Rev. Dr. Roberta M. Heck, Chaplain There are times when life feels heavy, uncertain, and overwhelming. The struggles of yesterday, the weight of today, and the fear of tomorrow can easily rob us of peace. Yet, in the midst of all this, God speaks a gentle but powerful word: “Rest in Me.” When God says, “I am already at work in your life,” it is a reminder that He is not idle. Even when you cannot see it, His hand is moving behind the scenes, orchestrating events for your good

(This poem is dedicated to all the lost souls who lost their way and traveled down those spiral steps to hell with their eyes wide shut. Some found their way out by true determination and “The Grace of God’.) Life is losing its meaning I live from day to day The pain deep in my heart It makes me feel this way No one to talk to No one who understands I'm really all alone In this hard heartless land Where is the compassion Where is the love All the broken promises I pray to

Rev. Dr. Roberta M. Heck, Chaplain “Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.” This statement echoes a truth found throughout Scripture: God’s grace meets us where we are, but it never leaves us there. Transformation is real, but it also comes at a cost. “But the king replied to Araunah, ‘No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.’ So, David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fift

Rev. Dr. Roberta M. Heck, Chaplain The phrase “Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future” is not found verbatim in Scripture, but its truth echoes throughout the Bible. God has always chosen to work through broken people with painful histories to accomplish His purposes. Think of Moses, who murdered a man but became the great deliverer of Israel. Think of David, who committed adultery and orchestrated a death, yet was still called a man after God’s own heart. Thin

Rev. Dr. Roberta M. Heck, Chaplain “I WILL SHOW YOU WHY POERTY IS MORE INTENSE WHEN YOU ADD A DEVOTIONAL” This is for the mothers who carry the weight of loss. There is a deep heart felt grief that does not speak in full sentences. It lingers in the quiet corners of a mother’s heart, in the empty bedroom, in the silence of a phone that no longer rings, in the memories that come uninvited and refuse to leave. It is the kind of grief that asks questions without answers: What if

Rev. Dr. Roberta M. Heck, Chaplain I imagine a moment in the heavens, not written plainly in Scripture, yet deeply felt in the tension of the spiritual realm. A moment where Satan, the accuser of the brethren, looks upon humanity and dares to question God: “What is man to You, that You should give him Your grace?” It is the same question that echoes through the ages, the same question whispered into wounded hearts, the same accusation hurled at our failures. Why them? Why lov

Rev. Dr. Roberta M. Heck, Chaplain Life often brings us into places of uncertainty, fear, or waiting. Moments where we wonder if God sees us or if He’ll come through. But the Bible is a powerful reminder that our God is still the same. *He shut the mouths of lions for Daniel, proving His power to protect. *He parted the Red Sea for Moses, showing He can make a way where there is no way. *He gave Sarah a child when it was physically impossible, proving He is faithful to His pr

Rev. Dr. Roberta M. Heck, Chaplain It’s a powerful moment when someone who has strayed from God finds the courage to walk back into His house. Heaven rejoices. But how do we respond? Too often, when a backslider returns, we replay a mental highlight reel of their sins, failures, and offenses. We don’t say it out loud, but our silence, our stares, or the coldness in our hearts speak volumes. We forget the grace that brought us through our own mess. We forget that we, too, need

Rev. Dr. Roberta M. Heck, Chaplain There are moments in life when silence is not weakness, it’s wisdom. When emotions run high and conflicts arise, our natural instinct is often to respond, to defend, or to correct. But not every battle requires our voice, and not every person is ready to receive the truth we might offer. Jesus Himself exemplified this during His trial before Pilate. Though innocent, He remained largely silent in the face of accusations (Matthew 27:12-14). H

Rev. Dr. Roberta M. Heck, Chaplain When I wrote Life Is What You Make It, I was reaching back into the restless chambers of my teenage mind, the place where questions were louder than answers and comparison felt like a daily companion. I remember standing on the edge of who I was becoming, peering across the fence of my own life, convinced that the grass was greener somewhere else. The city lights looked brighter from a distance, sparkling with promise, whispering that fulfil

