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Motivational Monday

On April 20, 2026

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! If you read last week’s motivation, then you know my nephew was getting married. FYI- he DID in fact get married to his beautiful bride and they are honeymooning currently. Everything went great and it was God centered. In saying that, this week should be really low key compared to last week. Which, if you are anything like me, is GREAT. But you see, there was a mountain in my life (a good mountain!). The peak was the wedding and we are going back down the mountain quickly. So what is there to talk about this week? Exactly that…

Let’s be honest—some weeks don’t start with excitement. There’s no big breakthrough, no huge answered prayer, no dramatic change. Just alarms going off, schedules to keep, and responsibilities waiting.

And if we’re not careful, we can slip into thinking we’re just trying to get through the week.

But what if we did something different this time? What if instead of waiting for something good to happen… we started looking for the good that’s already here?

Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Not the perfect day. Not the easy day. This day.

Joy doesn’t always come in big, life-changing moments. Sometimes it shows up quietly—

in a peaceful cup of coffee (my favorite afternoon relax time),
a kind word from someone,
a moment of laughter you didn’t expect,
or simply making it through a hard day with a little more strength than you had yesterday.

James 1:17 reminds us, “Every good and perfect gift is from above…”

Every good thing—not just the big ones.

The truth is, God is moving in our lives every single day. We just don’t always notice because we’re looking for something bigger, louder, or different. But maybe the shift we need this week isn’t a change in our circumstances…maybe it’s a change in what we’re paying attention to. I know you have heard me say (or write) that I like to “disappear in the woods”. For the record, I don’t like to disappear 😬, I just like to reconnect. Reconnecting, for me, is easier when I’m in the woods. Probably because I am not connecting on my phone….I’m focused on the day the Lord has made.

Not every week will feel exciting. Not every prayer will be answered overnight. Remember, a prayer that you believe is unanswered IS answered. Just because you didn’t get the answer you wanted doesn’t mean He let you down. That wasn’t His plan. It doesn’t mean He isn’t working. Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is pause and recognize the goodness that’s already surrounding us.

So here’s your challenge this week:

Find three good things each day and write them down. And try to find three different things per day. And at the end of the week, reflect on what you wrote. Some things might be big things in your life, but most will be everyday things. But when you start looking for God’s goodness, you’ll begin to realize—it’s been there all along.

Let’s not just get through this week… let’s see it.

Love you all,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On April 13, 2026

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends!

As most of you know, I have one son. But what you don’t know is I have 6 other “kinda” children. They are the closest thing to my own child I can get without me actually giving birth. They are my nieces and nephews. This upcoming weekend, I get to watch one of my nephews stand at the altar and say two simple words… “I do.” And isn’t it funny how something so small can carry so much weight?

I have been married for a million and one years now (just kidding! It’s been 23.5 years…). I remember my own wedding. We got married at the courthouse. Why did we choose the courthouse? Well, I was marrying a guy who really didn’t like to be the center of attention and I didn’t see spending “all that money”. We were going to have a small wedding but then it hit me. No matter the amount of spend, big or small, the end result is all the same. We still say our “I do’s” the exact same.

What I didn’t know at that time is that marriage isn’t built on one “I do.” I had no idea the roller coaster of marriage would be. And it’s not that we don’t get along. In fact, when we are in sync we can be dynamic. We really are each other’s half. But it’s buying a house, money problems, having a child, losing a loved one, making mistakes, etc. It’s all the time, we could have said, “I’m done” but we continued to choose each other. Marriage is built on a thousand little “I still do’s.”

It’s choosing patience when you’re tired, grace when it’s undeserved, and love when it would be easier to walk away. Marriage is hard. Not because you don’t love someone enough. Sometimes you just think the grass is greener on the other side. You know, the side you really don’t know but you made up in your head.

And if we’re being honest… that doesn’t just apply to marriage. That applies to our faith too.

Joshua 24:15 says, “Choose this day whom you will serve…” Not just once. Not just when life feels easy. But daily. Every single day, we’re given the opportunity to say: “God, I still choose You.” Even when we don’t understand. Even when we’re weary. Even when life doesn’t look like we thought it would. Because real love—whether it’s in marriage, in faith, or in life—isn’t a one-time decision. It’s a daily surrender. A daily commitment. A daily yes.

So as I celebrate a beautiful new beginning this weekend, I’m reminded of this: We don’t have to have it all figured out. We don’t have to feel strong every day. We just have to keep showing up… and keep choosing. Keep choosing love. Keep choosing faith. Keep choosing the life God has called you to live.

