How would life be without you? I struggle to imagine What would i do Without you guiding my footsteps Life is filled with ups and downs, but you have gotten me through them Roads with broken lanes, but you have helped me climb all the hurdles My past was pitiful I didn't have a direction nor did i have a plan but you came along and led me through the darkness Doubts resurface at times because i haven't seen you, but i know you're here with me Your wonders and glory are beyond what man can comprehend and see So marvelous, so true I cried unto you, and you answered my cry You turned my frown upside down and gave me a million reasons to be thankful I open my eyes I'm in awe of your love and compassion towards us I can't thank you enough, but i'll keep on thanking you I may not be able to express my thoughts very loud and clear, but i express it in the way i know to show my appreciation Father , i love you Always and forever. This is actually a poem i wrote for quite some time, but i was waiting for the right moment to post it. It talks about our Faith in Our Lord Jesus christ and generally of the journey of Christian faith. At times we as christians doubt, and that's human, but Jesus hasn't given us any reason to doubt us, as He shows it from His actions. He loves us with all our imperfections and flaws. I have gone through my fair share of never feeling good enough and like i was too damaged to even acknowledge God, but God doesn't see us as broken. He sees us as His children. As a christian, doubts comes but the only way we can overcome them is to pray. Jesus died for us, and there's no doubt about that. No matter how imperfect we think we are, He assures us that we are perfect and we are His children and that he'll always be there, in both good and bad times. This reflects genuine love and i'm happy that i can call Him my father. Follow christ and you'll genuinely experience the true meaning of happiness and the future Jesus has planned just for you, his child and remember, Jesus loves you.

A song that can not be heard with the carnal ears. Singing melodies from heaven that the natural hearing can't hear. Songs of Angels dancing around the golden floor of heaven. Only the true in Christ can hear. wonderful music that flows from heaven to soothe the spirit-soul of a man. The melody whispers. in the ears of God's loved one. Songs to assure us. that everything is going to be just fine. Whispering instruments of heaven, drums beating with the rhythm of God's warm Grace. His Mercy waving over mankind another day to live. Quiet! Can you hear the whispering songs?

Psalm 72:5 They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations. 6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. 7 In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. Now let's go to Rev. 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; In Revelation, it sounds like God is punishing the world and the wicked for the evil. The day of God's wrath. But, it sounds as if the book of Psalms is speaking on the millennium. It sounds as if it is speaking of the messiah's days when his kingdom is fully established. When the righteous will flourish and prosper. What do you think it means when it talks about the sun and moon enduring? I think it means as long as time and the world shall last. Till the moon and the sun will be no more. I'm Gail Nobles, and thank you for listening to the InkPost. Hear the podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/user/8626366/sun-moon-endureth-5-7-22-9-12-pm

There is a lot going on in our world today and we should be seeking Christ the Lamb. We need the Lord right now (singing) I read in St. John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. I keep flipping pages and I keep on reading (singing) Isaiah 59:20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. And I read in the book of Joel 2:32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call. And I went back to Isaiah 54:5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: Today we should be seeking Christ the Lamb. HE is our REDEEMER. Listen https://www.spreaker.com/user/gnaudio/seeking-christ-the-lamb-8-23-20-12-58-pm

Mark 13:8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. You can see these things happening in our land today. You can feel the earthquakes and streets collapsing. You can hear and see the destruction of the winds from tornadoes and hurricanes. You can see the floods taking over the dry land. We are seeing, feeling, and hearing the word of God. His word is coming to pass. Matt. 24: 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. Yes, today we do hear about wars on radio and on televisions. The end of the world is near. https://www.spreaker.com/user/gnaudio/bible-happenings

Saint Francis had a remarkable gift from God. He preached sermons to animals. When I see birds, I think of him. I remember a bird flew from my drive way after parking the car and followed me almost to my mailbox. Then after that, a bird followed me as I mowed grass so close. I remember when a bird wouldn't come near me. They would quickly fly away.

