Happy Labor Day!

I know everything is still green right now, but it won't be long before the saying in the picture above holds true:

“As the greens of SUMMER give way to the reds & golds of AUTUMN, here's wishing you a beautiful & relaxing LABOR DAY!”

Summer is beginning to wind down, and autumn is quietly making its way toward us, bringing with it the beautiful reds, oranges, yellows, and golds that make this season so special.

There is something about this transition that I love. The changing of the seasons reminds us that life is always moving forward. One season gives way to another, bringing new beauty, new opportunities, and new memories to be made.

As you celebrate Labor Day, I hope you and your family and friends have a wonderful and blessed day.

May the weather cooperate with whatever adventures you have planned, whether you're heading out somewhere special, gathering with family and friends, firing up the grill, or simply enjoying a quiet day at home.

And don't forget to take some time to relax.

We live in such a busy world. There always seems to be something that needs to be done, somewhere we need to be, or someone who needs our attention. Sometimes we can get so caught up in the busyness of life that we forget to simply slow down and enjoy the moment.

So today, be intentional about making time to rest.

Put the to-do list aside for a little while. Sit outside. Enjoy a good meal. Laugh with the people you love. Take a walk. Watch the sunset. Or simply sit back and breathe.

Whatever you do, I hope you take the time to enjoy this day and make memories that you will cherish for years to come.

Happy Labor Day! 🇺🇸

May your day be filled with beautiful moments, good weather, laughter, relaxation, and the people you love.

And before we know it, those beautiful greens of summer will be giving way to the magnificent reds and golds of autumn. 🍂

JESUS IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH & THE LIFE

A friend told my husband one time,

“All ways lead to God at the judgment seat, but only one way gets you past that.”

That statement has stuck with me because there is so much truth packed into it.

One day, every person will stand before God. No matter what we believe, what path we have taken, or what we have placed our trust in, we will all ultimately stand before our Creator.

But the Bible makes it very clear that there is only one Way to the Father.

Jesus said:

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
— John 14:6

Jesus didn't say He was a way.

He said He was the Way.

He didn't say He would show us a truth.

He said He was the Truth.

And He didn't say He could simply improve our lives.

He said He was the Life.

That is an exclusive statement. There aren't multiple roads that ultimately lead us to God. There aren't many different truths that contradict one another but somehow all arrive at the same destination.

There is one Way to the Father, and His name is Jesus.

Jesus Is the Truth

Scripture teaches us that God is truth, and because Jesus is God, everything Jesus spoke was truth.

Jesus didn't come speaking His own opinions or offering suggestions about how we should live. He spoke the words the Father gave Him.

His words are trustworthy because He is trustworthy.

And because we know who Jesus is, we can have confidence that not one word He has spoken will ultimately fail.

That is why we can trust the Bible.

God's Word isn't simply a collection of ancient writings containing helpful advice. It reveals the character of God, points us to Christ, exposes lies, teaches us what is true, and gives us the foundation upon which we can build our lives.

Augustine wrote:

“Wherever truth is found, it belongs to God: All truth is God's truth.”

I love that thought.

Every true thing we discover about God's creation ultimately belongs to Him because He is the Creator of it all.

When scientists discover something that is true about the universe, they aren't discovering something that exists outside of God's authority. When we learn something true about how the human body works, how nature operates, or how the world around us functions, we are simply discovering more about a creation that already belongs to God.

Nothing is outside His domain.

Truth doesn't threaten our faith.

Truth belongs to God.

How Do We Know What Is True?

That question is especially important in the world we live in today.

There are so many voices competing for our attention. Everyone seems to have an opinion. Everyone has an answer. Everyone wants us to believe that their version of the truth is the right one.

But not every voice speaks truth.

So how do we discern the difference between truth and lies?

My Application Bible puts it beautifully:

“In today’s world, it can be difficult to know what is true. So many voices clamor for our attention and claim to have the right answer, the true answer. Truth is so important in society and in relationships. It is necessary for trust. It is necessary for justice. So how do we pick through the lies and find the truth? In order to know truth, we must know God. When we immerse ourselves in His Word and cultivate a relationship with Him through prayer, we will find that we can discern the truth from lies because we will become transformed into a person more and more like Jesus (Romans 12:2). As we remain in Him, we will know the truth, and the truth will set us free (John 8:31–32).”

In order to recognize a counterfeit, we have to know the genuine.

The more we know God's Word, the more familiar we become with His voice, His character, His ways, and His truth.

The more time we spend with Him in prayer and in His Word, the more He transforms the way we think.

Paul tells us in Romans 12:2:

“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”

This is why knowing God's Word matters so much.

We don't study Scripture simply so we can know more about the Bible.

We study it so we can know God.

And the more we know Him, the more clearly we can recognize what is true.

There Is Only One Way

Going back to that statement my husband's friend made:

“All ways lead to God at the judgment seat, but only one way gets you past that.”

