Buckeye Christian Church

Why the Free Bible Speech?

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 08:41:13 +0000

Why does John say we give away the Word of God for free every single week?

If you have ever visited, been a part of our livestream, or heard our sermons on the radio, there is something that John says every single week. From the front, I read from the NIV Bible. If you would like to follow along in the same Bible that I am using, we have some in the rows and a stack in the back. If you do not own a Bible, please take one with you. It is yours to keep. We will always give away the Word of God for free here at Buckeye. But this brings about a question. Why does John repeat this every single sermon he gives? The Bible is the inspired word of God, given to us to know who God is, what God has done, and how we can draw closer to Him every day. What is amazing is that the Bible itself tells us what it is and what it is for.

2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.

Right here, the Bible is explaining to us that these words are more than just one man’s thoughts. Many people have written books since writing began, but why is the Bible different? Why does it feel different? Why does it hit the soul differently? That is because these are not just man’s words but words that were given to men by the creator of the universe, the King of all! When God speaks, it moves our very souls, and we should take these words to heart. With that, we are told that these words can be used to teach people about everything in this world and about things not of this world. We can use these words to point out what is not from God and what is wrong in our lives and in this world. Then we can take these words and use them to correct or point to what God has always wanted for us and from us. Lastly, it is used to train in righteousness, which means to draw closer to God, to be the person that God has truly created us to be, which is someone who is holy and righteous.
But we cannot stop there. The Bible is great for these things, but we get some amazing benefits when we know the words in this book.

Matthew 4:4 - Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

Everybody needs to eat. Without food, we have no energy, we start to feel bad inside and out, and the lack of food can make us what people refer to as “hangry,” or angry from hunger. Just like we have this need for food to nourish our bodies, we have this need for something to nourish our souls. Something that will keep us going when times in life are dark, crushing, and defeating. The harsh reality is that nothing we consume can replenish our hearts and souls, except something that is not from this world. These words right here in the Bible are known as our daily bread. It is the only thing that can truly keep us going, no matter what this life throws at us.
This is just scratching the surface of what the Bible can do for us and what it is for. There are verses that tell us that the Word of God is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Meaning it will lead you in the right direction, but it is something only God can do. The Word of God is also alive and active. One thing that never ceases to amaze me about the Bible is that it speaks into my life no matter what I am going through, and the craziest part is that it could be a verse I have read or spoken 100 times. It reaches your heart and will teach and guide you at the perfect time.
So again, why does John say we give away the Bible every week? If this is a sneak peek into what the Bible truly is, why would we not want everyone to have this in their hands? Why would we not want to help as many people understand who God is by giving them a book that we constantly teach, preach, and talk about? With Buckeye being a place where we can have new visitors on the regular, one thing we want to have for them when they leave is the word of God at no cost to them. God’s word is for all and can change the heart of any man, so with that, if you do not own a Bible, please take one; it is yours to keep! We will always give away the Word of God for free here at Buckeye!!

Mark 12:30-31

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000

When asked which commandment was most important, Jesus did not hesitate. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)

As Christians, we instinctively know that loving God is our main job. How could we not love the One who loved us first and has blessed us so richly? I think Jesus gave us the second commandment knowing it wouldn’t be as straightforward or easy.

Which neighbors are we talking about? The one who brings us fresh-baked banana bread? The one who keeps an eye on our house when we are away? The one whose dog does its business in our yard with nary a poop bag in sight? Are people at school and work considered neighbors? What about atheists? Muslims? Transgender people? Addicts? The mentally ill? The hard answer is yes; all these people are our neighbors, and Jesus commands us to love them.

The parable of the Good Samaritan shows us that a neighbor can be someone from a different culture, a different status, or someone we have never even met (Luke 10:25-37). When we see or hear of someone in need, we should think of them as our neighbor. This is why so many churches have meal trains, clothing drives, diaper donations, sponsorships for children in disadvantaged countries, and other organized ways to help others.

Loving our neighbors can be an everyday action as well. Let’s say you’re going to the grocery store. You grab a cart on your way in that someone left in a parking space. You help an elderly woman reach a box she can’t get from her motorized scooter. You make faces at a grumpy toddler to make him laugh. You return a coupon to someone who didn’t notice it was dropped. You compliment the cashier who looks overworked. You have loved on many neighbors, and it didn’t cost you a thing.

There’s a third part to these commandments that’s hidden in the second one: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Many Christians spend time, effort, money, and prayers loving their family, friends, church, and other neighbors. This is as it should be. But do we also love ourselves? We offer grace to others when they invariably mess up, but do we offer that same grace to ourselves? God loves us and forgives us in spite of our many faults. While we are loving and forgiving our neighbors, let’s remember that God says we are worthy of love, also.
This week, be on the lookout for neighbors you could show some love to. Keep in mind that those who need love the most are often those who seem the most unlovable!

Hebrews 10:24

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000

The Bible has many insightful verses about God’s instruction on how to consider “one another.” You cannot read these verses and not be humbled at how great His love is for us.

We are to share each other’s burdens.
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” - Galatians 6:2
Encourage and build each other up.
“Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
A friend loves at all times.
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” - Proverbs 17:17
Two are better than one.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Spur one another on toward love and good deeds and encourage meeting one another.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” - Hebrews 10:24-25
Serve one another humbly.
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” - Galatians 5:13
We are commanded to love each other as Christ loves us.
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” - John 15:11-13
Forgive one another as the Lord forgave you.
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you have a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” - Colossians 3:13
Be devoted to one another, think of others as higher than you.
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” - Romans 12:10
Lift spirits during tough times, put others first.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.” - Philippians 2:3-4

Though I have fallen short in these, I am so grateful for His love and concise instruction, and I wish to please Him by obeying. There have been times in my life when having a Christian friend to talk to—who uplifts, encourages, and loves without end—has been a treasure to my heart. Life can be hard, but He wants us to live harmoniously and experience joy. I find devoting each day to Him and asking Him to walk with me through the day helps me to live life one day at a time. He is our true best friend.

I am happy to write a sweet summary on this topic:
May we strive to share each other’s burdens, encourage, and build each other up, always loving our friends knowing that two together are better than one. May we spur one another on toward love and good deeds, encouraging togetherness, serving one another humbly, loving as Christ loves us, forgiving, being devoted, honoring, lifting spirits in tough times, and living in peace.