JOHN THE REVELATOR. DID HE DIE? Note: The Bible is silent regarding when or how John died. Information regarding his last days comes to us primarily from tradition. All agree that John left the isle of Patmos where he was banished for preaching the gospel (see Revelation 1:9). St. John 21:23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Note: It is said John the apostle and John the Revelator is the same person. Rev. 10 And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. 11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings. My thought: The Bible gives us enough info for us to know that God took him. The kind of disciple that he was, it's not impossible that he could be alive in heaven with Enoch, Elisha, and Moses. The Bible said he must prophesy again. The word MUST is used. So I leave it the way it is. The way it is written in the Bible.

“I will go to Jerusalem, even if I have to die there!” These words came out of Paul's mouth with so much firmness, enough to end what looked like an argument between the five disciples in the room. Agabus was the most appalled. In his decades as a prophet he had never experienced such ‘madness'. He had just told Paul what would befall him if he went to Jerusalem – imprisonment and probable death. Yet, Paul didn't cower. Luke was puzzled. He exhaled deeply, then said, “Brethren, let us rejoice. For in all things, the will of God will surely manifest”. The other disciples nodded in agreement. Then as they took turns to kiss Paul, the evangelist, Philip, walked in. Trophimus jumped from Paul's side to hug Philip. “Welcome sir, even though it's your own house” he joked. “Thank you Trophimus. Are my daughters around?” “Yes they are. I'll go call them now. Maybe later you can tell me the story of how you disappeared from the face of the Ethiopian eunuch. I've been aching to hear it from you” Philip laughed and said, “I didn't disappear, the Spirit carried me. But details later Trophimus. Just call my daughters, I am starving!” The whole room burst into laughter. By the next week, Paul was en route to Jerusalem. Aviva could not believe her eyes. Nothing could have prepared her for the experience she was having that day. She had walked with Paul to the Jerusalem temple, teasing him about how he's yet to marry. He was her favourite brother and she enjoyed his company a lot. But today was different, she watched him get brutalized by an infuriated Jewish mob. She watched him bleed until Roman soldiers interfered. She watched him as he tried to defend himself but was silenced by the multitude as they cried, threw dust around and prayed for his death. She wept bitterly on the shoulders of Oren, her son. “Uncle! Uncle Paul!” Oren was screaming as he sighted Paul behind bars in the castle. He was sweating profusely, with teary eyes and a pale face. “How did you get in?” Paul asked, locking his fingers into his nephew's. “I snuck in through the back. I know it's wrong but I had to. Uncle, I'm so scared. This might be the last time I'll see you” Paul laughed, with a voice scorched from all his shouting in the temple earlier. Then continued “My time has not come Oren. There's still a church to be built in Rome. But tell me, why did you say this?” Oren went on to narrate to Paul how he overheard the plot between the Chief Priest and about forty other men. “They are planning to ask Lysias, the Roman commander, to bring you for a Jewish questioning tomorrow and kill you in the process.” Paul sighed. This was the nineteenth time he was being informed of a planned assassination. Most times, the Lord told him directly. “Thank you very much Oren. Now I want you to tell this plot only to Lysias. I will have a centurion take you to him. Be very discerning.” “But Uncle, will you really be fine?” “I honestly do not know. Since my experience at Damascus, I have lost control of my life. But I know Jesus will preserve me from these men who persecute me for the gospel's sake. Only pray for me with your mom. Now go! “ Finally, the day drew to an end and Paul retired to sleep. As he laid down, from the corner of his eyes, he saw a centurion walking briskly towards him with an unsheathed sword. “Why is he coming with a sword? Was he paid to kill me?” Paul thought, and stood up quickly. The centurion advanced faster until he reached Paul. Then he held Paul by the neck and whispered into his ears, “The Jews will kill you tomorrow if you stay here. I have orders to take you to Caesarea. But we must leave now. We get to Antipatris tonight, then Caesarea tomorrow. Girdle up! we move now.” Paul heaved a sigh and muttered thanksgiving to God. Then they set for an escape out of Jerusalem. The next four years of Paul's life were spent mostly in Rome where he established a church from his apartment. One day, as he taught Christian persecution, a Roman convert raised his hands and asked, “How are you still a preacher after all your persecution experience?” He smiled and replied, “Blessed are you, when men revile and persecute you. Rejoice, for great is your reward in heaven”. Then he added, “Those were Jesus' words. They kept me going!”.

The internal battle within myself is so loud. Frustration is the loudest voice of them all. He stands toe to toe with his Arch nemesis Faith. Faith stands back, with his large arms folded, watching Frustration, give this argument all he has. His face is red with fury. The veins in his forehead are protruding with every word he yells at Faith. The closer Frustration gets to Faith, the taller Faith stands. His feet have not moved from his place on the concrete floor. Failure a small, frail being in the corner sits there watching the whole interaction waiting on his turn to enter and appease the whole situation. He chews away at his nails, and spits the skin from his mouth, anxiously waiting his time to step in and say “Alright already. I'll take it from here.” “Are you listening to anything I'm saying!! Why are you just standing there??” he yells now standing nose to nose with Faith. His chest is heaving up and down, with his t-shirt heavy against his body soaked with the sweat of aggravation. Faith stands there in his clean red polo and neatly pressed, and creased, blue dress pants. His mouth forms into a crooked smile. “I was just waiting for you to finish.” He replies calmly. Failure changes his position in the wooden chair in the corner. “Wait what?” he says to himself as he darts his head from side to side. “I've been waiting for this moment! Hit him, Frustration!” He begins his own battle. Faith takes his hand and nudges him as if to say step aside. He moves a few steps and then pivots back to face Failure. “Can I ask you a question?” Frustration folds his arms, pivots to face Faith and relaxes his posture. “I believe the correct way of saying that is ‘May I ask you'. Of course you ‘Can' ask a question.” Faith snaps his fingers and points in his direction. “I'm glad you caught that. I see I've taught you well and I also see that I have your attention.” He walks over and grabs a chair and slides it towards Frustration. Frustration looks at the chair then back at Faith then apprehensively takes his seat. Faith pulls up a seat of his own and sits crossing his legs and folding his hands in his lap. “Now that we are both ready to talk in a civilized tone, we can talk civilized business. What is your frustration, frustration?” Frustration scoffs and rolls his eyes. “I am tired. So very sick, and so very tired, of being the only one doing all the work around here. Every time I turn around, I'm getting up early, being awakened from my sleep… to work!!” Faith rubbed his hands together and leaned forward. “So you're quitting?” “I'm not quitting! I'm just saying! You get to sit and watch me go from corner to corner in here, busting my back, while you sit in the corner twiddling your thumbs, smiling at me with that bright grin.I can't stand it!” He folded his arms, leaned back in his chair and pouted. Faith laughed. “You don't seen to have a problem with your little cohort Failure over there making a meal out of his nails watching you.” They both looked over at Failure who was rubbing his thing hands over his vanishing thighs. “I'd really like for him to get up and do something. I need a vacation.” Faith sighed. “Well, if you would like me too. I can stand up and work, but on one condition.” He said putting up his finger. “I knew this was coming.” He said glancing up at the ceiling. “You..” Faith pointed at him, and then moved his finger towards failure, “And him have to go, and never comeback.” Failure sat up with his eyes darting from left to right. “Wait a minute! I didn't say that I wanted to leave. I want you to leave, so I can do what little I need to do.” He turned to Failure, “And he can do his job. You're just here for nothing.” Faith's lip twisted up into a smile. “Oh that's what you think?” “That's what I think.” Frustration retorted. “Well, I have a little news for you.” He stood up and began to walk around Frustration. “I've been taking it really easy on you.” Frustration tilted his head back. “You have have you?” he asked smiling a cocky smile. “Oh yes. You see, all of us. Even I, answer to a Higher Authority when it comes to our job titles. I don't wear this Red Polo for nothing.” He stopped and stood confidently. “Oh yeah so that's supposed to mean something?” Frustration asked. “Who's this higher authority?” Faith smiled. “Oh don't act like you don't know. His name is Jesus.” Failure's knees began to buckle, and Frustration shifted his weight uncomfortably. He pulled out his collar and began to sweat. “You're right.I uh, I did.” “So I'll tell you again. I'll step up but in Jesus name, you have to go.” Frustration stood and so did Failure and they slink away out of the room, heads hung low, and defeated as it was always meant to be. Faith stood in the center of the room. “Alright Jesus. I have done what you asked.”

