This is where we highlight the stories and testimonies of the incredible women we admire and the space where we can be encouraged by the weekly writings of our founder, Sabrina Harrison. Our desire is to encourage women to pursue their God-given destiny through sharing personal stories of struggle, faith, victory, and freedom–and that encouragement is found here.
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is in the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV)
Read MoreNicollette is like sunshine. Her shining personality lights up every room she walks into, making everyone feel warm, embraced, and welcomed. That’s why she is our #wcw this week (and every week). Nicollette is a Dallas based photographer and the face behind all of our beautiful Equipped by Faith website and promo photos! If you’re looking for a photographer for anything from editorial images to senior portraits—Nicollette is your girl (and ours).
Read MoreDisappointments may be unavoidable in this life, but we are not without hope! I wouldn’t choose the pain I’ve experienced in life, but I don’t think I would change it either. Disappointments have led me to find a deeper strength and relationship with God that I never knew I could have. Refining moments strip away everything we don’t need so we can become more like Christ. Refining moments require us to draw our strength and courage from God to proceed to the new level He is calling us to.
Read MoreKayla Rae Combs is not only the beautifully tattooed arm on our website, she is an incredible makeup artist and business owner from Dallas, Texas. Her outward beauty is obvious, but take it from us—she is even more radiant within. Currently, Kayla is planning a month-long trip (beginning on August 25th) to Antigua, Guatemala to serve at a local orphanage called Village of Hope, providing mentorship to orphans with special needs. Kayla will be living with a local Guatemalan family and be taking Spanish courses at a local academy in order to communicate better with the children she will be working with.
Read MoreAs I read through the gospel of Luke, I find it interesting that Luke writes more about Jesus’ ministry to women than any of the other gospel authors. Luke sheds light on the humanity of Jesus—breaking down every barrier between Jews and Gentiles, the rich and the poor, and even the barriers between men and women. Jesus came to set the captives free. He came to give the oppressed a voice. He came to shed light on darkness—and in His day and age, He came to do all of these things for women.
Read MoreWhat I find incredible about knowing the inner details of the lives of the disciples is that number one: they were human. And number two: God does not give up on us because of our failures. This truth is made clear through the life of John Mark. God’s mercy restored Mark and used him to write a significant book of the gospels that is read today—and will continue to be read for all of eternity!
Read MoreFor those who feel a loss today, I pray you will be encouraged and comforted by this truth: You have a Father who loves you more than you will ever know. He looks out for you. He provides for you. And He smiles over who you are and who you are becoming. There is not a moment of your life that He has missed. There is not a tear that has fallen on your face that He has not kept. He will never leave you or forsake you. You are His, Beloved. Forever.
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The Book of Matthew is the first book of the Gospels in the Bible. It was written by Matthew, a former Jewish tax collector and disciple of Jesus. This book is full of miraculous stories of Jesus walking on the earth—healing blind eyes, opening deaf ears and saving the oppressed. But what is so special about the book of Matthew is the overwhelming theme of redemption for all people.
Look into your hands—what “talents” has God given to you to use in the world for His glory? The special abilities that only you have are gifts from God and He wants you to use them! Any time you use your gifts and talents to help someone else, you are ministering for God!
Read MoreEven when we have great examples of mothers to look up to, motherhood is not easy. A lot of the "work" we have to do as mothers can seem mundane, insignificant or draining in moments--but I assure you, that every moment you spend with your children is shaping their character and future. You are helping to create a legacy, each and every day. I can only hope to be a fraction the kind of selfless, caring and nurturing mother that I was so blessed to have.
Read MoreAre any of you dealing with fear or anxiety today? Instead of worrying…pray. Talk to God about what you need, and start making a list of things He has already done for you to remind you, and give you faith, that He won’t ever let you down. Then, with a heart full of gratitude, you’ll begin to experience His peace—this peace—that somehow comforts us in a way we can never understand. This peace, that guards our hearts and our minds from any worry or fear. This is God’s promise to us.