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - Romans 15:5-6

Ephesians 4:32

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:00:00 +0000

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “forgiveness”? Most likely, you are thinking about a time when someone hurt you. Maybe it is something that just recently happened, or maybe it’s something that happened long ago. As humans, it is incredibly easy to get caught up in past hurts, even easier to hold onto them, and easier still to take those hurts and allow them to turn to anger and hate. When we fall into that trap, however, we almost always end up making the pain worse. The only true way to stop that process is through forgiveness.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” - Ephesians 4:32

This verse is often shared when we are hurting, and it often feels like an attack. We think, “Why should I forgive them when they did ____, and they don’t even care?!” which only adds to the hurt we are feeling. The thing is, forgiveness has absolutely nothing to do with what the other person says, does, or feels about the situation. Forgiveness is about what is in YOUR heart. I once heard someone say, “Holding on to anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to feel the pain.” When we hold on to the things that have hurt us, we are choosing to feel the pain over and over again. But when we forgive, we are able to let go of the hurt so it doesn’t keep building up. That doesn’t mean we can forget what happened, or that we just let things that cause us pain continue to happen, but it takes control of our emotions away from past transgressions.

I know from my own experience how much that is an “easier said than done” process. But this scripture from Ephesians actually gives us a lot of information on how to go about forgiving others. So, let’s break it down, starting with the last part, “just as in Christ God forgave you.” We know that Jesus died on the cross to forgive us of our sins. He did this because God loves us so thoroughly that He didn’t want anything to get in the way of us having a relationship with Him. God values our relationship above everything else, and in prioritizing having a relationship, He was able to find a way to let go of all of the ways we have wronged Him.

Adding on a little bit to that scripture, the part just before it says, “forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” So, thinking about how God forgave us, that means that we have to value our relationships with one another more than we value being “right” about the situation. We grow up hearing “say sorry” when we do something wrong to another person, and we expect that apology when someone hurts us, often becoming angry when the apology doesn’t come. But the Bible doesn’t tell us to wait for sorry. The Bible tells us to forgive, period. When we get caught up in waiting for an apology, and we hold on to our anger, we are showing through our actions that we care more about being right than we do about the person on the other end of the issue. We have to actively choose to value our relationships first, and by doing so, forgiveness becomes just a little bit easier. How easy is it to forgive a toddler when they smack you, because you love them so much and care more about them than you do about their mistakes? The same can be true for adults, if you can be intentional about prioritizing the person over the problems.

Finally, let’s look at the beginning of the verse, “Be kind and compassionate to one another.” Notice that there aren’t any qualifiers on that? It’s not “be kind and compassionate to one another when they are doing what you want,” or “be kind and compassionate to one another when they agree with you,” or “be kind and compassionate to one another if you don’t have anyone else on your side,” or even “be kind and compassionate to one another when they are kind and compassionate to you.” No, we are called to be kind and compassionate to one another ALWAYS. If you value something, you take care of it. If you value a car, your job, or your home, you will do everything in your power to take care of it. How much more effort, then, should we be putting into valuing and caring for the people in our lives? It is easy to show kindness and compassion when relationships are going smoothly, but just as when our car breaks down, we have to put in the effort to get it fixed, we have to put effort into maintaining our relationships when they start to break down. That kindness and compassion comes in the form of free forgiveness. We didn’t have to earn God’s forgiveness, and we can show the same generosity by giving ours just as freely, with no expectations attached.

God sent His Son to be the ultimate sacrifice so that we could have a relationship with Him. He is the perfect example of valuing people above problems. When someone hurts us, we need to think about His example and remember that we are called to do the same. In the book of Matthew, when asked what the greatest commandments are, in verses 37-39, Jesus says, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” When we focus on loving our neighbors as ourselves, and we prioritize maintaining and rebuilding our relationships with those around us when hurts happen, forgiveness comes much more easily. I pray that you give yourself permission to value the people around you so much that whatever situation you may find yourself in where forgiveness is necessary becomes a situation where you can forgive freely, and that you truly feel the weight of that hurt be lifted from your shoulders.

Romans 12:10

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 05:00:00 +0000

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." - Romans 12:10

Breaking Down the Verse

Being Devoted: Devoted is an adjective describing someone or something characterized by strong loyalty, deep affection, or intense dedication to a person, cause, or activity. It implies a steadfast commitment—structuring your time and energy around someone or something rather than just participating when it is convenient (Merriam-Webster).
One Another: The Cambridge Dictionary defines "one another" as a reciprocal pronoun used to indicate that each member of a group (typically two or more people) does something to or for the other members in a shared action or relationship.
Honor One Another: Honor is defined as an individual's esteem, as well as a personal code of integrity, referring to fairness and honesty (Dictionary.com).

Romans 12:10 encourages us to "outdo one another in showing honor" (or as other translations put it, "outdo one another in showing love"). This means true love is not self-centered or self-serving. It is not about personal gain or recognition, but about leading with humility and generosity. This often means sacrificing our comfort, listening more than we speak, and encouraging others without expecting anything in return.
According to Jesus, love is not merely a feeling, but an active, willful choice to seek the well-being of others. He summarized it as an unwavering commitment to two things: wholehearted devotion to God (Mark 12:30) and selfless service to humanity, stating, "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-39). When Jesus said "love one another" (John 13:34-35), he meant that his followers should love each other with the same sacrificial, unconditional, and active love that he demonstrated—putting the good of others above their own.

The Nature of God's Love

1 John 4:8 makes the profound claim that "God is love." It would be easy to read this passage and assume it simply means that He has love, but it actually states that He is love. There is a massive difference. God is not defined by love; rather, love is defined by God. After all, God the Creator brought love into existence.
Author Joyce Meyer writes, "Love is an essential attribute of God's character. It is not merely one of His many characteristics but is central to who He is." In the original Greek of the New Testament, the word used here is agape, which refers to a deliberate and self-sacrificial choice to care for others. When we look to God, love is defined by complete selflessness, truth, and sacrificial action (Ty Gibson, Light Bearers). God is the ultimate origin and definition of true love.
While Christians are called to love everyone, Scripture emphasizes that this specific kind of love for one another is the primary way the world will recognize His disciples (John 13:35). This action-oriented love involves serving, giving, and sacrificing personal goals to lift others up.

