Jerralea's Journey

What bible verse are you living this week?

2026-08-08T13:31:27.688-05:00

One of my characters in my fiction work-in-progress is Sister Clara who felt led to take in some new believers under her wing and teach them more about the bible. She started with Psalm 23, particularly emphasizing verse 1.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” Psalm 23:1 NLT

As she explained to the bible study ladies: “Everything we need to make it in this life will be given to us. We are to live our lives believin’ that and standin’ on it. When lack comes knockin’ at your door, slam the door in its face and say, ‘My God shall supply my need, Lack, you go away and don’t come back!’”

In my own life, this week this verse is speaking to me:

“May integrity and honesty protect me,
for I put my hope in you.” Psalm 25:21 NLT

Since I have a horror of confrontation, sometimes it is tempting to smooth things over. But some things cannot be smoothed – to do so would be a lie.

I’m trusting in God to work out things for He knows my heart is to always honor Him above all else.

“To do righteousness and justice
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” Proverbs 21:23 ESV

Have you ever had to make an unpopular choice to stand up for integrity?

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

This is Day 5 of taking my reader along a journey with me as I birth my book. I hope you consider checking in daily to see my progress.

I write for believers, but if you are not a believer and would like to know more, visit A Ticket Home. to find the way Home.

Sharing at Sweet Tea & Friends

The Book that Changed My Life

2026-08-07T18:15:19.790-05:00

There are books you read that make an impression. Some of their words stick in your brain forever.

The book that changed the life of my character, Morgan Ford, in my fiction work, “The Hesed Files: Morgan’s Redemption,” in surprising ways was Grandma Rose’s bible. It wasn’t just the penetrating words of scripture in the bible that first affected her so deeply. That would come later.

It was the recording of the births in the pages of the bible that first caught her attention. She learned the names of the father and the grandfather she had never met.

There was a card in its pages that surprised her: a card from her mother to her grandmother expressing gratitude for the Proverbs 31 woman she had modeled for her. Up to that point, Morgan had never heard her mother say a word of thanks to anyone.

But the shocker was the newspaper clipping, old, yellowed, and tucked in the back pages that revealed the family secret.

Her mother had thrown away the bible after Grandma Rose died. But Morgan had found it and hid it away from prying eyes.

The day she found it changed everything. Morgan set in motion a plan to leave town and never come back.

I, Jerralea, also had a bible change my life. I’d had different copies of the bible all my life, but I well remember the first study bible I ever had. It was a Dake Study bible, by Finis Jennings Dake, King James Version. I got it when I was in my late twenties because I was hungry for more and Bro. Chamblee, my pastor, recommended a Dake.

I had never had a bible with commentary before! I dove in and highlighted my favorite verses. I wore the gold leaf finish off the sides of those pages in no time.

Nowadays, I do most of my study online. There are a wealth of commentaries and versions to study and compare. I especially love finding out what the original Greek and Hebrew words mean. Sometimes, it changes everything.

I don’t use my Dake as much anymore because of the fine print. But it will always be special to me because it instilled in me the love of searching out the meanings of the scriptures.

Is there a book that made a difference in your life? Leave a comment and let us know!

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

This is Day 4 of taking my reader along a journey with me as I birth my book. I hope you consider checking in daily to see my progress.

I write for believers, but if you are not a believer and would like to know more, visit A Ticket Home. to find the way Home.

Sharing at Sweet Tea & Friends

Grateful for Salvation Stories

2026-08-05T20:57:39.070-05:00

It's good every day to reflect on the good things in our lives. An attitude of gratitude is important.

My main protagonist in my book, accepts Christ as her Savior in her sixteenth year; but by the time she turns eighteen, she learns some hard truths and turns away from Christ. For nine long years she neglects God and barely speaks to Him.

But over time, she learns the lengths to which the Father will go to find that one lost sheep. Once she realized her value to the Father, she became bold to testify about her story.

My salvation story contains a near-death experience when I was fourteen. A Sister at church had witnessed to me just a week earlier. I told her I would give my life to Christ later. I had things I wanted to do first. She ended the conversation, “Don’t wait until it’s too late.”

Days later, my family and I were travelling in a car that had a carbon monoxide leak. I was discovered when my parents stopped way earlier than they normally did for lunch and realized I was in trouble. Rushed to the emergency room, I was revived in time to hear the doctor tell my dad, “It’s good you stopped driving when you did. I don’t know how much longer she would have lasted breathing in that poison.”

I thank God for that story because it woke me up. No one is promised tomorrow – not even a 14 year old girl!

The day of salvation (accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior) is today!

Don’t wait!

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

This is Day 3 of a taking my reader along a journey with me as I birth my book. I hope you consider checking in daily to see my progress.

I write for believers, but if you are not a believer and would like to know more, visit A Ticket Home. to find the way Home.

Sharing at Sweet Tea & Friends

What's in your cup?

2026-08-04T05:30:00.000-05:00

The characters in my story drink one thing: tea. They live in a small southern town and they drink tea in two ways: sweet tea over ice, preferably sipped from tumblers while sitting on a swing in Grandma Rose's rose garden. Or they find solace in drinking Sister Clara's tea served from a steaming kettle accompanied by white chocolate macadamian nut cookies.

But, I mustn't forget Kai. Kai is an angel sent to minister to the family. Although Kai is an angel, he has learned to love a "cup of joe," and is delighted to find one of his assignments is being a barista at a coffee shop where he ministers to all sorts of amazing people.

