Barbara Parentini (www.barbaraparentini.com) a native Ohioan, fell in love with the South when she attended Warren Wilson College in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Retired from her career as a registered nurse since a life-changing accident in 2003, she devotes much of her time writing Christian devotions, poetry, creative non-fiction, and fiction. Her recent contributions appear [...]

Take today’s next step: Share God’s peace – become a prayer mentor  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) Are you aware that the word stressed spelt backwards [...]

I lost my dad to suicide at the age of five. Shortly after that a family member started sexually abusing me. Several years later I lost my step dad to a horrible fire that destroyed our home. We were left with nothing except for haunting memories.  Later, I turned to drinking to ease the pain that tormented me day [...]

Take today’s next step: Are a Christian? If you’re not sure, you can be. “I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,” (Isaiah 61:10a, emphasis mine)  Did you know that after Adam and Eve [...]

Take today’s next step: Not sure what it means to rely on the Holy Spirit? Read this “[L]et us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1) Multitudes of people make a resolution to change at the [...]

Take today’s next step: Be a good influence: become a mentor.   “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’ Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.” (1 Corinthians 15:33-34) Several years ago, I had difficulty breathing. [...]

Take today’s next step: One of the best ways to grow in your faith is to share it. Learn how. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man (woman) of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) It is astounding [...]

Take today’s next step: Is God asking you to do something new? Make The Life commitment. “But Lot’s wife looked back and she became a pillar of salt.” (Genesis 19:26) Letting go of what we grow accustom to is not easy. Moving, switching careers, or letting go of relationships, whether good or bad, can be heartbreaking. [...]

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)  Last week we learned that the Holy Spirit is our guide, teacher, helper, comforter, fruit producer, and gift giver. Here are additional ways God’s indwelling Spirit aids, empowers, and equips us: He convicts our hearts of sin so we [...]

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25) Salvation is the beginning of our new life in Christ, a onetime occurrence sealing us as a child of God. The rest of our Christian journey is a never-ending process of change, sanctification, and servanthood. The Holy Spirit residing [...]