OUR BLOG

Faith is trusting Him to make sense of every season of life. Whether it be choosing which college to attend, which career to pursue, or trusting that your spouse has already been set apart just for you. Faith is trusting that you will be a good mom or dad to your kids. Faith is trusting Him in our weaknesses and shortcomings. Faith is knowing that His plan is always better than ours, even when it doesn’t make sense. Faith is knowing that His plan is better than anything we could ever dream of…

Lauren is a Christian recording artist, currently in the studio with producer Otto Price (For King and Country, Barlow Girl) readying her debut EP which is set to release in the spring of 2018. The native Texan's EP includes songs written about her life, faith, and identity including "Sovereign Still," "Everything," and "Wildflower." Béa currently resides in Nashville, TN with her husband, Keenan and their two-year-old daughter, Kaidence.

Years ago, I began asking God to show me how to be the bridge of faith between the church (ministry) and the marketplace (my career). I dreamed of making a difference right where God had me. It didn’t make sense at the time, but I knew God was calling me to take church outside the church. I wanted to BE the church, everywhere I went. I wanted to encourage, to inspire, and to share God with my friends and those I worked with—because that is where I spent the majority of my time.

She is as strong as she is beautiful. A Fitness Coach & Trainer by trade, Latoisha Michelle uses her passion for health to impact the lives and hearts of individuals and clients around the city of Dallas. She loves to challenge her clients with innovative workouts that she creates for their own personal gain saying, “If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.” - Latoisha Michelle

There can be so much division and disunity when it comes to different denominations and beliefs. But when we get distracted by what makes us different—the music we like, the preaching style we prefer, or even the color of our skin—we have to bring ourselves back to the basics of where the church began: the book of Acts, where God displayed His love and grace for ALL people. 

I've found that love is the most powerful tool we have to encourage others, to bring peace to places of discord and to heal broken relationships. As believers, we should show love better than anyone else on the planet! My favorite part about our monthly EBF gathering is watching the women who come surround one another in love through trials and in celebration. They know they can come to each meeting, just as they are – knowing they will be accepted, whether they are struggling or succeeding.

Your words have the power to heal or they can cut like the piercing of a sword. Those who speak sarcastically with belittling words may appear on the exterior to be fine, but on the inside, they are bruised and bleeding. If they do not receive healing from the invisible pain they suffer, it will show up in another form such as addiction, sickness, disease, or even worse. If you have been injured by words, you must recognize you need healing, and the only One who can heal your spirit is your Lord and Maker.

The moment you received Christ as your Savior, you were rescued from the kingdom of darkness and transferred into the Kingdom of Light! Your name was written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Your spirit has already been transformed. However, your mind and body are a work in progress. That is why it is important to renew your mind with the washing of My Word daily.

Judy’s heart is pure gold. She is the Founder and President of Empowering International Ministries and a celebrated author, speaker, life coach, mother, and grandmother. Judy is the former Co-Host of Living on Purpose, was named Arkansas Business Woman of the year in 1987 and was recognized as one of Dallas' Top 10 Unstoppable Women in 2011.

John is one of my favorite gospels to read because it is written from a man who understood God’s love in a very real way. The other three gospels give us a beautiful account of Christ’s life on earth, but John writes in a way that inspires us to know Jesus’ love the way he did. John was one of Jesus’ disciples. He walked with Him. He saw His miracles firsthand. He listened to His teaching. And He experienced the love of Christ daily.

Beautiful, sassy, and sweet. A Speech Pathologist by trade and the owner of Silky Sweets—Silk Nelson is a major boss babe. Silk recently moved to Dallas and found Equipped by Faith in her search for authentic community and friendships. Her story is why we exist, and we couldn’t be happier that she found herself right at home with Equipped by Faith. We love you Silk!

“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)

Nicollette 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).

Disappointments 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.

Kayla 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.  

As 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.  

What 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!

For 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.