As a writer, I always have my trusty insulated cup nearby while I'm at the keyboard. I used to be a sweet tea addict but lost the taste for it when I had COVID. Now, my drinks of choice are ice water or iced coffee; or when cooler temps prevail, hot coffee with peppermint mocha creamer.

I can type for hours without stopping to eat if I have something in my cup.

What's in your cup? Inquiring minds want to know.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

This is Day 2 of a taking my reader along a journey with me as I birth my book. I hope you consider checking in daily to see my progress.

I write for believers, but if you are not a believer and would like to know more, visit A Ticket Home. to find the way Home.

Sharing at InstaEncouragements Link-Up

Morning Routine

2026-08-03T13:09:34.524-05:00

Good morning, dear Readers. Today, I want to talk about how we begin our day.

Now, I don't claim to be an expert on mornings. There are others more qualified than me. For instance, Jennifer Dukes Lee, who calls herself a morning evangelist, has written a whole book about it, entitled "How to Love Your Morning." I highly recommend it.

However, in August, I'm taking you along on a journey of birthing my book, sharing my life as a writer and the story God has given me.

I feel the most important thing to start our day is to wake up thinking about God. Our first thoughts influence our day.

If I want mine to be about God, it starts the night before. I use the Lectio 365 app and play the nighttime selection for that day, listening to it as I drift off to sleep.

You'd be surprised how often I wake up with some of the words said in Lectio 365 swirling in my brain.

Another thing that helps is to listen to praise and worship music throughout my day. I often hear the words to a song reverberating in my brain when I awake. (I hightly recommend the song, "I Know A Name." I listen to the CeCe Winans version.)

My first task after waking, getting dressed, etc., is to take one scripture, ask God for direction, then write a prayer about that verse.

Then, I can start tackling the to-do list.

As a writer, I'm looking for blocks of time where I can work on my book everyday. Monday's are writing days where I devote the whole day in some way to writing. Editing, blogposts, listening to a teaching, and writing outlines are all good ways to refining my message.

But there must be time for actual writing somewhere in my day.

I've laid the groundwork for inspiration when I have thought about God, prayed to Him, looked at His word. Now, I can expect His inspiration to show up as I work hard.

Inspiration shows up when there has been perspiration!

How about you, dear Reader? How do you start your day? What is your first thought when the alarm goes off?

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

This is Day 1 of a taking my reader along a journey with me as I birth my book. I hope you consider checking in daily to see my progress.

I write for believers, but if you are not a believer and would like to know more, visit A Ticket Home. to find the way Home.

Sharing at Sweet Tea & Friends, InstaEncouragements Link-Up

I can't afford to wait.

2026-08-01T18:15:22.052-05:00

Readers, I'm in the last third of my life and I can't afford to wait any longer to share the story God has given me.

I'm hard at work on my fiction series in progress called "The Hesed Files," stories of how God uses His angels to participate in unfailing love and mercy. Book One, Morgan's Redemption, chronicles a family's journey through secrets, pain, bitterness, loss and transformation into children of God.

I wrote it to bring you hope. Because, all believers are being transformed into what God had planned them to be. You are, after all, His masterpiece.* But I know life can be discouraging and dark.

I want to share with you the hope I find in scripture. My passion is to show you through the words and ideas I share with you to convince you no one is beyond redemption.

Never give up praying. While there is breath, there is hope.

I also can't afford to miss telling you something the Lord impressed upon me in 2019 because I feel He wants me to share it with everyone.

What if you believed, reqally believed, that goodness and mercy is chasing you down?**

Would that belief make a difference in your outlook? I believe it can.

Join me in the coming days and weeks. I'm going to take you with me on the journey of birthing my book. Dear Reader, will you come?

* Ephesians 2:10

** Psalm 23:6

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

I write for believers, but if you are not a believer and would like to know more, visit A Ticket Home. to find the way Home.

This post was written in response to the prompt, "afford," provided by the Five Minute Friday writing challenge. We write for five minutes on a prompt. (Adding links, scriptures, graphics, etc. takes longer.)

Sharing at Five Minute Friday and Sweet Tea & Friends

Come Follow My Journey Through the Phases of Becoming a Published Author

2026-07-25T10:35:11.591-05:00

A phase is a distinct stage in a process; a single part of a larger plan, project, or process.

As a writer, I'm in the developmental stage of achieving my dream. I've written my manuscript, I've worked on it with a coach, and now I'm in the editing phase.

At some point, I will be in the launch phase where I encourage others to help me bring my message into the world

I found these statistics about wanting to be a writer:

80% to 81% say they want to write a book.

15% actually start writing.

3% manage to finish a full manuscript.

1% or less get a book published. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Hey! I'm excited! I'm in the 3%.

Since so many are interested in writing, I thought it might be fun to invite you follow me through the phases of being a writer.

In August, I will be writing a series of blog posts about the process of publishing a book.

I hope you will be a part of the series, read and comment. I can't know what readers want if I don't ask.

Here's my first question: do you want to be a writer?

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

This post was written in response to the prompt, "phase," provided by the Five Minute Friday writing challenge. We write for five minutes on a prompt. (Adding links, scriptures, graphics, etc. takes longer.)

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home. for those who might not know the way Home.

Sharing at Five Minute Friday and Let's Have Coffee

If You Want to Go That Route ...

2026-07-18T17:42:47.997-05:00

I live on a state route. It runs approximately 167 miles from the tip of our state to the mid-state region. The route goes through parts of the Shawnee National Forest and has many beautiful stops. It also has many opportunities to get off the beaten path. A person could get lost; but if he found a state route marker on the road, he could easily determine the way back home.

I am also on a spiritual journey. It has many twists and turns along the way and it would be easy to follow a rabbit trail and end up far from where I started.

My pastor, Jack Oliver, once said this: "Whatever has my attention determines my direction."

Just like finding a mile marker helps get us back on the route we intended to travel, getting our eyes fixed on Jesus gets us back on our spiritual journey Home.

In our travels, we often run across many distractions ... things we think will make our journey easier or more productive. Things we don't see any harm in doing. Maybe we join forces with a group who seems like-minded but we soon realize they are leading us down the wrong path.

What do we do? We get our eyes back on Jesus. He is big enough to get us on the route Home.

The answer is always to seek Him first.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33 NKJV

It's a simple strategy ... but it works!

Today's post is a response to the prompt, "route," provided by the writers at the Five Minute Friday community.

I'd also like to offer a little prayer I wrote about God's protection on our journey:

SHADE

The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. Psalm 121:5 New Living Translation

Abba,

I stand on Your Word; so, I believe You are watching over everything happening in my life. You are protecting me – even from bad decisions because you know my heart is to honor You.

When the heat of humiliation threatens to overwhelm me, Your shade will protect me.

You are watching over me and only allowing what is best for me to touch me.

Help me to remember this. Don’t let me get stuck when I wonder if I took the wrong steps. Help me keep moving forward, always keeping my eyes on You. If I have not seen what You want me to see, I pray you will open my eyes and heart to see them.

Help me to get Home to You with honor.

In Jesus’ mighty name, so be it, amen.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Sharing at Five Minute Friday, InstaEncouragements Link-Up

The Short End of the Stick

2026-07-11T17:56:12.870-05:00

The short end of the stick is an idiom for getting an unequal deal.

It reminds me of when we were little, my mom would make us share a Pepsi. If I poured it into glasses, sometimes the level of my Pepsi was a little higher than my brother's. (Just being real here.)

Of course, my brother would yell, "Hey no fair. Jerr gets more Pepsi than me."

He got the short end of the stick.

My mother solved the problem by saying "Jerralea, you pour the soda into two glasses. Tim, you choose what glass you want."

I worked at pouring equal amounts after that.

If only injustice could be solved so easily in today's world!

If you're short-sighted it does look like people get away with doing terrible things. You might think, "What's the use of doing good. People do what they want and it seems nothing ever happens to them."

But in the long run, the law of sowing and reaping comes into play.

A man will sow a certain kind of seed. And he will reap a harvest from that seed.

Good seed brings forth a bountiful harvest.

Bad seed produces bad things.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. (Galatians 6:7 NKJV)

In the end, it will matter what kind of seed we plant.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.
~~

This post was written in response to the prompt, "short," provided by the Five Minute Friday crew of writers. We free write for 5 minutes on the prompt. (I always take longer to add scripture and a graphic.)
Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.
Sharing at Five Minute Friday and InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Let's Have Coffee

Happy 250!

2026-07-04T10:49:08.772-05:00

250 years of Indpendence! Thank You, Lord, and our deepest gratitude to all the patriots that paved the way for our freedom. May we never forget their sacrifice.

On independence Day, I like to share a post I wrote a few years ago about the time we spent July 4th at Clearwater Beach. Portrait of an American Family is about a little Latino family I observed having a wonderful time at a Independence Day concert. Click here. I hope you enjoy!

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Our Part Is Obedience

2026-06-13T14:43:57.208-05:00

As a blessing hunter who shares encouragement for the journey Home, I love to share scriptures and prayers with my readers. I totally believe the Word of God and I trust the Lord is good and will work out all things for our good.

But, I must point out that we believers have a part to play in answered prayer as well.

Our part is obedience.

For example, He asks us to choose.

Joshua 24:14-15 New Living Translation ¹⁴“So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. ¹⁵But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

Are we going to hold back, or follow with our whole heart?

He wants us to trust and believe:

Mark 5:35-36 New King James Version
³⁵While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” ³⁶As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.”

Jairus received his daughter back when he obeyed the command to believe.

He invites us to seek:

Matthew 6:33 New Living Translation Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Once you decide to take the focus off yourself and place it on Him, things will fall into place.

And, He asks us to ask!

Matthew 7:7 New Living Translation “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

Don't give up!

He wants to shepherd us:

Psalm 23:1 New Living Translation The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

A sheep must follow the Shepherd. Our part is obedience.
~~
Today's post was written in response to the prompt "part," proviced by the Five Minute Friday Community. The post took 5 minutes to write. Adding scriptures and a graphic took longer.
All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.
~~

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Sharing at Five Minute Friday and Sweet Tea & Friends

Meet Holly J. Compton

2026-05-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

Let me introduce today's guest blogger, Holly J. Compton.

Holly is a wife, mother of three, author, teacher, and missionary at heart. You can find all things Holly at her website, Holly J. Compton

Holly and I have the same publisher, and we have met multiple times in Zoom meetings. I've been impressed with her heart for missions and her passion for sharing truths with new believers just starting out on their journey.

Holly has written a book, "Choosing True Life: 30 Foundational Choices for a Life Transformed," that will release next Tuesday, June 2, but is available for preorder now! Click on the link.

