CATEGORIES

Wonder-Working Vessels of Grace

Dr. Cathy Payne coordinates Global Missions Ministries for the Church of God of Prophecy internationally, where Cathy has ministered in more than 100 nations. Cathy obtained a Masters of Divinity from Pentecostal Theological Seminary and is currently enrolled in a Doctor of Ministry program with Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. She is also working toward a Doctor of Philosophy degree with Bangor University in South Wales, UK. Cathy and John have one son and five grandchildren.

Her Price Above Rubies

Lillie Duggar was born on April 8, 1896 and passed from this life on May 15, 1980. The years in between these two dates tell an extraordinary story of a woman’s dedication to the Lord and commitment to serving others. On February 17, 1919, after traveling from Harriman, Tennessee, Lillie arrived in Cleveland to start working at the world headquarters for the Church of God. She came to serve as a bookkeeper and subscription clerk.

TEACHING KIDS ABOUT SANCTIFICATION

Have you ever been in a room talking or teaching and suddenly your audience, family, or friends look at you with a puzzled look on their faces because of something you said? The word “sanctification” can cause quite a bit of questioning and confusion, not only to children but to adults; it is, after all, a pretty big, unusual word. Sanctification is a significant part of our vocabulary as believers, and our children should be introduced to this term from a young age so their understanding and experiences can work hand in hand. A child’s understanding grows and develops over time. As you teach kids about sanctification, it is important to remember that they too are growing spiritually and repetition, reinforcement, and grace are all necessary tools that you need as you instruct.

Things to Do for Mother's Day

No one knows you quite like your mom. She’s seen you at your worst, your best, and everything in between—and she still loves you! Moms across the globe work around the clock to provide for and nurture their families, often with little recognition or a “Thanks, Mom!”

A Mother's Pain

Jessica McCaleb Oldham is originally from Tennessee. She has been married to her husband, Van, for 14 years, and together they have four daughters. She homeschools and works part time as a nurse anesthetist in Nashville.

Preaching to Kids

Melissa Minter is the children’s pastor at Central Community Church in Chatsworth, Georgia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Math and Science from Lee University and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University. Melissa and her husband Scott serve on the International Children’s Ministry Task Force. She is the proud homeschooling mom of Laura, age 8, and Leah, age 7.

Resurrected Hospitality Luke 24:13–4 8

Caleb Rackard is an ordained minister in the Church of God of Prophecy. He serves as the senior pastor of Boaz COGOP and the associate pastor at Harvest Center COGOP in Collinsville, Alabama. He is currently enrolled at Spirit and Life Seminary, pursuing a Diploma in Wesleyan-Pentecostal Ministry. He lives in Collinsville, Alabama, with his wife Hannah, who serves with him in ministry, and their daughter, Suzannah.

CARING FOR KIDS IN CRISIS Part One: Children and Anxiety

Recently, the publication Reader's Digest printed a list of words added to our daily vocabulary since the world began battling the COVID-19 virus.

CONNECTIONS

One Child Fund Update

Celebrating God's Miraculous Provision

Over the past few months, we have witnessed an explosion of gospel ministry, resulting in an increase of new church plants and construction of worship centers among the nations.

Sharing God's Word from My Heart

Londa Richardson is the chief financial officer and corporate board secretary for the Tennessee Church of God of Prophecy. She is also manager and rental liaison for Hickory Hills Retreat and Conference Center in Dickson, Tennessee. Londa began preaching at 17 years of age and is a licensed COGOP minister. She runs highly successful retreats for the adults of Tennessee as state director of Thrive. She has pastored five churches and held state leadership positions in four states. She has been a city clerk as well as the president of both a local ministerial association and a chaplain’s association. Londa and her husband, Dwight, have been married 51 years and have two sons, Jeremi and Tyler, and three granddaughters, Laken, Eden, and Noa.

Jesus, Center of the Sermon A David and Goliath Case Study

Simon Rock ministers in the COGOP in Erlangen, Germany and is academic dean of THS, a theological school that is passionate about equipping the next generation of leaders. He holds a MA in Biblical Studies from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. He is married to Mutave Rock and has two daughters, Cara and Talitha. He is passionate about leading people deeper into the things of God.

Thus Says the Lord

Dr. Elias Rodriguez is a member of the faculty and instructor for the Center for Biblical Leadership. He has served as pastor and traveled and taught extensively throughout Latin America, Western Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, North America, and Africa. He has been a member of the Church’s Assembly Committee for Biblical Doctrine and Polity since 2006 and serves as its secretary. Dr. Rodriguez earned a Master of Divinity degree from Church of God Theological Seminary (now Pentecostal Theological Seminary) in 2007 and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 2014.

