In His Image

“So God created mankind IN HIS OWN IMAGE, in the image of God he created them; MALE AND FEMALE he created them.” Genesis‬ ‭1:27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Dear Heavenly Father,

It’s so humbling and honoring to know that you love us, both males & females, so much that you created us in your image. From the very beginning, you’ve loved us and continue to in ways we struggle to understand. Please open our hearts to love with your mercy and eyes to see in your justice. Help us live lives as Jesus has taught us and loving others without reserve. Dear Lord, I also continue to pray that you give me the courage and wisdom to fulfill the purpose you have created me for!

I pray this prayer in Jesus’s name. Amen.

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My Tangled-Up Roots

I grew up in a little United Methodist Church that my Granny attended every Sunday long before I was a thought. My mother, being a good daughter-in-law, joined her. The men-folk really didn’t go to church, especially during ‘deer season.’ My memories of church in those days included early morning Sunday school taught by someone’s mom and sitting in church trying not to get in trouble. One particular service, as I’ve been told, I stood up on the pew and shouted back at the pastor to “hush!” Needless to say, I also have some memories of being drug out to the front steps during service. My mom once told me later that if she wanted to put me in the church’s nursery that she would have to go teach it, then missing church to begin with. After service, the whole family, cousins and parents would go back to Granny’s house for lunch. That’s where the men would be.

My mother was the first strong woman from my memories. She was

Moving Forward

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for loving so much! In all our brokenness, in all the disappointing ways we hurt each other, you are ready to redeem us in our surrender. Thank you for creating me with the passions and fight for equality, justice, and mercy. Thank you for teaching me to forgive by forgiving and loving me first. I pray you guide and teach me when to be still and when to move; when to be silent and when to shout; when to stand firm and when to march. I pray that I fulfill the purpose you created me for in ways that brings you glory. I pray for continued strength, integrity, and discipline to continue moving forward.

In Jesus’s name, I pray these things. Amen.

Nail-biting Feminist Banshee…Christian

Have you ever built a new life so different than the one you had?

When I was a young girl I would dream about moving away and starting over; packing a backpack and peddling my bike into the sunset. I read more Boxcar Children books than I probably should have. I especially yearned for change when I was in that awkward pre-teen, everyone is staring at me, point in life. I had attended school with the same peer group from 2nd grade until my Senior year in small town, Mississippi. Your reputation and social group was solidified in elementary school leaving very little room for mobility. I graduated high school at just 17 years old. So naturally, I started my college education at the local community college. In those early days, I began having panic attacks from feeling suffocated from living in a place that I felt was closing in on me. My values that I didn’t quiet understand yet, did not align culturally with the normalized sexism and racism that was just as common as sweet tea. When I was finally launched, I sought out strong females to guide me. I met some amazing women along the way who helped me develop my strength and find my voice.

Woes on the Pharisees and the Experts in the Law

Now then, you Congressmen clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?  But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you.

Shame to you Congressmen, because you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.

Letter to the Senate Healthcare Working Group

Dear Sirs,

I am a constituent of New Orleans. I work in nonprofit and my husband works in the film industry. We are taxpayers and voters. We are also foster parents of an active 6-year-old boy. We are teaching him how to read, what foods are healthy, showing him how to play soccer, and be a good friend. He has ADHD, on medication, and sees a psychiatrist monthly. Due to his speech delays, he also has a speech therapist. He wears glasses because he has a weak eye. Will all of these issues he is being cared for be considered a preexisting condition in his future?    

Breaking Financial Chains (New Update)

I wrote an old fashioned check, stuffed it into an envelope with a forever stamp, and sent it off to the bank. My car is now paid off! 

You can read about the beginning of my journey to climb out of debt in My Testimony: Breaking financial chains (in progress). To summarize I was in over $72,000.00 in debt before

Multiple Dimensions of NOLA

I live in New Orleans; city of festivals, Mardi Gras, tourism, Cajun food, and jazz music. The one year anniversary of taking faith steps of moving here is around the corner. The city and I have become good friends, quickly. I slid right into step with the culture. Although I’m not native I am proud to now consider myself a local. I can give you directions and tell you the best places to eat. I have bowls of beads on my table. I know not to wear flip-flops to the quarter. I’ve experienced roaches bigger than my dog and been swarmed by termites.  I’ve also become pretty much ok with being soaked with sweat any given day of the very long summer.

Put Me In Coach!

Over the last year I’ve been

Reblog: NOLA Church Writes 44 Cards of Inspiration

NOLA Church partnered with Free-NOLA and on March 5th hosted an awareness event for individuals who want to personally get involved in local rescue efforts. A human trafficking film, Nefarious: Merchant of Souls, was screened followed by the honored guest and speaker Diane Amos. Written on Your Heart hosted a card making table at the event and collected 44 cards from the guests. These cards will be sent to Eden House in New Orleans and two other safe houses in Ohio and Colorado. READ MORE…

 

Running for Runaways

Whelp, I signed up to RUN for RUNAWAY youth. I’m running a 10K in the Crescent City Classic in New Orleans. I have a fundraising goal of only $200 and I would love to bust through that number!

CLICK HERE to help!

I’ve been volunteering at Covenant House since June. They provide a safe haven for homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth (ages 22 and under). They have provided over 20,000 kids with food, shelter, clothing, medical care, educational & vocational support, individual & family counseling, job readiness & placement, short & long-term housing, life skills, and more. I’ve seen firsthand how big their hearts are for the youth of New Orleans.