The Essence of Who I Am

2 Samuel 18:32-33          "And the king said unto Cushi, is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.  And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!"      Absalom, David's third son, was praised for his beauty. He had long, beautiful, heavy hair that he would cut every year and weigh. Outwardly, he was beautiful. He had no blemishes. He was the perfect specimen of a man. Inwardly, however, was a different story. He harbored hatred after his half brother, Amnon, dishonored his sister, Tamar, and carefully planned Amnon's demise - when Absalom gave the signal, Amnon was openly murdered by the servants. After the revenge, Absalom ran away and was gone for three years. During these three years, the

      I never fully understood how much my mother loved me until I became a mother myself. I love every moment of being Dylan and Addy's mom and I couldn't imagine my life without them. They bring so much joy and laughter, but let's be honest, it's not always sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes it's hard. Some nights I lie awake feeling like a failure; other nights I go to bed thinking "I've got this." I want so much for my children! I want to nurture and protect them. I want to help them reach their full potential. I want to encourage them to become the individuals God has created them to be. I would move mountains for them if I could. If they could only grasp how much I love them!       Motherhood, for me, has been a learning process, and believe me, I'm still learning. I have the Bible as my instruction manual but I've also been blessed to be surrounded by godly mothers that I can learn from, including my own mother. I am so thankful for her. H

  Is it just me, or is anyone else tired of cancel culture? Politicians, celebrities, CEOs, and businesses are being “canceled” because they do or say something considered objectionable or offensive - and everything seems to be offensive these days.  No one can have a different opinion than you.  There is no agreeing to  disagree  anymore.  Instead,  we cut them out completely. We c ancel them.  Don’t like who the CEO of a certain company voted for? Cancel the company. She has a different opinion than you do? Cancel her. Found something in his distant past that you don’t like? Cancel him.   Before we know it, we may even find OURSELVES being “canceled". As disciples of Jesus, our beliefs, actions, and lifestyles are going to be contrary to what's popular.  I  don't  want to identify with this world and what's popular. I  don't  want to blend in and be conformed. Jesus didn't, and the religious authorities hated Him for it.  They wanted Him arrested and even tha