On Sunday, December 7, we discussed the word “peace” and focused on how to bring a revival of peace in our world today. I spoke to the church family at Summerdale about a few areas where Christians are called to live in peace, drawing from specific Bible verses. The overarching theme was the importance of unity, forgiveness, and love in all relationships. However, I feel like I may have rushed through the last point, so I feel sure we could all benefit from a deeper look into

We live in a world that is desperately searching for answers. People are asking big questions about life, identity, purpose, and eternity—but they’re getting a hundred different answers depending on where they look. We hear phrases like “live your truth” or “truth is whatever you make it,” but that’s not truth at all—it’s confusion. The question Pilate asked Jesus in John 18:38 still echoes today: “What is truth?” And the answer hasn’t changed. Truth is not a feeling. It’s no

The annals of early Christian history are filled with tales of profound faith and courageous witness. One such story is told of Telemachus, an obscure monk dwelling in a 4th-century monastery. Driven by a compelling spiritual calling to engage with the broader world, he left the solitude of his cloister. Gathering his few meager possessions into a sack, he undertook the journey to the heart of the Western world: Rome. Upon his arrival, the city was in a state of feverish exci

This time of year, much of the world turns its attention—at least briefly—to the birth of Jesus. While there’s no biblical evidence that Jesus was born in December, we as Christians should embrace this season as an opportunity to talk about the greatest gift mankind has ever received: Christ Himself. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” God didn’t send Jesus to earth just to be celebrated as a baby in a manger. He sent Him to be our

With Thanksgiving this past week, many of us are thinking about the people who bless our lives—family, friends, mentors, and those who’ve walked with us through highs and lows. But one of the greatest blessings we sometimes overlook is our church family. In Philippians 1:3–5, Paul writes, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you… because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” Paul loved the church in Philippi, not just because they supported him,

The air is still, and the dishes are clean, Not a slice of pumpkin pie can be seen. The turkey is carved, football games are done, The feasting is over, and it sure was fun! The guests have departed, the house is so quiet, No hushing or bustling, no culinary riot. The counter is empty, the lights are turned low, We savor the memories with hearts all aglow. Dressed in flannel PJs, and doing our best, We settled down for a well-deserved rest. When out in the yard there arose su

Marriage isn't a destination—it's an incredible journey that demands regular, intentional maintenance to thrive! Inspired by our current Sunday AM Bible class series with “The Middles” on strengthening families, we're focusing on the vital skills that keep a relationship vibrant, like sharpening communication, consistently filling those "love tanks," and creatively showing affection. This got us thinking: How can we help couples build a rock-solid foundation from the start?

This blog is used with permission from Ray Reynolds Rap. Marriage isn't a destination—it's an incredible journey that demands regular, intentional maintenance to thrive! Inspired by our current Sunday AM Bible class series with “The Middles” on strengthening families, we're focusing on the vital skills that keep a relationship vibrant, like sharpening communication, consistently filling those "love tanks," and creatively showing affection. This got us thinking: How can we he

When we talk about having a grateful heart, we usually start with the blessings we see around us—our families, our health, our jobs, our church. And those things are worth giving thanks for. But at the center of our gratitude—the foundation of everything we have and everything we are—is the cross. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:15, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” He’s talking about Jesus—the Son of God who gave His life for ours. The One who bore our sin, took

God hates prejudice and discrimination. It is a corrosive acid on the very foundation of society, transforming a potentially vibrant, unified whole into a fractured landscape defined by injustice and mistrust. It is an awful practice that systematically denies individuals their inherent dignity, stifling human potential by valuing characteristics like skin color or origin over talent and character. This leads to profound societal damage: economic progress stalls as innovation

As I was checking out at one of my favorite shops, Homegoods, I could sense a breakdown coming on. I just kept holding in my tears as best as I could but my hands were shaking and I felt exhausted and weak. Why had I come? What was I doing anyway? I mean, it had only been the day before that I was with my daddy when he drew his final breath on this earth. So, what was I thinking driving to Homegoods and trying to look just like any of the other shoppers in there? My world was

Since I was a child I remember preachers saying we are called to be "in the world, but not of the world." This phrase, rooted in Jesus' prayer for his followers in John 17:15–18 , is the core of Christian distinctiveness. It's a challenging tightrope walk, requiring us to engage deeply with the culture around us while maintaining a clear, separate identity anchored in Christ. What must we do with this intriguing paradox? What Does the Bible Mean by "The World"? When the Bible

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s natural for us to start thinking about gratitude. But for Christians, thankfulness isn’t just a seasonal mindset—it’s a daily way of life. Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” That’s a big statement. Give thanks in all circumstances, not just the good ones. Not just when everything’s going our way. But even when life is uncertain. Even when t

From carved pumpkins and trick-or-treating to costumes and ghost stories, Halloween is a holiday beloved by many. In my pre-teen and teen years, the cities around our area would coordinate truck or treating and publicize dates to coordinate with parents. The benefit to this effort was that some cities did trick or treating on the weekend, instead of Halloween night. This provided us with ample opportunities for a greater “haul” of treats. We’d often hit two or three cities in

Have you ever heard the classic fable about the ants and the grasshoppers ? It’s a great story that usually teaches us a basic life lesson about hard work, preparation, and the dangers of procrastination. Here’s the quick recap: The hardworking ants spent all summer diligently storing food for the winter. The grasshoppers , however, simply played all day. When the ants warned them, the grasshoppers scoffed, “There is plenty of time to work!” But as it always does, winter qui

Is the “Diotrephes Spirit” Wreaking Havoc on the 21st Century Church? If the "Jezebel spirit" is associated with subtle manipulation and moral compromise, the “Diotrephes spirit” represents something far more blunt and hierarchical: the desire for absolute, unchecked control in church leadership. This term draws its origin from a man named “Diotrephes" ( III John 1:9-10 ). Diotrephes was a local leader obsessed with his own supremacy, rejecting outside authority (even the apo

The term “Jezebel spirit” has become a recognizable (and often controversial) phrase in certain Christian circles, particularly within charismatic and Pentecostal denominations. It’s used to describe a manipulative, narcissistic, dominating, and often sensual influence believed to be at work in the church today. Of course, the description draws its name from the biblical Queen Jezebel—a figure infamous for promoting pagan worship and persecuting God’s prophets in ancient Isra

We’ve all been there. You confess a mistake, repent of a sin, and feel the power of God’s forgiveness wash over you. The guilt lifts,...

Money is perhaps the most universal concern in human life. It affects our stress levels, our relationships, and the decisions we make...

If there’s one thing the world is full of right now—it’s fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of failure. Fear of rejection. Fear of standing out. But as followers of Christ, we are called to live differently. Not recklessly, but boldly, with a faith that stands firm no matter what comes. 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” That means we don’t have to be afraid. Not of speaking truth. Not of living out our convic