Sisters of Faith Scholarship Foundation

With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26

Faith Rooted in God I was inspired while reading a historical fiction account of the life of Mary McLeod Bethune, founder of Bethune-Cookman college. The stories of her determination and care for others led me to read more about her. One account tells how in the early 1900s she “described” the buildings at her scho...

When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant. Exodus 34:30

Shining Faces “He has a sugar face!” our vet exclaimed as she gave our young dog his annual checkup. “A sugar face?” I asked. “It’s a term used for retrievers whose faces turn prematurely white,” she replied, smiling. “It’s just a sign of the sweetness inside.” Reflecting on that moment later,...

Do not . . . pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. Leviticus 19:10

Ready to Be Generous My great uncle’s memorial service featured a meal of roast beef, corn, and beans to honor the hospitality that he and his wife lived out for many years. Each Sunday morning, they would put a large roast and veggies in the crock pot before going to church. After the service, they would look for som...

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people. Ephesians 6:7

The Gift of Prayer I trudged into the grocery store to buy a Father’s Day card. I had forgiven my father. I had tried reconciling over the years—prayerfully processing the hurts inflicted before and after I left home at fifteen. Sadly, decades later, I still couldn’t relate to the cards that had messages gushing...

Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16

Receiving from God In his 1937 book Think and Grow Rich, author Napoleon Hill said, “Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” Hill’s quote epitomizes the American Dream: If you work hard, you can achieve your wildest dreams. Hard work may lead to earthly benefits; many passages of Scripture....

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6kjv

The Path of Life He was born a slave in the 1860s. A sickly baby, he was sold to a slave owner for the cost of a horse. As a teenager, he witnessed the killing of a black man by a group of white people. Remarkably, George excelled in school, but when he applied to Highland University in Kansas, he was denied admissi...

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress. Psalm 91:2

Taking Refuge in God As the outdoor concert started, I felt a single raindrop on my cheek. Looking up, I saw ominous dark clouds. Having paid a steep price for tickets, however, I wasn’t inclined to leave because of a little bad weather. Then umbrellas began to pop open. One woman pulled a plastic grocery bag over her...

To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his. Job 12:13

With Friends Like These . . . “I know you better than you know yourself!” As a young man, I heard that confident declaration from a friend. Her intentions were good, but my complicated life as an adopted missionary kid had been shaped across four continents and cultures. She didn’t really know me. Zophar, a friend of Job.....

A highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. Isaiah 35:8

The Way of Holiness After Jennifer was diagnosed with early onset dementia, she couldn’t read the Bible easily, so she started listening to it. Scripture passages now mean something new to her. For example, she gets lost easily, often doesn’t know who people are, and sees hallucinations of wild animals. When she’...

God is able to bless you abundantly, so that . . . you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

Giving from God’s Gifts Stanley’s generosity never ceased to amaze me. He often bought meals and gifts for elderly church members, cleaners in his neighborhood, or anyone who needed cheering up. Equally amazing was that despite Stanley’s not being wealthy or savvy at investing, his small investment did impressively wel...