A story is told about a king who went into his royal garden one morning, only to find every tree and plant withering and dying. He approached the oak tree and asked what its trouble was. The oak tree said it was tired of life and decided it wanted to die, since it could never be as tall as the pine tree. The pine tree felt discouraged and withered because it could never bear fruit like the grapevine. The grapevine was determined to die because it could never stand tall and bear large fruit like Continue Reading
All Articles by Patricia Holbrook
Grace is amazing. Breathtaking… Empowering… Everlasting… All-surviving… Grace makes you soar.
And as you browse through my messages,
Come Soar with me!
Commit to Your New Year Goals as a Business Plan {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}
New Year resolutions are a common practice, especially in the Western Hemisphere. The origin of the tradition, however, is also found in many eastern cultures since ancient times. The Babylonians made promises to their gods at the beginning of each year, vowing to return borrowed objects and pay any outstanding debts. The Romans started each new year with a promise to the god Janus, for whom the month of January is named after. Other religious sectors also offer this tradition. Jews celebrate Continue Reading
2019 Inventory / 2020 Vision
The word “Inventory” invariably comes to mind every year at the end of December. Gone is the hustle-and-bustle of the Christmas season, and as we lounge together as a family in our pajamas on Christmas day, the reality that another year end is one week away always invites me to take inventory. As I was looking for definitions of the word inventory, the intrinsic meaning of the word in latin inventarium jumped from the page: Late Middle English: from medieval Latin inventorium, Continue Reading
Prophecies Give Meaning to Christmas {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." These words, found in the ninth chapter of the Old Testament book by the prophet Isaiah are perhaps one of the most recognized prophesies concerning the Messiah. Since the first century, this prophecy has inspired believers who have acknowledged the coming of Israel's deliverer in the child born on a Continue Reading
What Will They Say When You Leave? {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}
I spent my childhood summer vacations at my grandparents' farm, located in a small fishermen village in South Brazil. The farm is by a breathtaking saltwater lake, which is one of the most significant sources of shrimp in south Brazil. One of the most beautiful sceneries that I recall from those days was the sight of the lake at night. As you drove on the interstate beside it, the vision would fool any stranger to the area. One could swear that the lake was instead a village, filled with Continue Reading
Here is My Child, Lord! {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
I had not seen her in three years. As I walked into Starbucks to write that morning, I saw her smiling face through the glass windows. We sat down, catching up on three years of family and work history. I was surprised to find out that her son is now a teenager. It seems as if he was in elementary school just the other day. As we talked about our children, she shared some of her teen’s struggles with his faith and how she felt like God was stretching her faith. “Lord, you take care of me, Continue Reading
