Category: Faith & Family

Many of us have had good mothers or mothering types who influenced us in a positive way. Some have not. But even those whose mothers weren’t that great can still celebrate a…

My children recently said goodbye to their stepmother, Debbie (Debora Demoruelle Hamilton), who passed away a few weeks ago.  I thank God for Debbie.  Many years ago, after my first marriage ended…

Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. The Monticello Community Prayer Breakfast wrapped up its 2024-25 calendar on Thursday, May 1, the National Day of Prayer. The fellowship hall at the First Presbyterian Church…

We are in the weeks after Easter. The good news is that Christ is alive. The bad news is how little impact that event is having in the world today. We can…

When was the last time tears streamed down your face, your heart ached, and your thoughts were too jumbled to think clearly? When did you know beyond a doubt that this time,…

Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc.  The Monticello Community Prayer Breakfast has a calendar similar to schools, meeting September through May on the first Thursday each month. The next prayer breakfast will be…

Rev. Cheryl Cruce Columnist I have discovered that everything in life can teach us a lesson. The question is, are we willing to learn? For example, my son, Michael, decided on a…

Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. The April 3 gathering of the Monticello Community Prayer Breakfast was hosted by the First Baptist Church of Lloyd, whose men’s group prepared a delicious buffet of…

For 18 plus years before retiring from pastoring a church, I raised butterflies for release on Easter Sunday morning at the church’s flower cross. Over the years, I learned much and had…

I like to think I’m a kind person, but when someone disrespects me or disagrees with me on something I care about, I find it hard. Don’t you hate the part of…

Stephen was one of those special youth who touched my life. He was energetic. He was a leader. He had an open heart for the Lord, and he loved helping make things…

Does the devil have a plan? Deceive, deceive and more deceit; lie, lie and more lies. That’s been the god of this world’s plan from the beginning.  The story is told about…

Can you recall how heavy your worst sin felt before you confessed it to God and received forgiveness? Imagine if the crushing weight of all your sins (every sin you’ve ever committed)…

Growing up, I learned a lot about ordering my steps, especially since mine tended to leave me face planting on various surfaces, From sidewalks to the sandy schoolyard playgrounds, I could always…

Joyce Wilson Contributor Union Hill A.M.E. Church, under the leadership of Rev. Barbara Thomas, continues to make a difference in Jefferson County through its outreach efforts with Refuge House. The church recently…

I still remember experiencing Jerusalem for the first time and traveling along the Via Dolorosa, the “Path of Sorrow.” The road to Calvary was not what I’d envisioned. I had imagined a…

Imagine that you are holding a cup of coffee when someone bumps into you, making you spill your coffee everywhere. Why was coffee spilled? Because someone bumped into you? Yes, but the…

Carol waved to her best Friend from across the grassy field. She grabbed her three-year-old daughter, Shelby, and swung her onto her right hip. Shelby giggled as her mother’s long stride bounced…

Laura Young ECB Publishing, Inc. The April gathering of the Monticello Community Prayer Breakfast will be hosted by First Baptist Church of Lloyd, located at 124 St Louis St. All are invited…

Ben Fuller exploded onto the Christian music scene in 2022, with his debut album, “Who I Am.” Only four years free from a life of alcohol and drug addiction that ended in…