A spoken word to you from Valerie L. McMahon Broken, Battered. Used, Abused. Abandoned, Neglected. Accused, Rejected. Our stories are filled with pages that hold pain and carry shame. But, friend, listen to the Master Story Writer who knows you and calls you by name....
Hope
When Going Back Launches You Forward
Everything that has happened in your past has brought you to where you are today. EVERYTHING. Whether those experiences were sad or happy, traumatic or uplifting, forgettable or memorable, they have all led you to right here and now. When I was a little girl my...
Why Unpack Your Past?
Imagine setting out for a hike on a beautiful day. You have all the necessities for nourishment and survival - snacks, water, pocket knife, a first aid kit, flashlight, cell phone, etc. But βJUST IN CASEβ you also decided to pack your favorite magazines,...
The Lavish Love Of The Father
βSee what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!β 1 John 3:1 (NIV) There's a wideness in God's mercy I cannot find in my own And He keeps His fire burning To melt this heart of stone Keeps me...
The Gift of Intentional Gathering
Sitting on my couch with a warm cup of coffee in my hand, no makeup, sloppy ponytail (not even a trendy messy bun), fluffy dog on my lap and still in my pajamas. This is how I did church for over a year. After ten years of serving as a pastor at our church and...
The Intentional Journey Toward Spiritual Victory
I knew I shouldnβt do it. I had that icky feeling in my stomach like I was doing something wrong. Yet, I still did it. I gave in. Temptation. What about it makes us want to do what we know we shouldn't do? Temptation is like the trailer to a movie. It gives you just...
How To Intentionally Grow Healthy Relationships
I love gardening. I love helping bring something to life, nurturing it, and watching it flourish. I am not particularly great at gardening though. Any improvement Iβve had has come through the school of hard knocks: a plant I put in the wrong soil, a plant placed in...
Emmanuel: Hope Is Always With Us
Over the last few months, my daughter and I have been memorizing different passages of scripture. We started with Zephaniah 3:17: "The Lord your God is living among you, He is a mighty Savior. He will delight in you with gladness, with His love He will calm your...
How Hope Can Help A Weary World Rejoice
What a couple years we have been through! A global pandemic, social and political unrest; economic as well as personal crises are enough to cause a world wide state of weariness. We get that sinking feeling. You know, the sensation of launching down a steep drop...