VOICE I (Deidre): Right now, I am going through some struggles in my personal life with my health, and the healing process is extremely difficult. Although I consider myself a woman of great faith, there are times when I still feel discouraged. My faith in God is HUGE because I have both witnessed and experienced God during miraculous things in our present day time just like he did during biblical days. Therefore, the faith within myself says, “I am already healed,” but my human mind continues to think and ask, “Why me, God, and when will you do it?”

The answer came from an unlikely source when my cousins from Virginia stopped by for a visit. They  prayed with me before they left, and I felt such a sense of relief. I remembered how my Cousin Brian prayed, “God this is just a hiccup in the road for her, but she shall overcome it all in victory because of who YOU are.

After they left, my mind began to wrap around that one phrase, “a hiccup in the road.” I meditated on it and related it to being like a detour in the road. When we hiccup, our respiratory muscles stop momentarily. Likewise, a detour in the road is a roundabout, temporary route that takes you a different way or maybe even a longer way to get to your set destination.

I realized that God sent an encouraging word to me through that prayer in order for me to stay strong and remember that  this is just a temporary situation and only like a “hiccup” in my life. I strongly believe that by placing my faith in God, I will definitely be healed and whole again.

With that said, the Two Voices want to encourage you. No matter how difficult your test may be right now, it will pass. The woman with the issue of blood waited 12 years for her healing (Luke 8:43). The Bible said that no physician could heal her, BUT GOD…

Likewise, Joseph was thrown into a pit, sold into slavery by his own brothers and also thrown in a prison for a crime he did not commit, BUT GOD…

After his trials, he went to pharaoh’s palace, BECAUSE OF GOD..

The voices want you to know that we both have experienced many painful physical, emotional, and mental trials, but God had delivered us out of everyone of them. Because God brought us through and out of each trial, we are able to continue to serve others and minister through our messages from the book that He enabled us to write. We truly believe that He will do the same thing for you. He will bring you through pain and hardships and use you to bless others through your testimony and good deeds.  So, no matter what difficult experience or trial you are in right now or may have to face in the future – stay encouraged! Just like a hiccup, this too will pass. More importantly, God’s word declares, “With man, it is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

Before posting this latest blog, I (Sue – Voice II) would like to echo Deidre’s words, and ask those of you who believe in the power of prayer, to pray for her healing. She has many hats, ministers to so many people, and is ready to get back to her normal life. We appreciate your prayers.

God bless you,

The Voices

Have you ever stopped to think about how important one person can be? In the political realm, Chapter I of our book (p.2/Voice I) relates how some famous individuals like John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. made positive contributions that impacted change within our society and the world at large for the better. On the other hand, infamous dictators like Adolf Hitler and Saddam Hussein brought about tragic results for many while they ruled. History further records JFK as winning the Presidency by just one vote in some U.S. precincts during the 1960 election. Other documents state that in 1923, one vote made Adolf Hitler leader of the Nazi Party. That one vote was only the beginning of somber and catastrophic events, but it put him in power.

That same chapter moves into the stories of our lives and how we first met.  Voice I (Deidre) reflects on one specific person, Sue (Voice II), who God used to enter and change her life profoundly. In that same chapter, Sue also shares how Deidre significantly changed her life for the better as well. One person can truly make a difference!

The voices would like to ask you, “Do you remember that one person who made a difference or changed the direction or course you were going?”  Maya Angelou calls those individuals  “Lifelines” in her book, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. Some people have few lifelines, while others may have several. Still, they are put into our lives to help us, and show us new ways of looking at the same things differently. That really is the Power of One!

Many times, as the “Two Voices,” we meet and talk to people while promoting our book. As we share our major platforms, we also try to encourage them to realize how every person is here for a reason and that each one of us can make a difference in the lives of others. We want you to consider that as well because God desires that you use your gifts and talents to be a sphere of influence right where you are. You could be an agent of change for the better, especially for children or those who cannot use their own voices. When you know you have a voice that others will hear, you are that one person who must decide whether or not to use it in a negative or positive way.

