Thanks for all of the first responders

who come to the aid of those in need,

who bravely work to save people’s lives

with the utmost speed.

They risk life and limb

to rescue people each day

Without their hard work and dedication

many lives would be lost along the way.

Thanks for all the men and women

who serve in the military, too

who work tirelessly each day

to protect me and you

They put themselves in harm’s way

to defeat evil people everywhere

while their loved ones stay at home

with their own heavy load to bear.

May God be with all those brave men and women

as they do their jobs each and every day.

May He always keep them safe

is what I always pray.

Rom 13:7 – Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute (is due); custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

Debora Robbins

I admit that I have not spent as much time studying the prophets as I should. They can be difficult to understand if you just open one and start to read.

As my ladies’ class has been studying the divided kingdom, I am trying to introduce the prophets at the place they fit in the stories. This makes the study of the prophets a lot easier, and it gives us a better perspective on what is happening.

We have spent a lot of time talking about the idolatrous worship of both Israel and Judah. It is so hard to understand why the people continued to worship the statue of a god instead of God in heaven. He even spoke to them through the prophets, and they still continued their evil worship of idols.

Recently, I was privileged to hear an excellent lesson that gave some insight into how corrupt these people had become. It also gave me some insight into just how we can, as God’s people, also worship idols.

It begins in Ezekiel 8:14-15. The Lord came to Ezekiel and took him to Jerusalem to show him the wickedness that transpired at the temple. At the house of God, there were women weeping for Tammuz, an idol. God then told Ezekiel that he would see worse in time. He did, of course, see worse; and I wonder if he would also see idol worship in us today.

1. An idol is an image of a god, used as an object or an instrument of worship.

An example of this is found in Isaish 44:9-20. They cut down a tree, used it as a fire to warm themselves, used it to cook, and the rest they used to make an idol.

2. Any object of excessive or ardent devotion or admiration.

In Ezekiel 14:1-5, the people took idols into their hearts. This was not casual worship.

3. A false notion or idea that causes error in thinking or reasoning.

In Second Timothy 4:3-4, Paul says that there will be some who “will not endure sound doctrine.” The women in Ezekiel were in at the house of the Lord, but they were not worshiping according to God’s commands.

The point to this lesson is to make us aware that we also serve idols. It may not be in the same way as the people of Israel and Judah, but it is often serving the physical rather than the spiritual.

When the people of Israel left Egypt, it didn’t take them long to worship, not the God that brought them out, but a golden calf. There is nothing wrong with gold or a calf; but when combined as an object of worship, sin rears its ugly head.

What about the movie stars, the television stars, the athletes that we idolize? When we put them before worship and doing the Lord’s work, they become idols. What about events like football games, races, our children’s sporting events? Do we choose God or the idol?

The nature of man has not changed. Jesus has not changed (Hebrews 13:8). Paul told the Corinthians to flee from idolatry (First Corinthians 10:14). From Deuteronomy 6:5 to Luke 10:27, even to today, God has always demanded first place. He is brokenhearted when we set up idols in our hearts (Ezekiel 6:9).

So how do we rid ourselves of all forms of idolatry?

• We examine ourselves (Second Corinthians 13:5; Second Peter 1:5-11).
• We fill our hearts and minds with God’s Word (Psalm 119:11).
• We make sacrifices to God—dedicate ALL of ourselves and all our spiritual service to Him (First Peter 2:5; Romans 12:1).
• Make heaven our number one goal at all times (Titus 2:11-13).

Sandra Oliver

1. Prayer Time: Teach them to pray by example—short, heartfelt prayers for gratitude, guidance, or others’ needs. Make it interactive by letting them share their own prayers. Example: Pray together before meals or bedtime.
2. Storytelling with Scripture: Share Bible stories that resonate with children, like David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17) for courage or the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) for kindness. Use simple retellings and discuss the lessons.
3. Memory Verses: Pick short, impactful Bible verses for them to memorize. Turn it into a game with rewards for reciting them. This builds a foundation of faith.
4. Acts of Service: Involve them in small acts of kindness, like baking for a neighbor or writing encouraging notes, tying it to Jesus’ teachings on love (John 13:34-35).
5. Nature Walks with Purpose: Use walks to marvel at God’s creation, discussing verses like Psalm 19:1 (“The heavens declare the glory of God”). Point out beauty in nature to foster awe and gratitude.
6. Gratitude Journals: Encourage them to write or draw things they’re thankful for, connecting it to 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (“Give thanks in all circumstances”). Share your own entries to model reflection.
7. Worship Through Song: Sing simple worship songs or hymns together. Teach them classics like “Jesus Loves Me” and explain the lyrics’ meaning.

