Reading Resources to Encourage and Equip Your Soul
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Latest Blogs and Articles
Discover Hope and Encouragement
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- Discover Hope
- Steady Living in an Age of Noise
When Disagreement Becomes Division
Not every disagreement becomes division. But some do—and often more quickly than we expect. Have you ever noticed how a conversation begins with differing perspectives? The tone is civil. The exchange is thoughtful. Then something shifts. A phrase lands harder than intended. A motive is assumed. A past frustration quietly attaches itself to the present…
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Steady Living in an Age of Noise
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” – Romans 12:18 (ESV) It doesn’t take long to notice the volume. Shouting surrounds us. Opinions travel quickly. Headlines compete for our attention. Conversations, once manageable, suddenly carry an edge. Even ordinary disagreement feels heavier than it once did. Sometimes I catch myself…
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Staying Faithful for the Long Road
Do you remember how you felt when you stepped into your new career or launched your business? For me, my first calling to serve a small church in a beautiful location was a moment of excited anticipation. My energy—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—was high. I launched into my new role as pastor with high hopes, faith,…
Read More God Sees the Women the World Overlooks
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18 In many parts of the world, women follow Jesus quietly — not because their faith is weak, but because the cost of open faith is high. In Central Asia, women who choose to follow Christ often face rejection,…
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A Faithful Presence in a Fractured World
We don’t have to look far to notice fractures. They show up in public discourse and private conversations, in families and congregations, in social media feeds and at dinner tables. Tension has become so familiar that many of us no longer ask why things feel divided—we simply brace ourselves for the next moment of misunderstanding…
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The Loneliness No One Sees
I first recognized loneliness as a child in Newton, Kansas. Forced to move again, I told myself, “There’s no point in making friends.” I was in fifth grade and had already attended four different schools—from Washington to Michigan and beyond. Stability seemed out of reach for this eleven-year-old boy. When my parents told me we…
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Do Weary Shepherds Contribute to Weary Sheep?
I recently received a call from a pastor. He asked, “Do you have time to meet with me?” I could immediately tell from the sound of his voice that this wasn’t a “Hey, let’s get together” invite. I heard the ache behind his request—I’ve heard it many times from my friends and colleagues. We scheduled…
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Being A Non-Anxious Presence in Anxious Times
As we come to the final reflection in this series, it’s important to name something honestly: fear is not only something we experience internally. It shapes our conversations, our reactions, our tone, and even the way we see one another. We live in anxious times. That anxiety shows up in many ways—harsh words, quick judgments,…
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Facing Fear with Faith
I’m slowly easing into a new year. I’m noticing that I still want to default to writing 2025, rather than 2026. But that’s not all I’m noticing. I’m also noticing something else: fear does not magically disappear simply because the calendar has changed. In the first two reflections of this series, we’ve acknowledged that fear…
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What Fear Reveals About What We Trust
Someone once shared with me that there are 365 commands in the Bible telling us not to fear. While I’ve never personally verified that number, I do know that “fear not” is a recurring reminder throughout the Bible. I’ve yet to meet a person who has entirely escaped fear. It’s something we all experience. The…
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A Year of Fear—or Faith?