That is a sobering thought.

There will come a day when every one of us stands before God.

Our accomplishments won't be enough.

Our good intentions won't be enough.

Being a good person won't be enough.

Following our own version of truth won't be enough.

There is only one Way.

Jesus.

He is the Way to the Father.

He is the Truth we can trust.

And He is the Life we desperately need.

So when the world tells us there are many paths to God, we need to remember what Jesus Himself said.

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

That isn't a statement we need to apologize for.

It is a truth we need to hold onto.

Because when everything else is stripped away—when every opinion, every philosophy, every argument, and every competing voice falls silent—the Truth will still be standing.

And His name is Jesus.

Know the Truth.
Know the Word.
Know Jesus.

Because Jesus isn't simply the One who shows us the way.

Jesus IS the Way.

When God Speaks Through the Music

I saw this quote and couldn't help but smile. 

Those that know me well know that I absolutely love music. I grew up on music. My parents always had music playing in the house. I grew a deep love for music because of them. 

I love taking long drives and listening to music. There’s just something about being on the open road, watching the scenery go by, and letting the music fill the car that does something to my soul.

And over the years, God has used those long drives and those songs to speak to me in some of the most special ways.

There have been moments when a song has reached something deep inside me—something I couldn't quite put into words. It has touched places in my heart that nothing else seemed to reach. Sometimes, a particular song has said exactly what I needed to hear at exactly the right moment.

I truly believe God can use the simplest things to get our attention.

For me, music has been one of those things.

Music can be a wonderful gift, but it can also take us to some very dark places. It really depends on what we choose to listen to and what we allow our minds and hearts to feed on.

That's why, personally, I love uplifting music. I love music with a positive message—music that encourages me, gives me hope, reminds me of what is true, and helps keep me grounded as I go about my day.

There is something powerful about putting the right song on when you're having a difficult day and suddenly realizing, I needed to hear this.

At different times in my life, God has used music to comfort me when my heart was hurting. He's used it to lift me when I was discouraged. He's used it to help me connect with Him on a deeper level and to quiet all the noise around me so I could simply be still and listen.

He's also used music to remind me of where I've come from—and, more importantly, how far He has brought me.

There are songs that take me right back to certain seasons of my life. One song can bring back a memory, a place, a person, or a moment that I haven't thought about in years.

Some songs remind me of difficult seasons God brought me through.

Others remind me of milestones and answered prayers.

And then there are those songs that simply bring sheer joy because they take me back to a special moment in my life—a moment that I never want to forget.

Isn't it amazing how God can use something as simple as a song to remind us of His faithfulness?

Sometimes we're so busy looking for God to do something big that we miss the little ways He is speaking to us every single day.

Maybe it's a verse that jumps off the page during your Bible reading.

Maybe it's something someone says at just the right moment.

Maybe it's the beauty of a sunrise.

Or maybe, like me, it's a song that comes on during a long drive and somehow reaches straight into your heart.

Those moments are special to me because they remind me that God knows exactly what we need.

He knows the memories we carry.

He knows the battles we've fought.

He knows the places He's brought us from and the places He's leading us toward.

And sometimes, He knows that what we need is simply a long drive, a good song, and a quiet reminder that He's right there with us.

So the next time you're feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or just need some time to clear your head, maybe take the long way home.

Put on some uplifting music.

Turn the volume up.

Let your mind slow down.

And invite God into the drive.

You never know what He might use to speak to your heart.

Making Room for the Quiet

Anyone can love the beach, but I think it takes a special kind of soul to enjoy the rain on a quiet afternoon in the forest.

I love both.

There is something about the beach—the sound of the waves rolling onto the shore, the vastness of the ocean, the feeling of being reminded just how big our world is.

But if I'm being completely honest, I think I love the mountains even more.

Give me a mountain range covered in trees, a little cabin tucked away somewhere, a creek or river trickling nearby, and I'm a happy girl. There is something about the mountains and their forests that brings a kind of solace to my soul that is hard to put into words.

And, as you already know, music does that for me too.

I've been thinking a lot lately about all that has happened in these more recent years.

I'm at an age now where more and more people I've known—whether personally or simply through their music, movies, or the things they created—are passing away. It seems to be happening at a much faster rate than it once did.

This past week, Dolly Parton passed away, and for some reason, her death really struck a chord with me.

Maybe it's because Dolly seemed like someone who had lived so much life.

She accomplished so much—not only for herself and her family, but for friends, strangers, children, and people she would probably never meet. She touched more hearts during her lifetime than most people ever will.

Her work ethic was something I always admired. She kept working, creating, giving, dreaming, and making a difference. Even near the end of her life, she was still thinking about the future and the people who would be impacted by the work she had begun.

But Dolly also seemed to understand something else.

She knew how to enjoy life.

She knew how to appreciate the simple things.

The mountains of Tennessee. Music. Nature. Family. The beauty around her.