And some days, that choice might feel small. But those small, quiet “yeses”? They build something strong. Something lasting. Something God can use in ways we never imagined.

So today, whatever you’re facing—just start with a yes.

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On April 6, 2026

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! How was your Easter? Listen, we had a CROWD at church on Sunday and I LOVED EVERY MINUTE!!! I wish our church was packed like that every Sunday! Seriously, it warmed my heart.

I was thinking about today’s topic. Or maybe I should say, I was trying to figure out today’s topic. And I thought, “Well, Easter is over…” That’s when it hit me. After Jesus rose, then what? You know the drill, let’s talk about it.

Every year on my birthday, someone will inevitably ask, “How does it feel to be a year older?” such a dad joke…The answer is the same every year. “Well, no different than yesterday.” And that’s the truth. You don’t suddenly feel older. Kinda like the day after Jesus rose from the grave.

Easter Sunday is powerful. The tomb is empty. Jesus is risen. Death is defeated.

But then comes Monday… And if we’re honest, life doesn’t suddenly feel perfect after the miracle. Can you imagine all the ups and downs of the emotions in three days? Talk about roller coaster! And I’m just talking about the people who are like me and you! What about Jesus’s closest friends?

The disciples didn’t wake up the next day with everything figured out. They were still confused. Still afraid. Still unsure what came next. In John 20:19, we find them hiding behind locked doors.

Jesus had risen… and they were still hiding.

Let that sink in.

Because if we’re honest, we do the same thing. God moves in our lives. He answers prayers. He brings us through something hard… and yet we still find ourselves:

worried
doubting
unsure
hiding in fear

But here’s the part I love…Jesus didn’t wait for them to get it together. He came to them anyway.

“Peace be with you.” (John 20:19)

Not shame. Not disappointment. Not “why are you still like this?” Just… peace.

And then? He stayed. He taught them. He walked with them. He even cooked breakfast for them (John 21—don’t miss that part).

Because resurrection wasn’t the end of the story…It was the beginning of a relationship where Jesus meets us right where we are. Literally. Today. Right here. Right now.

So if today feels like a “now what?” kind of day…

If your faith is real but your feelings are messy…

If you’ve seen God move but you’re still a little stuck…

You’re in good company.

The same Jesus who walked into that locked room is still walking into our lives today. Not waiting for perfection. Just offering peace.

Take a breath this Monday…

You don’t have to have it all figured out. Man, I sure don’t!

Just don’t lock the door.

Love you all and see you Sunday,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On March 30, 2026

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! We have a busy week this week at Spring Creek. Remember, we have the Maundy Thursday Service, Sonrise Service (remember, the men will feed you breakfast afterwards and I hear they throw down!) and Easter Sunday Service. I hope to see you at one or all the services!

Speaking of Easter. I’ve been thinking a lot about Easter lately—not just the celebration, not just the empty tomb—but what was left inside it. So you know the drill, let’s talk about it.

I have a very dear childhood friend who is a 46 year old mom, wife, teacher and sister in Christ who battled breast cancer. When I say she battled it, she fought it. And she fought it with pure grace and while wearing the armor of God. It was honestly beautiful. I can tell you stories for days that reflect her conviction for the Lord. This week, she had a setback. To be honest, we aren’t sure exactly what that setback is but we know there is something wrong. Could be something. Could be nothing. She physically is not her best and mentally, the stress is wearing on her. You know…fair. But this week, the Lord has shown her over and over and over again to lay down her burdens and to leave it.

When Peter stepped into the tomb, he didn’t just see that Jesus was gone… he saw the grave clothes. Folded. Left behind. (John 20:6–7)

And that detail stopped me. (The details in the Bible are always very intentional)

Because Jesus didn’t walk out of that grave dragging what had once held Him.

He left it there.

Here’s the question I can’t shake this week:

If the tomb is empty… why are we still wearing grave clothes?

I’m talking about the things we carry that God has already called us out of. The guilt from something we’ve already been forgiven for. The labels we picked up in a hard season. The habits we developed just trying to survive. The thoughts that whisper, “This is just who you are.” or “Why me?” Maybe those things made sense at one point. Maybe they even protected you.

But hear me gently— what helped you survive the grave was never meant to define your life outside of it.

In John 11:44, when Lazarus came out of the tomb, Jesus told the people around him, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”Even after he was brought back to life… he still needed help removing what had been wrapped around him.

That tells me something important:

Being brought out is one thing. Learning to live free is another.

Some of us are out… but we’re still wearing it.Still wearing shame. Still wearing fear. Still wearing old identities that no longer fit who God says we are.