The start of a new year often brings a mix of hope and anxiety. On one hand, we embrace the hope of new beginnings. On the other hand, we carry questions that feel heavier than we want to admit. What’s coming? What will change? What will stay uncertain? For many people, fear isn’t just an…
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Thank you for Standing with Us in This Season
Dear Friend, Philippians 4:10-19 has been especially meaningful as I’ve reflected on God’s goodness this past year. Paul’s words have helped me see the Lord’s hand in my own journey. Let me explain. On June 5th, after nearly twenty years of serving in a ministry I deeply loved, I was released from my position due…
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Forward Together: Hope, Calling, and the Work Ahead
The days between Christmas and the New Year invite a particular kind of attentiveness—one year loosens its grip while another quietly waits to be received. It is a threshold moment—an opportunity to give thanks for what has been, while listening for what God may be bringing into being. As I look toward the year ahead,…
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When God Draws Near to the Weary
Christmas has a way of slowing us down—if only for a moment—to notice the places in our lives where we feel weary, stretched, or in need of hope. It is no coincidence that the story of Christ’s birth begins in darkness: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Isa. 9:2, ESV). …
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Saying Yes to Intimacy With Jesus
Over these past several weeks, we have walked together through a gentle but profound invitation: To grow not only in Christ through knowledge, but with Christ through intimacy. We began with a simple longing that many believers feel but rarely articulate: “I know about Jesus, but I long to know Him more personally.” That longing…
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Why Intimacy With Jesus Can Feel Frightening
Here’s an honest confession: The word intimacy used to frighten me. And I don’t believe I’m the only one who squirms a little when they hear it. Perhaps it’s because we lack understanding of what it means to be intimate. Possibly it’s because our life experiences have taught us to guard ourselves from potential disappointment…
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Encountering God in the Ordinary
I used to believe I had to “get away” to encounter God. From an early age, I was taught—implicitly and explicitly—that anywhere but here was where I’d meet Him. My youth pastor would encourage us to attend “youth camp,” assuring us that this was a special time when we would connect with Jesus. And it…
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Living With Jesus, Not Just for Jesus
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me” – John 15:4 (ESV). One of the most commonly overlooked promises in Scripture is one of the simplest: God is with us. Not occasionally. Not only…
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From Information to Intimacy
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord … that I may know him and the power of his resurrection…” —Philippians 3:8-10 (ESV) Most of us have easy access to biblical knowledge. Even in countries where printed Bibles are restricted, technology enables the streaming of sermons,…
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An Invitation to Grow In and With Christ
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” — Philippians 3:8 (ESV). From Knowing About to Truly Knowing Christ As a pastor, leader, and mentor, I’ve discovered that many who serve Christ faithfully know a lot about Him, but often feel distant from Him. There is…
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Stand Firm, Grow, and Stay Alert
“Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation…” —2 Peter 3:14–15 (ESV) The Posture of Perseverance Waiting is hard. When the world grows restless, loud, and self-assured, quiet faithfulness can feel almost…
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When Hope Feels Foolish
“They will say, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.’” —2 Peter 3:4 (ESV) Hope feels like a limited commodity these days. When life goes as expected, hope comes easily. But lately, my longing for a…
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Discerning Truth in a World of Spin
“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you…” —2 Peter 2:1 (ESV) The Tension of Discernment We live in an age that trades clarity for clickbait and confuses influence with integrity. In our desire to stay informed, we scroll headlines, watch influencers, and even follow spiritual…
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Growing in Godliness in a Godless Age
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness…” —2 Peter 1:3 (ESV) Some days it feels like you’re swimming upstream. As followers of Christ, we often find ourselves pushing against strong cultural currents—streams that pull us away from truth, humility, and hope. And in those moments, it’s easy…
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When the Flame Grows Dim—Hope Remains
“A smoldering wick He will not snuff out.” —Isaiah 42:3 If you’ve journeyed with me through our reflections over the past few weeks, you’ve heard the stories of weariness that many of us — as pastors, leaders, and learners — often carry. Each of these blogs was written for you—the shepherd who sometimes feels alone,…
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When You Forget Why You Started—Fan the Flame
“For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” —2 Timothy 1:6 (NIV) He sat across the desk from me, head bowed, shoulders slumped as he stared at the floor. Slowly, he lifted his head, looked me in the…
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The Spiritual Power of “No”
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!’ Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else…’” —Mark…
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The Loneliest Seat in the Sanctuary
“Two are better than one… If either of them falls, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”—Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV) He was well-known, widely respected, and prepared to go on stage to speak. Backstage, he turned to me and quietly shared: “These people know…
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Why Is Everyone’s Vineyard More Attractive Than Mine?
“They made me keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept.” —Song of Songs 1:6b (ESV) Most in ministry recognize the importance of rhythm: prepare, preach/teach, lead, shepherd, pray, plan, care, respond—repeat. We’re also aware of how “life” continually disrupts our flow. As servant ministers, we are present for others—offering encouragement,…
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Ministry Is Not a Stage—It’s a Sacred Trust
“… Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10 (ESV) Ministry is a sacred calling—but in today’s results-oriented culture, it starts to feel like a performance. …
Read More Hear from pastors, leaders, and learners who have been impacted
Rev. John Fairchild
Pastor, Spirit of Hope United Methodist Church
Deacon Richard Kijewski
Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
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