Isaiah 55:11 — So is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Have you ever been at a loss for words?
A rhetorical question, right?

Three weeks before I was scheduled to share my testimony at a women’s retreat, I found myself at my kitchen table—pen in hand—staring at a blank sheet of paper. The weight of emotion filled my mind, and insecurity slowly crept in. I didn’t doubt God’s faithfulness, but I wanted to honor Him well.

I kept thinking, “There are over one hundred women counting on me, yet I can’t seem to write one word about a lifetime of memories?”

After what felt like an hour, I walked into my bedroom and picked up a notebook I had received at that same retreat two years earlier. I hadn’t written in it then either. I remember thinking, why would I keep a blank notebook in my drawer for two years?

Frustrated, I flipped to the last page.

There, written in my own handwriting, were six simple words:

“He will give me the words.”

I smiled. Somehow, I had saved that nearly empty notebook and preserved a reminder I didn’t know I would need—a reminder that God is faithful to give us what we need most.

When I sat down to write again, the words started to flow—not from pressure, but from trust in who God is and what He has already said. It was as if the One who is the Word Himself faithfully supplied exactly what I needed to tell the story of all Jesus had done for me.

And when He did, I could not stop writing until it was finished. You see, when God speaks, it doesn’t return empty. It accomplishes what He sends it to do. That day, His Word met me in my insecurity, quieted my fear, and filled a blank page.

I never want to grow callused either to the Word of God or to the reminders the Holy Spirit gives us about God’s word…and my hope for you is the same.

Maybe there is something in your life that feels unfinished or empty right now—something you don’t quite have the words for yet.

Lean on the living Word of God.

The same God who filled a blank notebook page is still speaking today. His Word still accomplishes what He sends it to do, and it is waiting to meet you right where you are.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

• Have you ever faced a situation where you felt inadequate or unsure of what to say or do?
• What reminders has God placed in your life that have strengthened your faith at just the right moment?
• How have you experienced God’s Word meeting you in a time of fear, uncertainty, or insecurity?
• Is there an area of your life that feels unfinished or “blank” right now?
• What would it look like to trust God to provide exactly what you need for the next step?

The post When Faith Finds Words appeared first on 88.7 The Cross.

Psalm 1:6 — For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

If you have ever tried to visit a national park in the summer, you know it doesn’t feel like a peaceful escape. It feels like trying to score tickets the second they drop.

You’re standing there, phone in hand. Refresh, refresh, refresh. You’d swear you were fighting for front-row seats at a sold-out show.

The last few years in places like Arches, Glacier, and Yosemite, they all required timed reservations. Meaning limited access and narrow windows. If you miss your slot… you’re done. Gate closed. Opportunity gone.

But not this year.

This year, there are no advanced reservations. No countdown clock ticking you into panic. They’re keeping the gates open, managing traffic in real time, and trusting the flow instead of trying to control every second.

Now, sure. You might sit in traffic. You might have to wake up before the sun rises, and you might circle the parking lot longer than you’d like.

But the door is open.

And that is such a good thing. Because sometimes life feels that way too…like a timed entry system.

If you don’t hit the milestone by age 25… if you don’t have the job, the relationship, or the direction… it feels like everyone else got in and you missed it. You’re stuck outside the gate, staring at a sign that says “closed.”

I know that feeling more than I’d like to admit.

But here’s the truth that keeps steadying me—God is not running a ticket drop. He’s not standing at the entrance checking your timestamp and shaking His head because you showed up late.

No. You are not locked out. You are not behind.

Scripture says the Lord watches over the path of the godly. Not just the destination—the path. Every turn. Every delay. Every unexpected detour.

The road might wind. The line might feel long. It might not look like the path you thought you’d be on. But God has not lost sight of you.

His plans for you are not limited by missed opportunities or imperfect timing. He is watching over your steps, guiding your path, and leading you exactly where He wants you to go.

So maybe today looks less like striving to beat some invisible clock and more like trusting the One who never loses sight of the road ahead.

Remember, friend. There’s room to breathe here.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

• Where have you been tempted to believe you’re “behind” in life?
• What invisible deadlines have been creating pressure in your heart?
• How does Psalm 1:6 change the way you view the road you’re currently walking?
• What detour or delay might God be using for your good right now?
• What is one area where you can choose trust over striving this week?

The post Living Life with No Reservations appeared first on 88.7 The Cross.

1 Peter 2:24 — He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds you are healed.

The hardest things to surrender are usually the things we’ve learned to survive with.

Maybe that’s why Jeremy Camp’s song “No Survivors” hits so hard. Beneath the gritty guitars and explosive chorus is a deeply honest truth: the old life doesn’t go quietly.

Most of us know what it’s like to keep parts of the old self (who you were before Christ) on life support. Maybe it’s pride dressed up as independence. Maybe it’s the need to control every outcome because trusting God feels too risky. Maybe it’s a habit, a wound, a bitterness, or a private struggle we keep trying to “manage” instead of surrender.

But the gospel was never about management.

Jeremy Camp sings, “My ego, my pride / My grip on my life / Throw it all into the fire…” Those lyrics feel intense because surrender is intense, but that’s the tension in the song. It’s the battle between flesh and spirit…the daily war between who we used to be and who God is making us into.

Jesus didn’t come merely to improve us.

He came to make us new. The old self was crucified with Christ, and now we learn each day to walk in the freedom He purchased for us.

Real freedom begins when we stop trying to leave escape routes for the old version of ourselves. It begins when we trust God enough to give Him everything and let Him transform us from the inside out.

Scripture paints that picture clearly: “He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds you are healed.”

Maybe that’s the invitation today. Not striving harder but surrendering deeper. Let God have the things you’ve been holding onto—the pride, the control, the bitterness, the habits that keep pulling you backward—and step into what He’s been offering all along.

And maybe somewhere in that surrender, you’ll discover the strange freedom of leaving behind no survivors.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

• What part of your old life are you most tempted to keep “on life support”?
• Is there an area where you’ve been managing a struggle instead of surrendering it?
• How does Christ’s sacrifice on the cross give you confidence to let go?
• What would deeper surrender look like in your life right now?
• What freedom might God be inviting you into if you fully trusted Him with that area?

Lyrics:

I’m at war with my humanity
Trying to reclaim my sanity
Nothing in my veins but vanity
It’s the same old, same old

You told me it’s Your battle, God, so I need You to fight
‘Cause if I’m gonna live then there’s some things that need to die

My ego, my pride
My grip on my life
Throw it all into the fire
And leave no survivors
Survivors

Somebody give my past my sympathies
Tell the old me I’m not missing me
He can call, but I’m not listening
To the same old, same old

My ego, my pride
My grip on my life
Throw it all into the fire
And leave no survivors
Survivors

You’re pushing back the dark to get me closer to the light
Somebody tell my enemies there’s nowhere left to hide
You told me it’s Your battle, God, so I need You to fight
Cause if I’m gonna live, then there’s some things that need to die

My ego, my pride
My grip on my life
Throw it all into the fire
And leave no survivors
Survivors

Cause if I’m gonna live, then there’s some things that need to die
Survivors
Survivors
Throw it all into the fire
And leave no survivors

The post Leaving No Survivors appeared first on 88.7 The Cross.

Ephesians 6:18 — Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Summertime, 2012. I’m sitting high in a metal chair by the pool, whistle at my chest, and the sun is beaming down.

It’s amazing what it took to get here.

See, I came here as a college dreamer, ten weeks ago. I felt like the Lord was leading me to serving at a summer camp as a camp counselor, and becoming a certified lifeguard came as part of the job.

They trained us hard.

Long days. Sore muscles. Drill after drill. They taught us how to perform rescues and how to scan the water—always attentive, always ready.

Now I’m here, watching a pool full of kids laughing and water splashing.

This day is uneventful, and I’m thankful for that. But I know I have to stay attentive. Because the real danger could come at a moment’s notice.

Isn’t that a lot like the Christian life?

Most days aren’t dramatic. There’s no obvious crisis. Life hums along, steady and predictable. And that’s exactly why it’s easy to let our guard down spiritually. We stop paying attention. We miss the needs right in front of us, or we aren’t prepared when challenges suddenly surface.

And just like that lifeguard chair, there’s a kind of watchfulness we’re invited into.

To live on purpose. To stay awake.

And believe it or not, that’s only made possible through prayer. That’s your training ground. Praying in the Spirit is how you stay sharp and connected to the heartbeat of Heaven. It’s how you learn to recognize God’s voice, notice the needs of others, and remain ready for whatever He places in front of you.

Because long before you ever need to jump in, you’ve already been watching.

Maybe today isn’t dramatic. Maybe nothing feels urgent. But what if this is your chair? What if this is your moment to stay awake in prayer—ready for whatever rises to the surface, ready for whoever needs you to notice?

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

• What distractions tend to pull your attention away from prayer?
• How would you describe your current level of spiritual alertness?
• Is there someone in your life who may need prayer or encouragement right now?
• What does “praying in the Spirit at all times” look like in your daily routine?
• How can you become more attentive to what God is doing around you this week?

The post Ready Before the Rescue appeared first on 88.7 The Cross.

Deuteronomy 20:4 — For the Lord your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and He will give you victory!

You don’t need me to tell you—it’s been a fight.

Maybe it’s at work or maybe in your family. Maybe it’s the battle in your head that just won’t quiet down. I know that one all too well. Opposition has a way of showing up uninvited, like it never needed permission in the first place.

And when it does, it’s loud. Persistent.

It presses in close enough to make you wonder if this is the thing that will finally take you out.

But hear this, friend—just because something comes against you doesn’t mean it gets to conquer you.

God’s Word reminds us that the Lord goes with His people into the battle. He doesn’t send us ahead alone and hope for the best. He fights for us.

That means this struggle doesn’t get the final word. Not the diagnosis. Not the criticism. Not the setback that knocked the wind out of you.

God stands with you. He’s not watching from afar or waiting for you to figure it all out. He’s steady when you’re not. He’s present when everything else feels uncertain. He has already stepped into the fight you’re facing.

So today, you don’t have to walk timidly.

You can walk steadily.

Because whatever is rising against you isn’t stronger than the One who stands beside you—and He doesn’t lose battles.

And maybe that’s enough, just for today, to take one more step forward.

Because you’re not alone.

You’re carried.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

• What battle are you facing right now that feels overwhelming?
• How does knowing God fights for you change the way you view that situation?
• Are there areas where you’ve been trying to fight in your own strength instead of trusting God?
• Which phrase speaks to you most today: “God goes with you,” “God fights for you,” or “God gives victory”?
• What is one step of faith you can take today, knowing you do not walk alone?

The post Battling, But Not Beaten appeared first on 88.7 The Cross.

John 10:10 – The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

I love that God keeps us safe…though sometimes not in the way I expect.

Last year, we went through a series at my church on Wednesday nights called “Deep Dive to Revive.” We slowly walked verse by verse through John, and it was so good, like, really sitting in the Word instead of rushing past it.

One night, we were reading about Lazarus. It’s a story I’ve heard and read…oh, probably a hundred times. But this time, something caught me off guard.

After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, they tried to kill him again.

What in the world? Leave this man alone. He’s already been dead once.

Then our pastor asked, “Why do you think they tried to kill Lazarus?”

It sat there for a minute, and then it clicked. If Lazarus is walking around alive, then so is the proof. Proof that death doesn’t get the final word. Proof that what God restores is real. And if you can silence the evidence, maybe you can make people question the miracle.

Because hasn’t life at times felt like that for you too? You finally step into something beautiful—an answered prayer, a restored relationship, or a healing you’ve begged God for—and then something happens that makes it feel like it might not last after all.

And your first instinct is to look inward: Did I mess this up? Did I do something wrong?

But that’s not how God works. He brings life—full, abundant, unmistakable life. And the enemy can’t erase God’s work. If he can shake your confidence, though, he can steal your hope.

That’s not new. It’s the same old story.

And yet, God’s goodness isn’t temporary or fading, even when everything around you feels uncertain. So, when those familiar feelings of doubt and fear show up again, I encourage you, don’t panic. You’ve seen this before.

Instead of shrinking back, let yourself remember all the ways God has already brought life where there wasn’t any. Remind yourself long enough to trust that what God brings to life, He will not abandon.

Because while the enemy still wants to steal, kill, and destroy, Jesus is still giving life—and life more abundantly.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

• Have you ever experienced a time when God answered a prayer or restored something you thought was lost?
• After God moved in your life, did doubt or fear ever make you question whether it would last?
• Why do you think Lazarus became such powerful evidence of God’s power after Jesus raised him from the dead?
• What are some ways the enemy tries to steal your confidence in what God has already done?
• When you face uncertainty, do you tend to focus more on your circumstances or on God’s faithfulness?
• What “proof” of God’s goodness and provision can you look back on today?
• Is there an area of your life where you need to stop asking, “Did I mess this up?” and start trusting God’s work?
• How can remembering past victories help strengthen your faith in your current season?
• What does Jesus’ promise of “life more abundantly” mean to you personally?
• This week, what is one specific way you can remind yourself that what God brings to life, He will not abandon?

The post Proof that’s Still Standing appeared first on 88.7 The Cross.

2 Corinthians 4:18 — So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Storms don’t knock. They just show up and start rearranging things you thought were settled.

I had only been in my new house six months before I learned that truth the hard way. One minute it was just a normal day. The next, the wind had picked up, the sky went dark, and an entire tree fell into my house.

In that moment, everything went strangely still, and my mind kicked in.

How can I fix this? What is this going to cost? Who is my insurance guy again?

My mind was swirling—exhausted, overwhelmed, and searching for answers.

But standing there, looking at what was broken open, another thought began to surface—quieter, but steadier.

You’re still here. Still breathing. Still standing. God’s going to carry you through this.

Because yes, it mattered that a tree fell into the house. It was inconvenient, costly, and disruptive in ways I didn’t plan for.

But it was not the truest thing happening.

In life, what can be seen—splintered wood, exposed ceilings, unexpected bills, broken plans—often feels loud because it’s right in front of you.

But it won’t last.

And that’s where faith finds its footing. Not by pretending the storm didn’t hit, but by remembering it doesn’t get to decide the ending.

So, let’s not look at the troubles that can be seen. Instead, let’s fix our gaze on the things of God that cannot be seen because those things will last forever.

And if that’s true… then even here, even now, you’re not dealing with damage.

You’re being carried through it.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

• What visible challenge or “storm damage” is demanding most of your attention right now?
• How does focusing on God’s unseen promises change your perspective on that situation?
• Have you ever experienced God carrying you through something you didn’t think you could endure?
• What does it mean to you that your current troubles are temporary but God’s faithfulness is eternal?
• Where do you need to shift your gaze from what is seen to what is unseen?
• How can you remind yourself this week that your circumstances are not the truest thing happening?

