and she writes the newsletter for her church. Lou Ann and her husband Donnie will be relaunching The Refuge 180 Evangelism Ministry. They have been married for over 40 years. They live on her husband’s family farm with their dog Hunter. In the summer they are busy canning what they harvest from their garden. Her hobbies include going to the beach, reading, camping, and serving however she can. She hopes that her blogs inspires someone that might be dealing with a similar situation.

  • We Can All Win

    We Can All Win

    If we talk about Jesus more, 

    We just might be able to talk about self and others less.

    What if the words “I/me” and ”they/them” became obsolete?

    Usually they are both rooted in pride/false humility, stem from wounds,

    And possibly a root of bitterness. 

    Unless they are words aligned with scripture that edify.

    We are called to build up rather than tear down.

    We are called to bless those who persecute us and say all kinds of false things against us.

    We are to let another praise us rather than praising ourselves. 

    But often, because of past hurts, we exalt ourselves. 

    Sadly, self exaltation just might push someone else down.

    For what? To feel better about me/I?

    We boast and brag… today I was reminded of a man who would much rather boast in his weaknesses for when he is weak he is made strong. For His power is made perfect in our weakness. 

    We exert dominance over each other either by quiet intimidation or with our words. 

    We cast shadows of doubt over others. 

    We spew all kinds of words, some loud some soft. Often our words leave room for suspicion or are rooted in casting suspicion. 

    What if we didn’t feel the need to prove ourselves? That’s really the point. We all want someone to see us, hear us, validate us because of those times and places in our lives where we never received it. That’s brokenness. It’s trying to get our needs met in all the wrong ways. Even demanding what we truly need but it’s unhealthy at its core. 

    Listen, I’m just as guilty as the next person. Healing is a journey. We’re all somewhere on the same road. We all have value and worth. I don’t want wounded areas of my heart to keep me from seeing your value. We aren’t each other’s competitors. We have one race to run and we can all win! It’s the only race that everyone can win. If we run well. Let’s not cut each other off, or cause one another to stumble along the way. Let’s run well.

    If this speaks to you at all, will you pray this prayer with me?

    Father,

    I thank you for the love you have for me and for your body.

    Today, I choose to humble myself before you and repent for every time I have spoken too highly of myself. I repent for bragging and exalting myself over others. I repent for every time I have tried to prove myself, walked in competing with my brothers and sisters and causing them to stumble along the way. I repent for using my words or actions to cast suspicion, doubt or dominance over others. 

    Father, I ask you to forgive me.

    I receive your forgiveness.

    Help me to run my race well. Make us one as you are One. Help me to boast in my weaknesses so that your power can rest upon me and make me strong. Thank you for the way you see me, know me, and value me as much more than rubies. Thank you that you see me through the finished work of your Son. Thank you that I am being transformed more and more into His image and likeness as I yield to you. Help me to help others win. I lay ‘me’ down and choose today to think of others more highly than I think of myself. 

    Jesus, help me to boast in you. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you. Let your praise continually be on my lips.

    Holy Spirit, make me aware of every time I attempt to revert to old patterns and bring your conviction to my heart. I thank you for your conviction. It is such a precious gift as you help me to stay on the path of life. I choose your ways for they are far above my own.

    I seal this now in the precious blood of Jesus.

    Amen

    Deidre Gaines resides in West Virginia with her husband and best friend, Richard. She has three grown children and one granddaughter.  Deidre is a Licensed Minister, Prophetic intercessor, blogger (Shamar), speaker and encourager with a heart to see the nature of Jesus put on display for the world to see.  She is passionate to see His love, unity, presence, power and authority transform hearts, cities, regions and the nations through bringing glory and honor to His name. Deidre desires to see the church walk in the fullness of His Kingdom come, His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, Matthew 6:10. She enjoys spending time with her family, sports, crocheting and being outdoors. Especially taking rides in the side by side with her husband Richard.

  • A Life Based On God’s Word

    A Life Based On God’s Word

    Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed (John 8:31).

    Until the last three or four years, I set the goal of reading the Bible through each year. I actually have lost track of how many times I have accomplished that goal. However, the last couple of years I have not been as diligent. It could be that retirement from pastoring has caused me to get a little lazy concerning spiritual disciplines. This morning I found a yearly Bible reading plan to follow in 2023.

    Lately I have been asking myself this simple question- “Why is reading the Bible so important?” My conclusions are connected to stability and endurance.

    In today’s world, we are bombarded with so many different opinions. There are so many opinions regarding what is right and what is wrong. There are so many opinions about which church to attend- if any. Social media is inundated with opinions of various ministries and musings of various people regarding spiritual things. Various statements are taken as “gospel truth” even if they are not substantiated by Scripture. The truth is- opinions can certainly be wrong. We really need something that is stable and durable to believe in.

    Psalm 119:89 says, “For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.” If we truly believe that God is above all, we can believe that His Word is settled by Him. In other words, if He said it, He is the final authority. This is stability; this is a key characteristic of God’s Word. What God says overrides the opinions of everyone else.

    In Matthew 24:35 Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” When every opinion has fallen by the wayside and when everything else is gone- God’s Word will still stand. His Word endures; His Word stands the test of time.

    Obviously, we cannot base our lives on the opinions of others. There are too many opinions out there. We can base our lives on what God says. He is the final authority. He has the final Word.

    Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

    Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

    Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

    Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

  • Remembering Family & A Recipe For Pasta Salad

    Remembering Family & A Recipe For Pasta Salad

    Family is like branches on a tree, we all grow in different directions but our roots remain as one. – Steve Harvey

    PSALM 133:1 – How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live as one.

    Remember all those this Christmas that may not have a home, food, clothes or someone to love them. As I set here writing this I am reminded of how blessed I am. And I thank Jesus for all of it.

    Everything we have is because of Him.

    Merry Christmas from my kitchen to your table.

    PASTA SALAD

    Ingredients:

    1 small red onion (diced)

    1 small can black and green olives

    1/2 cup shredded cheese

    1 cucumber (diced)

    1 small broccoli head (shaved)

    1 large bottle Italian dressing

    1 box tri-color rotini pasta

    Directions:

    Bring 6 cups of water with a little salt and oil to a rapid boil.

    Add pasta and cook until almost done.

    Drain, shake water off, and add to a bowl.

    Add remaining ingredients to pasta and stir together.

    Chill for 1 hour and serve.

    In addition to providing delicious recipes on her Faith and Food blog, Tina Rucker is a proud mom to her 18 year old son, happy wife to her husband Joel of six years, and the spearhead of the Five Loaves Food Pantry ministry in her local church, open twice a month. 

    Tina has worked in the food industry for over 25 years, and has a heart and a passion to serve, feed, and provide for those in need.

  • Making Room

    Making Room

    And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:4-7).

    As I was reading and thinking about these verses, my mind centered on the innkeeper. We are not told the innkeeper’s name. In fact, we know nothing about the innkeeper at all.

    Though the innkeeper is unknown, we can safely draw a couple of conclusions. The innkeeper did not fill up the inn on purpose just to keep Jesus and His parents out. The innkeeper wasn’t simply being mean- deciding to turn them away for no reason. Business was booming and there was just no more room. Sometimes that is how our lives are in the day we are living.

    We are working for a living- forty hour work weeks are short work weeks to many people. In fact, we may be working two or more jobs just to meet our financial obligations. Then we are caring for children and grandchildren. This includes traveling to games and various activities every season of the year. If more than one child is involved, the pace can be maddening. We are so busy that we seemingly make no room for time with Jesus. We don’t really mean to leave Him out and we certainly are not turning Him away out of meanness.

    We are busy. We are stressed. Just maybe we have forgotten the most important part of living- our eternal well being after this life and our spiritual well being while we are living this life. Let us look closely at the following excerpt from Luke 10:

    Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her (Luke 10:38-42).

    Notice that Jesus did not say what Martha was doing was sinful. He simply was saying, “You are too busy and you are stressing yourself out.” He pointed out that Mary was doing the most important thing- listening to the Word of God and getting to know Jesus.

    You know, a lot of things can be taken away from us in this life. However, our relationship with our Savior is not one of those things. So, during this Christmas season- and after it is over- let us make room for Jesus. After all, he is the real reason for the season.

    Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

    Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

    Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

    Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.