Independence—everybody wants it. When the British taxed the colonists, they got upset and decided to declare their independence. When a teenager FINALLY makes it to their 18th birthday, they celebrate their newly-found freedom from their parents. I don't know too many people who would eagerly serve another man as a slave. All of these things are so because everyone wants to be independent; everyone wants to do what they want when they want; no one wants to be held back by anything. People want to be free. But what if I told you that there is more freedom found in dependency than in independency? It appears to be a contradictory statement, so let me explain. It was a warm August day, and I stood on the grass watching two girls walk out into the lake. They were being baptized that day, and my family had come to the picnic to celebrate. I wanted to be happy for them--I really did--but my stomach was twisted in too many knots to offer anything more than a half-hearted smile. If I had been brave, there would have been three girls in the water that day. Unfortunately for me, I was too scared to be baptized because I hated crowds, attention, and giving testimonial speeches. I just could not bring myself to do it. August soon came to a close and my disobedience was pushed to the furthest possible corner of my mind where I hoped it would be forgotten. September and October passed with only a few reminders of my shortcoming, and the holiday season came and went in a blur of turkey, wrapping paper, and a giant falling ball. By January, I was ready to forget about it for good and start over. But despite my best efforts, God wasn't ready to let it go just yet, and I found myself drowning—not in the lake, but in conviction. The God of the universe asked me to do something so simple, yet I couldn't do it. I wanted to follow Him, I wanted to depend on Him for strength, but I didn't know how; instead, I found myself at rock bottom crying in despair. I wasn't strong enough, I wasn't good enough, I'd never be free from the shame that shackled me each and every day, I told myself. But I had one last resort, and that was prayer. So I sat at my desk and looked out the window, silently asking God for a second chance and the strength to follow through. I let go of my problem and gave it to God. It didn't seem to do much, but behind the scenes, those few words that didn't even come out of my mouth audibly were going to change the course of my life. I walked into church three days later--January 6th--with that prayer being the last thing on my mind as the pastor started the service. He went over an announcement, then another one, and another. But the last one caught my attention more than the rest. I sat up in my seat. Did he really just say 'baptism service'? I asked myself. It couldn't be true, could it? As he talked on about the details, I realized that his words were more than just my imagination—they were really real. My fear melted that instant. I was astonished; I was thankful; I was amazed. I was baptized on February 10, 2019. If I had continued to depend on myself—my own strength—I would never have gotten anywhere. I would still be frozen to the grass by the lake, staring at the water wishing I had the faith to step forward. But I am free from my shackles of fear and it's all because I decided that independency wasn't the answer. Self-reliance doesn't always get you anywhere but surrender and dependency on God will always get you exactly where you need to be. If I've learned one thing these past few months, it's that surrender to God results in freedom. I've never been closer to God--never been happier--never been so hopeful and trusting that He is faithful. I recently found an out-of-state college that is offering a writing workshop camp, and as an aspiring author I desperately want to go. Unfortunately, with all of the expenses necessary to make that trip happen, it would take a miracle to get me there. Fortunately, however, I serve a God who knows no bounds. I immediately got online and started searching for contests, and it just so happened that I stumbled upon Biopage. Maybe I'm meant to go to writing camp, maybe I'm not. But I have written this essay in an attempt to win, and now I prayerfully give it to God because I can't rely on my own self. Dependence on Him is always the answer, because dependence means freedom.