The post Faith After the Fallout appeared first on 88.7 The Cross.

Psalms 107:8-9 — Let them praise the LORD for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done for them. For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Summer is both my favorite and my least favorite season.

I love the sun… but sometimes it feels unbearable.

I love the sand… but I hate how it sticks to everything.

I dream all year about sitting by the pool with a cold slice of watermelon, but when it finally comes—I’m hot, sticky, and already thinking about fall.

We spend so much time longing for what’s next that we don’t fully enjoy what’s right in front of us. Summer turns into fall, fall into winter, and we keep chasing the next feeling, the next season, the next moment that will finally satisfy us.

But it never quite does.

There’s always a small part of us still longing.

And if we’re honest, the problem isn’t the season—it’s the belief that something else will finally fill what only God can.

That’s the amazing thing about following Christ. Our deepest longing has already been met. We are not waiting for His love, presence, or promise. It’s already here.

Sure, we wait patiently as His plans unfold. But we are not waiting on His heart.

His love is already ours. His presence is already with us. Right here, right now.

He is the kind of God who doesn’t just notice empty places—He fills them. He’s the one who meets our real thirst with something that actually satisfies, deep down where nothing else seems to reach.

And when we begin to live from that truth, everything else starts to fall into place.

We can enjoy summer without needing it to be perfect and look forward to fall without wishing away today.

We can sit in the in-between—the longing and the having—and still feel at peace. Because the greatest desire of our souls isn’t something we’re chasing anymore. It’s something we already have.

So maybe today looks like this:

Feeling the sun and letting it be warm, not overwhelming. Laughing at the sand instead of fighting it. Eating the watermelon and actually enjoying it.

Not because everything is perfect—but because the One who satisfies us never changes.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

• What “next thing” have you been looking to for satisfaction lately?
• Have you found yourself wishing away your current season instead of embracing it?
• In what ways has God already met needs in your life that you sometimes overlook?
• What does it mean to you that God’s presence is already with you right now?
• How can you practice gratitude for the season you’re in instead of constantly looking ahead?
• What is one simple blessing you can enjoy today as a gift from God?

The post Longing Less, Living More appeared first on 88.7 The Cross.

Psalm 91:1 — Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

The alarm goes off, and your thumb hits snooze before your eyes ever open.

Then you hit it again…and again…and again.

At some point, you stop counting because counting would ruin your day.

You tell yourself you’ll go to bed earlier tonight.

But somehow, that doesn’t always happen.

Because that is the rhythm now. You call it “winding down,” but your mind never really does. You don’t sleep—you scroll, replay conversations, and answer texts that could’ve waited until morning.

And eventually, it catches up.

Researchers have found that even one night of very little sleep can increase stress hormones and leave your body feeling more anxious and on edge. Your heart works harder. Your mind feels foggier. Everything seems heavier.

But even a short nap or a season of intentional rest can help your body recover and reset.

That’s the power of rest.

And maybe that’s what this means for you and for me: rest isn’t laziness.

It’s repair.

God designed our bodies with a reset button, and sometimes that reset looks less like grinding harder and more like closing your eyes.

I know we live in a world that glorifies burnout, but maybe that’s why rest can be such an act of faith.

Because Scripture paints a picture of someone who isn’t striving or scrambling. They’re dwelling in the shelter of the Most High. They’re resting in His shadow.

They rest not because life is easy, but because God is safe.

Trust that God is still holding everything together even when you’re not.

And if that’s true…

Then maybe rest isn’t something to feel guilty about.

It’s something to run home to.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

• What has been stealing your rest lately—busyness, worry, distractions, or something else?
• Do you view rest as a gift from God or something you have to earn?
• What would it look like to trust God enough to slow down this week?
• How does Psalm 91:1 change your perspective on where true rest is found?
• What is one practical way you can create space to rest in God’s presence today?

The post Running Home to Rest appeared first on 88.7 The Cross.

Psalm 70:4 — But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “God is great!”

The room is loud before the first note even lands.

Lights rise, hands follow, voices spill forward like they’ve been waiting all week for this. From the stage, Darren Mulligan, the lead singer of We Are Messengers, saw what most people couldn’t.

A girl near the front is singing, but her mascara is running. Off to the side, a man stands still as stone. His eyes are shut tight, like if he opens them everything might fall apart.

And still… they’re singing.

There was a time Darren would’ve called the feeling in a room like this “happiness.” Everyone’s singing. This is it.

But life has a way of telling the truth after the music fades. Because happiness is loud. It rises fast. It disappears just as quickly.

Joy, though… joy is stubborn.

These aren’t people who showed up because they were happy. They came because they were looking for Jesus.