Lifelines! We all have at least one, but there is ONE who is more than enough for any situation, problem or circumstance we may be facing right now, or in our future.  That One has a name, and we call Him, JESUS!  He is the best example of the Power of One. He is Jesus Christ, and will be Lord and Savior to anyone who will call on Him and ask for His forgiveness. His ONE life was given for all today, tomorrow, and forever. All you have to do is accept Him as your personal Savior and receive the precious gift of eternal life. How awesome is that? He was the only ONE who could die, and He did die once for us ALL. Amen.

Final Thought: None of us are God, but all of us can be used by Him to make a difference . . . one life at a time.

Sue and Deidre

June is considered by many one of the most popular months of the year. It is the month summer officially begins as well as the month of marriage for a multiple of beautiful blushing brides, bushels of babies being born, and one of our favorite holidays – Father’s Day. This year, it takes place on the 18th of this month, and the 2 Voices want to share with you why we highly regard this holiday that honors Fathers:

Fathers provide the seed for life, and God chose them to love, protect, and provide for their families in a special way. Fathers are to be the head of the family, while Mothers are the heart. Too often the roles and reputation of fathers have gotten overshadowed by many dads being MIA or filing for bankruptcy when it’s their responsibility to pay child support. A lot of dads are dead or living in prisons as well. Our list of dismal dads can seem non-stop.

Sue and Deidre both believe that they  had great fathers who loved, provided, and cared for their well-being. However, Deidre missed out growing up with her Dad when she lost hers at the tender age of 9, and Sue lost her father shortly after beginning her teaching career.

So, whether you had a great, or good, or a “good for nothing” father, we want to remind you about the ULTIMATE FATHER. He is the one who cares for you, and the one who loves you more than anyone else ever could (John 3:16). His dearest name is “Abba,” which means “Papa God.” He knew you before you were born and has the best plan for your life. He loved you so much that He sacrificed His Son to provide you with eternal life – the greatest gift ever given! So as you celebrate the men in your life who are Fathers, or just like a father to you, remember to thank the One who made their lives and yours possible.

Isaiah 64:8 – But now, O LORD, thou [art] our Father; we [are] the clay, and thou our potter; and we ALL  [are] the work of thy hand. (KJV)

Deidre and Sue

How important is it for our young people to know why we celebrate Memorial Day? As a Social Studies teacher, I (Sue) felt it was extremely important, so I planned and produced a Memorial Day program for years that involved students, teachers, many meaningful slides, patriotic music, and a salute to the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. My principal and I felt it was important for these 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to know about our country’s history, and the sacrifice many in our military paid throughout the years. Sometimes the adults in the audience learned something too, and that was a good thing.

Military service runs strong in our families. Sue’s Dad and Father-in-law served in the Air Force and Navy, respectively, during WWII. Her husband was a Communication Engineer in the USAF, retiring after 20 years, and Deidre’s husband is a 27-yr. US Navy veteran, retiring as a SCMSgt. She has other family members who are actively serving in the military or retired. The “Voices” know the cost of military service!

We all should remember this service and sacrifice because so many lost their lives to protect our way of life. They selflessly thought of our country and its citizens instead of themselves. The Bible says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). This is exactly what our fallen military did; except they laid down their lives for many people they didn’t even know.

This Memorial Day is more than family gatherings, picnics, swimming pool openings, or the beginning of summer. It is a remembrance of those who served our country and lost their lives doing so. We salute and remember you.

   (weknowyourdreams)

This Sunday we celebrate Mother’s Day. Our mother was our first home – we grew and developed within her womb. God used her to give us life itself! This day is special for many, but can be difficult as well. Some people had traumatic experiences growing up and do not have pleasant memories of their mom. This day possibly brings painful memories back to the present.

