Uncompromised

  Start Here: Letting the Word Dwell Deeply in Real Life This morning I was meditating on Colossians 3:16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” There’s so much beauty in that verse. It’s poetic, rich, full of community and worship and grace. And yet, when I read it, part of me also whispered, “Lord, I want this… but some days it feels so far from my reality.” Let’s be honest. We’re living in a time of constant noise and busyness. There’s always something to do, something to respond to. A constant moment of stopping and checking, “Am I forgetting anything?” Even when we want to sit down with the Word, our phones buzz, our minds wander, and our to-do lists scream louder than the pages in front of us. I’m not an anxious person, but I can be impatient. I like things to move, even if it’s slowly, I want to see growth, progress, directi...

Joy in Every Season: From Gentle Hills to the Desert Some seasons of life feel like a stroll through a sunlit path, soft hills, gentle breezes, laughter, and answered prayers. Your coffee is hot, the kids are getting along, your church family is kind, and you even had time to sit with your Bible without interruption. These seasons still come with the occasional bump, of course a flat tire or a frustrating day but overall, they’re light. You breathe easier. You smile more. And then there are the desert seasons. Those long stretches where prayers feel like they echo into silence. When you wake up already weary. When the things you used to enjoy feel heavy, and the joy you once had seems like a memory. There’s grief, uncertainty, disappointment, or even just a deep spiritual dryness that lingers longer than you expected. I’ve been talking with a few dear friends this week one facing a devastating diagnosis, another walking through deep, heartbreaking circumstances. I won’t lie some of...

  Dear Sisters,    I pray this note finds you resting in God’s presence, even in the middle of your busy days. I’ve been reflecting on something I would like to share with you, especially for those of you walking through difficult seasons. As we face trials, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but we’re reminded in James 1:2-5 that these moments aren’t wasted by God. The apostle James says: “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:2-5) At first glance, it can feel impossible to consider joy in the middle of a trial. But James is reminding us that God uses those very trials to shape us. When life feels heavy, we can trus...

I’m supposed to be non-stop packing, but here I am. As I pack, listening to music, this song came on, and I just had to share my heart. "Faithful Still" by KingsPorch —I’ve loved this song since last year, so it’s been with me for a while. Every time I hear it, my heart is reminded of what I already know but sometimes forget: God is faithful. He has never failed, and He never will. How often do we find ourselves wondering, Will God really come through this time? Maybe it’s an unanswered prayer, a painful loss, or a season of waiting that feels like it will never end. Our hearts know He is faithful, yet our circumstances whisper otherwise. But here’s the truth: God’s faithfulness is not dependent on our feelings or circumstances—it is anchored in His unchanging character. When we face trials, it can feel like we’re standing in front of an immovable mountain. Maybe it’s a health crisis, financial hardship, or a broken relationship that seems beyond repair. But Jesus tells us: ...

Fruit grows in the valleys Earlier today, a friend shared a post with a quote attributed to Billy Graham:  “Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valleys.”  The words immediately intrigued me, making me pause to meditate on their meaning. Out of curiosity, I decided to fact-check whether Billy Graham actually said this. It turns out, he did! This quote is featured in  Quotes from Billy Graham: A Legacy of Faith  and has been referenced by his grandson, Will Graham, in a devotional on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's website. This discovery made me reflect deeply on the profound truth captured in the quote. As I turned to Scripture, it became clear how much this idea resonates with biblical teachings. - Mountaintops: A Glimpse of God’s Glory Moses on Mount Sinai received the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19-20), a pivotal moment for Israel’s relationship with God. Elijah on Mount Carmel witnessed God’s power as fire consumed the a...

  Rooted in Hope: My Favorite Passage to Start the New Year Happy New Year, friends! As we welcome 2025, I want to share a passage that holds a special place in my heart—a scripture that has encouraged me time and time again: “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” — Jeremiah 17:7-8 This imagery of a tree, deeply rooted and constantly nourished, gives me hope for whatever lies ahead. No matter the challenges or changes a new year may bring, when we trust in the Lord, we are strengthened by His steadfast love. On this last day of 2024, let this quote from Dr. Adrian Rogers bring comfort and encouragement: "We don't know what the coming year will bring—sickness, heartache, or trouble. But I do know that you can boldly say,...

El Roi: The God Who Sees Me  Life feels heavy sometimes, doesn’t it? Disappointment, grief, betrayal—they press down on us, making it hard to take the next step. Some of the deepest wounds come from those we trust most. People we cherished and believed in can turn against us, creating false narratives that feel impossible to untangle. And yet, I know I’m not alone in this. These past few weeks, my heart has carried much. They’re the kind of burdens I used to share with my mom. We’d pray together, and she always had a timely word from the Lord—a verse to meditate on, a prayer to lift me up. But she’s not here anymore, and oh, how I miss her. She knew me well. She knew my husband well. She knew our hearts and loved us deeply. That kind of love is rare, and I don’t take it for granted. While the world looks at the exterior, God looks at the heart. “Man does not see what the LORD sees, for man sees what is visible, but the LORD sees the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). He is always seeking hear...