Content from 2024
Embracing God’s Promise in the New Year
As we begin a fresh new year, I’m reminded of Paul’s beautiful words to the church in Corinth. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17. What a perfect reminder that each new beginning is an opportunity to experience God’s transformative grace in our lives. The past year brought challenges for many people in our communities and worldwide. Yet through it all, we’ve witnessed countless…
Finding Hope in the Names of Christ: Reflections on Isaiah 9:6
When life seeks to challenge us, the words of the prophet Isaiah offer heartfelt comfort and reassurance, especially when we reflect upon the names of Christ. For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” – Isaiah 9:6. These four magnificent names of Christ speak directly to our deepest needs and longings. They remind…
The Promise Fulfilled: Tracing God’s Plan Through Scripture
In this season of Advent, I’m struck by the awe-inspiring way God intricately weaves the story of Jesus throughout the entire Old Testament. For 400 years after the last prophet spoke, God remained silent. But this wasn’t divine absence—it was divine anticipation building toward the most pivotal moment in human history. Consider this: over 300 Messianic prophecies, written centuries before Jesus’ birth, meticulously painted an impossibly specific portrait of the coming Savior. He would be born in tiny Bethlehem (Micah…
So, Who Is God?
Father, Master, Comforter, Provider, Almighty, Healer, Great Physician, Shepard, and the list goes on. All these names refer to God in the many capacities He interacts with us in our lives. The question so often is, how can God be all things? There are three things we must understand that help explain this. You see, God is Omniscience, Omnipresent and Omnipotent. But what does this mean? Omniscience means God is all-knowing. Omnipresence means God is all-present. Omnipotence means God is…
The Christmas Lesson
The Unlikely Messenger: A Slice of Life with Debra Brown Christmas usually meant a time of light and joy for our family. But one year, it seemed to be Dad’s winter of discontent. Christmas officially started the day after Thanksgiving at our house. The wreath went up, Christmas cards were mailed, and we decorated every room with holiday cheer. Mom baked goodies for us to put in gift tins for presents. We enjoyed the spirit of giving. Like every year…
The Power of Togetherness: Harmony in the Body of Christ
In our culture today, where individuality often takes precedence, harmony within the Body of Christ can lead to transcendent accomplishments far beyond what we can achieve alone. Harmony, in the Christian context, doesn’t necessitate uniformity of thought or action; rather, it embodies the idea of merging diverse strengths, perspectives, and gifts to fulfill a higher purpose. As represented in the Bible, this unity emphasizes the power of togetherness, teaching us invaluable lessons about collaboration, selflessness, and mutual respect. The Early…
Feast Mode
The Unlikely Messenger: A Slice of Life with Debra Brown When I married Allen, I had few cooking skills. My culinary repertoire leaned toward sides: salads and steamed or roasted veggies. I had recipes for no-bake desserts and simple casseroles for family gatherings. Allen grilled, and I made a side. Done. Our routine contrasted with how my mom and mother-in-law Willa thought we should do things. Willa often chided me about my lack of interest in the kitchen. She wasn’t…
Woven Together: Nurturing Connections in Your Spiritual Journey
In today’s whirlwind of activity and distractions, many of us find ourselves drifting apart from the anchors of our faith, the warmth of our community, and even the core of who we are. But as followers of Christ, we’re called to a life of deep connection. This is more than just showing up on Sundays or occasionally opening our Bibles. It’s about weaving our faith into the very fabric of our daily lives. In part two of our post on…
From Comfort to Calling: Embracing Growth in Faith, Service, and Generosity
Living in an ever-changing and fast-paced world, feeling disconnected from your faith and church community is easy. But as followers of Christ, we’re called to a life of continuous growth and deep connection—with God, each other, and our purpose. But what does it mean from a biblical viewpoint to be growing and connected? In part one of this post, we’ll focus on the growing aspect of your walk with Christ by looking at practical ways to nurture your faith and…
Scattered Pennies
The Unlikely Messenger: A Slice of Life with Debra Brown My heart raced when I noticed shiny pennies glistening against the pavement near my car. I looked around as my rational mind said, “Calm down. You’re safe. You haven’t experienced a stalking incident in decades.” But my rational mind didn’t help me get groceries into the car or drive home as my Charleston stalker memories returned. He’d used pennies to terrorize me for years before I married Allen and moved…
Embracing Kindness: Reflecting Christ Amidst Political Divisions
As we stand on the brink of another presidential election, the political landscape seems more fractured than ever before. The air is thick with tension, and the chasms that divide us appear to have widened into seemingly unbridgeable gulfs. Partisan rhetoric echoes through our communities, social media feeds, and even our places of worship. Yet, amid this tumultuous climate, we, as Christians, are reminded of our higher calling. Our faith beckons us to rise above the fray and embody a…
Running Away
“I can’t do this!” How many times have you said this or turned away from something that made you uncomfortable, or you felt ill-equipped to handle a conversation that you just didn’t want to have? I do believe we can all honestly say we have run away from something at least once in our lives. Did you know that running from God is something we tend to do and do not realize that is what we are doing? How many…