“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” -Proverbs 18:21

Shortly after we launched Christians Engaged, the Lord put the above verse on my heart—specifically as it relates to the way in which we speak of our government officials and leaders.

As I read the content of our first few weekly 5:55 prayer texts, I came to realize that there was a disconnect within my own heart and life between my prayers on Monday and my general political conversation throughout daily life…

“I live in that solitude which is painful in youth, but delicious in the years of maturity.” -Albert Einstein

As a millennial I’m always on the move—attending meetings, completing items on what seems to be a never-ending to-do list—and that’s how I like it. I consult various political clients, I teach for a college, I lead a non-profit that hosts summits to educate youth on conservative principles, and I sit on advisory boards of a few non-profits. I’m a doer, and in the past, it’s been hard for me to sit still for too long without going stir crazy. However, in the wake of this Covid-19 Coronavirus Pandemic…

Charles Dickens wrote in A Tale of Two Cities, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…” describing a time in the 1700’s. In that same era, the First Great Awakening happened in America which for the most part focused on people who were already church members, pulling them away from ritual and ceremony only and making religion “personal” to the average person.

Does Dickens describe our current situation today?

As an African American female who loves America and loves prayer, I was recently grieved by the mocking I saw online of Vice President Mike Pence and the Coronavirus Task Force as they prayed for answers for our nation as it relates to the coronavirus.

The picture that accompanied the criticism showed white men, many with white hair, PRAYING with their heads bowed. The criticism centered on BOTH the ACT of praying and the RACE of those praying. Both under attack…

“Now may the GOD of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace IN believing, that you may abound in HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.” -Romans 15:13

What do we do if we begin to show symptoms of illness?

“This HOPE we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast...” -Hebrews 6:19

I have always liked the picture of HOPE as a ROPE. It sounds funny - like a cool rhyme to laugh at, but it really makes sense. Our hope is attached to the promises of God and the character of God…

I have something to say, and if you don’t want to hear it, it is probably because you most need to hear it:

It is time to break off the fear that coronavirus is producing in our world.

This is not the first time we have faced disease and terror in our nation, and it won’t be the last…

It has been said: “If you want to change the world, draw a circle around yourself and start with everything inside the circle.” We agree with this, so if Christians wish to change the direction of our nation, we should begin by examining ourselves. This process begins with prayer…

Our nation is in a culture war. The fight is real, and the consequences will impact future generations to be sure.  The time is now for the Body of Christ to rise up and take our place to protect the God-ordained liberties and values this country was founded on.

It is time to join with ONE VOICE as believers in Christ, as Christians in this nation.

Did you know that the only time that the blessing of God is literally COMMANDED in scripture is found in Psalms 133 when “God’s people dwell together in UNITY”…

There is so much vying for our time and attention nowadays. How are we able to slow down and gather direction for the road ahead? 

Here are some thoughts to consider as we look at all there is to do in 2020…

You have probably heard the expression – wise men still seek Him.

As we think about the Christmas story and the miracle of God being born as a humble baby in the flesh – I want to move our hearts and minds toward the act and demonstration of worship and why it is important to combat the extremely ugly PRIDE that attacks our hearts as leaders.

Here is God in a humble form – a BABY - that in the natural shouldn’t cause wise men to marvel or seek after, but when they see Him, they fall on the ground and worship Him. Then they open their treasures that they are carrying on their journey and they present these extraordinary gifts to the baby king. This is extravagant worship!

Have you ever been intrigued by true stories filled with mystery, love affairs, crimes, assassinations and coups,  military strategy, law and courts, prophecies given and fulfilled, science and creation, the rise and fall of nations,  family discord and restoration, ancestry, adoption, details and destinies of individual lives, and supernatural miracles and events?  

I love to pray! I love to ponder on prayer, and I love to wait to hear or discern God’s direction or responses to those prayers. As I was reading Psalm 37 today, I was struck by the clarity with which that Psalm illustrated God’s powerful love and protection for His people. We are all familiar with these verses:

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your ways to Him, and He will do it.” Psalm 37:4-5