SHILOH OPERATIONS 

I need you to join me on a short journey today as we explore one of the most epic battles in world history. You won't believe it, but I've discovered an individual that many people probably overlook. Trust me, I went back to the original Hebrew text to confirm his mention, and indeed, he is there. Now, grab your Bible and turn with me to 1 Samuel 17:41. In Hebrew it says: וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔י הֹלֵ֥ךְ וְקָרֵ֖ב אֶל־דָּוִ֑ד וְהָאִ֛ישׁ נֹשֵׂ֥א הַצִּנָּ֖ה לְפָנָֽיו Key Phra

This morning, I found myself diving into the captivating story of Gideon, and something about it really resonated with me today. Imagine the scene: Gideon is crouched in a winepress, diligently threshing wheat, a job typically done out in the open fields. Instead, he's hiding away, trying to keep a low profile from his enemies. There's a sense of fear hanging in the air, and it's clear that he's overwhelmed, seeking refuge from the struggles that have gripped his people. Then

I wanted to take a moment to share something that truly touched my heart this morning as I was studying my Bible. Have you ever read a scripture that just jumps off the page and speaks directly to you? Well, that was me today as I explored 1 Peter 4. When I reached verse 11, I was completely blown away! It’s like a light bulb turned on, reminding me of the incredible standard we are called to live by as believers. In 1 Peter 4, the apostle Peter beautifully illustrates what i

He stood at the front of the room, engaged in a deep conversation with one of his friends. Yet, from the corner of his eye, he noticed her, a small figure gliding toward him. She wore the prettiest little dress adorned with delicate blossoms that seemed to dance with each step she took. Earlier that morning, her mother had placed her on the kitchen counter, struggling to tame the wild, flyaway hairs into submission, fashioning them into the most adorable ponytail. He could pr

I heard a familiar whisper on Sunday morning in church. Standing in the sanctuary with my hand lifted to the heavens, my eyelids resting shut. The harmonious voices of praise and worship enveloped me like a warm embrace, echoing around me in perfect unison. To be honest, I couldn't recall the exact song we were singing, but the palpable presence of God filled the room. In a moment of curiosity, I dared to open my eyes, hoping to catch a glimpse of my surroundings. Still, the

It was Sabbath, a day meant for rest and gathering. Yet, as everyone sat around the table, an unusual hush enveloped them. No one seemed to have any appetite. Mark stared at his plate of food, but each morsel felt like a weight in his stomach. Around him, sorrow hung in the air, thick and suffocating. Peter sat silently, lost in a world of regret, still berating himself for denying Jesus. At the same time, the haunting absence of Judas lingered like a shadow. The man they had

He had run away the night before when the guards took Jesus into custody. Peter was the only brave one, following the chaos from a distance. But even he gave in; when those in the courtyard asked him about Jesus, he denied knowing Him three times, just as Jesus had said he would. Mark felt deep sadness for Peter; he also felt shame for himself. He had left Jesus when things got difficult. But amidst the heaviness of his heart, he made a vow—to tell this story, the remarkable

It was late Thursday night, the moon casting a silvery glow through the window, illuminating the small room where Mark lay restless in the dark. He had climbed into bed, fatigue weighing heavily on him, yet sleep eluded him like a shadow weaving in and out of reach. Jesus’s words echoed relentlessly in his mind: “You will all fall away.” Those haunting pronouncements danced like phantoms, a stark reminder of the prophecy etched in ancient scriptures: “I will strike the shephe

A few weeks ago, I had the incredible opportunity to share my testimony with a group of wonderful folks in Douglas, Georgia. Usually, I stick to the more recent chapters of my life that I've shared on Facebook over the past nine years. But that night, something tugged at my heart to dive deeper, and I felt led to share my salvation story with them. You see, for much of my life, I was what some might call a functioning alcoholic, battling shadows of drug abuse along the way. I