This aspiring novelist, writing enthusiast and food blogger was born on July 16, 1968, in Flint Michigan. Her musical talents began at a very young age. She began singing in church at the age of 7 and had the violin mastered by the age of twelve. Then, before she knew it, she was whisked away with her family, to sunny Florida to live. She was a middle child who grew up and spent her teenage years on the boardwalk of Daytona Beach. She attended a private Christian academy where she was active in cheerleading, dancing, journalism, and swimming. After high school, she decided her horizons needed broadening. She attended college in Michigan and obtained her degree with a major in Business. Then she got a job and wore black pumps to work every day. She had lunch with the girls, drank coffee every day, wore suits to work, and treated herself to manicures on a monthly basis. She became a top seller in lead sales in her division and overall ranked #13 in the United States as the top seller in her field. She was given a bonus, a promotion, and a lovely spa package. She was managing to raise four children as a full- time mom. Her children were all teenagers by this time. She was working many hours overtime, parent-teacher meetings, homework, school plays, science projects, and after-school activities. She was that one woman trying to achieve it all and trying not to allow her kids to feel left behind. One morning, she woke up for work and found her thirteen-year-old son half dead, slumped over on the living-room sofa. She had him rushed to the emergency room. It turned out that he happened to be sick and needed hospitalization for several months. He would need after-care treatment once he returned home. After very little thought about her decision, while her son was in intensive care, she went to her work and turned in her keys and resigned. She felt deep in her heart that her son needed her. She belonged at home with her son. Financially they were fine. She had her savings, 401K, and bonuses she managed to save. Her son remained her only concern. A year passes by, and her son became strong and healthy. They all started going to their local church not far from their home. She became a Sunday School teacher. She also started singing in the adult choir and played her violin. She began teaching at a girl's club in the church and she also taught at the Christian camp every summer. She was scheduled to sing a solo one night. She waited to be called up to the stage. Once announced to the stage, she briefly told her testimony. She glanced around the room and noticed people whispered to one another. They pointed at her. It made her feel awkward, but she continued with her song. They graciously applauded and she took her seat. After she had taken her seat, she felt someone rub her shoulder, and she turned around. Nobody was there. Then, something caught the corner of her eye. Laying draped across her shoulder. She gasped. Her hairpiece that was attached to her ponytail had fallen off. It had fallen across her shoulder. Her face started to turn beet red, and she started to sink down into her seat. She could see the people that sat around her with their pitiful smiles, It made her feel more embarrassed. She had to find her escape route immediately. She excused herself. She took her children and herself at home. She didn't return back to church for a couple weeks. Unexpectedly, she met and fell in love with a southern gentleman. He lived in Alabama. Now she lives in the country in Northern Michigan. Her days are spent working in the garden, planting flowers, cleaning the dirt out from under her fingernails and making gravy. They have a home that they purchased and are fixing up. They are renting out the guest house and are in the process of painting and redecorating. It is a chore but the process has been refreshing. It took a while for her to adjust to being without her children. It was the five of them for so long. She went through empty nest syndrome. She even cried and went through depression for a short time. However, she found writing as a way to escape. She would journal and also write in her food blog. She would also find refuge in her garden. I'm sure if her adolescent self could see her now she would cringe at how she traded in her idea of becoming an unmarried, without children, fashion designer in Paris, to a Business degree achiever, writing her first novel, completing an E-Book called “Comfort Foods for the Soul,” and falling in love with a better life. A life full of possibilities, a life much better for her.

