The Nothing Blog

We can use social media for good or for evil.  I would like to answer my own question, "Is There Anything Good Coming Out of Social Media?"  I invite you to keep reading. It took a lingering head cold to get me to finally slow down and truly rest today. I knew it was the wisest way to get rid of the heavy congestion and annoying weariness of being sick! I was not interested to tune in cable TV so my mind could tune out and snooze. I realized this was the weekend for me to officially revive my love of reading good books! Hey, even as a very young girl I dreamed of becoming a librarian so I could be around lots of books every day!  We lived in Pennsylvania at the time and I absolutely loved going into the big public library, the ceilings were so high and the dark wood on the front desk was so tall and long. It was the same wood as the bookshelves. And the tables where people were reading and writing...oh, I wanted to do that! All those many years ago you had to be very quie...

All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast. Proverbs 15:15 Every day we have to decide if we're going to host a pity party  -- in our hearts and minds-- or a festival. It's a mindset. It's faith. Or unbelief. Will we believe God's promise that  "in all these things (suffering, pain, persecution, danger, etc.) we'll be more than conquerors through Christ who loved us [while we were sinners]"   (Romans 8:37)? Will we believe that " nothing [such as angels or demons nor any powers]  in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:37-39)? Look, He is our total security! Hey! Time to celebrate!  Over and over we can read throughout Scripture, God is glorified when His children are thankful and joyful towards Him. "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" ...

For decades I've been passionate about encouraging women to seek the Lord so they could see and know His amazing ways. Women encouraging women  can be a very powerful force for good. Women understand each other and will often intuitively come alongside to support one another, meet for intercessory prayer, or gather to wipe tears, give hugs, laugh until they can't breathe, drink coffee, eat too much guacamole and chips, or study God's word. That's why for many years I've been compelled to organize and lead countless Bible studies in churches and in the marketplace, been invited to be the women's ministry leader in three churches. I've been both breakout and keynote speakers in conferences. I've authored and taught my own Bible studies. I've written a trilogy of devotionals (Totally Devoted) to encourage generations of women, everywhere! It's been a driving force for me; women will be on the road to freedom if we will seek Him and dig into His word...

This photo: Nora & I met once a week during her lunch break at Woodmont Golf & Country Club in Canton, GA,  from 2009 -- 2010 for a devotional study and prayer time in the Ladies Locker Room/Lounge. She was attending the Woodmont Ladies Bible Study (2000-2009) with us when she was able to take a break from her work at the club. My Friend Nora At the time of this writing Jesus has gently taken hold of Nora's hand. She’s now receiving Hospice care 24/7 and Jesus is preparing her to come with Him to her heavenly home very soon. Her loving, broken-hearted family knows Jesus is close enough to be holding her hand, preparing them to let her go to be with Him. They’ve remained close by her physically and emotionally watching her health rapidly decline in her long battle with cancer. Many hearts are broken at the thought that soon Nora will not be here with us all. Her radiant presence, her smile, her love, her prayers for others, and her beautiful, humble spirit will be missed ter...

God will never stop being awesome.  It's very difficult to comprehend His greatness and His goodness. He is eternal and infinite. Like the pounding water of Niagara Falls, His heart beats and gushes unconditional love for His children. He knows when we suffer. He knows why we're hurting. He sees us when we're fearful and filled with anxiety. He makes it possible for us to overcome evil with good. He sees us as we celebrate His lovingkindness toward us, too! And just think, our worship of Him is music to His ears--"He is enthroned on our praises" (Psalm 22:3). Whoohoo! So yes, He is awesome! As His children in this broken world we desperately need Him to keep showing us His magnificent love and power! And if we will draw near to Him we will see He is constantly working to accomplish His purposes -- for His glory and our good. Are we amazed at God?  Are we in awe and wonder of His love and greatness? In all our pain, in our struggles against sin, and the temptations...

"All Israel was listed in the genealogies recorded in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. They were taken captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness." 1 Chronicles 9:1 When God put His rebellious, idolatrous children in  Time Out   -- that is, had them taken into captivity to Babylon -- it was because they relentlessly pushed the limits of the loving, long-suffering character of the Father!  This book of the Bible is rampant with descriptions of evil behavior. It was an evil culture!  Kings were seeking and creating idols to guide them and bless them. Generations of idolaters puffed up with pride.  Yes, God never changes. He will always be the One and Only True God. Jesus prayed, "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent" (John 17:3).  He is holy and wants us to be holy. He will lovingly discipline His children for choosing to grow prideful, hard hearts instead o...

Nora Joiner has been in and out of hospitals for the past three years after the cancer invaded her body again. She's been rushed to the ER in the middle of the night countless times due to excruciating pain from her illness. Her beloved husband, Mike, faithfully and prayerfully remains at her side.   2017 photo with her daughter Julie  2017 photo hospital stay Today, at this writing sweet, dearly loved Nora, is in now Hospice care at their home in Holly Springs. Her health is declining daily, her hair is gone from chemo treatments, her physical strength is depleted from so much weight loss,  but she will still lift her thin arm in praise to her God when she hears worship music. That's who she is. No matter what, she will praise and love her Savior. The Joiners are passionate Christians and faithfully tithe and serve others in countless ways.  And now Nora and her family need prayer and financial help from the community. Mike and Nora's finances have been depleted d...