Peace Beyond Understanding

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“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

John 14:27

I will never forget the day I was in the grocery store, pushing a cart and trying to catch my breath, when it hit me: I was okay.

It made no sense at all. Just six months before, my entire world had been turned upside down. One minute, I was living out west, loving my job, surrounded by friends, and checking in with my parents as often as I could.

Then, without warning, my mom passed away. Not long after, my dad underwent six bypass surgeries. So, I packed up everything and moved back home.

And yet, there I was, walking down the aisle of that store, not crushed under the weight of it all. I felt something steady holding me together. It was not my strength; I knew that much. It was the kind of peace you cannot explain, the kind only God can give.

Looking back, I see how much I leaned on Him in those moments. If you find yourself struggling today, know this: you are not alone. There is a God who is close and steady, even in the hardest moments.

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Courage to Choose What’s Right

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Micah 6:8

Abraham Lincoln stood alone in his office, wrestling with a question every leader faces at some point: What is the right thing to do?

He was not a perfect man. No. He had fears and flaws and second-guessed himself countless times. But today, that weight felt different. On his desk lay the draft of the Emancipation Proclamation—a document that carried the hopes of millions and the weight of a divided nation.

No one knew what would happen if he signed that document. His own safety was at risk, and the backlash would be fierce. He would be criticized, perhaps even hated, by some. Still, he could feel the injustice—deep in his bones—and it was something he could not ignore.

Taking a deep breath, he pressed the pen to paper. As the ink dried, he knew that the nation would never be the same. But he also knew that the long-awaited freedom for millions had finally been set in motion.

Each day, we face choices that challenge us. Choosing what is right may not always be easy, but it is always worth it. Like Lincoln, we are called to take the step of courage, trusting that God honors those who choose justice.

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Find Hope in God’s Faithfulness

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”

Hebrews 10:23

He had dreamed of making a difference. As a young man, Thomas had pictured himself behind a pulpit, leading others closer to God. But life had other plans. Illness robbed him of the strength to preach, and financial struggles followed close behind.

One evening, as the sun dipped low and shadows filled the room, Thomas sat at his desk. His frail hands trembled as he opened his journal. He could have written about the disappointment, the missed opportunities, or the life he thought he had lost.

Instead, his mind turned to the quiet ways God had shown up: a kind neighbor bringing a meal, a check in the mail just when he needed it, a peace that carried him through sleepless nights.

“Great is Thy faithfulness,” he wrote, the words forming like a prayer. Each line became a declaration: “Morning by morning, new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.”

That hymn would go on to inspire millions, sung in churches, homes, and hospital rooms. But for Thomas Chisholm, it was a reminder that when life does not go as planned, God’s faithfulness remains.

If today feels overwhelming, know this: God’s faithfulness does not waver. Like Thomas, you can cling to the truth that morning by morning, His mercies will meet you right where you are.

 

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Life Lessons from a Leak

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“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”

Proverbs 4:23

The water leak was so small, I hardly noticed it at first. It was a slow drip, hidden away in the basement bathroom my kids used. Out of sight, out of mind.

It was easy to ignore—until the water company sent a letter. That “no big deal” was costing me a lot more than I thought. Suddenly, that slow drip had turned into an expensive issue I could not ignore.

We called a plumber, and within ten minutes, the leak was fixed. The bathroom was dry, and everything seemed normal again. But standing there, I could not shake the thought: how often do I let small problems slide until they grow into something much harder to handle?’

Fixing the leak in the bathroom was simple, but it reminded me to pay attention—not just to my home but to my heart. The truth is, life is full of “small leaks.” Little compromises, unhelpful habits, and unchecked attitudes. I want to face these things head-on before they spiral out of control.

Maybe you need that reminder too. What in your life could use your focus right now? Take some time today to stop, reflect, and make a change before the drip becomes a flood.

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Ignite Your Spiritual Life

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:13

My spiritual life needed a spark. You see, I was raised in church from the time I was two weeks old. My family was there every time the doors were open.

I could recite all the stories, knew the songs by heart, and even sat up straight in Sunday School. But if you asked me back then why I was a Christian, I would have stared at you like you had three heads.

That changed during my junior year of high school. My Bible teacher, Gary Blackshear, stood before our class one day and said, “You need to figure out what you believe—and why you believe it. You can’t just coast on what someone else believes.”

That one statement hit me like a lightning bolt. He was teaching us to study God’s Word like it mattered. He was challenging us to not just skim through our Bibles or settle for knowing the “right answers.”

So, I started digging in scripture. At first, it felt like work, but over time, the Bible came alive to me. Faith stopped being a checklist and became a relationship. By the end of that class, I was not the same.

Looking back, I know this: faith is not a spectator sport. And it all started because someone challenged me to wake up. It takes effort, questions, and sometimes even a little discomfort. But it is worth every moment.

So, if your faith is feeling dim, ask yourself: are you coasting or digging? Seek God with all your heart. When you do, you will discover it changes everything.

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Find New Life in Jesus

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“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me,though he die, yet shall he live.”

John 11:25

THE HEART ❤️ OF THE ARTIST:

Have you ever thought about the fact that the primary way that God chose to reveal Himself to us is through story? I think God chose to do this because He knows us best.