Called to Be Set Apart

As Christians, we are called to be set apart and not conform to the ways of the world (Romans 12:2). Peter describes believers as chosen (1 Peter 2:9) and called out of darkness into the light, standing out from the rest of society. God sets us apart for specific purposes—to dedicate our time, talents, and resources for His special use. When we love God, we listen and follow. When we serve God, we serve others, showing tangible love and loyalty to our fellow believers.
Ultimately, Jesus demonstrated this definition of love through His own life, serving as the perfect model for how to love others with humility, patience, and unwavering grace. Jesus taught that to love Him is to keep His commandments and care for the vulnerable—the hungry, the stranger, and the oppressed (Matthew 25:40). He desired that His followers be marked by this exact, unconditional care for one another (John 15:13). It means loving in a way that is inherently sacrificial and selfless.

Romans 12:9-13 retrieved from The Message 9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; 11-13 practice playing second fiddle. Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. So as you think about living your spiritual faith, remember the words of our Savior, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:12-13)

Why the same Intro?

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Why does John start every sermon with, “My name is John Thomason, and I am the lead minister here at Buckeye?”

Every week, when I preach to a congregation, I tell whoever is listening that my name is John Thomason and that I am the lead minister here at Buckeye. It is repetitive, and those who know me say, " Yes, we know your name, and we know your position at the church.” So the question is, why do I say it every single week? This answer is multifaceted, and I pray it will help explain the why. First, here at Buckeye, we have been greatly blessed with opportunities for people to enjoy our sermons. We livestream and archive every single sermon onto our Facebook page, website, and app. This has been an awesome opportunity to reach anyone looking for a sermon online, and I can tell you that we have hundreds of people who watch every week. In addition to our online presence, our sermons are also aired on The River radio station. One thing we believe here at Buckeye is that it is about building God’s kingdom, not our own. The River Radio station has been a way for us to connect to a very large group of people, to bring the good news of Jesus, which we would not be able to accomplish by having them all come to our building at the same time. So why the name? When someone hears who you are and what you do, it already makes it more personal and can bring comfort in knowing that this person has devoted their life to giving the Word of God. Now, as I always say, never just take someone’s word for flat-out truth; go and read the Bible for yourself. But sharing who you are does open the hearts of all people who are listening to the gospel. Sharing the truth of Jesus Christ is very relational, and when people know a little about who you are, they can feel more connected to you. When Paul wrote his letters, he would say who he was and what role he played.

Romans 1:1 – Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God

1 Corinthians 1:1 – Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,

Philippians 1:1 – Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus

I know from the outside this can look like a place of pride, but it is more about familiarity and credibility. In Paul’s time, if a letter arrived with no author or indication of who sent it, people would ask why they should even read it. This world we live in is a world of anonymity on the internet, where anyone can say and write anything, and you may never know who they are, what credentials they hold to give you this information, or if it is at all a credible source.
This little connection of giving your name and what you do allows people to have a name to put with who shared the gospel with them and it can open new listeners up to the teachings of this person. With that being said…
My name is John Thomason, and I am the lead minister here at Buckeye Christian Church. I pray that everyone has a blessed week, and praise be to God for all the blessings He has given us! God Bless!!

Proverbs 31 Women

Sun, 24 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

“Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain. But a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30 ESV

When I think of charm and beauty, I think of a Beauty Pageant. Not many people know this, but I was in a Miss Teen Pageant when I was in High School. I also took modeling classes. They taught us poise, charm, beauty with a purpose, emphasizing grace, leadership and making a difference. I used to think that beauty was an outward thing, but as I got older, I learned that beauty is inward. Your character, integrity and how you treat people is more beautiful than our outward appearance.

The definition of charm is power or quality of giving delight or admiration. This verse says that charm is deceitful. It is misleading. We are to be humble, not seeking admiration.

The definition of vain is having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities or worth. The Bible version of vain is something that is empty, futile or lacking substance and purpose. The verse says that beauty is vain. Beauty is futile and empty.

Proverbs 31:20 says: she opens her hands to the poor and reaches her hand to the needy. Treat people with respect and love. Verse 26 says: she opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

We as women should care more about walking with God and following Him than focusing on our outward beauty. We should read our Bible to become wise so we can teach and show other women how to walk with God. Spiritual devotion is better than outward appearances. We should focus on God-honoring character instead of vanity. Our self-worth is found in our relationship with God, not in being perfectly beautiful. Develop your spiritual life with your Bible. Memorize Scripture so you can always be ready to tell people about God.

One of my favorite new songs is "The Truth"- By Megan Woods. It says....How many times can you hear the same lie, before you start to believe it? The enemy keeps whispering to me, I swear these days, it's all that I'm hearing. I used to know who I was, now I look in the mirror and I'm not so sure. Lord, I don't wanna listen to the lies anymore. The truth is I am my Father's child, I make him proud and I make him smile. I was made in the image of a perfect King. He looks at me and wouldn't change a thing. The truth is I am truly loved by a God who's good, when I'm not good enough. I don't belong to the lies, I belong to You, and that's the truth.

You can listen to the rest of the song but it tells us that walking with God and obeying, worshipping, serving and trusting Him is the most important thing and He loves us as we are. Charm and beauty mean nothing if it doesn't match our inner spiritual self.

You are all worthy and beautiful!! Love you all!

Mary & Martha

Sun, 17 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."" Luke 10:38-42 NIV

More often than not, I would rather sit and listen to my dad talk—about his time as a missionary, his childhood, or the many people he’s met. He is a man full of wisdom, and God has used him in so many amazing ways. I’m always wanting to see him and hear from him. But just like in the story of Mary and Martha, life still has to be lived. I have responsibilities. I have a job. I don’t get to spend as much time with my dad as I would like. And even when I do, I often have somewhere else to be, so I have to leave. You might think, after hearing all that, that I would relate more to Martha in this story—but I don’t. I relate to Mary.

I have a deep desire to know Jesus—who He is, what He wants, and what God has done for me. Have I always been good at this? Nope... But there’s something inside of me, just like Mary, that longs to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to every word He speaks—just like I desire with my father here on earth. When this story takes place, Jesus is physically there with them—walking, talking, and spending time in their home. When He arrives, Mary recognizes that this moment is the most important thing. She chooses to sit, listen, and be with Him—above everything else.

In that culture, she would have been expected to help her sister—preparing meals, cleaning, and serving. Martha was busy and even frustrated that Mary wasn’t helping. But Mary knew that being with Jesus mattered more than expectations, more than responsibilities, even more than the opinions around her. She understood that He would be leaving to go and teach others again. This was her moment to sit with her Rabbi, her Teacher—and nothing else compared.

Jesus came and lived among people. Jesus told her and others He would never leave them or forsake them but then he died on a cross. Mary's moments were now only memories. While Mary had Jesus physically in front of her for a time, she didn't know there was more to come. Jesus died on the cross and then rose from the grave, He gave us something better than his physical body, He gave the ultimate gift—the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus / God live in us!! Mary sat beside Jesus for a moment in time, but now we get to walk with Him every moment!! We may desire to physically see Jesus, or we can’t wait to see Him in heaven—but but but... we take for granted Who Jesus gave us for the here and now. The Holy Spirt!

My desire hasn’t changed—but the accessibility has!! Every day, we can walk in the Awareness that our Heavenly Father, the Author of Creation, the Almighty is right beside us—guiding us, loving us, talking with us and never leaving us. We walk with the understanding that Jesus is not limited by a physical body anymore nor are we! My prayer is that our hearts stay open to this gift, The Holy Spirit every moment of every day— especially when we feel busy, distracted, or alone. Will we be perfect at this? Nope. But that doesn’t change the truth:

We are not alone! Jesus is with us!

That Outfit?

Sat, 16 May 2026 12:44:36 +0000

Why does John wear Buckeye T-shirts, sweatshirts, and jeans every week to preach?

Depending on when and where you have attended a church service, you will see many different people in many different outfits, representing many different cultures. We know that the house of the Lord is for all and all are welcome, but we have some thoughts and traditions that we love. I know when I see those beautiful, ornate hats on an Easter morning, it tells me that someone has come dressed to the nines to worship the creator of the universe. There is never anything wrong with wearing your Sunday best when your heart is set on bringing your best to God. This is a personal conviction and concerns the individual's heart, but we have to understand that the attire we wear to church does not define where we stand with God. It is best said in 1 Peter 3:3-4

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
- 1 Peter 3:3-4

Over my years of ministry, I have been to churches where the unspoken or maybe even audibly spoken requirement is to wear only suits and ties, but I have also been to churches where there is no requirement on your attire to attend their church service. The reason for my attire is to ensure that anyone who attends can instantly see that everyone is welcome, no matter what you are wearing. What we have on as our outer layer can be what people judge us by, and where we feel truly welcome. If you were to walk into a hospital gala trying to raise $50 million while wearing jeans and a t-shirt, you would feel very out of place. You will instantly start looking at everyone around you, what they are wearing, and then what the key speakers are wearing. If you find yourself not dressed like the others, you will instantly start to question whether you belong there, worry about judgment, and, more than likely, leave feeling embarrassed. I understand the thought process that we are going to be communing and praising the creator of the universe, and this may make us want to dress to impress, but God wants your heart above all, and all are welcome. I have personally been told by multiple people that when they walked into our service and saw what I was wearing, they felt they could belong here, felt comfortable, and were ready to learn more about the one who created it all. That is what the church is all about. Romans 10:11-13 says,

As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
- Romans 10:11-13

Make sure to come to church this Sunday dressed in the attire that allows you to give your heart completely to God, and I pray that I will get to worship and praise the one who knows you and loves you personally!

Introductions

Sat, 16 May 2026 12:39:58 +0000

Hello everyone,
This is a man out of his mind. As I say in my digital discipleship videos, which are called “A Man Out of his mind”. The whole point of this comes from 2 Corinthians 5:13, If we are 'out of our mind,' as some say, it is for God. Many have had many questions about why John does what he does in ministry, and I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to share the reason behind the madness. If you have questions about why we do what we do, please email me at john@buckeyecc.org, and I will try to answer you personally, or I may even put it in this blog. If you take one thing away from this, may it be that God is King and that it is all about building God’s kingdom, not our own. Thank you all, and God bless!

If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
- 2 Corinthians 5:13

Mary - Mother of Jesus

Sun, 10 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Luke 1:26-28 NLT

Can you even imagine? I can't. I think I would be speechless just like Mary was at first, but then when she hears what the angel says she doesn't doubt, not for one second. “For the word of God will never fail.” Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. Luke 1:37-38 NLT

But don't miss the words of Gabriel " the word of God will never fail." Do we cling tight to those promises? When things get hard do we turn to God or away from Him? Do we try to figure it out on our own or do we trust that the words of God never fail?

Mary did and she didn't hesitate. Look at all she endured in her life being the mother of Jesus, not just the fact of him being her child, but also the Messiah, which she completely couldn't understand at the time. In the Bible there are so many promises that God makes toward us. He promises to never leave us, He promises to go before and behind us and have His hand upon us, He promises all things work together for good according to His purposes. He promises to be near the brokenhearted and those crushed in spirit.

I've found lately that it helps me to declare things out loud. It takes it from my head to my heart and for me it just works. The truth I'm standing in right now is God is trustworthy (Proverbs 3:5-6). This is what Mary believed and lived and sometimes, too, each of us need this reminder.

So, what promise of Jesus is the Holy Spirit reminding you that you need to say out loud and believe like Mary?

Prophet Anna

Sun, 03 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

“There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” Luke 2:36-38

In just three short verses, we see through the prophetess Anna, a model of perseverance, devotion in prayer, thankfulness and joyful boldness. Widowed after only seven years of marriage, Anna spent the rest of her life dedicated entirely to God, in the temple day and night, worshipping, fasting & praying.

The world might have seen Anna as an insignificant elderly widow, but God saw a woman whose faithfulness was preparing her for a monumental moment. May we each remember that we also are significant to the fulfillment of God’s divine plan. God sees us, hears us and will use us if we allow Him to do so. Anna waited for decades for the promised Savior. May we persevere, trusting God’s timing & that He will answer our prayers in His way, not our way.

Because she lived in constant communion with God, Anna was attuned to His voice and recognized the Messiah immediately. When she saw Jesus, she gave thanks and spoke of Him to others who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. She became one of the first witnesses of Christ. May we be thankful and bold like her, sharing God’s hope with everyone we meet.

Prayer is of the utmost importance. Through the blood of Jesus, we have access to the Creator of the universe. Paul calls us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 to...

“rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Prayer is a privilege, allowing us to participate in God’s ongoing work in the world. If do not pray, we miss out on witnessing God’s blessings through answered prayer. Jesus regularly went off alone to speak with His Father. If prayer was important enough for Jesus, how much more important if should be for us.

May we follow Anna’s model, living in constant communion with God through prayer, joyfully sharing the Good News with everyone we meet

Serving As A Village

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000

We all have gifts. I believe my gift has always been serving. I’ve always had a passion for caring for other people—whether it is serving for the 614 service, watching kids, setting up chairs, or just bringing someone a coffee when they are having a bad day.

