Category Archives: Faith and Grace

Represent

Posted on June 1, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

When you accept the gift of grace, you also take on the uniform of a Christ-follower—but it’s not about outward appearance. It’s about living with love, humility, and intention. This post unpacks what it means to truly represent Jesus in the world, why our actions matter, and how Christ in us is the hope we carry. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study and Devotion, Biblical insights, Biblical Reflections, Biblical Teachings, Biblical Truths, Christian, Christian encouragement, Christian Faith, Christian Living, Contentment and Gratitude, Daily Devotional, Devotional Reflections, Devotionals, Discipleship, Encouragement, Faith, Faith & Culture, Faith and Encouragement, Faith and Grace, Faith and Inspiration, Faith and Spiritual Growth, Faith and Spirituality, Faith in Action, Faith Reflections, God's Love & Grace, Inspirational, Jesus and the Gospel, Jesus's teachings, Love and Sacrifice, Personal Growth, Personal Reflection, Reflections, Scripture Reflections, Spiritual Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Reflection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Celebration, Part 3 – Resurrection

Posted on April 20, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

In Part 3 of the “Celebration” Easter poetry trilogy, we move from grief to glory, from confusion to…confusion, but infused with resurrection. Jesus’ victory over death changes everything—including us. Come and celebrate the risen Savior, even when it doesn’t make sense. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study and Devotion, Biblical Characters, Biblical insights, Biblical Reflections, Biblical Teachings, Biblical Truth, Biblical Truths, Christian, Christian encouragement, Christian Faith, Daily Devotional, Devotional Reflections, Faith, Faith & Salvation, Faith and Encouragement, Faith and Grace, Faith and Inspiration, Faith and Spiritual Growth, Faith and Spirituality, Faith and Trust, Faith Reflections, Following Jesus, God's love, Grace and Redemption, Holy Week, Holy Week Reflections, Hope, Hope & Renewal in Christ, Inspirational, Jesus and the Gospel, Lent, Miracles, Personal Reflection, Poetry, Reflections, Scripture Reflections, Spiritual Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Reflection, The Way of Jesus | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Celebration, Part 1 – Triumphal Entry

Posted on April 13, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

Part 1 of a poetic Holy Week trilogy. On Palm Sunday, the crowd cries “Hosanna!”—but do they truly know the One they’re welcoming? A celebration tinged with irony, written from the tension between praise and misunderstanding. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study and Devotion, Biblical Characters, Biblical insights, Biblical Reflections, Biblical Symbolism & Lessons, Biblical Teachings, Biblical Truth, Biblical Truths, Christian, Christian encouragement, Christian Faith, Daily Devotional, Devotional Reflections, Faith, Faith & Salvation, Faith and Encouragement, Faith and Grace, Faith and Inspiration, Faith Reflections, Following Jesus, Holy Week, Holy Week Reflections, Inspirational, Jesus and His Disciples, Jesus and the Gospel, Jesus's teachings, Personal Reflection, Poetry, Scripture Reflections, Seeking Truth, Spiritual Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Reflection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

It’s Hard To Be Humble When You’re Great

Posted on April 6, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

Jesus, the greatest Person who ever lived, consistently chose humility over power. In a world obsessed with self-promotion, His example invites us to live differently—by serving others, lifting them up, and thinking of ourselves less. Here’s why humility matters in God’s Kingdom. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study and Devotion, Biblical insights, Biblical Reflections, Biblical Teachings, Biblical Truth, Christian, Christian encouragement, Christian Faith, Christian Living, Daily Devotional, Devotional Reflections, Discipleship, Encouragement, Faith, Faith & Culture, Faith and Culture, Faith and Encouragement, Faith and Grace, Faith and Spirituality, Faith Reflections, Following Jesus, God's Love & Grace, Grace and Redemption, Inspirational, Jesus and His Disciples, Jesus and the Gospel, Jesus's teachings, Love and Sacrifice, Personal Growth, Personal Reflection, Salvation and Grace, Scripture Reflections, Serving Others, Spiritual Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Reflection, The Chosen TV Series Reflections, The Way of Jesus | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lessons in Temptation

Posted on March 23, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

What can we learn from the way Jesus handled temptation compared to Adam and Eve? Discover the power of Scripture, spiritual armor, and grace in resisting sin—and why the Christian life is about freedom, not perfection. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study and Devotion, Biblical Characters, Biblical insights, Biblical Reflections, Biblical Teachings, Biblical Truth, Biblical Truths, Christian, Christian encouragement, Christian Faith, Christian Living, Daily Devotional, Dependence on God, Devotional Reflections, Discipleship, Encouragement, Faith, Faith & Salvation, Faith and Dependence, Faith and Encouragement, Faith and Grace, Faith and Identity, Faith and Inspiration, Faith and Resilience, Faith and Resilliance, Faith and Spiritual Growth, Faith and Spirituality, Faith and Trust, Faith Reflections, God's love, God's Love & Grace, God's provision, Grace and Redemption, Hope, Hope & Renewal in Christ, Inspirational, Jesus and the Gospel, Jesus's teachings, Personal Growth, Personal Reflection, Prayer and faith, Redemption & Forgiveness, Salvation and Grace, Scripture Reflections, Spiritual Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Reflection, Trust in God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

