Total solar eclipses do not happen often, but did you know that the city of Carbondale, Illinois, is beloved as the Total Eclipse Crossroads of America? Carbondale is the largest city (around 25,000 in population) within the ‘X’, where the 2017 and 2024 solar eclipses cross paths. The geographic center is a small village just south of Carbondale, known as Makanda. During the total solar eclipse, on Monday, April 8th, Carbondale will see four minutes and nine seconds of totality — which is double what occurred on August 21, 2017. Check out the map below. ‘X’ marks the spot. Regardless Read More
Category: Words that Inspire
Words can either give life or take life. Find inspiration from studying God’s word
Easter Dinner: Top Five Choices
The traditional Easter dinner can vary significantly depending on cultural, regional, and personal preferences. However, there are some common dishes and foods associated with Easter celebrations in various parts of the world. Here are the top five. What are you having for Easter dinner? Roast Lamb is a common feature on Easter tables in many cultures. This tradition stems from the symbolism of the lamb as a representation of Jesus Christ, often referred to as the “Lamb of God” in Christian theology. Lamb is not a favorite of mine. We are having ham and turkey. Ham is a popular Easter Read More
Strategically Placed: Resurrected Dreams
God strategically moves and guides us into the correct position. If we study the Word, we find many women whom God strategically placed within their assignment and purpose. Hagar (Genesis 16) was strategically placed to meet God (El Roi) at the well and direct the formation of a nation; Esther was strategically placed in the palace (Esther 7) to save her people from annihilation; Rahab was strategically placed to save the spies as well as her entire household (Joshua 6); Jael (Judges 4,5) was strategically placed to eliminate an enemy, and Ruth (Ruth 4) was strategically placed to give birth to Read More
Mindset Monday: Jehovah El-Ashiyb, God of Restoration
Do you know the God of Restoration? Have you met Him and spent time with Him? Have you allowed Him into the broken areas of your life? Recently, I attended our monthly Fiction Function Book club and one of the ladies was telling us about a tree her husband had planted and lovingly cared for before he transitioned to heaven. At one point, the tree got struck by lightning and split into (See Fig. 1). She called her grandson, and they duct-taped the tree back together (See Fig. 2). She spoke to the tree and commanded the tree to live Read More
Fun Facts Friday: The Color Green
The color green is associated with many things, including growth, money, nature, and St. Patrick’s Day. As I pondered a topic for fun facts Friday, I kept coming back to the color green. God chose this color to represent growth. As I sit looking out my window, I can see green grass and the trees, and all of my plants are starting to turn green. In nature, the color green is often associated with nature, renewal, and growth, symbolizing the vitality and fertility of the natural world. This association with growth and renewal can also extend to personal growth, development, Read More
Realigning: Proverbs 31 Man
Realigning means changing one’s position or attitude. I read an article today entitled The Proverbs 31 Man. You can read it here. I laughed when I saw the title, but I was intrigued, so I read it. The author made some excellent points, and he is well within scripture (Galatians 3:28) to say both men and women can have that role. He lost his job during the 2008 Recession and had to redefine his purpose. Sometimes we have to shift our focus and change our position to adjust to our current season. His was a season of realigning. Some highlights Read More
tailored to align 