I was driving home after a day at the water park with my daughter's Girl Scout troop, about ten at night, about 40 minutes left to go. I glanced at the sleepy kids in the back. The coffee was working. I was awake and alert. Time to play some music. I fumbled between the seats for my hand-held player. A car was coming. Better let it pass first, I thought, putting both hands on the wheel. I focused on those headlights. Suddenly, they disappeared. I let off the gas, flashed my brights, and strained to see where they went. That's when I saw the car-hauler semi-truck pulled across the highway and realized those headlights hit that truck! Three heads popped up in the back. “Why are we stopping?” one asked. “There's been an accident,” I said parking at nearby warehouse. “Stay put. I'm going to see if I can help.” I hurried to the small, white car smashed into the side of the semi-trailer. Inside was a young, blonde, unconscious woman. Her head tilted unnaturally low to one side. I reached through the window, touched her shoulder, and prayed. “Please don't have put me here for nothing, Lord. Save this woman. Give her another chance, Lord. Please help her!” I felt for a pulse but couldn't find one. More people came. “There are no skid marks,” someone said. “She didn't see the truck.” The truck driver was trying to make a three-point turn. His cab was in the ditch angled towards oncoming traffic. Facing away from me, I hadn't seen it . Our headlights shined right through the trailer. I hadn't seen anything until I turned on my high beams. If I hadn't been staring straight at her headlights when they'd disappeared, I'd have hit it too. In minutes an off-duty fireman had traffic stopped behind the accident and put out flares, and an off-duty police officer was at the car calling for more help and trying to assess the girl's condition. “I can't feel her pulse,” I told him. “She's got a faint pulse,” he said. Oh thank God! ‘Thank you, God,' I thought. “Can I help?” I asked. “No, those guys will handle it,” he said indicating the firemen sprinting to the car. They affixed a neck brace and administered Oxygen. I checked the kids. They were tired and antsy. “It won't be much longer. The firemen are here,” I said then walked back to the roadside to pace and pray. I heard a bystander say, “She's dead.” No, Lord. Please! I took a deep breath and asked a nearby policewoman. “Did she die?” “Maybe you heard the Life Flight helicopter earlier?” she said. “It's been cancelled.” The next day's newspaper said the blonde "woman" was only eighteen. Her name was Amy, the same as my youngest daughter. She was to start nursing school in three weeks. Instead she was dead, and I was alive. In three weeks I'd celebrate my Amy's 2nd birthday because of her headlights. I was so angry at God. Why such a senseless death? Why have a praying Christian, a fireman, and a police officer there in minutes only for her to die? You could have stopped this, my thoughts railed at Him. You're all powerful! Why? I was sick to my stomach for three days. Eventually I realized the railing wasn't helping, wouldn't change anything. I needed to snap out of it, pull myself together. I had a family to care for--chores to do. Laundry was piling up. The lawn needed mowing. I decided to let it go—for now. I put on my work clothes and some praise music hoping to lift my spirits. I was tying my tennis shoes when I had my epiphany. "Awesome God" was playing. The chorus declared “Our God is an awesome God. He reigns from Heaven above with wisdom, power, and love. Our God is an awesome God.” At first, I was still feeling bitter and mocking God inside as I listened. All powerful, but You let her die. Wise, but you let it happen anyway. I was crying again. Why? I wouldn't do that to someone I love. As the chorus repeated “in wisdom, power, and love . . .” I finally heard it. I'd given Him credit for power, but not love. I'd said it already—I wouldn't do that to someone I loved. What if she was headed for hell? Then I realized anew that God doesn't just have love, He is love. If it hurt me to see this stranger die, how much more had it hurt Love to see His creation die? Then why? The anger was gone now. He reigns in wisdom, power and love. Yes, He is omnipotent (all powerful). Yes, He is love. So why? He is also wise. Beyond wise--He's omniscient. I know in part, but He knows it all. Yet Love to let her die because He knew something I didn't. What was that Bible verse? “All things work together for good to them that love God.” God had worked good in that accident for me. Surely omniscient, omnipotent Love had worked good for Amy as well. Was she ready to meet her maker that day? I don't know, but I believe she was as ready as she would ever be. Love would not have taken her otherwise.