One of my favorite stories comes from the dramatic scene in John where Jesus finds Himself at the tomb of His best friend, Lazarus. By the time Jesus got there, Lazarus had been dead for four days.

In Jewish tradition, the soul would hover over the body for three days, but on the fourth, there would be no more hope for any reversal of the loss. This little cultural detail sets up the story to show Jesus faced with an impossible situation.

Surrounded by weeping family and friends, Jesus calls out…'”Lazarus, come out! Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

This is our story! Apart from Jesus, you and I are without hope, without life, and without promise. No matter how far gone we think we are, we can all still hear the powerful and authoritative voice of Jesus calling out to us.

“(insert your name here), come out! Take off the grave clothes and be free!”

Because, just like Lazarus, He has called us back to life!

– Phil Wickham – 

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Listening to God’s Voice

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“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”

Psalms 32:8

She was cruising down the highway, windows cracked, radio humming. On the way back from Texas, her plan was simple: follow the semi-trucks.

This was her favorite trick for long road trips—it kept her pace steady and her brain on autopilot. As she drove, a strange thought popped into her head.

“Get over.”

She squinted at the road ahead. “Why? I’m good here.”

But the thought did not let up. It came again, louder: “Get over.”

“Nope.” She gripped the wheel tighter, muttering, “Not happening.”

But the thought was unrelenting, tapping louder and louder until it practically shouted: “GET OVER!” She sighed dramatically and gave in, flicking her blinker and sliding into the next lane.

Not thirty seconds later, a deafening BANG shattered the calm. Her eyes darted to the rearview mirror. The semi’s tire had exploded, and jagged pieces of rubber were spinning straight toward the spot she had just left.

Her hands trembled as the wave of realization washed over her.

“Thank you, Lord,” she whispered through the tears. That push to move over had saved her.

God’s whispers are not always convenient. Sometimes they interrupt, annoy, or feel like they make no sense. But, friend, trust them. Trust Him. His love sees dangers we cannot, and His guidance always leads us to safety—even when we do not understand why at first.

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Growth Through Struggles

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“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

James 1:2-4

Public speaking terrifies most people, but not my five-year-old daughter. At her class recital, she was thrilled to step up to the microphone and recite her poem in front of parents, teachers, and classmates.

She began beautifully, reciting the first part with ease. She paused before continuing, but the audience assumed she had finished and began clapping. With all the confidence of a kindergartner, she declared, “I’m not done yet.”

The crowd erupted in laughter, and so did I, but then her expression shifted. Tears welled up in her eyes.

My wife and I froze, unsure of what to do. Should we step in and comfort her? My heart ached as I watched her crumble under the weight of the moment. I wanted to rush in, to hold her, to fix it all. But something held me back.

Her teacher gently stepped in, putting an arm around her shoulder and walking her back to her seat. She wiped her tears, and after a few deep breaths, she was herself again.

That moment really tugged at my heart. But I realized something: she was safe, and this was not something I needed to fix.

Life is filled with hard and uncomfortable moments like these. I was reminded of how God allows us to walk through life’s tough moments, not because He is distant but because He knows growth often follows struggle.

I am learning how sometimes the best thing I can do for my kids, family members, and friends is to take a step back when the moment calls for it. You can always trust that God can use the struggles to grow something beautiful in time.

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How He Loves Us

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“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:38-39

Grief can drown you—or it can carry you to love you never knew existed.

It began with a phone call—a moment that shattered John Mark’s world. His best friend Stephen had been in a car accident.

Just hours earlier, Stephen had prayed with fiery passion, asking God to reveal His love to others. It was a prayer for revival, for hearts to be changed. Now, he was gone.

The questions came in waves, relentless and unanswerable. How could someone so alive, so full of faith, be taken so suddenly? How could such a vibrant Christian’s life be cut short?

The loss was suffocating, like a wave that refused to break. So, John Mark let the tears fall and began to write a song.

“He is jealous for me. Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree.”

The song “How He Loves” was never meant to leave his room. It was John Mark McMillan’s way of processing the unthinkable. Yet, when the song began to spread, people were drawn to its honesty. It reminded them that God’s love is vast, unshakable, and personal, even in the hardest moments.

If your heart feels heavy today too, lean into this truth: God’s love is big enough to carry you, even now. Do not let go of it—it will never let go of you.

 

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Intentional Connections

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Proverbs 17:17

There is something about January that feels like a clean slate. It invites me to pause and reflect on what truly matters. This year, as I have been thinking through my priorities, one thought has stayed with me: I want to be a better friend.

It is not that I do not care about my friendships—I do. But life gets busy. The demands of work, family, and everyday routines pile up, and suddenly, I realize that weeks have passed since I last checked in on someone I care about.

Deep down, though, I know I can do better.

As I have thought about this, I am reminded of the example of true friendship that Jesus showed. Even with the weight of His ministry, He always had time to connect—to make others feel seen and cared for. His love was active, intentional, and deeply personal.

I want to mirror that in my life. Maybe you do, too. If there is someone on your heart right now, I encourage you—send the text, make the call, say the prayer. It could mean more to them than you ever realized.

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