And in that stubborn reaching toward God, something was happening. You could almost feel it rising in the room. Like a current running underneath every voice. A gladness that doesn’t wait for life to make sense. It wasn’t shallow or forced. Together, the crowd was declaring, “God is still good. He’s still worth it. He’s still here.”

There on the stage, Darren was struck by this thought.

“Those who go looking for Him somehow find gladness. Real joy meets people in their hunger and desperation for Jesus. And the ones who’ve tasted even a little of His rescue can’t help but say it over and over again: ‘To God be the glory.’”

Maybe that’s what these songs are for. Not to help you escape—but to help you find God. To trade the fragile kind of happiness for something stronger. And over time, almost without noticing, your own song will start to rise…one that sounds like this.

To God be the glory.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

• What is the difference between happiness and joy in your own life?
• When have you experienced joy even in the middle of difficulty or pain?
• What does it look like for you to genuinely “search for God” right now?
• How has worship helped strengthen your faith during hard seasons?
• What are some ways God has shown His goodness and faithfulness to you recently?

The post When Joy Fills Rooms appeared first on 88.7 The Cross.

Psalm 139:16 — You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

The best God-conversations happen at our dinner table. I’m going to let you in on one of them.

It was after dinner, and we were still sitting around the table when my five-year-old eagerly exclaimed, “Guess what, Mama? Guess what, Daddy? I talked to God in my dream today at naptime!”

If I wasn’t all ears before, I was now. I probably had the same look on my face as a child during story time. So, I asked what anyone would ask, “What did God look like? What was He saying to you?”

To my surprise, she turned to me and said so clearly, “He looked familiar.”

“What does familiar mean?” My husband asked.

She answered, “You know—like my friend at school. I know her. She is familiar to me.”

“That’s right,” I added. “You know your friend, so she’s familiar. And the same is true for God.”

I continued, “God knew you before you were even born. Before a single day of your life had passed, He already loved you and had His hand on your life. So maybe it makes sense that He felt familiar to you.”

That night, my momma heart felt like it grew three sizes bigger. I was reminded of something simple but powerful in that moment—children don’t strive to know God the way we often do. They simply trust that He’s near.

To them, God isn’t distant or complicated… He’s familiar.

Maybe that’s the invitation for all of us—to come back to that kind of faith.

Because when we make space for Him, even around something as ordinary as a dinner table, we may just find that God is closer—and more familiar—than we ever realized.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

• When was the last time God felt familiar and close to you?
• What makes you sometimes view God as distant or complicated?
• How does Psalm 139 change the way you think about your identity and worth?
• What can you learn from the simple faith and trust of a child?
• How can you create more space in your everyday life to notice God’s presence?

The post The Dinner Table Discovery appeared first on 88.7 The Cross.

Matthew 25:44-45 — Then they will reply, “Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?” And he will answer, “I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.”

You’ll never regret being kind, even to a stranger.

Kelly is halfway through her coffee at the little diner when she notices them—two women at the counter, moving in opposite directions. One is paying her bill, ready to leave. The other has just sat down, phone pressed to her ear, but she isn’t really talking. She’s crying and barely holding it together.

She hasn’t ordered any food. She’s just…sitting there.

The older woman pauses on her way out. Kelly could almost see the questions cross her face— Should I say something? Should I not?

But she steps in anyway.

“Do you need a hug?” She says simply.

That’s all it takes. The younger woman breaks, and they hold each other right there in the middle of the diner.

“I don’t know what you’ve got going on,” she says, “but it doesn’t matter. You seem like you need a little encouragement.”

Then she calls the waitress over. “Order her whatever she wants. I’ll pay for it.”

And they sit there together quietly for a moment.

Kelly keeps thinking about what she witnessed. She knows that feeling—knowing you could encourage someone and feeling prompted in your heart to do it. That feeling is so easy to ignore. So easy to second-guess and stay seated.

But what if those moments carry more weight than we realize? What if every act of kindness toward someone hurting is also an act of love toward Jesus Himself? What if noticing people matters more than we think it does?

That morning didn’t look like much.

Just a hug. A meal. A woman who didn’t look away.

And maybe that’s what today can look like for you too. Because simple obedience, offered in love, can change everything for someone in need.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

• When was the last time you felt prompted to encourage or help someone?
• What usually keeps you from stepping in when you notice someone hurting?
• How does seeing acts of kindness as service to Jesus change your perspective?
• Who around you today may simply need to feel seen, loved, or encouraged?
• What is one simple act of obedience and compassion you can offer someone this week?

The post Love That Didn’t Look Away appeared first on 88.7 The Cross.

Psalm 34:8 — Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!

I grew up in the nineties, and I don’t know if I imagined it, but…we were all told vegetables were gross.

I mean, on cartoons they avoided broccoli at all costs, so I treated it like the plague. In the school cafeteria line, I would pile my tray with anything but the vegetables.

It was probably just marketing, but it’s funny because years later, I became a high school teacher. And I finally tried veggies in the school cafeteria.

And they were… good.

Like, genuinely, they were the best seasoned thing on the menu. I stood standing there thinking, “Wait—have I been wrong about this my whole life?”