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." - 1 Peter 4:10

This verse tells us exactly how we should be using our gifts. I'm sure many people have heard of the importance of having a “village.” But to have a village, you have to be willing to be a village.
Being a village means making dinner for a family with a new baby, helping a friend clean their room during a depressive phase, or simply checking up on someone who is having a hard time. I have personally experienced this in my own life. When my brother passed away in March of 2025, my friends and family stepped up. We were showered with meals, texts, hugs, and gifts. These people are our village.

I want to encourage you: Be someone's village

If your gift is encouragement, write someone a card.

If it is teaching, help someone who is struggling with their Bible reading.
If it is leadership, step up and lead a Bible study.

No gift goes unnoticed in God’s eyes; He has given us these gifts for a reason. We are to use them to further His Kingdom. Serve others because God has given you these gifts to love those around you. I pray this encourages you all.

Serving with Zeal

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000

In my Christian life, I’ve always strived to do what I felt God was calling me to do. But if I’m honest, my humanness has often been my biggest hindrance. I am more of an introvert who longs to be an extrovert! I find myself second-guessing my actions most of the time, and I often hesitate to speak boldly for fear of rejection.
Even after thirty years in Christ, I sometimes feel no more zealous than I did when I first accepted Him. I can look back and see that I have indeed grown—but I also know that I can, should, and will do better! I am making a conscious effort to be more zealous and bold for Christ.

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” - Romans 12:11

If you struggle with this as well and need someone to vent to, please reach out to me. Community is one of the Church’s greatest strengths!

Blessings, Cynthia

Serving When It's Hard

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” - Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

Serving is such a beautiful thing, but if we’re honest, it can also be hard.
I have worked with youth in some capacity since my early 20s—so, for many years now! I am so blessed that I get to serve these young people. I truly love them. There have been nights when showing up felt easy: the room was full, the energy was high, and it felt like God was moving in powerful ways. But there are also times when things just don’t go as planned. Those nights are hard. Everyone is tired and cranky. What can I say? They are teens, and we all have difficult moments.
Those are the moments Galatians 6:9 speaks directly into.
Paul doesn’t say, “If you get weary.” He says, “Do not become weary,” because weariness is a real part of doing good. Serving week after week—whether in youth ministry, worship, setting up for 614, tech, leading a Bible study, or working behind the scenes—can slowly drain us if we start focusing only on what we see right now.
But God reminds us that there is a harvest.
In youth group, you don’t always see immediate results. A conversation you have today might not feel impactful to you, but after some time, a student may think back on what was said and how someone loved them enough to listen. In worship, the song you sing for the hundredth time might be the very song God uses to reach someone who walked in hurting and unsure. Serving isn’t about instant payoff—it’s about faithful obedience.

That’s why the song “Build My Life” by Pat Barrett fits this theme so well. The lyrics remind us that serving flows from worship:

“I will build my life upon Your love; it is a firm foundation.”

When our lives are built on Jesus, serving others isn’t about recognition or outcomes—it’s an act of worship. Even when we’re tired, and even when the fruit isn’t visible yet, we trust that God is at work beneath the surface. The harvest comes “at the proper time.”
God’s time. Not ours.
Serving requires trust—trust that God sees the unseen, values quiet faithfulness, and multiplies what feels small. When we sing, “I will put my trust in You alone,” we’re declaring that our perseverance comes from Him, not our own strength.
So, if you’re feeling worn down, discouraged, or questioning whether what you’re doing really matters, take heart. Keep showing up. Keep loving people. Keep serving with the strength God provides.

Don’t give up.
The harvest is coming. And when it does, we’ll see that every act of service—no matter how quiet or ordinary—was worth it.

Serving Behind the Scenes

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Serving in the church has always been a bit of a mystery to me. I didn't grow up in the church, and when I became a Christian as a teen, I didn’t really understand what "serving" meant. It was always discussed in terms of being in front of people—singing in the choir, joining the worship team, teaching, or preaching.
As a teen, I didn't mind the choir, but as I grew older, I became more introverted. The mere mention of being in front of people terrified me. Nope. No thank you. I don’t do well when people stare at me. I’m not a teacher. For a long time, I felt like there was no place for me to fit in.
For a while, my husband and I attended a church where you were guilted into serving wherever they had a "hole" to fill. It didn't matter if you had the talent or the interest; if it was "for God," you were expected to do it. During my time there, I was pressured into several areas I was not equipped for:

Teaching VBS: I am awkward around children, yet because I enjoyed crafts, I was expected to teach. I lost my voice every single time.
Easter Plays: I hate being on stage, but I was told I had to participate. I remember being up there coughing and sick, but staying because "it was for God."
The Sound Booth: I hated it, but again—it was expected.

God had not called me to those areas, but the pressure wore me down. The only thing I willingly did—and loved—was writing the newsletter. I wrote articles and poems and included photos. I loved it because I’ve always wanted to be an author. But the toxicity of that environment eventually became too much.
By the time I left that church, my view of serving was warped. I brought that trauma with me to Buckeye. For years, the phrase "It's for God" triggered a trauma response in me. I would make excuses or do whatever it took to avoid being involved. I felt like something was wrong with me, like I was "lacking" as a Christian because I didn’t want to serve out in the open.
But I was wrong. God used the people around me to slowly show me that I had talents to contribute—just behind the scenes. He showed me He can use me even if I’m not an extrovert.
It started small. Marti asked me to post a monthly Scripture Writing prompt on Facebook. At first, I didn’t even see it as serving; it felt too easy! But I eventually realized it was impacting women’s lives. It was a service to God that drew people closer to Him. That was a huge eye-opener for me.
Finally, I built up the courage to talk to my leadership. I met with John and Julie and was honest about my past trauma and my anxiety. They listened. They assured me that I would never be forced into a role I wasn't called to, and they gave me hope. I walked away from that meeting with two new opportunities: helping with worship team admin tasks and washing the tablecloths. Both are behind the scenes, but both further the Kingdom in their own quiet way.

"Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." - 1 Corinthians 15:58

I am still learning not to let past trauma or anxiety hold me back. I am learning that God has specific places for me to serve, and I want to give my very best to Him. It isn’t always easy, but I know it’s worth it—because nothing done for God is ever useless.

