Category: Branson, Brenda

I Will Not Be Silent

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(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

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(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!

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(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

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(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

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(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

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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!

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(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!

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(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 […]

Profile of a Victim

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Brenda Branson (Hanson, Kentucky) Copyright © 2004 Although battered women may exhibit some of the characteristics in the list below, the one element that is shared by all victims is FEAR!  A woman is more likely to be killed when she tries to leave than at any other time.  The abuser may also threaten to […]

The Difference Between True Repentance and Temporary Regret

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 by Brenda Branson (Hanson, Kentucky) Copyright © 2004 In the story of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, there were two men who were sorry for their actions—Peter and Judas.  Peter truly loved Jesus and boasted that he would even die for him if necessary.  However, when Jesus was arrested and taken to the house of […]

How To Spot a Batterer Before the Relationship Begins

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by Brenda Branson (Hanson, Kentucky) Copyright © 2004 The following red flags are characteristics of an abuser.  This does not mean that everyone who demonstrates one or two of these qualities will end up abusing or battering their partners. However, these red flags should be taken seriously.  If someone you know demonstrates one or two of these patterns […]

Two Men

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by Brenda Branson (Hanson, Kentucky) Copyright © 2000 Two men died that day.Both were guilty. One had the heart of a foolHe was never wrong—always had the last word.He trusted in his own heart,And took pride in doing things “his” way. He blamed others for his misfortunes . . .If they had just treated him […]

Fear

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 by Brenda Branson (Hanson, Kentucky) Copyright © September 2000 I am a prisoner . . .confined not by bars or locked doorsbut by harsh words and raised fists. I am just a few steps away from the open door of freedombut fear holds me back. Fear that his opinion of me may be true . […]

Are You Sick and Tired?

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by Brenda Branson (Hanson, Kentucky) Copyright © October 2007 “Are you tired of the way the world is turning?  Are you tired of the way your life has gone?  Do you long for some joy instead of weeping?” As I heard those words being sung, I wanted to stand up and shout with great passion, “Yes!  […]

All Abuse Hurts

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 by Brenda Branson (Hanson, Kentucky) Copyright © 2004 All Rights Reserved Most people think “abuse” is just physical attacks such as hitting, punching, kicking, pulling hair, twisting limbs, pinching, slapping, biting, etc.There are many other types of abusive behavior which hurt just as much or more than physical abuse.  Just because an abuser stops hitting […]