Tag Archives: Faith Journey

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

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

Eternal Life AND Abundant Life

Posted on May 18, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

Jesus didn’t come just to offer eternal life after death—He came to give us abundant life right now. Discover how peace, gratitude, and perspective in Christ transform your life today, not just in eternity. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study and Devotion, Biblical insights, Biblical Reflections, Biblical Teachings, Biblical Truth, Biblical Truths, Christian, Christian encouragement, Christian Faith, Christian Living, Contentment and Gratitude, Daily Devotional, Devotional Reflections, Encouragement, Eternal Perspective, Faith, Faith and Encouragement, Faith and Inspiration, Faith and Spiritual Growth, Faith and Spirituality, Faith Reflections, Following Jesus, God's provision, Gratitude and Thankfulness, Heaven & the Afterlife, Inspirational, Jesus's teachings, Life Challenges, Overcoming Challenges, Overcoming Worry, Personal Growth, Personal Reflection, Reflections, Scripture Reflections, Spiritual Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Reflection, Trust in God | Tagged Abundant Life, bible, Christian encouragement, Christian perspective, Eternal life, Faith, Faith Journey, God, Gratitude, Jesus, Jesus’ Teachings, John 10:10, Living with Purpose, Peace in Christ, Romans 8:28, Spiritual Growth | Leave a comment

Trusting Jesus, Even When It Makes No Sense

Posted on March 30, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

“Trusting Jesus, Even When It Makes No Sense” explores the challenges of trusting God when life feels confusing or painful. Reflecting on Holy Week through the eyes of Jesus’ disciples, the blog draws parallels to biblical figures like Abraham, Moses, and David, who faced uncertainty but chose faith. Through personal stories and scriptural reminders, you are encouraged to find peace in knowing that God’s ways are higher and His plans are always for our good. 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, Christian Living, Daily Devotional, Dependence on God, Devotional Reflections, Discipleship, Encouragement, Eternal Perspective, Faith, Faith and Dependence, Faith and Encouragement, 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, Inspirational, Jesus and His Disciples, Jesus and the Gospel, Jesus's teachings, Overcoming Challenges, Overcoming Worry, Personal Growth, Personal Reflection, Salvation and Grace, Scripture Reflections, Spiritual Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Reflection, The Chosen TV Series Reflections, Trust in God | Tagged Biblical lessons, Christian encouragement, Faith, Faith Journey, God, God’s Timing, Holy Week Reflection, Jesus, Overcoming Doubt, Spiritual Growth, The Chosen, The Chosen Season 5, The Chosen Season 5 The Last Supper, The Chosen TV series, Trusting God, Trusting God’s Plan, Walking by Faith | 2 Comments

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 Ash Wednesday, Ashes, Ashes to ashes, Beauty from ashes, Biblical symbolism, Christian Transformation, Ephesians 4:22-24, Faith, Faith Journey, God’s renewal, Jesus, John 15:5, Lent, New life in Christ, Phoenix rising from ashes, Prayer, Resurrection hope, Rise like a phoenix from your ashes, We can rise from the ashes | Leave a comment

Did Nicodemus Believe in Jesus?

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

Nicodemus first met Jesus in secret, unsure and searching. But by the time of Jesus’ burial, he openly honored Him. His story is one of transformation—one that mirrors the faith journey of many believers today. Where do you see yourself in his story? Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study and Devotion, Biblical Characters, Biblical insights, Biblical Reflections, Biblical Teachings, Biblical Truths, Christian, Christian encouragement, Christian Living, Daily Devotional, Devotional Reflections, Encouragement, Faith, Faith and Encouragement, Faith and Inspiration, Faith and Spiritual Growth, Faith Reflections, Hope, Inspirational, Jesus and His Disciples, Jesus's teachings, Personal Growth, Personal Reflection, Prayer and Worship, Scripture Reflections, Seeking Truth, Spiritual Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Reflection, The Chosen TV Series Reflections | Tagged Born Again, Burial of Jesus, Christian encouragement, Defending Jesus, Faith Journey, Following Jesus in Uncertainty, John 3:16, Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus and Jesus, Pharisees in the Bible, Secret Believers, Seeking Truth in Scripture, The Chosen TV series | Leave a comment

The Blessed Exchange

Posted on November 24, 2024 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

Introduction I must confess that in the early days of my faith journey, I had to learn the humility of gratitude toward God for the blessings in my life. Like many people, I once thought that the good things in … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical insights, Biblical Teachings, Christian, Christian encouragement, Christian Living, Christianity and Mental Health, Contentment and Gratitude, Daily Devotional, Encouragement, Faith, Faith and Dependence, Faith and Encouragement, Faith and Inspiration, God's love, God's provision, Gratitude and Thankfulness, Living in Uncertain Times, Mental Health and Wellness, Navigating Life's Challenges, Overcoming Challenges, Personal Reflection, Spiritual Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Reflection | Tagged Christian encouragement, Faith, Faith Journey, Finding Hope, God, God's blessings, God's Promises, Gratitude, Jesus, Living with Gratitude, Peace and Joy, Philippians 4:6-7, Posture of Gratitude, Psalm 107, Scripture Reflections, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Reflections | Leave a comment

Give Thanks

Posted on November 10, 2024 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

Introduction As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself reflecting on the power of gratitude. This holiday invites us to pause and consider all that we are thankful for, even in the midst of life’s challenges. Psalm 107 has been on my … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical insights, Christian, Christian encouragement, Christian Living, Christianity and Mental Health, Comfort and Healing, Contentment and Gratitude, Daily Devotional, Encouragement, Faith, Faith and Dependence, Faith and Encouragement, Faith and Inspiration, Faith and Resilience, Faith and Resilliance, God's provision, Healing and Restoration, Inspirational, Life Challenges, Mental Health and Wellness, Navigating Life's Challenges, Personal Reflection, Self-Improvement, Spiritual Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Reflection, Trust in God | Tagged bible, Encouragement, Faith, Faith Journey, God's Faithfulness, Gratitude, Hope, Jesus, Psalm 107, Thanksgiving, Trusting God | 1 Comment

Rejoice, Pray, Give Thanks

Posted on October 13, 2024 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

Introduction Life presents us with a series of highs and lows, victories and struggles. It’s easy to find joy when things are going well, but what about when they aren’t? How do we maintain a heart of gratitude when life … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical insights, Biblical Teachings, Christian, Christian encouragement, Christian Living, Contentment and Gratitude, Daily Devotional, Dependence on God, Faith, Faith and Encouragement, Faith and Inspiration, Faith and Trust, God's love, God's provision, Inspirational, Personal Reflection, Prayer and faith, Prayer and Worship, Serving Others, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Reflection | Tagged Christian encouragement, Faith, Faith Journey, God, Gratitude in Difficult Times, Prayer, Prayer Life, Rejoice Always, Trust in God | Leave a comment

Where Are You Going?

Posted on October 6, 2024 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

Introduction In life, when things seem to be going well, it’s natural for us to want to maintain the status quo. We work hard to build a life where everything is in balance—where our relationships, careers, and daily routines run … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical insights, Biblical Teachings, Christian, Christian encouragement, Christian Living, Daily Devotional, Faith, Faith and Encouragement, Faith and Inspiration, God's love, Inspirational, Personal Reflection, Prayer and faith, Prayer and Worship, Self-Improvement, Spiritual Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Reflection | Tagged Bible study, Christian Living, Christianity, Daily Devotion, Deepening Faith, Faith, Faith Journey, God's Purpose, Personal Reflection, Spiritual Growth, Trust in God, Walking with God | Leave a comment

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