The Tower of Babel

Genesis 11:1–9 MSG

Treasures in Jars of Clay

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV). What a privilege it is to preach and teach from God’s Word!

UNITY IN A WORLD OF DIVERSITY

BRIAN JONES explores unity in a world full of challenges and diversity. Through different analogies and his own personal experience with meditation, he finds effective ways to achieve unity through the silence of the heart.

Spirituality

DR. ZACH BUSH is a renowned, multi-disciplinary physician and educator on the microbiome as it relates to human health, the environment, and our interconnected future. Here he extends this worldview into the spiritual realm and the field of consciousness, so as to co-create a sustainable and regenerative future for all of us, and understand the role of humanity in the greater scheme of things.

Women & Spirituality

Mirabai Bush is the author of Working With Mindfulness, co-creator of Google’s “Search Inside Yourself” program, cofounder of the Center for Contemplative Mind and Society and a founding board member of the Seva Foundation. She teaches contemplative practices, and has facilitated retreats, workshops and courses on spirit and action for over 20 years. To commemorate International Women’s Day, Mirabai spoke with Purnima Ramakrishnan on March 6, 2021.

Katara McCarty – Exhale

Katara McCarty is the source and inspiration for Exhale, a well-being App for Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color. In December 2020, she was interviewed by Mamata Venkat about her life-long journey creating resources for some of the most marginalized people in society, and her approach to spirituality.

What is Success?

Dr. Ichak Adizes shares what true success really means and what is needed to find success in everything we do.

The Ber Tree

V. RAMAKANTHA, Ph.D., is a former Indian Forest Service officer and member of the Green Initiative at the international Heartfulness Center, Kanha Shanti Vanam, India. Having spent most of his working life living in forests and jungles, in tune with the natural world, he shares his knowledge about some of the amazing medicinal plants of India, in this case the Ber Tree.

Decision-Making versus Implementation

DR. ICHAK ADIZES explores the different qualities and skills needed to make a decision and then to implement it – when to be open-minded and when to be closed-minded, and how to find a common interest so that all stakeholders can work together to implement a decision.

THE ZERO BALANCING POINT

JANMARIE CONNOR explores some practical ways to create harmony and balance where there is tension, conflict and disagreement. How can polar opposites coexist?

Feeling, Sensitivity and Consciousnes

ROS PEARMAIN, Ph.D., has been integrating the fields of psychology, psychotherapy and spirituality, through both practical and philosophical approaches, for over 40 years. Here she explores the way a spiritual practice opens up the levels of feeling and sensitivity, as we expand into deeper and deeper levels of consciousness, and how our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies are integrated through the heart.

Creating Balance FINDING YOUR COLORS AMIDST THE BLACK AND WHITE

MAMATA VENKAT opens up about the challenge of finding selfcompassion and self-acceptance in a world of judgment and criticism. She also offers 10 tips from her own experience about how to cultivate a self-nurturing approach to life.

TOO MUCH STUFF? FLOW AND F.L.O.W.

Inspired by Benedictine simplicity, BECKY GARRISON looks for ways to keep her space less cluttered.

RIGHT NOW, WE'RE ALL DYSREGULATED

Yoga teacher and somatic counselor HALA KHOURI shares ideas for moving toward self-regulation.

The REST Story

Despite a high-pressure job producing films, Tracee Stanley had everything under control. Prioritizing her own wellbeing made her more effective and efficient at work—which gave her time and space to prioritize her own wellbeing.

PEERING INTO THE FUTURE OF RETREATS

Retreat centers are ready to invite guests back onto their properties, but what that means may be vastly different in 2021 and beyond, even after the pandemic is under control.

6 SECRETS FOR PLANNING A RETREAT FOR A GROUP OF FRIENDS

You’ve envisioned it for ages—escaping for a retreat with a group of dear friends. You’re laughing together in terry-cloth robes and mud masks. Or maybe your gang is at a wilderness retreat, journaling around a fire pit. Perhaps your group is together deepening a faith practice, experiencing a festival, or traveling in an exotic locale. But getting your squad off on a retreat can easily become a logistical challenge (ever heard the term herding cats?). Here are six secrets for turning a “maybe someday” dream into a concrete, and pleasurable, reality.