Bible Verses to Teach

Here are key verses with themes to discuss:

• Love: John 13:34 – “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (Teach: Love others selflessly, like Jesus.)
• Trust in God: Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Teach: Rely on God’s guidance.)
• Kindness: Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Teach: Show kindness and forgive.)
• Courage: Joshua 1:9 – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Teach: God is with them in challenges.)
• Gratitude: Psalm 100:4 – “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” (Teach: Always be thankful.)
• Obedience: Philippians 2:14-15 – “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure.” (Teach: Obey with a joyful heart.)

Tips for Engagement

• Keep it Age-Appropriate: For younger kids, use picture Bibles or apps like YouVersion Kids. For teens, discuss how verses apply to real-life situations.
• Be Consistent: Set a regular time, like Sunday evenings or after dinner, for devotional moments.
• Share Your Story: Talk about how faith has guided you, making it personal and relatable.
• Use Visuals: Crafts or drawings related to verses (e.g., decorating a heart for “love one another”) make lessons stick.

  Enjoy the grandchildren!  Gai

Okay, so you don’t think you’re old… well, you are older than someone. To be the older woman that touches the lives of the younger women we MUST be the holy women that God intended for us to be.

Step #1 – Be holy!

Get to know Jesus! Be a godly woman! Then others will naturally be attracted to you and come to you for advice.  Thinking back, godly women are the ones I turned to.  Did I ask for child rearing advice from the woman who had no boundaries for her children?  Did I ask the woman who let her children wander up and down the pew how to get my children to sit in worship?  Did I ask for advice about how to love my husband when he’s not lovable from the woman who was always putting her husband down?  Or, did I ever turn to the one that seemed burdened by her Christianity and was always complaining?  No, is the obvious answer to all of these questions.  Strive to be Christlike.

As I continue to talk with women, older and younger alike, I am finding some of the same thoughts repeated by several of them.

Step #2 – Don’t be judgmental and critical.

(That’s not holy behavior anyway.) You don’t know where others are coming from. They need lifted up not pushed further down. I was reminded by one young mother that we must remember that so many Christian women were not raised in Christian families and are starving for help and training from the older women.  Never assume that a young wife and mother knows a better way to do things and just chooses not to.  She may not know at all!

Step #3 – Build relationships!

Teaching, encouraging, training will be achieved best through our relationships with one another.  Most women are saying that the times they have learned the most from older women are when they were at a luncheon or after Ladies Bible class or some other gathering.  I’m finding that the older women who are fulfilling this commandment are the older women that have CHOSEN to spend time with the younger women.  They put out extra effort to be at fellowship activities or to have women into their homes.  They are the women visiting with the younger women before and after services.  They are the women building relationships. This goes for the younger women too.  How can you learn from older women if you aren’t spending any time with them?

Building relationships requires two things from us.  First, that we love one another.  Jesus commanded his disciples in John 13:34 to love one another.  Also in John 15:12-13, He tells them again to love one another just as He has loved them.  He even goes on and says, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”  If you don’t consider your Christian sisters as friends I’m afraid you are in big trouble.  The world has become filled with apathy and it is now in the church.  What is apathy?  Webster defines it as: a lack of feeling or emotion; a lack of interest or concern.  Surely that isn’t you? Surely you are following the commandment that is given many, many times in the Word that tells us to “love one another”.  As I took a look at my own heart recently I was SO afraid that I was letting apathy creep in.  I looked and saw someone that was giving in to the attitude of “why should I put out extra effort if no one else is,” “why should I show special caring for people who don’t seem to care.”  I looked at that reflection of my heart and was SO broken by what I was allowing myself to become.  What a disappointment I was to myself because I knew I was disappointing my Father!

Second, building relationships requires us to clear up our schedule.  Make time for each other! Older women, surely you have a grip on some part of your schedule that you can spare an hour or two for lunch one day or dinner one evening. Young mothers, your child doesn’t need to be in every type of sports activity, learning center and whatever else type of class you have them in. Don’t even get me started on “dance classes.” (That’s another article.)  We have filled our schedules with “worldly” activities—I didn’t say sinful—and now we have no time for each other.  We are told in Ephesians 5:16 to make the most of our time.  Don’t forget what you are here for!  We must make time for the family of God.

Be holy! Be joyful! Be humble! Don’t be critical! Build those relationships!

