“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine” (Isa. 43:1, NKJV).
As a child, I grew up in an Orthodox family in Romania. Every Sunday, we went to church, and we kept all the Orthodox holidays. On weekends and vacations, I stayed with my grandparents, as they only lived 11 miles away.
Story by Debra Anderson
The Potomac Conference recently announced the hiring of its new vice president for finance, Karen Senecal. Senecal makes history as the first woman elected to serve in this position at the largest conference in the Columbia Union.
“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you” (Matt. 7:12, NLT).
The golden rule. When I was younger, I interpreted this verse a bit differently than most. Whenever my sister was unkind to me, I would be mean to her in return. Then I would try to justify my behavior: “Treat others the way they treat you!”
The intended meaning of the golden rule, however, is to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. How would you want to be treated if the roles were reversed? I know I’d prefer to be treated with love and respect.
“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen” (Jer. 29:11–12, TLB).
Sometimes God amazes us with how He reveals His plans. In 1978, I was almost finished with my Elementary Education major at Walla Walla College (Wash.). It was time to think about where I wanted to teach. My parents had moved back to California and wanted me to be closer to them, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to move there. With graduation looming on the horizon, I needed to start seriously thinking about teaching positions.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jer. 29:11, KJV).
In my early twenties, I began wondering about everything I had experienced in my life. I endured verbal abuse as a child. My heart was badly broken at age 16. I was kicked out of my home at 17. I experienced a fire that claimed all my belongings at 20. What was my life’s purpose?