And maybe that's one of the things that has stayed with me most this week.

Life isn't just about what we accomplish.

It's also about what we take the time to notice.

The rustling of leaves.

The sound of rain falling.

The waves hitting the shoreline.

The trickling of water over rocks in a creek.

Birds singing their songs.

A crackling fireplace.

An outdoor fire pit roaring on a cool evening.

Even the distant roar of a bear from the comfort and safety of a cabin. 😂

Those sounds are music to me.

And when I'm sitting there with a cup of coffee, listening to the sounds of creation and reading God's Word, I can't help but think about how incredibly awesome our God is.

He made all of it.

Every tree.

Every mountain.

Every river.

Every bird.

Every sunrise and sunset.

Every sound that brings peace to our souls.

And there is something incredibly beautiful about sitting quietly enough to actually hear it.

I don't get to go to the mountains nearly as often as I'd like these days.

Nor do I get to the beach as often as I'd like.

Life has a way of sweeping you up into all the things that have to be done.

And life has changed quite a bit for me in recent years.

Our son is entering adulthood, and at the same time, my mom is entering a stage of life where she sometimes needs more help.

So while I've stepped out of one role, I'm stepping into another.

I'm still a wife.

I'm still a mother.

I'm still a homemaker.

And I'm learning to be a better manager of our home and our time.

There are things I'm keeping up with now that used to fall by the wayside simply because life was so much busier. For years, so much of my time was spent being the chauffeur for our son and getting him to all of his training sessions and activities.

Now that he can drive, some of that has slowed down.

But other things have taken its place.

In some ways, life has slowed down.

In other ways, it hasn't slowed down at all.

It's hard to explain unless you're living it.

But I'm sure some of you know exactly what I mean—especially those of you who are in this same season of life.

There is never a dull moment.

I've said that so many times, and it's still true.

But I'm learning that having a busy life doesn't mean I can't have quiet moments.

In fact, I think I need them more than ever.

So I'm making a more intentional effort to have some quiet in my day.

Every single day.

Not necessarily hours.

Sometimes it's only a few minutes.

But it's a few minutes where I stop.

I breathe.

I listen.

I pray.

I read God's Word.

And I simply let God be God.

Those moments have become precious to me.

God meets me there in a way that is hard to explain.

He speaks to my heart.

He reminds me of His goodness.

He brings things to my mind that I need to think about.

He gives me peace.

And sometimes He simply lets me sit there and enjoy being in His presence.

I've thought a lot this past week about the people who have gone on to be with Jesus—people who touched my life personally and people who touched my life through their music, their work, or their stories.

Their lives have reminded me that we really don't know how much time we have.

And that has made me think even more about how good God has been to me.

I've thought about it while sitting quietly.

I've thought about it while drinking my coffee.

I've thought about it while going about my everyday responsibilities.

I've thought about it during the prayers I pray when I first wake up and the conversations I continue having with God throughout the day.

Because I've come to realize something I absolutely love about our relationship with Him:

Our God is a conversational God.

He doesn't only want us to talk to Him when we're on our knees with our eyes closed.

He wants us to talk to Him as we walk through our days.

While we're driving.

While we're working.

While we're cooking dinner.

While we're sitting quietly with a cup of coffee.

While we're watching the rain.

While we're listening to the birds.

He wants to be part of our everyday lives.

And I love how He touches my heart in those conversations.

I have to admit, though, that I haven't always made as much time for those conversations as I wish I had.

Life gets busy.

I get distracted.

There is always something that needs to be done.

But lately, I've been intentionally changing that.

I'm making the time.

And I've noticed a difference.

My days feel brighter.

My heart feels more peaceful.

And something has reached down into the deepest parts of my soul in a way that I desperately needed.

Maybe that's what I've been learning through all of this.

We don't always need to escape our lives.

Sometimes we simply need to become still in the middle of them.

We need to stop long enough to hear the rain.

To listen to the birds.

To watch the trees move in the wind.

To hear the water running over the rocks.

To drink a cup of coffee without rushing.

To open God's Word.

To pray.

To breathe.

To remember who God is.

And to remember that He is still here.

So I want to encourage you to make a little room for quiet in your day.

It doesn't have to be elaborate.

You don't have to take a trip to the mountains or sit beside the ocean.

Maybe it's sitting on your porch while it rains.

Maybe it's drinking your morning coffee while watching the birds.

Maybe it's taking a walk and listening to the sounds around you.

Maybe it's sitting beside a fireplace at the end of a long day.

Maybe it's simply turning off the television, putting down your phone, and sitting quietly with God for a few minutes.

Whatever it looks like for you, make the time.

Be still.

Let your soul breathe.

Let God speak.

And just enjoy being with Him.

Because sometimes the most profound moments with God aren't found in the noise.

They're found in the quiet.

WHEN STRENGTH LOOKS DIFFERENT

This picture is one of the last times that Tim lifted weight over his head.

