iChoose Pregnancy Support has locations in Knightdale and Clayton. If you are looking for a pregnancy center, they offer all of their services FOR FREE to mothers (and fathers) who find themselves in crisis pregnancy situations. All of their services are completely confidential.
https://x.com/TonyaMichelle65/status/1979766666897858737

Alan and Linda Robertson, from "Duck Dynasty" fame, were the keynote speakers for the iChoose Pregnancy Support Services annual fundraising gala. What a powerful testimony of God's amazing grace...
https://x.com/TonyaMichelle65/status/1979759835957911733

Beautiful fundraising gala for the iChoose Pregnancy Support Services in Knightdale, North Carolina. If you are looking for a pregnancy center to support, iChoose is doing fantastic work and could use the support!
https://x.com/TonyaMichelle65/status/1979758848601997723

Brethren, the only sacrifice God wants of us is ourselves. As scripture tells us, “present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (Rom. 12:1).

God wants our obedience: “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me” (John 14:21). We are not to be conformed to this world, but transformed by God’s word (Rom. 12:2).

We can give up all we have, but if we are not obedient to the One who purchased us, what good are we? For, It is better to obey than to sacrifice (1 Sam/ 15:22).

Not only were we purchased as slaves, made to be slaves of righteousness (Rom. 6:16-19), we were adopted as sons (Eph. 1:5). Is a child’s obligation not to be obedient to his parents (Eph. 6:1)?

Why then would we think differently of our relationship with our heavenly Father?

Dear Christian, our love for God is not shown in what we give up, but in giving up ourselves as Christ called us to do (Lk. 9:23).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, October 18

"Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice." 1 Samuel 15:22

Saul had been commanded to slay utterly all the Amalekites and their cattle. Instead of doing so, he preserved the king, and suffered his people to take the best of the oxen and of the sheep. When called to account for this, he declared that he did it with a view of offering sacrifice to God; but Samuel met him at once with the assurance that sacrifices were no excuse for an act of direct rebellion. The sentence before us is worthy to be printed in letters of gold, and to be hung up before the eyes of the present idolatrous generation, who are very fond of the fineries of will-worship, but utterly neglect the laws of God. Be it ever in your remembrance, that to keep strictly in the path of your Saviour's command is better than any outward form of religion; and to hearken to His precept with an attentive ear is better than to bring the fat of rams, or any other precious thing to lay upon His altar. If you are failing to keep the least of Christ's commands to His disciples, I pray you be disobedient no longer. All the pretensions you make of attachment to your Master, and all the devout actions which you may perform, are no recompense for disobedience. "To obey," even in the slightest and smallest thing, "is better than sacrifice," however pompous. Talk not of Gregorian chants, sumptuous robes, incense, and banners; the first thing which God requires of His child is obedience; and though you should give your body to be burned, and all your goods to feed the poor, yet if you do not hearken to the Lord's precepts, all your formalities shall profit you nothing. It is a blessed thing to be teachable as a little child, but it is a much more blessed thing when one has been taught the lesson, to carry it out to the letter. How many adorn their temples and decorate their priests, but refuse to obey the word of the Lord! My soul, come not thou into their secret.

I usually don't share Brandon Tatum's videos because I disagree with A LOT of what he says, but this video made me LAUGH OUT LOUD. He called that woman "the dumbest candidate to ever run" for office!
https://youtu.be/gqNpWS99tFw?si=exM11iuu_2sjoV9R

Chicago: ICE arrests illegal immigrant who overstayed visa for a decade working as police officer
https://www.oann.com/newsroom/chicago-ice-arrests-illegal-immigrant-who-overstayed-visa-for-a-decade-working-as-police-officer/

It is not just the Harlot who is at enmity with the Christian faith but the level of contempt that she has for the faith is shared by the entire anti-Christ party. There are very few Democrats, if any, who harbor no such sentiments. The 2024 election may be over and Trump may be in office, but the anti-Christ DEM party is still going to continue being the anti-Christ party.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/10/god-was-watching-us-this-moment-pro-life/

and as one follower of Christ points out, true followers of Christ dare not align themselves with a political party or any political figure as political parties and figures can turn against us.
https://x.com/VoteHarrisOut/status/1848406826548924494