Gift of Encouragement

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." - Hebrews 10:24–25

Encouraging one another—did you know that this is a spiritual gift? I do, because it is a gift I have been given. I love to encourage others, especially the women in our church and those I come in contact with. I love to let people know that they are important and that they matter. It is something that comes easily to me. Even if encouragement is not your specific spiritual gift, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to encourage someone today.
In Luke 5:17–24, we see how a paralyzed man’s friends did not just encourage him with words; they went above and beyond for him:

One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”
- Luke 5:17–24

Those men carried their friend on a mat, climbed the stairs, and literally tore the roof off so they could bring him to Jesus. Do you have a friend like that? Someone who is willing to carry you the extra mile when life gets hard? More importantly, are you able to be that person for someone else?

We all struggle and have challenges in our lives. Often, we have to decide: do we share them with others and ask for prayer, or do we hold them inside, thinking we can do it on our own? Sharing our struggles is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of faith.
One of the things I’ve learned over the past year since losing Nate is that friends are so important. Sometimes encouragement isn't about saying the perfect thing; it’s just about letting people know you care.

This week, I am asking you to think about someone you could encourage. Send them a text, call them on the phone, or meet them for a coffee date. Just let them know how much they matter to you. Also, if God prompts your heart about someone, stop and pray for them—and then let them know you did. Listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. He may even surprise you with what He asks you to do.

Learning to Grow

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” - 2 Peter 3:18

I had barely touched a Bible in my whole life until early 2024. As you can imagine, I had a lot of trouble getting started. I had heard the story of creation, Adam and Eve, and Noah and the ark. I knew the Christmas story, but that was the extent of my Bible knowledge.

That started changing for me almost two years ago. I pulled out a Bible that had been given to me as a gift and started reading, only to discover I was very lost. I felt so disappointed and confused. Then, last year, I joined a women's Bible study. I took several of them, but again, I felt discouraged because the material seemed way over my head. I felt like I was sinking deeper and deeper into a sea of confusion.

Slowly, over time, and with the help of dear friends from Buckeye, I have learned more about Jesus. Now, when I’m reading alone, I come up with my own questions—and to me, that means I’m truly learning and growing. I still have a lot to read, which I will never stop doing. My learning and growing will never end. This is my never-ending adventure!

Heart for the Word

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000

2 Timothy 3:16-17

For so many years, I didn’t really read the Bible for myself. I went to church every week and listened to the sermons, but when I was with other women who could quote Scripture, I would wonder why it was so easy for them and not for me. How were they able to remember what they read? How did they even remember where it was in the Bible? When I did read my Bible, I certainly didn’t remember it well enough to confidently say, “The Bible says…” My time in the Word was sporadic and inconsistent. My mind would wander; I’d get bored. What was wrong, I wondered? I was so frustrated.

Through the example of godly women, I was able to see that they were intentionally setting aside time to be in God’s Word. The practice of being in the Bible embedded it in their hearts. At the time, I felt like I didn’t have the time to read every day. I didn’t think I had the attention span, and I certainly didn’t recall verses to fit life's situations. It seemed so much easier for everyone else.

But God showed me what the real issue was: the problem was my heart. I didn’t value the Bible as I should have. I wasn’t prioritizing my time; I was treating it like any other book instead of treasuring it as the very words of God. I was looking at it the wrong way because I was being deceived by Satan’s lies.

Satan doesn’t want me in God’s Word. He will do anything to separate me from a deeper relationship with God. 2 Timothy 3:16–17 says:

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Satan doesn’t want me in the Word because if I am, I will be able to recognize his lies. He doesn’t want me to grow and thrive in Christ. If I am not reading the Bible on my own, I am not going to fully know God, His will, or how to live daily in a way that truly reflects Jesus in my thoughts, actions, and words.

The first thing I did was ask God to help me have the desire to be in His Word. I took small steps. I continued to ask God for help with motivation, remembering, and understanding, and for the strength to put what I was reading into practice. Even when I didn't feel like it, I asked Him to help me do it anyway.

Through the consistency of being in the Bible daily, I began to make connections with passages I had read previously. With the repetition of reading, I started to recall verses (not always the book, chapter, and verse, but still!). Over time, I could see growth. In Acts 17:11, we learn that the church was so hungry for the Word of God that they were eagerly examining the Scriptures daily. I was finally growing to have that same Spirit-driven hunger!

Reading the Bible and growing in my walk with Christ is a lifelong pursuit. I am discovering so much more about who God is. I am becoming aware of misconceptions I have had and seeing areas where I need to grow. I am maturing in my relationship with Christ, being transformed and shaped by the truths of His Word. I have finally found joy in the practice of daily spending time with God.

Prince of Peace

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 12:10:27 +0000

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6

The title “Prince of Peace” suggests a hope and expectation, reflecting the promise of a leader who would bring true and lasting peace. This peace is not just the absence of conflict, but a deep, spiritual wholeness and reconciliation between God and humanity.

The Hebrews believed that the Messiah (the Prince of Peace) would come; that He would be able to ease their suffering and help them with all their worries and pain. They dreamed of how He would give protection from their enemies and conquer all the difficult things in their lives. I believe, at the time, their yearnings may have been misguided. They did not fully understand that Jesus, the coming Prince of Peace, would deliver them from their tribulations and bring them peace in their hearts; yet while on earth, they had to maintain their current lives with His love and guidance to persevere until they could be truly at peace with God in Heaven.

Fortunately for us today—and here in America specifically—we have the blessing of religious freedom. We can know Jesus, our Prince of Peace, without much suffering. We are taught that Jesus is with us while we are here on earth, along with the Holy Spirit. And with both in our hearts, all we need to do is bow our heads and call on Him to feel the peace we need in a tumultuous time.

It feels so very wonderful, when I’m frustrated with some trivial thing I can’t get right, to simply sit down, bow my head, and breathe deeply; then... ah, there it is, the Prince of Peace again holding my heart so gently! Such a blessing.

I have on my daily prayer list a plea that Christians in other countries, and those who are not as fortunate as us, will be able to bow their heads as well, breathe deeply, and let our Prince of Peace hold their hearts, giving them comfort and peace. Some fear for their lives and thus need Him—not only for feeling peaceful, but as a lifeline to God’s mercy.

Everlasting Father

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Isaiah says that God is the Everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6). What does that really mean? According to the Oxford dictionary, “everlasting” means lasting forever or a very long time. Not to be confused with the Energizer Bunny that can go on and on and on. Eventually, the bunny’s power will be used up. Not so with God.

In Revelation 1:8, God says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, who is, who was and who is to come.” This speaks to His self-existence; He has no beginning or end. He always has been and always will be. Also, Isaiah 40:28 says, “The Lord is the everlasting God.”

