Tag Archives: Christian encouragement

In the Midst of It All, Rejoice

Posted on December 14, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

In “In the Midst of It All, Rejoice,” the author reflects on the biblical nature of joy—distinct from happiness and often found not after hardship, but within it. Drawing from Isaiah’s Advent prophecy, Paul’s conversion from darkness to light, and personal moments of faith, loss, and redirection, the post explores how true joy emerges when we recognize our need for Christ and trust His guidance through life’s winding paths. With the hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” as a musical metaphor, readers are reminded that even quiet, trembling, minor-key rejoicing is still real joy—because the Light has come, and the darkness will not win. Continue reading →

Posted in Advent & Christmas, Advent Reflections, Christian Living, Faith & Spiritual Growth | Tagged Acts 26, Advent, Aslan, C.S. Lewis, Christian encouragement, Conversion, Darkness and Light, Faith Journey, Finding Joy, Following Jesus, Hope in Hard Times, Isaiah 9, Joy, Minor Key Joy, O Come O Come Emmanuel, Rejoice, Worship God | Leave a comment

The Time Between

Posted on December 7, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

“The Time Between” invites readers to reflect on the sacred tension Christians inhabit between Christ’s first arrival and His promised return. Drawing from Delighting in Jesus by Asheritah Ciuciu and the Advent themes of Hope and Peace, the post explores what it means to live in this “now and not yet” world—where victory has been won but not fully realized. Through Scripture, reflection, and prayer, readers are encouraged to anchor their hearts in Christ’s promises, embrace His peace amid the world’s chaos, and live as bearers of light during the Advent season. The post concludes with thoughtful questions for personal reflection throughout the week. Continue reading →

Posted in Advent Reflections, Biblical Reflections, Christian Living, Devotional Reflections, Faith & Spiritual Growth | Tagged Advent, Asheritah Ciuciu, Christian Devotional, Christian encouragement, Christmas, Delighting in Jesus, Faith, Faith in Hard Times, Hope, Isaiah 9:2, Jesus, Jesus’ Return, John 14:27, John 16:33, Light in the darkness, Now and Not Yet, Peace, Revelation 21:4, Second Coming, Spiritual Formation, The Time Between, Waiting on God | Leave a comment

What To Do When God Fails to Meet Your Expectations

Posted on November 16, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

When God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we expect—or when His timing feels painfully slow—we often slip into disappointment, confusion, or even anger. This week’s post explores why our expectations of God can become distorted, how we mistakenly judge God through our own experiences or the stories of others, and why His names (Provider, Healer, Defender) don’t represent promises of predictability, but invitations into deeper trust. We also acknowledge the reality of church hurt and the way people—not Jesus—can push believers away. Ultimately, the path forward isn’t pulling away from God but drawing closer through prayer, worship, and Scripture—the “center rail” that keeps our faith aligned. Even when life doesn’t make sense, God remains good, present, and faithful. Our greatest act of faith is learning to trust Him, even without full understanding. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian encouragement, Christian Living, Encouragement, Faith & Encouragement, Faith & Spiritual Growth, Hope, Hope in Hardship, Spiritual Encouragement | Tagged Christian encouragement, Christian Living, Christianity, church hurt, Disappointment with God, Encouragement & Hope, Faith, Faith & Spiritual Growth, faith in trials, God, God’s faithfulness, God’s Timing, Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Nissi, Jehovah Rapha, Jesus, Overcoming Disappointment, Prayer and Worship, Spiritual Growth, Trusting God, Trusting God in Hard Times, When God feels silent | Leave a comment

It Would Have Been Enough

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

The Jewish Dayenu—“it would have been enough for us”—is a tradition of gratitude that remembers God’s blessings, one by one. Inspired by The Chosen, this reflection creates a personal Dayenu, tracing God’s faithfulness through life’s joys, losses, and redemption. As Thanksgiving approaches, may we all pause to remember that even one of His blessings would have been enough—yet He continues to give us more. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Faith Reflections, God's Faithfulness, Gratitude and Thanksgiving, Spiritual Growth | Tagged blessings, Christian encouragement, counting blessings, Dayenu, Faith Journey, God’s provision, Gratitude, Psalm 139, thankful heart, Thanksgiving Reflections, The Chosen | Leave a comment

The Joy of the Lord Is My Strength

Posted on September 28, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

Nehemiah’s words, “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10), remind us that our deepest resilience doesn’t come from grit or determination but from God’s presence and promises. Joy is not the same as happiness—it is the steady confidence that Christ is with us, loves us, and strengthens us. This post explores what that means, how Paul echoed it in Philippians 4:4 and Philippians 4:13, and offers practical ways we can live it out today, even in times of trial or spiritual battle. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Encouragement, Faith in Action, Joy, Strength in Christ | Tagged Christian encouragement, Happiness vs. Joy, Joy of the Lord, Joy of the Lord is my strength, Nehemiah 8, overcoming trials, Philippians 4, practical faith, rejoicing in Christ, spiritual warfare, strength through Christ | Leave a comment

Overcoming Darkness

Posted on September 21, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

When evil seems rampant, it’s tempting to fight darkness with more darkness. But Scripture reminds us that our real battle is spiritual—and the only way to overcome darkness is with light. This post reflects on the tension between righteous anger and Christ’s call to forgiveness, love, and good works, offering seven biblical ways we can shine His light into a dark world. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Encouragement, Faith in Action, Overcoming Darkness, spiritual warfare | Tagged bible, Christian encouragement, Colossians 3, Ephesians 6, Faith, Following Jesus, Forgiveness, God, Jesus, John 1, John 8, Light of Christ, Matthew 5, Overcoming Darkness, Romans 12, spiritual warfare | Leave a comment

Really? Light and Momentary Troubles?