And maybe it’s not because we want to—maybe it’s just because it’s familiar.

But Hebrews 12:1 reminds us to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” You can’t walk in freedom while holding onto what buried you.

So maybe this week isn’t about striving harder or doing more.Maybe it’s about asking yourself: What am I still wearing that God already told me to leave behind?

And then—one piece at a time—letting it go.

Not perfectly. Not all at once. But intentionally.

Because 2 Corinthians 5:17 says that if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old is gone, the new is here.

That’s not just a nice idea. That’s truth.

Friend, if God brought you out of it…you don’t have to keep wearing it.

The tomb is empty. And you were never meant to live dressed for it.

Love you all,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On March 23, 2026

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! This morning as I drove to work, NO ONE was on the road. Ya’ll. It was so nice. No school traffic. No one is about to run you over because they are more in a hurry than you. I wondered what was happening??! Why is no one working? Then, it hit me. Spring Break. And that immediately got me thinking about today’s motivation.

I am a planner that likes to wing it (does that make sense)? Anyway, I am not much of an overpacker or overthinker. But let me tell you who is…my mom and my sister! My sister is not as bad as my mother. My mother brings an entire pharmacy everywhere she goes for “you never know when you will need cortisone cream.” (like we far from the nearest Walmart 🙄). She is the queen of “just in case.” Just in case you need a bandaid. Just in case we suddenly become a completely different person who falls down while having a belly ache and a head ache, which has never happened in my 46 years*. But you never know! 😂

And then what happens?

She takes another piece of luggage for the “just in case items”. And nothing ever happens. And she ended up dragging around way more than she actually needed.

But isn’t it funny… how we do the exact same thing in life? Let’s talk about it.

We pack worry about things that haven’t even happened.
We carry guilt from things God has already forgiven.
We hold onto hurt that we were never meant to keep.
We take on responsibility that was never ours to begin with.

And then we wonder why we’re so tired.

Maybe we’re not just tired… maybe we’re overpacked.

The Bible tells us in Hebrews 12:1 to “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,.” That means some of the weight we’re carrying? We were never meant to keep it.

Some of us aren’t exhausted because life is hard…We’re exhausted because we’re carrying things God never asked us to carry.

We keep trying to fit it all in—fear, control, other people’s opinions, past mistakes—and then we’re surprised when we feel weighed down.

Spring break is a simple reminder: you can’t take everything with you. You have to choose.

So let me ask you—what are you holding onto that it’s time to leave behind? What would happen if this week, instead of trying to carry it all… you finally let some of it go?

Because here’s the truth: You were never meant to carry everything.

So maybe this week, we stop overpacking. Maybe we trust God enough to set some things down. And maybe… we finally travel a little lighter.

I hope you all have a wonderful, fun and safe Spring Break week!

Love you all,

Jennifer

*For the record, I adore my mother. I LOVE that she cares so much about other people’s needs. I wouldn’t trade that for the world.

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On March 2, 2026

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends!! Y’all. I am LOVING this weather!! I love not being cold all the time! Now, I want to go ahead and warn you, I will complain soon over how hot it is. 75 degrees is about perfect weather in Jennifer’s world. 🙂

Do you consider yourself a good christian? Not perfect but you try. Do you get tired? And this could be spiritually but really it’s emotionally and physically. You are tired from everyday stuff. Well, let’s talk about it.

For the last couple of months, I have worked more Saturdays than not. I have been to the dentist so many times that my dental insurance is tapped out FOR THE YEAR. This week, my cat is having surgery and I have to go to the doctor. Not to mention, I worked until 6pm tonight. I am not telling you this to feel sorry for me. I am telling you this because it is just life. Nothing huge is happening (my cat’s surgery is very minor. Yes I’m worried about her but not overly). But I’ll say it, I’m tired. When I have week’s like this, this is when I will miss church on Sundays. I make excuses why I couldn’t come but they are just excuses. The root is, I am tired. I set my one day I have to worship to the side so I can rest. When I should be taking things off my plate so I don’t feel the need to rest on Sunday. It’s a choice. It’s my choice and there is no one to blame but me.

Most Mondays, I write these motivations. A lot of times, they are from my life. Minor issues that I can write about because I feel like it affects everyone day to day. There are some topics I write about, that I think I am pretty good on…like questioning God. I really don’t question Him for the most part at this stage in my life. But I do get tired. And sometimes I wonder if I am burning the candle at both ends because I don’t trust Him. Meaning, I don’t think He created us to bulldoze our way through life. Am I like this because I want to make sure we are financially ok? Or is it because I am trying to live life to the max? For me, it’s both. I am not going to be able to keep up this pace forever. Am I wearing myself out? Probably. Do I pray about it all the time? Absolutely.

“Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:30-31

“Even the youths shall faint and be weary..” Think about a child in your life. When you have tried to put them down for a nap, they INSIST they don’t need one. You can look at them and they are red and glassy. They are irritable. They need sleep but they fight it…and they are 3! I’m 46. Why do I think I can outdo a 3 year old with a gazillion times more energy than me??! Even youths, with all their energy and excitement, fall tired. One thing I have to tell myself, is it’s okay to be tired. I am not a failure. Even scripture backs me up here. God knows we will get tired.

“…but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength”. Well, that’s what we are supposed to do about it. We have limits. God doesn’t. We can’t do it all. But He can. God knows we will get tired and weary. God never tires. When we get tired, we don’t need to push through it. This is our opportunity to lean on Him for His endless and everlasting strength. Remember, everything that you are not, He is. He will pick up where you left off. Work with God as a team.

Maybe I’ll remember this since I wrote it down.

Love you all,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On February 23, 2026

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! Were you able to hear Pastor Scott’s sermon yesterday? I loved it. It really hit home for me and it was on a topic that I know I was good on. 😂 If you didn’t hear it, no biggie, just go to facebook and it’s posted there.

As for this week’s motivation…

This morning when I woke up, I had a lot on my mind. Nothing life changing or worth noting really. Just things that I needed to do today. For the record, it was a very average day. Nothing big happened (which is usually GREAT news!). But I wasn’t able to complete what I felt like was something I needed to accomplish. No different than most Mondays. But at 7:03am, I am making a mental checklist of trying to manage a week that hasn’t happened. I am trying to control the future. Does that resonate with you? Let’s talk about it.

We can give one hundred percent at a job and it still may not be enough. We can extensively prepare for an important event and plans may still go awry. We can love and care for others and still be misunderstood, even hated. We can raise our kids to follow Christ and they can still walk away from the faith. On a logical level, we can know that God is in control and we are not. Yet, how many of us tire ourselves out each day searching for answers and fighting for control over things that we physically can not change?

What does it look like to honestly surrender to God when we’re scared and overwhelmed by what could happen? Well, let’s be honest here. Surrender feels like we are giving in or worse, giving up. We think it’s a sign of hopelessness but as a christian, that can’t be further from the truth. Surrender is an opportunity for dependence. It’s an opportunity to actively dwell in the reality of our own inadequacy. Jennifer, you are really selling it here. 🙄 But, surrender is recognizing that He is the omnipotent God, who works all things for good (and we are flawed, limited, sinful beings unable to save ourselves).

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3

Okay, so why is surrender so hard? Well, there are three main reasons. First, it’s a lack of knowledge- meaning, we know the answer better than anyone (yep, including God!). Second, would be impatience. We want it fixed NOW! And third, we want it all pain free. We don’t want to suffer through anything. We just want to make it all go away as quickly as possible. And bonus reason! You have trust issues! You don’t fully trust He has your back.

Why should we surrender? It takes discipline. Discipline is part of our walk with Christ. Think about someone you trust. That relationship is intimate. Well, why would your relationship be different with God if you trusted Him? It strengthens that bond and forms intimacy. Surrender isn’t something that is a maybe…it’s a must. Especially in today’s world. There are so many things that are beyond our control.

My Monday didn’t go as planned. Let me rephrase that. Monday didn’t go as I planned it. It wasn’t a bad day. It wasn’t a good day. It was the day that God planned for me to have. Instead of being disappointed, I should feel relieved. Relieved to know that He is more than a safety net. He’s our harness.

Love you all,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On February 16, 2026

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! Today, I want to talk about something that impacts us ALL…some more than others. And that’s stress. Yep. Yep. Some days are better than others. Certain times of the year are more stressful. But what are we supposed to do about it? Well, let’s talk about it.

Okay, confession time. I think I do pretty well managing my stress. I’ve had ALOT of personal reflection, prayer and even outside therapy to help me personally help me. And, it has helped. But, I still get stressed…we all do. It could be about something that happened at work. Or a family issue that you deem as “dramatic’ but yet, it upsets you. It could be you have too much on your plate because you just can’t say no. Listen. I get it. In all of those cases, it is important to realize that stress has less to do with what’s happening to us and more to do with how we respond to uncertainty.

