How do we know God loves us? He gave His most prized possession—His very own Son—as a gift for us, so that we might see, hear, and know Him as He truly is. This is not the action of a God who merely wants us to know things or do things. He desires that we know Him intimately and experience His love.

In our spiritual journey, faith is the foundation that keeps us anchored. Yet, just as one would tie their camel to prevent it from wandering off, we must also commit ourselves to actions that align with our trust in God. Both actions complement each other and work in harmony.

The giants we face may seem daunting, but our God is greater than any obstacle. Our faith should inform how we view our situations, transforming our challenges through the lens of God’s greatness, as Joshua and Caleb did.

The key to navigating these uncertainties lies in our focus. Jehoshaphat teaches us that, even when we feel lost, we must fix our eyes upon God. The Spirit of the Lord responded to Jehoshaphat's plea and assured him that the battle was His.

In our daily struggles, it is easy to forget the true nature of what we are facing. We often push against our circumstances, our fears, or even our own insecurities. However, Scripture reminds us that the resources we are given are not physical but spiritual, carrying the power to tear down the strongholds in our lives. One of the most sincere spiritual gifts available to us is worship.

A few weeks ago, representatives Eunice Jenkins and Chloe Astholz attended the 2026 Skiers and Snowboarders for Chris Conference. This year's conference took place in South Tahoe, California. Over 50 skiers and snowboarders gathered together to share their love of snowsports and Jesus.

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.