Caryn & Jeremy in the Morning

“Too broken to be used” is a label we put on ourselves, but Jesus doesn’t seem to think that way. Paul had a past, and God still gave him a purpose. That gives me hope for my own story too.

One little ant on the windowsill made me start looking for the source. I’m realizing I need to do the same with my thoughts.

Some mistakes are expensive, and I don’t want to keep paying for the same ones over and over. Proverbs 12:1 reminds me that God's instruction is a gift, and I want to be willing to learn from Him.

My first response to being wronged is not always Christlike. But Romans 12 says, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

If you’re in a season you never would have chosen, it may feel like Jesus is far away. But the disciples were never out of His sight in the storm, and neither are you. God can grow faith even in troubled waters.

I wonder what God sees when He "peeks in" on my heart. Am I complaining about blessings? Resisting His instruction? Matthew 6:33 reminds me to seek Him first, even when obedience is not what I had planned.

I thought I had been hacked, and for a minute, I panicked. But it reminded me of something Romans 8 says is always secure: nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

I saw a video of people running after a ferry they were supposed to be on, but it was already too late. It made me think about the people in my life who still need to hear about Jesus. Romans 10 reminds me: how can they hear unless someone tells them?

Romans 12:12 says to be "joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." That middle part is hard for me, but I’m learning that waiting on the Lord is not wasted time.

All the stories being shared about Dolly Parton made me ask myself a simple question: am I leading with love? Galatians 5 reminds me that love is the fruit of the Spirit.

The enemy loves to remind us of who we used to be, but the apostle Paul's story reminds me that our past is not the final word.

When life knocks the wind out of you, it’s natural to want answers right away. But Isaiah 41:10 reminds me that God starts with this promise: “I am with you.”

I read a prayer that challenged me: “God, if it’s not Your will, let it slip through my grasp, and give me the peace not to worry about it.” That’s a brave prayer, but maybe it’s exactly the kind of trust I need.

I started making a list of everything that needed fixing, and my anxiety kept growing. Then Psalm 46:10 reminded me: “Be still, and know that I am God.”

When my kids were away from home, I always loved hearing they represented our family well. It made me think about my own life as a child of God. While I’m away from my heavenly home, am I representing my Father by loving others well?

I can try to draw a straight line freehand, but it’s always a little off. Life is that way too. Proverbs 3 reminds me I need more than my own understanding... I need the Lord to make my path straight.

When my family moved after fourth grade, I thought I was only losing what I knew. Years later, I realized God used that move to lead me to the friend who would invite me to church. If you’re in a season you don’t understand, God may still be doing more than you can see.

Pictures of an eclipse are one thing, but experiencing it for yourself is completely different. I think the same is true with Jesus.

That old hand pump at my great-grandmother’s house taught me something about prayer... Just because the water didn’t come out right away didn’t mean the well was dry.

I tried to prank my son Tyler by cutting his pizza into tiny squares... and he thanked me for it. Not the reaction I expected, but it reminded me how powerful the right response can be.

When my boys were little, they used to follow me around with toy lawnmowers while I cut the grass. It was cute then, but it reminds me now that people are watching how we live. I want my example to point them to Jesus.

I once thought a door had closed for good, but God made a way I never saw coming. If your plan feels like it’s unraveling right now, don’t assume God’s plan is unraveling too.

I was ready to “teach someone a lesson” this week, but the Holy Spirit had a lesson for me instead. Proverbs 19:11 reminded me there is wisdom in being slow to anger and strength in overlooking an offense.

The world says to hide your weakness and boast about your strengths. But Paul said he would boast in weakness so Christ’s power could rest on him. I need that reminder, because God can do things through my weakness that my strength never could.

Sometimes Jesus gives us an assignment and our first thought is, “How is this going to work?” But He never sends us empty-handed. We have His Word, His power, and His presence for whatever He asks us to do.

I’m realizing I often pray after things go sideways, but Jesus said to “watch and pray” so we won’t fall into temptation. Maybe prayer is meant to be more than a reaction. Maybe it’s part of how God protects our hearts.

Have you ever tried to push two magnets together the wrong way? That invisible force pushing them apart reminds me so much of what discord can feel like. Sometimes the answer is not a new situation, but letting God flip my attitude.

My cake topper said “Best Dad Ever,” and as nice as it was, I still thought of all the ways I’ve fallen short. Maybe you know that feeling too. Psalm 22:19 gives us a simple prayer: Lord, You are my strength. Come quickly and help me.

Maybe my job isn't to change the world. Maybe it’s to be one part of the world that is already being changed by Jesus.

