Caryn & Jeremy in the Morning

Down but not out. This powerful phrase really hits home when life throws its hardest punches. Micah 7:8 reminds us, even in the darkest times, that we are never truly defeated: "Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light." Troubles will come; it's guaranteed. But so is God's promise to be our light in the darkness, guiding...

In life, sometimes the greatest gifts come from unexpected places. Sandy's story is a testament to that. Her husband got a new chance at life thanks to a liver transplant from a stranger. Moved by this, Sandy decided to give the same gift to someone else. She ended up donating part of her liver to a baby boy who needed it. Just imagine, because of Sandy, this little boy has a whole life ahead of h...

Reading Matthew 19 this week, something really caught my attention. Jesus asks a simple question when challenged in verse 4: "Have you not read?" It made me pause. When Satan tempted Him, Jesus responded, "It is written," but with these guys, He throws the ball in their court. This line, "Have you not read?" isn't just a question; it's a challenge. It's like Jesus is saying, "You should know this...

Meet Pancake, Croissant, and Donut. No, they're not breakfast, they're fluffy chickens from a cool Texas nonprofit called Healing Hens. This group brings chickens to senior living places to brighten the residents' days. They just set up their first coop in Dallas with these three hens. Residents get to feed, pet, and hang out with them. It's a big hit - turns out, a little chicken company can do a...

It's said that we spend two years learning to talk and a lifetime learning when not to. This week, Proverbs 18:2 struck me with its truth: "A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion." How often do we find ourselves speaking when we should be listening? Ephesians 4:29 offers further guidance, instructing us, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth...

Ever found something precious you thought was lost forever? In North Carolina, Taylor’s been turning hurricane debris into treasured reunions. After Hurricane Helene, she started finding washed-away family photos and used social media to return them. One photo she returned was of a mom with her sons, one of whom had passed away. So far, she's given back about 200 memories. For families who thought...

As the year wraps up, many of us think about year-end giving to lessen our tax burdens and support causes we care about. But imagine understanding the tax code perfectly and still not paying your taxes... that's knowing without doing. Similarly, knowing the Bible isn’t enough; it’s about living it out. James 1:22 tells us, “Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you'...

Jeremy forgot his phone today, and as luck would have it, another poor soul lost theirs in a pretty spectacular fashion. Picture this: you're setting up an ice skating rink and accidentally leave your borrowed phone on the ice. Fast forward, and that phone is now trapped under two inches of ice, frozen solid because it was overlooked before the water froze. And the kicker? They can’t melt or crack...

Like many, I've been guilty of putting off important tasks, assuming there’s always more time. That happened to me last week when I spilled coffee all over my laptop. My photos, documents, and everything were gone in seconds. Why? I always thought there was more time to back it all up.  This made me think about how I handle other important things in life, like sharing my faith. Just like I put off...

Sometimes you might feel like you've missed your chance to try something big because you're not strong enough or maybe think you're too old. But there’s this guy, Ploutarchos from Greece, who’s just completed his 12th marathon. He only started at 73, inspired by his son, an ultra-marathoner. Meanwhile, I'm here struggling to convince myself to jog around the block! 

When you see kindness in action, it's like watching God's love at work. Take Jamie’s story, for example. When her family faced tough times after her parents divorced, unknown friends started leaving boxes of food at their door. This wasn’t just help - it was a lifeline. It reminds us that God moves through us to extend His grace to others.  As Galatians 6:10 tells us, "Therefore, as we have opport...

Have you ever spilled something all over the place, or broken something of somebody else's? That was me, spilling coffee on my aunt’s pretty table runner. I was ready for her to be upset, but her response took me by surprise. She told me, "You know, a few years back, this would've really bothered me. But the older I get, the less these spills matter. Most things are washable." Her words were a lig...

