When I was in the seventh grade, a new girl checked into our homeroom class named Darla Star. She shone like a beacon in a dark sky with her curly raven hair, beaming brown eyes, and confident smile. To this day, I think those magenta suede go-go boots, that she glamorously paraded, gave her a…
Category: Culture
Dilemma of Joy
My treasured keepsakes bulge in pockets of time—rather moments—that are tucked hard against the bones of my heart. They remain as fresh and life-giving as the first-offerings of spring rosesbuds, tight with fragrance and bleeding of crimson that smears across my fingers as I pull them out one petal at a time. The edges are…
Breathe
Growing older, I have become more cognizant of the multi-level benefits of stopping for a few moments throughout the day to inhale long deep breathes. Drawing air in fills my lungs, head, and heart with oxygen for clarity and perspective; it slows me down from warp speed to almost halt to gain new vision. The…
Treasures of Darkness
“I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD, who call you by your name, am the God of Israel.” Isaiah 45:3 “But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.”Matthew 7:4…
Will’s Words
Every writer dreams of having a readership—better yet a group of fans—among her peers. It’s beyond belief that my thoughts and words might be read and valued in my own time and also remain for proceeding generations. This is the poet or author’s greatest achievement. I doubt if it ever crossed William Shakespeare’s wildest imagination,…
Dark, Narrow Place
“You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.” Psalm 32:7 From my childhood and years after, I have clung to this scripture as a sweet and constant source of strength and fortitude. Most of the suffering in life that I have endured has been from…
Echoes of Purim through the Ages
Sometimes the lifestyle and practice of charismatic Christianity demands instant answers to complex and painful problems. After all, the Bible is a book of mysteries and miracles. The very foundation of our faith remains forever as the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It has stood firm and is deeply rooted upon this truth. Therefore…
Ukraine, Israel, and More
The criminal, deathly Russian aggression against Ukraine in the last week has touched a deep place of both shock and compassion in hearts around the world, especially Wayne and me. We moved our family to Odessa, Ukraine some years ago to start Bible schools and congregations. When the flames of Communism went underground, the gospel…
Go, and Keep Going
I responded to a call to go into all the world to preach the gospel in my early 20’s. Eagerly, I went to Bible school to prepare. This hope became my bread and butter as I studied, dreamed, and planned to go. I didn’t exactly know where God would send me, but I knew international…
Spent
I saw the silver-headed woman limping from a distance. Her attentive husband, with one arm around her waist, coached each step and made her giggle as they walked. As we passed, our eyes met. Something moved between us—perhaps I saw a glimpse of the impartation of the gifts of this older woman. (This can happen…
Bonnie Saul Wilks 