I love this quote and included it with the picture because it's true.

After winning Nationals, Tim had been on such a high. He had worked so hard for that moment, and to see all of that hard work pay off was pretty incredible.

Then this...

For weeks now, Tim has been dealing with an issue with his elbow where it won't fully straighten out. He had some issues with it a few months back before Nationals. We thought it had gotten better with his working with his body guy, but after getting back to training, it has gotten worse.

He's been strictly doing lower body and core work while we figure out what is going on with his elbow.

Now we're going through the normal ropes to get everything that needs to be done, done. Tim has seen an orthopedic doctor. He's had X-rays done. There's no fracture or OCD changes and his joint spaces and alignment are normal. He's doing everything the orthopedic doctor is asking, along with PT. Next will be an MRI that will hopefully tell us what is really going on with his elbow.

We have to give what the orthopedic doctor is trying a chance first before we can move to the MRI step in order for insurance to pick up the tab.

Gotta love insurance... NOT!

But honestly, this has been a reminder that strength isn't always about what you can lift.

Sometimes strength is being willing to put the weights down when your body is telling you that something isn't right.

Sometimes strength is being patient when you want answers NOW.

Sometimes strength is doing the exercises you're supposed to do, going to PT, following the doctor's instructions and trusting the process—even when the process isn't moving as quickly as you'd like.

And sometimes strength is dealing with disappointment without allowing it to define you.

I know this isn't where Tim expected to be right now. After the excitement of Nationals and everything he had worked so hard for, I'm sure it's frustrating to have to back off and wait and watch others make the forward progress that you want to be making.

But this is just a pause. It's not the end of his story.

That quote says, "You can fake and buy a lot of things in life these days, but muscle and strength aren't one of them."

Tim has spent several years building his strength. He's put in the work when nobody was watching. He's learned that you don't get stronger by taking the easy road.

And maybe that's exactly what this season is teaching him too.

Because there are different kinds of strength.

There is physical strength.

There is mental strength.

And there is the kind of strength that comes from having to trust God when you don't have all the answers yet.

We don't know exactly what is going on with his elbow right now. We don't know how long this will take. We don't know what the MRI will show.

But we do know that God isn't surprised by any of it.

So for now, we wait. We do what the doctors tell us to do. We keep working the parts of his body that he can work. We keep moving forward instead of sitting still and feeling sorry for ourselves.

And we pray.

Because sometimes getting stronger doesn't mean adding another plate to the bar.

Sometimes getting stronger means learning how to keep going when you can't lift the bar at all.

This isn't the chapter we expected after Nationals, but it's the chapter we're in.

And we'll trust God with the rest.

YOU CAN DO ANYTHING

“You can do anything.”

Those are words we have told our son over and over again as he has grown into the man he is today.

Not because we believed life would always be easy for him. Not because we thought he would never fail, face disappointment, or have moments when he questioned himself.

We told him because we wanted him to believe something that is so easy to forget:

Your circumstances don't get to decide what you are capable of becoming.

From the time he was little, we wanted him to know that we believed in him. We wanted him to understand that when something is hard, that doesn't automatically mean you should quit. Sometimes hard simply means you have to work harder, try again, learn something new, or find another way.

There have been times when he didn't believe he could do something himself. But that's when we would remind him:

“You can do anything.”

Those words weren't meant to tell him that he would always get exactly what he wanted.

They were meant to tell him that he shouldn't put limits on himself before he ever gives himself a chance.

You may not be the smartest person in the room.

You may not be the strongest.

You may not have the most money, the most opportunities, or the easiest circumstances.

You may even have people who tell you that you can't.

But none of those things mean you should stop trying.

Sometimes the biggest obstacle standing between us and what we want to accomplish isn't our circumstances. It's the voice in our own head telling us we're not capable.

That's why I think it is so important to speak life into our children.

Tell them you believe in them.

Tell them they are capable.

Tell them that failure isn't the end.

Tell them that falling down doesn't mean they can't get back up.

And most importantly, teach them that success isn't always about winning. Sometimes success is simply refusing to quit.

As parents, we can't walk through every door for our children. We can't protect them from every disappointment or remove every obstacle they will face.

Eventually, they have to walk through those doors themselves.

That's why we wanted our son to carry those words with him:

You can do anything.

Not because we think he can literally do everything without limitations.

But because we want him to approach life believing that he is capable of more than he may realize.

And as I look at the man he has become, I am so thankful we kept saying it.

Because sometimes the words we speak to our children when they're young become the words they hear in their own heads when they're grown.

I hope when life gets hard, he remembers our voices telling him:

“You can do this.”

“Don't give up.”

“Keep going.”

“We believe in you.”

And most of all...

“You can do anything.”

Maybe that's one of the greatest gifts we can give our children—not a life without obstacles, but the confidence to face those obstacles believing they are capable of overcoming them.

And if you're a parent reading this today, don't underestimate the power of your words.

Your child may not always show it.

