By Debra Torres
The fluffy barn cat seemed pleased with herself that morning when she jumped the old farm fence and climbed on top of one of my neighbor’s many bluebird houses.

I’ve enjoyed seeing the bluebirds flying around this spring, and I’m grateful to my neighbor for 

providing a safe harbor for them to build their nests.

 But there was that cat … my cat sitting on top one of her bluebird houses practically licking its lips.  Ugh!

I had just started working out on my exercise bike that morning, when I spotted the cat out the window. And I knew exactly what she was thinking. When Mama or Papa bluebird came to rescue their nest, she’d be waiting with sharpened claws.

Jumping off my bike, I ran out ...

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"God is infinitely greater and Satan is no more than a fallen angel."

By Debra Torres
It was the backstage pass that got Michael in. 

Here was his once in a lifetime chance to meet the man who had made it to the top.  The one who held a position of honor that others had only dreamed about.  

This celebrity had it all it seemed. The fame, the recognition, the awards.

And Michael was just inches from him – a foot away from whom many considered to be an icon of the silver screen.

Others would ask for an autograph, a photo maybe or a “leg up” in a highly competitive field.

But Michael, a Christian, decided to change things up a bit and used the opportunity to do something that I’m guessing was pretty unique.

When it was his turn to speak to the famous man, Michael simply asked him how he could pray. ...

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By Debra Torres
Flowing streamers hung from the chandelier, Happy Birthday balloons bobbed in the air and a pink cover draped over our dining room table to complete the look. 

It was magical.

Several times we ran over our checklist. Chocolate cupcakes made? Check. Ice cream and snacks purchased? Games in order? Check and double check!

            
This party had been a tough one to throw together. My daughter’s birthday landed close to a holiday and easily people’s agendas could get crammed.

But still, we attempted to squeeze a party in. Our guest list was small to begin with, so we were excited when a third mother told us her child could come.

Yes! We were ready to “get our party on!”

But, as the party day drew nearer, the cancellation calls began to come in.

And in the end ...

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By Debra Torres
Through tears, the brand-new mother let her story spill out before a captive audience last week at our local pregnancy center’s fundraising dinner. 

Bravely exhibiting a rawness of emotion that’s often repressed by the more cowardly, the mother filled us in on the tough road she’s traveled.  

We learned that her unplanned pregnancy only added to the young mother’s health and emotional challenges -- the last straw maybe that would send everything crashing down in her life.


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