What I love about this book is that it is not a self-help book, It is a Savior-help book. Holly does a great job of sharing what scripture says about the choices we make, and poses the intriguing question, do you want a "water-life," or a "wine-life"?

Recently, here on the Journey, we talked about God's timing. Holly is sharing an excerpt of her book, Choice #8, that speaks to that subject.

Listen in:

Excerpt from “Choice #8 – Listen AND Obey?”

A heart that loves the Lord and stands surrendered to His instructions is an important prerequisite to hearing His voice. Patience and persistence also open our spiritual ears. He may not answer our prayers immediately, but He has promised that we will find the answers in some way. Matthew 5:4 (TPT) says, “What delight comes to you when you wait upon the Lord! For you will find what you long for.” Throughout our lives, we discover that waiting on Him is the most demanding but most meaningful, even monumental task God asks of us, but He promises us that He’s big enough, sees enough, knows more than enough, to answer at the perfect time and in the perfect manner.

In seasons of waiting, when my faith feels thin, I cling to a poem by J.J. Lynch, called “Say Not, My Soul”:

Say not, my soul, ‘From whence

Can God relieve my care?’

Remember that Omnipotence

Hath servants everywhere.

His help is always sure,

His methods seldom guessed;

Delay will make our pleasure pure;

Surprise will give it zest.

His wisdom is sublime,

His heart profoundly kind;

God never is before His time,

and never is behind.

Hast thou assumed a load

Which none will bear with thee?

And art thou bearing it for God,

And shall He fail to see?[1]

That third stanza speaks volumes to the importance of trusting God’s wisdom and kindness in the midst of anxious impatience. As He grows our patience, He prepares us to receive His answers. He may speak through a Scripture, a circumstance, another person, a poem, a song, or countless other possibilities, as long as we have our hands and ears open to receive what He offers.

In Revelation 3:20 (TPT), Jesus says: “Behold, I’m standing at the door, knocking. If your heart is open to hear my voice and you open the door within, I will come in to you and feast with you, and you will feast with me.” Jesus has a sweet and humble voice, and His loving demeanor is not a mystical or mythical thing—He is truly before us with open arms to receive us into His embrace. We may still struggle to do as He asks, when He asks, but the possibility alone of obedience is how we invite Jesus in to lead us. This is where we humble ourselves in surrender and trust that His will is best. This is when we choose Life.

[1] Lynch, Thomas T. “Say Not, My Soul.” The Disciplines of Life. World Wide Publications, 1948.

It's not too late - you could join Holly's launch team and spread the word about this wonderful resource. Click here for the details. (Launch team members get free resources!)

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Sharing at Remember Me Monday, and InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Let's Have Coffee

Remember the Benefits

2026-05-22T18:20:02.381-05:00

Hey, I need to tell you about a benefit package that is out of this world!

It contains better benefits than any company I know offers.

Yes, I'm talking not only material benefits but some that apply to your peace of mind and make living so much richer and fuller.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits. Psalm 103:2

Yes! You can discover all sorts of perks when you read Psalm 103 - reserved only for His children.

Things like:

All sins forgiven (verse 3)
Diseases healed (verse 3) Think of the co-pays and deductibles you won't need to pay.
Redeemed from destruction (verse 4) Not only will you save money from not having to rebuild your life, but think of the time saved!
Crowned with love and tender mercy (verse 5) I'm envisioning love and mercy crowning our heads and dripping down to our toes.
Fills your life with good things ...(verse 5) Take time to make a list of all the good in your life - I bet there are more blessings than you thought.

And those are only the things listed in the first five verses.

Read the whole thing to discover more, including my personal favorite in verse 8 - He is slow to get angry with you.

What a deal!

Five minutes cannot tell you all there is to tell included in this wonderful believer's benefits package. Do yourself a favor and read the whole psalm.

This post was written in response to the prompt "benefits" given by the Five Minute Friday community to challenge writers to free write for five minutes.

My post was written in 5 minutes, but looking up scriptures and graphics took longer.

Keep reading to see a prayer based on Psalm 103:1-5 that the Lord laid on my heart in March of 2025:

1 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
2 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
3 He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
4 He redeems me from death
and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
5 He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
Psalm 103:1-5 New Living Translation

Father,

I love all this psalm of David! It is such a blessing. Today I’m focusing on all the good things You give your children. Forgiveness, healing, redemption, love and tender mercies … and then You throw in an abundant life filled with good things and top it off with renewed youth! Wow!

I claim these things right now in the name of Jesus.

Our part is to never forget these benefits You have given. With everything in us, we are to praise You.

Lord, I ask You to help us remember this on the days the enemy is pressing in with doubt and discouragement. When he whispers deceitful words to influence us that You don’t care about the desire of our hearts, or that You are too busy blessing others, and You have forgotten about us.

Help us to see that maybe Your tender mercy is that it would not be good for us to have desire right now … Help us trust You – because all these good things You’ve filled our lives with show us You care.

In Jesus’ name, so be it, amen.

Adapted from a previous post. All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Sharing at Five Minute Friday

He Keeps Us Going

2026-05-15T13:33:53.944-05:00

I love to define a word before I write about it. Just reading the definition can spark a creative spin on the word.

Today, I'm looking at the word "sustain."