When you meet an old friend who's walked away from their faith, it hits hard. I had that happen recently with a buddy who was once all in for Jesus. It's never a sudden change, right? More like a slow fade that you don't even see happening. It's a wake-up call for all of us. Staying true to our faith journey requires constant effort and mindfulness. Hebrews 12:1 from the New Living Translation say...

So, you know how they stress putting your phone in airplane mode before takeoff? I'm usually the one making sure everyone's phones, especially Jeremy's, are set because, well, I like following the rules.  But here’s a confession: on our last flight, as we were about to land, I realized my phone wasn’t in airplane mode. Yes, the entire flight! I was so mortified and honestly shocked that nothing dr...

On Veterans Day, we're feeling deeply grateful for all the veterans who have dedicated themselves to our safety and freedom. For everyone who has served or has a loved one who has served, your sacrifices do not go unnoticed - thank you. Just like our servicemen and women provide for our nation's defense, the Bible reminds us of our ultimate security in Jesus. Isaiah 12 tells us, "Surely God is my...

If you love bacon, you're gonna love this story. Chelsea from Pennsylvania has a pig named Kevin Bacon, and not just any pig - this one's an escape artist. Recently, Kevin decided to break free from his pen and take himself on an adventure. Chelsea, determined to find her runaway, started a Facebook page called 'Bring Home Kevin Bacon.' The page caught the eye of none other than actor Kevin Bacon,...

When we ask Jesus to forgive us, we aren’t just asking Him to split the bill; we're asking Him to take care of it all. Ephesians 4:32 tells us, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." That got me thinking: when Jesus forgives, there's no splitting the tab. He takes the whole thing, no conditions attached. That’s the model we're called to...

Finding your victory song might be more spiritual than you think. In those moments when life feels too heavy, the words from Psalm 146:1-2 remind us of a powerful truth: "Praise the Lord, O my soul, while I live I will praise the Lord. I will sing praises to my God while I have my life." Even when times are tough, if you've placed your faith in Jesus, you always have a song of victory to sing. It'...

When a police officer shows up at your door, it's usually a cause for concern, right? But this visit was a little different! Unbeknownst to his mom, an 8-year-old boy had called 9-1-1 because he wanted to give the deputy a hug. The officer showed up, received his hug, and while he reminded the young caller that emergency services should only be used for real emergencies, it's tough not to smile at...

Do you remember when you voted for the first time? I sure do. It felt like a big step into adulthood. Well, there’s this young man, Tommy from Greenville, Texas. He was just 18 and super excited to vote for the first time. But just six weeks ago, he got terribly sick and found out he was terminal.  Despite being in ICU, the determination to vote didn’t fade. They managed to get an absentee ballot...

Ever wonder what God really wants from us? I find myself asking that a lot - how can I fit into God's plan today? Whenever I seek guidance, one verse that consistently comes to mind is John 13:34. It's pretty straightforward: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." This isn't just a suggestion; it's a directive on how we should treat each ot...

Imagine organizing a big surprise and the guest of honor just doesn’t notice - talk about a surprise fail! That’s exactly what happened to my uncle when he planned a special 50th birthday dinner for my Aunt Barb. He took her to her favorite restaurant, where all their kids were secretly waiting at the next table, ready to surprise her. But Aunt Barb didn’t even notice them! Despite sitting right a...

Remember how it felt to be chosen last for playground teams? Not a great feeling, right? Well, with God, you're always His first pick. He chose you to be on His team long before you even knew it.  Here's the amazing part straight from the Bible, Ephesians 1:4-5: "For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love, He predestined us for adoption t...

You know how you buy exercise equipment with the best of intentions? Well, I bought an exercise step, imagining I'd be stepping away while watching TV - turns out, it's my new laptop stand! Guess I'm exercising my brain more than my body. 

When you were a child, you may have often felt confused and said to your parents, "I don't understand." Their reply was likely, "I know, but one day you will." This is something Jesus also conveyed to His disciples.  Despite their confusion, He reassured them with, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand"  (John 13:7). This sentiment resonates deeply when we face our...