By MELISSA STEINOUR
Blogger
I recently read a post on Facebook asking, “Do pets go to heaven?” I began to read the replies of varying opinions, and as I scrolled further down the list, I was stunned by one particular response, which said, “of course pets go to heaven, everyone does!”
It is a fact that there will indeed be animals in heaven. We are told in Isaiah that once the devil is bound by Jesus there will be perfect peace – even with the animals. “In that …

By MELISSA STEINOUR
Blogger
This Sunday is Mother’s Day and I wanted to take this time to wish all the mothers, grandmothers, mother-figures, and mothers-to-be a very special day.
The Bible clearly commands us in Ephesians 6:2-3 to honor your father and mother. “This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” What does it mean to honor your parents? It means to respect …

By MELISSA STEINOUR
Blogger
I was going to write my blog this week about the Boston marathon bombings, but God gave me another very clear dream last night that I feel I am to share with my readers:
The dream began with my husband and I moving to a very busy city, Washington D.C. (God has a sense of humor because he knows I don’t like Washington, D.C. or cities). There were people everywhere and we were trying to adjust to “city life.”
One morning my husband left for work, …

By MELISSA STEINOUR
I was planning to write my blog about something else, but last night I had a dream. Anytime I can actually remember what the dream was about, I think and pray about it awhile until I understand the message that God is trying to convey to me. I feel that I am to share this dream with my “Words of Faith” blog readers.
The dream takes place back when I was a teenager (a long time ago) and I was living at …

By MELISSA STEINOUR
Blogger
My family is looking forward to attending the Shippensburg Area Middle School musical, “Willie Wonka,” this weekend. I am always amazed by how beautifully the middle school kids perform the musicals. I guess I shouldn’t be because the lovely performances come after nearly four months of practices. It is very easy to see that the kids in the musicals love what they do, enjoy each other, and put their heart into every part of the show. It reminds me of the …

By MELISSA STEINOUR
Blogger
With it being Good Friday this week — the time when Christians around the world remember the suffering and crucifixion off Jesus, and His resurrection from the dead — I thought I would share with you the Easter message.
The following scripture is prophetic words that God inspired the prophet Isaiah to write long before Jesus was even born:
“See, my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted. But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed …

By MELISSA STEINOUR
Blogger

What does it mean to be successful? I did some research and found this is what some people call success:
1. Living life to the fullest.
2. Being able to do what I want, when I want to do it.
3. A feeling of “self-satisfaction.”
4. Happiness and contentment.
5. Achievements: financial status, home, car, children, marriage.
6. Getting for myself the kind of life I want.
When I look at this list, I see temporary things that revolve around one word in particular, “me” or “I.” At the end of one’s …

By MELISSA STEINOUR
Blogger
Life can be fragile. Things can happen that are overwhelmingly heartbreaking. Anything from the loss of someone special, to trouble with finances, poor health, broken marriage, loneliness…the list can really go on and on, as many people know all too well.
I just got done mailing a card to someone who lost a loved one and I read online about a family who lost their home to a fire. If we look we can see people hurting all around us.
These troubles are …

By MELISSA STEINOUR
Blogger
As I write my blog this week, today is my son Brady’s 15th birthday.
When I think back, I longed so much for a child of my own. I was a stepmother, but for those of you who have walked in those shoes, you know that stepmothers are in a position where they do everything but don’t get a whole lot in return — no one calling you “mommy” or drawing you pictures or saying “I love you,” etc. …

By MELISSA STEINOUR
Blogger
Yesterday I enjoyed a fabulous lunch at Olive Garden. I especially love their salad dressing. However, little did I know until about an hour later that the salad dressing contained cheese. I am allergic to dairy products, or to be more specific, the casein content of the dairy products. It affects my joints causing pain in nearly all the bones of my arms and legs. Very painful!!
I share this with you because several years ago I was very sick and we had …