“I just spoke to his body and told it to come to life -- I didn't realize at the time that, that was the first breath he took.”  Ana Hankins and her husband Anthony had just arrived at a high school gym in Westminster, California for their son Macaiah’s basketball tournament. Moments later, everything came to a halt. “There was a tournament director who came in and he stopped all of the games; he said that there was, there was someone's son or child passed out”, says Anthony. His wife Ana said...

Before her husband died, Mrs. Wang was a stay-at-home mom.  She took care of her daughter Yuwen, who was sick a lot. “She caught colds easily,” Mrs. Wang shares.  “The doctor said she was just malnourished, so her immunity was low. He said if I gave Yuwen nutritious food, she’d get better.” As an illiterate widow, Mrs. Wang had no choice but to collect garbage on the streets so she could get groceries for Yuwen. “I bought Yuwen eggs and milk,” Mrs. Wang explains.  “I hoped it would build up her...

The only source of water for Idealis was a river in their remote village in Indonesia.  But the path there can be dangerous.  Idealis explained, “When we went to the river to collect water, we often found snakes along the way. It took an hour to get water.”  Idealis lives with his mom, who is a widow.   His mother said, “The river water is contaminated because people put poison in it to kill fish. It makes the water smell bad and makes us sick when we drink it.”    Idealis explained, “When I...

After surgery removed a brain tumor, Jay Hewitt felt safe, but a year later, he was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Finding strength in the verse, “When I am weak, then I am strong,” he began training for an Ironman Triathlon during chemotherapy. 

May 18, 2006. It had been three days since Diane Pinkins’ husband, Ron, brought their only daughter, Rita, to the ER at Ascension St. Vincent hospital in Indianapolis.   The 27-year-old single mother of four had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia. Now she was in a critical care unit fighting for her life. “It was very devastating. Prayer was just the constant thing that held us all together,” Diane recalls. While on chemotherapy, Rita continued to deteriorate and ten days later...

A day after a mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, authorities are trying to figure out why a couple would embark on a deadly killing spree.

How many times have we heard that confession is good for the soul? One of the first scriptures that we are taught as new Christians is the Apostle John's admonition to confess our sin.

CBN News gained exclusive access to private meetings between Republican presidential contender Marco Rubio and about 100 pastors in Iowa. Rubio sees this effort as just the beginning of his relationship with evangelicals.

Few of us can say we were planning on the COVID-19 outbreak and the resulting lockdowns of 2020. Let’s be honest—the coronavirus pandemic was unexpected. I know I speak for most when I say we weren’t planning on the heightened health protocols and stay-at-home orders that ensued. One of the consequences many encountered in the months of the pandemic was closed churches. Instead of the regular Sunday morning family outing to our local parish, we grew accustomed to the intimate setting of our...

Season changes are always an exciting time for me. I enjoy seeing the transformation of tree colors in the fall, the blooming of flowers in the spring, the summer sunshine, and the winter snow and icicles. The seasonal changes remind me to make the best of every season because things will change again shortly. The beautiful snow and icicles covering the tree branches will melt, the colorful blooming flowers will wither, the scorching summer sun will set, and the multicolored autumn leaves will...

By the time I got to the chorus, my voice was completely gone. Suddenly, I was painfully aware of the lights, and the countless faces staring up at me. And how the song kept going even though when I opened my mouth to sing—barely a whisper came out.  I panicked. I’m not ashamed to admit it. On a team of people, and in front of the entire church, I felt completely alone. Isolated in my embarrassment. Drowning in my confusion. Almost as if a wave had exploded through the front doors of the...

A woman of valour who can find? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, and he hath no lack of gain…. She considereth a field, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms… Strength and dignity are her clothing; and she laugheth at the time to come. (Proverbs 31:10-25, the Hebrew in English Translation)  Today I chose an unusual translation for this devotion...

Before Christ transformed my life, I walked a sad, lonely road. According to the world, I had it all. However, from an eternal perspective, I was a dead woman walking. Like the Apostle Paul—and all those who call Jesus Lord and Savior—I experienced the life transformative power of Christ and was never the same.  But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the...