They may roll their eyes.

They may act like they don't care.

But keep telling them.

Keep encouraging them.

Keep believing in them.

Because one day, they may become the man or woman you always knew they could be—and they'll carry those words with them long after they leave your home.

You can do anything.

Sometimes, they just need someone who loves them enough to believe it until they believe it too.

Just Keep Showing Up

Just Keep Showing Up 

I love this quote.

Mostly because there is so much truth in it.

There will be seasons in life when we don't feel like showing up. Seasons when we're tired. Discouraged. Disappointed. Maybe even wondering if anything we're doing is making a difference.

But sometimes the greatest victory is simply refusing to quit.

Just keep showing up.

Keep praying when you don't see the answer.

Keep believing when circumstances tell you to give up.

Keep doing what is right when doing the wrong thing would be easier.

Keep getting back up when life knocks you down.

Keep moving forward, even if your forward progress is only a few inches at a time.

The enemy would love nothing more than to convince us that our circumstances are too hard, our prayers aren't working, our situation isn't going to change, or we've simply had enough.

He wants us discouraged.

He wants us distracted.

He wants us exhausted.

And most of all, he wants us to quit.

Because if he can convince us to give up, we've surrendered ground that we never had to surrender.

But there is something powerful about a person who refuses to stay down.

The Bible tells us in James 4:7, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Notice that word: resist.

It doesn't say we never get tired.

It doesn't say we never struggle.

It doesn't say we never cry, question, or have moments when we don't understand what God is doing.

It says resist.

Stand your ground.

Don't give the enemy something that belongs to God.

Your hope.

Your faith.

Your peace.

Your obedience.

Your future.

There are times when showing up is an act of faith.

We may not feel strong, but we show up anyway.

We may not feel hopeful, but we show up anyway.

We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we show up anyway.

I can speak to this personally. At my age, it would be easy to stay in bed, give up, and tell myself that I've earned the right to slow down. My body is showing signs of aging, and there are days when I have to make a very conscious effort to keep moving forward. I have to choose not to let what my body is telling me become an excuse to stop living, growing, and making progress. Every day, I have to make a decision not to allow the devil to gain ground in my life simply because getting older makes some things harder. I may have to move a little slower, work a little harder, and be more intentional than I once was—but I'm still showing up. And as long as God gives me another day, I'm going to keep moving forward.

Why?

Because our strength doesn't come from knowing how everything is going to turn out.

Our strength comes from knowing Who holds it all in His hands.

The enemy wants easy prey.

He wants people who will believe every lie he whispers.

He wants people who will become so overwhelmed by what they see that they forget what they know.

He wants people who will surrender when the battle gets hard.

Don't be easy prey.

When life knocks you down, get back up.

When you're discouraged, pray.

When you're weary, rest—but don't quit.

When you don't understand what God is doing, trust Him anyway.

When you can't see the way forward, take the next step you can see.

And when you fall, remember that falling isn't the same thing as failing.

Sometimes victory looks less like a dramatic breakthrough and more like getting out of bed another morning and saying, “I'm still here. I'm still standing. I'm still trusting God.”

That matters.

Every time we get back up, we are refusing to let the enemy have the final say.

Every time we choose faith over fear, we're standing our ground.

Every time we choose obedience over convenience, we're moving forward.

Every time we keep showing up, we're reminding ourselves—and the enemy—that our circumstances don't determine who we are.

We know whose we are.

We belong to God.

So keep showing up.

Keep fighting the good fight.

Keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Keep believing.

Keep praying.

Keep trusting.

Keep moving.

We don't have to feel fearless to be courageous.

We don't have to feel strong to stand.

And we don't have to see the finish line to take the next step.

Just keep showing up.

Because sometimes the enemy's biggest frustration is discovering that after everything he threw at us, we're still standing.

And by the grace of God, we're not just standing.

We're still moving forward.

DON'T BE A PARROT IN LIFE—BE AN EAGLE

I love this quote:

“Don’t be a parrot in life, be an eagle. A parrot talks way too much and can’t fly high, but an eagle is silent and has the willpower to touch the sky.”

These two birds couldn't be more different, and I think there is a lesson for us in that.

Parrots can be funny and entertaining birds, especially depending on what their owners have taught them to say. They can repeat words, sounds, and even phrases they've heard from the people around them.

And isn't that sometimes what we do?

We repeat what we hear.

We repeat other people's opinions.
We repeat gossip.
We repeat negativity.
We repeat what everyone else is saying without ever taking the time to decide what we actually believe for ourselves.

We become parrots.

And sometimes, the more we talk, the less we actually accomplish.

BE LIKE THE EAGLE

Eagles have always fascinated me.

If you've ever had the opportunity to see one up close, you know just how much they capture your attention. In my opinion, they're the kings of the bird world.

Everything about an eagle is impressive—their strength, their beauty, their focus, and especially their ability to soar.

