Author: Sweet Tea and Front Porch Storyteller
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Joy That Cannot Be Shaken
A Third Sunday of Advent Devotional The Third Sunday of Advent—often called Gaudete Sunday—invites us to rejoice. Yet the Scriptures appointed for today do not sound, at first glance, like what we expect from a “joyful” season. Isaiah speaks of cosmic upheaval. Hebrews warns of a shaking that will test everything. Even John the Baptist…
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Finding Steadfast Hope When the World Shakes
A Devotional on Psalm 31, Isaiah 7:10–25, 2 Thessalonians 2:13–3:5, and Luke 22:14–30 We do not always receive Scripture in neat, tidy packages. Some days we read passages that feel scattered—lament, prophecy, exhortation, and Gospel—and we wonder what God wants us to see. But often God’s message becomes clearest when we step back and listen…
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Refrain from Anger: A Psalm 37 Word for Our Day
A Reflection on Psalm 37 Refrain from anger, leave rage alone;do not fret yourself; it only leads to evil.For evildoers shall be cut off,but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.”— Psalm 37:8–9 Life has a way of stirring our emotions—especially when injustice seems to flourish, when wrongdoers prosper, or when people…
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A Holy God Who Is Love: Understanding Sin, Holiness, and Repentance in Our Time
A reflection on Psalm 38, Isaiah 6:1-13, 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12, and John 7:53-8:11 We live in a spiritually confused age. Many want a loving God without confronting sin. Others speak of holiness without understanding mercy. Scripture refuses to separate what God has joined together. The Bible presents us with a powerful truth: God is holy,…
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When the Kingdom Speaks Louder Than the Noise
A Reflection on Luke 21:29-38 The Kingdom of God is Near Jesus did not whisper when He warned us: “Be on guard… do not let your hearts be weighed down.” (Luke 21:34) He wasn’t trying to scare us. He was trying to wake us up. And if we are honest, we are living in a…
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Living Awake in a Confused World
Today’s scriptures speak powerfully to our time — a world marked by anxiety, moral confusion, and spiritual forgetfulness. These passages call us back to humility, vigilance, and hope in God. Psalm 25 – A Prayer for Guidance in Uncertain Times Psalm 25 is the prayer of a person who knows they cannot navigate life alone.…
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Living Faithfully in a Disordered World
Reflections on Psalm 16, Isaiah 3:8–15, 1 Thessalonians 4:1–12, and Luke 20:41–21:4 Every generation of believers has faced the same essential question: How do we honor God in the midst of a world that feels disordered, unjust, distracted, or self-absorbed?Today’s readings offer a unified answer—trust God fully, live with integrity, love one another, and give…
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Strength, Humility, Holiness, and Hope: A Devotional on Today’s Readings
A reflection by Roy Pearson Psalm 18 • Isaiah 2:12–22 • 1 Thessalonians 3:1–13 • Luke 20:27–40 Today’s readings draw us into a sweeping vision—from God’s mighty deliverance to His purifying judgment, from the tenderness of Christian love to the promise of the resurrection. Together they remind us who God is, who we are called…
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Many Ways to Worship the One God
A Reflection by Roy Pearson One of the gifts of the Christian faith is its beautiful variety. Across centuries and cultures, believers have found countless ways to worship the God who created us, redeems us, and sustains us. Some traditions offer written prayers, icons, and a rich liturgy; others prefer spontaneous praise, simple gatherings, and…
The Curious Pilgrim 