Love That Is Genuine...

Love That Is Genuine...

In a world where so much can feel shallow, temporary, or self-focused, these verses are a powerful reminder of what real Christian love should look like. Genuine love is more than kind words or outward appearances—it is a love that comes from the heart and reflects the character of Christ.

Paul begins with a simple but deeply challenging statement: “Let love be genuine.”

Not forced.
Not performative.
Not only shown when it is convenient.

Real love is sincere. It shows up consistently. It chooses kindness when it would be easier to walk away. It extends grace when people fall short. It encourages, supports, forgives, and cares deeply for others without expecting something in return.

The world often teaches us to love based on feelings, agreement, or personal benefit. But biblical love goes deeper than emotion. It is a daily choice rooted in God’s love for us.

These verses also remind us to “hold fast to what is good.” In a culture where right and wrong can become blurred, followers of Christ are called to cling tightly to goodness, truth, integrity, and righteousness. We are not meant to blend into the darkness around us, but to reflect God’s light through the way we live and love others.

Then comes one of the most beautiful challenges in this passage: “Outdo one another in showing honor.”

Imagine how different relationships would look if people genuinely tried to encourage, uplift, and honor one another instead of competing for attention, recognition, or praise. So much division comes from pride and self-centeredness, but honor shifts the focus away from ourselves and toward valuing others.

Showing honor can look like:

• Listening when someone needs to talk.
• Offering encouragement when someone feels discouraged.
• Celebrating another person’s success without jealousy.
• Choosing patience during difficult moments.
• Treating people with kindness and dignity, even when disagreements arise.

True Christian love stands out because it reflects Jesus. He loved selflessly, served humbly, and showed compassion even when others did not deserve it.

Every day gives us opportunities to live out these verses—not just in big moments, but in small everyday interactions. A kind word, a thoughtful gesture, a patient response, or a listening ear can speak volumes.

So today, ask yourself:
Is my love genuine?
Am I holding tightly to what is good?
Am I honoring others in the way Christ calls me to?

The world needs more sincere love, more kindness, more grace, and more people willing to reflect the heart of Jesus. And often, the smallest acts of genuine love leave the greatest impact.

Mom's Recovery...

Mom's Recovery...

Mom has been doing amazing in her recovery from total knee replacement surgery. PT has been focusing heavily on strength exercises to help strengthen both her surgery knee and the supporting leg. She faithfully does every exercise they give her to do at home each and every day.

Her gait is looking better than I’ve seen it in years—as long as she doesn’t fall back into the bad habits her body naturally wants to return to she'll be golden. I love that she only uses the cane now. She’s even getting in and out of the shower on her own without needing the shower chair anymore.

The scar has healed so nicely. It took right at the two-month mark for the swelling to go down enough that her surgery knee actually looks better than her other knee—which also needs to be replaced. Her surgery knee still gets hot at times, so she continues using the ice machine for pain management.

Getting to this point hasn’t been easy, and there have definitely been some hiccups along the way, but she’s truly getting to the other side of this surgery now.

Once Scot finishes fixing her car—which has been a challenge to say the least—I’m going to take her to an empty parking lot so she can practice driving again on the new knee. It’s one of the last big steps we need to take to help her regain her independence—and it's so exciting to see this moment approaching.

Guided by Truth...

Guided by Truth...

There are so many moments in life when we wish we had clear direction. We want answers right away. We want certainty about the future, clarity for difficult decisions, and peace in the middle of confusion. Yet life often unfolds one step at a time, and sometimes the path ahead feels uncertain.

That is why this verse is such a comfort.

Jesus reminds us that we are not left alone to figure everything out on our own. God, in His love and faithfulness, gave us the Holy Spirit to guide us into truth. Not partial truth. Not temporary truth shaped by opinions or emotions. But God’s truth—the kind that anchors us when the world around us feels unstable.

The world constantly pulls us in different directions. Voices everywhere tell us what to believe, how to live, and where to place our hope. It can become overwhelming trying to sort through the noise. But the Holy Spirit gently leads us back to what is true. He reminds us of God’s promises, convicts our hearts, gives wisdom, and brings peace when we seek the Lord sincerely.

Sometimes that guidance comes quietly.

It may come through Scripture speaking directly to your situation.
It may come through a deep sense of peace about a decision.
It may come through prayer, wise counsel, or God opening and closing doors at just the right time.

Often, we want God to reveal the entire journey ahead, but He usually gives us enough light for the next step. Faith grows when we learn to trust His guidance daily instead of demanding every answer at once.

Following the Spirit also requires surrender. We cannot cling tightly to our own understanding while asking God to lead us. Sometimes His direction stretches us, challenges us, or takes us places we never expected. But His guidance is always rooted in love, wisdom, and purpose.

One of the most beautiful things about God’s truth is that it brings freedom. The truth of God quiets fear, exposes lies, and reminds us who we are in Christ. It steadies us when emotions try to overwhelm us and keeps us grounded when circumstances shift around us.

So today, if you are searching for direction, take heart. You do not have to navigate life alone. The Holy Spirit is still guiding, still speaking, and still leading God’s people into truth.

Slow down enough to listen.
Spend time in God’s Word.
Pray with an open heart.
Trust His leading even when you cannot see the whole picture.

God is faithful to guide every step surrendered to Him.

God Is My Strength and My Salvation...

 

God Is My Strength and My Salvation...

Life has a way of bringing moments that leave us feeling weak, uncertain, and overwhelmed. There are seasons when fear tries to creep in, when the weight of circumstances feels heavier than what we can carry, and when the future seems unclear. Yet in the middle of all of it, this verse reminds us where our true strength comes from.