Sadly, when many couples vow “for better or for worse”, they mean only for the better, never considering the consequences that may come with the partner they choose, nor are they willing to accept the risks and consequences of choosing the spouse whom they choose. Instead, when things don’t turn out the way they had hoped or the spouse they chose doesn’t seem to measure up, they run from the consequences rather than bear due responsibility for the choice they made.
https://marriagemissions.com/addressing-misconceptions-marriage/

‘I’ll Let You Die,’ #Houston #Texas #Nurse Tells #Police Officer: ‘All Your Family Members’ https://newsbusters.org/blogs/cnsnews/craig-bannister/2025/10/16/ill-let-you-die-houston-nurse-tells-police-officer-all

Pastor Shot by #ICE Agents During Protest to Sue #DonaldTrump Over #FirstAmendment #1a https://www.christian-heritage-news.com/2025/10/pastor-shot-by-ice-agents-during.html

Video: #DonLemon Calls For “Black & Brown” People To Buy #Guns & Shoot #ICE Agents When They Come To Their Door! PLUS, #JohnBolton Surrenders To Authorities https://madmaxworld.tv/watch?id=68f2cf2039e6174f5de3d5a3

Christian, Jesus came that we “may have life, and have it abundantly” (Jn. 10:10). How wonderful that He should be so generous in giving us life.

Are you following Him as He called us to? Are you denying yourself and daily taking up your cross (Lk. 9:23)? It is in following His steps (1 Pet. 2:21-25) that we find His paths dripping with fatness (Ps. 65:11).

If we walk with Him, we shall say with the Psalmist, “my cup overflows” (Ps. 23:5)! For “my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).

We have no reason to fear, nor to worry of the things of this life. The things of this world perish and are not to be loved (1 Jn. 2:15-16); but the things of His kingdom we are to seek earnestly (Mt. 6:33), and when we do, all our needs will be met.

Most importantly, when we seek Him with all our heart, our spiritual needs will be met beyond measure. But, in order to not hunger, we must go to the source and feast on the bread of life, and in so doing, find joy and abundance of life. Let us therefore come to Him and spend time in His presence, that our joy may be made full (Jn. 15:11).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, October 18

"Thy paths drop fatness." Psalm 65:11

Many are "the paths of the Lord" which "drop fatness," but an especial one is the path of prayer. No believer, who is much in the closet, will have need to cry, "My leanness, my leanness; woe unto me." Starving souls live at a distance from the mercy- seat, and become like the parched fields in times of drought. Prevalence with God in wrestling prayer is sure to make the believer strong- if not happy. The nearest place to the gate of heaven is the throne of the heavenly grace. Much alone, and you will have much assurance; little alone with Jesus, your religion will be shallow, polluted with many doubts and fears, and not sparkling with the joy of the Lord. Since the soul-enriching path of prayer is open to the very weakest saint; since no high attainments are required; since you are not bidden to come because you are an advanced saint, but freely invited if you be a saint at all; see to it, dear reader, that you are often in the way of private devotion. Be much on your knees, for so Elijah drew the rain upon famished Israel's fields.

There is another especial path dropping with fatness to those who walk therein, it is the secret walk of communion. Oh! the delights of fellowship with Jesus! Earth hath no words which can set forth the holy calm of a soul leaning on Jesus' bosom. Few Christians understand it, they live in the lowlands and seldom climb to the top of Nebo: they live in the outer court, they enter not the holy place, they take not up the privilege of priesthood. At a distance they see the sacrifice, but they sit not down with the priest to eat thereof, and to enjoy the fat of the burnt offering. But, reader, sit thou ever under the shadow of Jesus; come up to that palm tree, and take hold of the branches thereof; let thy beloved be unto thee as the apple-tree among the trees of the wood, and thou shalt be satisfied as with marrow and fatness. O Jesus, visit us with Thy salvation!

Isaiah tells us that “we all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way” (Isa. 53:6). Isn’t that just like sheep? Left to themselves, they wander off, aimlessly, knowing not where they’re going nor how to return. They do not search for their shepherd, but a shepherd who cares for his flock will search for his sheep.

