Tag Archives: Forgiveness

Known and Loved: Why We Don’t Have to Hide from God

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

Psalm 139 reminds us that God knows everything about us—our words, actions, thoughts, and even motives. Though that truth can feel uncomfortable, it’s also deeply freeing: the God who knows us best loves us most. Instead of hiding from Him in guilt or shame, we’re invited to hide in Him for refuge, forgiveness, and strength. This post explores how to run to God—not away from Him—when we fail, fear, or face hard times. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Encouragement, Faith and Forgiveness, God's Love and Grace, Spiritual Growth | Tagged bible, Faith, Faith in Hard Times, Forgiveness, God, God’s presence, grace and mercy, hiding place, Jesus, Psalm 139, Psalm 32, Psalm 46, refuge in God, Repentance, Spiritual Reflection | 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

Fighting Back Like Jesus

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

In the wake of political violence and growing anger in our world, it’s easy to feel consumed by bitterness and the desire for revenge. This post reflects on my own struggle with those chains and how God reminded me of a better way—the way of Jesus. Instead of retaliation, Christ calls us to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, and trust God with justice. Though it’s never easy, only forgiveness and love can break the cycle of hate and set us free. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Faith in Action, Forgiveness, Overcoming Hate, Spiritual Growth | Tagged Anne Lamott, Charlie Kirk, Faith, following Christ, Forgiveness, God, Jesus, Jesus’ Teachings, John MacArthur, Luke 23, Matthew 5, overcoming bitterness, political violence, revenge, Romans 12 | 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

Claiming Grace—So You Can Share It

Posted on June 9, 2024 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

In the eighth chapter of John’s Gospel, we encounter a deep and unsettling scene: a woman caught in the act of adultery is brought before Jesus by the religious leaders of the day (the first hint of hypocrisy: where’s the … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Teachings, Christian, Christian Living, Daily Devotional, Jesus's teachings, Spiritual Encouragement, Spiritual Growth | Tagged Biblical lessons, Community and fellowship, Compassion and empathy, Forgiveness, Grace, Grace and forgiveness, Jesus, Love, mercy, Moral reflections, Overcoming judgment, Practice what we preach, Transformation stories | Leave a comment

Light in Our Own Darkness

Posted on July 19, 2021 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

We are called by our God to, each in our own way and as His ambassadors, be a light in the darkness of this world. The good news–and at the same time, the challenge–about this is that we each are … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, Faith | Tagged Forgiveness, God's grace, God's Light, God's mercy, Light in the darkness, Resist the devil | 2 Comments

Overcoming Hatred and Violence with Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Posted on August 31, 2020 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

I generally try to make a blog post about once a week. So when I posted last night, I figured I was done for the week. However, during my hike this morning before church, while listening to the Daily Audio … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, Faith | Tagged Break the cycle of violence, Forgiveness, Lasting and meaningful change, Reconciliation | 2 Comments

Ultimate Come-from-Behind Victory

Posted on April 13, 2020 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

So Good Friday wasn’t how it ends. Just when all hope was lost, actually after the final buzzer, Jesus makes the final play that wins the day, wins the week, wins eternity for us. Jesus of Nazareth, the unlikely Messiah, … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, Faith, Miracles | Tagged Celebration, Christianity, Easter, Faith, Fear, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Hope, Judgment, Love, Serving God, Trust | Leave a comment

In the Midst of the Storms

Posted on April 11, 2020 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

Well, it’s Good Friday. The worst thing humanity has ever done–we killed God–happened on this day. What’s so good about that? Let’s come back to that. Bad things are happening. The worst of the pandemic in the U.S. may be … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, Faith | Tagged Christianity, Cross, Faith, Forgiveness, Good Friday, Grace, Gratitude, Holy Week, Hope | Leave a comment

Remembering Jesus Remembering You

Posted on April 9, 2020 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

At His last meal with His best friends, Jesus asked them, and us, to remember Him whenever we take communion. This being Maundy Thursday–the day on the Christian calendar commemorating the Last Supper–I was wondering what specifically He might have … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, Faith | Tagged Christianity, Faith, Forgiveness, Grace, Gratitude, Holy Week, Hope, Last Supper, Maundy Thursday, Remembrance | 2 Comments

	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 …