I see a yield sign almost every day, but this week it made me think about what I’m still trying to control. Jesus is in charge, not me, and I’m asking what I still need to yield to Him.

A lost aircraft was found after more than 70 years at the bottom of the ocean. It had been there all along, even though no one could see it. That made me think about heaven, and the promise that God has prepared something beyond what we can even imagine.

My coffee tumbler didn’t get stained all at once. It happened little by little, one cup at a time. That made me think about the things I let settle in my heart too. Jesus brings those things into the light, and He is the One who makes us clean.

“Because you say so” may be one of the hardest prayers to pray when God is asking us to do something that doesn’t make sense. But Peter’s story reminds me that obedience can lead to something bigger than we can see.

The older I get, the easier it can be to get set in my ways. But Romans 12 reminds me that God is still renewing my mind and reshaping my heart, and I don’t want to become rigid about the things He still wants to change in me.

Could you ever be too joyful or show too much kindness? Galatians 5 says the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control… and there is no law against those things.

What percent chance of rain makes you grab an umbrella? Spiritually, I don’t need a forecast to know I need to be prepared. Ephesians 6 reminds me to put on the full armor of God every day.

What would you pray for this week if you only had a limit of four prayers? Thankfully, God doesn’t cut us off. Because of Jesus, we can come to Him with every need, every hurt, and every worry.

Sin promises freedom, but Jesus is the only One who can actually give it.

What was missing from Noah's Ark? I had never caught this detail before, but once I saw it, it changed the way I thought about trust.

Have you ever turned on a light looking for one thing and noticed something else you really needed? That happened to me this morning, and it reminded me why Jesus calls Himself the light of the world.

A lot of my prayers start with, “Lord, I need You to…” But what about when God turns that around and says, “I need you to…”?

I may not always understand why He is asking, but His plans go farther than what I can see.

The Bible describes Satan as a roaring lion, but James 4 says when we submit to God and resist the devil, he is the one who flees. That changes the picture a little bit, doesn’t it?

Is living for Jesus boring or exciting? I think a lot depends on whether we're actually in the game or just watching from the sidelines.

I’m quick to pray when something feels urgent, but I’m learning God wants to hear from me in the normal moments too. Prayer is not just for emergencies... It’s meant to be part of the rhythm of life.

I don't have to remind my heart to beat. God is sustaining me in ways I don't even think about... and if He can be trusted with every heartbeat, He can be trusted with every worry, too.

If you had to describe God in one word, what would you say? One answer that made me pause recently was "present." There is a kind of refreshing we can only find when we remember God is with us.

When my son asked what I wanted for Father's Day, I realized I didn't really need a gift from him. I'm just grateful for his love. That reminded me of what God wants from us too.

Is there something your dad did for you that you’ll never forget? I have a story like that from when I was a teenager, and it still reminds me of the way our Heavenly Father sees us, values us, and knows what we need.

It may feel like we’re just scrolling, but what we watch can shape our hearts. Jesus said the eye is the lamp of the body, so I’m asking myself: is what I’m looking at filling me with light or darkness?

I think a lot of us would love to see revival happen, but I don't know how often we think it could start with something God does through us.

You know how chips and salsa just show up at the table before you even order? It got me thinking about grace... something freely given, not earned, and more than enough for everyone.

When you think about the size of the universe, it's easy to feel tiny. But Psalm 8 reminds me that the God who made the moon and stars is still mindful of us.

You know that feeling when you run into an old friend and realize it's been way too long? Sometimes I feel that with Jesus too. The good news is He’s always inviting us back.

I’m really good at saying, “Let me handle this.” But I’m learning the better prayer is, “Lord, show me.”

Faith is not just something we say we have. It shows up in how we live, how we respond, and how we treat people when it's not easy. That's the kind of evidence I want growing in my life.

Remember being warned about your "permanent record" in school? The truth is, we all have things we can't erase on our own... but Jesus cancels the record against us and nails it to the cross.

I don't think about the return of Jesus as often as I should. Hebrews 10 reminds me that gathering together as believers helps keep that hope and urgency in front of us. Jesus is coming back... and that changes how we live today.

If change depended only on my willpower, I'd be in trouble. Thankfully, God doesn't just ask us to try harder… He gives us His power to do His will.

Watching whales come up for air reminded me of something I need too. We live in this world, but we need life from above… time with God, away from the noise.

I still remember almost taking the “chicken exit” before my first roller coaster. Funny how fear can do that in life too… especially when we need to be honest, confess, or bring something into the light. But on the other side of that fear, God offers freedom.

Some days you just don't feel it. Psalm 42 reminds me that even when my heart feels heavy, I can still find my hope in the Lord.