What comes to mind when you hear the word stump? It’s likely you do not think that a tree stump has a future—much less a promising one. But I believe that the Lord saw something entirely different when He pruned the nation of Israel. In Isaiah 6:13 (NKJV), God is referring to Israel when He says, “As a terebinth tree or as an oak, whose stump remains when it is cut down. So the holy seed shall be its stump.” While living in northern California, I worked and resided on a ministry property...

It's been more than 30 years since I heard a sermon illustration that I will never forget. There was a man, explained the preacher, who was visiting northern Minnesota in the winter. As his cab driver took him from the airport to his destination, he noticed a man sitting in the middle of a frozen lake fishing.  The man wondered out loud, “Is that safe?” “Yes,” answered his driver, “Let me show you.” His driver maneuvered the cab to the edge of the water. “Try it,” he said. “It’s perfectly safe...

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1 ESV) As I knelt at the altar, I cried harder than I had in a long time. After years of struggling with God for power and control, I had finally realized that my way wasn’t working and surrendered everything to Christ. But guilt tore at me. I had strayed and disobeyed God. I had doubted His love and even shouted at Him in anger. I cringed as I remembered the Bible teaching from my childhood. I had wasted...

What do you think of when you hear the word hope? Hope is powerful. It is a necessity, right next to food and water. Hope that comes from the Lord and from knowing Him is life changing. In fact, Hebrews 6:19 tells us that the hope the Lord gives us is an anchor for our souls. It is firm and secure. Meaning, it is powerful enough to hold us steady when the wind and the waves of grief and trouble beat against us. Have you experienced this kind of hope in your own life? Grief is one of those...

One of the most beautiful images in Scripture that illustrates the transformation of the universe with the second coming of Jesus is described in Isaiah 65:25 (NLT) where the wolf and the lamb will feed together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. As I was reflecting on this passage, it struck me that this is also a wonderful metaphor for our own transformation as Christians. As God sanctifies us through the renewing of our mind (Ephesians 4:20-24), promotes our dying to the self (Romans 8:13),...

Years ago, I asked for prayer from trusted people who supported me in ministry as I embarked on a pilgrimage and academic journey to Israel. Although I was a leader in various capacities, I knew prayer from other believers was vital. Sometimes we believe if we are leaders in our homes, communities, workplaces, churches, and businesses, we should show strength and not rely on others for prayer. Has that ever been the case for you? Paul gives us a great example of a leader requesting prayer...

I find responding with praise and worship relatively easy when things are going well. But sometimes, I still err on the side of needing to be in control of things when things aren’t going well—praying to the Lord during hardships isn’t my natural bent.  James 5:13 says, “Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.” I can do the praise thing, though. When things are going well, “Thank you, Father!” is quick to come from my lips. It’s...

“Polly Prius” was the first car I ever purchased brand-spanking new. I vowed to read the 636-page operating manual that arrived with Polly from her trans-Pacific Ocean trip from Japan. It wasn’t until a few years later, when the dashboard lights flashed a maintenance issue, that I scrambled and looked up the engine icon in the diagnostic section of the manual.  I have yet to read any more of that manual.  When a crisis happens, I tend to hurriedly flip through the Bible for answers. But...

I came back with more lessons than souvenirs during my trip to the Emerald Isle this past summer. One of them I learned from a local Irish family who welcomed me and other members of my tour group into their home.  Seated around a beautifully laden dining table, we all joined in a riveting discussion on the intricacies of Irish culture over homemade shepherd’s pie. At one point during the evening, our hosts—a wonderfully hospitable married couple—asked their 17-year-old daughter to play the...

My dog ran away last summer. My husband decided to go for a run and I decided to paint our front door. I grabbed the paint and the tarp and propped open the door. Then, when my husband went running down the road, Dodger took off out the propped-open door after him. Dodger was gone from my sight for about two minutes before I rounded the corner to find him being carried home by my husband. But during that time, I was absolutely sick to my stomach. I was praying for his safety, that he wouldn’t...

