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The Sun Always Rises

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Since the start of creation, we are ever moving in a perpetual motion or cycle of “darkness to light.” In Genesis 1, the earth began in darkness, but then there was light. This progression will continue until we as believers are no longer walking in darkness but only in light. Proverbs 4:18 states “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.” Oh, what a glorious day! In the beginning, God created our beautiful earth from deep waters and infinite darkness. Light was created at His command, and the separation of light and darkness in the earth began. “And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.” (Genesis 1:5) So, in the beginning, the days on earth began evening to daytime, from darkness to light. This is true when we first come to know the Lord as Savior. Our transformation signifies a new day! The darkness is swallowed by the Light. Lamentations 3:2...
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Freefall

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Stepping Out in Faith: Embracing the Journey of Obedience   Stepping out in faith when God nudges you should feel like the boldest and most assured step you will ever take, right? So, why does obedience sometimes feel like a freefall? A plunge, even? The Weight of Obedience  Perhaps because: The outcome is not yet known. The skepticism feels intrusive. The change is uncomfortable. The failure would be humiliating. Obedience is defined as “submission to another authority” and being “in accordance with,” a phrase which itself means acting “in a manner conforming with.” The Essence of Obedience Obedience is: Letting go of control. Letting go of pride. Letting go of constraints. Letting go of misconceptions. Letting go of expectations. Obedience is letting go with unrestrained motion. It is the commitment to move forward on the path to which God is calling you. It is, nevertheless, Thy will be done—conforming, not to the world or their opinions, but to Jesus. Obedience is the...
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Don’t Throw Seashells! 🐚

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Few creatures in the ocean are as mysterious and fascinating as the octopus. With its eight flexible arms, remarkable intelligence, and ability to transform its appearance in an instant, the octopus is a true master of disguise and survival. Whether hiding in plain sight or darting through rocky crevices, this extraordinary animal never fails to captivate those who encounter it. Recently, I read a remarkable article about a research team led by Peter Godfrey-Smith from the University of Sydney who discovered that octopuses intentionally throw seashells, rocks, and silt. The published findings in 2022 were based on footage from "Octopolis" in Jervis Bay, Australia. The footage documented female octopuses hurling the undersea objects at other octopuses. While exploring this information, I also found reports where researchers witnessed octopuses slapping innocent fish as they swam by. This bad behavior did not appear to be related to hunting but rather seemed to result from anno...
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Laughing at the Impossible

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Recently, I read the account of Sarai, the wife of Abram and destined mother of Isaac. Bless her. Her story is filled with some questionable choices, often at Abraham’s suggestion, but she is known for that laugh. You know the one I'm talking about. Sarai laughed at the promise God made—the promise to bear a son when she and Abram were so advanced in years—and denied it. Honestly, who could blame her? Abram laughed, too. The Weight of Questions Sarai’s laugh, though, carried every single question swirling in her mind: I will be 90 years old. Can I conceive? Can I carry a child to term? Can I endure labor? Can I nurse a child? Will I live long enough to raise the child, or will someone else? Will...
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The Spirit of Adonijah

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As King David approached the end of his reign, the shadows of mortality loomed large. In this twilight, Adonijah (add-uh-NYE-juh), David’s fourth-born yet eldest living son, boldly declared himself the next king of Israel. Scripture recounts that Adonijah audaciously “exalted himself, saying, ‘I will be king.’” He prepared chariots and horsemen, even gathering fifty men to run before him. In his quest for power, he secured the support of influential figures, including his cousin Joab and Abiathar the priest. In 1 Kings 1:6, we learn that Adonijah was a handsome man, yet he had not been disciplined by his father. This absence of correction sowed the seeds of pride and arrogance within him. The number four—Adonijah’s position among David’s sons—symbolizes divine order. Yet, he failed to grasp the lesson of his own family history: that familial position does not validate kingship. In the book of Samuel, chapter 16, we witness a pivotal moment when the Lord rejected Saul as king. When the ...
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Promises Kept

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To prepare for the GO BE SALTY™ October Challenge, which involves reading the book of Proverbs throughout the month, I started rereading the account of King Solomon in 1 Kings. In the wee hours this morning, the Lord gently dropped this resounding message in my spirit. 🎺 At the beginning of 1 Kings, our beloved King David is nearing the end of his 33-year reign in Jerusalem, the city of peace, and is described as feeble and close to death. Scripture tells us that his fourth born, but eldest living son, Adonijah (add-uh- NYE -juh), has unabashedly declared himself to be the next king of Israel. Upon hearing this, Nathan, the prophet, informed Bathsheba—queen consort and mother of Solomon—about Adonijah's actions and advised her on how to approach King David. Following Nathan’s guidance, Bathsheba entered the king’s chamber and respectfully bowed before him. She reminded King David of his oath to her that her son would succeed him and occupy his throne. Then, she told him all that N...
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Swim to the Side: A Journey of Faith and Resilience

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Kure Beach, North Carolina In July of 2020, my family and I gathered to celebrate the 4th of July at Kure Beach in North Carolina. The day was radiant! The sun gleamed upon the refreshingly cool ocean water, while pelicans and seagulls soared above us, chattering and occasionally swooping down to catch a mid-morning snack. We played in the water for hours, laughter mingling with the gentle sound of waves. The tide was out, and the water appeared deceptively low. As we drifted toward a sandbar near the newly renovated, 700-foot pier, the waves were mildly active, inviting us to explore. Suddenly, the waves began to rise higher and come more quickly. The tide rolled in without warning, violently separating me from my husband and children. Panic surged through me as I realized I could no longer touch the bottom. The waves, relentless and tumultuous, seemed determined to pull me under rather than push me to shore. I began to tire quickly, my breaths growing shallow as I struggled to keep m...
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