“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” (Matt. 6:25, NIV).
“Hakuna Matata” is a Swahili saying that means, “Don’t worry.” For many people, that’s easier said than done, but not for me. My approach to life is found in Matthew 6:25–34. I learned this, not by choice, but by circumstance.
Story by V. Michelle Bernard
This year, 39 teams from across the Columbia Union Conference participated in the union-level Pathfinder Bible Experience (PBE), held online for the second year in a row.
On Sabbath afternoon, the teams gathered virtually to test their knowledge of Hebrews, James, and 1 and 2 Peter, and the introductions from the correlating sections of the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary. Then on Sunday, team representatives again gathered virtually to celebrate their accomplishments and discover who placed first and would be moving on to the North American Division (NAD) level event. (Watch Columbia Union President Dave Weigley’s special message to them here.)
Story by Christina Keresoma
Story by Janel Ware
The Candlelight Concert is a treasured Shenandoah Valley Academy (SVA) tradition, a gift from the Music Department to the community. This year, programming had to change because of health precautions. “As executive orders tightened in November, God led the way to join the Music Department efforts with the New Market campus church’s annual Journey to Bethlehem production and moving the combined outreach presentation online,” shares Daniel Biaggi, music director.
Story by V. Michelle Bernard
About two years ago, Matthew White and his wife, Beth-Anne, were discussing podcasts and came to the conclusion that there were many excellent ones but most touched on or taught evolution. “We wanted a good quality Bible-based podcast for kids,” he says.
The couple purchased a high-quality microphone that remained in the box for two years. But, within the last several months, White had a strong desire to start a podcast and recorded his first episode one night while his family slept. Nature & Science 4 Kids was born.
“I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!” (Isa. 65:24, NLT).
It wasn’t until I became a teaching principal that Isaiah’s words took root in my soul. Oftentimes, I found myself conversing with God about school and the myriad of situations I had no idea how to solve. Each time my staff, the school board and I found a solution, we were reminded yet again of how faithful He was (and is) to His children.
Story by Valerie Morikone
“This is a work that should be done. The end is near. Already much time has been lost. ... Scatter [books] like the leaves of autumn” (Ellen White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 72).
One night in late 1999, Delphia Davis, a member of Mountain View Conference's Valley View church in Bluefield, W.Va., had a dream. “I saw a prophetic clock in the sky. The clock’s hands pointed almost to midnight. I heard a voice telling me, ‘I have a work for you to do,’” she remembers.
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev. 21:4, KJV).
On June 6, 2018, my family and I were given the worst news any parent can be given. My 7-year-old daughter, Liana Kathryn, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer known as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. When the head of neurosurgery came to speak to me, I asked him to “give it to me straight.” You ask that, hoping that it will make things easier.
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isa. 40:31, NKJV).
Having lived in a fast-paced environment all my life, it’s been hard for me to learn to wait on the Lord. After all, isn’t it better to get things done before it is too late? I have committed many mistakes in my life due to me moving ahead of the Lord. In fact, to me it seems like He is the one sometimes slowing me down. Oh, but if I, at times, would have just waited for God’s leading, how things would have turned out differently.
