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True Beauty - A Tribute to Mandisa

American Idol alumni Mandisa released her album “True Beauty” the same year I turned thirteen. Just about every Sunday of my teen years, my family and I would drive to church with this album as the soundtrack of our ride. Many of the songs from this album and the ones to follow lived long lives on the soundtracks of my confidence. In years when I hated everything about myself, Mandisa helped me…

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Lord, Where Else Would We Go?

Did you grow up in the church? Did you get saved at such a young age it’s one of your earliest memories? Did all your traumas–big or little–bring you closer to God rather than pushing you away from Him? Have you ever heard someone’s deep, maybe even dark testimony and wondered if yours wasn’t good or powerful enough in comparison? The pastor I had in my twenties once did a series about sharing…

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Life Lessons & Future Adventures

Normally, I write one or two end of year posts in December and/or January. This year, I decided to extend the reflection period between my birthday—December 22–and New Year to a later date. Now, I’ve spent the last two and a half months reflecting not only on 29/2023, but also on the entirety of my 20’s. I’ve also been reflecting on what I want from the next one, five, and ten years. I thought…

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Advent Day 37 - Joyful Worship (January 6, 2024)

The gifts the wise men gave acknowledged who Jesus is–the resurrected God and King. They were filled with joy and worshipped Him. As precious and symbolic as the gold, frankincense, and myrrh were, their hears of joyful worship were the true gifts. god doesn’t ask for our. He asks for our hearts. Nothing we can do or give means anything without joyful hears of worship. As we leave the Christmas…

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Advent Day 36 - Worship and Follow (January 5, 2024)

The wise men were royal astronomers. They were out just doing their thing when Jesus called them. They were looking at stars and studying all the things astronomers of the time studied. The moment Jesus called them they followed. They didn’t wait. They worshipped.If you’re waiting on a call from Jesus, worship in the waiting. If you’ve already heard the call get up and follow Jesus right now!…

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Advent Day 35 - The Star of Christmas (January 4, 2024)

The star in the sky that led the wise men to Jesus was very important. It wouldn’t be the same story without that star. Even more important than the Christmas Star is the Morning Star–Jesus. The Christmas Star guided the wise men, but they were following Jesus. Signs are great. I like signs. I pray for signs. No matter how bright the signs, that’s not what I’m following. I am always and only…

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Advent Day 34 - Worship, Fasting, and Prayer (January 3, 2024)

Anna is inspiring. It’s never easy to lose someone you love. I’m sure it’s not easy to be a widow. It especially wasn’t easy in Bible times. Anna could have been bitter. She could have given up. She could have been mad at God. Instead, she dedicated her life to Him. She worshipped. She fasted. She prayed. During the holiday season, it’s easy to remember what and who we have lost. It’s easy to…

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Advent Day 33 - Simeon was there... (January 2, 2024)

This is such an encouraging passage. Simeon had a dream for his life and God made him a promise. God not only fulfilled His promise to Simeon, but He also fulfilled the desire of Simeon’s heart. Simeon’s joy over seeing Jesus is beautiful. The desire of his heart lining up with the plans of God was even more beautiful. God fulfilling that desire and promise was most beautiful. God not only cares…

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Advent Day 32 - The First Prophecy of Jesus (January 1, 2024)

This is the first prophecy of Jesus. From our very first sin to our very last breath, Jesus is saving us from the enemy. The enemy will always fight to tempt us away from Jesus. Jesus will always fight to keep us away from the enemy. Jesus dies so we won’t have to. He gave His life so we can live with Him forever. No matter what the enemy tries to sell us, Jesus already paid the price for all the…

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Advent Day 31 - A Light to the Gentiles (December 31, 2023)

It could be argued that Gentiles–those of us without Jewish blood–have the most to be grateful for every holiday season. Before Jesus, the promise was for the Jews. After Jesus, everything changed for us all. We get to live with hope because Jesus came as a light for us. He came to save us and give us life. Jesus came to give us a chance at eternal life with Him!

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Advent Day 30 - Set Things Right (December 30, 2023)

New Year is coming. Many of our New Year resolutions, goals, and whatever else we want to call them relate to making things right and better. These are admirable goals. We should stop reaching for them. While we reach for our goals, there’s something more important to remember. God has already set things right.When we work, we work to prove our faith. We work out of a place of hope. We work to be…

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Advent Day 29 - The Eyes of the Blind (December 29, 2023)

We can become very narrow-minded and even blind during the holidays and New Year. While the context of this Scripture has little to do with us, the application has a lot to do with us. It’s clear throughout Scripture Jesus came to correct the vision of all who don’t see what they should see. When our perspective is wrong and we’re not seeing with God’s vision, Jesus wipes our eyes and helps us…

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Advent Day 28 - Comfort and Forgive (December 28, 2023)

Jesus came to comfort and forgive us. Christmas can bring up sadness in us for various reasons. It is one of the highest depression seasons of the year. It’s the biggest time of year to remind us of all we’ve lost or not accomplished. It can be very sad. The beauty is that Jesus–the reason for the season–is here to comfort us. He is also here to forgive us. All we have to do is believe and…

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Advent Day 27 - Remember (December 27, 2023)

A recurring theme in Scripture is to remember. At such a young age, Mary was wise enough to hold the importance of remembrance in her heart. When the new year gets hard, remember the places you’ve seen God. When things are good, collect those blessings in your heart.

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Advent Day 26 - Jesus Came for You (December 26, 2023)

To be a shepherd was the lowest of low jobs a man could have in these times. For God to reveal himself to them first was a big deal. If Jesus’ claim of kingship had been made up, He would have appeared first to someone of noble status. Instead, He appeared to a bunch of nobodies and invited them to the celebration of His birth. This Christmas, remember no matter who you are or what you’ve done…

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Advent Day 25 - Humility (December 25, 2023)

Humility is a recurring theme in the story of Christ, especially in His birth story. As humble as the supporting characters and costars are, no one was more humble than Jesus. The King of kings left His throne in Heaven to be born in a feeding trough to grow up and die. The crucifixion was not the only sacrifice Jesus made for us. Coming to earth at all was a sacrifice for Him. He chose humility…

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Advent Day 24 - Until Her Son was Born (December 24, 2023)

Some people believe Mary was chosen because she was special. Many believe she remained a virgin forever. That is not what my Bible says. My Bible says Mary was just a girl who did have a marital relationship with her husband after Jesus was born. If Mary had been special, it would have defeated the purpose of Jesus’ birth story. If she had been perfect, it would have defeated the purpose of…