Read MoreEverything in life requires faith. You need faith for your business, faith for your finances, faith for your marriage and for your family (or for the marriage and family you hope to have in the future). Faith is required for new career ventures, for old relationship issues, and certainly, for the struggles that we face each and every day. No matter where you find yourself in life—we are all, always, on a journey of faith.
Read MoreAmy Vanderoef is best known for her role as the Emmy-nominated Host on WFAA’s Good Morning Texas. Amy's television career has taken her everywhere from the set of Dancing with the Stars, to ABC’s The View and countless red carpet events! In 2001, she took on a much different challenge when she was crowned Miss Connecticut USA and became the state’s representative at the Miss USA Pageant. She has been a guest star in two ABC daytime dramas; All My Children and One Life to Live, and has worked as a guest correspondent for ABC’s Good Morning America. Currently, Amy is a lifestyle expert contributing on Network TV stations nationwide. She also speaks at dozens of live events each year, acting as MC for many charitable causes, but she currently resides in Dallas with her son, Wyatt—and shared her beautiful heart with us last night!
Read MoreI love the books of Ephesians and Philippians simply because of how and where they were written. The Apostle Paul wrote these letters to the church of Ephesus and Philippi while he was sitting in prison for nearly 6 years! And, it was there, at the end of his letter in Philippians that he wrote, “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13)
Read MoreWe had such an incredible time at Equipped by Faith last night with the beautiful, Amanda Roman Leak! She left all of us feeling inspired to move forward, no matter what we are facing in life. Amanda is a wife, mother, author, and speaker residing in Dallas, Texas with her husband, Ryan, and adorable son, Jaxon. (I’m pretty sure Baby Field will want to be Jaxon’s BFF because of his style!) They are on staff at Covenant Church in Carrollton, Texas, leading a large young adults ministry called VENUE.
Read MoreSometimes, it can be hard to see–but we certainly are blessed. I believe we are blessed to bless others. God’s blessings to us are not meant to end with us. “After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.” 1 Timothy 6:7 After all, Jesus himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” (Acts 20:35). I am so challenged to live my life in this way, and to teach my kids about the power of giving and blessing others.
Read MoreRaema is a wife, mother of four and the author of two incredibly relevant devotional books based on transparent motherhood called, The Struggle is Real and Because Crack is Illegal. She works on staff at Shoreline City church in Dallas and is also the Director of Operations for Treasured Vessels Foundation, a beautiful organization rescuing young girls from human trafficking in Texas. Her career started when she joined the Navy as a journalist and search and rescue swimmer. She graduated from Liberty University with her Bachelors in Religious Studies and continues to serve in ministry through her weekly podcast and blog.
Read MoreIn 2004, Retah McPherson and her family were involved in a near-fatal motorcar accident. Her eldest son, Aldo, was the only person who did not walk away from the accident scene. He sustained serious brain injuries due to the impact of the collision and was in a coma for months following the accident. During that time, Aldo had a supernatural experience where he went to heaven, saw God, the angels, Moses, and Abraham. Aldo came back with one message: “Mommy, I need to tell the world that Jesus is alive!”
Read MoreI recently heard a powerful message by Pastor Steven Furtick from Elevation Church at Bishop TD Jakes’ recent conference, Project Gideon. Pastor Furtick spoke about “winning from within”–and I cannot shake it from my mind and heart. I left the service that day realizing that God has placed everything that I need for victory in my life, right within my reach.
Read MoreOneka and her husband, Earl, launched and have led this church for over six years, with campuses in Dallas and Antigua, Guatemala, with a desire to see individuals realize the love, value, and purpose found in Christ through the local church. And that is exactly what they are experiencing. As a wife of twenty years and mother of three adorable children, Oneka stays pretty busy—but her passion for Sisterhood only grows with each passing year. She has used her platform to challenge the way women think about themselves and others by pioneering a “Value Revolution” that has now spanned the globe through a variety of creative initiatives. Oneka’s dynamic personality, creative vision, prophetic gift and compassion for God have propelled countless lives, marriages, teams and churches into their God-given destiny.
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