Fasten Your Seatbelts
The Unlikely Messenger: A Slice of Life with Debra Brown I liked visiting faraway places, but I stressed over flying. As a white-knuckled passenger, I preferred to keep my feet on the ground. All heights scared me. Driving over tall bridges or riding skyscraper elevators to the top floors caused me to break out in a cold sweat. Even participating in fun activities like zip-lining or taking in breathtaking views from scenic overlooks produced as much anxiety as excitement.…
Service Lasts a Lifetime
Another wonderful week of Vacation Bible School has finished, and I’ve had a few days to reflect on all the amazing ways I saw God moving during that week. Children came into the church building with excited faces and left smiling, laughing, and singing each day. I overheard children telling their parents about all the cool things they learned and did during Bible story time, the fun games they played outside during recreation, how they liked the snack they ate,…
The Good Samaritan: A Lesson in Compassion
The parables of Jesus are timeless, offering wisdom even today through simple, yet profound stories. One of the most well-known and impactful parables is the story of the Good Samaritan. It transcends cultural boundaries, speaks to the core of human empathy, and is a beautiful story of the love Jesus expects from us as His Church. You can find this parable in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10, verses 25-37. The story begins with a lawyer asking Jesus, “Teacher, what…
Juneteenth and the Christian Call to Stand Against Oppression
Juneteenth, short for “June Nineteenth,” is not merely a date on the calendar but a powerful marker in American history. It signifies the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. This day signified the end of their bondage and the dawn of freedom. As Christians, it is essential to see Juneteenth through the lens of our faith. The Lord gives righteousness…
“B” is for Busy
As a teacher, I’ve learned how to make really great lists. Every lesson plan is nearly organized with bullet points; each of my grocery lists organized by type. As a new mom, I have acquired even more lists- a list for car rides, a list of baby foods to try, a list of the ones she likes (and dislikes). Here’s an example of a To-Do list from a few weeks ago: get babysitters submit grades organize band rooms get awards…
Anchor in the Storm
The Unlikely Messenger: A Slice of Life with Debra Brown I stood at the window, watching the trees swaying in the wind, and worried about the latest weather alert blasting from my iPhone. As I watched, storm clouds gathered until darkness encompassed the afternoon sky. Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled. Soon, sheets of rain drenched the ground with standing water flooding low-lying areas of the yard. When the thunder boomed, shaking the house, I could hear my mom’s shouts of…
Staying The Course
Faith is one of those things that challenges so many in their relationship with God. On more than one occasion my faith has been tested. My faith has been a challenge at times, and I am sure that is true for so many. But in all honesty what is faith really? The dictionary defines faith as complete trust or confidence in someone or something. Complete trust, isn’t that asking a lot? Well, isn’t that what we as Christians are called…
Becoming God’s Living Vessel: Eight Ways to Serve Others
Becoming God’s living vessel signifies our willingness to allow His divine Spirit to indwell within us, guiding our thoughts, words, and actions in alignment with His will. It involves surrendering our desires and ambitions and, instead, seeking to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives. Here are eight biblical ways we can do this: Forgive Others: Becoming God’s living vessel entails embracing the Spirit of forgiveness. Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT) instructs us to “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, slander, and…
Finding Peace of Mind
Though we all seek to have peace of mind, finding it can often be difficult, especially in times of uncertainty. Fortunately, the Bible provides comfort and security, reminding us that the foundation of having peace comes from a trusting relationship with our Creator. It is a sense of security and the calm assurance that He is always with us. Drawing on the wisdom of scripture is an excellent source of comfort, providing us with a sense of calmness and understanding…
Kindness Is Kind of a Big Deal
The other morning, I was in the drive-through line to get my coffee. And a lady drove up from the opposite direction, and so I let her in line ahead of me. It wasn’t a big deal or anything. But when I got to the drive-through window to pay for my coffee, she had already paid for it in appreciation for letting her in front of me — pretty cool stuff. And so, I then paid for the person behind…
This is My Story, This is My Song
There is nothing in the world so much like prayer as music is.” ~ William P. Merrill Music surrounds us. Shopping, driving, dining, working- almost every establishment has some kind of music present in the background. Do you notice it and hum along? Maybe it simply fades into the background of the hustle and bustle of your daily life. I have a few questions for you to reflect on as you read: What kind of music do you enjoy listening…
A Friend In Time
The Unlikely Messenger: A Slice of Life with Debra Brown Blowing rain peppered the windows. I pulled my sweater tighter around me to combat the chill, breathing in the scent of my spicy chai latte, and read the text for the third time before responding. “I don’t think we should be friends anymore.” The words from a close friend blindsided me. I could only respond, “What? Why?” “I’m not mad at you,” she answered. “I’m not going to block you…