“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” It was by quoting this verse from Psalm 27 that New York Times bestselling author and president of Proverbs 31 Ministries Lysa Terkeurst ended her heart-wrenching blog post on June 13. The article came as a surprise to many who follow Terkeurst’s popular ministry. In the same transparent voice that has conquered many followers through her career as a writer and speaker, Continue Reading
What Will They Say… When You Leave? {Atlanta Journal Constitution}
He didn’t see me coming from behind. Intently staring at his cell phone, I could see by his broad smile that whatever was on the screen was either funny or brought him much joy. As I kissed his cheek, he woke from the trance and hugged me. “Let me show you something,” my stepdad said. He pulled the message from his cell phone, and read his daughter-in-law’s text out loud. She spoke of his influence in her life, and the admiration she holds. He grinned from ear to ear, the words filling Continue Reading
She Is Safe – Rescuing Young Girls Around the World (Atlanta Journal Constitution}
“I have walked the brothel hallways with our partners in West Bengal and seen little children living under the beds of their young mothers, who are sex slaves. Without intervention, children of sex slaves are put to work in the brothel at an even younger age than their mothers.” I sat across from Michele Rickett, founder and president of She is Safe – an international organization with a mission to “prevent, rescue and restore women and girls from abuse and slavery in high-risk places around Continue Reading
My Friend Joy – A Life Lesson {Atlanta Journal Constitution}
I walked what seemed to be a mile on high heels, while crossing the bridge that links Emory Hospital to its parking garage. It was Sunday morning, and most visitors had not arrived yet. The hallways echoed with the sound of my shoes, and in my heart, a haunting sadness lingered. Only 30 minutes earlier, I was sitting at my Sunday School class, waiting for the teacher to start the lesson, when a friend tapped on my shoulder: “Did y’all pray for Joy?” she asked. I gasped. My fears were Continue Reading
Easter – Celebration of Hope for All Christians {Atlanta Journal Constitution}
This article was published on Patricia’s column for the Atlanta Journal Constitution on Saturday – April 15, 2017. The small family of Jewish slaves sat on the floor of their small hut, eating the lamb that was slain. Their sandals were on their feet and they were dressed for the journey. Their sparse belongings were tied inside small sacks that each family member would carry when their leader, Moses, sent word that it was time to go. Screams could be heard throughout the land. Mothers Continue Reading
Beauty & the Beast – The Controversy {Atlanta Journal Constitution}
About one month ago, while browsing social media, I came across an article about a movie theater in Alabama which had decided to boycott the long-awaited movie version of "Beauty and the Beast." The reason for the boycott was what supposedly would be a “gay scene.” Soon after the news came out, I watched as columnists, bloggers and religious leaders picked up their pitchforks and torches in a virtual reality witch hunt that looked a lot like the famous scene in the movie, when Gaston leads Continue Reading
