Meet the Authors.
Sarah Burlingame is passionate about Biblical truth. Her diverse church background has taken her through Mainline Methodist, Evangelical, Assemblies of God and Roman Catholic circles. Her calling as an intercessor led her to receive a certification in Advanced Spiritual Warfare from LMCI (Liberating Ministries for Christ International) lmci.org . Sarah has served as a small group leader, worship planner, liturgical dance leader and online ministry coordinator. She holds a M.S. degree in Education and lives in northeastern Pennsylvania with her husband and their youngest son. Her older sons reside in northeastern Pennsylvania and upstate New York. They attend North Rome Wesleyan Church.
Joanne Reinhart asked Jesus Christ into her heart at the age of nine in a Sunday school classroom in Maryland. Her journey with the Lord took her through various careers, colleges, and universities. She holds Bachelor’s degrees in Art/Dance, Theology, and Education, and a M.S. degree in Educational Administration. Her passion for the Lord is evidenced through worship, dance, and teaching. She was liberated into her spiritual gifts and callings through the teaching resources of LMCI lmci.org . Joanne has danced and taught at Christian conferences and various churches in PA and VA. She currently lives in Florida and attends church at Coastal Family Church in Flagler Beach, FL.
Thursday, December 31, 2015
HOPE in 2016
Another year has passed. Was it a good one for you and your family? Were there things that you would have liked to do differently? More importantly, is it really possible to make a plan that will cause the coming year to be a better one? Who could give us such a plan? How could we make it a reality? We’re not talking about New Year’s resolutions which are easily broken. We are talking about renewing our strength DAILY so that we can succeed in what we have to do.
This world is often such a busy, hustling, bustling place and it’s easy to become weary of it all. When that happens to you there is a place of refuge where you can renew your strength. The LORD promises us strength which we can have no matter our age. Yes, another year has passed and we will be another year older. But, we truly can be strengthened daily to accomplish all that is on our “to do” list which often starts with “I MUST DO” these things today! So, as the dawn of a new year breaks ask the Lord (who is Jesus Christ) for a strength and resolve that can’t possibly come from your own will but CAN come from Him. In the Old Testament book of Isaiah God promises this:
Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)
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.
Waiting upon the Lord means giving Him your cares and trusting Him to always be there for you. In The New Testament God offers another promise:
Philippians 4:13 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].
We can have an “I CAN DO” attitude when we know that Christ is in us. He is our Hope of Glory…
We want to offer you hope in this lost and dying world because we know that Jesus is real; He is alive; He is working in the world today when we trust Him and call upon Him. In Romans 10:13, His Word says: For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
Many believe that “saved” only means to inherit eternal life (which is true) but it also means to be whole and well in this world.
So, don’t count on others to give you a good 2016. Don’t count on a new gym membership or a new diet or a new anything other than a new hope in Jesus. Through trusting Him and trusting He is working in us, we have the ‘hope’ of a good future for the New Year.
Jeremiah 29:11 (AMP)
For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the LORD, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope.
~ Joanne and Sarah
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
A Christmas Blessing
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock.
In the secret place of Your presence You hide them from the plots of men; You keep them secretly in Your pavilion from the strife of tongues.
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”
~Joanne and Sarah
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Christmas Past, Present, Future
~ Joanne and Sarah
Saturday, December 12, 2015
Angels We Have Heard On High
Him Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.”
And His ministers a flame of fire.”
Heeding the voice of His word.
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Joy to the World
Joy to the world, really?? With terrorist threats and attacks everywhere? Global unrest? Jobs lost? Opportunities missed? Sudden or chronic illness? Other personal fears and anxieties? How can we really have JOY in our lives or in the world?
It is true that people spend a lot of time and money seeking true “peace, love, and joy” in their lives. How can we really have these? Are you one of the many that find this time of year only reminding you of the lack of peace, love and joy in your life?
The answer is in Jesus Christ, who was born in a manger, who lived His life and gave it for you and me at the cross. He tells us in John 14:20 “Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.” (NKJV)
We do see people around the world seemingly ‘rejoicing’ at the horrific acts of terrorism shown in the media. But, Jesus promises us that our sorrow will be turned into joy. He even describes how in the following verses:
John 16:21-24 (NKJV)
A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.
“….. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full."
We are to ASK the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, for whatever we need in our lives.
Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)
"You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
If this verse is true, then coming into the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ gives us “fullness of joy.” How is this possible? If you SEEK the Lord, and ASK, you will FIND Him!
"Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you."
John 16:33 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
" I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world." [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
~ Joanne and Sarah