To sustain means to support, maintain, or keep something going over a period of time. It can also mean to endure a burden, provide nourishment, or officially uphold a legal argument. [1, 2]

Last week, I shared how diving into the Word of God was The Beginning of Everything Good for me while going thourgh the trial of bipolar disorder with my husband.

Today, I'm thinking about how the Word of God not only let me know God's will and character, but also sustains me. Hearing from God keeps me going each and every day.

The Word encourages me to have staying power and not give up. It assures me God will work everything out for my good. (See Romans 8:28). I learn I have a future and a hope just by diving into its pages. (See Jeremiah 29:11).

Why wouldn't I avail myself of the support God's word offers me?

It's worth everything to know how dearly God loves me. Read this:
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:3-5 NLT)
He loves. He helps. He keeps us going.

Why not reach out?

STOP

The word sustain also reminds me of a fun post I wrote a few years back when I had a visitor at the church office who claimed he was The Stabilizer of the Universe. Click on the link to read and bring a smile to your face.

This post was written in response to the word prompt, "sustain," provided by the writers at the Five Minute Friday community. The post took me 5 minutes to write but longer to add graphics, links, and scripture. It's a lot of fun so you should totally join us!

Adapted from a previous post. All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Sharing at Five Minute Friday, InstaEncouragements Link-Up

The Beginning of Everything Good

2026-05-08T12:35:00.000-05:00

My beginning as a Christian was at age 14; but the real beginning of my Christian walk was in my 30's when I began to dive into the Word for my very survival.

My husband became ill at age 31 with bipolor disorder, a mental illness that I'd not heard of back in the 80's. Once my eyes were opened to the illness; I began to see it everywhere.

But I needed help right then and there seemed to be few resources from the Christian perspective about the illness.

My only hope was to dive into the Word for help, and I'm so glad I did.

I learned about standing on the promises in the Word of God and spiritual warfare. Even more importantly, I discovered who God was and what He was willing to do.

I also learned what the will of God is - well, actually I'm still learning. Here's a few things the bible says about His will:

He is not willing that any should perish. (See 2 Peter 3:9)
His will is for me to be thankful in every circumstance. (See 1 Thessalonians 5:18)
He is willing to heal. (See Matthew 8:2-3). The caveat is healing comes in His timing.

For me, diving into the Word of God was the beginning of everything good.

This post was written in response to the Five Minute Friday Community's writing challenge prompt, "beginning." I wrote the post in 5 minutes, but it took longer to look up scripture references, make a graphic, and attach a prayer to illustrate my theme.

I wrote this prayer earlier in 2026. I hope it blesses you.

THE WORD WAS THE BEGINNING OF EVERYTHING

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 New King James Version

Father,

I cannot begin to tell You how thankful I am for the Word! Jesus means everything to me – Savior, Shepherd, and Scripture. I’m beyond grateful the Holy Spirit inspired the authors of the bible to write Your word – to spill out Jesus on all the pages, tying everything together and teaching us Your truth. (Oh, and Truth is another name for Jesus!) How amazing is that!

Also amazing is to realize the very Word of God dwells with believers!

Help us to grasp the blessings and authority we have through the Word. Let us keep sharing the Word, dwelling in the Word, and trusting in the Word.

In Jesus’ holy name I pray, may many come to You today. So be it, amen.

Adapted from a previous post. All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Sharing at Five Minute Friday, Sweet Tea & Friends, Let's Have Coffee

Your Opinion Matters

2026-04-27T14:54:00.000-05:00

Dear Reader,

As you might have noticed in previous blogposts, I am working on writing a book. I'm also trying to learn how to be more media savvy!

I am presenting my attempt on taking a reader survey.

Would you consider taking the survey? It's only 4 quick questions and your answers are anonymous. It could be a signpost showing me what kind of content YOU want to read.

Just click on the link below. It's easy-peasy!

JERRALEA'S READER SURVEY

Thank you! I'm grateful.

Jerralea

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Timing is Everything!

2026-04-25T11:02:00.001-05:00

I was heartsick. I had put in dozens of job applications and not one had called me. My current full-time job as a church secretary was ending soon. I had to find something. I was the sole bread-winner in our family of five.

What in the world was I going to do? Didn't God care?

Desperate to find something - anything - I picked up a little freebie weekly newspaper called the Monday's Pub that mainly catered to people in the county north of me. I started reading the Help Wanted section with little hope. Most of the jobs that were ever in this paper was for CNAs or truck drivers. I didn't have any qualifications for either.

Maybe, I thought, there might be some kind of home health helper that would train me. I had little desire to do that type of work; but I had hungry mouths to feed.

Wait! There was a little box at the bottom of the last page advertising a position with a church in Jonesboro. Hey! They wanted a secretary. I was a church secretary. I had the training and the skills. Could this be what God had for me?

I dropped my resume in the mail at the little rural post office I passed on my way to the job I had for a few more days.

This post was written for Five Minute Friday, a community that challenges writers to free-write for 5 minutes on a prompt. This week's prompt, "timing," immediately brought to mind a story I have told before, but now I want to showcase God's timing.

I have written for 5 minutes, but stay tuned for the rest of the story!

Later, that same day, the Pastor from the church in Jonesboro called me. He said he had just checked the church mailbox and my resume was there.

This had to be God because how can a piece of mail dropped in a little town 15 miles away get delivered by noon that same day to another post office? Nowadays, this can never happen because all mail at rural post offices has to go to St. Louis before they can go to any other post office.

