Scripture (Joshua 1:9): “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Some days don’t feel like a “fresh start.” They feel like a fight just to get moving. A fight to face the day,Continue reading “Verse of the Day: “Be Strong and Courageous” (Joshua 1:9)”
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Self-Respect Comes First: Learning to Love Yourself So You Can Love Others
For a long time, I thought loving other people meant putting myself last. I thought it meant saying yes when I wanted to say no.It meant accepting disrespect because I didn’t want conflict.It meant over-explaining, over-giving, and over-apologizing… even when I wasn’t the one in the wrong. But eventually I learned something that changed everything:Continue reading “Self-Respect Comes First: Learning to Love Yourself So You Can Love Others”
Joy When You’re Misunderstood
A Reflection From Today’s Church Service There’s a kind of joy that feels easy to talk about—joy when life is going well, when prayers get answered fast, when the calendar is calm, when your heart feels light. And then there’s the other kind of joy. The kind that shows up when life is messy. WhenContinue reading “Joy When You’re Misunderstood”
Faith Without the Hype: How I Look at “Miracles” Now
I’ve noticed something over the years—people call everything a miracle. A parking spot at the right time? “Miracle.”A crazy coincidence? “Miracle.”And then you get the really wild stuff online… like people saying they see Jesus’ face on food or random objects. I’m not here to clown anybody, because I believe God can do anything. ButContinue reading “Faith Without the Hype: How I Look at “Miracles” Now”
The Day the “Functioning” Part Broke
He wasn’t the guy passed out in an alley. He was the guy who showed up. He showed up to work. Showed up to birthdays. Showed up to the grocery store in clean clothes. He answered texts. He paid bills (mostly on time). He laughed at the right moments. He held doors for strangers andContinue reading “The Day the “Functioning” Part Broke”
Telling the Truth Is Easier Than Keeping Up With Lies
Lying always feels simple in the moment. You’re caught, you’re scared, you’re embarrassed, and your brain throws out the quickest escape route: “Just say this. It’ll make the problem go away.” But it never really goes away, does it? Once you tell a lie, you don’t just change the story—you start a second life youContinue reading “Telling the Truth Is Easier Than Keeping Up With Lies”
How to Pick the Right Christmas Gift Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Budget)
Christmas shopping can feel like a full-contact sport sometimes, can’t it? Crowded stores, long lines, tight budgets, and the pressure to find “the perfect gift” for everyone you love. By the time you’re done, you’re exhausted, stressed, and wondering if you completely missed the point of Christmas in the first place. But gift-giving doesn’t haveContinue reading “How to Pick the Right Christmas Gift Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Budget)”
Verse of the Day: John 10:10
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”— John 10:10 (KJV) John 10:10 is one of those verses that hits straight at the heart of what life with Jesus is really about. It remindsContinue reading “Verse of the Day: John 10:10”
Hope From the Stump: Reflections on Isaiah 11:1–10
Today in church we spent time in Isaiah 11:1–10, and it really stuck with me. It’s one of those passages that feels ancient and brand new at the same time. It talks about a “shoot from the stump of Jesse” – a new branch growing out of something that looked dead and finished. For me,Continue reading “Hope From the Stump: Reflections on Isaiah 11:1–10”
Work Ethic, Mental Health, and Working Beside My Stepdad
Growing up, my parents made one thing very clear: you work. It didn’t matter if it was a big job or a small one, a dream job or just something to pay the bills—what mattered was showing up, doing your best, and not quitting when it got hard. That work ethic was drilled into meContinue reading “Work Ethic, Mental Health, and Working Beside My Stepdad”
“Look for the Helpers”: A Mr. Rogers Quote for Hard Days
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”— Fred Rogers The world can feel pretty overwhelming some days. Bad news, violence, sickness, addiction, heartbreak— there are times it seems like theContinue reading ““Look for the Helpers”: A Mr. Rogers Quote for Hard Days”
Verse of the Day: God Is Close to the Brokenhearted
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”— Psalm 34:18 Some days, our hearts don’t just feel heavy—they feel shattered. Maybe it’s grief, addiction, guilt, family struggles, loneliness, or that quiet ache that shows up for no clear reason at all. On those days, it’s easy to believeContinue reading “Verse of the Day: God Is Close to the Brokenhearted”
You’re Not Alone: Why I Started Writing for People Who Are Struggling
I didn’t start writing because my life was perfect.I started writing because it almost ended. For a long time, I lived in a world where pain felt louder than hope. Alcohol was my escape, depression was my roommate, PTSD whispered lies in my ear, and loneliness wrapped around me like a heavy blanket. I’d lookContinue reading “You’re Not Alone: Why I Started Writing for People Who Are Struggling”
Thanksgiving: Grateful for a Second Chance at Life
Thanksgiving used to be just another day on the calendar for me—a blur of food, football, and trying to numb whatever I didn’t want to feel. This year is different. This year, I’m actually present for it. I can feel it. I can name what I’m thankful for without slurring my words or forgetting theContinue reading “Thanksgiving: Grateful for a Second Chance at Life”
🙏 A Wake-Up Call from the Book of Amos
By Josh Bridges Today at church, we talked about the Book of Amos — and man, it hit home. Amos isn’t one of those books people talk about every Sunday, but it’s one that speaks straight to the heart. It’s a wake-up call, plain and simple. Amos was a prophet sent to warn the peopleContinue reading “🙏 A Wake-Up Call from the Book of Amos”
Verse of the Day
Bible Verse of the Day: Isaiah 41:10 Published on October 30, 2025 “Fear not, for I am with you;be not dismayed, for I am your God;I will strengthen you, I will help you,I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”— Isaiah 41:10 (ESV) Reflection There are days when fear creeps in quietly — whenContinue reading “Verse of the Day”
YOU {R} NOT ALONE YOU HAVE A VOICE! 