Not from ourselves.
Not from the approval of others.
Not from having every answer or every detail figured out.

Our strength comes from God.

Isaiah 12:2 is such a powerful declaration of trust. It doesn’t say life will always be easy or free from hardship, but it does remind us that we do not walk through those hardships alone. God is our strength when we feel weak. He is our peace when anxiety tries to take over. He is our defense when life feels overwhelming. And because of Him, we can choose faith over fear.

“I will trust and not be afraid.”

What a powerful statement.

Fear has become such a common part of the world we live in today. Fear of the unknown. Fear of failure. Fear of loss. Fear of what tomorrow may bring. But trust in God changes the way we face those fears. Trust reminds us that even when we cannot see the full picture, God already does.

Sometimes trusting God means continuing forward even when the path is uncertain. Sometimes it means resting in His promises when emotions feel unstable. Sometimes it means surrendering the burdens we were never meant to carry alone.

And through every season, God remains faithful.

The beautiful thing about salvation is that it is not based on our strength—it is based on His. We do not have to strive endlessly to hold everything together. God is already holding us.

So today, if your heart feels weary, let this verse be a reminder:
You are not alone.
You do not have to live consumed by fear.
God is still your strength.
God is still your defender.
God is still your salvation.

Take a deep breath, place your trust in Him, and remember that the same God who has carried you before will continue to carry you through whatever lies ahead.

Living with a Hope That Speaks for Itself...

Living With a Hope That Speaks for Itself...

In a world filled with uncertainty, fear, disappointment, and division, hope stands out. Real hope—the kind that remains steady even in difficult seasons—is something people notice. They may not always understand it, but they can see it in the way you carry yourself, the peace you hold onto in hard moments, and the faith that keeps you moving forward when life feels heavy.

This verse is such a beautiful reminder that our lives should reflect the hope we have in Christ. Not just inside the walls of a church, but in our everyday conversations, reactions, attitudes, and actions. People are watching how we respond when life gets hard. They notice whether we choose bitterness or grace, fear or faith, anger or kindness.

Sometimes sharing our faith doesn’t begin with preaching a sermon. Sometimes it begins with simply living differently.

It’s choosing peace when chaos surrounds you.
It’s showing kindness when the world feels harsh.
It’s holding onto faith when circumstances try to shake you.
It’s loving others even when it isn’t easy.

And when someone asks, “How are you still standing?” or “How do you still have peace after everything you’ve been through?”—that becomes an opportunity to point them back to Jesus.

But this verse also reminds us how we should respond: with gentleness and respect.

In today’s world, it can be easy for conversations about faith to become harsh, defensive, or prideful. But Christ never called us to force hope onto people. He called us to reflect Him. Gentleness speaks louder than arguments. Respect opens doors that judgment never will.

Your story matters.
Your testimony matters.
Your faithfulness matters.

You may never realize how many people are encouraged simply because they watched you trust God through a difficult season.

So today, continue to live with hope. Continue to walk in faith. Continue to let your life reflect the goodness of God. And when the opportunity comes to share the reason for your hope, do it with love, humility, and grace.

Because sometimes the greatest witness is not just what we say—but how we live.

Graduation Pictures with Family & Friends...

We had fun getting pictures with family and friends after the graduation ceremony.

Graduation Video...

Here's Tim's graduation video:

We Have a Graduate in Our Home...

This is the official graduation announcement of Tim from our homeschool:

Happy Graduation Day Tim!

Watching you turn 18 five days ago & graduating High School today gives us a mix of emotions—along with pride, excitement, and just a little bit of "how did we get here so fast?"

You're stepping into your independence, making your own choices, and finding your way—and that's exactly what you're supposed to do.

Just remember:

        You don't have to have it all figured out.

        You're allowed to learn as you go.

        And no matter how grown you are...

        You will always have a place to land, a voice to call, 

        & people who love you more than you know.

We are so proud of you😊.

Mixed Emotion Day...

Today is one of those days filled with both celebration and remembrance. It marks the 2nd anniversary of Popsie’s passing, while also being the day Tim graduates from high school. The emotions feel bittersweet because neither of Tim’s grandparents on his dad’s side are here physically to witness this milestone. But we hold onto the comfort that they are watching from heaven—whole, healed, and free from pain.

Today, we choose to celebrate. We don’t allow the sadness of loss to overshadow the joy of this moment because we know that’s exactly what Pop would have wanted. Family meant everything to Pop and Nan. They poured their lives into their children and grandchildren, and that same love and devotion is something Scot and I have always tried to give Tim as well.

Tim has been incredibly blessed to grow up in a family that truly loves deeply and values one another. That kind of love is rare, and there’s no price you can put on it. Even though today is a day of accomplishment and excitement for Tim, I didn’t want it to pass without honoring the amazing man Popsie was.

Pop loved his family with his whole heart. He made it a priority to create memories and spend meaningful time with the people he loved most. Whether it was family vacations, outings, holidays, or simply everyday moments together, he treasured it all. He could sit for hours telling stories about the memories they made together—laughing, reminiscing, and reliving every detail. To him, those moments were life’s greatest treasures.

Pop never took his blessings for granted. He understood the value of family, the gift of time, and the importance of making memories that would last long after he was gone. He lived fully, loved deeply, and left behind a legacy of love that continues through his children and grandchildren.

So today, we celebrate Tim and this huge milestone in his life, while also remembering Popsie with grateful hearts. What a beautiful legacy it is to have someone who loved so well that their presence is still deeply felt, even after they’re gone. ❤️