From Ashes to New Life

Posted on March 9, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

Ashes symbolize death, mourning, and loss—but in God’s hands, they also represent renewal and transformation. Explore how the themes of Ash Wednesday, the phoenix legend, and the resurrection point us to the hope of new life in Christ and remind us that with God, we are made new. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study and Devotion, Biblical insights, Biblical Reflections, Biblical Symbolism & Lessons, Biblical Teachings, Biblical Truths, Christian, Christian encouragement, Christian Faith, Christian Living, Daily Devotional, Devotional Reflections, Encouragement, Eternal Perspective, Faith, Faith & Salvation, Faith and Encouragement, Faith and Grace, Faith and Inspiration, Faith and Spiritual Growth, Faith and Spirituality, Faith Reflections, God's love, God's Love & Grace, Hope, Hope & Renewal in Christ, Inspirational, Jesus's teachings, Lent & Ash Wednesday, Life Challenges, Personal Growth, Personal Reflection, Salvation and Grace, Scripture Reflections, Spiritual Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Reflection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Clothes for the Wedding Feast

Posted on March 2, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

In “Clothes for the Wedding Feast,” we explore Jesus’ parable in Matthew 22 and the deeper meaning behind the man who was cast out for not wearing the right wedding clothes. This parable isn’t about fashion—it’s about wearing the righteousness of Christ. Many of us want to be part of God’s kingdom, but we try to show up on our own terms, clinging to self-righteousness instead of surrendering fully to Jesus. This post unpacks what the wedding garment represents, why it’s essential, and how to keep it on. Are you wearing the right clothes? Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study and Devotion, Biblical insights, Biblical Reflections, Biblical Teachings, Biblical Truths, Christian, Christian encouragement, Christian Faith, Christian Living, Daily Devotional, Dependence on God, Devotional Reflections, Encouragement, Faith, Faith & Salvation, Faith and Dependence, Faith and Encouragement, Faith and Grace, Faith and Inspiration, Faith and Resilience, Faith and Resilliance, Faith and Spiritual Growth, Faith and Spirituality, Faith and Trust, Faith Reflections, God's love, God's Love & Grace, God's provision, Heaven & the Afterlife, Hope, Inspirational, Jesus's teachings, Personal Growth, Personal Reflection, Prayer and faith, Salvation and Grace, Scripture Reflections, Seeking Truth, Self-Improvement, Spiritual Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Reflection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Live or Die

Posted on February 9, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” This verse from Philippians has always unsettled me—until now. Paul wasn’t exaggerating; he was revealing a profound truth: our best day here is nothing compared to our first day in heaven. But until then, we have work to do. Let’s explore what this means for how we live today. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study and Devotion, Biblical insights, Biblical Reflections, Biblical Teachings, Biblical Truths, C.S. Lewis & Christian Apologetics, Christian, Christian encouragement, Christian Living, Daily Devotional, Devotional Reflections, Encouragement, Eternal Perspective, Faith, Faith and Encouragement, Faith and Grace, Faith and Inspiration, Faith and Spiritual Growth, Faith and Spirituality, Faith Reflections, Heaven & the Afterlife, Hope, Inspirational, Jesus and the Gospel, Jesus's teachings, Personal Growth, Personal Reflection, Purpose & Calling | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Unworthiness Covered Up: How Jesus Makes Us Worthy

Posted on February 2, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

Feeling unworthy of God’s love? You’re not alone. But the good news of the Gospel is this: Jesus makes us worthy. His grace covers our brokenness, and His love transforms us. Come as you are—He has already made the way. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study and Devotion, Biblical insights, Biblical Teachings, Biblical Truths, Christian, Christian encouragement, Christian Living, Daily Devotional, Dependence on God, Devotional Reflections, Encouragement, Faith, Faith & Salvation, Faith and Dependence, Faith and Encouragement, Faith and Grace, Faith and Inspiration, Faith and Joy, Faith and Resilience, Faith and Resilliance, Faith and Spiritual Growth, Faith and Spirituality, Faith and Trust, Faith Reflections, God's love, God's Love & Grace, God's provision, Grace and Redemption, Hope, Inspirational, Jesus and the Gospel, Love and Sacrifice, Personal Growth, Personal Reflection, Prayer and faith, Prayer and Worship, Redemption & Forgiveness, Scripture Reflections, Spiritual Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Reflection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

God Knows Us—and Loves Us Anyway

Posted on January 26, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

God knows everything about you—your struggles, your failures, even your darkest thoughts—and He loves you anyway. Discover His relentless love through Scripture and the story of Mary Magdalene. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study and Devotion, Biblical insights, Biblical Teachings, Christian, Christian encouragement, Christian Living, Comfort and Healing, Daily Devotional, Devotional Reflections, Encouragement, Faith, Faith and Dependence, Faith and Encouragement, Faith and Grace, Faith and Inspiration, Faith and Spirituality, Faith Reflections, God's love, Hope, Inspirational, Jesus and the Gospel, Jesus's teachings, Mental Health and Wellness, Navigating Life's Challenges, Personal Growth, Personal Reflection, Prayer and faith, Scripture Reflections, Self-Improvement, Spiritual Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Reflection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment