Living While Liz

This is one of those times when I miss my Mom. I mean, I really miss her; not in a sad, depressed way. Actually, tears of joy moisten my cheeks as I remember the life she lived and just how influential she was in my life. Yes, I cried buckets when I was asked to put the grave covering over her stiff/cold body. Well, after all that was the point when I knew it was final and she had moved to the next stage of her eternal life… Thinking of Mom, I realize just how much I en

Man I’m thirstier than I’ve ever been in my life! I take a drink and it’s cool for a minute but then I find that I am thirsty again. Ever felt that way? No matter what you do you, you need more to drink. Are you thirsty? That wasn’t a rhetorical question. Are you thirsty? For what? I mean just what are your thirsty for? This world offers so many drink options. How does one choose? Is it cost? Is it flavor? Is it the amount? Is it temperature? What is your expec

Knowing my help comes from the Lord has been my mantra for decades now. This dependence on the Lord proven to be true over and over again. Spiritually, I follow Jesus. I preach about a risen Savior. I claim Him as my own. I ask Him for more wisdom and understanding every day. A prayer is never far from my lips. Those who know me know can tell you just how important my spiritual life is. They know how I rely on God for everything. They’ve heard me repeatedly say that k

It was my second daughter’s birthday! So, the first order of business that Sunday morning, was to send her birthday greetings in the family chat. As previously planned, my husband, son, and I made our way to Hope City Presbyterian Church, where the pastor’s last name was Wesley. We had our eye on that church all week because it was located right across the street from the Airbnb where we were staying; very convenient, I might add. We also met Pastor David, who was the past

Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before. Every day with Jesus I love him more and more. Jesus saves and keeps me. And, he’s the one I’m living for. Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before. Let’s continue to look at the idea of God saying NO to his people. Just in case you still do not understand God’s “NO,” I believe it will help to consider another one of God’s servants… There is God’s message to Joshua: After the death of Moses the servant of t

If I knew then what I know now, I would have treasured times gone by. I, like most folk, took so many things for granted. For example, by my birthday (November 27th), the weather would be cool enough for a jacket or coat. (I looked up the weather for my early childhood years, and it confirmed my memories.) The leaves began to turn shades of fall in late September or early October. Grandmom made ice cream from the first snow, and she made preserves from the plums gathered fro

Once again, we find ourselves in the midst of Lent, the forty days leading up to Easter. Lent is a period of reflection. Christians are fasting and praying. We see this as a time to give up something or give back something. Each year, Christians find new and innovative ways to observe Lent. And some Christians observe the traditional fast for the 40 days, having only water or juice as sustenance. We sing hymns in preparation for that time when Jesus walked a Lonesome

This is Mary Magdalen, and yes, I am still with you. I am still trying to get you to consider a change. We have been delving into understanding God’s no. To remind you plainly, the question is, what part of no don’t you understand? Now, I have already provided my credentials. And since I am still with you, Jesus must be with me, too. After all, God promised to be with us, right? (Joshua 1:9; Matthew 28:20). How’s that for a little of the old and a little of the new – Tes

Love is in the air. Romantic love. Everyone must be talking about it. After all, it is February. It doesn’t matter whether you are in love, out of love, or looking for love; you have an opinion. The new romcom movies are hitting the screens. The stores are filled with gifts and mementos meant to tickle the fancy of young and old alike. But the noise of the day dampens the joy that usually washes over us this time of year. Right after a Valentine’s Day advertisement for

The essence of me, you asked. I already delved into me , the dreamer, and me, the minister. To round out this consideration of my essence, I thought I would look at one more essential part of me: learning and teaching. For me, the two must go together. Most of my life, I have learned something and then turned around and taught what I learned to someone else. Teaching and learning are just so rewarding!! However, nothing is funnier to me than trying to teach myself something

Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before. Every day with Jesus, I love him more and more. Jesus saves and keeps me. And, he’s the one I’m living for. Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before. Hi there. My name is Mary Magdalene. I am sure many of you have heard of me. I have been walking and talking with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for a very long time. I was walking around heaven all day, just living my best life. And I was feeling like

Needing a word from God? Then, when that word is given, what do we do? Do we recognize the timeliness of the gift? He is precious. He has a mighty voice. His touch is tender. God is the very essence of peace. God repeatedly gives to us. If we need a word from God and do not get a word from God, what can we do? What will we do? We need a word from You. I need thee every hour. Most precious God. No tender voice like thine can peace afford. I need thee, oh I need the

Sometimes when I write, titles are hard to come up with. This lesson learned was one of those times. My memoir writing teacher and classmates brainstormed with me and determined that my piece was about “Together". Simple, yet it encompasses so much. Is it family, memories, fun, hope, friends, activities, newness, or generations? Check out this month’s lesson learned. Then you decide. What’s your idea of “Together” and allow that idea to propel you and yours into a New

Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Lynne Ellis Wiggins… that’s my name now. I went from being Elizabeth Lynne Ellis to Miss Elizabeth Lynne Ellis, to Mrs. Elizabeth Lynne Ellis Wiggins, to Evangelist, Reverend and now Rev. Dr. And I thought being named Elizabeth was a mouth-full! Indeed, I am the one who shortened my name from Elizabeth to Liz (not legally though) only because I felt that folk expected big things from being Elizabeth, and I was just trying to fit in and live life. Figur

Perhaps it’s the senses evoked by Autumn and a mind bent towards leaves blowing in the wind that have me thinking of things that swirl. Or maybe it’s the fact that I turned another year older on Thanksgiving, and the years seemed to have just miraculously swirled away. Nevertheless, it’s Christmas time, and everywhere I look, I see signs of cheer. The air is full of the aromas of the season. Thanksgiving turkey is blending into Christmas ham, and dual holiday sweet potato

We are at part III of this sermon. Part I covered the message plan, the general call to action, and what God wanted the Israelites to do in preparation for freedom. Part II focused on being warned, saved, and getting these things done today. And here we are now bringing home this notion of the call to action. And after a word about the Israelites following God’s instructions about what would be called the Passover Meal, we are faced with the task of discovering what this

Be Warned As a reminder, our Scripture Reference: Exodus 12:7-14. In part I, we considered how God told them to prepare worshipfully. Now, people, being human, will need to know what will happen if they fail to follow. 12 On that same night, I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. Be warned, people! Death is going to come creeping through the streets, into hous

Introduction statement: Ever had times when your thoughts seemed to be everywhere and nowhere at the same time? Well, try pinning down the essence that embodies your spiritual self. When you think of the essence of Jesus, so many words come to mind. In essence, Jesus is love. The essence of Jesus is God. The essence of Jesus is the center of my joy. But what about you and me? Lesson Learned Starts Below: Forgive me, but my writing is all over the place! How in the worl

They will know we are Christians by our love. Really? Thanksgiving is celebrated this month. But too many leaders everywhere, in every walk of life, seem to be going astray. The White House is not the only place where leaders are wreaking havoc. Wasn't the United States already having way too many people starving? Did we really need another shutdown stalemate where either side refuses to feed people when it is within their means to do so? So, what do we have to be thank

My friends, perhaps this is an odd passage to consider. However, I thought it would be beneficial to dwell in the midst of a plague for a few moments. Let’s go back to a time when God had had just about enough of the Egyptians. Scripture Reference: Exodus 12:7-14 The scripture used for this sermon is found in Exodus 12, verses 7-14. As a little background, Moses has the God given task to bring the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt. The goal is about to be reached, but Go