Restoring All Things Girls

He calls you chosen, royal, holy and His very own. Will you live by His definition of who you are? At some point, all of us have conformed to the world's lies. Our actions and lifestyles validated them. But now that we are in Christ, we have turned our backs on those lies. It's time to find our true purpose. Paul prayed that "the eyes of your understanding may be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance among the saints" (Eph. 1:18). Christ embodies every dream and hope, not only in heaven but also as an inheritance for you on earth. He gives you purpose, plans and a future. His death defines your life. When I look at God's holiness and then look at myself, it seems impossible that I have been created in the image of God. Looking at ourselves, we can only see what is possible. But looking at God, we can see the impossible: "But you are a chosen race, a ...

Text: Acts 16:11-15, Philippians 1:3-11, Hebrews 13:2, 1 Peter 4:9   When I was in my twenties, I adopted an unwritten motto: Life is short, make it beautiful. I loved the idea of making things pretty, and most often my design palette was my house. In my first house on Highland Hills Drive, I chose soft white walls and the palest carpet. For my kitchen, I picked a soothing, creamy-colored tile for the floors and an equally light countertop. I saw my house as a blank canvas on which to create a beautiful life. However, the house on Highland Hills was also a home to my family. My husband Will and I had three small children at the time and a black lab named Mike. I guess I don’t have to tell you that the people in my life (and Mike) often managed to inadvertently wreck my motto. When my kids had friends over, I was endlessly wiping up the muddy footprints that inevitably landed on my ‘beautiful’ creamy tile floors. Small, smudgy fingerprints always marked those li...

What a mighty God we serve!   I am so thankful that He is mine and I am His.   God indeed is a good God and I had the opportunity this week to share His goodness with a friend. I have recently come to know this person. He likes to joke around, especially about dying.   He often says, “If only God would kill me.   I have been begging Him for years to let me die. God has a sick sense of humor”, this he says with a smile and laugh. People need the Lord my friends.   I’m not sure how the conversation with him started, but God gave me the opportunity to share His love with him and to listen to his hurt, pain and regrets. My friend lost his wife many years ago to cancer.   He could not understand why a loving God would allow his wife to have cancer, suffer and die.   He said, “I was the one who did all the bad things.   I drank, did drugs and a host of other things, why her?   I once was a believing man, but not anymore”.   Out of ...

Mother Of 2-year-old Sexual Assault Victim: “They Told Me There Was Nothing I Could Do.” Restoring All Things Girls, "This story broke my heart. It is hard to believe that someone could commit such a heinous act towards a child. I have read many stories over the years of girls/women who entrust the care of their young child to the boyfriend, who unfortunately violates that trust. Please give careful thought and prayer to anyone entrusted with the care of your child. Please pray for this family, especially the mother for Gods peace in this situation as she deals with loss of this precious baby". The Oklahoma City police are investigating the death of a little girl. While her mother, Keah, was in class her boyfriend, Justin Lawson is accused of sexually assaulting her 2-year-old daughter. “You don’t look at a child like that. That’s wrong,” said the victim’s aunt, Sabrina Cudjo. “All my sister was trying to do was better herself and get on her feet. And you do this ...

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.  “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” Lamentations 3:22-24   I must give God praise for all He has done for me. He is always faithful. This past week was challenging and God is still shining the light in my heart saying come up higher in this area of your life.  His faithfulness to me overwhelms my soul and at time it moves me to tears. I am thankful God loves me and He loves you as well.

By Tonya Nash Lord, I pray that you be with every child that is returning back to school this year.   Protect them as they wait at the bus stop, ride the bus, travel by car, or walk to school. Keep them safe from dangers seen and unseen.   Help our crossing guards and bus drivers to remain attentive on their jobs. Give our children favor with their teachers and help them to pay attention in class.   Let this be their best year yet for academics, sports, and fine arts. Be with our children’s teachers this year.   Help them to teach in ways that each student can understand.   Let them have reasonable expectations of our children and give them patience whenever their patience meter is running low.   Bless the teachers with administrative support whenever needed. Help our children to stand against peer pressure.   Empower them to make decisions that will be pleasing in your sight.   Surround them with good friends that are p...

As a pastor, I speak with many people about their spiritual journey. From these interactions, I know that most individuals are not satisfied with their prayer life. They lack anticipation and faith, and time with God feels empty. Most likely, this is why many Christians pray so little and so passionlessly. Yesterday , we began looking at obstacles to a healthy prayer life. Let’s explore one more hindrance that blocks vibrant communication between God and us: impatience. Most of us have at some point brought our supplication to Jesus vigorously but did not see the desired results. Unfortunately, humans are, by nature, fainthearted. We get weary of asking and listening when all we perceive is silence. Remember, though, that God is not some “cosmic bellhop”; He does not act on our cue. In fact, if we could see the big picture as He can, we would gladly wait for His way and time. Actually, I believe that we benefit by not receiving all that we request. Understanding this conc...