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5) Ever since I met Jesus—and He rescued me from myself and my chains at age 16—my heart has gone out to Jeremiah. Something in that man’s story calls to me and connects me to God, and so much of it is found in the very first chapter, where God reaches out to Jeremiah. I highlight that because it’s critical that God, not Jeremiah, takes this relationship...

Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. (Hebrews 9:22 ESV) I love to study the construction of the tabernacle in the Old Testament. I can imagine its beautiful cloth woven from blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, the shiny bronze lampstands and altars, and the swish of the holy garments that Aaron and his sons wore as they walked through the inner courts into the Most Holy Place.  God specifically instructed...

God keeps His promises. You’ve probably heard that before, but have you experienced God’s promise-keeping abilities in your own life?  Whenever I think about God’s promises, I think of Abraham. God made some big promises to Abraham, including some that were hard to trust. He would be the father of many nations and God would take care of him. God also promises that He will take care of us (see Matthew 6:25-34). After job loss left me without a home, I struggled with feeling disappointed with how...

Years ago, the mayor of my city appointed me as a government official. The weight and the joy of serving at this level were astonishing. It was weighty because my input could affect many lives. I found joy in this role because of my passion, ability to lead, personal experiences, academic training, love for people, and desire to honor God through my service. As a government-appointed official, my responsibility was to steward my role and the people I represented well. I often prayed for wisdom...

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26 NIV) I think we all know that life on this earth is filled with hurts and sorrows. There’s no way to escape them, but we can choose how we will face them. As various hurts, wounds, and offenses enter our lives, I’ve noticed a few common ways of dealing with them:  We become a victim, live in constant pain, and grow ineffective. We build walls that...

Years ago, when I was learning to recognize and trust the leading of the Holy Spirit, I frequently crossed paths with the homeless population where I lived. To be honest, I was uncomfortable seeing them on the streets. My heart broke for them, but I didn’t believe there was anything I could do that would make a difference. I struggled to afford groceries for myself, and I couldn’t afford a place of my own. Every dollar I had needed to stretch far to cover my expenses. Sometimes, I didn’t have...

As this week unfolds, half of America will be furious, or crushed in spirit to say the least. Hundreds of millions of others will be elated, full of joy. Of course, a disinterested smaller segment of the population will yawn their way through the news of the day. Truly a nation divided, far from Jesus’ prayer for unity found in John 17. As news junkies and concerned citizens monitor election results and their given candidate’s victory or defeat, our gaze unfortunately shifts from loving God...

Today, I felt compelled to reach out to you all with a message of unity and hope, inspired by Daniel 7:27 (NKJV)— Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. In a world often divided by political differences, I believe we can find common ground in our shared humanity and our collective aspiration for a better world. Regardless of our individual faiths or beliefs, we all seek peace,...

Without skilled workers, both productivity and quality drops, and it can drop dramatically.

The risk/reward factor is someone that bids for work with many unknowns.

Construction is a historic trade with several and ever-changing disciplines. Prior to 1980, the industry was focused on the worker in the field.

You may have heard “great resignation” or “quiet quitting.” You may also feel they do not apply to construction.

Tips to keep in mind about window installation.

Leaving issues for someone else to handle could result in catastrophe.

Creating a successful product is not as easy as people think.

Do not be apprehensive of insulation with stucco.

The wall and ceiling industry’s past and present, show it will have a successful future.

The 10 C’s of leadership used by Lee Iacocca.

OSHA is reviewing a regulation that may change OSHA inspections.

Having a backing behind lath is a step that should not be taken lightly.

Specification writers should think more about inexperienced installers.

Be informed on contractors’ rules if you are selling a product to them.

Are there cultural differences between the European and American trades?

There is a correct way to go about a construction project, and not doing so can have consequences.

Is the remodeling/restoration market untapped by the wall and ceiling industry?

Although the majority of faux applications are created with paints, trowel applied plasters are available to give the look faux is attempting to replicate.