My grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, my parents, and many of my friends – everybody went to church.  My spiritual foundation is rooted in the teachings of the Bible.  At an early age, I began hearing, reading, and being moved by biblical stories.  The life of Jesus Christ intrigued me – as did Moses, Job, Esther, Deborah, Peter, Mathew, Ezra, and Tamar.  I don’t really remember every minute detail about how I became the spiritual person I am now...

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…  

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.

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...

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. 

I was showing my 16-year-old grandson (in a few days, he would be 17!) how to make cornbread dressing from scratch. My Mom taught me how to make it, and I taught my children and now my grandchildren. Yes indeed, together through the generations with cornbread. 

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...

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.  

I am typing this piece on a computer. Auto-correct and auto-edit suggest changes as fast as I can type the word.  Red, blue...

I was asked to write about some aspect of my parents' lives that I did not want to become.  I thought and thought.  And suddenly…

Do you need space to read this? thisideaofspaceisverythoughtprovokingwedonotknowitbutweleanheavi

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I inherited the understanding that family time is vital.   So many times, we sat around our one TV and watched shows like...

Mom and Dad, I inherited your determination to stand up for what is right and to protect my family. 

During Mother’s and Father’s Day, I can’t help but think about my parents. Lately, I’ve been thinking about what they left me, but looking at my inheritance differently. 

 Ever dealt with the same weather in different locations?  This week’s lesson learned is about just that – Bet you think that snow is snow is snow – until folks’ reactions get involved.