It wasn’t just the cafeteria. Every summer, my mom would make tomato pie. And depending on who you are, that either sounds incredible or completely disgusting.

To me it looked gross, so it was gross. No further investigation needed. Because…vegetables…am I right?

But no. I tried it for the first time in college and it changed my life! My momma is a good cook, but it’s one of the best things she makes.

It’s funny—and a little sad—how easily we opt out of some of the best things in life without ever really trying them. We write them off before we experience them.

Honestly, spiritual disciplines can feel like that too. Prayer. Scripture. Solitude. Worship. Sometimes they sound more like eating your vegetables than experiencing joy.

But every time I lean into those things—even a little—I find something I didn’t expect. Peace that steadies me. Clarity that wasn’t there before. A sense that I’m not alone.

Maybe that’s why we’re invited not just to believe God is good, but to experience it. “Taste and see that the Lord is good,” He says. And somewhere along the way, we discover, what first felt like discipline starts to turn into desire.

And desire… turns into delights.

So, I want to encourage you to seek God’s face today through spiritual disciplines. Because it really is so good!

Disciplines develop your spiritual appetite. Yes. You’ll end up hungry for more.

Please don’t miss out on the most incredible parts of life simply because they are branded to you as “boring” or hard.

No. Taste and see that they lead to the sweetest and most un-boring thing of all.

God’s presence.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

• What spiritual discipline have you avoided because it seemed boring, difficult, or unappealing?
• When have you personally “tasted and seen” God’s goodness in an unexpected way?
• What keeps you from slowing down enough to experience God’s presence consistently?
• How have small, faithful habits helped strengthen your relationship with God?
• What is one practical way you can seek God’s presence more intentionally this week?

The post Discipline, Desire, Delight appeared first on 88.7 The Cross.

1 Thessalonians 1:4 — We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people.

Oh my goodness—the noise.

It is loud out there. Not the construction around the corner, not the hum of traffic—but the steady, relentless noise of opinions and expectations. Algorithms nudging you, telling you who you should be. Change this. Fix that. Do more. Try harder.

And somewhere in all that, you start to wonder if you’re enough.

People are posting, sharing, and painting a picture of life that feels just out of reach. It doesn’t matter how old you are—that pressure has a way of stealing your joy.

But here’s what is steady, no matter the noise:

You were chosen. Your value is not up for negotiation.

You don’t have to tweak or polish yourself before God can love you. Nope. You’re chosen. Before you could measure up or fall short, you were already known and deeply loved. God called you His own long before the world started demanding you prove your worth.

No opinion, expectation, or comparison can undo that. His love is steadier than the noise.

Maybe today doesn’t get quieter. Maybe the voices don’t suddenly stop. But there is something underneath it all—steady, unshaken, and true. There is a place where your worth isn’t fragile or up for debate.

Linger there a little longer than usual. Let that settle in because friend, that changes everything.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

• What voices or expectations have been the loudest in your life lately?
• In what ways have you been tempted to measure your worth by comparison or approval?
• How does knowing that God chose and loves you change the way you see yourself?
• What would it look like to rest in God’s love instead of striving to prove yourself?
• How can you spend more time listening to God’s truth than the world’s noise this week?

The post Loved Louder than Labels appeared first on 88.7 The Cross.

Matthew 11:30 — For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.

I can just imagine if Martha in the Bible was working from home. She’d be juggling Zoom calls and laundry and snacks for the kids and a burnt pot of spaghetti, while muttering, “Did anyone else see that email? Jesus help me. Why are my co-workers not doing anything?”

But you know, when Martha went to Jesus about Mary, he didn’t roll his eyes at her. He didn’t shame her for caring too much or trying to hold everything together. He just reminded her of this…

You can still care deeply, but you can also take a breath. Sit at my feet and keep your eyes on me, because you don’t have to carry it all.

So, if you’re feeling like you’re the ringmaster juggling a circus, just pause. Have a seat. Leave it at the feet of Jesus. Pray. Ask Him for help. Simply say, “Lord, I am here. I’m taking a pause and being still. Help me, Jesus.”

And maybe the chaos won’t disappear immediately, but something inside you can finally loosen its grip because you were never meant to carry all of this alone. Remember, God is not demanding perfection from you.

He just wants you to notice that He is there in the middle of all of it with you—steady and unhurried, ready to carry what you were never meant to. His way of carrying life is lighter than the exhausting striving we so often choose.

So today, even if it’s just for a minute between the noise and the next thing calling your name, there’s an open place at His feet where you can rest. Go to Him, and let Him be strong for you.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

• What burdens have you been trying to carry entirely on your own?
• In what areas of your life do you relate most to Martha right now?
• What would it look like for you to pause and sit at Jesus’ feet this week?
• Are you carrying responsibilities with Jesus—or just carrying them alone while hoping He helps?
• How does remembering that Jesus’ burden is light change the way you approach stress and pressure?

The post Rest for the Ringmaster appeared first on 88.7 The Cross.

Philippians 2:16 — Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

The air felt thick the moment I stepped out of the car in Start, Louisiana. I came expecting a small-town 5K, but the town had practically doubled in size.

Cars lined the road. People gathered in clusters. And I kept hearing one name—Hillary—spoken like everyone knew her.

That’s when the story started to come into focus. There is a pastor here—Jeff Thomas. He runs to support St. Jude. You see, his daughter, Hillary, died at five months old. She was on her way there for treatment, but she didn’t make it.

And somehow… Pastor Jeff kept running.

Not away from it—but straight through it. For her and for other families.

I saw Pastor Jeff out there running to remember his daughter and help other families. And all around him were others—locals, visitors, and strangers—moving in that same direction.

By the time it was over, I knew this was sacred.

It was about what happens when someone decides to keep going—and entrusts the ache to God. You see, we all carry things. Some of them heavy. Some of them unresolved. But there is a way to keep moving forward. Not by pretending it doesn’t hurt, and not by letting grief define the story, but by holding firmly to the word of God and continuing to live with hope.

And maybe that looks like one more step today. One step toward giving the hard things to a good God who can help you carry them.

And trusting that even now… none of it is in vain.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

• What burden or grief have you been trying to carry on your own lately?
• What does it look like for you to “keep going” while still being honest about your pain?
• How can holding firmly to God’s Word help you endure this season with hope?
• Is there one step of faith or surrender God may be asking you to take today?
• Where have you seen God bring purpose or impact out of something painful in your life?

Want to Run with Pastor Jeff? Click for Details

The post When Grief Keeps Going appeared first on 88.7 The Cross.

Revelation 15:3-4 — Great and marvelous are your works, O Lord God, the Almighty. Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations. Who will not fear you, Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous deeds have been revealed.

It wasn’t a stage. It wasn’t a writing room.

It was water.

During the chaos and uncertainty of 2020, Chris Tomlin found himself in Montana, sitting alone on a paddleboard in the middle of a still lake at sunset. No noise. No crowd. Just water and silence.

And on that lake, something unsettled him—in a good way.

He became deeply aware of how small he was… and how vast God is.

Not in a crushing way. In a clarifying way.

He had spent years writing songs of deliverance—songs people cling to when they need rescue, grace, and mercy. And those songs matter. Deeply.

But out there on the water, something else was rising.

A different kind of worship song. It was not one that sounded like “God, come through for me,” but “God, you are holy.”

The kind that echoes what’s already been sung long before any of us arrived:

There in that awe-inspiring setting, Chris was reminded of the book of Revelation, where believers from every nation worship before God’s throne crying out, “Great and marvelous are your works, O Lord God Almighty… for you alone are holy.” He also thought about the angels surrounding God’s throne declaring, “Holy, holy, holy.”

That’s where Holy Forever was born—out of stillness, not striving.

It holds both sides of worship we often separate: the God who rescues us, and the God who stands far above us. Because we need both the God who meets us in our mess, and the same God who reminds us He was never overwhelmed by it at all.

And maybe that’s what your soul needs today—not just rescue, but reverence.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

• When was the last time you truly stopped and felt awe at God’s greatness?
• Do your prayers lean more toward asking God for help or worshiping Him for who He is?
• How does remembering God’s holiness change your perspective on your problems?
• What helps you slow down enough to notice God’s presence?
• Why is it important to remember both God’s nearness and His majesty?

Lyrics:

A thousand generations falling down in worship
To sing the song of ages to the Lamb
And all who’ve gone before us and all who will believe
Will sing the song of ages to the Lamb

Your name is the highest
Your name is the greatest
Your name stands above them all
All thrones and dominions
All powers and positions
Your name stands above them all

And the angels cry, Holy
All creation cries, Holy
You are lifted high, Holy
Holy forever

If you’ve been forgiven and if you’ve been redeemed
Sing the song forever to the Lamb
If you walk in freedom and if you bear His name
Sing the song forever to the Lamb
We’ll sing the song forever and amen

Hear your people sing, Holy
To the King of Kings, Holy
You will always be, Holy
Holy forever

You will always be, Holy
Holy forever

The post Paddleboards and Praise appeared first on 88.7 The Cross.

Proverbs 16:24 — Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

I almost didn’t say anything. She looked polished. She looked confident, like the kind of woman who didn’t need anything from anyone, especially not from me.

But all week long, her name kept coming to mind—in the grocery store, during my quiet time, while folding laundry. When a name won’t leave you alone, it’s often not random—it’s an invitation to respond.

So when I saw her slipping out of church alone, I felt that quiet nudge saying, “Tell her.”

So I did.

I said to her, “I’ve been praying for you. God brought you to mind this week, and I just wanted you to know that you’re not forgotten.”

She smiled politely. She said, “Thank you,” and that was it. But as I watched her walk away, I saw something shift, like her shoulders softened a little—like someone had finally looked past the perfect hair and the smart heels and saw her.

Like a kind word had landed deeper than it sounded, settling in like sweetness where something had once been sour. The right words, offered at the right time, can taste like honey. They reach places we’ll never fully see, bringing comfort, healing, and hope to weary hearts.

That’s why we’re called to encourage each other and carry each other’s burdens. We never know what a small obedience will do, but sometimes the smallest words can speak the loudest love. A simple, obedient act of encouragement can lighten someone’s unseen burdens and quietly reflect Christ’s love.

So when that name comes to mind again, don’t ignore it. Lean into the nudge. Your small act of encouragement may become the very thing God uses to bring healing to someone who desperately needs it.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

• Has God ever placed someone on your heart unexpectedly?
• When was the last time someone’s kind words deeply encouraged you?
• Are there people around you who may look “fine” on the outside but still need encouragement?
• What keeps you from speaking encouraging words sometimes?
• Who could you intentionally encourage today with a text, prayer, or conversation?

The post Honey for the Heart appeared first on 88.7 The Cross.

Galatians 6:10 — Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

You know someone. Oh, yes, you do.

You know who I’m talking about.

The human rain cloud, the sigh before the sentence, the person who treats “good morning” like a personal attack. You’re picturing them right now, aren’t you? Well, “Do a Grouch a Favor Day” is an actual day. Now stay with me, because somewhere along the way, we all decided the proper response to grumpiness is avoidance.

You delete the group chat, you slide past them in the hallway, send a reaction emoji instead of actual compassion. But what if instead of rolling our eyes, we rolled up with our favorite snack? What if the person who growls at the staff meeting is just one chocolate chip cookie away from home? Think about that. What if the coworker who vents like it’s an Olympic sport just needs someone to say, “All right… tell me what’s really going on.”

Here’s a wild thought. The loudest grump in the room might just be the loneliest heart in the room. And maybe this is our chance to lean in, to do a little good right where we are, especially when it would be easier to keep our distance.

Now here’s a few things you could do.

You could surprise them with their go-to treat, maybe offer help with the project they’ve been wrestling with. Or even just write a note that says, “I see you.”

Or another thought—just let them grumble it all out.

Because sometimes the cure for cranky isn’t correction. It’s compassion. A gentle answer turns away wrath—not a clapback, not a sarcastic meme. Gentleness.

So today, find the grouch and love them anyway. Not to fix them or win them over, but to quietly choose kindness in a place where it’s rarely expected. Take every opportunity you have to do good. Because sometimes hearts soften one small act at a time… and yes, a chocolate chip cookie probably doesn’t hurt either.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

• Who in your life is difficult to love right now?
• Have you ever considered that someone’s irritability may be masking loneliness or pain?
• How do you typically respond to negative or grumpy people?
• What is one practical way you could “do good” for someone this week without expecting anything in return?
• How has God shown patience and kindness toward you in difficult seasons?

The post Give a Grouch a Cookie appeared first on 88.7 The Cross.

Philippians 2:4 — Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

There are stories we’ve all played out in our heads and hearts since we were kids. Cops and robbers, kings and queens, or racecar drivers…

For me, I imagined life as a superhero.

Cape and all. With fight sequences, slow-motion landings, and last-second saves.

I remember having a trampoline in my back yard. That was the best place to play out action-packed superhero games with your friends.

The neighborhood kids and I would bounce and flip, shooting imaginary webs and lasers and taking turns being the hero while everyone else played the bad guys.

It was chaotic and creative and honestly… kind of perfect.

…until it wasn’t…

Because you remember how those childhood games go.

It’s all fun until someone breaks a rule. Rules, that of course, you are actively making up as you go. Rules that were never agreed upon. And just like that, the play fighting turns into real fighting.

Someone gets upset. Someone storms off crying. And somehow, the very next day, you all get back together again to play the same game expecting different results.

I think we still do that in life, don’t we?

We just don’t call it a game anymore.

We carry around quiet rules. Things like unspoken expectations about how people should treat us, respond to us, or show up for us. Some of those things are good. But some of them… are just our rules.

And when people don’t follow them, it stings. It feels like they’re playing it wrong.

But what if that’s the problem?

Maybe life was never meant to revolve around my version of the game. Maybe the real win isn’t getting others to meet my expectations, but learning to lay mine down long enough to truly see others. To value them above myself. To care for them.

Because the strongest kind of life—the kind that actually holds people together—doesn’t come from always being the hero. It looks more like Jesus’s life, who set aside the spotlight, picked up a towel, and served the people in front of Him.

Turns out, that’s a better story to tell, isn’t it?

And maybe, you start to see that winning looks a lot more like love.

A MOMENT TO REFLECT

• What “quiet rules” or unspoken expectations do you tend to place on others?
• How do you usually react when people don’t meet those expectations?
• In what ways did Jesus model humility and service instead of self-focus?
• What would it look like to genuinely value someone else’s needs above your own this week?
• Where might God be inviting you to trade being “right” for choosing love instead?

The post A Super Life to Live appeared first on 88.7 The Cross.