God’s Masterpiece
(Copyright 2017) by Brenda Branson (Hanson, Kentucky) 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. […]
I Will Not Be Silent
(Copyright 2017) by Brenda Branson (Hanson, Kentucky) “Wives don’t be silent when your husbands become verbally or physically violent toward you. Part of the abuser’s power comes from secrecy! Abusive behavior continues because it works! Fear of further harm and/or death intimidates victims into remaining silent and enduring it. Many victims make excuses for their abusers because […]
God Likes You
(Copyright 2017) by Brenda Branson (Hanson, Kentucky) Several years ago, on a hot summer day in Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in a lake behind his house. As he ran toward the lake, he discarded his shoes, socks, and shirt so he would be ready to jump into the cool […]
Free!
(Copyright 2017) by Brenda Branson (Hanson, Kentucky) Do you know what it’s like to live 45 years of your life all scrunched up in a box? That’s the best way I can describe it—having my hopes, dreams, emotions, opinions, and the essence of me stuffed down inside a tightly sealed container that was controlled by […]
Encountering Jesus
(Copyright 2017) by Brenda Branson (Hanson, Kentucky) Jesus got into the boat again and went back to the other side of the lake, where a large crowd gathered around him on the shore. Then a leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, arrived. When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet, pleading fervently […]
Dating Violence
(Copyright 2017) by Brenda Branson (Hanson, Kentucky) Dating violence is a real and serious danger. It is one of the major sources of violence in teen life. In 1991, studies indicated that dating violence affected at least one in ten teenage couples (Levy 1991). Today, that number has increased to one in every four! Although […]
Word of Life
Copyright 2017) by Brenda Branson (Hanson, Kentucky) “We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we […]
Celebration in a Cemetery!
(Copyright 2017) by Brenda Branson (Hanson, Kentucky) She was carrying a gift, but she didn’t expect a party. Mary Magdalene had risen early that Sunday morning while it was still dark to go to the tomb where Jesus’ body had been laid following his death on the cross. Her grief was overwhelming as she hurried […]
Celebrate!
(Copyright 2017) by Brenda Branson (Hanson, Kentucky) It is no wonder that I love you, O God.You have granted me a security that I could never find among the things of this world.You have erased from my life the fear of death.What follows the grave is not my fearful concern.The traumatic experiences of this […]