Editorial by Ricardo Bacchus
Words. What are they but letters placed into tiny groups with spaces on either side? One single word—war, peace, hate, love—can cause protests to unravel, turmoil to start or unity to materialize.
String several words together—it’s a boy, you’re a liar, thank you, don’t talk to me—and friendships can end, new ones begin or castaways believe again. Words make a difference, and they can bring life or death.
“Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear” (Isa. 65:24, KJV).
It was 1979, and we had just completed a year in Osaka, Japan, as student missionaries from Oakwood College (Ala.). The last stipend had been received and was just enough to get my husband, Thomas, and me home to Richmond, Va. Our plan was to see parts of the world on our return trip that we might never visit again. We would spend two days each in Taiwan and Hong Kong, connecting to a flight into Washington, D.C., with a short bus ride to Richmond. Our traveling companion, Sandra, was also returning to the United States.
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“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine” (Isa. 43:1, NKJV).
As a child, I grew up in an Orthodox family in Romania. Every Sunday, we went to church, and we kept all the Orthodox holidays. On weekends and vacations, I stayed with my grandparents, as they only lived 11 miles away.
“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Feed my lambs’” (John 21:15, NKJV).
Have you ever wondered how to love someone even after they hurt you? After the death of Jesus, some of His disciples, including Peter, went fishing. They had spent almost all night with no success. Early in the morning, an unknown man on the shore told them to throw the net on the other side. Confused, they did. At that moment, Peter immediately knew it wasn’t an ordinary person; it was Jesus. He couldn’t contain his excitement after seeing all the fish, and he jumped out of the boat and swam to shore to see Jesus.
“When Jesus heard what had happened, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place” (Matt. 14:13, NIV).
Are you grieving today? This pain cuts to the core and is deeper than just a bad day. It’s bigger than a pint of ice cream or a walk around the block that can handle. Sadly, we may feel as though we must carry these emotions alone. It’s in these times that the support of loved ones, and even complete strangers, is so needed.
“So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please” (Isa. 55:11, NKJV).
As an accountant by profession, I have often counseled my clients, wherever appropriate, to prove God’s Word when it comes to finances. I know this also from personal experience.
Several years ago, I was visiting my former church in New York when a call was made for donations for a special project. I debated whether to respond, as I had only $20 in my wallet. I knew that I would need cash to pay the tolls on my way back home to Pennsylvania. As the appeal continued, I made the decision to respond and gave the $20 bill. I figured I could stop at an ATM later to withdraw funds for the trip home.
Story by Debra Anderson
The Potomac Conference recently announced the hiring of its new vice president for finance, Karen Senecal. Senecal makes history as the first woman elected to serve in this position at the largest conference in the Columbia Union.
Story by Kasper Haughton Jr.
“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon” (Ps. 92:12, KJV).
As David poetically writes this Psalm dedicated to the Sabbath day, he uses verse 12 to instruct us on how to grow. He states that the righteous shall flourish like the palm tree. This is no ordinary palm tree; it is a date palm, known in Hebrew as “tamar.” The date palm is tall and slender and stretches upward of 75 feet. This incredible tree grows amid the drought of the desert. It vigorously plunges its roots into the earth until it reaches the hidden waters beneath the surface. As a result, it is able to produce large clusters of fruit, about 100 to 200 pounds each year.