Not only is He everlasting, but all His attributes are also everlasting. The word “everlasting” appears in the Bible about 20 times to greater than 60 times, depending on which translation you use. Usually, this word is used in connection with God, either Himself or one of His attributes.

Abraham appears to be the first person who called God the Everlasting God (Gen. 21:33). Also, the Bible says that God is from everlasting to everlasting (1 Chronicles 16:36, Nehemiah 9:5, Psalm 41:13, and Psalm 106:48). There are mentions of God’s everlasting covenant with man and the creatures of the earth earlier in the Bible (Gen. 9:16, 17:7). So, we need to ask: can God make an everlasting covenant if He Himself is not everlasting? The answer is no; however, He can make an everlasting covenant because He IS everlasting, permanent, and always existing. Hard for us to wrap our finite human brains around, but since it is included in the Bible, which is God’s inerrant word, it is truth.

Now, regarding His attributes. The following list of scriptures tells some of His everlasting attributes. This is not an exhaustive list, as that would take many pages. This list will give you an idea of His everlasting attributes:

God’s everlasting arms, our dwelling place (Deut. 33:27)
God’s righteousness is everlasting (Ps. 119:142)
God’s kingdom is everlasting (Ps. 145:13)
God Himself is an everlasting rock (Isaiah 26:4)
God offers everlasting salvation (Isaiah 45:17)
God’s everlasting joy (Isaiah 51:11)
God’s love is everlasting (Isaiah 54:8, Jeremiah 31:3)
God’s light is everlasting (Isaiah 60:20)
God’s dominion is everlasting (Daniel 4:34)
God’s covenant is everlasting (Hebrews 13:20)

Back to Isaiah 9:6. This verse is a prophecy regarding the birth of Jesus, and one of His names will be the Everlasting Father. To better understand how the Son is referred to as Father, the gospel of Matthew 1:23 quotes Isaiah to support that Jesus fulfills this prophecy when Jesus is called Immanuel, which means God with us.

How else can we see scripture let us know that Jesus is eternal? In Genesis 1:26, God said, “Let us make mankind in our image…”. The key words in that verse are “us” and “our.” Also, John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God.” The “Word” is Jesus. Another convincing verse is John 17:5. That verse says, “And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with You before the world began.” In this verse, Jesus is praying to God and indicating His eternal existence. God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are all everlasting entities.
So regardless of our circumstances, we can rest in the fact that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are with us and are in control from everlasting to everlasting.

Mighty God

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 08:00:00 +0000

"For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
-Isaiah 9:6

As we enter the season of Advent, our focus and attention centers in on the birth of Jesus Christ and the gift that God the Father has given to us through Him.

I don’t know about any of you, but having children has completely changed the lens through which I view the birth of Christ. I gave birth to a baby girl in December and brought her home shortly before Christmas in 2019. I remember lovingly and joyfully crafting her birth announcement, excited to share the happy news with family and friends. I was sure to include details about her length and weight, arrival date and time, and a perfect photo of our sweet newborn baby girl. But, of course, the most important detail everyone wanted to know (and waited nine months to find out) was, what did we name this baby girl?!

In reminiscing back to that time and remembering all of the excitement and pure joy that comes from giving birth to a precious child, I am often compelled to compare my own experiences to the birth of Jesus. I don’t know if it’s because I gave birth in December around Christmas time, or if it’s something most Christian moms have done—maybe I’m just strange?! Not sure what the reason is, but I find myself thinking about it in this context.

What I’ve realized is that according to this prophetic verse in Isaiah 9:6, Jesus was given several names to be used in His birth announcement. Out of these names that are given, Mighty God is the one that sticks out to me. Could you imagine posting on social media, “Meet our beautiful new baby boy, Mighty God! 8 lbs, 6 oz; 21 in long and perfectly healthy!” It’s such a radical claim! A helpless, tiny newborn baby being called Mighty God? Unbelievable. Impossible. True.

All that power and wisdom and perfection, swaddled up in blankets, lying helplessly in a manger. Of all of the ways God could have come to us, this was what He chose? It makes me think of a song I love singing during Advent by Phil Wickham called “Manger Throne:”

Mighty God denied His own power and stepped down from His throne in Heaven to become a human baby. He became the lowest and most helpless version of mankind possible, totally dependent on those He had created to care for His every need. He traded majesty for meekness, and in doing so became Immanuel, God WITH us. How He can be human and God all at the same time is still such a mystery to me, and honestly it blows my mind. But I’m thankful He is who His birth announcement claimed Him to be: Mighty God.

Prayer: Lord, nothing is impossible for You. Your power is limitless and the grace that You extend to us is nothing short of extravagant. You are for us and not against us, so much so that You gave up the comfort of Heaven to experience humanity—all to be able to relate to us and show us the depth of Your love for us. You are Immanuel, God WITH us! Nothing can stand against You or defeat You, and You are on OUR side, fighting for us and working through us. Help us to remember that when we feel like You could never understand what we are going through, that You do—because You lived this human life with the same difficulties we face in a fallen world. You overcame it all—You are the unmatched Mighty God! And You love us more than anything. Thank You for the steadfastness of Your love, and for always being faithful in fulfilling Your promises. Amen.

Wonderful Counselor

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 09:48:46 +0000

I don’t listen to classical music often, but during the holidays I always listen to Handel’s Messiah. I love how he uses text from the Old Testament to foretell the life of Jesus. There are certain Bible verses that trigger the music in my mind every time I read them. One of these is Isaiah 9:6:

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
-Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

Want to hear the song now?

Note that the verse begins, “For unto US a child is born, unto US a son is given.” Jesus wasn’t just born unto Mary and Joseph; He was born unto all mankind, unto you and unto me. Hallelujah! Our blog posts this month will center on this verse, and how Isaiah’s prophecy is true for us today.

I will focus on Jesus as “Wonderful Counselor.” Or is it “Wonderful, Counselor”? The King James Version (and Handel) use a comma between the words, but the NIV version does not. We think of the word “wonderful” meaning “extremely good,” and it often does mean that. But it can also mean “causing wonder or astonishment; miraculous.” The double meaning of “wonderful” makes it an especially appropriate word for Isaiah to use in foretelling the birth of our Savior. Jesus was and is completely good, never sinning in word or deed. His conception itself was miraculous, causing astonishment to Mary and Joseph before He was even born. His life, His death, and His resurrection were so surprisingly amazing that we cannot fully fathom what He has done. Wonderful, indeed!

