Gratitude begins in the ordinary. When we consciously acknowledge and appreciate the small blessings in our lives, we cultivate a heart of thankfulness. This practice shifts our focus from what we lack to recognizing the abundance around us. In every simple moment, God’s faithfulness shines brightly.

“It has been a wonderful experience to compete in the Olympic Games and to bring home a gold medal. But since I have been a young lad, I have had my eyes on a different prize. You see, each one of us is in a greater race than any I have run in Paris, and this race ends when God gives out the medals.”

God’s will is that we would rely on Him, walk with Him, and understand how He has uniquely called us to something! This requires the daily renewing of our minds. As we renew our minds regularly, we slowly begin to understand HOW faith in Jesus works, rather than only knowing WHAT faith in Jesus looks like. Let’s commit to knowing the HOW.

When we intentionally choose to fast from things we enjoy, we are dying to our own cravings and in a small way experiencing fellowship with Christ who endured actual death so we could have new life. In turn this should remind us to look to the resurrection- the hope we have for new life and longings fulfilled- not fulfillment in the things we have given up, but in Christ. 

God, help me choose stillness today. Wrap me in strength that doesn't shout but firmly reassures me. Through every memory, every whisper of what I've lost, I am reminded that only You can fill the void that remains.

We are called to respond by shifting our gaze back to Him, allowing ourselves to be enveloped in His presence. Just as Hagar discovered, we can affirm, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” This acknowledgment brings freedom and joy, allowing us to love Him wholeheartedly and extend that love to others.

We may hate working out in the moment, but it’s “good pain,” which makes us stronger after weeks and months of consistency. Here’s to another year of increasing our capacity to love, and embracing the strain.

During this season of Advent, as we reflect on the birth of Jesus, we are reminded that He came into a broken world to walk alongside us in our humanity and to redeem what was lost. When you see a sticker covering a mistake on the calendar, I pray it serves as a small reminder to turn to Jesus—and to trust that nothing is beyond His redeeming power.

I hope you can take a moment to rejoice in this truth: we are enough because God’s grace is sufficient for us. May we lean into our weaknesses, knowing that through them, Christ’s power can be made perfect. Praise God for His enduring love and for the incredible way He partners with us!

Whether you come into this Thanksgiving from a place of blessing or burden, famine or feast, I pray that you’re able to pause and give thanks to our Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer, Christ Jesus for all that he has done and continues to do.

When engaged in meditative prayer, it is important to always compare and back up words received with Scripture. Over and over, I see examples of the Lord carrying, lifting, tirelessly rescuing his people. Psalm 40:2 is one such example I love: “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”

As we carry on with our daily lives, let us remember that we are not just passive recipients of grace but active participants in His divine narrative. Each interaction we have offers a chance to reflect God’s love, to be that unique word spoken into the world.

Mountain Ministry has become one of the focuses of missions work for them, and we are so grateful! Over the last 5 years, they have come alongside us with service projects, trail maintenance, and local community events. Through the work of LIFT, our Thrift and Coffee Shop has been transformed into a cozy and welcoming space that is versatile enough to also host our Sunday morning worship services and many other events, which has allowed our local church to grow and thrive. They have been a true blessing to our ministry and community!

Let this truth settle in: The same God we honor and revere is also the One who loved us at our worst and sacrificed His Son for our redemption. In Jesus, the concept of fear transforms into joyful trust. We are invited to approach God not just with reverence but with delight, embracing the relationship He desires to have with us.

During our final Waterville Valley Community Church service of the season, one of our attendees took his last breath here on Earth. This is what some of our church members had to say while reflecting on this event.

It can be so easy to forget that our loving heavenly Father really wants what is best for us. He proved this by sending his most prized possession, his Son, to die for us and to save us from a life of meaningless pursuits that will only end in emptiness and pain.

What we forget is that our neighbors surround us in our daily rhythms – trips to the coffee shop, the grocery store, church, school...everywhere. Usually the most annoying and persistent presences in our lives are those whom God is calling us to serve. May God open our eyes this week to truly see our neighbors. Who are they? What do they need? And how will He help us show them His love?

Understanding that "eternity is forever" encourages us to live deliberately. Our daily choices can reflect God's love and goodness, shaping not only our lives but also impacting those around us. We can prioritize moments of connection, kindness, and service—actions that resonate into eternity.

At first, these words took me off guard, because rarely do we humans think about our children doing horrible things. But then the Christlikeness of that statement hit me hard. Isn’t this exactly how God feels toward us? Listening to the emotion in this man’s voice as he spoke, I realized how God must feel when we continue to doubt His love and push it aside due to guilt or shame.

In a world that often seeks to distract or lead us astray, let us take time today to reaffirm our commitment to the things of God. Spend a moment in prayer, asking for strength to persevere and for wisdom to discern what is truly valuable. As we do this, we not only secure our own hearts but also become beacons of light to others, sharing the steadfast love and grace that fill our lives.