The definition of joy is “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness that does not necessarily rely on our circumstances. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit that the Lord expects us to cultivate. (Gal.5:22-23) True joy stems from our relationship with the Father and the Son. “…and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” (I John 1:3-4)
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Beverly Hammett – Streams in the Desert
Shortly after moving here, my husband and I were looking for a place to go walking each day. There is a private school right down the road from us, so we talked to the headmaster and got permission to walk on their soccer field. School starts at 7 AM so when we go walking, we must start around 6 AM. One morning early we were out walking and suddenly we heard a trumpet playing. A rousing trumpet song is not something you expect to hear anywhere at 6 AM, but especially not in Africa
Kristin Hammett – Village Vista
It has been the time for visitors these past two months – but we love it! We enjoyed visits from Garry & Michelle Castner and family in April and Tom & Krinny Gaudet and their daughter Lisa Johnson in May. It was a blessing to our family to share our home, ministry, friends, and this country where we live. We had the fun privilege of taking each family on a quick trip to Kruger National Park, and a trip to the Blyde River Canyon as well.
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Debbie Wilhite – Africa’s Ambassadors
God, in His wisdom, often gives us tests, as He did to the children of Israel, to prove us. Some times we “pass.” Other times we “fail.” Last weekend was another “test” for me. Unfortunately, I failed. But the blessing was to follow.
Tangled
In vain she tried to remove the matted knot from her beautiful locks only to finally heed to her mother’s wisdom. Cutting out the tangled hair seemed at the time quite devastating, but once done, it wasn’t so bad. In fact, her hair looked and felt much better.
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Overwhelmed and Overanalyzing
How often have I been lovingly encouraged not to over analyze. How often I have tried to fix my problems by thinking, and thinking and thinking them out. Have you ever wondered why we think overanalyzing is going to help a situation? I have found myself having to make a phone call and pondering what exactly I’m going to say and what the other person might reply. As women we really do tend to over think way too much!
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Called By God?
There is a question that has been debated for years in theological circles. That is the question of whether the minister’s wife should feel a divine call from God. On one side you have those who say that unless the wife receives a special call from God, she will never be able to stand up under the stresses and strains of the ministry. Others say that if a woman is being led of the Lord to marry a minister, and is willing to make the necessary sacrifices cheerfully, and take on the many extra burdens of being married to a minister for the Lord’s sake, then she can consider that a leading into the Lord’s work.
Waiting for Life to Start
Have you ever felt like some looming circumstance was preventing you from doing what God wanted you to do? Have you ever felt second-rate, just because you didn’t have a marital status? Have you ever wondered how you can be an influence when you don’t have a child? Have you ever felt you couldn’t be a witness when you don’t have a secular workplace?
Sow Good Seed
Good seed being sown produces a blessed harvest. In fact, all seed sown produces a harvest of one kind or another: blessing or cursing. Mother, you are sowing seed all the time. With your words, looks, body language, actions, and choice, you are sowing seed.
Growing a Spiritually-Strong Family
If your desire is to raise a spiritually strong family for the Lord, then you may be interested in reading the book, “Growing a Spiritually Strong Family” by Dennis and Barbra Rainey. There are ten sound biblical principles that are found in this little 4×6 book. Growing spiritually is a lifelong endeavor; but if you apply these sound biblical principles, you’ll discover the spiritual vitality that you are looking for.
The Price of Freedom
The air was hot and humid, or sometimes very cold,
But the soldiers never hesitate to do as they are told;
They valiantly follow their leader, ready to give their all,
And they never hesitate though many soon will fall.
Spinach & Strawberry Salad
Karen Beckman brought this really great variation of Spinach & Strawberry Salad to a ladies meeting a few years back. She shared the recipe with me then and I have loved making it since. It is really delicious and so eye appealing. The dressing is an especially palatable combination of ingredients. There are no set amounts for the lettuce, almonds, spinach,…you be the judge. So easy, so beautiful, so luscious!
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Dealing with Food Allergies
When worse came to worst, Karley was just three years old and we spent the night in the ER trying to figure out what was going on. After X-Rays and blood work, IVs, poking and prodding, we were sent home to search for ourselves looking for the root cause of her rapidly growing physical symptoms. They were so bad that she could not get off the couch, her belly swelled up like she was pregnant, she rolled up in a ball on the couch because of her pain.
Tick Tock, Tick Tock
There it is, I thought, I’ll just buy one of those, no, two of those. We have the money, who cares if I’m a little over budget, we need one right now! But, as I drove to the store I thought about my rationale a little bit and realized another two cents tip!