Pastor asked if I could come in that afternoon for an interview. Why, yes! Yes, I can. My current church would be happy to let me off early.

By the end of the day, I had the job. As I was leaving pastor's office, he casually remarked, "So glad you saw the ad. We had run it twice before and got no response. This was the last time we were going to run it before trying something else."

Timing is everything!

It's really hard to trust and wait on God's timing. I get it. But God promises strenth while we are waiting.

Can I pray with you about waiting on God?

Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14 NKJV

Abba,

You know how difficult it is for Your children to wait! Even though we know going on ahead of Your timing is not a wise choice, sometimes we can’t stop ourselves!

We want to be brave and wait for You, Lord, but we need You to give us the strength to wait. Show us, Lord, Your perspective on things. I know if we could see things the way You see them, we would be much more patient. But on the other hand; maybe we couldn’t handle seeing things the way You see them!

I think the heart of every believer ultimately wants to please You. Help us keep that goal as our focus. I know You will fulfill Your word to us! The promise is sure. We stand on Your word.

In Jesus’ name I pray; may many come to You today. So be it, amen.

Adapted from a previous post. All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Sharing at Five Minute Friday, InstaEncouragements Link-Up

Treasuring the Body

2026-04-13T15:07:00.006-05:00

Today, I'm praying for unity among believers. John 17:23 teaches us that the world will believe Jesus was sent from God when they see believers living in one accord.

I'd say that makes unity pretty important.

It's easier to focus on the things believers have in common when you realize we are all just parts of the body of Christ working together, just like all the parts of our own human body must work together. For example, both our feet must want to go the same direction, or we will fall.

I think every true believer wants to hear Jesus welcome them home at the end of their journey.

Let's help each other stay encouraged and on the journey.

Prayer for Unity:

¹²The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. ¹³Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 New Living Translation

Abba,

We love that all believers make up one body! It is thrilling to know each person who believes Jesus is who He said He is and accepts Him as Lord and Savior becomes a part of His body. A fifth-grader in Alabama, an old man in China, a teenager in France, a mom in Africa – they are all the same in Your eyes when they become a believer. Not one of them is more important than the other. They are all loved equally.

But each has a job only they can do. The man in China can reach his neighbor; and only the mom in Africa can affect her community for Christ. I will never be able to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the people they can reach; just like they cannot come into my world and do my calling.

Father, we pray for Your Body right now. Help us be in one mind and one accord in reaching the world for You. Yes, our denominations and practices may differ from one another; but at the core, true believers want to demonstrate the love of Jesus to their world. Father, bless our efforts!

Protect us, Lord. Some of Your servants face death every day because evil wants to quiet them. Father, rescue them! Others are bound by fear. Father, release them!

Thank You for the gift of our brothers and sisters in Christ. May we treasure them and pray for them every day.

In Jesus’ holy name we pray; may many come to You today. So be it, amen.

Adapted from a previous post. All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Sharing at Sweet Tea & Friends, InstaEncouragemens Link-Up, Let's Have Coffee

A Remnant Can Turn the World Upside Down

2026-04-11T15:25:00.007-05:00

Have you ever been part of a remnant?

I have. I am.

I am a member of a congregation that once numbered 220 for a morning worship service. But things happened.

People left.

Eventually, it was a group of 12 of us.

We began thinking of ourselves as the remnant, the faithful few.

It was pointed out the disciples of Jesus were only 12 in number (once Judas' replacement was voted in) and they turned the world upside down.

Of course, that was with the help of Holy Spirit.

Yet, today, we have that same spirit at work among us. Nothing is impossible for those that believe.

We're still here. We number between 40-50 now.

But we are still believing we can touch the world.

Our message is simple. Love God. Love each other. Feed the hungry whenever we can. Trust God.

I don't know if God will use our messages on the internet to plant seed; or if He will continue to send people our way one by one. He will probably use both ways.

But we are committed to being faithful and leaving the rest in His Hands.

That's what the faithful few do.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.
John 14:12-13 NLT

Adapted from a previous post. All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Sharing at Five Minute Friday

It Would Have Been Enough

2026-04-07T09:26:00.001-05:00

If Jesus died on the cross for my sins; but did not spare my life when I was 14, it would have been enough.

If Jesus spared my life when I was 14; but didn’t light a fire in my heart at Youth Camp to give Him my best, it would have been enough.

If Jesus lit a fire in my heart when I went to Youth Camp; but didn’t answer my prayer about finding the right person to marry, it would have been enough.

If Jesus answered my prayer about finding the right person to marry; but didn’t answer my prayer to have a child, it would have been enough.

If Jesus answered my prayer and sent me a child, but didn’t send another child, it would have been enough.

If Jesus answered my prayer and sent the second and the third babies; but didn’t answer the prayer about healing my husband, it would have been enough.

If Jesus began healing in my husband; and did not provide for us with income and a calling as a ministry assistant for me, it would have been enough.

If Jesus provided an income and a calling as a ministry assistant for me; but did not answer when I prayed the prayer of Jabez to enlarge my territory, it would have been enough.

If He enlarged my territory by giving me two churches and a ministry of teaching; but did not answer our prayers for help when our house flooded, it would have been enough.

If He answered our prayers with funds and willing workers when our house flooded; but did not give me sons-in-laws and grandchildren, it would have been enough.

If He gave me a family of daughters, sons-in-laws and grandchildren; but did not give me the love of writing, it would have been enough.

If He gave me the love of writing; but didn’t make a way for me to share it, it would have been enough.

If He gave me opportunities to share my writing; but didn’t give me the assurance that goodness and mercy were chasing me down, it would have been enough.

If He gave me the message of goodness and mercy chasing down believers; but didn’t give me the courage to share biblical truth and the faith to believe it, it would have been enough.

If He gave me the courage and the faith to share biblical truth; but didn’t give me anything else, it would be enough.

The above was written as my personal dayenu. What is a dayenu? According to Wikipedia, "The word "dayenu" means approximately "it would have been enough," "it would have been sufficient," or "it would have sufficed" (day- in Hebrew is "enough," and -ēnu the first person plural suffix, "to us")."

I first heard about a dayenu from Maryleigh Bucher who writes the wonderful inspiring blog, Blue Cotton Memory, and shared about the traditional Passover Dayenu. She wrote her own personal dayenu and encouraged others to do the same.

You might want to try it, too. It was so encouraging to look back over my life and count the blessings. After I was finished writing mine, I looked up some more info about what a traditional dayenu looked like. I learned a traditional dayenu has 15 stanzas. I went back and counted mine - 15 stanzas! I felt the Holy Spirit led me in the things I shared.

He's good like that!

Adapted from a previous post. All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Sharing at Remember Me Monday, InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Let's Have Coffee

Maundy Thursday ... Jesus Demonstrates Love

2026-04-02T00:30:00.003-05:00

Today is Maundy Thursday, the day we celebrate Jesus and His disciples having a Last Supper sharing bread and wine for the final time this side of heaven.

What does Maundy mean? Having come from a discipline that celebrates Easter, but not Holy Week so much, I did not know the definition of Maundy. It turns out Maundy means "commandment" or "mandate" in the original language.

I offer my humble attempt to dramatize the events of the first Maundy Thursday:

The Teacher had a special group of students, men whom he had poured three years of his life into as they had lived life together. There was nothing about those students he did not know, their strengths as well as their weaknesses, and how they would react under pressure. Yet he loved them and always would.

Time was short. Not much longer would he be able to impart to them what he wanted them to know. Home was calling him back.

So, they had one last supper together. The Teacher knew that one had already decided to betray him, yet he treated him the same as all the rest. It was meant to be.

After supper, the Teacher stood up and got a towel, basin and pitcher. He wrapped the towel around his waist and then knelt down, and one by one, he placed each student's feet in the basin, scrubbed the foot and then, much like a mother would do, propped the foot on his knee, drying it with the towel that was still wrapped around his waist. What an intimate humbling act for a teacher to do!

That rascally student, Peter, who was always quick with a retort, spoke in wonder, "Do YOU wash my feet?

The Teacher smiled and said, "I know you don't understand now, but one day you will."

Peter insisted, "Teacher, you will never wash MY feet."

The Teacher replied that if he couldn't wash Peter's feet, then Peter could have no part in the Teacher's ministry.

Always one to go "whole hog", Peter did an about-face and wanted the Teacher to wash his head and hands. The Teacher said there was no need for that. They were all clean and only needed their feet washed - well, except for one ...

When all twelve students' feet were washed, the Teacher put away the towel, basin and pitcher and putting back on his robe, he sat down again in his place.

All their eyes looked at him expectantly. "Do you understand what I did?" he asked them.

"You all look to me as your Teacher, as well you should. What I just did is an example for you. You should wash each other's feet, just like I did yours. A student is not greater than his Teacher. You should always do like you've seen me do."

~~~

The greatest Teacher who ever lived, and will live forever, is Jesus. He came and did life with us for 33 years. While He was here, He taught us about what is important, and what's not.

He taught with words, lecturing in places like synagogues, boat decks and mountaintops. He also taught by example, always willing to bless and to heal, letting the crowds come to Him with their overwhelming needs, always putting others first and somehow finding time to spend alone with His Father.

On that fateful foot-washing night long ago, the Teacher gave a new commandment to apply to the life of anyone who calls themselves one of His students:A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

Students, let's follow His example.

~~~

Adapted from a previous post. All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Linking up Sweet Tea & Friends

5 Days

2026-03-30T10:54:00.006-05:00

Has your outlook ever changed drastically in a short period of time?

I want to contrast two scriptures for you today.

The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:
“Hosanna!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
The King of Israel!” John 12:12-19 New King James Version

And,

So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!”
Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?”
But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!” Mark 15:13-14 New King James Version

Same crowd, five days later.

What made the difference?

You see, the word “hosanna” means “save now.” The crowd wanted to be rescued more than they wanted the Rescuer.

When they finally comprehended the Rescuer came to save them spiritually, not politically, they wanted nothing more to do with Him. In fact, they couldn’t even stand to have Him around, so they wanted to get rid of Him.

My question to you today … if God doesn’t give you what you want, will you want to shut Him out of your life?

Is there something that could happen that would change your mind about Christ in just five days?

Something to ponder ...

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

I always want to be sure every visitor to the Journey knows how to make heaven their home. Read my post, A Ticket Home. It describes exactly what you need to do.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey!

Linking up at InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Sweet Tea & Friends

Don't Conceal Good News!

2026-03-27T14:09:00.000-05:00

My word of the year for 2026 is "publish," or more specifically, make good news known.

As a believer in Christ, I'm all about sharing truths I find in scripture. In fact, I often say, "I'm an encourager who writes bible-based words for the discouraged so they can have hope.

