Soul Sister Time

              When Jesus first spoke of His cross during His days of exciting ministry, the disciples—most notably Peter—dismissed the lesson (Matthew 16:22).                 I understand his objection.   The lesson of picking up crosses in the spiritual life is not easy or natural.   Peter was the first of the disciples to have his heart penetrated by the Holy Spirit in order to recognize that the man his brother Andrew had introduced him to as the Messiah was more than a Messiah.   He knew in his heart of faith that Jesus was the Son of God Himself and the Messiah.   Knowledge like that is impossible for a human being on their own.   Peter had experienced the presence of God in a way that allowed his soul to connect with this knowledge.   That happened to me too when I was seven years old.   It was just like that.   I had heard the gospel many times over those years.   But that day, it made sense to me.   God had made it make sense.   I accepted Jesus Christ as my only salvatio

              I suppose I could have prayed more.   I know of individuals who fasted for months and prayed for the bill I was working on.   I saw on social media that hundreds of thousands were praying for the same request.   We witnessed a true miracle.   We prayed and worked together and moved the bill along a little further than two years prior.   It appeared that God had set it up to that we had a small window to move it forward and time ran out.   Disappointment, heartbroken, suspicious thoughts were expressed.                 Now there is silence.   What does this mean?   How do we see God in the silence?   What is the meaning of it all?   Silence does not mean that God has not heard our prayers and been moved by them.   God definitely responded to bring a group of people together for a common purpose to explain how a law could benefit our state and correct the problem of mass incarceration for which we are becoming famous.   There was no doubt that the Holy Spirit was empo

              This is a question that never crossed my mind as I formed my relationship with God.   When I think about my salvation experience at seven-years-old, I realize how miraculous it really is to have faith.   In that moment at church, I had an ah-ha moment.   It was like a light-bulb went off in my mind and soul.   Although I had not done too many bad things at seven, it was clear to me that I was a sinner and that if I had to be holy to have a relationship with God, I was doomed.   I readily accepted the offer of salvation through belief that Jesus was the Son of God and that He died for my sins and was resurrected to spend eternal life with me.   It was simple.                 I still have a childlike faith.   Even as I teach the Bible, I do not struggle as deeply as others to find specifics from Revelation about when Jesus is coming back.   I read Revelation and know He is coming back as the Judge of the whole world and in a time when those who have faith will be pers