It’s often said that we learn more from our mistakes and trials than our successes. This year I’ve experienced how this is true. I wanted to share the lessons I’ve learned in the hope they might encourage someone else going through a difficult time. While I know sadly these lessons are often only learned through experience, it is the greatest desire of my heart that we may know and give real love, and live in it. While we live in a broken world pain will always be with us, but there is so much better for us – for you.…

Prayer Request: My heart is aching so bad right now. I’m still in shock. Can’t stop crying. I have been praying for 5 years for “the one”. I was beginning to think I was going to spend the rest of my life alone. I met someone about 3 months ago and everything is going well so far. I mean really well! We talked about marriage and even agreed that we would try to practice abstinence until or if we get married. He’s a Christian and basically everything I’ve been praying for. Well, Thursday I volunteered to accompany my best friend…

I’m writing for advice. I am in a situation I’d never thought I would be in. My relationship with my mom is slowly fading away. We used to be close, like sisters or best friends. It all started when I had an interracial relationship and became pregnant. I was engaged to be married to this man, but we decided to break it off because of all the trouble my family was causing the both of us. Even after ending the relationship, my mom still does not acknowledge my son as her grandson. She spoils my sister’s kids, talks about them…

By: Khara Campbell Have you ever read or heard something and immediately had an “ah ha moment” like Oprah says? Well I got that from this excerpt from Rick Warren’s book: “The Purpose Drive Life – What On Earth Am I Here For?” a few months ago: “The great missionary Hudson Taylor said, ‘All God’s giants were weak people.’ Moses’ weakness was his temper. It caused him to murder an Egyptian, strike the rock he was supposed to speak to, and break the tablets of the Ten Commandments. Yet God transformed Moses into ‘the great humblest man on earth.” “Gideon’s…

Words are seeds. Before you speak, think about what you are planting.

The industry has been buzzing about Gospel singer, Erica Campbell’s solo album for over a year now. We finally have a date to go along with the buzz. Her debut project, titled HELP, will hit stores on March 25, 2014! It will be the singer’s first foray as a solo artist, stepping away (just for a sec, we hope) from the uber-successful duo Mary Mary. She’s already made waves in the industry with her debut single, “A Little More Jesus,” which just received a GRAMMY nomination. She’ll also perform the hit on the upcoming taping of the Stellar Awards in…

I love my husband dearly. We were junior high school sweethearts. We separated due to us relocating and found each other about 2.5 years ago. We got married six months later and he just refuses to work. I have heard every excuse there is. “If they want me, they will call me” … “I am writing my book. I don’t want a 9-5 job”. There was a time where I worked two jobs ( my choice) and I make a good income to where he feels that my income is sufficient. I can’t even bring up work because we’ll get…

In need of some advice. I’ve always been a big girl. My husband didn’t have a problem with my weight when we married, but after having 3 kids, I gained a little more weight than to his liking. He stopped having sex with me. He was verbally abusive. He called me all kind of fat names and even threatened to divorce me if I didn’t lose the weight. My weight has never been an issue to me. A year ago, I was diagnosed with diabetes and that’s when my weight became an issue to me. I had Gastric Bypass Surgery…

Hello, I’m confused, hurt, and ready to give up. Years ago, I was very promiscuous. I’m not proud to admit that I participated in adultery. I didn’t care if a man was married or not. It was only sex to me. I met my now husband when he was married to his ex-wife, we fell in love, he got divorced, we got married, and ever since it’s been only him. I have been faithful. Him on the other hand, has been cheating on me with one of his employees. You can’t imagine how hurt I was to find out. Everyone keeps…

“Faith it till you make it”. I don’t know who came up with that quote but I love it. Basically it’s saying to keep the faith until the manifestation of God is done. Now how many other than me find this very difficult to do sometimes? It’s hard to stay faithful when all in the natural feels so hopeless. But you know what I have learned? Giving up is easy, real easy! Anything worth having sometimes requires a fight. Keeping the faith and waiting and allowing God to work things out takes more strength, but it is so worth it…

