Author: Vanessa Taylor

“Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the… Continue reading The Valley of Bubbling Springs

“This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction, since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, and are being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made… Continue reading Forgiven & Free

“If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18 AMP) Read full chapter REFLECTION  Cultivating meaningful connections within a caring community is a crucial aspect of living a meaningful life in preparation for eternity. And while meaningful moments are part of the mix, so is the risk of… Continue reading Navigating Misunderstanding

“People learn from one another, just as iron sharpens iron.” (Proverbs 27:17 Good News Translation) Read full chapter REFLECTION  It seems to me that the more I learn (through reading / study, experience, travel / exploration and interactions with others etc), the more I’m aware of how much I still need to learn and how… Continue reading Learning Together

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that… Continue reading Expectant Endurance

“As everyone has received a gift, even so serve one another with it, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1 Peter 4:10 MEV) Read full chapter REFLECTION Every precious person is wonderfully unique. They and those around them may not recognise it, for their God given originality may be buried beneath layers… Continue reading Gifted to Serve

“We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.” (Romans 8:28 Voice) REFLECTION  Childhood wounds caused me to hide behind a voguesque veneer, which I preened in my quest for approval and validation. This led… Continue reading Transforming Love

“Consider carefully, then, how you walk, not as unwise people, but as wise people. Make the most of your time,because the days are evil. For this reason, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17 EHV) Read full chapter REFLECTION  Time and the opportunities therein are gifts from… Continue reading Timely Gifts

“…be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.”… Continue reading Hearers & Doers

“God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one can resist God’s Word. We can’t get away from it—no matter what.” (Hebrews 4:12-13 MSG) Read full chapter REFLECTION … Continue reading Scriptural Prayer