About

When I first began this blog, it was my desire to share my Christian faith with you through inspirational devotions, poetry, quotes, and photography. Hebrews 3:13 says:  "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." My mother, Margaret Duran, agreed to let me post some of her devotions from time to time, too.

The blog continued to grow, and now new pages for Videos and the Plan of Salvation (Know Jesus?) have been added. Be sure to look for new postings each time you visit. Soon I will be adding a section with links to Christian Book reviews and other Christian resources that I hope will encourage you in your daily walk with the Lord and inspire you to encourage others. I would love to have you Follow Us and look forward to hearing your comments.

In 2005, my husband, Ted, and I had just moved back to Tampa, Florida, and we were looking for a new church home. We visited several, but they just didn't feel right for us. As some of you know, my husband is involved with a Vietnam Veterans group called The Last Patrol. At one of their performances, we met a woman who had been a nurse in Vietnam, Lt. Linda Pugsley (now Lt. Col. Pugsley). She invited us to visit her church, Great Hope Christian Fellowship, where she was Associate Pastor, if we were ever in Tampa. We did visit, and I can remember the first visit as if it just happened yesterday.

When Ted and I walked in the door that first Wednesday night, we were greeted with not only the friendliest people you could ever meet, but we were greeted with The Holy Spirit. We knew instantly that we had found our "home". It's a very small Christian fellowship, but it is huge in the love of God. Over the years, we have been continually fed rich food from heaven, and the nourishment has encouraged our growth and our walk with the Lord.

Each Sunday, we are given "Take It Home!" handouts that summarize the message for that day from Pastor Mark Parsons; Associate Pastor, Dr. Linda Pugsley; and our pastor's wife, Dr. Shirley Parsons. With permission from my church Board of Directors, His Healing Word blog now has a new addition to offer its readers called "Now Go Live It!" I will be posting these bits of Christian inspiration for your daily living. Please let us know how these messages bless or encourage you and forward them to others.

CAROLYN MARSHALL - Author, His Healing Word, Tampa, FL

Education: Various Photography Courses; PADI Scuba Instructor; CDL Certification; Security Officer, State of Florida
Family: Married; 1 Daughter; 3 Grandchildren
Community: Owner//Photographer, Living Life Photography; Vietnam Veterans/Last Patrol; Marshall Protection & Investigation, 15 years; Legal Secretary, 25 years
Ministry: Member of Board of Directors and Associate Worship Leader, Great Hope Christian Fellowship, Tampa, FL; Christian Inspirational Blog – His Healing Word; Great Hope Christian Fellowship Website Developer and Administrator



MARK PARSONS - Pastor, Great Hope Christian Fellowship, Tampa, FL

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Education, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Family: Married; 3 Children; 1 Grandchild
Military: Staff Sergeant, 6 years, US Air Force, Personnel Technician, Medical Technician
Community: 3 years teaching at Chamberlain High School, Tampa, FL; Small business owner, Tampa, FL, since 1980
Ministry: Elder, Northwest Christian Church, Tampa, FL; Ordained 1977; Appointed Pastor, Great Hope Christian Fellowship, Tampa, FL, 1994; Member Board of Directors, Great Hope Christian Fellowship, Tampa, FL



LINDA PUGSLEY - Associate Pastor, Great Hope Christian Fellowship, Tampa, FL

Education: Doctorate of Biblical Studies, Colorado Theological Seminary, CO; Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling, Rider College, NJ; Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, University of Delaware, DE;
Family: Single
Military: Major, over 10 years, US Air Force, Flight Nurse, Vietnam Veteran
Community: Registered Nurse, 14 years; College Nursing Instructor, 2 years; Parsons Property Maintenance, Tampa, FL, 8 years
Ministry: Ordained 1989; Pastoral Assistant 1989-1994; Appointed Associate Pastor, Great Hope Christian Fellowship, Tampa, FL, 1994; 13 years teaching at New Hope School, Tampa, FL; Author of the book The Climb; Tampa Airport Chaplain, 2001-2011; Chaplain to Vietnam Veterans of America VVA Chapter 787 since 1999; Chaplain to Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol, since 2003; Chaplain to Florida Army National Guard, May 2006-May 2011; Member of Board of Directors and Church Secretary, Great Hope Christian Fellowship, Tampa, FL



SHIRLEY PARSONS - Worship Leader, Great Hope Christian Fellowship,Tampa, FL

Education: Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, FL; Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling, Troy University, AL; Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, University of Delaware, DE;
Family: Married; 3 Children; 1 Grandchild
Military: Major, 10 years, US Air Force, Flight Nurse, Vietnam Veteran
Community: Registered Nurse, 13 years; College Nursing Science Instructor, 2 years; Co-founder Conservatory for the Arts at Tampa Bay
Ministry: Director of Christian Education; Principal/Teacher, New Hope School, Tampa, FL, 1988-2002; Member of Board of Directors, Church Recording Secretary/Treasurer, and Worship Leader, Great Hope Christian Fellowship, Tampa, FL


MARGARET C. DURAN - Writer, Crystal Springs, FL

Family: Married; 6 Children; 4 Grandchildren; 3 Great Grandchildren
Ministry: Author of Books - God's Garden of Love, Series One; God's Garden of Love, Series Two; His Life, My Portion: Heart to Heart Devotions; Life in Satan's Grip