My mom and I have not ever really gotten along. I became a mother myself 8 years ago and since then my mom and I have only grown even further apart. My mom married a child molester when I was a toddler. I never knew my bio dad. My mom’s husband and his dad molested me as far back as I can remember. I tried telling my mom but she called me a liar and sent me to psych wards. I thought for a long time I was crazy, until I found out he would also touch my friends and…

When I was diagnosed with Breast cancer a few years back, I reacted like most who receive a cancer diagnose; first thing came to mind was a “death sentence”. However, I found out later that it was truly “an awakening” for me. I began questioning. What had I done in life so bad to have this placed upon me? But instead of bemoaning my fate, I decided to look for the positive side of it. I also realized that I was about to face a new beginning, new hope, do and see more with a whole new prospective on life.…

Prayer request: I have been married to my husband for 2 ½ years. We have been seeing each other for 3 years. We both went to school together but we got together many years later. The other day I caught my husband for the seventh time talking to random women online inappropriately. Each time when I confront him he tells me I shouldn’t have been snooping or something along that nature. It sometimes has led to fits of anger and me being thrown around. He does not think you can emotionally cheat on someone, but I feel if he had…

Prayer request: Hello, I have a prayer request. Sorry if you’ve received multiples, but I didn’t hear back from you guys so I decided to send it again. My husband is a convicted felon. While in Prison, he came to know Christ and even started a ministry in prison. He’s active in our church and in our community. He has a passion for counseling youth. He’s only been out of prison for 3 months and already I’m worried. We are living on one income (mine’s). Barely making ends meet. My husband’s trying so hard to do right, but because he…

I still remember how sad I would get when it was time to part ways with my daughter on holidays. Chances are if you’re divorced, you’re going through the same thing. Although, we try to put on a cheery face on the outside, only prayer will cure us of the pain we feel on the inside. So pray about it, cheer up, and enjoy this holiday season! Here’s a few ways you can enjoy the holiday season while enduring the pain of co-parenting… 1. Start New Traditions If your parenting time doesn’t fall on the actual holiday, you can still enjoy the…

Chicago bull dancer Ariana Rosado was pleasantly surprised by a proposal from her boyfriend Shane Zackery during the third quarter of a game between the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat. In the middle of a performance by the Chicago Bulls dance squad, ‘The Luvabulls’ the music suddenly changes to “Marry You” from Bruno Mars. While the other dancers were completely aware of what was going on, Ariana was caught off guard by what was to happen next. Congratulations to the happy couple. 🙂

Prayer Request: I have a prayer request for my marriage. My husband and I have started to argue a lot. I mean everyday there’s an argument. He has become very jealous and insecure for no reason. He wasn’t like this when we were dating. He has never hit me or been abusive an any way, but it really scares me that one day it will get to that. Let me give you guys a little background on what I deal with daily. 1. He thinks all of my male co -workers want me. He pops up at my place of…

What have you done today that will draw you closer to fulfilling your God implanted dream/vision/goal? Have you written a few pages of your manuscript, have you filled out that application for a new job, or to apply to college? Have you written out that business plan or did the research needed for that business you want to open? Did you put a little extra money aside to go towards the goal you want to fulfill? Did you take that class you’ve been wanting to take for so long? Or if you have already fulfilled that big dream, what are…

Does he love you or is he lusting after you? Does he really want to know you: your thoughts, your dreams, and your fears? Or is it all for the physical? If he’s showing obvious signs that he only wants the cookie, the fruit, the flower or whatever reference you have for your nature below, then maybe it’s time to – LET HIM GO! Is he really worth you wasting your time or more importantly; your faith? I think not. No one is worth losing your faith in God – yes I said it, no one. Now I know this…

Prayer Request: Let me start by saying that my past is not squeaky clean. In fact, I have done a lot of things I am not proud of. I have told my husband every thing there is to know about me. No secrets. I’ m pretty much an open book with everyone because I use where I’ve been as a testament of how good God is.I’m not ashamed. I’ll tell my story to anybody I think it may help. But recently, my past has come back to haunt me. I’ve only been married 3 months. We eloped because my husbands…