Category: Life Lessons
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The Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:32 Kindness is more than just being “nice.” It is love in action—gentleness, mercy, and compassion flowing out of a heart that is shaped by the Spirit of God. Kindness looks beyond ourselves and seeks the good of…
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Peace in a Troubled World
The fruit of the Spirit for today is peace (Galatians 5:22). Yet when we look at the world around us, peace often feels far away. Wars, divisions, greed, and the heavy hand of corrupt rulers weigh on our hearts. It is easy to feel anxious or even hopeless when nations rage and leaders oppress. But…
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Patience: Waiting with Trust
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” – Psalm 37:7 Patience is one of the hardest fruits of the Spirit to practice. We live in a world that values speed, instant answers, and quick results. Yet God’s Spirit calls us to a different pace—the holy rhythm of waiting, trusting, and resting in…
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The Strength of Joy
When I read Nehemiah 8:10 — “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” — I am reminded that joy is not something fragile or fleeting. It is a gift from God, a deep well that never runs dry, even when life feels heavy. There are days when sorrow or worry…
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Finding My Spiritual Home: A Journey Across Traditions
I grew up with a strong sense of dualism—the sacred and the profane, heaven and hell, saved and lost. In the Free Will Baptist Church, I was taught the Arminian way, yet it still carried the weight of a worldview where humanity was seen as sinful and bound for judgment. Though I did not embrace…
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Understanding God’s Diverse Creation
I need to confess something that I wrestle with inside myself. I struggle with fully accepting people whose sexuality is different from my own—especially those who are transgender, bisexual, or questioning. These identities are hard for me to understand, and at times I find myself pulling back rather than leaning in. It isn’t anger or…
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Scripture-Based Response Guide on Marriage, Celibacy, and LGBTQ+ Inclusion
God’s design for human flourishing is broader than traditional marriage. Some are called to celibacy, honored for their devotion, while others are called to covenantal love outside male/female norms. Just as eunuchs were blessed and included by God despite societal exclusion (Isaiah 56:3-5), faithful LGBTQ+ relationships reflect God’s purposes for love and relational flourishing. Spiritual…
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Order in Mind, Life, and Dress
When I was a freshman at Free Will Baptist Bible College (now Welch College), Dr. Judy Simpson, my English professor, taught me a lesson that has never left me. She graded our essays not only on grammar but on our ability to organize our thoughts around a theme. She often reminded us, “A messy mind…
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A Prophetic Cry for Our Time
The world is on fire. Ukraine bleeds. Gaza and Israel groan. Nations rage while leaders cling to power. At home, extremism poisons hearts and fear divides neighbors. God is not silent. The Spirit still cries out: “What you do to the least of these, you do to Me.” Every child buried, every refugee displaced, every…
The Curious Pilgrim 