Tag Archives: Grace

Truth Will Set You Free

Posted on August 10, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

In a world where “truth” often feels subjective, this post reminds us that there is only one real truth—God’s truth. Drawing from John 1:14, Matthew 22:37–39, and John 8:32, we explore why God gave us His commands, how they are rooted in love, and how Jesus distilled them into two life-giving principles. God’s truth isn’t about control—it’s about protection, blessing, and freedom. Grace welcomes us home; truth keeps us free once we’re there. Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Truth, Christian Living, Grace and Truth, Spiritual Growth | Tagged bible, biblical living, Christian Discipleship, Faith, God, God’s laws, God’s truth, Grace, Grace and Truth, Jesus, John 1:14, John 8:32, loving God, loving others, Matthew 22:37–39, Moral relativism, Spiritual Freedom, Ten Commandments | 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

Oops, I Did It Again

Posted on March 13, 2023 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

I should start by pointing out that this blog post has nothing to do with the Britney Spears song by the same title, so if you landed here looking for insight into her lyrics (or anything else about the song), … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, Faith | Tagged Fundamental Attribution Error, Grace, Peter and Paul, Romans | Leave a comment

Earn This – Oh Wait, You Can’t!

Posted on August 14, 2022 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

In the epic World War II film “Saving Private Ryan,” there’s a moving scene (among many) in which Captain Miller (Tom Hanks’ character), who is about to pass into eternity as one of many men who sacrificed their lives to … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, Faith | Tagged Earn this, Grace, It is by grace you have been saved, We can't earn this | 2 Comments

Drinking to Remember

Posted on April 14, 2022 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

I crawl to your table. “Bread of Life” means something Different now, something new, Disturbing. Why? Why would you do this For me Before I knew you or After you knew me? I haven’t done as much For you as … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, Faith, Poetry | Tagged Bread of Life, Communion, Grace, Holy Communion, Last Supper, Maundy Thursday | Leave a comment

Beyond Belief — Before the Beginning

Posted on August 29, 2021 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

Let’s remember for a moment back to the time before we passed through death of our old self and into our new life, our new selves. Was your journey toward rebirth simple and straightforward, or was it a prolonged wrestling … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, Faith | Tagged C.S. Lewis, Case for Christ, Christian Apologetics, Grace, Lee Strobel, Loving Father, No judgment, Prodigal Sons & Daughters, Questions about faith, Shape of the cross, Surprised by Joy | 1 Comment

“You Intended to Harm Me, but God Intended it for Good” – Joseph’s Crazy Ride

Posted on January 24, 2021 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

For anyone who has undertaken to read through the Bible in a year, or listen to it (as with the #DailyAudioBible, which I recommended earlier in the year), has undoubtedly encountered the story of Joseph. For those new to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, Faith, Uncategorized | Tagged 12 tribes of Israel, Daily Audio Bible, God doing good with bad things that happen, God working in our lives, God's grace, Grace, Israel and Egypt, Joseph | 4 Comments

Advent: The Invasion – Love

Posted on December 28, 2020 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

We close out this advent season reflecting on love. Grace is love in action. God has taken action, giving wings to His love by sending His Son to this planet before we had any idea what was going on. We … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, Faith | Tagged Advent - Love, Christmas, God's love, Grace, Love in action, Nothing can separate us from God's love, Relationship with God | 1 Comment

Being Resurrected by the Resurrected King

Posted on April 20, 2020 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

One week removed from Easter, how are you feeling now? How long did the Easter glow last? For me, Holy Week 2020 was a deeper, richer experience than normal, thanks to the forced rhythm of life being slower this year … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, Faith | Tagged Belonging, Christianity, Easter, Faith, Fear, God, Grace, Healing, Holy Spirit, Holy Week, Hope, Jesus, Love, Resurrection, Serving God, Trust | 4 Comments

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