Whether it’s just a casual “how are you?” or a heartfelt, “sit down and tell me what’s going on in your life,” or a caring comment on Facebook… friends can bring you great joy and comfort. I’ve never needed friends more than now as I go through this health crisis – and I have old and new friends that have been so comforting and supportive.
Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves you all the time, and a brother helps in time of trouble.” That goes for sisters, too!
When I think of our new friends like Rabbi Cahn or John Shorey, or perhaps YOU, I am overwhelmed with gratefulness to God for enriching our lives with such wonderful people! Continue reading →
Pope Francis told a crowd at a Rome stadium that Satan is attacking the family.
The Pope was holding a special mass and rally at Olympic Stadium in Rome that featured over 50,000 people raising their hands and praying in unison for the Pontiff who has repeatedly asked the public to pray for him since assuming the office.
Pope Francis said that the family was the “domestic church” and that Satan would love nothing more than to destroy the stability of the family. He announced that he will have bishops from around the world to the Vatican in October to discuss ways the church can help rebuild and reinforce the families of the church.
The Pope also brought a lighthearted moment to the event when he shared a story about his early days as an archbishop in Buenos Aires. He said that he didn’t “share” the way charismatic Catholics prayed there, dancing and singing, but later realized the “charismatic renewal is a great force.” He said that he thought the actions of the charismatics reminded him of salsa dancing.
It’s really amazing how faithful God is and how He fulfills certain prophetic words that He may have given you many, many years before. This past week, I was so sick that I couldn’t go down to the service at Morningside to hear Ricky, my 16-year-old son preach, but I watched him on the live stream.
I was so proud as I saw this figure of a dark curly haired young man in a suit with a Bible walking up to the podium. And then suddenly, I heard the Lord say, “today is the fulfillment of the prophecy I showed you in a vision long ago about your son.”
I was astounded. It was like “Throwback Thursday” when we post things on the web that were from times past. God had given me this flashback of a vision from my early walk with Him. Let me tell you about it. Continue reading →
Pastor Jim & Lori celebrate their grandson, James Chapman’s, 25th birthday on today’s Jim Bakker Show. Continue reading →
I’ve talked quite a bit about being a Baby Boomer and the phenomenon surrounding that mega-group of people born between 1946 and 1964. Baby Boomers have a unique set of challenges, some brought on by choice, and others a result of chance.
One of the challenges of a country with so many Baby Boomers is how to provide health care for this aging demographic because the generation before and the generations after were simply not as large. We thought we had the problem figured out with Social Security and Medicare but now we are finding that these social programs will have trouble keeping up with the demand for caring for an aging mega-group such as the Baby Boomers, particularly as this group lives longer.
But the problem of health care for the Boomers is only one issue they (we) are facing. Since many of the Boomers were encouraged by society to wait longer for marriage and family, or it just happened that way, some are still raising children and sometimes grandchildren while they also care for aging parents, a.k.a The Sandwich Generation. They are the ones in the middle with all the pressure! Continue reading →
A New York family is grieving the loss of an 8-year-old boy who saved six relatives from a burning trailer home before dying in an attempt to save a disabled uncle.
Tyler Doohan woke his grandmother, aunt and cousins after spotting a fire in the family’s single wide trailer in Penfield, New York. After the others were out of the house, Tyler tried to rescue his disabled uncle Steven and grandfather but was overcome with smoke.
Tyler’s body was found in a back bedroom near the bed of the uncle he was trying to save.
Fire officials have not confirmed the cause of the fire but suspect it started from an electrical problem.
Neighbors told reporters that the residents of the trailer had said the managers of the trailer park considered their home “unlivable” on at least one occasion and expressed concern about the number of people living in the trailer. One neighbor said she was filled with regret for not calling county officials to save the children.
Most of you know that family is so very important to me. I believe we are ‘set in families’ by the Lord according to scripture (Psalm 68:6). Our families provide a setting for much of the growth we experience in life as we love, help, teach, and learn from each other. We share our joys and our sorrows. We love, encourage, and affirm one another as we navigate through all of life’s challenges.
Family is the eternal pattern of God. In our families we learn to apply the teachings of Jesus Christ, and to be transformed to be what God wants us to be.
Family is the source of life’s greatest joys along with transforming trials. Family ties may bring us difficult challenges, but they also give us strength and some of our greatest happiness. Continue reading →
As I reflect on this past year, I couldn’t be more thankful for my station in life which includes my amazing marriage, motherhood and ministry. I have been so blessed in this life and love these scriptures that talk about blessing:
Matthew 5:2-12
And opening His mouth He began to teach them, saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. “Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Continue reading →
I thought of another Bible verse I had memorized: “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.” God was doing that in my life, giving back the years I had lost because of my sin and rebellion. He had done it in several areas already.
Having made the choice to have five abortions, I lost the opportunity to ever have children. Yet God had blessed me with many spiritual offspring—like “my girls,” Kelli, Nicks, Morgan, Nina, and Michelle Murillo. He’d given me an inner-city family—Margie’s family—complete with a namesake, Little Lori.
Margie had been pregnant with her eighth child when we met at the Fashion Share. Margie had accepted Jesus as her Savior and the church had outfitted her with maternity clothes and accessories. Two months later I was in the delivery room when her baby was born.
My mind drifted back to that occasion, December 6, 1990……. Continue reading →
Mother’s Day 2000
I gave Jim a quick kiss when I read his cards, and then I opened the package, which he had meticulously wrapped himself. Inside was a darling little doll in a green travel case. The pretty blond had on a frilly dress and tiny little socks and patent leather shoes.
“She’s adorable honey. Thank you.”
“She’s blonde and beautiful, just like you.”
Jim served me lunch, and we chatted about our ministry schedule and upcoming events as we ate. When we finished our meal, I stood up and started to clear the coffee table.
“Leave that for a minute,” He said. “I have another present for you—“ Continue reading →