Rev. Dr. Roberta M. Heck, Chaplain In seasons of uncertainty, it’s easy to grow restless. We want answers, outcomes, and clarity now. But often, the most powerful thing we can do is to wait patiently and trust that God is still working even when we can’t see it. God’s plans are never delayed, nor are they rushed. He is never early or late. His timing is always perfect. While you’re waiting, He’s preparing. While you’re wondering, He’s weaving the details of your destiny toget

Rev. Dr. Roberta M. Heck, Chaplain “And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.” Genesis 31:3 (KJV) There comes a moment in every believer’s journey when endurance turns into discernment, when patience gives way to obedience, and when staying becomes more dangerous than leaving. Genesis 31:3 captures such a moment in Jacob’s life. Jacob had served Laban faithfully for many years. He worked hard, endured manip

Rev. Dr. Roberta M. Heck, Chaplain The poem Life Reborn – To Be Born Again speaks to the sacred mystery of transformation. It is not merely about changing habits or improving behavior, but about a complete spiritual rebirth, one that only God can accomplish. To be “born again” is to experience the death of the old self and the awakening of a new life rooted in Christ. This rebirth is often quiet, sometimes painful, but always purposeful. In the poem, rebirth suggests shedding

Rev. Dr. Roberta M. Heck, Chaplain “Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.” 2 John 1:3 (KJV) In this brief but powerful verse, the Apostle John opens his letter with a profound blessing: “Grace be with you, mercy, and peace…” These three words, grace, mercy, and peace, encapsulate the very heart of the Christian life. They are not merely poetic words of greeting; they are spiritual re

Rev. Roderick Heck, M.T.S., M.Div. Every day brings a fresh opportunity to embrace hope, find peace, and renew your spirit. I have found that turning to online devotional resources can be a gentle yet powerful way to start or end the day with encouragement and purpose. These moments of reflection, grounded in faith, offer a soothing cadence to life’s often hectic rhythm. They remind us that we are never alone, that God’s love is constant, and that healing is always within re

Rev. Dr. Roberta M. Heck, Chaplain “Don’t expect people to be there for you just because you’re there for them. Not everyone has the same heart as you.” Wake up, child of God. Too many of us are bruised because we placed our hope in the hands of man. The king of hands that tremble, hearts that waver, and souls that are selfish. You poured out your love. You gave your loyalty. You carried burdens that were never yours. And yet, when your storm came, where were they? Too often,

Rev. Dr. Roberta M. Heck, Chaplain • “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV) • “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) At the very core of God’s promises is transformation. Not an outward makeover but an inner renewal. In Ezekiel 36:26, God speaks to Israel, a people who had strayed

Rev. Dr. Roberta M. Heck, Chaplain From the quiet humility of Christ’s birth to the unspeakable agony of His crucifixion, and finally to the living invitation of the Way, the story of Jesus is not only the foundation of our faith, it is the pattern for our lives. The birth of Jesus reminds us that God chose nearness over distance, humility over majesty, and love over power. Christ did not arrive in a palace, but in a manger. He entered the world through vulnerability, wrapped

Rev. Dr. Roberta M. Heck, Chaplain “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 (KJV) There is a difference between visiting God and dwelling with God. Many come to Him in moments of crisis or desperation, but Psalm 91 does not describe a temporary refuge. It speaks of a permanent residence. To dwell in the secret place of the Most High means to live in continual fellowship with God… to abide in His presence

Rev. Dr. Roberta M. Heck, Chaplain “Strong women never give up. We might need a coffee, a cry, or even a day in bed, but we always come back stronger.” There is a misconception that strength means never breaking, never slowing down, never shedding a tear. But true strength is not the absence of a struggle, it’s the refusal to stay down when life tries to pin us there. Strong women are not those who never get tired; they are those who know when to rest, when to release, and wh