Caryn & Jeremy in the Morning

Imagine being pulled over and instead of a ticket, you get a life-changing conversation. That’s exactly what happened to Abby when State Trooper JT Brown pulled her over. Instead of a fine, he offered advice and a challenge: pursue a career, and he’d let the speeding slide. Abby took the challenge to heart, graduated from nursing school, and Trooper Brown even attended her ceremony. It’s a reminde...

Imagine driving a car where you can only steer, but can't control the gas or brakes. Sounds tricky, right? It's a lot like how we sometimes handle our faith. We ask Jesus to take the wheel, yet we still want control over the speed and stops of our life. Truly letting go means trusting Him with all parts, not just the direction. In Proverbs 3:5-6, we're reminded:  "Trust in the Lord with all your h...

Living in Texas means getting used to severe weather, and sometimes our responses are a little different. Like when sirens go off, instead of heading to the basement, some of us step outside to see what’s up. Just the other day, a couple did just that during a storm, expecting a tornado but instead, their Amazon delivery showed up! They invited the driver in to wait out the storm. It's a reminder...

Sometimes gratitude doesn't come easy, especially during tough times. It helps me to remember a specific line from Nehemiah 8:10, "The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah said this to encourage people who were facing big challenges, just like us today. This verse isn't just about finding a little happiness; it's about tapping into a deep joy that comes from knowing God is with us. That joy...

You may have had someone in your life who left a lasting impression on you - maybe a parent, teacher, or even someone you barely noticed.  Take Jenna, for example. She used to babysit a girl who adored drawing. Each time the girl showed her a drawing, Jenna celebrated it with enthusiasm, pointing out what she loved about each piece. This little girl recently got accepted into three major art schoo...

Searching for a new house has got us seeing some incredible places. It’s easy to start wishing for all these nice things. It reminds me of Psalm 73 where it talks about how tempting it is to desire what the world offers. But the real deal is what comes after, right? "You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.  Whom have I in heaven but You...

Got a special nickname for your loved one? Like Anna and her husband who call each other "panda" after their first movie date. What's your quirky nickname for your spouse or kids? Share with us!

Exploring the Titanic recently showed that even its famous bow railing, the one you see in the movie, has rusted away and fallen off. It’s a real eye-opener about how nothing made by humans lasts forever, not even the “unsinkable” Titanic, which sank just four days after setting sail. Seeing this made me think about something Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures o...

Jeremy and I can't resist a unique proposal story, and we recently heard about one that's both heartwarming and quite impressive. Before a dance competition, Luke surprised Yinrun by proposing in her native Mandarin, mastering not just the words but the tones to express his love flawlessly. It made us think back to our own proposal. Thankfully, we both speak English because despite my years of Spa...

Feeling like justice hasn't been served can be frustrating. But imagine appealing all the way to the Supreme Court and finally hearing the definitive ruling. Now think about how sin condemns us, constantly nagging that we're not enough. But God, the highest authority, has already given His verdict. Romans 8:1-2 lays it out: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,...

Ever seen someone speed past you and get pulled over right away? Happened to us yesterday. There's a bit of satisfaction in seeing someone get caught. But then, it reminded me of my own run-in with a speeding ticket. I was sure I’d get fined, but the officer let me off with a warning. As I drove away relieved, I felt God's message hit home: just as I was forgiven on the road, God has forgiven all...

Are we more like computers than we think? Our initial setup, influenced by the world, comes with its share of bugs: glitches from past hurts and corrupted thought processes. But Jesus offers us a total reboot.  "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest." —John 10:10 This is like getting the ultimate software upgrade: the Holy Spirit. He repairs our broken links, enhances our...

Ever lost something over and over? A clever teacher found her students kept misplacing their glue sticks, so she had a fun idea: name them! They wrote names on their glue sticks, and guess what? They started losing them way less.  This got me thinking about my missing glasses. Maybe I should name them too... how about "Clark" for my black-rimmed pair, like Clark Kent? Maybe then they'd stick aroun...

Do you ever struggle with self forgiveness? This concept hit home for me recently during trash week at our house. We roll the bins to the curb, the trash is taken away, and that's that - we don’t think about it again. Yet, when it comes to our past mistakes, why do we keep pulling those bins back out? Micah 7 tells us God throws our sins into the depths of the sea, the so-called sea of forgetfulne...

This Labor Day weekend, we're all looking forward to the cooler temps and some rain here in Texas. Dealing with our usual suspects like extreme heat or the occasional tornado is one thing, but at least we don't have to handle "corn sweat"!  That's right, in places like Iowa and Indiana, mature corn stalks can release up to 4,000 gallons of water per acre into the air every day. Imagine needing a w...

It’s amazing to see how ordinary people, like Peter and John, were transformed by their time with Jesus. They weren’t educated or extraordinary by the world’s standards, yet they spoke with a boldness that astonished everyone. This wasn’t about their abilities but who they were with: Jesus. "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were...

Imagine finishing a long day's work and then choosing to serve others. That's exactly what James, a pizza delivery driver, did when he noticed an elderly customer's overgrown yard. After delivering their pizza, he returned with his lawn care tools to tidy up their property. This act of kindness mirrors the love God calls us to extend to our neighbors. It's a powerful reminder that we're often plac...

Are you trying, or are you training? Our pastor made us think about this last weekend, comparing physical training to spiritual growth. If you're curious how prayer, Bible study, and fellowship can be more like training for godliness than just trying to be good, you might find some inspiration from 1 Timothy 4:8. "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, hold...

It’s funny how quiet kids can make the biggest messes. Like the time a friend walked in on her son after he’d turned the living room into his own art project with pen all over the walls and couch! Or another little artist who decided his dad’s freshly painted cabinet was the perfect canvas for a big, bright red crayon chicken. These stories just go to show, silence isn’t always golden when you've...

It feels like you can't escape division these days—whether it's in politics, at work, or even in family disagreements. But what do we do about it? The Bible gives some clear advice. Romans 16:17 tells us, "Watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned." And then Psalm 34:14 offers a solution: "Turn from evil and do good; se...

Can you imagine your kitchen turning into a mini Subway station? That's exactly what Melanie, a mom of nine, did to shift her family’s snack habits. She installed a refrigerated salad bar right where the candy bars used to be. Now, fresh veggies and healthy snacks are just as easy to grab as those pre-packaged cookies were. It’s a smart twist that makes nutritious choices accessible and fun for he...

Yesterday, something simple happened with our plumber that got me thinking. He came over, but before letting him in, I made sure he was who he said he was. It reminded me of how we should handle sin: don't just open up and let it in.  The Bible tells us in Romans 6:12 to keep a tight watch so sin doesn’t take over: "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions." A...

Meet Kashton, a seven-year-old from Texas with a big heart. He's facing a tough battle with a brain tumor, but he's using his situation to spread some joy. Kashton got to meet therapy dogs at the hospital that really cheered him up. Now, he’s making bandanas for these dogs to help other kids smile just like he did. With a donated sewing machine and some fabric, he and his mom are crafting these li...

Life sometimes feels like a never-ending race, always chasing the next big thing. It's easy to get caught up in striving for more... more hours at work, more dollars in the bank account. But the Bible offers a different perspective, reminding us of what truly holds value. "Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear....

Cooking isn’t really my thing, which is why Jeremy usually handles it. But last night, while he was busy with burgers, I decided to help by toasting the buns. Simple, right? Well, without much cooking experience, let’s just say things got a bit... crispy. Want to know what not to do with burger buns and a hot burner? I’ve got a story for you.