Such an apt description. We were lost, but there is a Good Shepherd to whom we belong. He knows His sheep, they hear His voice and follow (Jn. 10:27). How wonderful that our Lord would care so much for us!!!

Because, just like lost sheep, we did not search for Him; He came looking for us. And like the Good Shepherd He is, He gathered us to Himself, and we are comforted by His rod and His staff (Psalm. 23:4).

Oh believer, do not wander off. He laid down His life for you (Jn. 10:15-18). He gives us eternal life (Jn. 10:27). No one can snatch us from His hand (Jn. 10:28). Follow His voice and you will find pasture (Jn. 10:9).

——————
Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, October 17

"He shall gather the lambs with His arm." Isaiah 40:11

Our good Shepherd has in His flock a variety of experiences, some are strong in the Lord, and others are weak in faith, but He is impartial in His care for all His sheep, and the weakest lamb is as dear to Him as the most advanced of the flock. Lambs are wont to lag behind, prone to wander, and apt to grow weary, but from all the danger of these infirmities the Shepherd protects them with His arm of power. He finds new-born souls, like young lambs, ready to perish- He nourishes them till life becomes vigorous; He finds weak minds ready to faint and die- He consoles them and renews their strength. All the little ones He gathers, for it is not the will of our heavenly Father that one of them should perish. What a quick eye He must have to see them all! What a tender heart to care for them all! What a far- reaching and potent arm, to gather them all! In His lifetime on earth He was a great gatherer of the weaker sort, and now that He dwells in heaven, His loving heart yearns towards the meek and contrite, the timid and feeble, the fearful and fainting here below. How gently did He gather me to Himself, to His truth, to His blood, to His love, to His church! With what effectual grace did He compel me to come to Himself! Since my first conversion, how frequently has He restored me from my wanderings, and once again folded me within the circle of His everlasting arm! The best of all is, that He does it all Himself personally, not delegating the task of love, but condescending Himself to rescue and preserve His most unworthy servant. How shall I love Him enough or serve Him worthily? I would fain make His name great unto the ends of the earth, but what can my feebleness do for Him? Great Shepherd, add to Thy mercies this one other, a heart to love Thee more truly as I ought.

Kristi Noem — DHS purchasing more buildings in Chicago and Portland for ICE Operations
https://rumble.com/v7035xu-kristi-noem-dhs-purchasing-more-buildings-in-chicago-and-portland-for-ice-o.html

Video: #GlennBeck - Did #SCOTUS Associate Justice #KetanjiBrownJackson say black voters are DISABLED?! https://youtu.be/rvC4wV_pu6Y?si=6KLe4KcpIphK0h-C

#JoeRogan Criticizes The Harsh Tactics Of #ICE: Here’s Why He’s Wrong https://alt-market.us/joe-rogan-criticizes-the-harsh-tactics-of-ice-heres-why-hes-wrong/

#Minnesota
TREASONOUS Governor #TimWalz, Who Is Under 60 Investigations, Hands Licenses To #Illegals- Said Representatives Teach That He Can Do This https://sonsoflibertymedia.com/reminder-alert-treasonous-gov-tim-walz-who-is-under-60-investigations-hands-licenses-to-illegals-said-representatives-teach-that-he-can-do-this/

Video: #MichaelSavage - Michael Savage's Advice to #DonaldTrump - https://youtu.be/BUyan6SHLeA?si=abtf4vpSwfnrOkVQ

If you would like to know exactly where your protein is raised, try a meat delivery service that is very transparent with all their practices.
www.GoodRanchers.com

The Drum Remembers

The elders say,
a drum never forgets
the hands that first woke it.

She holds it close,
its skin warm against her palm—
and in the hush between her heartbeats,
She hears the old fire crackle.

Smoke rises in her memory,
voices circle the flames,
and her mother’s song
travels through time
like a hawk’s cry returning home.

Once, the night danced with embers,
and every beat was a prayer—
to the earth,
to the stars,
to the spirit that lives
in all that breathes.

Now, she stands alone,
wrapped in the quiet of remembrance,
and when her hand trembles against the drum,
The ancestors answer:

“We are here, child—
in the rhythm,
in the flame,
in you.”

Art by Serin Alar