For some like Deidre, this will be the first Mother’s Day without their mother. It will be a bittersweet day, remembering the good times, but missing the person. Sue understands, as she has spent the last four years honoring a memory, after losing her mother in 2013.

Just because your mother is not here physically, she remains always in your memory. The “Voices” want to take this opportunity to honor all mothers, whether they played an important role in shaping who you are, or simply gave you life.

Deidre and Sue

The “Voices” have just returned from exhibiting our book and conducting two workshops at the Great Home School Convention in Cincinnati last week. What a privilege it was to meet so many families, see hundreds (literally!!!) of darling children, and encourage those who attended our sessions as we shared several of our platforms including:

Children Are Our Legacy

Show the Love of Christ Through Racial Harmony By Seeking Out Others of Different Cultures/Backgrounds

Be a “Sphere of Influence” Right Where You Are

To the Homeschooling parents who passed by our booth, we stressed that they have the gift of teaching in them because God lead them to homeschooling. Even when it gets tough and they are wearing “too many hats,” we encouraged them not to give up and honor the scripture in Deut. 11 that states: “Fix these words of Mine in your hearts and minds . . . teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home, and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” That’s what these parents do every day and we were impressed with their dedication. Investing in eternity is an important job because they (and all Christian parents) are preparing their children to enter and change the world through God’s love.

We hope to return next year to meet, greet, encourage, and be encouraged by these wonderful people!

Deidre and Sue

         (clipartkid)

Yesterday – Palm Sunday – was the beginning of Holy Week, marking the time when Jesus entered Jerusalem to shouts of “Hosanna!” Only five days later He died on a cruel Roman cross as a sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. I recently read a description concerning this historical event that made an impression on me.  Jesus was crucified on Friday of Passover week. Passover was the Jewish celebration of God’s deliverance for them from Egyptian slavery and His sparing of the first born from each family. God told Moses to have the people put blood from a sacrificial lamb on the doorposts of each home so the Angel of Death would “pass over” these families. It was a foreshadowing of what Jesus’ blood would do for us.

The words that impacted me as I read said, “Because Jesus is seen as the ‘Ultimate Sacrificial Lamb,’ anyone who accepts the gift of His sacrifice is said to have blood on the doorposts of their hearts. Therefore when the final judgement comes, God will pass them over. In Christ, believers are set free from the power and penalty of sin.” I  hope those who read this post have such assurance of their own eternity.   Easter is Resurrection Sunday and those who have trusted in Jesus for salvation will one day rise just as He did. What a gift and blessing!

Sue

My pastor, Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin, has taught and preached two awesome messages recently entitled, “The Gift of Mercy” and “Jesus Wept.” Both of these sermons have challenged and  profoundly impacted my life as a believer in Christ because they helped me reflect more on God’s unselfish, loving gift to mankind as well as asking God to reveal my own motives for why I attend and serve at my church. There were so many strong points that were made and taught including one on the church bombings in Egypt and the question of Who the crowd mentioned in John 12:17-18, and really came to see as they cried, “HOSANNA?” If you want to know more about either sermon or both, I challenge you to watch/listen to those two archived messages on http://www.tphim.org.

Both of those messages helped me to fully understand why the popular saying and/or song,  “For God I live, and for God I Will Die,” can no longer be just what I say or sing. It must be who I am, and what God knows in my heart that I would be willing to do when and if my number is called. I must be faithful unto Christ, and unto my own physical death if necessary.  In times like these, I  must definitely be willing to “Put up or shut-up!”

As we celebrate Easter 2017 with, “HE HAS RISEN-INDEED,” make sure your anchor is really holding onto to the Rock of Ages and not someone or something else. We must trust in HIM like never before because nobody else could do or would be willing to do what Christ did only ONE time for EVERYBODY in this entire world.  After all, there is only one true ROCK.  His name is JESUS!

Deidre