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…
Tell Me More
The Unlikely Messenger: A Slice of Life with Debra Brown “What’d I say?” my husband Allen asked me. Ugh. “I was listening,” I said, aggravated, rattling off verbatim what he’d said while I finished cooking dinner. I plated our food and hoped he wouldn’t share more of the tedious minutia of his day. I had enough of my own. I prided myself on multi-tasking. I handled family responsibilities, work duties, freelance projects, and constant deadlines. No matter what, I’d get…
Being a Game-Changer: Steps to Embrace Change and Impact
From a spiritual point of view, being a game-changer means stepping up and making impactful choices that reflect your faith and purpose. Embracing change is not just about the choices you make; it’s about the drive that fuels those choices. Here are three key areas to consider when becoming a game-changer … Taking the Leap: How Faith Fuels Change Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see” – Hebrews 11:1.…
What Are You Waiting For?
The Bible is full of stories of people who found themselves in a season of waiting. Some were actively waiting. Noah built the ark according to God’s specific instructions while waiting for the first raindrop to fall. Abram gathered his wife Sarai and his livestock and began walking as they waited for the Lord to tell them the destination He had for them. Years later, Abraham (renamed by God) built an altar to the Lord while he waited for God…
Blessings In Disguise: How Challenges Can Strengthen Your Faith
In our walk with Christ, we often encounter moments that test the very core of our belief. It is during these times that our faith can either wither or flourish. The Bible is overflowing with stories of men and women who faced tremendous challenges yet emerged with a stronger, more resilient faith. These narratives are historical accounts and living testimonies that speak powerfully to the challenges Christians face today. One of the clearest examples where overcoming obstacles led to spiritual…
Long Road Home
The Unlikely Messenger: A Slice of Life with Debra Brown The excitement had dimmed since the weekend trip to NC for Meredith’s dorm move-in and the start of her first year of college. We’d worked toward that move-in weekend for months – but in reality, we’d planned it since her birth. We spent the summer handling the final details on her college-bound to-do list and checked off items. I smiled when anyone said to Meredith, “How exciting! You’re flying the…
Do Not Be Afraid
There are so many times in my life when I have been afraid. As a child, many of us are afraid of the monster under the bed or in the closet, or the dark, or the boogie man. As kids get older, they are afraid people won’t like them or are afraid of failing. As teens, they are afraid of not being liked or not having friends, or today it is of being bullied. As adults, we are afraid of…
Overcoming Daily Distractions: Lessons from Nehemiah on Focus and Determination
Distractions are everywhere. From the constant buzz of social media notifications to the demands of work, family, and personal interests, staying focused can feel like an uphill battle. However, the Bible offers timeless wisdom on overcoming distractions through the story of Nehemiah. Despite numerous attempts from others to derail his mission, Nehemiah’s unwavering focus and determination in rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall provide practical insights for us today. The Story of Nehemiah: Nehemiah was a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia. Upon hearing…