Sophia Vilceus

I spent the majority of my twenties growing in an amazing mega-church, with incredible leadership, sound preaching, and moving worship. As wholesome as my experience was, I struggled to find and maintain a sense of community-- something that became increasingly more important to me as I matured in years and in my faith. Eventually, I moved out of state and was intentional about finding a ...

Faith is... Knowing that no matter what you face or who plots against you, God has your back!

“...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” Hebrews 12:1 There are some things that just do not tempt me--not because I'm holier than the next person who struggles with that...

Finding peace when your prayers go unanswered can be hard, but you must remember not to let your feelings get more powerful than your faith.

I was lugging my medium-sized purse, filled with panty liners and lip gloss. Over the other shoulder, hanged my work-bag, overstuffed with my laptop and papers still in need of grading. Both of my hands were carrying a crate, that also encompassed my lunch-bag, now empty bowls from lunch, along with my water bottles and coffee mug from the day. With...

Sometimes self doubt is the only thing standing in the way of our blessings.

Have you ever felt like the pain or stress was just too much to bear? Don't let momentary afflictions stop you in your tracks.

If you have been rejected or are grieving the loss of a relationship, read this Prayer For Broken or Strained Relationships.

I thoroughly enjoy Church services in the beginning of a new year. Every year I go to Revival at my church for three nights and it is such a filling, gratifying, intense, humbling experience to see women and men of God in one place, desperately seeking God’s Face and Hand. People are often crying and sprawled out on the...

If the Holidays often bring you some overwhelming emotions, like it does me, I encourage you to lift up this prayer...

Playing it safe does not always mean it's a sign from God. Don't let your fears keep you in a place you don't have to be.

Praying for unsaved loved ones is one of the most important things we can do as Christians. The Christian walk, if done correctly, is a mighty struggle. It shouldn’t be easy and free of tension and inner conflict. To be in this world and in His word and Will can and should be a challenge. We have to be constantly...

If you are feeling low and discouraged, I encourage you to lift up this simple prayer and know it is all working for your good.

If you are having a hard time moving past a painful time, I encourage you to lift up this prayer:

I’m from New York. I’ve lived there for twenty-somewhat years. It’s the city that never sleeps. Never stops. For better or for worse, that’s ingrained in me. So though, I’ve been living in the sanctity of peaceful Maryland for the last 4.5 years, that New- York- work-now-rest-never spirit still lives in me. And I’m working on it. I’m working...

If you’re anything like me, social media can more often than not lure you in. Before we know it, we have spent a good portion of our days (and nights) aimlessly scrolling through Newsfeeds and Timelines. We have mindlessly “liked” stories that frequently have little to do with our real lives and “commented” on things that only get us...

For some, the Holidays bring an influx of emotions. Emotions that have neatly stayed tucked away somewhere in our spirits and come protruding out of us at the first mention of “Jingle Bells” or the first sight of a nicely decorated Thanksgiving table. If you are anything like me, the Holidays brings you a sense of mourning. Mourning a...

Though people say this for their own reasons. It often deeply saddens me when I hear, “I’m Spiritual but not Religious.”  To me, people say this in part because though they have a relationship with God, they want nothing or little to do with the Church. First of all, we ARE the Church. And frequently, people are misguided in...

I was traveling back home to New York for the weekend. As I was getting on the bus, everyone was doing what we all tend to typically do on public transportation. We were all scoping the scene to see where and if we could possibly get a seat with no one next to us. It was a Friday morning...

Some of us have lost something this week and need peace about it, if that is you, I encourage you to lift up this simple prayer...

Don’t lose hope! God has a way of making "not enough”, "more than enough”.

By the time we have graduated to a more mature dimension in our faith, the nagging question in our minds shifts from “will God actually work this one out for me?” to “what does God want me to do as He works this out for me?” As we see more of God’s impeccable track record, it does become easier...

It was a serene Saturday night as I was on my way to church for a Young Adult Ministry engagement. The topic of discussion that night was: “Finding Purpose.” I was listening to a powerful song entitled, “Let It Be Known” by gospel artist, Casey J . The first line of her song simply says, “Let it be known...

For the last few years, particularly after my family and I lost my mother who was very much the spiritual glue in the family, I’ve watched my family spiral out of control. Losing touch with God and my mother’s memory, I have seen how that has created a situation where my family has lost touch with one another. Every...

Dear God, forgive me. I too, have joined the media frenzy. This week it seems that many of us placed our real lives on pause to follow, click, like, comment, laugh, and speculate on the now infamous Beyonce, Solange, Jay-Z elevator encounter. Instagram posts were uploaded, statuses on Facebook were formulated, and articles online were written all based on...

It’s a little after 10 am on a Monday morning; I am sitting at my desk and looking through glass windows. My view overlooks nothing grand, but it’s beautiful in its own right. And I am assured that many people at home, sending their resume out to countless places, just as I am doing, much rather be in my...