Content from 2025
A Thrill of Hope in a Weary World
Christmas carols have a way of stirring something deep within us. They’re more than just melodies we play as background music while decorating the tree or lyrics we sing out of tradition. These songs were written to tell a story—the most important story ever told. They remind us of the night when God stepped out of heaven and into our world as Jesus Christ, bringing hope and salvation to a weary world. One of the most beloved carols, O Holy…
Spreading the Shepherd’s Joy this Christmas
Imagine the scene on that first Christmas night. A group of shepherds, going about their ordinary work, are suddenly met with an astonishing sight: an angel of the Lord, followed by a sky full of heavenly hosts, announcing the birth of a Savior. Their response? Pure, unadulterated joy. The Bible tells us in Luke 2:16 that they “hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.” After seeing Him, they couldn’t keep it…
Silent Night
The Unlikely Messenger: A Slice of Life with Debra Brown Beep. “What was that?” I waited. Allen yawned. “I didn’t hear anything.” I shrugged and went on with my bedtime routine. It had been a full December day, early in our marriage. Back then, the Christmas parade rolled through town in the morning, so we bundled up and waved as marching bands, floats, and Santa himself rolled down Main Street. After dark, we lingered over dinner with friends, laughter spilling like…
Choosing to Rest in God’s Peace: Finding Strength in Life’s Challenges
Life is full of challenges. From financial struggles to health issues, relationship turmoil to career uncertainties, and even the daily stress of balancing work and family, we all face moments that test our strength and resilience. In these moments, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or even panicked. But what if there was another way to respond? What if, instead of letting stress take over, we chose to rest in God’s peace? The Bible offers us this powerful reminder: “So…
When the Table Shrinks
The Unlikely Messenger: A Slice of Life with Debra Brown The sun cast a warm glow over the Georgia coast as we gathered for the Brown Thanksgiving, but I felt a tug of sadness. The “off year” meant Meredith and Jordan were spending the holiday with his family in San Antonio. I missed them already. “Maybe they’ll be with us next year,” Allen said, mirroring my thoughts as he held the door open for me. Beyond the windows, the river…
The Joy of Caring About Others
Have you ever gone through the motions on a given day and felt like something was missing? Perhaps you attend church services, volunteer, or participate in activities, yet a genuine sense of connection often seems elusive. The journey to finding joy starts not with doing more or trying harder, but with making a simple, authentic shift in how we relate to others. It begins with taking a genuine interest in the people God puts in our path—whatever the setting. This…
The Transformative Strength of Gratitude in Prayer
At our September United Methodist Women in Faith prayer breakfast, we gathered around excellent food, an inspiring program, and shared fellowship. As we always do, we posed a question for reflection, a small prompt to guide our hearts and minds. This time, we asked, “What role does gratitude play in your prayer life?” The responses we received were powerful, honest, and deeply moving. They painted a beautiful picture of how a simple act of gratitude can radically reshape our connection…
Full-Size Moments
The Unlikely Messenger: A Slice of Life with Debra Brown Give, and it will be given to you… For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” – Luke 6:38 (NIV). Spanish moss rustled in the oaks. A few red and gold vine leaves glowed against the October sky. I checked the pumpkins waiting to be carved and sighed. Most years, I couldn’t wait for Halloween night, with the porch lit, cider simmering, and a candy bowl…
A Beautiful Tapestry in the Body of Christ
When we think about what the church should look like, it’s easy to picture people who are similar to us—same background, same income level, same life experiences. But the early church in Philippi tells a different story. Acts, chapter 16, vividly illustrates the transformative power of God’s kingdom. It brings together the most unlikely people, creating a beautiful tapestry of diversity that reflects heaven itself. This is a powerful reminder that God’s kingdom is not bound by our human limitations,…
Through the Fog
The Unlikely Messenger: A Slice of Life with Debra Brown For we walk by faith, not by sight” – 2 Corinthians 5:7. Before the coffee could kick in, we crept along the backroads, the thick fog slowing us down and threatening to turn our Orlando adventure into a no-show. The Labor Day weekend trip to Walt Disney World promised a relaxing escape for Allen, our six-year-old daughter, Meredith, and me. We needed a vacation after the summer of 1996, which…
Living Authentically: The Power of Integrity
In a world filled with opportunities for genuine connection, the inspiring power of integrity creates meaningful change and builds lasting trust. By choosing to live openly and authentically, we can foster deeper relationships and have a more positive impact on our communities. Understanding Integrity Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed” – John 3:20-21. Integrity, at its core, refers to the quality of being honest…
See No Evil
This is the first post of a three-part series from Yvette. How often do you see things and think you wish you had not seen them, or are embarrassed by what you have seen? In the world today, things happen that sometimes leave us shaking our heads and wondering how they happened. How often in those moments do you pray or reach out to God for His covering over the scene you have witnessed? Something else to consider is how…