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…
When the House Settles
The Unlikely Messenger: A Slice of Life with Debra Brown There is a time for everything, and a season for every purpose under the heavens” – Ecclesiastes 3:1. As the steam rose from the pavement during the August rain, I thought, “I didn’t expect to grieve every time Meredith left home, but I did.” I felt sad when Meredith left high school for college. When she graduated and moved to Asheville, the house felt empty again. But then she came…
7 Powerful Ways to Shine Brightly and Share God’s Love
In a world that often feels overshadowed by negativity, it’s essential to realize the profound impact that shining brightly can have on those around you. Did you know that small acts of kindness can not only uplift someone’s day but also create ripples of positivity? When our United Methodist Women in Faith gather for their prayer breakfast, we always ask a question for them to write down their reflections. This becomes the nucleus of a blog post on our church…
The Art of Caring: A Christian Response to a Self-Centered Culture
Today, we live in an era of individualism, self-promotion, and angry rhetoric. Where “self-care” often becomes a substitute for self-absorption, Christians are called to a radically different way of living. The Apostle Paul puts it plainly: Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too” – Philippians 2:3-4. The most Christ-like expressions of faith are not wrapped…
Staying True as a Christ-Follower
Accountability is a vital part of the Christian life. It reflects a commitment not only to personal integrity but also to the communal call of faith. For Christians, accountability is deeply rooted in scripture and woven into the fabric of discipleship. It urges us to reflect on WHY we do what we do—our WHY as followers of Jesus Christ. Discovering Your Purpose To truly understand what accountability means to you, it’s essential to uncover your purpose. Your WHY is the…