Returning to Intimacy

Category: Spiritual Category

  • What’s Your Nineveh?

    Father, You are sovereign and merciful, patient beyond measure. You are the God who calls, who pursues, and who redeems. No one is beyond Your reach, and no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. You are slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, desiring that all would turn to You. We worship You for Your wisdom, Your justice, and Your unfailing grace.

    Lord, we confess that we are often like Jonah. We hear Your call, yet we run, whether out of fear, pride, or reluctance. We resist when You ask us to love those we find difficult, to speak truth where it is uncomfortable, or to step into places that stretch our faith. Forgive us for our disobedience, for placing our own will above Yours. Forgive us for doubting that Your plans are always greater than our own.

    Thank You, Father, for not giving up on us. Just as You pursued Jonah, You pursue us with unwavering love. Thank You for the storms that redirect us, the moments of grace that bring us to surrender, and the second chances You freely give. Thank You for the privilege of being part of Your work, for using imperfect people to accomplish Your perfect will.

    Lord, give us hearts that are quick to obey. Fill us with courage to step into the unknown, trusting that where You call us, You go before us. Align our hearts with Yours so that we desire what You desire. Help us to love as You love, to speak as You speak, and to act as You command. When fear tries to hold us back, remind us that obedience is always better than running. Let our lives be a reflection of Your mercy and truth, leading others to You.

    In Jesus’ name, 

  • An Eagle’s Strength

    Which animal would you compare yourself to and why?

    I would compare myself to an eagle. Eagles have sharp vision, soaring high above while keeping their eyes on the big picture. I feel that I have a deep sense of purpose and the Holy Spirit has given me the ability to see beyond the surface, whether in the book I published, through journaling, my ministry of song, or my work with the homeless, and low income families in my community. Just like the eagle who is a fierce protector of her eaglets, is much like how I am with my children, and those I advocate for who are overlooked or struggling.

    Plus, eagles go through renewal processes, shedding old feathers to grow stronger. I’ve embraced new challenges, throughout my whole life, at times afraid, all the while staying true to my mission. With the Holy Spirit’s help, I have risen above obstacles with strength and faith, just like an eagle riding the wind, flying high above the storms.

  • Breaking Chains with Love: A Journey of Faith in the County Jail

    One of the most defining and faith-testing moments of my life came in 2018 when the Holy Spirit led me into an unfamiliar and intimidating place, the County Jail. It was shortly after my husband had transitioned home, and though grief weighed heavily on my heart, God had a calling for me in that season. He was sending me to bring His love to incarcerated women who longed for change, women who desperately needed to know that they were still seen, still loved, and still worthy of redemption.

    I knew this mission was from God because, despite my initial fears, the process of gaining approval to serve in the jail was seamless. Doors opened effortlessly, and the Holy Spirit’s presence was undeniable in every session I led. With each visit, I came to understand a truth that would shape my ministry: before discipleship, there must be relationship. It wasn’t enough to simply teach the Word, I needed to first show these women that they were valued, heard, and embraced by God’s love.

    However, one of the greatest challenges I faced in the Return to Intimacy classes was the ever-changing group of inmates. Many women were transferred or released before deep relationships could be formed. Yet, amid the constant shifting, there were three women who remained present for almost every session—three women who, by the grace of God, surrendered their lives to Christ.

    The Holy Spirit moved powerfully during our time together, and I witnessed remarkable transformations in those who were able to consistently attend the eight-week classes. But the most powerful moments came from an unexpected source, letters of encouragement written by students from a Christian Academy.

    Oh, how the Spirit moved! When I read those letters aloud, chains, both spiritual and emotional, began to break. Tears streamed down faces. Hope was rekindled in weary hearts. Women who had felt forgotten were reminded that they mattered.

    One letter, written by an eighth-grade student, deeply touched the women:

    Student’s Letter:

    Dear Beautiful, Talented Women,

    I know that you don’t hear it a lot, but you are very beautiful, and you have the potential to do whatever it is you set your mind to. Don’t let this trial dictate the rest of your life. God is going to bring great joy to you, something beyond what you could ever imagine, if you just keep your mind on Jesus.

    If you have children, they are looking forward to seeing you soon, and that will happen as long as you stay prayed up and focused on God.

    Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.”

    You are beautiful. You have a purpose. You are special. Don’t let anyone EVER tell you otherwise.

    — 8th Grader

    The response from one of the inmates was equally powerful, filled with gratitude and a renewed sense of hope:

    Inmate’s Response:

    To the students of this Divine School—

    Even though children of God never stop working, I want to thank you all for taking the time to send us these letters. You have no idea how much we need the hope of God here. We need people to remind us that somewhere, somebody still cares. Your words give us hope, that we will get out of here and return to a “normal,” God-purpose-filled life.

    Most of us want to do the right thing. We know there is a God who loves us so much, but somewhere along the way, we just forget. It’s like when Peter walked on water but lost focus for just a moment.

    Thank you for keeping us lifted with your letters and prayers. Please keep writing to us. Your words remind us that hope is alive, that God is still moving, and that we are still His.

    God bless you all, and never forget that you are children of God with smiling hearts. Share a smile and know that you are loved.

    — Female Inmate

    I thank God for using the Holy Spirit to silence my fears and allow me to be His vessel during that season. Every tear shed, every heart softened, and every soul that turned back to Him was a testimony of His love and power. I may have walked into that jail uncertain of what lay ahead, but I left knowing without a doubt that God was working.

    His love sees beyond prison walls. His grace reaches into the darkest places. And His hope restores the most broken hearts.

    To God be the glory!

  • A Letter to Abba

    Write a letter to your 100-year-old self.

    Dear Abba,

    Here I am at 100, looking back on the life You’ve given me, the journey You’ve carried me through. As I sit in Your presence, I can’t help but smile, knowing that every step, every joy, every trial was ordered by Your hand. I see now what I couldn’t always see then: You were with me in it all.

    Do You remember when I felt unsure, questioning if I was doing enough, if I was truly making a difference? I can almost hear You whisper back, “Child, I was guiding you all along.” The books, some never published but freely shared, the fundraisers, volunteering in community services programs, those weren’t just my dreams, were they? They were Yours, placed in my heart, nurtured by Your love, and fulfilled in Your perfect time.

    Abba, I thank You for the strength You gave me when I felt weak during the loss of those dear to my heart, for the doors You opened when I couldn’t see a way through. You allowed me to be a vessel of compassion, to pour into others what You so graciously poured into me. The people I once prayed for, the homeless, the forgotten, the brokenhearted, and some, I now see their lives restored, their spirits lifted. Not because of me, but because of You working through me.

    I wonder, Abba, was I faithful with all You entrusted to me? Did I reflect Your love the way You desired? Did I bring You joy? I long to hear those words from You: “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” That is all my heart has ever wanted, to walk in step with You, to love as You love, to finish the race You set before me with grace and gratitude.

    As I sit in this moment, my body may be aged, but my spirit is as alive as ever, filled with the same wonder I had as a child. Because with You, Abba, time is nothing, and love is eternal. Thank You for never letting me go. Thank You for writing my story with such care. Thank You for being my Father, my guide, my everything.

    Forever Yours,
    Your Daughter at 100

  • Reorienting Your Life Around God’s Word and Fellowship

    Sunday’s message was a powerful reminder that our lives are best anchored in the Word of God and enriched through true fellowship. Drawing from Acts 2:42-47, the call is twofold:

    Anchor in Apostolic Doctrine:
    When we align our lives with the apostolic teachings, we create a solid foundation much like the Temple and the Table. Jeremiah 23:29 urges us to reorient our entire lives around the Word of God, emphasizing that Scripture is our tether to God. Just as the Bereans in Acts 17 diligently searched the Scriptures, we too are encouraged to seek truth and ensure our doctrine is firmly rooted in God’s revealed truth.

    Center on Fellowship:
    The early church demonstrated that genuine fellowship isn’t just a social activity; it’s integral to living out our faith.  Our Microchurch Pastor testified that reorienting our lives around authentic community means coming together to share life, support one another, and worship collectively. This communal bond reinforces our spiritual journey, ensuring that our personal growth and collective worship go hand in hand.

    In essence, Sunday’s message challenges us to examine our lives: Are we truly rooted in God’s word? And are we nurturing meaningful fellowship? The answer lies in a life reoriented around both the unchanging truth of Scripture and the warmth of a community that lives it out daily.

    Heavenly Father,
    We come before You with grateful hearts, seeking to reorient our lives around Your everlasting Word and the fellowship You so graciously provide. Just as the early believers gathered as a living temple and broke bread together at the table, we ask that You mold us into vessels of Your presence and instruments of Your love.

    Lord, help us to be ever mindful that Your Word is our foundation. May it dwell richly within us, guiding our thoughts, actions, and relationships. Transform our hearts into sanctuaries where Your truth and compassion abound, so that we may reflect Your holiness in every aspect of our lives.

    We also pray for the spirit of true fellowship, that we may embrace one another with warmth and understanding. As we share meals and moments of genuine connection, let our gatherings become a testimony to Your grace and a beacon of hope in our community. May our bonds strengthen as we support one another in both joy and sorrow, always mindful of Your tender care.

    In times of challenge, remind us of the safe haven we have in You, a temple where Your Spirit dwells and a table where we share in the sustenance of Your love. Empower us to seek Your truth with the same diligence as the Bereans, and to extend compassion and hospitality to all around us.

    We thank You for the gift of Your Word and the blessing of fellowship. Guide us daily to live in a way that honors Your presence, drawing us ever closer to You and to one another. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen.

  • The God Who Sees

    El Roi, the God who sees all things, the God who is our refuge and strength, we come before You today knowing that nothing escapes Your gaze. You see the brokenhearted, the oppressed, and the weary. You see the injustice that grips our world, the suffering of the innocent, the cries of the silenced, and the burdens placed on the vulnerable.

    Father, as your word says in Psalms 91:2, “Youare our refuge and our fortress; and in you Father God, we will trust.”Lord, just as You saw Hagar in the wilderness, see those who feel forgotten today. Strengthen the weary, defend the defenseless, and bring justice where wrong has prevailed. Open the eyes of those in power to act with righteousness and truth. Stir the hearts of Your people to be instruments of Your justice, mercy, and love.

    Father, we trust that in due time, You will right every wrong. Until then, give us boldness to stand for truth, wisdom to act with compassion, and faith to believe that You are working, even when we cannot see.

    We rest in the promise that You are El Roi, the God who sees, who knows, and who cares. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

  • Pray Without Ceasing!

    Heavenly Father,

    We come before You in this urgent hour, standing watchful and sober-minded as Your Word instructs. You are the Sovereign God, who rules over the nations, and nothing escapes Your sight. Your Word declares in Isaiah 2:4 that You shall judge between the nations and rebuke many people. They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.

    Lord, we see the signs of the times, wars and rumors of wars, nations rising against nations, kingdoms against kingdoms. Famines, pestilences, earthquakes, and sorrows fill the earth just as Your Son, Jesus, forewarned. The spirit of antichrist seeks to deceive many, and the spirit of delusion moves across the land. But You have not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.

    We pray for discernment to recognize the hour in which we live. Keep us sober and vigilant, watching and praying without ceasing. Let our hearts not be weighed down by the cares of this life, but fixed on You the Author and Finisher of our faith.

    Father, we declare that we want what You want, nothing more, nothing less. Align our hearts with Your will. Let Your kingdom come, and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Cover us under the shadow of Your wings. Strengthen Your Church to stand as a light in the darkness, proclaiming the gospel with boldness and unwavering faith.

    We plead the blood of Jesus over our families, our communities, our nation, and the nations of the world. Preserve the minds of Your people from deception. Release a spirit of repentance and revival across the land. May we endure to the end, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the hope of glory.

    In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

  • God Cares

    What is one question you hate to be asked? Explain.

    A friend once asked me, with a hint of sarcasm, “If God is so loving, why does He allow suffering, pain, and death?” I could sense that the question likely stemmed from a place of deep hurt or confusion, but in the moment, I became defensive, almost as if God needed me to defend Him. Looking back, I realize I should have responded with compassion, wisdom, and biblical truth, while also acknowledging that some aspects of God’s divine plan remain a mystery beyond our understanding.

    God created us with “free will” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20, Joshua 24:15). He does not force us to love or obey Him, but rather, He gives us the choice. Unfortunately, humanity’s choice to sin, beginning with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3), brought brokenness, suffering, and death into the world (Romans 5:12). Sin corrupts everything: relationships, health, morality, and even nature itself.

    This means that much of the pain we see is not because God is cruel, but because sin has consequences, and we live in a fallen world.

    Even though God allows suffering, He never wastes it. He uses it for His greater purpose. Joseph was sold into slavery and unjustly imprisoned, but God later elevated him to save many lives (Genesis 50:20).

    Job suffered immense loss, but his story reveals that God’s wisdom is beyond human understanding, and Job’s faith was strengthened (Job 1 & 42).

    Jesus Himself suffered and died for our sins so that we could be reconciled to God (Isaiah 53:5, Romans 5:8).

    He gave me His peace that surpassed all understanding, alone in the room, when both my husband and only brother transitioned home. (Philippians 4:7)

    Though we don’t always understand why certain things happen, we trust in God’s goodness and eternal perspective.(Isaiah 55:8-9).

    One of the most beautiful truths is that God does not leave us in suffering forever. Through Jesus, He offers eternal life where there will be no more pain, tears, or death. (Revelation 21:4). God allows suffering in this life, but He has already provided the ultimate rescue plan through Jesus Christ. Our pain is temporary, but His promise is eternal.

    God is not distant or indifferent to our suffering.
    Jesus wept when Lazarus died (John 11:35). God is close to the brokenhearted. (Psalm 34:18). He gives us strength and comfort
    in our trials (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

    We may not always get the answers we want, but we get God Himself, walking with us through every storm.

    I’ve come to realize that the very people who ask this question are seeking hope. Our response should always point them to God’s love, redemption, and presence in the midst of suffering. We may not have all the answers, but we can offer them the hope found in Jesus Christ.


  • Our Source Is God!

    We are living in a world that is getting darker with each passing day. When someone holds so much power and influence, especially in areas that directly impact people’s livelihoods, it’s crucial that they lead with wisdom, fairness, and compassion. Unfortunately, many leaders in our world prioritize efficiency, control, and personal ambition over the well-being of others.

    Firing people without notice, disrupting industries, and making drastic changes without concern for how it affects everyday workers can feel heartless and unjust. It reminds me of how the Bible warns against the love of money and power over people. Proverbs 22:16 says, “Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.” True leadership, as God shows us, is about serving others, not just making profits or advancing technology at the expense of human dignity.

    At the same time, it’s a reminder that we can’t put our trust in human leaders. No matter how much power someone has, they are still just a person, flawed, limited, and ultimately accountable to God. As Psalm 146:3-5 says, “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save… Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.”

    Even as we see these things unfold, we can pray that God will soften the hearts of leaders, that those affected by these decisions find new opportunities, and that we as believers stay focused on our true source of provision and justice.

  • Come Lord Jesus!

    Prayer of Longing, Surrender, and Preparation

    Abba Father, our soon coming King,

    We come before You with hearts open, desiring to know You more. You are the God who sees and knows our beginning and our end. (Revelation 22:13). Thank You for revealing the mystery of Your will that through Jesus, You are reconciling all things to Yourself (Ephesians 1:9-10).

    Lord, we acknowledge You as Judge, because You are righteous and just. As King, because You reign with power and authority, and as Bridegroom, because Your heart is full of love, longing for intimacy with Your people. Help us not to fear Your coming, but to embrace You with expectation and hope (Zechariah 12:10).

    Jesus, You are the King who was born to die, the Lamb who was slain, and yet You live forevermore. You are our blessed hope. Ignite in us a longing for Your return, not out of fear, but from a deep desire to be with You.

    Holy Spirit, teach us how to cultivate oil in our lamps like the wise virgins. (Matthew 25:1-13). Draw us into daily communion with You. Help us to prioritize intimacy over performance, presence over busyness, and trust over fear. Let our hearts burn with love for You.

    In moments where fear tries to grip our hearts, remind us of Jesus’ prayer in John 17, that we are one with You, even as You and the Father are One. Perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18), and Your love is perfect toward us.

    We choose today to embrace You, not as a distant God, but as the Bridegroom who is coming for His Bride. As we wait, may we be found faithful, filled with oil, and shining brightly in this dark world.

    Even so, Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20)
    Our hearts are Yours now and forever. In Jesus’ name.

    Amen.