Afraid of being victimized again, I armed myself by keeping my bedside lamp on all night. I reasoned that, if the bad guy broke in, the light would allow me to see his face and identify him later in a police lineup. One bedtime, in desperation, I cried to God for help, and He brought Psalm 127:1 to mind: “Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.”
I’ve always carried “keep calm and carry on” as my personal motto, even before I married my British hubby. But I recently discovered I’d been getting it all wrong...
Welcome to Leading Hearts—an EPA award-winning magazine created by the members of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. As AWSA celebrates our 25th year, I find myself reflecting on what God has built through us—over 1,000 strong—women committed to using our words, our stories, and our gifts to glorify Him.
Easter has an awkward history no doubt. So many of the iconic images and traditions of Easter have pagan origins. But isn’t it amazing that most elements of Easter can be reclaimed to point to Christ? So where do some of our Easter symbols come from?
In the aftermath of this tragedy, God called me to forgive—not just the mother who had caused so much harm, but to extend grace and help where I could. It became clear that we couldn’t sit idly by while single mothers and their children suffered.
Years ago, hiking a mountain was just a dream. Trapped by yo-yo dieting, sugar addiction, morbid obesity, and emotional exhaustion, my heart was heavy with guilt and shame. But then everything changed! By God’s grace, I quit sugar and adopted a low-carb lifestyle. This decision renewed my mind and helped me gain a one-hundred-pound weight loss victory.
Spiritual warfare is real. According to 2 Corinthians 4:18, the spiritual realm is even more real than the physical world. But it’s challenging enough to do battle with the devils we can see, let alone the ones we can’t. Is it possible for Christians to stand up against spiritual attacks and make a difference in the world?
Experts believe the Widow Brain serves as a coping mechanism to protect us from the intense pain and grief of loss. We may think we are abnormal because the symptoms last so long; they can last up to one year or longer.
Have you ever had one of those days where everything seemed to fall apart? Maybe it’s not just a day—perhaps it’s weeks, months, or even years of turmoil and chaos. When everything feels like it’s crumbling, it’s easy to believe it will never get better. Hope can feel lost.
I sat alone with God, reflecting on the jobs I’d held. He lovingly explained that I was not defined by things He gave me to hold.