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The Bridegroom at the Well
There are moments when you read Scripture for the hundredth time, and suddenly you find yourself standing on a higher ridge. The landscape hasn't changed, but your perspective has. Valleys, rivers, and paths that once seemed disconnected now stretch before you as one glorious design authored by God. I recently listened to someone unpack the meeting between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4. I've read that passage many times, but I had never noticed how beaut

Izelle Hickey
Aug 84 min read


Grace & Growth Newsletter
Dear Friends, There are moments in life when we stand back in amazement and simply say, "Look what the Lord has done." This is one of those moments. Over the past several months, we have watched God faithfully open doors that only He could open. Every answered prayer, every encouraging conversation, every generous gift, and every step forward has reminded us that this ministry has never been our idea; it has always been His. As we look toward the months ahead, our hearts ove

Izelle Hickey
Jul 215 min read


Audience of One
They say that every person has a unique love language. Some express and receive love through gifts. Others through acts of service, quality time, physical touch, or words of affirmation. Entire books have been written on the subject, and countless studies have attempted to explain why we long to be loved in different ways. But I wonder if there is something deeper that lies beneath all of them. I wonder if, in one way or another, every human heart longs for affirmation. Not m

Izelle Hickey
Jul 114 min read


A Road to Walk
We all walk roads in this life. Some roads promise acceptance. Some whisper of love. Others glitter with the hope of wealth, influence, or significance. Yet we are only pilgrims passing through this world. "Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles..." (1 Peter 2:11). Our lives are but a breath, a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes (James 4:14). Compared with the endless glory of eternity, our journey here is only a whisper carried by the wind. An

Izelle Hickey
Jul 42 min read


The Wild Goat
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the rugged terrain as I sat quietly, reflecting on the words that had resonated in my heart: "You have faith like a mountain goat." I paused, incredulous. "Really, Lord? Am I understanding this correctly? You're comparing me to a goat?" I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity. Goats? In my mind's eye, I conjured images of their scruffy fur and mischievous antics. They were nothing like the majestic eagle, with its abi

Izelle Hickey
May 183 min read


Call me Grateful
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

Izelle Hickey
Apr 104 min read


Go with what you have
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

Izelle Hickey
Mar 192 min read


If Anyone Speaks
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

Izelle Hickey
Jul 16, 20253 min read


Lavished Love
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

Izelle Hickey
Jun 23, 20253 min read


Call Me
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

Izelle Hickey
Jun 10, 20252 min read


Sunday - Rejoice, Risen & Reign
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

Izelle Hickey
Apr 20, 20258 min read


Friday
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

Izelle Hickey
Apr 18, 202510 min read


Thursday in the Garden
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

Izelle Hickey
Apr 17, 20255 min read


Roling Stones
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

Izelle Hickey
Feb 21, 20254 min read


Daddy's Coming
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

Izelle Hickey
Jan 27, 20254 min read


Rivers of Renewal
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

Izelle Hickey
Jan 23, 20255 min read


7 Mile Marvel
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

Izelle Hickey
Jan 21, 20254 min read


A Living Sacrifice
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

Izelle Hickey
Jan 15, 20254 min read


Prayer's Potential
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

Izelle Hickey
Jan 1, 20254 min read


To the Other Side
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

Izelle Hickey
Dec 26, 20244 min read
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