top of page
BLOG
The Award Winning Blog
Unstoppable with a soft heart
Love. Joy. Peace. Kindness. Goodness. Gentleness. Self-control. Those words sound wonderful when life is going well. They are beautiful when embroidered on pillows, printed on bookmarks, and highlighted in our Bibles. But what happens when life gives us a reason to be angry? What happens when fear replaces peace, grief threatens joy, and someone’s actions make kindness feel almost impossible?
Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes
4 days ago4 min read
Good Grief!
It’s been said that grief is love attempting to cope with loss. There’s a correlation between the depth of grief we experience over loss and the loving connection that we have with the one who has passed. In my service to the Lord as a local church pastor and later as a U.S. Navy chaplain, God had me be a part of the coping process for many families grieving the loss of a loved one. It is called “Ministry of Presence,” in which clergy have the privilege of walking with famili
David Reid Brown
Sep 43 min read
Plans, so many plans!
“A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.” — Proverbs 16:9 NKJV I have a daily plan, a weekly plan, a yearly plan, plans for school, plans for church, and plans for work. Plans abound as we move through life. Yet for all our planning, when the boots hit the ground, events often fall apart or must be altered. It’s amazing how few plans work in real life. Still, we make plans. People like to organize. It gives us a feeling of control. We feel as though we
Kathy Keenum
Aug 282 min read
YOUR NEXT STEP IS COVERED: Making Bold Decisions With God
When we depend on our limited abilities and knowledge, it’s easy to become terrified by doubt. But relying on the Lord encourages us to move forward assured that God will provide whatever we need, when we need it. This may be pivotal relationships, finances, or an innovative idea.
Lilka Finely Raphael
Aug 213 min read
Desires of the Heart
Haven’t we all succumbed to this lie at one time or another? Here’s a phrase that should put you on high alert: “If only.” It sounds something like this: “If only I had a new car, if only I could get the promotion, if only I had the latest cell phone, or if only I got a popular toy... then life would be perfect.”
Colleen Howard
Aug 143 min read
A Sense of God’s Order
Halfway through a four-hour return flight, Sara experienced a medical emergency. We gratefully accepted the caring help to get her through that in-flight ordeal. Sara then spent five days in the hospital.
Cecil Taylor
Aug 73 min read
The Gift You Never Saw Coming
After enduring numerous trials, recognizing positive events becomes challenging. Or maybe you've prayed repeatedly for something, yet it feels like God isn't responding. This can lead to discouragement, making you feel unseen by God. You become weary and then decide, "I'm going to take action, regardless of whether it pleases God." You seek to escape the sensation of helplessness or stagnation.
Vonyee K. Carrington
Jul 314 min read
Harvest of Imperishable Seeds
I grew up in a rural section of eastern North Carolina where miles of crops lined the curvy country roads. Although both my grandparents owned farms, our family lived in town, one block from East Carolina College, with its large, lush lawn and towering trees.
Evelyn Collins
Jul 244 min read
SETBACK, BUT UNSTOPPABLE
Whatever your setback may be, remember this: setbacks do not surprise God. He often uses the very things we would remove from our lives to shape us into the people He has called us to become.
Andy Hollifield
Jul 174 min read
The Rain Has a Reason
“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10–11 (NIV) There was a season in my life when I felt like I was walking through a spiritual drought. I still believed
Crystal Johnson
Jul 33 min read
One of Those Days
God often gives us opportunities—quiet, ordinary moments that become “one of those days” where our words or actions make a real difference in someone else’s life, even when we may never fully see the impact. This isn’t meant to be a sentimental or overly warm reflection but something grounded and honest that we can all relate to. When we look to God’s Word, we’re reminded that meaningful impact is often found in simple obedience and everyday faithfulness.
Andy Hollifield
Jun 265 min read
Spiritual Fitness
The bottom line is that any regular exercise routine always has health benefits. One would think that this would be a concern only for mature adults. However, today’s culture promotes a sedentary lifestyle for young children and teens steeped in screen-based recreation. This would not necessarily be a bad thing if it were not for the high-sugar, ultra-processed food that they choose. Poor diets and inactivity can be a harmful combination for the overall health of young people
David Reid Brown
Jun 125 min read
Kept From Breaking
It’s only through His grace and love that I’ve been kept from breaking. Our confidence in the Lord, grounded in prayer and biblical guidance, helped us through. God is faithful. He stands by us and guides us through every season of life. Accepting His will in trials and tough seasons is hard. But we can’t stand on our own and make it through death, disaster, or severe illness. We must rely on God’s strength because He alone is faithful.
Kathy Keenum
Jun 53 min read
Learning to Row a Boat: Renewed by the Transforming of the Mind
My first experience rowing a boat was on vacation in Florida. I was about twelve years old. My parents and their friends watched me from the beach as I tried to maneuver the small vessel.
Colleen Howard
May 223 min read
Victory Doesn’t Always Look Like Winning
I’ve lived with depression for a long time. I used to feel ashamed of it. Like if I were a better Christian, maybe I wouldn’t struggle the way I do. Maybe I’d be stronger, happier, or lighter. But I’ve learned that struggling doesn’t cancel out faith. Struggling doesn’t make you less than. And God doesn’t wait until we’re perfect before he calls us his. This verse in 1 John doesn’t say that victory comes from our strength or our performance. It says that our faith is the vict
Shai Johnson
Apr 174 min read
The Power of Words to Crush—or Call
Suddenly, uncontrollable tears streamed down my face as pent-up emotions surfaced. I reached for a tissue while tears flowed, and relief flooded me. God uncovered the dreadful memory of a critique where someone’s harsh criticism plunged me into deep despair. After forgiving her, I thought everything was well, but it didn’t erase the words stuck in my head.
Evelyn Collins
Feb 64 min read
When Stillness Feels Impossible
Here’s what I’m slowly learning. Letting go doesn’t mean I don’t care. Resting doesn’t mean I’m lazy. Being still doesn’t mean I’m failing. It means I trust that God loves my family even more than I do. It means I believe he’s working behind the scenes, even when I can’t see it. It means I choose to believe I don’t have to fight every battle on my own. That kind of stillness takes courage, especially when you’re used to doing it all.
Shai Johnson
Jan 233 min read
Unstoppable When I Let Go
When I hear the word unstoppable, I usually think of progress. Forward motion. Checking boxes and getting things done. I think of effort, determination, and pushing through no matter how tired I feel. But God has been teaching me that unstoppable does not always look like constant movement. Sometimes it looks like letting go and trusting him to take the lead.
Crystal Johnson
Jan 163 min read
It Must Have Slipped My Mind
When we fixate on past failures, hurts, or even successes, our attention shifts away from Jesus—the Author and Perfector of our faith—and onto ourselves. That kind of self-focus is actually rooted in pride. And pride is something God takes seriously because it’s a form of idolatry. We quietly remove God from the throne of our hearts and place ourselves there instead. That’s exactly what Satan attempted to do. He failed—and now he works hard to get us to repeat the same mist
Terrance Niedziela Jr.
Dec 19, 20254 min read
God’s Newness in Every Season
When I look back at the seasons of my life marked by pain and struggle, I can see God’s hand gently at work, making me new. I may not have experienced instant healing, but I’ve experienced transformation.
Shai Johnson
Dec 5, 20253 min read
bottom of page