Jesus as “counselor” is more personal. When my daughter was a toddler, she taught me an important lesson. Potty training was not going particularly well. She loved the little potty we kept handy in the playroom. She put her toy food in it and stirred it up to “make soup.” We tried bribery—two M&Ms for every successful potty visit. She loved this also, and quickly learned that she could dribble a bit every five minutes and eat enough M&Ms to make her throw up. One day, after an accident while she was sitting on my lap that left us both soaked, I told my daughter I was out of ideas and asked her what we should do to make this work better. Very seriously, she looked me in the eye and said, “I think we should ask Jesus for help.”

Of course, we immediately did just that. Why had it not occurred to me to pray about this? Does Jesus even care about potty training problems? Of course He does!

During His lifetime, Jesus sought individual connections with people He met. His compassionate love for humankind, coupled with His infinite wisdom and intimate knowledge of each individual, make Him the perfect counselor. He helps us to see the truth of our lives, ugly as they may be. But He’s not willing to leave us there, confused, and wondering how to get out of the messes we find ourselves in.

Think of the woman at the well. Jesus met her where she was, both literally and figuratively. He did not shun her, as many did, but helped her to understand what she was missing in life, and how to obtain it. Wouldn’t it be WONDERFUL to meet with Jesus and have Him counsel us about our lives?

We may long for the day when we can be physically in the presence of Jesus, but in the meantime, He can still be our counselor. When we earnestly tell Jesus our concerns, and desire to follow God’s will in dealing with those concerns, Jesus will find a way to counsel us. Have you ever read a scripture and suddenly understood it in a new way that applied to your life right then, even though you’d read it countless times before? Or perhaps you heard a sermon that spoke directly to a need of your heart. Maybe you confided in a trusted friend who was inspired to give you godly advice. Even a feeling of peace about a decision you’ve been praying for could indicate Jesus giving wise direction in your life. Often, this counsel comes from the gift of the Holy Spirit which Jesus has given to each one of His beloved followers.

As we find ourselves scurrying around and occasionally overwhelmed in this busy and festive season, let us take time to confide in the Wonderful Counselor we have been blessed with.

Immanuel: God With Us

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 21:29:25 +0000

"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" - Matthew 1:23 (NIV)

The name "Immanuel" is a powerful reminder that God is with us. Matthew 1:23 quotes Isaiah 7:14, a messianic prophecy from God to the wicked King Ahaz of Judah, assuring him that God was present, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

Centuries later, that same promise was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus. God didn’t stay distant or removed. He entered our world as a baby, fully human, living among us. Jesus is truly God with us.

In Hebrews 1:3, we see that Jesus is the exact representation of God. Paul tells us in Colossians 2:9 that Jesus is the fullness of God in bodily form. In John 14:9, when Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father, Jesus revealed His identity, telling them, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.” To know Jesus is to know the Father.

Jesus is the only way to the Father. In John 14:6, Jesus tells us, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Jesus died for our sins to bring us back into fellowship with the Father. Jesus’s invitation to salvation stands open to all who call upon His name.

We may face uncertainty and struggles, yet the truth of Immanuel remains: God is with us. He is present in our everyday lives and is our source of peace and hope. We can enjoy an intimate relationship with Him if we call upon His name. He gives eternal life to all who receive Him, a transformed life that begins on earth and continues throughout eternity.

To Think About:

Where have you recently seen evidence that God is present with you?
In what struggles do you need to embrace His presence?
Who in your life needs to be reminded that God is present with them?

Cast Your Cares

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 12:36:26 +0000

When most people think of grief and loss, the first thing that comes to mind is death—the passing of someone dear. Sometimes it’s the loss of a relationship when someone makes destructive choices and separates themselves from you. In most minds, grief is tied to people.

But grief and loss take many forms. For example, today I had a full appointment booked—hair color, cut, style, the works. At the last minute, the client canceled. Just like that, I lost $200. On the surface, it might seem small compared to losing a loved one, but that $200 was money I needed to pay bills or buy groceries. That sudden gap became a loss. It’s a simple example, but it shows that grief can be tied to situations, finances, and unexpected disruptions—not just people.

If we look up the definition of grief, we’ll find:
"A deep sorrow, especially caused by someone’s death.”
But when I hear grief, I think: deep sorrow, a death of something. Sometimes that “something” is just the tip of the iceberg—a small loss that cracks open the door to deeper grief that’s been hiding beneath the surface, like a massive glacier under the water.

During the COVID shutdowns, I experienced a deep loss—but not in the way most people think. I’m a hairdresser. It’s been my whole career. The day they announced that only “essential workers” could keep working, I found out I wasn’t considered essential. (That’s a whole other topic for another day!) When I learned salons were closing, I was devastated. My work is more than a job—it’s how I serve people, connect with them, and even minister to them. Suddenly, all of that stopped. And if I dared to work, I could lose my license. Then the financial blow hit—no clients, no income, no way to pay bills, keep our house, or even buy food. The sorrow was overwhelming, and my mind, body, and spirit felt crushed under the weight of it. I know I wasn’t the only one feeling that way. But in that moment, it felt like I was.

Whether grief comes from losing a person or a situation that leaves us in despair, there’s one person who understands our pain completely: Jesus. When I read in the Bible about the grief and sorrow Jesus experienced, it changes me. If He knows the depth of what I’m feeling, then I’m not alone. In the middle of my breakdown, my husband reminded me of something I often tell my clients: “Trust in Him. Rely on Him.”

That’s easier said than done when you’re drowning in despair. But he was right. Jesus truly knows all of my loss, grief, and sorrow. He feels it with me.
So, I prayed: “Jesus, I rely on You. I don’t know the way forward. I have no answers except Yours. Lead me where You want me to go.”
It wasn’t easy to say—when you’re in the depths of sorrow, all you see is the darkness. But 1 Peter 5:7 says: “Cast all your cares upon Him because He cares for you.”
A friend recently sent me this verse in another translation: “Cast the whole weight of your anxiety upon Him, because you are His personal concern.” That hit me deeply.

Feelings will come. Grief won’t simply vanish. But we are never alone in it. God’s hands and shoulders are strong enough to carry every ounce of our sorrow. He holds us tightly, never letting go, always promising to make a way. Whether your loss is a person or a situation, He will never leave you. Let Him hold you. You can do this by reading His Word - His words are like a hug straight from Heaven, wrapping you in His love. This is only one verse out of many that offer hope - hope that can put light back into the darkest places. So, when the bills seem impossible, when the situation feels hopeless, or when your heart aches from missing someone you love, remember: