Ruth Lopez-Whitfield
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Seeing Christ in Christmas Traditions
Nothing but wonderful. That’s what the Christmas season is. Wonderful smells from homey kitchens, fresh-cut evergreens and fragrant candles. Wonderful sounds from Christmas carols and seasonal classics such as Handel’s “Messiah.” Wonderful sights in almost every home and store. It is particularly wonderful for children. Their faces glow as they take in the different smells, …
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When You Don’t See an End to Your Trials
Have you ever asked God why? “Why me, Lord?” “Why not pick somebody else for this?” “Why am I always the one going through the fire?” In the good times we say, “Lord, I love You.” We quote, “Oh, in the volume of the book it is written of me I delight to do Your …
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Thank God for His Wonderful Gifts
I recently celebrated a birthday and was blessed with a barrage of cards and gifts. Well-wishing friends and relatives called, sent cards, gave gifts and took me to lunch. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. I felt loved and special. The years, which are considerable, seemed richer as I faced yet another chapter of my …
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What’s That Noise?
I came home from a women’s leadership meeting at church one night to find everyone had already gone to bed. Feeling hungry, I went into the kitchen and fixed myself a bowl of fresh blueberries. They were in season and were magnificent. Then I heard it. It was a strange noise I had never heard …
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Cherish the Day While You Can
Staring up at the ceiling in a dark hospital room, I wondered what was going to happen next. How did I end up here, Lord? A week ago I was walking, laughing, talking, working and enjoying myself, and today … Today I lay unable to move, turn over in bed without assistance or do anything …
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How to Manifest God’s Promises in Your Life
After years of owning used cars—dealing with surprise breakdowns on busy streets and highways, being stranded, and scrounging for money for car repairs and maintenance—we were finally able to buy a “new” car. It was new to us and we felt blessed indeed. It was a 1994 Taurus and we bought it late summer of …
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How God’s True Light Can Change Our Perspective
After many years of decorating our home with hand-me-downs and secondhand furniture, my husband and I were able to purchase some new living room furniture. I finally was able to select something we both really liked, a beautiful, heavenly blue sofa and love seat. We were at work when the furniture was delivered, so with …
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Why a Mother’s Prayer Can Change Everything
I remember seeing my mother kneeling at the side of her bed and praying aloud for each of her children and grandchildren. That memory is forever etched in my mind, and I will never forget sensing a strong presence of God through her intercession. I came away with a sense of reverential fear and trust …
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Lord, Teach Me to Wait
One of my favorite Scriptures is Isaiah 40:31: “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (KJV). Years ago those words were put to music, and I sang them and taught …
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Sharing Christ Through Christmas
Nothing but wonderful! That’s what the Christmas season is. Wonderful smells from homey kitchens, fresh-cut evergreens and fragrant candles. Wonderful sounds from Christmas carols and seasonal classics such as Handel’s “Messiah.” Wonderful sights in almost every home and store. It is particularly wonderful for children. Their faces glow as they take in the different smells, …
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Searching for Christ Among Worldly Christmas Traditions
Nothing but wonderful! That’s what the Christmas season is. Wonderful smells from homey kitchens, fresh-cut evergreens and fragrant candles. Wonderful sounds from Christmas carols and seasonal classics such as Handel’s “Messiah.” Wonderful sights in almost every home and store. It is particularly wonderful for children. Their faces glow as they take in the different smells, …
Searching for Christ Among Worldly Christmas Traditions Read More »
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Carriers of His Presence
One morning my husband, Art, and I were on our way to work. He was driving me to the school where I taught, and I was holding a gift from him in my lap—a pot of my favorite flowers, mums that look like daisies.
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A Mom’s Prayer Can Change Her Child’s Future
I remember seeing my mother kneeling at the side of her bed and praying aloud for each of her children and grandchildren. That memory is forever etched in my mind and I will never forget sensing a strong presence of God through her intercession. I came away with a sense of reverential fear and trust …
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The Power of a Mother’s Prayer
I remember seeing my mother kneeling at the side of her bed and praying aloud for each of her children and grandchildren. That memory is forever etched in my mind and I will never forget sensing a strong presence of God through her intercession. I came away with a sense of reverential fear and trust that no matter what would happen to any of us, God would honor her prayers on our behalf.My mother is in heaven now and it’s a comfort to know that the Lord continues to honor those prayers. It encourages me to continue to pray for my own children and grandchildren no matter how uncertain their futures or what they are currently facing.
I am sure that there are bittersweet moments for each of us whose parents have gone on to be with the Lord. We remember them. We miss them. We now realize how wise they really were. Our hope in the Lord is that we will see them again and enjoy His presence together.
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Looking for Love?
All of us are born with a need for love and acceptance. God made us this way. Studies show that babies who are held and loved do far better than those who are not.