Once upon a time, on a sunny Saturday afternoon, my sweet teenage daughter decided to regale me with an unforgettable escapade from her third-grade days. Picture it: a not-so-pleasant day in school, a little girl feeling as green as a grasshopper after a bumpy ride on a rollercoaster. Yep, that was her. Poor thing was rushing to the bathroom like it was the Olympic sprint event, trying to escape the clutches of a particularly naughty tummy. Finally, in the midst of her tummy

As I lay in my bed last night, the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit nudged me, encouraging me to put my thoughts to paper. The consistent theme of crying and tears had become almost a companion to me this week, and perhaps it was time to explore why. From a young age, tears flowed freely from my eyes like an unbridled river, cascading at even the slightest provocation. I still recall my family’s exasperation during those moments, their irritated glances piercing through my i

This story has been simmering in my heart for two weeks now, waiting for the right moment to spill out onto the page. Last night, I finally got the nudge I needed. It all started yesterday morning when I woke up with a clear feeling: I needed to attend a special service at my church. But as the day wore on, I talked myself into thinking, "Nah, it's okay; I don't really need to go." You see, this wasn't a service I usually attended. But then, at precisely 5:06 PM, it felt like

Every Sunday, I would settle into my favorite pew, anticipation buzzing in the air. The moment our pastor steps up to the pulpit, I can feel the familiar thrill coursing through me, ready to be swept away on a journey of faith. For the past few years, his passionate recounting of personal encounters with Jesus has captivated my heart, drawing me ever deeper into the narrative tapestry he so masterfully weaves. His voice would ebb and flow, rich with emotion, as he shared stor

Y'all will not believe this! I experienced the miraculous and complete healing power of Jesus for the first time in my life yesterday! Now, let me backtrack a bit—I hurt my back last Friday. And let me tell you, this wasn't your run-of-the-mill stiffness after a sweaty day of manual labor. No, this was the kind of pain that made me feel like I'd been run over by a semi-truck! I could barely walk straight. My daughter even looked at me and asked, "Mama, why are you limping? Yo

Have you ever watched a movie in which the Hero faces an overwhelming challenge early in the plot, prompting you to think, 'This can't be happening. If the Hero dies now, the movie will only last about ten minutes.' This metaphor resonated with me today as I reflected on a similar situation in the Bible. I read in Luke 8:22-25: "One day Jesus said to His disciples, 'Let us go over to the other side of the lake.' So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, He fell asl

When I first came to America years ago, I did not have a full-time job yet. Still, I kept our family of two going by cleaning houses daily while awaiting the bureaucratic process of approving our green cards. One Sunday morning, as we walked into the church, friendly faces greeted us, and the greeters at the door gave my daughter and me what appeared to be something akin to a raffle ticket. Questioningly, we walked to our seats and tried to acquire some more information from

A few weeks ago, as I found myself immersed in the pages of Matthew 10, I was captivated by verses five to eight, "These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: 'Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, and drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give."

Recently, I had a thought-provoking conversation with my brother that left a lasting impression on me. During our discussion, he made an intriguing statement: "You just had a Joseph moment." My immediate reaction was curiosity; I asked, "What is a Joseph moment?" He explained that a Joseph moment occurs when you possess a profound insight about a particular situation. Yet, that insight isn't embraced or appreciated by those around you—much like Joseph's experiences with his b

Have you ever heard someone say, "You just have to be different, don't you?" Initially, I perceived this phrase as a derogatory remark. Still, upon reflection, I've chosen to embrace it as a badge of honor instead. If I were to encounter Jesus as Paul did on the road to Damascus, I would undoubtedly be different, especially after regaining my sight following three days of blindness. If I found myself in a lion's den, like Daniel, emerging unscathed, I would be different. If I

Two of my favorite authors and missionaries of all time are Brother Andrew (God's Smuggler) and Corrie Ten Boom (The Hiding Place). These two embodied what it looks like to walk by faith. Note: They were not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but God so dramatically changed their hearts that their eyes had to follow. They were able to look at the world a little differently. God transformed their vantage point. In 1942, Corrie ten Boom and her family made a courageous