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Lessons from World War II
Note: the following post is for symbolic purposes only. No political opinions whatsoever are intended by this post. Historical discrepancies can be addressed via our email. It was the 1930s. Japan was already trying to take over Asia, and Germany had just invaded Poland. It was the beginning of World War II. Immediately upon the Polish invasion, France and the UK declared war on Germany. They stood up and said, “We’re not standing for this anymore.” They chose to fight the evil that was trying to take over the world. But standing up for what is right does not guarantee an easy fight. France was soon invaded by both…
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Have You Tried…
We’ve all heard it. You don’t even have to have a chronic illness to have been asked this question in regards to all your problems. “Have you tried…” Have you tried losing weight? Have you tried this diet? Have you tried yoga? Have you tried essential oils? It didn’t take me long to realize how tiresome this question can be. For many who do suffer with a chronic illness, this question can almost seem like an insult. Because in truth, they have likely tried everything you can name. Personally, this question has never bothered me because I look at it as a way to research more into both what works…
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By His Stripes, I Am Healed
To say it was a Sunday like any other would be a lie. In truth, I should have realized something was different early on. Though my husband made no comment to me, he didn’t even want to go to church that morning. Even I lacked the usual energy and excitement that I usually had in going to my place of freedom. The music didn’t reach me the same. I barely sang, and I could only manage a sway while everyone danced and clapped around me. I still had no idea of what was to come. Though my body was only a few feet from the alter, my mind was elsewhere.…
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Could You Wait One Hour?
When Jesus said He was coming back soon, more than likely His disciples and followers took that literally. They had seen Jesus. They had seen Him live and die and rise again. They had seen Him return, and they lived expecting that He could return again at any moment. Soon. He said soon. And they made sure to live as blameless as possible because His return could be any minute. But time went on. And how impatient did the church get through time! How tired of waiting did we get! Since the time of Jesus’ departure, we’ve only grown more and more lax in our Christian walk because maybe “soon”…
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Repair the Breach
There once was a rich man, who though interestingly was never named, lived a life of absolute luxury. And at his gate every day, laid a beggar named Lazarus, who only sought for the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. While the rich man dressed in the finest attire, Lazarus was dressed in wounds and sores that were licked by dogs. These two men obviously lived completely different lives. But neither was spared from death. When the day came that both Lazarus and the rich man died, angels brought Lazarus up to Abraham’s side. The rich man however, ended up in hell. When the rich man looked up…
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Dreaming of Hell
The First Dream When I was younger, I had a dream that terrifyingly embedded itself into my mind for years to come. The dream began as normal as any dream can, until suddenly, everything turned pitch black. It was such an empty, hollow blackness, a never ending void with nothing able to be seen before you or around you. And from that desolate pit, I heard the whisper, “It’s too late.” It was hell. Without a doubt, I knew I had gone to hell. And while I knew and know that hell is far worse than that, it was enough for me. It’s too late. No second chances. No extra…
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A Daily Prayer
The following poem was written by my brother, Jason Vicknair. Less than a year later, he passed away due to a drug overdose. This would be one of the last poems he ever wrote: Lord, keep us safe and our loved ones well. Lord, bless this home and all who inside dwell. Lord, grant me the patience to wait for myself. Lord, grant me the endurance to keep my Bible off the shelf. Lord, grant me the diligence to follow Your path. Lord, grant me the knowledge to stay away from Your wrath. Lord, grant me humility to keep me from pride. Lord, grant me the strength to hang on…
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Searching the Heart
Recently, our country was hit with the painful reminder that there is still so much hate residing within us that needs to be addressed. This hate is nothing new. Racism is nothing new. In fact, as time grows closer each day to the end of time altogether, we sadly cannot be surprised by this spirit of division attacking us. However, that doesn’t mean we have to condone it. It All Begins in the Heart Growing up on the outskirts of New Orleans, “The Melting Pot”, my community was nothing but diverse in both color and culture. And though I am a white woman from a white family, I was thankfully…
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If You Seek Justice, Seek God
Recently, I began a Bible Study with a small group of women. Upon asking God where to begin, I was led to the book of Esther. At first, I felt it was unnecessary for us to read about a woman just because we were women. But as soon as I began my research on the book, I quickly understood why He chose Esther. Because believe it or not, the events of Esther are actually very similar to what we are going through today. Overwhelmed by the situation in the world, our Bible study began with discussing racism. As younger women, we couldn’t believe we were still dealing with the same…
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The Way, The Truth, & The Lyme
The Testimony of Jessica Johnson Creatively Transcribed by April Normand When I say Lyme Disease, what is the first thing you think of? Ticks, no doubt. Want to know what I think of? The inability to walk. The feeling of cement in my legs. Being completely unable to move my neck. Inflammation within and behind my eyes that makes it too painful to even see. Spine shattering, gut damaging, life changing chronic illness. That’s what I think of. My Story My name is Jessica Johnson. I was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, a place of beaches, campgrounds, military, and shrimping. Where small town living meets the big city. The…