Tami Roberts

“Ye will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” — John 8:32

In a world filled with noise—social media opinions, cultural pressures, and personal doubts—finding truth can feel like searching for a beacon in a storm. Yet, as daughters of the King, we are called to anchor and arm ourselves in the unchanging truth of God’s Word. John 8:32 reminds us that knowing God’s truth brings freedom, a freedom that liberates us from fear, shame, and confusion.

God’s truth tells us who we are: fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), loved with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3), and chosen for a purpose (Ephesians 2:10). When the world tries to define you by your mistakes or measures your worth by its standards, God’s Word stands firm, declaring you are His masterpiece. Embracing this truth transforms how we see ourselves and how we navigate life’s challenges.

Consider the story of the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4). She carried the weight of her past, yet Jesus met her with truth wrapped in grace. He didn’t condemn her but revealed Himself as the source of living water, offering her a new identity rooted in His truth. Like her, we are invited to drink deeply from God’s Word, letting it wash away lies and renew our hearts.

Today, reflect on a lie you’ve believed—perhaps that you’re not enough, or that your circumstances define your future. Bring it to Jesus. His truth is a steady foundation, a promise that never wavers. As the Bible encourages, aligning our lives with God’s Word connects us to a truth that changes everything. Live boldly in that truth, walking in the freedom only Christ provides.

Reflection:

• What lie have you been tempted to believe about yourself or your circumstances?
• How can you intentionally seek God’s truth today through Scripture or prayer?
• Take a moment to journal a Bible verse that speaks truth to your heart, and revisit it when doubts arise.

  Abide in the truth!  Gai

As the alarm buzzes on Monday morning, the weight of a new week can feel overwhelming. The to-do list is long, the calendar is packed, and the demands of life—whether at work, home, or in relationships—seem to loom large. But as women of faith, we have a unique opportunity to anchor our week in God’s promises, finding strength and peace to navigate whatever Monday brings.

Scripture to Guide Your Monday

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Every Monday is a fresh start, a reminder that God’s mercies are new each day. No matter how last week went—whether you felt on top of the world or barely made it through—God’s love is ready to meet you right where you are. His compassion doesn’t run dry, and His faithfulness is your foundation.

Psalm 90:14
“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”

Before you dive into the chaos of the week, ask God to fill your heart with His love. This verse reminds us that true satisfaction comes not from checking off tasks but from resting in God’s presence. Let His love be the fuel that carries you through Monday with joy.

Reflection: Setting Your Heart for the Week

Mondays often feel like a marathon’s starting line. As women, we juggle countless roles—mother, wife, friend, employee, caregiver, and more. It’s easy to let the pressures of the week steal our focus. But what if we began this Monday by surrendering our plans to God?

Take a moment to pray: By aligning your heart with God’s, you can approach Monday not with dread but with confidence He is with you.

Practical Steps for a Faith-Filled Monday

1. Start with Prayer: Before checking your phone or emails, spend a few moments in prayer. Thank God for His new mercies and ask for wisdom to navigate your day.

2. Meditate on a Verse: Write down Lamentations 3:22-23 or Psalm 90:14 and keep it somewhere visible—on your mirror, desk, or phone. Let it remind you of God’s presence throughout the day.

3. Serve with Love: As you go about your Monday, look for small ways to reflect God’s love. Whether it’s a kind word to a coworker or patienc.

   Have a GREAT Monday!

   Gai

Many sweet sisters I love have given birth in the last few weeks. Several are making plans right now for new babies to come home. What a huge life-changing event for parents This is my prayer for all those mamas and babies.

God Bless the Babies

God, give them strength as they enter our lives.
Give wisdom to parents as each of them strives
To make for them places in our world to grow.
Teach them Lord. We’re so small.  There’s so much we don’t know.

God bless them as they to your wonders awake.
Bless them, dear Lord, when their first steps they take.
They’re  so small.  May their scratches and bruises be small.
May mama’s kiss make it better each time they may fall.

Lily Annette Colley

Help them to learn, Lord, just what they should know
To take them in life where you want them to go.
But in all of this learning, may they never forget.
The One who has made them and walks with them yet.

Give them courage when Satan first gets in the way.
May they stay near your word. May they kneel down and pray.
May they put on you Lord.  That’s my most fervent prayer;
And for all of their days cast on you every care.

Olivia Leigh Benavides

When the time comes, Oh God, that they must go away,
In that “letting go”, Lord, still hear us pray.
God, bless the babies.  Look down from your throne.
Watch over them gently, for still they’re your own.

Give them shelter, dear Lord, from this world’s raging storm,
In a place where your love shines; a place that is warm.
Give them people to help them seek you throughout life.
Give them one of your own, for each husband or wife.

And one day may they know the joy we now feel,
Of a life just beginning, but precious and real.
May something we put in their hearts make them sure

That even souls in the womb are yours, precious and pure.

Amos Hiram Moon

So Father, my prayer is for  life you’re now giving;
And, more, for sweet souls that will always be living.
Our task is so great.  We’re so small.  May we see
That “through Christ I can do all, for He strengthens me.”

Cindy Colley

Acts 9:39b “All the widows stood by him (Peter) weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.”

For my husband’s birthday, our son gave him a tandem skydiving experience. My first thought was, “Why in the world would anyone want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane?” However, my adventurous husband seemed genuinely excited.

Being assured of the safety of this adventure, we arrived at the airfield toting all manner of video equipment. (Not sure if this was for our posterity or for a possible insurance claim.) We walked into the airfield office where, behind the desk, sat a young woman registering all skydivers. She was perched high on a stool with both legs stretched out in front of her. Both were encased in casts from her thighs to her ankles.

My curiosity got the best of me, so I sympathetically inquired about her two broken legs. Looking straight at me, she replied, “Actually, I broke my legs skydiving!”

WHAT!

I was halfway to the car with camera gear in hand before my husband could retrieve me.

Long story short, against my will, both my guys jumped from the airplane that day and still talk about the thrill of it all. On the other hand, I still talk about the girl behind the desk. In my wildest dreams I cannot fathom the fact that she was the “Human billboard” (and the broken legs) of the organization responsible for her injuries. How dreadful!

In the book of Acts, there lived a woman named Dorcas. She was a generous seamstress and a deeply loved “Human billboard” for Christianity in Joppa. When sweet Dorcus died, the widows of Joppa mourned the loss of their dear friend. Her influence had not stopped with her needle and thread. Dorcas had cared for them, ministered to their heartbreak, and borne their sorrows alongside them.Her heart had overflowed with compassion, love, and generosity. All of Joppa had witnessed Christianity in action through the life of Dorcas.

The girl in the skydiving office was a most unfortunate first impression. Dorcas, on the other hand, remains to this day the “human billboard” for a life well lived in Christ Jesus.

Friend, may we follow the example of Dorcas and be “human billboards” advertising our faith. May our hearts be filled with love, our lives committed to serving others, and our compassion used to heal the hearts of those hurting. In doing so, may we bring glory to our Heavenly Father.

Father God, may our lives advertise the beauty of living a life in You.

Blessings,

Rita Cochrane

Loving your husbands sounds like something that just comes naturally to us. Of course I love him; I married him. But does your love for him show in your actions? Do others see that you love him? Is it the kind of love that lifts him up? Are you willing to put yourself aside to have harmony in your marriage?

Show him respect… all times, everywhere.

I learned early in my marriage that some women like to sit around and crab about their husbands and it’s easy to find yourself joining them. BEWARE! Don’t be that woman! I eventually learned when women started in on their husbands I would start lifting mine up. It would put a stop to the “well, my husband” talk. (I try to do the same thing with gossip.) Proverbs 14:1 – The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands. Or should we say, mouth?

I hear so many women talk SO ugly directly to their husbands. They put them down in front of other people and make the husband appear inadequate in some way or lazy. They are commanding and harsh to their husbands, as if they are in charge. I see them do this in front of their young children and it breaks my heart. I know a young woman who talks to her husband that way frequently in front of other people and it makes me sad. I then heard her mother talking to her father and realized where she learned it.

When I was first married, I was at my parents’ house spending a few days when Wayne called and really upset me with some news from home. I got off of the phone and said some ugly things about him in front of my parents. My Dad told me to NEVER talk about my husband like that again. Dad reminded me of the responsibility Wayne carries on his head to be the leader of our home and because of that he deserved my respect. I was surprised my Daddy hadn’t backed up his little girl but it taught me more respect for my husband and for my Dad. So parents, how are you allowing your daughters to talk about their spouses around you? Do you encourage them to respect their husbands, or are you training them to disrespect them? Younger women are watching. Your children are watching. Don’t be the woman that the rest of us go around feeling sorry for your husband! Show him the respect that God commands you to give him. Ephesians 5:33 – Nevertheless let each individual among you also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see to it that she respect her husband.

ALWAYS kiss goodnight!

Wayne and I have been married almost 30 years and they have been 29 extremely “eventful” and “vocal” years. I am a strong woman and I was blessed to have married a strong man. If I had married a meek man I probably would have walked all over him. But with us both having strong personalities we have a lot of “discussions.” Our kids say that we fight over everything, including cheese. (Ask one of them.) I exposed all of that to tell you that we ALWAYS kiss goodnight and we ALWAYS have (unless one of us is traveling, of course). Oh, it might have been a quick peck but we don’t go to sleep without saying, “I love you.”

I have also learned that if I don’t always have to be right, we won’t argue as much. Hold your tongue. You don’t always have to have things your way. Have you ever met a woman that says she and her husband never argue? It’s always the strong women with quiet husbands that say that. Guess why? She may be demanding her own way or the husband has learned to just keep his mouth shut. Is that the kind of relationship that you want?

Ephesians 4:26 tells us to not let the sun go down on our anger. Take that to heart. Don’t let your anger fester. Talk it out. Take a walk if you need to and then come back together and work through it. I know of women that go for days without talking to their husbands when they are mad. This doesn’t fix anything. Does it mean every problem will be settled by the end of the day? Not necessarily. Some issues are huge and are extremely difficult to work through… and some are about cheese. But when you lay your head down at night, let him know that you love him. Then tell yourself that you love him and turn it over to the Lord in prayer.

It’s not all about you!

When you really love your husband you will put him first. In Philippians 2:3-4 we are told to regard one another as more important than ourselves and to not merely look out for our own interests, but also for the interest of others. This ESPECIALLY applies to your husband! I’m not just talking about keeping his clothes clean, food on the table and keeping his home a cozy refuge, though that is part of it. I’m talking about the, “but I want…,” “but I need…,” “but I, I, I.” Don’t make everything about you! What can you do to make his life better? (By the way, this makes your life better too.) When you put him first, you are less likely to nag and NO ONE likes to listen to a nag. Don’t be the contentious woman found in Proverbs 21, 25 and 27. When you put him first, you are content with what he has worked so hard to provide for you. You don’t push him to continually buy more material things. When you put him first, you argue less. Putting him first requires you to put yourself aside. It’s not about you anyway; it’s about bringing glory to God.

So, from the heart of an older woman, respect your husband this week, give him a kiss every night and tell him you love him and remind yourself constantly that it’s not about you! I promise your love for him will grow in ways that you only thought existed in fairy tales.

Tami Roberts

Mark 6:31 “Then because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he (Jesus) said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

This fast-paced life of ours has coined the phrase, “Time flies when you’re having fun.” But honestly, time seems to fly even on the stinky days! The book of James agrees with me, only with a little more tact. James refers to life as vapor, appearing for a little while, then vanishing. As I write these words, a pot is simmering on my stove, and I find myself mesmerized by the steam rising and vanishing. It seems, every element of our lives is tied to fleeting time, and we are in hot pursuit to accomplish much before our vapor disappears. The result is exhaustion of body and soul.

Jesus was well acquainted with exhaustion. Although His earthly obligations physically and emotionally drained Him, Christ knew a remedy. In Mark 6, we find Jesus empowering the apostles to go out by themselves for the first time. They returned weary but filled with adrenaline. Jesus listened as they reported how THEY had cast out demons and how THEY had healed the sick. But sadly, there was no mention of Jesus, the One who had fueled their power (vs. 7).

In the face of exhaustion, the apostles’ focus had shifted from the power and authority of Jesus to their own power and authority. But, in Mark 6:31, Jesus, the great healer, revealed His prescription for Biblical rest. “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” So, what does His cure tell us?

• “Come” suggest we leave our current location with all its distractions.
• “With me” shows us Biblical rest must include time with Jesus.
• “By yourselves” indicates our need to separate from all other humans so we might stand vulnerable before God.
• “To a quiet place” acknowledges that the noise of this world can keep us from hearing the voice of God. Quietness is a precious gift helping us refocus on the power, truth, and love of our gracious God.
• “And get some rest” which will refuel both body and soul.

It is so easy to fall victim to spiritual exhaustion and be in critical need of Biblical rest. Distractions monopolize our day: spilled milk on the floor, the telemarketer on the phone, and an empty refrigerator, etc. Our Savior can get lost in the shuffle, leading us to depend solely on our own abilities. We, too, can forget by whose authority we thrive. So dear friend, hear His sweet reminder today, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Father God, help me crave quiet time alone with You. 

Blessings,

Rita Cochrane