That's my mission.

But, as we all know, the enemy likes to discourage us from our callings. He is often subtle about it, whispering words of doubt trying to waylay us from our goal. There is a fear of not being relevant, or thought of as being ridiculous, or even feeling others say it better, why should I risk adding my voice to the mix?

Do you know the opposite meaning of the word publish? It is keeping something secret. It is concealing or hiding information.

In essence, if I know something that is true and uplifting, or that sparks wonder in my heart, and love for God. I'm robbing you if I don't share it.

Conversely, if I discover something convicting that I could make a change and bring blessing and healing in my life. and I don't share it with others, what does that say about me? Am I more afraid of people's opinions than I am of the consequences of not following my calling of encouragement?

Do I really want to stand before the Lord one day and admit I was too afraid to speak encouragement in people's lives?

I think not!

What about you? What is your calling? Is something keeping you from it? I am praying for you, my reader, and asking God to help you fulfill whatever calling He has laid on your heart.

As believers, we are all called to share the gospel, the good news. Here is a scripture and a prayer I'm sharing today for all of us:

For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 New Living Translation

Abba,

I’m so thankful for the messengers of the gospel. Where would we be if we had never heard?

I also note we should focus on pleasing God, not people. He is the only one that knows our true motives.

I like the part of this scripture that assures us He approves of us, that He trusts us to share the Good News. So many times, we are fearful to share thinking our explanation might not be good enough. But if we are being led by the Holy Spirit, we don’t have to worry about that. He will make it come together in just the right way. Our job is to share the seed. He will add whatever is needed to help it grow.

Be with us dear Holy Spirit as we go about our day. Schedule divine appointments for us and lead us in the way everlasting.

In Jesus’ name I pray; may many come to You today. So be it, amen.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

I always want to be sure every visitor to the Journey knows how to make heaven their home. Read my post, A Ticket Home. It describes exactly what you need to do.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey!

Sharing at One Word Link-up

How to Live in Harmony

2026-03-20T14:46:00.005-05:00

The bible has much to say about living in harmony with each other. Today, I’m honing in on Romans 12.

¹⁶Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! ¹⁷Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. ¹⁸Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Romans 12:16-18 New Living Translation

I think the secret of living in harmony is to practice courtesy. I once heard courtesy described like this: doing what you think will make the other person comfortable.

Courtesy is the grease that oils the rusty hinges of everyday living. Like a screen door that squeaks every time someone goes in or out, living with only you in mind can grate on everyone’s last nerve.

The truth is we don’t always know best; we are wrong some of the time, and acting like everything should go our way can just be plain irritating!

Showing love by treating each other with respect is for your own good. After all, you want to be the one everyone is glad to see arrive at a gathering. It’s disheartening if everyone scatters when you join a group!

It boils down to the golden rule: treat others as you would want to be treated.

If the golden rule prevailed in gatherings – and on social media! – life would be so much sweeter.

STOP

I did a deep dive on what some of the different bible translations had to say about verse 16:

AMP - Do not overestimate yourself.

CJB - Be sensitive to each other’s needs

ERV - Don’t think of yourself as smarter than everyone else.

GW - Don’t think that you are smarter than you really are.

PHILLIPS - Don’t become snobbish but take a real interest in ordinary people. Don’t become set in your own opinions.

MSG Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.

This post was written in response to Five Minute Friday's prompt, "harmony." The post was written in 5 minutes, but looking up scriptures and adding a graphic took longer.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

I always want to be sure every visitor to the Journey knows how to make heaven their home. Read my post, A Ticket Home. It describes exactly what you need to do.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey!

Sharing at Five Minute Friday Remember Me Monday, InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Let's Have Coffee

Delays can be a good thing

2026-03-13T13:28:00.007-05:00

I received an email notifying me that the Five Minute Friday link-up was delayed due to technical issues. The word "DELAYED" sparked a memory I'd like to share, so I will free-write on it for five minutes.

Has something ever happened that stopped you from taking the next step in your journey?

I remember once that I signed up at the community college for courses that would start me on the road to becoming an elementary teacher.

I had a four-year-old and a husband who was struggling with bi-polar. I could see the handwriting on the wall and thought I should do something to prepare to be a bread winner. I felt since I loved to study and had a child, becoming a school teacher would work out best for us.

However, a couple weeks after signing up, two things happened to delay me. My husband lost his job: and I found out I was pregnant with baby #2. (I discovered these things on the same day!)

I abandoned my plan and took the first full-time job I could find because we had to have an income NOW.

I never became a school teacher. However, I see now that the delay was a good thing. I need time to realize I was not meant to be a school teacher!

STOP (My five minutes are up; but here is the rest of the story.)

Deciding to advance myself in teaching children while waiting for the right time to go back to school; I volunteered as Leader of the Daisies in our girls’ program at church.

Here is what I learned about myself: I did not want to be a teacher of elementary children. The one hour a week that I led the Daisies was the longest hour of my life! I could not imagine how I would teach children every day all day long.

(If you know a teacher who really has a heart for students, give them some sign of appreciation every chance you get. They deserve it!)

God knew teaching children was not in my wheelhouse. He had something else for me. I just couldn’t see it yet.

Sometimes delays are a redirect towards the path you should go.

Wait and trust.

Want to know more? Read my post, A Ticket Home. It describes how you can arrive at Home.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey!

Sharing at Five Minute Friday, InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Let's Have Coffee