Tag Archives: Jesus

In the Beginning…God With Us

Posted on January 4, 2026 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

Beginning with Genesis and ending with Jesus’ promise to be with us always, this post traces God’s unwavering desire to dwell with humanity. Even when sin tempts us to hide, Scripture reminds us that God’s presence restores rather than condemns—and invites us to abide instead of run. Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Reflections, Faith & Spiritual Growth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

God With Us

Posted on December 24, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

A simple Christmas blessing celebrating the mystery of the Incarnation—God stepping into the world not with force or spectacle, but with humility and love. This short reflection reminds readers that Emmanuel has come, that God is present in both joy and grief, and that the Light has entered the darkness once and for all. A prayerful invitation to receive Christ’s peace and remember that we are deeply loved. Continue reading →

Posted in Advent & Christmas, Christian encouragement, Christian Living | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Love Helps Us Remember… and Forget

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

In “Love Helps Us Remember… and Forget,” the author reflects on his first Christmas without his parents, exploring how love reshapes memory—softening pain while preserving what truly mattered. Through childhood Christmas recollections, a recent prolonged power outage, and the quiet paradox of the manger, the post reveals how God’s love reframes brokenness, power, and grief. Christmas is shown not as a display of force, but as the arrival of divine love through humility. Readers are invited to trust a God whose gentleness is stronger than domination, and whose love remembers us not by our failures, but by who we are becoming. Continue reading →

Posted in Advent & Christmas, Advent Reflections, Christian Living, Faith & Spiritual Growth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Eternity in Our Hearts

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

Life “under the sun” often feels fleeting, frustrating, and hard to grasp—like vapor slipping through our fingers. But Ecclesiastes reveals that this ache we feel is not a flaw in us, nor a failure in God’s design. It’s intentional. God has placed eternity in our hearts, causing us to long for something beyond the temporary concerns that consume us. When we understand that truth, our priorities shift. We stop chasing wind. We start embracing gratitude. And we anchor our hope in the God who stepped into time through Jesus to satisfy the eternal longing inside us. As Thanksgiving gives way to Advent, Ecclesiastes invites us to enjoy the gifts of today, let go of what won’t last, and set our hearts on the eternal life already breaking into our world through Christ. Continue reading →

Posted in Advent Reflections, Biblical Reflections, Christian Living, Devotional Reflections, Faith & Spiritual Growth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wild, Untamable God

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

“Wild, Untamable God” explores the deeper message of the book of Job—not as a story about suffering, but as a profound revelation of God’s wildness, power, and goodness. Through Job’s encounter with God, especially the imagery of Leviathan, we are reminded that God cannot be controlled, predicted, or tamed—and that this is actually a gift. When God doesn’t meet our expectations, it doesn’t mean He has failed us; it means His wisdom exceeds our understanding. Drawing from Job, Scripture, and C.S. Lewis’s portrayal of Aslan, this post encourages us to trust a God who is not “safe,” but who is always, always good. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Reflections, Christian Living, Encouragement, Faith & Spiritual Growth, Trusting God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On Becoming a Diamond

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

Diamonds are formed under pressure—and so are we. From the persecution of the early church to Paul’s imprisonment, from history’s turning points to our own seasons of hardship, God uses pressure to refine our faith and reveal His strength. When life feels heavy, we can take heart knowing that He’s not trying to crush us—He’s shaping us into something radiant and strong, reflecting His glory. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Encouragement, Faith Through Trials, Spiritual Growth, Trusting God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Abundant Life — Daily Doses of Eternal Life

Posted on October 19, 2025 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

When Jesus spoke of “eternal life,” He wasn’t describing something that begins only after death—He was inviting us to experience it now. Eternal life and abundant life overlap; both are meant to be lived daily in relationship with God. This post explores how abundant life is not about possessions or ease but about presence, gratitude, and seeing every good gift—from work to relationships to nature—as a daily dose of eternal life. Continue reading →

Posted in Abundant Life, Christian Living, Everyday Faith, Faith and Gratitude, Spiritual Growth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment