Caryn & Jeremy in the Morning

You know those moments when you're really aware of all your mistakes and feel like you just don’t deserve God’s forgiveness?  That happens to me every once in a while, but I read a post recently that hit home: "If you're thinking you don't deserve a second chance from God... remember, you didn't deserve the first one either." It was a tough pill to swallow at first, but it's so true - it's all abo...

What's the first thing you do when you're in distress? I often chat with friends, family, pretty much anyone who’ll listen, but I forget to talk to the one who has real power over my situation. Psalm 20:1 offers a profound reminder: "May the Lord answer you when you're in distress, and may the name of the God of Jacob protect you." It's a wake-up call that I should be turning to God right at the s...

An 11-year-old girl learned CPR at her Girl Scouts meeting and just two weeks later, she ended up saving her dad’s life with it. 11-year-old Vada's dad had a heart attack right in front of her, but she kept her cool and did CPR until the EMTs got there. She even thought about how she could finally cry once help arrived. It just goes to show, you're never too young to learn something that could sav...

Ever catch yourself saying, "I do not need this in my life"? We've all been there, whether it's dealing with difficult people or challenging situations. But have you ever wondered if maybe, they need you in their life?  Romans 15:2 reminds us, "Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up." Just like Jesus served others selflessly, we too are called to be a positive forc...

What do you do when you get news that really makes you worry? Yesterday, I learned my mom needs some medical tests, and my brother, who's battling cancer, can't start his next chemo yet. I was pretty shaken up. Normally, I'd turn to Jeremy, but he was napping, so I decided to take a walk and pray instead. It turned out to be exactly what I needed. I shared my concerns with God and reminded myself...

Watching the California wildfires on the news is tough, but here's a bit of good news: they're getting help from some four-legged friends! Shelter dogs like Ruger, who was once too much for his original owner, have found their calling with the Search Dog Foundation. Now, they're out there using their boundless energy to help find people in disaster zones. It's incredible how dogs that needed rescu...

Ephesians 6:17 instructs us to  "put on salvation as your helmet and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."  Sometimes, the best battle preparation might not look as dramatic as you’d think. For instance, daily Bible reading might seem simple, but it's actually powerful training. It arms us against the enemy’s lies and accusations, letting us fight back with God's eternal truths....

If you hear about somebody living to 100, you want to know: what is it that they've done to live that long? What are their secrets? Well, JoCleta is 100 years old. She drives, shops, cooks, and even works part-time, even after having retired three times, because she just couldn't stand sitting still. Her secrets? Stay active (she was a dancer), eat well (but always save room for a slice of chocola...

As our boys grew up, I thought about 1 Peter 2:1 a lot, which says,  "Rid yourself of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind."  We had lots of conversations about what it means to grow up and let go of negative behaviors. This wasn't just about following rules - it was about showing them that true maturity and influence come from the Lord. This simple verse becomes a corner...

Watching "Wheel of Fortune" is always fun, especially when you play along and try to solve the puzzles. But for Rhea, a former contestant, her return to the show for its 50th anniversary turned into something she'll never forget. During a toss-up round, where letters appear until someone guesses the phrase, Rhea guessed the answer: "Will you marry me?" Just then, her boyfriend walked on stage, dro...

Psalm 78:4 says, " We will tell the coming generation the praises of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done." This verse really hits home for me.  My grandma shared her faith openly and because of that, I got to know Jesus. Her example shows us that our faith isn't just for keeping; it’s for sharing. By passing on our faith, we fulfill God’s command to be a beacon of His love and truth. 

Ever been at the grocery store and the thing you need is just out of reach? That happened to me with the last pack of toilet paper on sale. I tried everything to get it... even thought about grabbing tongs to pull it closer. I ended up throwing another pack at it to try and knock it down. Want to hear how that turned out? Let's just say, Jeremy has never wanted to check the store’s security footag...

We all know that feeding our bodies is important, but what about nourishing our souls? Proverbs 7:2-3 tells us, "Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart." Just like Jesus said when he was tempted, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." It’s cl...

Have you ever named a vehicle? Over in Minnesota, where the winters are serious business, they've turned snow plow naming into an annual event with the public chiming in on some pretty clever names. Think "Fast and the Flurries" or "Taylor Drift." How about "Clark Blizzwald" and even "Scoop, There It Is"? My personal favorite? "Control, Salt, Delete." If those icy roads ever get you down, just rem...

What would you like to be good at? If becoming an architect was your goal, and someone handed you a book with all the secrets, you'd probably read it, right? Well, think of the Bible like that book, but for life. Psalm 119:165 tells us, "those who love your instruction have great peace and do not stumble." Who wouldn't want a life of peace and stability? It's totally possible with the truths from...

Ever had people show up for you in a tough time? Maybe with a meal or some help when you really needed it? There’s a town in North Carolina that experienced something incredible like that. After Hurricane Helene devastated Swannanoa, NC's community garden, a company from the Netherlands called Dutch Grown stepped in unexpectedly. They sent not 30, not 50, but 10,000 tulip bulbs to help replant the...

Like many, I’ve often felt unqualified to share the Gospel, worrying that I’m not enough. But this passage is a powerful reminder:  "The Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth, and said to me, ‘Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.'" -Jeremiah 1:9 God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called. He prepares us and even gives us the words to say. So, even if we feel weak, we're made st...

Heading to the Cotton Bowl this Friday? Keep an eye out for something special. Betty Taylor, a 94-year-old former Kilgore College Rangerette, will be joining the squad for their 75th anniversary of performances. While she might not be high kicking, Betty will be there with pom poms and a sequin jersey, celebrating not just the team's history but also honoring her late husband. They shared over 70...

The other day, I noticed my son heading to the mailbox in his slippers, and it made me think of something. Ephesians 6:15 tells us to "put on the piece that comes from the good news so that you'll be fully prepared." It's a reminder that just like you need the right shoes for different tasks, you also need to be spiritually prepared for whatever the day might bring. Whether it’s sharing the gospel...

Isn't it so true that when you're young, you can't wait to grow up, but once you're older, you wish you could be young again? I've been thinking, though, there are parts of getting older I'm actually looking forward to. Like gray hair... it's kind of trending right now, and honestly, I'm kind of excited for mine to turn. And readers? I couldn't wait to pick out my first pair of stylish glasses, ev...

Imagine starting every conversation with a reminder of God’s grace and peace. That’s exactly what Peter does in 2 Peter 1:2, saying, " Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus, our Lord." This isn't just a "what's up" type of greeting... it’s a powerful declaration of what God offers us every day. How often do we miss the chance to remind others (and ourselve...

Nine-year-old Remington was born without part of her left arm and her insurance wouldn't cover a prosthetic. Her family started a GoFundMe and raised $30,000, but then an amazing group called CrowdHealth said they'd cover the prosthetic. With the money raised, Remington's family decided to help another child who needed a prosthetic arm. Now, they’re keeping the fundraiser going to help even more k...

John 14:15 says, "If you love Me, keep My commandments." Simple, right? But sometimes, I catch myself acting as if it says, "I will love you if you keep my commandments." That’s not the message, though. The slight twist in words makes a huge difference. We can't earn God's love with perfect behavior; His love is already ours. Instead, His love transforms us, inspiring us to live in a way that hono...

Ever heard the advice to never go grocery shopping on an empty stomach? Well, I think the same should apply to game shows. Here's a funny example: a Wheel of Fortune contestant, clearly distracted by hunger, guessed "give yourself a round of sausage" instead of the actual phrase, "give yourself a round of applause." Can you imagine mixing up 'sausage' and 'applause'? Next time you’ve got something...

Heading into the new year, I've been thinking a lot about change. I just got a new planner, and it has a butterfly on the cover with the words "change is beautiful." It's timely because change can be tough - it can shake things up, make us anxious, and sometimes it's not even what we wanted.  But here's something reassuring: God isn't surprised by any of it. He’s already got it figured out. Jeremi...