Written by Kim Hardin

Mathew 9:18-26 – As Jesus was saying this, the leader of a synagogue came and knelt before “My daughter has just died,” he said, “but you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand on her.” So Jesus and his disciples got up and went with him. Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind She touched the fringe of his robe, for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment. When Jesus arrived at the official’s home, he saw the noisy crowd and heard the funeral music. “Get out!” he told “The girl isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” But the crowd laughed at him. After the crowd was put outside, however, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up! The report of this miracle swept through the entire countryside.

The trip to the Holy Land that I took in November 2021 with 30+ other pilgrims changed my life and faith. The challenges in getting there were unprecedented due to the global pandemic. The timing of making sure all vaccines and the booster were received, along with having a PCR Covid test in which we had to get the results in a specific window of time, were daunting. We arrived in Israel on November 2; the country opened to tourists just the day before. We returned to the States on November 12, and Israel again closed their borders to tourists only two weeks later. It was a miracle that we even got to go.

There were several locations and opportunities to walk where Jesus walked and each was a blessing. However, one place in particular had an impact on me and several of the women on the trip. We visited Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. A large part of the ministry of Jesus took place in the region of Galilee. In 2009, the ruins of a first century synagogue were discovered in Magdala. Jesus is believed to have taught in this very synagogue.

At the synagogue and the areas around it in Magdala, Jesus taught and performed miracles. Two of these miracles are described in the scripture shared above. Also in this town, Jesus expelled the demons from Mary Magdalene. We don’t know if Mary’s demons were evil spirits or mental illnesses. We don’t know if Mary was a prostitute or one of the courtiers of Herod’s court since she spent time with the wife of Herod’s steward.

Through our faith, He will give us what we need in order to be a productive part of the Body of Christ.

In Magdala next to the location where the first century synagogue was discovered, a building called Duc in Altum, the Latin phrase meaning “put out into deep water”, has been constructed as a place of prayer, teaching and worship for all Christians. In the building is an atrium that honors the women of the Bible and all women of faith. It is a motivating thought to know that the women around Jesus were faith warriors, who often outshined the men through their faith and belief in the Savior of the world.

Written by Amanda Wacker

Acts 18 1-11

1 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 6 But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8 Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.

9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

Paul’s story of perseverance even in the face of persecution is not for the faint of heart. Many people would give up, walk away, and not do the right thing, the Godly thing.  

I was asked to write this blog about my perseverance through a divorce, remarriage, and the faith that got me there. When I read these verses, I fixate on the words of Jesus. “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”  

Divorce is never the easy thing to do. It’s messy, it turns your whole life upside down and the lives of those you love and care about. Every decision you make affects someone else. People get hurt and the life you once knew and loved is not there anymore. Divorce wasn’t in my vocabulary when I got married the first time. Even though my parents had been divorced before, their marriage was strong and one to live up to. My grandparents all had wonderful, thriving marriages. Their examples were Godly and loving. The decision to divorce was not one I took lightly. We had children together, two beautiful girls that didn’t ask for a life with divorced parents. But sometimes, divorce is necessary. Thankfully, I had the most wonderful, supportive family and friends. They prayed with me, prayed for me, helped me financially, and stood with me when I couldn’t stand on my own. They were my “many people in this city.” God gave me an army of believers to get me through. 

The decision to divorce was one of the hardest I had ever made, but the peace I felt when it was over, is one only God can give. I was at peace and I knew God would take care of the rest. He’s done more than I can imagine. 

I decided to wait several years to date after that. I wanted the best for my girls. Sure I made mistakes, we all do, but God continued to provide. 

My wonderful husband now had been through a tough divorce and we were both looking for the same things in life. He too wanted the best for his boys. Somehow we had never crossed paths, even with many people we knew in common and working for the same school corporation. When we met, it didn’t take long for us to know that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. So 4 short months later, we were married. There was never any doubt, because we both had God at the center of our lives. Blended families are hard, too. But we make it work every day. We couldn’t do it alone. Our lives are surrounded by loving family and friends that are always there when we need help, prayers, and love. God gave us more than we ever could have imagined. The blessings that we have in our 4 children are more than we could have asked for. But God gave us exactly what we needed.