But one of the things I find most impressive about eagles is how quiet they can be.

They don't have to make a lot of noise to get noticed.

They don't have to announce what they're doing.

They don't have to prove themselves to anyone.

They simply soar.

And when they're preparing to go after their prey, they can be incredibly silent and focused. They aren't distracted by everything happening around them. They know what they're after, and they move with purpose.

There is something powerful about that.

Sometimes we need to stop talking so much and start listening more.

Sometimes we need to stop explaining ourselves to everyone and simply let our lives speak for us.

Sometimes we need to stop worrying about what everyone else is doing and focus on where God is leading us.

DON'T BE A PARROT

Being a parrot means constantly repeating what everyone else says.

It means allowing the opinions of others to determine how you think, how you live, and sometimes even how you see yourself.

But God didn't call us to simply blend into the crowd and repeat what everyone else is saying.

He calls us to be transformed.

Romans 12:2 tells us:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

In other words, don't simply repeat the world around you.

Think differently.

Live differently.

Walk differently.

Let God renew your mind so that your life reflects His truth, not simply the noise around you.

EAGLES RISE ABOVE

One of the things I love most about watching an eagle is seeing it rise above everything below.

There is something beautiful about seeing an eagle soaring high in the sky, seemingly touching the clouds.

And that reminds me of something spiritually important:

Sometimes you have to rise above.

Rise above the gossip.

Rise above the drama.

Rise above the negativity.

Rise above the opinions of people who don't understand what God is doing in your life.

Rise above the need to constantly defend yourself.

Rise above the things that are trying to pull you down.

Not because you're better than anyone else, but because God has called you to a higher way of living.

GOD WILL GIVE YOU WINGS TO SOAR

One of my favorite Scriptures is Isaiah 40:31:

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

I love that God chose the eagle as the picture.

He didn't say we would crawl.

He didn't say we would barely survive.

He said we would soar.

That doesn't mean we will never face storms.

Eagles actually give us a beautiful picture of what it means to rise above them. Rather than being controlled by everything happening around them, they can use the conditions around them to rise higher.

And isn't that what God can do in our lives?

The very things that were meant to knock us down can become opportunities for God to strengthen us.

The storms may come.

The winds may blow.

The circumstances may be difficult.

But with God, we don't have to remain trapped at the level of the storm.

We can rise above it.

QUIET DOESN'T MEAN WEAK

Sometimes people mistake quietness for weakness.

But an eagle doesn't have to be loud to be powerful.

And neither do we.

You don't have to respond to every comment.

You don't have to participate in every argument.

You don't have to explain yourself to everyone.

You don't have to prove your worth.

You don't have to repeat everything you hear.

Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is remain quiet, keep your focus, and continue moving in the direction God has called you.

Let other people make the noise.

You keep soaring.

DON'T BE A PARROT—BE AN EAGLE

Life is full of noise.

Everyone has an opinion.

Everyone has something to say.

Everyone seems to know what everyone else should be doing.

But we don't have to repeat all of it.

We don't have to allow the noise of the world to become the voice inside our heads.

Instead, let's be people who know who we are, know Whose we are, and know where we're going.

Let's listen more.

Let's speak with purpose.

Let's stop repeating what everyone else says and start living according to what God says.

Let's rise above the things that are trying to keep us down.

And when the storms come, let's remember Isaiah 40:31.

We may get weary, but God can renew our strength.

We may feel weak, but God can give us strength.

We may feel like we're falling, but God can teach us to soar.

So don't be a parrot in life.

Don't spend your life repeating the noise around you.

Be an eagle.

Be quiet when silence is needed.

Be strong when life gets hard.

Stay focused on where God is leading you.

And when the opportunity comes—

spread your wings, rise above, and soar.

The Person Who Challenges You May Love You the Most

“The person who challenges you and holds you accountable loves you more than the one who watches you stay the same and settle for mediocrity.”

That's a statement that can be hard to hear.

We live in a world where people often confuse love with approval.

If you love me, you should agree with me.

If you love me, you shouldn't challenge me.

If you love me, you should support whatever I decide to do.

If you love me, you shouldn't point out where I'm wrong.

But that's not always what love looks like.

Sometimes love looks like someone sitting across from you and telling you the truth.

Sometimes love sounds like, “You can do better.”

Sometimes it sounds like, “That's not who you are.”

Sometimes it sounds like, “I love you too much to watch you continue down this road.”

And sometimes the person who challenges us is the very person we need the most.

Real Love Doesn't Always Tell You What You Want to Hear

It's easy to surround ourselves with people who agree with everything we say.

It's comfortable.

They don't challenge us.

They don't question our decisions.

They don't point out our blind spots.

They simply tell us what we want to hear.

But there is a danger in being surrounded by people who will never challenge us.

We can become comfortable staying exactly where we are.

We can convince ourselves that we're doing fine when we're actually settling.

We can mistake comfort for growth.

We can mistake acceptance for love.

