By Brenda Cannon Henley
In a recent column, I began the introduction of Sarah, Abraham, and Sarai’s (her name was later changed to Sarah) handmade, Hagar. God had promised Abraham in the Abrahamic Covenant that He would make of his seed a great nation. God said his descendants would be as great as the sand of the

By Brenda Cannon Henley
My good friend, Crystal Rawls, introduced me to the writings of Jeff Elkins. Crystal graduated from Baylor University in Texas and was a classmate of Jeff’s. After having lost contact with Jeff for a number of years, she has reconnected and found many of his writings and teachings interesting and informative. Good friends share good

By Brenda Cannon Henley
I trust that as long as I am healthy enough to write and have the mental facilities to do so, I will be led of the Spirit of God and be willing to write what I honestly believe He puts on my heart rather than to follow trends or causes that would earn me points among my peers. The reason this is on my mind today is that I originally had drafted

By Brenda Cannon Henley
One of the things I have noticed about getting older, and hopefully more mature, is that it doesn’t take the advanced population nearly as long to size up a person. It comes partly from having met and associated with a larger number of people in various situations, growing wiser in our own life, and our perhaps becoming a bit more mellow

By Brenda Cannon Henley
A very dear friend of mine sent a writing to me this week and I cannot find it in me not to share it with those who read and follow my columns. I have asked for permission to share his thoughts and will, if my request is granted, share it in a future column. In the meantime, God has used the ideas churning around in my heart and head, to cause me

By Brenda Cannon Henley
Encouragement is defined as an expression of support or approval, or is words or actions that assist or inspire someone or something. Discouragement is to deprive of courage, hope, or confidence by word or deed. It can also mean to dishearten; dispirit, to dissuade (usually followed by from) or to obstruct by opposition or

By Brenda Cannon Henley
I clearly remember when I was in high school in a small Georgia town (that is now a huge melting pot of citizens from around the globe), we often speculated on who we would be, where we would go, and what we would accomplish. The Clarkston, located in DeKalb County, Georgia, is no longer the little berg we knew and loved. Last time

By Brenda Cannon Henley
“Neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” — John 8:11
The woman who was brought to Jesus had been “caught in the act” of adultery, and everyone knew she was guilty. They probably also knew that the religious leaders didn’t care about her but were just trying to

By Brenda Cannon Henley
Honor Our Heroes Sunday, 9/11/22, at Community Bible Baptist Church, in Pinellas Park, FL, was an over the top blessing. One of the highlights for me personally was seeing Maya Grace, my granddaughter, honor Dr. AK

By Brenda Cannon Henley
Words that make phrases and complete sentences are such interesting things to me. I have long been fascinated by the use of words – Both written and spoken. I have several friends that send me new words or quotes frequently. When they learn or see an odd, unusual, or brand new word to them, they will often pass the word on

By Brenda Cannon Henley
Many years ago now, I studied diligently and taught a series of lessons on the life of Daniel. For a quick recap, let us note that Daniel’s name means “God is my judge,” and he lived his life with that truth in mind. He is considered a prophet in the time of Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus. His wisdom and faith earned him a position of esteem under

By Brenda Cannon Henley
If you have known me very long, you know my drink of choice is an ice cold Pepsi. I prefer them in the smaller plastic bottles so that I can take a sip here and there and then put the top back on tightly to keep the fizz in for a long time. I can drink one Pepsi the better part of morning, afternoon, or evening. I developed a deep aversion to

By Brenda Cannon Henley
Amazement naturally engulfs me when any person I am talking with tells me that he or she just cannot get into the Bible or they do not find it interesting. The various characters we meet in the pages of God’s Word are lively, involved, dramatic, important, in some cases, brilliant, and in other cases, simply human. They make great

By Brenda Cannon Henley
These thoughts came about this week as I was speaking with my children about the importance of choosing good, solid names for children. I am not certain, after all these years, if my three fully comprehended why they have the names they have had all of their lives. I said to my eldest, “That is why you are DeAnna because you are