Praise comes pretty naturally when life is good. But Paul and Silas praised God from prison, before anything changed. That kind of trust challenges me.

I make time to eat. I make time to sleep. But do I make time to pray? I'm learning prayer shouldn't just be something I squeeze in when there's a problem… it should be part of the regular rhythm of my day.

Caryn and I have had these little weeds popping up all over the yard and they're impossible to get rid of... turns out they're connected to a vine underground. That made me think about what Jesus said… "I am the vine; you are the branches." Stay connected to Him, and life keeps growing.

Psalm 28:7 says the Lord is my strength and my shield. That tells me hard times may come… but it also tells me I won't face them without Him.

Memorial Day reminds us that freedom came at a cost. As we remember those who served and sacrificed, maybe it's also a good time to ask how we can serve the people God has placed around us.

I was cleaning off our AC unit and noticed how much dirt had built up over time… and it made me think about my heart. I'm thankful Jesus keeps washing away what doesn't belong.

Sometimes the small, frustrating tasks are doing more in us than we realize. God sees how we respond in the little things, and He can use them to shape our character.

My sad little plant finally has three tiny new shoots, and it reminded me how patient God is with us. He doesn't give up just because growth is slow.

Even Jesus' own brothers struggled to believe in Him at first. That gives me hope for the people I’m praying for… and for the places where I still need Jesus to help my own unbelief.

Golf may look like an individual sport, but every player has a caddy helping them read the course. Life can feel lonely sometimes, but Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit as our Helper.

My mom used to tell me I had a good heart, and all these years later, I still find myself praying, "Lord, shape my heart into something good."

Texas sunsets have a way of making you stop for a minute and just look up. Psalm 19 says the skies proclaim the work of God’s hands… and some evenings, you can really feel that.

Prayer really does matter. As we get ready for KCBI’s Day of Prayer, let's remember why we keep bringing our nation, our families, and our needs before God.

Sometimes I ask God to bless my plan, when maybe the better prayer is, "Lord, show me yours."

Small choices add up, whether we notice them or not. What we sow with our time, words, thoughts, and obedience today can grow into something much bigger over time.

Sometimes the deepest question in the storm is, “Lord, don’t You care?” And He does. He may calm the storm around you, or He may start by calming your heart… but He is still with you in the boat.

When you’ve done everything you can think to do and nothing is changing, hope can take a hit. But Jesus reminds us that with God, all things are possible.

People may let you down… but God’s love never will. If His love had reviews, they would be consistent every time.

Not every thought that crosses your mind is true. Sometimes you’ve got to “set a trap” and take those thoughts captive before they take over.

Just because you don’t see God moving doesn’t mean He’s not working. Some of the most important things happen beneath the surface.

Following Jesus doesn’t mean life will be storm-free… it means you’ll have something solid to stand on when the rain comes.

Waiting on God can feel like sitting at a red light… ready to go, but stuck. But waiting isn’t nothing. It’s learning to be faithful right where you are.

Loving your neighbor is easy when it comes naturally. It’s harder when it doesn’t… but that’s exactly what Jesus calls us to.

Showing up matters, but it’s not the main thing. What we do with what God asks of us - that’s what really counts.

Complaining sneaks in faster than I realize sometimes… but it never actually helps. Following Jesus means letting go of some old habits and choosing a different response, even in the small moments.

Faith doesn’t have to be perfect to be real. “I believe… help my unbelief” might be one of the most honest prayers you can pray.

It’s natural to want to get even when someone hurts you… but God sees it all. And He says, “Leave it to me.”

A tax return is nice… but what God has prepared for you is better than anything you could ever get back.

Jesus didn’t just teach us how to live… He showed us. And when we follow His example in the small things, it starts to change everything.

Sometimes God trims things back in our lives, and it can feel like loss. But He’s not taking away without purpose… He’s making room for something new to grow.

Jesus knew Judas would betray Him… and still gave him a seat at the table. That kind of grace means there’s room for you too.

Mercy isn’t easy… especially when it’s not deserved. But Jesus says when we give mercy, we receive it too.

Surrender doesn’t just happen in big moments… it shows up in the small, everyday choices. Choosing patience, letting go, and trusting God.

The things we hear and see repeated are the things that stick with us. That makes me wonder… what am I reinforcing for the next generation?

Fairness means getting what we deserve. Grace means receiving what we could never earn. That’s why the gospel is such good news.

It’s easy to love people who are kind to us. Jesus calls us to something deeper… loving even the people who are hard to love.

We often say “there’s always tomorrow.” But every day we live is also one less day. That reminder makes me want to make the most of the time God has given me.

I thought I was going to teach my son about the Bible while we sat in a pharmacy line… but God used him to teach me instead.