The Easter Lily

By Irvin Rozier

On December 19, 2003, I was missing my parents, who had gone on to be with Jesus.My Dad, Rev. A.J. Rozier, died on December 22, 1966. He was 40 years old and we buried him Christmas day, 1966. My mother, Mary, died on January 7, 2001. She was 71.

I woke up that cold December morning and drove to the family cemetery where my parents are buried. I arrived there, and sat in my warm truck as I recalled precious memories of Daddy and Mama. After several minutes. I opened the door of my truck, got out, and slowly walked the short distance to my parents' graves. As I did, I pulled the collar of my jacket tightly around my neck. We had already had several days of freezing weather and it was cold and windy that morning. I approached my Daddy's grave, saw something, and stared with disbelief. There, growing beside the grave, was one Easter Lily...IN FULL BLOOM. As tears filled my eyes, the presence of the Lord was strong as He gently reminded me through this flower, that He still lives. And because He lives, my parents live also, and I will see them again one day.

God, What's Next?

Pastors Steve and Pattie Reeves take the
carpet as they share their exciting
journey of faith.

By Pastors Steve and Pattie Reeves

When we reflect back on our humble beginnings, we think of Ruth and Naomi and what they had to endure to reach their destiny.

There have been times in our married lives when we thought that we had it all together.  We had all the pieces in place, then, it was all gone.  Things changed, people changed with the changes, and emptiness, loneliness and grief became our companions.  We found ourselves in a foreign, unfamiliar place and holding on to what little faith we had. 

Life was good before the change and this place was not comfortable to us.  We knew who we were in Christ. We knew we were gifted, talented and not afraid of taking risk.  We often quoted Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  We had plans, big dreams and knew for certain we would reach them.  We did everything above board, we tithed, gave offerings, helped the poor and needy and served in the church and community.  We were positioned no matter what, we did not question God. We believed in Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  Because we held on, it happened and it changed our lives, our goals and our future for the better. 

Created to be Creative

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1).


God created the heavens and earth and created man in His own image, and He gave man dominion over all living things. Let's think about this for a moment. We are created in God's image, so we are created to be creative. God delights in our success and creativity. He wants us to use and develop our creative abilities and do well. 

To do well is to develop wealth from the creative abilities He has given us, for the Bible says, "It is He that giveth us power to get wealth" (Deuteronomy 8:18). So, take the talents that God has given you and develop them wisely. 

Pastors Steve and Pattie Reeves, the owners of Covenant Home Care, took their talents and gifts and developed a "Ministry of Helps," which in the secular is called, "Home Care." They send staff into the homes of the elderly and the sick and administer and provide nursing, physical therapy and home health aide services. They can even pray with those who request it. But what is so amazing is the root word of administer is minister. Now, that's a "God thing"--they get paid to minister!

Their journey of faith allows them to live an abundant life; not just for themselves, but they have enough to bless others!

Crying Out Our Praises to God

In our dry season, the Lord wants to minister to us concerning our prayers about our circumstances. In these tough, economic times, many families and individuals are finding it hard to make ends meet. There are many days when people wonder whether they will lose their home and business owners wonder whether they will have to close their companies. Sometimes the pressure mounts up so much, you just want to scream. 

But, don't panic. Rather than screaming and crying out of frustration, cry out in praises to God. Yes, I said, cry out in praises to God. Praise acknowledges our dependence on God and His power to move on our behalf. Praise lifts the burdens off of our shoulders and places them onto God's shoulders. God works in the midst of our praise. As you are praising God, thank Him in advance for answering your prayers and believe that you will see them manifested. In God's timing, you will see them answered.

Your circumstances may not change overnight. All you have to do is just ride the wave and know that your circumstances will only last a season. In the meantime, continue to pay your tithes and offerings and give God all that is due Him because He is worthy. We will win in the end. After all, we are children of the Most High God walking by faith. To God be the Glory!

Food For Thought: The Secret to Success

My children in the Lord that I love so much, 1 Corinthians 12:7 says, But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.

I can truly say that being a child of God has profited me. I was born and raised in Italy. At 21 years of age, I came to the United States. Eighteen years in this country passed and I had not read a book in either Italian or English. I was always depressed with no desire to read. Then I was saved.

The person who led me to the Lord had instructed me to read the Bible every day. Someone had given my son, Anton, an English version of the Bible; it was the only Bible in my house at the time. So, I immediately started reading Anton's Bible; I did so every day. After three and a half months of reading, someone in my family saw me reading the Bible and said, "Who taught you to read?" It took my family member and me by surprise. I was not aware I had been reading English. I said, "Oh God, you taught me to read!" To my surprise, not only was I reading, I also understood what I was reading. This was truly a miracle!

Most of you that need a miracle probably need a miracle different than the one I experienced. I want you to know, as the scripture above says, that God wants to profit all; you are one of the "all." He is able and willing to do a miracle for all, which includes you. He is a Father who loves to do the miraculous for His children.

Begin to say with me, "Because God loves me, all good things are coming to me." After you say that, expect it to happen. This is my prayer for you.

With much love,
Pastor Sarah Marie Gardner

Pastor Sarah Marie is the Founding Pastor of Life Christian Churches. Her teaching is motivated by a deep love for people and a desire to show them how to walk in victory by faith in God.

The Covenant Story

The Visionaries

Covenant Home Care was birthed in 2006 by Steve and Pattie Reeves.  By FAITH they set out on a journey to create a different home care for seniors and their families. Because they often shared their stories of faith, they soon became known as the “Faithful Duo.” 

Steve and Pattie Reeves are both ordained pastors. The Reeves had an increasing desire to not just treat their patients’ natural needs but their spiritual needs as well. Their compassion extends not only to the patients, but also to the family members. They developed a motto: “Treat the patient and support the caregiver.”  

Pattie’s early experiences as a nurse in home health care became frustrating because her bosses frowned upon her praying and reading healing scriptures to patients.  The inability to perform the spiritual aspect of care was among the reasons why the Reeves decided to start their own home care agency. Today, the Reeves stay committed to a devout prayer life and draw on their faith to build a home care business that provides warm, compassionate, personalized care in the comfort of the home. 

Giving Shows Gratitude

My Beloved,

During the Christmas Season we are reminded about having the spirit of giving. The spirit of giving should not be for the Christmas season only; rather a lifestyle. So many times when the Bible talks about giving, we immediately think about material things-but it's much more than that. Giving can be of our time, giving a hug, giving a compliment or building the other person up. Sometimes it's easier to write a check than to give of ourselves in prayer.

One time when I was worshipping with my children, the Lord stopped me to pray for a friend of mine. The Lord told me she was in trouble. So, we all began to pray for her. After praying, we called her and found out that while we were in prayer, she had accidently driven into a ditch and her life was spared by divine intervention.

This is what can happen when we have a spirit of giving. Not only can we be a blessing for ourselves, but for others, too. 

1 Timothy 6:18: Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

With all my love,

Pastor Sarah Marie Gardner