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The Award Winning Blog
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
1 day ago3 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
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
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
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
When Calamity Strikes
While we learn to walk through stressful seasons, we sometimes stumble for various reasons: perhaps weakness, selfishness, or a lack of faith in God. We lean on our own understanding rather than depending on God’s goodness and wisdom. But God knows our every need.
Evelyn Collins
May 84 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
Love Letters from God
But the heart has other feelings. Hearts break, hearts weep, and hearts cry out for help. Hearts cling to the warm, fuzzy feelings of love, but they also hold on to profound loss, sadness, fear, and doubt. If we’re expecting our lives to look like the perfect Hallmark movie, the odds of that happening aren’t always in our favor.
Colleen Howard
Feb 273 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
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
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
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