The Connection Corner

Trusting God in Chaos

Daily Devotional, Lauren Kitchens-Steward

“For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”

Romans 8:24-25

“What are those blasted dogs barking at?” I hollered, setting my coffee down hard on the table.

Robin bellowed from the back door, voice full of urgency. “There’s a big ole white rooster flying around in our backyard, and Harley’s got a mouthful of feathers! But I think it’s okay. It ran under the house.”

I blinked. “A what?”

“A rooster!” Robin was already halfway outside.

I shot up from my chair, my peaceful morning gone in an instant. “Robin, we do not have roosters in town!”

“Well, tell that to the sucker flapping around out here!”

Coffee forgotten, I ran out onto the porch, only to be greeted by pure chaos. The pups were going wild losing their ever-loving mind. Robin crouched down, peering into the darkness beneath the house. “I swear I saw it run under here.” m

So, naturally, we searched. High and low. Around the yard, in the shed, and under the porch. Not a cluck. Not a feather. Not a thing.

Robin finally stood up, baffled. “I don’t get it. It was right here!”

And just like that, the search was over. No rooster and no explanation. Just us, standing smack dab in the middle of our backyard, exhausted and empty-handed.

And suddenly, it hit me—how often do we do this? We demand answers, chase clarity, search for a perfect explanation when life throws us something confusing. And when we come up empty-handed? We panic.

But faith isn’t about always understanding. It’s about trusting the One who does.

Maybe today, instead of demanding explanations, we trust that God sees the whole picture—even when we are standing in the middle of our backyard, scratching our heads.

March 25, 2025/by Lauren Kitchens-Steward

Uplift Every Day

Daily Devotional, Sarah Hall

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

Hebrews 3:13

I was never much of a baseball person, but my nephews? They live for it.

So when my oldest nephew had a game, my husband, daughter, and I found ourselves packed into the stands at the Ruston Sports Complex, surrounded by the unmistakable sounds of spring—bats cracking, kids laughing, and parents shouting a few “helpful” suggestions to the umpire.

As my nephew stepped up to the batter’s box, I felt a surge of pride, knowing he was giving his all on the field. With each swing of the bat, we erupted into applause.

The opposing team was really good, and they gave our athletes a challenge on every play. As innings passed, the score remained neck and neck. When the game concluded, the scoreboard showed a tie, and the audience applauded from both sets of stands.

And as we gathered our things and headed home, it dawned on me. The real victory was how these families encouraged those kids.

Every day, people around us are stepping up, trying, pushing forward. Some are facing battles no one sees. And just like those little leaguers, they need someone in the stands cheering them on.

Who in your life needs to hear, “I see you. You are doing great. Keep going”? Maybe that is the most important thing you will say today.

March 24, 2025/by Sarah Hall

A Deeper Experience of God

Daily Devotional, David Hall, Stories About Songs

“Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wondrous works!”

1 Chronicles 16:9

Darlene Zschech had always loved leading worship, but this was different. God’s presence felt closer than ever. Every time she opened her Bible, every moment of prayer, every song she sang—it all felt alive in a way she could not explain.

She was not the only one feeling it. Her church leaders had noticed a shift. People were desperate for more than just another song. They wanted to know God in a way that was personal and transformative.

So, when Darlene and the worship team met, they kept circling back to the same question: How do we lead people into a deeper experience of God?

They did not want to write songs that just filled a setlist. They wanted to create something that made space for real worship—something that could be sung in living rooms, in cars, and in quiet moments alone with God.

That night, as Darlene sat with her guitar, she let go of all expectations. She was just worshiping and pouring her heart out before God. And as she lifted her voice, the words and melody began to form together.

“Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name”

What happened next took her breath away. The song “Shout to the Lord” did not stay within her church. It spread like wildfire. Because people everywhere—no matter their denomination, their background, or their struggles—were desperate for the same thing: a real encounter with God.

Maybe you are, too. Maybe stress has dulled your joy, and you are longing for something to break through the noise. Worship is not about singing; it is about surrender. It is about lifting your eyes and letting your heart remember who He is.

Right now, in this moment, will you worship?

Lyrics
Verse 1:
My Jesus
My Saviour
Lord there is none like You
All of my days
I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love

Verse 2:
My Comfort
My Shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath
All that I am
Never cease to worship You

Chorus 1:
Shout to the Lord
All the earth let us sing
Power and majesty
Praise to the King
Mountains bow down
And the seas will roar
At the sound of Your Name

Chorus 2:
I sing for joy
At the work of Your hands
Forever I’ll love You
Forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to
The promise I have in You
—
‘Shout To The Lord’
Words & Music by Darlene Zschech
© 1993 Hillsong Music
CCLI #: 1406918

March 23, 2025/by David Hall