Posted on August 31, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

Even when troubles feel unbearably heavy and endless, Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians that they are “light and momentary” compared to the eternal glory God has prepared for us. By shifting our focus from what is temporary to what is eternal, we find strength to endure. A family travel story illustrates how overwhelming struggles can fade into perspective when seen against the backdrop of joy. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Reflections, Christian Living, Eternal Perspective, Faith & Encouragement, Hope in Hardship | Tagged 2 Corinthians 4, bible, Christian encouragement, Daily Audio Bible, eternal glory, Faith, Faith in Hard Times, fixing our eyes on Jesus, God’s Promises, Hope, Jesus, light and momentary troubles, perspective, Suffering, temporary vs eternal | Leave a comment

The List of Things That Can Keep You from God

Posted on July 27, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

In this week’s blog, Dave reflects on the liberating promise found in Romans 8—that nothing can separate us from the love of God. He opens with an honest inventory of failures and shortcomings that, if he were God, might seem disqualifying. But instead, Scripture reveals an unshakable love through Jesus Christ. Dave explores the tension between this promise and Jesus’ warning about the unforgivable sin—blasphemy against the Holy Spirit—clarifying that it’s not about stumbling, but about hardened, willful rejection. He closes with the hopeful message of the Prodigal Son: no matter how far we’ve wandered or how bitter we’ve grown, the Father is already running toward us. The list of things that can keep us from God? It’s empty. All we have to do is come home. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Reflections, Faith & Doubt, Grace & Forgiveness, Spiritual Growth | Tagged bible, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, Christian encouragement, Christianity, coming home, Faith, Forgiveness, God, God’s Love, Grace, Jesus, Jesus’ parables, Luke 15, Mark 3, nothing can separate us from the love of God, Prodigal Son, Relationship with God, Romans, Romans 8, unforgivable sin | Leave a comment

Chariots of Fire on Our Side

Posted on June 29, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

You’re never alone in your struggles. Discover the unseen spiritual realities around you—chariots of fire, divine protection, and God’s faithful presence. Continue reading →

Posted in Faith and Encouragement, God's presence, spiritual warfare | Tagged 2 Kings 6, Angels in the Bible, bible, Bible Devotional, Chariots of Fire, Christian encouragement, Elisha the Prophet, Ephesians 6, Faith, Faith over fear, God, God’s Protection, Heavenly Hosts, Jesus, Psalm 34:7, spiritual warfare, Unseen Realm, Walking by Faith, You Are Not Alone | Leave a comment

Signs of God

Posted on June 22, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

From Costa Rica to Colorado, this reflection explores how the beauty of nature and the kindness of people point to the fingerprints of a creative and compassionate God. Discover the signs of God in everyday life—if we only take the time to look.

The reflection also incorporates how God works through others (including us) to answer prayers, and how we can become signs of His presence in the lives of those around us. Learn to recognize—and become—signs of God in everyday life. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study and Devotion, Biblical insights, Biblical Reflections, Biblical Truth, Christian encouragement, Christian Faith, Contentment and Gratitude, Daily Devotional, Devotional Reflections, Devotionals, Encouragement, Everyday Theology, Faith, Faith and Encouragement, Faith and Inspiration, Faith and Spiritual Growth, Faith and Spirituality, Faith Reflections, Gratitude and Thankfulness, Inspirational, Jesus and the Gospel, Jesus's teachings, Nature and spirituality, Personal Growth, Personal Reflection, Purpose & Calling, Reflections, Scripture Reflections, Self-Improvement | Tagged Being God's hands and feet, bible, Biblical Encouragement, Biblical Reflections, Christian encouragement, Devotional thoughts, Divine encounters, Elisha and the widow, Everyday miracles, Faith, Faith and beauty, Faith Reflections, Glimpses of grace, God, God in nature, God's creativity, God's presence, God’s creation, Hearing from God, Jesus, Kindness of strangers, Kindness to strangers, Recognizing God, Seeing God daily, Signs of God, Spiritual awareness | Leave a comment

	The Joy of the Lord… on The Joy of Christmas
	The Joy of the Lord… on Stealing Back Joy
	katycarpenter26 on I’ll Carry a Part of You
	katycarpenter26 on Remembering Mom
	katycarpenter26 on Making Sense of Biblical …