Every year, my mother would take all four of us kids to the toy store to pick out a present. If we were not naughty but nice, Santa would deliver it on Christmas Eve. We eagerly set out in different directions to look. On one such … Read more

"Please, will you ask her?" I pleaded with my older sister for the umpteenth time. Katrise lived next door. She was my older sister's best friend and was having her Sweet Sixteen birthday party in a few days. I wasn't invited; I was only … Read more

My grandparents were wonderful people, and they had thirteen children! When I was a child, they lived within walking distance, and every day, I loved going to their house. They always found time for me and always made me feel so loved … Read more

I'm not proud to say it, but I can identify with the apostle Paul in this statement. Before I was saved at the age of thirty, I was well acquainted with sin. But then, a prerequisite for salvation is that we must know and admit that we … Read more

In my spirit, I heard it as plain as day: "Cheryl, I know thee well." It didn't seem like an accusation, but it was a statement that went straight to my soul and pierced me deeply. I have never forgotten it! I had been 30 years of age … Read more

We were early that very first Sunday morning when my husband Marcelo and I walked into what would become our new church home. Sitting on the back row in her wheelchair, an elderly woman, excited to see us, motioned for us to come near. … Read more

Sadly, I did it again. I unleashed my tongue when I should have bitten it. As my husband was leaving the house this morning, I made a remark to him that I was immediately sorry for, the moment after I had said it. His remark back to me … Read more

Just recently, I received an email from a well-known Christian establishment. The email subject read, "Slightly Imperfect Gift Sale". The items had minor chips or scratches that caused them to fall short of perfection. It got me to … Read more

I recall an instance in my life when I found forgiveness to be an extreme struggle to resolve. One evening, I had just finished reading Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 . I closed my Bible, and said out loud, … Read more

The invitation read: Because you have been falsely accused, ridiculed, mocked, and rejected, a table has been prepared for you in the presence of your enemies. Please accept our invitation. It went on to spell out the specifics: date, … Read more