Ann here! Oh, I enjoyed the story of the crazy King and Vashti on Monday. Now, let’s hurtle towards chapter 2, where we meet Esther, this “lovely and beautiful” daughter of God. She carries an intense cocktail of pain and growing strength. What is it we ourselves carry? Something similar I’d say, even though different. I see Esther as a fragile baby bird: Orphaned and snatched. But I also see her as strong as an ox. The 'ox' part comes later. Putting ourselves in her shoes, can you imagine being taken hostage for the sole purpose of a King's pleasure? It makes me inwardly choke. I wonder how she would have felt; I really don’t know. There was an honor to it, but a powerlessness. After her night with the King, in my mind it gets worse: She was shifted to a different house (v.14). No longer a virgin, she... Read more →

I realize that most of us are very familiar with the story of Esther. So, my approach during our study is to point out some of the lesser known aspects of this classic book. I want you to ponder and wrestle with some of the underlying truths that are captured in these ten chapters. Read more →

I’m writing today with a change in gears. It’s time for our summer study on the Book of Esther, and I have the pleasure of kicking it off. Lynn will post next, and we’ll take turns. Many will remember we studied this book two years ago (April 2017) but we seem to hear ‘Esther’ again. I’m helping with the writing as I have a little more time than usual this month. So, are you sitting comfortably? I am! Read more →

24/7 praise by the SUMites. Share your experience here. Honor the Lord with your testimony and encourage another SUMites. Gladys and I can't wait to read about your time with God. Read more →

SUMite Nation, Today was amazing. I woke to a cool and overcast sky. It’s quite rare for southern California in August. I started on my walk at 7:45 am. My praise hour 8-9 am PST. The Lord was so excited to meet me that He prepared the perfect weather for our walk. As I finished my walk at 9:15 the clouds pushed off to the east. The sun peaked through and the rest of the day was sunny and hot… My praise walk was PERFECT! Father IS JUST THAT GOOD! I worshiped, signing the Lord’s Hebrew name over and over for most of the walk. (Yod, Hey, Vav, Hey) I was surrounded by perfect peace. I sensed so strongly the presence of angels. They were worshiping too. I was about 40 minutes in and I heard the Lord whisper to my heart. The praise and worship by the community has... Read more →

---Schedule is at the bottom of the post.--- When we praise, we are expressing our admiration for God; we are lifting Him up in exaltation. Praise is the act of celebrating or boasting about the Lord. Praise can be done through song, poems, or confessing the goodness of God to others. We should be giving God our praise and worship through our daily lives. We can do this at home, in our workplace, on the bus - wherever we are! Praise and worship is a way of life, the very heartbeat of our relationship with God. Read more →

(View open slots at the bottom of the post) GOD IS NOT DEAD. Nor does He sleep. His people MUST ARISE and take back ground the enemy has stolen. It’s time that the children of God decide to go ALL IN! A sold-out, Jesus Freak, life is our only hope. WE are the representatives of the Kingdom and we can bring the hope of Jesus to all humanity. Let’s start NOW!!! We are going to praise God for His goodness in our lives. We are going to praise God for what He is doing in our nations. We are going to praise the Lord for His Presence in our lives, the love He gives, the provision and His grace. Read more →

First Time Ever! Our SUM Nation will offer to our Lord a 24 hour praise and worship vigil. Let's join and select an hour that we praise the Lord creating a 24 hour chain from our house of SUM.Tuesday, August 6th, midnight   through Wednesday, August 7th, midnight.Take a look at the slots. Sign up in comments. I'll update the signup sheet on Monday. Form below. Read more →

Find out what's coming in August around here? Read more →

Hey SUM family, Tiffany here! I have worked for my employer for a little over three years now. I do the same thing all day everyday. Monday through Friday, eight hours a day. I see the same computer screen as I fingerprint the numerous people who come into my office. The other day Holy Spirit alerted me to listen and pay attention to people's reactions to seeing their fingerprints on the computer screen, many of them for the first time: Wow, that is so cool! I have never seen this before! Sorry, I am just amazed by this! Look at that! Can you believe that we all have different finger prints? No two prints are the same!? Was I looking at the same machine? It is cool to see the detail, I guess..... There are some of us who have forgotten how to be in love with and romanced by... Read more →