By Brenda Cannon Henley
I have loved words ever since I can remember. Perhaps this love came to me by way of my delightful Uncle Donald who loved words, books, reading, discovering, and learning. He would read to me before I learned to read for myself. One of his practices was to spend hours in the local library perusing the shelves for fun, interesting,

By Brenda Cannon Henley
Witnessing a conversation that became rather heated a few days ago between two mutual friends has given me pause to think. I know both parties and respect and admire each of them and believe in my heart that they are “good people” willing to help anyone in need. In fact, I have seen acts of kindness and personal sacrifice

By Brenda Cannon Henley
Many years ago now a very wise English/Journalism teacher said to me, “Brenda, when you’re stumped or facing a blank piece of paper or an empty screen without a coherent thought in your head, write what you know.” I have found that to be good advice over the years and plan to implement that novel idea again today. Not particularly asking

By Brenda Cannon Henley
Some of my regular readers will know that I recently came home to Texas on pretty much a whirlwind trip to celebrate the soon coming birth of my very first great grandchild. Time was short because of work schedules, travel logistics, and the very event for which we came. My talented granddaughter, Callie Grace Collins, with a little help from

By Brenda Cannon Henley
I saw someone do something really dumb the other day, but it wasn’t my circus and they weren’t my monkeys, so I could not do anything to help other than pray for a decent outcome. The incident reminded me of a line or two in an old Jimmy Buffet song. He sang about “a permanent reminder of a temporary feeling.” How many of us live every day

By Brenda Cannon Henley
No doubt about it, we are living in turbulent times. There is unrest on many fronts – In our families, in our homes, in our communities, and in our nation. If we do not remain focused and alert, the worst unrest of all is in our own heart and mind. How can we keep calm and create within ourselves a peaceful environment in which to

By Brenda Cannon Henley
“Sometimes we only see the results of change and do not remember the brave path it took to get there.”
There have been three things that have converged in my mind over the past few days that brought me to this column. I jot down my thoughts as I think them, or enough of them to remember the main thrust. As due dates approaching

By Brenda Cannon Henley
Encouragement is defined as an expression of support or approval, or is words or actions that assist or inspire someone or something. Discouragement is to deprive of courage, hope, or confidence by word or deed. It can also mean to dishearten; dispirit, to dissuade (usually followed by from) or to obstruct by opposition or

By Brenda Cannon Henley
I have been engaged in a seminar built around the theme of The Ministry of Encouragement taught by Dr. Harry Mills. In my opinion, the class is far reaching and the students are learning many things. One thing that is repeatedly emphasized is that encouragers are sorely needed and every person can become one in some shape,

By Brenda Cannon Henley
I wrote in my last column that I was enrolled in and enjoying a seminar on The Ministry of Encouragement taught by Dr. Harry Mills. Since I have been actively engaged in thinking about and learning in more depth about this valuable service to others (and to ourselves), I have literally been amazed at the many opportunities God has shown

By Brenda Cannon Henley
The need for encouragement can come from a myriad of reasons. What makes one person depressed, despondent, and discouraged may not affect another person in the same manner. A second person might have learned to shake it off, laugh about it, or simply keep on going through or around the issue. The same is true for

By Brenda Cannon Henley
There has never been a time, in my opinion, when the basic truths of the Word of God have been more important to our daily living. And, there has never been a time when people seem to fail as much in the reading, teaching, sharing, and making certain that their own family members and dearest friends have a good, clear understanding of

By Brenda Cannon Henley
Waiting is often times not easy for all ages. I clearly remember waiting for certain life events during the span of years I have lived. When I was 14 or 15, I wondered if I would ever be 16 and be taken to the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicles to test for my driver’s license. That was such a big day in the lives of my friends and

By Brenda Cannon Henley
The four words out of my Granddaddy Cole’s mouth shocked me to the core and caused me to stop dead in my tracks. I was a young teen six and a half decades ago, and those words still ring in my mind. Having been born at my grandparent’s home and living with them until my mother remarried and took me away to the big city