And we can become so accustomed to mediocrity that we stop believing there is more for us.

That's why we need people in our lives who love us enough to tell us the truth.

Not people who criticize everything we do.

Not people who tear us down.

Not people who think they are better than us.

But people who genuinely care about us and want to see us become the person God created us to be.

Accountability Is Not the Enemy

Accountability can be uncomfortable.

Nobody enjoys having someone point out their mistakes.

Nobody likes hearing that their attitude needs to change, that their choices aren't wise, or that they aren't living up to their potential.

But sometimes the uncomfortable conversation is the conversation that changes everything.

A true friend won't just celebrate you when you're doing well.

They'll also pull you aside when you're heading in the wrong direction.

They'll tell you when you're making excuses.

They'll remind you of who you are when you've forgotten.

They'll challenge you when you're settling.

And they'll hold you accountable when you need it.

That's not rejection. That's love.

Sometimes We Need Someone to See What We Can't See

One of the problems with being human is that we don't always see ourselves clearly.

We can see everyone else's mistakes while overlooking our own.

We can recognize unhealthy behavior in someone else while making excuses for it in ourselves.

We can see someone else settling while convincing ourselves that we're simply being realistic.

That's why having the right people around us matters so much.

Sometimes someone else can see potential in us that we've stopped seeing in ourselves.

Sometimes they can see that we're capable of more.

Sometimes they can see that we've become comfortable when we should be growing.

Sometimes they can see that we're allowing fear to keep us from moving forward.

And sometimes God uses that person to get our attention.

Jesus Never Called Us to Stay the Same

Following Jesus is not about remaining exactly as we are.

Yes, Jesus loves us exactly where we are.

But He loves us too much to leave us there.

Our walk with Christ should produce change.

We should grow.

We should mature.

We should become more like Him.

There should be things in our lives that we eventually have to let go of.

Attitudes that need to change.

Habits that need to be broken.

Relationships that may need boundaries.

Pride that needs to be surrendered.

Forgiveness that needs to happen.

Faith that needs to grow.

Sometimes that growth is uncomfortable.

But growth usually is.

You cannot become stronger without being stretched.

You cannot become wiser without learning.

You cannot mature without being corrected.

And you cannot become everything God has called you to be if you are determined to remain exactly as you are.

Be Careful Who You Listen To

There is another side to this that is important.

Not everyone who challenges you is doing it out of love.

Some people criticize because they want control.

Some people tear others down because they are insecure.

Some people disguise jealousy as “accountability.”

So we need wisdom.

The right person won't challenge you simply to make you feel small.

They'll challenge you because they want to see you become stronger.

They won't constantly remind you of your failures.

They'll remind you that you can grow beyond them.

They won't tear you down.

They'll build you up while still telling you the truth.

That's the difference.

Don't Push Away the People Who Love You Enough to Tell You the Truth

If you have someone in your life who loves you enough to challenge you, don't automatically assume they're against you.

Listen.

Consider what they're saying.

Take it to God.

Ask yourself whether there is truth in what they're telling you.

Maybe they're seeing something you can't see.

Maybe they're trying to keep you from making a decision you'll regret.

Maybe they're reminding you that you're capable of more.

Maybe they're refusing to watch you settle for less than what God has for you.

And maybe, just maybe, they're loving you in a way that isn't always comfortable but is exactly what you need.

We should be thankful for people who are willing to have the hard conversations.

Thankful for the friend who says, “I love you, but you're wrong.”

Thankful for the person who says, “You need to do better.”

Thankful for the person who refuses to let us make excuses.

Thankful for the person who sees more in us than we currently see in ourselves.

Because the person who simply watches us stay the same may be giving us comfort.

But the person who challenges us to grow may be giving us something much more valuable.

They may be giving us the push we need to become who we were created to be.

So don't settle for people who only tell you what you want to hear.

Surround yourself with people who will pray for you, encourage you, love you, challenge you, and hold you accountable.

And when those people speak truth into your life, don't be so quick to become offended.

Sometimes the hardest words to hear come from the people who love us the most.

Real love doesn't always let you stay comfortable.

Sometimes real love looks you in the eyes and says:

“I know you're capable of more. Don't settle.”

And sometimes that's exactly the reminder we need.

I Won't Hide My Love for Jesus

I love this quote for the simple fact that it speaks my heart.

I am not going to force Jesus on anyone.

I'm not going to tell you that you have to believe exactly what I believe. I'm not going to chase you down and demand that you follow Jesus. I'm not going to force my faith on you.

But I also won't apologize for loving Him.

You don't have to follow Jesus like I do, but I'll secretly hope you will.

Actually, if I'm being completely honest, I won't always keep that hope so secret.

Why?

Because I know what it's like to do life with Jesus.

I know what He has brought me through.

I know the comfort He has given me when I was hurting, the strength He has given me when I was weak, the peace He has given me when I couldn't find peace anywhere else, and the grace He has extended to me over and over again when I have failed Him.

