Choosing Jesus As Your Foundation in a Chaotic World
Every day, we face choices that shape our lives and the lives of those around us. It’s a striking fact that 58% of Americans identify as Christians. Yet, many live as if they’ve chosen the world over Christ. This makes the need to choose Jesus as the foundation for our lives even more crucial today. In a world where actions often reject the teachings of love and kindness, it can feel daunting to stand apart as believers. In this post,…
The “Red Letters” of Jesus: Words of Transformation
When life feels overwhelming, and the world’s noise seems impossible to escape, the Word of God is one of the best places to turn. Specifically, Jesus’ words, often written in red in many Bibles, are a direct invitation into His heart and guidance. These “red letters” inspire and instruct us on how to live, treat others, and walk out our faith, even when it’s hard. Jesus’ words in the New Testament give us a roadmap to build our lives on…
And On The Seventh Day
The Unlikely Messenger: A Slice of Life with Debra Brown The sun emerged from behind clouds, warming my spot in the driveway. I opened the car door, ready for a full day that promised to spill into the night. I earned my busy badge by enjoying the fast-paced life as a working mom, busy marketing professional, and wife of a business owner and mayor. It never occurred to me to take time to breathe. I’d start early in the morning…
Instilling Hope: Anchoring Your Faith
There are times when hope can often feel elusive. With countless challenges and uncertainties looming, finding a steadfast anchor is crucial. Did you know that a strong sense of hope can significantly improve your mental health? In this post, we’ll explore the foundations of hope from a Christian perspective, focusing on three pivotal aspects: putting your hope in the Lord, the transformative power of character, and the hope bestowed by the Holy Spirit. Putting Your Hope in the Lord ‘For…
Walking In the Strength of the Lord
I walk in the strength of the Lord” – Psalm 71:16. Walking in the strength of the Lord means relying on His power and presence to guide, support, and sustain us in every aspect of life. This dependence on divine strength allows us to navigate life’s ups and downs with confidence and assurance that we are not alone. Throughout the Bible, we find numerous examples of individuals who relied on God’s strength to overcome seemingly impossible challenges. Moses is a…
The Sister
The Unlikely Messenger: A Slice of Life with Debra Brown “It’ll be fun,” my daughter Meredith said. “We can discover our family origins.” So, we ordered Ancestry DNA kits as Christmas gifts. The results were fun until I received a private Facebook message a year later. I’d felt emotional on the dreary November day, the day after Dad’s birthday, 7 years after his death, and the day before Mom and Dad’s anniversary. It was 2018, the year Mom died, so…
Living Our Vision: Glorifying God Through Love and Faithful Service
A few years ago, I gathered our church leadership to walk through the development of a vision statement. This statement would become the focus for every future ministry decision made. We even had a sign company come in and place our vision in vinyl letters on a prominent wall. We said, “Whatever was on the wall, must be happening down the hall!” Armed with a large dry-erase board, we got started. The process centered on several questions. I would ask…
Fear Is Not My Future
Thoughts from a Worship Leader with Karlee Oliver “Fear is Not My Future” by Maverick City It’s taken me months to write this because of fear—isn’t that ironic? Fear convinces us that the worst is yet to come and clouds our ability to see the promise that lies ahead. What if we could shift our perspective? What if we embraced the truth that fear is not our future? Let Him turn it in your favor / Watch Him work it…
Why ‘Showing Up’ Matters in Living Out Your Faith
As a long-time United Methodist pastor, whenever someone desires to unite with our church membership, I ask the historical questions that make up our membership vows. By doing so, we call Christian believers to an active faith rather than a passive one. When we vow to uphold the church with our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and testimony/witness, we commit to “show up” in tangible ways for God and His people. This act of showing up demonstrates our dedication to building…
The Christmas China
The Unlikely Messenger: A Slice of Life with Debra Brown The moody January sky cast shadows through the window on the glass of the china cabinet where my friend Joyce and I stood, staring at the contents inside. “Meredith’s generation is less attached to things,” Joyce said. “It’s not a reflection on her childhood. It’s not a reflection on how she feels about you or Allen.” I nodded. “But she doesn’t even want the Christmas china she’s used since birth,”…
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…