Uncompromised

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...

Isn’t it absolutely awe-inspiring that while people often look at our outward appearance—our flaws, failures, or even the messiness of our lives—God sees our hearts? He doesn’t judge us by what the world values, but instead, He looks deeper, beyond the surface, and sees us for who we truly are. 1 Samuel 16:7 says: “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.’” This truth has been on my heart all week as I’ve talked with a few friends who are going through incredibly difficult seasons. They’ve been misjudged, hurt by others, or weighed down by the feeling that no one sees or truly understands them. It reminded me of times in my own life when I felt unseen or unfairly judged. Sometimes it’s hard to face situations like gossip, lies, or backstabbing, but these actions often reflect the condition of the person’s heart. Matthew 12:34...

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...