The Connection Corner

Praise in Every Storm

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Romans 8:18

Ten-year-old Erin Browning danced with joy. Her small frame moved gracefully to the steps she choreographed to the Casting Crown’s song. The band’s lead singer, Mark, met Erin and her mother, Laurie, in the middle of the girl’s fight with cancer.

The mom’s faith was unlike anything he had seen before. She wept openly, asked hard questions, and even wrestled with anger. Yet, through her raw emotions, she chose to trust God.

After Erin passed, Mark sat alone with his guitar. He let the weight of it all wash over him. He could still hear Laurie’s words. She confessed no matter how dark life got, she knew God was still good, and His love still held the world together.

As Mark strummed his guitar, lyrics began to flow as a song took shape.

“And I’ll praise You in this storm, and I will lift my hands.

For You are who You are, no matter where I am,

And every tear I’ve cried, You hold in Your hand.

You never left my side, and though my heart is torn,

I will praise You in this storm.”

The song became an anthem that reminds us that worship is not confined to perfect moments. It is choosing to trust when the world feels like it is falling apart.

What would it look like for you to trust God in the hardest moments of your life? Could your faith tell a story of praise, even when it hurts?

January 25, 2025/by David Hall

Find Your Freedom in Christ

Daily Devotional

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”

Isaiah 61:1

Over Christmas, Sarah and I bought Reese a play yard—what we jokingly call “baby jail.” It has been a lifesaver, giving us a safe place to keep her while we do the everyday things parents need to do. Reese, however, sees it very differently.

One day, I placed her inside to play while I cleaned up. She immediately began crying and looking up at me with desperate eyes. She thought she was trapped.

But what she did not know was that the door was unzipped and wide open—right beneath the bars she clung to so tightly. The way out had been there all along.

I pointed to the open door, trying to help her see it, but she did not understand. She felt stuck, but the truth was, she was free to leave anytime. It took a while, but eventually, she noticed the opening and crawled through.

In that moment, I saw a glimpse of myself. For so long, I felt locked in the cage of my sin, weighed down by guilt and shame. I thought those things defined me. But over time, I learned the truth.

For me, walking through that open door meant trusting God’s promises, seeking mentors, and learning to embrace His forgiveness. It changed everything.

I want to encourage you—you can find freedom, too. What is holding you back? The door is open. Will you step through it?

January 24, 2025/by David Hall

Let God Speak to You

Andy Youso, Daily Devotional

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Colossians 3:16

The satisfying pop of a Coke Zero can opening echoed through the room as I sank into my favorite chair, Bible in hand. I had promised myself to finish the entire Bible in 90 days, and the clock was ticking.

The first week, I felt unstoppable. My pen flew across the pages of my journal, marking progress like a marathon runner tracking miles. But by week three, it started to feel like a chore. I was checking off chapters, but nothing was sinking in.

One morning, I hit a wall. I had barely started when a single verse stopped me in my tracks. It was as if the words were waiting for me, insisting I pause. So, I did. I set the plan aside and let myself dwell on that verse.

That was the day everything changed. Now, I read differently. Each morning, I let the words come to life. I write down what stands out, no matter how small. Some days, I read chapters; others, just a line. It is not about finishing anymore—it is about hearing Him.

Friend, if you have ever felt unworthy because you cannot keep up with a plan, take heart. It is not a race. God is not asking you to read faster or do more. He is simply asking you to show up and be present with Him.

What step could you take today to meet with God in His Word, one day at a time?

January 23, 2025/by Andy Youso