When my husband was 19 or 20 years old, he went with his best friend Ray to Columbia, Kentucky, to visit with Ray's family. While visiting Columbia, Jeff never forgot the two-hour drive through corn fields and cow pastures that seemed never to end. The small country town seemed so foreign to Jeff. He thought... Continue Reading →
Can sorrow open the doorway to joy? Tekoa Manning peels back the layers of despair to reveal the key to finding and defining joy. Our suffering is often producing the fruit of the Spirit. Jumping for Joy highlights Harriet Tubman, Nicholas James Vujicic, Joni Eareckson Tada, and the author’s own personal journey and the beautiful lessons learned.... Continue Reading →
In my last blog, I shared many personal details of my journey with Gastroparesis. I received much encouraging feedback. I greatly appreciate everyone’s prayers and words. In my teaching today, Jacob is meeting his brother Esau. It’s been over 20 years. That’s a long time not to speak to a sibling. There are times... Continue Reading →
Lekh Lekha means “Go” or “Go find yourself.” Abram and Sari set out, leaving everything familiar, including their families. My husband and I found ourselves in the same position at the exact time. While sitting outside our hotel last week, I saw a sight that caught my attention. Two men in their late 30’s dressed... Continue Reading →
The aged man named Joshua stepped carefully to the first oven with his ancient tools. He wore steel-toed boots and protective glasses. He knows that synthetic garments cannot be worn here because anything made of false fibers will melt. The heat from the oven warmed his face as he continued spinning the metal rod in... Continue Reading →
Up To Half the Kingdom When I posted part one of Up to Half the Kingdom, I had typed a portion of part two already. However, I had a chapter from my memoir (Still unpublished) titled “Can You Drink this Cup?” ringing in my head. Although I do plan on posting one more chapter on... Continue Reading →
A children’s book written by H. S. Anderson titled The Emperor’s new clothes is a writing concerning self-perception and denial. What does this story have to do with Naaman? “The name Naaman is derived from the verb נעם (na'em) meaning be pleasant, sweet, delightful, and beautiful” (Abarim Publications). We can be sweet and delightful and still... Continue Reading →
Thirsting for Water A devotional that brings healing to the hurting! I'll admit it; I've snapped at my children, gotten angry at friends, and said things I regret. I did not trust them. I once told my husband while we were dating that I had been through a lot and felt like a dog that... Continue Reading →
How can we be wholly illuminated on our job, in our marriage, and with our families and friends? This week while scrolling through social media I read a meme (below) that described my week or parts of my whole existence. The meme, along with the raw words written by a friend, pierced me. Her vulnerability... Continue Reading →
I’m not a country girl, so you can understand my shock when I learned from a good friend of mine who raises hens, that chickens will peck a newcomer to death. As my friend began to explain to me how she had purchased four new hens to add to her group, she said, “Tekoa I... Continue Reading →
A very peculiar thing began creeping into my brain a few months ago–something a person just shy of 50 years young doesn’t think about much unless they are terminally ill or just received a death sentence. Yes, the big D, and I don’t mean divorce. Death started creeping up on me when I was... Continue Reading →
Gratitude. Thankfulness. Usually, neither of these exist without first experiencing heartache, loss, and trying times. You have to go through one to embrace the other in a manner worthy of noticing. Sometimes we miss the gratitude and turn bitter like lemons. This is the month of thankfulness. We try and become more aware of... Continue Reading →
What can be learned from situations that seem bleak or hopeless? Perhaps there is a reason tucked inside the changing tide that is higher than our human understanding? Joy can come from the darkest of places and ignite like a sparkler in the blackest sky. In my early 20s, this suburbia girl found herself living... Continue Reading →
When I came out of surgery, I came out fighting. The nurses kept giving me more and more Dilaudid (Oxycodone type drug) until finally, I stopped breathing. Along with my husband and sister, the nurse kept shaking me and repeating, "Breathe Bonnie (Tekoa)! Breathe!" I would jolt and gasp like a person who... Continue Reading →
It's good to dine at the King's Table: Saul's grandson, the son of Jonathan, named Mephibosheth, was crippled as a child. When he was five years old, a report came that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle, and when the boy's nurse heard the news, she picked him up and fled. But as... Continue Reading →