These well-known words are from the prophet Isaiah. The entire chapter is all about the greatness of God. Isaiah wanted the people to look at the world around them as a reminder that everything on this earth will wither. There is no object or person on this earth, now or ever, that will be able to outdo time. But God and his word will stand forever…

When I take the time to pray for others, I often get overwhelmed. As soon as I whisper, “Dear Heavenly Father…” my anxious mind starts firing off names and causes I “need” to pray over, all in rapid succession. I feel a crushing pressure to make time to pray for everyone I know who is struggling. More than that, I want to pray for those I don’t know—for any person facing injustice, poverty, abuse, loss, or illness. I want to pray for the Church, for our nation, for nonbelievers, for my own healing and growth… the list goes on and on. (It should be noted that my desire to pray for these things is often compromised by my easily-exhaustible patience, short attention span, and self-centeredness… but I digress.) 

In our fast-paced, results-driven world, we often try to categorize and control every aspect of our lives. We create mental boxes for how we think things should work, including our faith. But God's Kingdom doesn't always fit neatly into our preconceived notions.Think about how we approach our daily tasks. We press a button, and we expect an immediate, predictable result. However, the Kingdom of God operates differently. It's not a vending machine where we input the right combination and receive instant blessings. Instead, it's more like a garden where seeds are planted, and growth happens in ways we can't always see or understand.

A simple carpenter wouldn't be the person you'd expect to change the course of human history. Yet, no one has had a more significant impact on shaping this world and culture than Jesus Christ…

Florence. Matthew. Floyd. Dorian. Fran. For those of us who live on the coast of North Carolina, we know the devastation these powerful hurricanes caused - homes destroyed, lives lost, businesses flooded. Even as a twenty-year transplant to Wilmington, I still get a bit anxious when a strong storm rolls in, mainly due to the massive Sweet Gum tree that towers over the side of my house….

Being short, scrawny, and sarcastic made me an easy target for bullies in high school. My mouth attempted to write checks my petite frame couldn't cash. Sometimes I went looking for trouble; more often than not, trouble found me…

7th grade picture day had finally arrived. I picked out my outfit the night before and even showered, which like most teenage boys, was a rare occurrence. I was ready to stun the ladies with my rugged handsomeness or, at the very least, my peach fuzz mustache…

Each of us is in the process of becoming—growing into the unique person God designed us to be. This journey isn’t something we embark on alone; it’s marked by encounters—with others, with ourselves, and most importantly, with God. Many of us wrestle with questions of faith. These questions can lead us in one of two directions: down a path of hardened skepticism, where doubt builds walls, or toward a journey of curious exploration, where questions open doors to deeper understanding. The beauty of faith is that it can withstand scrutiny and even grow stronger through honest inquiry.

The Bible contains hard truths and commands that go against our natural tendencies: forgive our enemies, don't worry about tomorrow, and control our tongue. We desire security and stability, yet, in Scripture, God urges us to walk by faith…

Growing up, I said my prayers (and ate my vitamins) not to get closer to God, but because I was a Hulkamaniac. Like most kids raised in the late '80s, my idol was the wrestling icon, Hulk Hogan. Much to my younger brother's chagrin, my dream growing up was to follow in Hulk's footsteps and become a professional wrestler.

Lately, my faith in the Lord has been… paradoxical. My confidence in Him has been simultaneously resolute and non-existent. I believe that my God has the ability to walk on water and calm storms by speaking a single word. I believe that my Heavenly Father is a miracle worker, a great healer, and a victorious king. I believe that He’s defeated the power of death and darkness for all eternity. I believe in a God that possesses boundless strength and ultimate authority over all things. I believe these truths. I strive daily to build my life and identity around these Truths. 

God establishes my steps - this implies a sovereign planning and a secure ground upon which to walk. The stability of our walk rests in our willingness to delight, worship, and trust…

To reflect God's heart, we must know God's heart, and the Bible helps us see His heart, character, and ways. The Bible is a collection of writings demonstrating God's love, pursuit, and promise of redemption. God-breathed and sovereignly preserved, it reveals to us who God is and what He has to say, ultimately pointing us to Jesus Christ as the most apparent revelation of God. 

In Christian circles today, we often measure the strength and vitality of one’s faith based on how regularly they engage in spiritual disciplines. We think a “good Christian” is simply one who reads their Bible every day, attends church weekly, prays before every meal, and regularly participates in a small group. However, we don’t just evaluate the faith of others using this “rubric.” We tend to define the quality of our own faith by how well we check off boxes on a religious to-do list, too. 

Seeing things from our limited perspective can get us into trouble. We react to our circumstances based off what we see and how we interpret the things going on around us. Feeling rushed forces faith to give way to certainty and hope to lose out over control. The perceived pressure leads us to feel overwhelmed, so we continue to force our way in a never-ending loop that leaves us exhausted.

The light and the dark. It’s the epic struggle we’ve seen depicted in our stories since the beginning of time. The hero of light struggles against the villain of darkness. We love these stories because they seem to reflect our world. They reflect our desire that the light will win out over the darkness…

When considering our relationship with God, our beliefs might not pose the most significant threat to our faith. This doesn't negate the importance of our beliefs, as they indeed hold substantial significance. However, if these beliefs fail to influence our words and actions, another issue arises. Our beliefs transition from being a strong foundation to a mere novel concept. Instead of convictions, they remain intentions.

When the alarm clock goes off, and you awake from your nightly slumber, have you ever stopped and thought about why you are getting up? I'm not talking about an important business meeting or shuffling the kids off to school. I'm highlighting something much more profound, something that drives not only our words and actions but also the way we perceive the world around us. So, let me ask again: what motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?

As I typed today and looked down at my aging hands, I wondered when my hands started looking like my grandmother's. Of course, I remember many things about my grandmother: her stories, watching The Price is Right and Days of Our Lives, and snapping green beans and shelling peas. But, what always sticks with me was her hands wrinkled, with age spots, and some of her fingers bent from arthritis.

In life, we face crossroads all the time. Situations present themselves that force us to consider, decide, or choose…