The Journey

Photo by Tracey Hocking In a former life, I loved to entertain guests in my home. I still enjoy having company, but in a more relaxed, down-home manner without all the fine- dining hoopla. There was a time when I entertained quite a bit, but as life goes, seasons have changed, and single-parenting two kids has become my reality. So, I have not really had the opportunity as of late. Well, not until this morning. Before I finished my first aroma-filled cup of piping hot coffee, there were two, spontaneous visitors, each unaware of the other, heading my way. This NEVER happens and sheer excitement flooded my soul! That is, until I took a quick glance at my not so tidy surroundings. Now that I could see clearly without the sleepy and utter elation clouding my vision, I yelled, "O dear Lord, my house!" Disarray does not even describe what I was beholding on this glorious morning. I leapt from my cozy spot on the sofa with the Ninja swiftness that takes over like Superman headed ...

Photo by: Keyur Nandaniya This week I experienced pain and grief like I have not felt in quite some time. Blindsided, I experienced an overwhelming, devastating, painful wreckage. The toll of the complete stress I have endured for many weeks manifested itself yesterday. During Sunday morning worship, I collapsed---body, soul, mind, and even spirit.  Complete shutdown.  Okay, how did I get here, again? Then, revelation fell from Heaven and came to rest in my soul.  All this turmoil began with just one lie.  1 Kings 13 recounts the events that led to the violent death of a prophet while on divine assignment by God. Though I have read this story many times, the tragedy always perplexed me. Here we read of a man on a mission by the Lord who traveled to Bethel to confront the king about the ritual of burning incense on the altar which was in defiance of God's law. The man of God was commanded by God to neither eat nor drink in that place nor...