I know what it's like to have Jesus meet you in the middle of circumstances you never thought you'd have to walk through.

And when you've experienced that kind of love, it's hard to stay quiet about it.

I'm Not Ashamed of Who I Love

I don't expect everyone to believe what I believe.

But I do expect people to respect my right to live out my faith.

If I want to blog about Jesus, I'm going to blog about Jesus.

If I want to worship Him in church, I'm going to worship Him.

If I want to talk about what He's done in my life, I'm going to talk about it.

And if I'm somewhere in public and I want to thank God, pray, or simply express my love for Him, I'm not going to feel ashamed for doing so.

I'm not forcing anyone to join me.

I'm simply living out what I believe.

We live in a world where people are encouraged to be open about the things they love, believe, support, and value.

So why should my love for Jesus be the one thing I have to hide?

It shouldn't be.

Jesus is not something I'm embarrassed about.

He's not a hobby.

He's not just a Sunday morning tradition.

He's not simply a part of my life.

He is the reason I have hope.

Then I Think About Those Who Couldn't Worship Freely

When I think about being open about my faith, I can't help but think about people throughout history who didn't have the freedom I have.

I think about the Jewish people who were persecuted and murdered during the Holocaust.

Their suffering is a heartbreaking reminder of what can happen when hatred, prejudice, and persecution are allowed to strip people of their humanity and their right to live according to their faith and identity.

And then I think about believers around the world today who have to be incredibly careful about who knows they follow Jesus.

There are Christians in various parts of the world who cannot openly carry a Bible.

They can't freely gather together for worship.

They can't necessarily tell their neighbors, coworkers, or even extended family that they believe in Jesus.

For some, being discovered could mean imprisonment, violence, losing their livelihood, or even death.

Some believers have to worship quietly behind closed doors because openly proclaiming Jesus could put their entire family in danger.

And then there are the martyrs.

People who have lost their lives because they refused to deny Christ.

People who understood that following Jesus could cost them everything—and yet they considered Him worth everything.

That makes me stop and think.

What Would I Do?

There is a question that Christians sometimes ask:

If we were put in that situation, would we do the same?

If following Jesus meant losing our job, would we still follow Him?

If following Jesus meant losing our friends, would we still follow Him?

If following Jesus meant losing our freedom, would we still follow Him?

And if the ultimate price were placed before us, would we be willing to give our lives rather than deny Him?

I can't honestly tell you exactly how I would respond in a situation I've never experienced.

I can say what I believe in my heart.

I can say what I hope I would do.

And with everything I've experienced in my life and everything God has done for me, I believe I would choose Jesus.

I believe I would rather sacrifice my life than deny the One who gave His life for me.

And I don't say that because I think I'm some great Christian who has never failed.

Quite the opposite.

I've failed God more times than I care to admit.

I've made mistakes.

I've made wrong choices.

I've said things I shouldn't have said.

I've had moments when my faith wasn't as strong as I wanted it to be.

I've fallen short.

But somehow, through every failure, Jesus has continued to love me.

He has continued to forgive me.

He has continued to pursue me.

He has continued to show me grace.

And that's why my love for Him runs so deep.

He Loved Me First

My willingness to stand for Jesus isn't based on believing that I'm strong enough on my own.

It's based on knowing who He is and what He has done for me.

The Bible says in 1 John 4:19:

“We love because he first loved us.”

That's it.

I love Him because He loved me first.

He loved me when I didn't deserve it.

He forgave me when I failed.

He stayed when I wandered.

He picked me up when I fell.

He gave me hope when I felt hopeless.

He gave me strength when I didn't think I had any left.

And He has never once asked me to be perfect before coming to Him.

He simply asks me to follow Him.

So No, I'm Not Going to Hide Him

If my talking about Jesus makes you uncomfortable, I'm sorry you're uncomfortable—but I'm not sorry that I love Him.

If my blog posts about Jesus aren't your thing, you don't have to read them.

If you don't want to hear me talk about my faith, you don't have to engage in the conversation.

But I'm still going to talk about Him.

I'm still going to worship Him.

I'm still going to thank Him.

I'm still going to tell people what He has done for me.

And I'm still going to hope that somewhere along the way, someone who doesn't know Him will become curious enough to find out who He is.

Because I'm not trying to force Jesus on anybody.

I'm trying to show people what I've found in Him.

There is nothing better than doing life with Jesus.

And if you've never experienced that relationship for yourself, I hope one day you will.

Not because I forced you.

Not because someone pressured you.

But because you encountered His love and realized for yourself:

There really is nothing better than Jesus.

So believe what you want.

Live according to your convictions.

I'll respect your right to do that.

But please understand this about me:

I will respect your freedom to believe differently, and I ask you to respect my freedom to love Jesus openly.

I'm not forcing Jesus on anybody.

Just don't expect me to hide my love for Him.