Fun fact. The Bible does not use the word “stress” one time. Even in Proverbs, where we get all of our practical wisdom, it doesn’t contain a single proverb about stress. Which I find interesting/funny, because Solomon (author of Proverbs) had hundreds of wives and concubines. I mean if anyone was stressed, he had to be stressed. What the Bible does talk about is the experiences that create stress like fear, exhaustion, grief, uncertainty, responsibility, conflict and danger.

Before we go any farther, I want to point out that stress is not a sin. In fact, we get stressed over things we value and love. Because if you didn’t care about it, then you wouldn’t care about the outcome. But the issue lies in how we respond to stress. Trying to control everything, blaming others, resentment, withdrawing (my personal favorite 🫤). All of these responses are heart level responses that need to be checked.

Does any of these sound familiar?

Distract ourselves with endless entertainment or busyness
Explode at those closest to us (because they feel “safe”)
Self-medicate with food, alcohol, shopping, or digital noise
Blame our spouses, children, coworkers, or circumstances
Turn inward and isolate from the very people who could help us
Try to control every detail of our situation
Catastrophize and assume the worst possible outcomes

I am not throwing any shade your way because I will 100% tell you, I am guilty of doing every single one of these. If you are guilty of any of these, did your response correct the issue? Right. It didn’t fix mine either.

So, now that we have nailed stress on the head! How did Jesus teach us to respond to stressful situations? Because you know He dealt with pretty heavy things while here on this Earth.

Hopeless Situation – The man at the pool of Bethesda, paralyzed for 38 years (John 5). Jesus steps in with healing and hope, showing us that no situation is beyond God’s reach.
Unexpected Crisis – The disciples caught in a violent storm (Mark 4). While they panicked, Jesus spoke peace over the chaos, reminding us that God’s power is greater than any storm we face.
Public Embarrassment – The woman caught in adultery (John 8). Jesus responded with both grace and truth, showing us how to extend compassion without compromising righteousness.
Impossible Demands – Feeding 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish (John 6). Jesus provided more than enough, demonstrating that God’s resources are never limited by our circumstances.
Constant Conflict – Confrontations with religious leaders who questioned His every move. Jesus stayed grounded in truth and in doing His Father’s will, not swayed by criticism or opposition.
Health Crises – Jairus’ daughter dying, friends sick and suffering (Mark 5, John 11). Jesus entered directly into people’s grief and brought healing and hope.
Ultimate Danger – Arrest, torture, and crucifixion. Even facing death, Jesus entrusted Himself entirely to the Father, praying “not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
Overwhelming Responsibility – Discipling followers, teaching crowds, healing the sick, dealing with constant demands. Jesus regularly withdrew to pray and depend on His Father (Luke 5:16).

I think it’s fair to say, Jesus dealt with stress. But what Jesus showed is that God is present, compassionate and powerful. It’s not based on perfect circumstances and on perfect trust.

So, I am going to try to give you a roadmap on managing stress God’s way with some practical biblical wisdom.

Start your day with prayer – Before checking your phone or diving into your to-do list, spend time with God. Even five minutes can set a different tone for your entire day. Pastor Scott talked about this this past Sunday!
Practice gratitude – When stress focuses our attention on what’s wrong, gratitude redirects us to God’s faithfulness. Keep a simple gratitude list or make it part of your daily prayers.
Find community – Galatians 6:2 calls us to “bear one another’s burdens.” You weren’t meant to carry stress alone. Connect with other believers who can pray for you, encourage you, and offer practical help.
Take care of your body – Stress affects us physically. Getting adequate sleep, eating well, and exercising aren’t selfish—they’re stewardship of the body God gave you.
Set boundaries – Jesus Himself withdrew from crowds and demands to spend time with His Father (Luke 5:16). It’s not ungodly to say no to some things so you can say yes to what matters most.
Remember your identity – Stress often makes us forget who we are in Christ. You are deeply loved, completely forgiven, and eternally secure. These truths don’t change based on your circumstances.

I am telling you this because I need to hear it! I know that stress will never do away, at least, not in this world. But how many times have you been stressed to the max but yet, God showed us His sufficiency? The exact same God that calmed the storm for the disciples will bring peace to your storm. The same Jesus who cried with Mary and Martha in their grief, wants to comfort you.The same Spirit who strengthened the church in persecution wants to strengthen you in your pressures.

You are not forgotten nor alone. God will be in it with you and you can trust Him with whatever stressors you are facing.

Love you all,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday- Advent Series

By Jennifer Robbins

On December 7, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! Wasn’t the Cantata fantastic? Weren’t able to make it? No big deal! Hop on over to facebook and it was all recorded. Amy, the choir and all of those playing instrument’s…*chef’s kiss*.

Today, I wanted to continue our series on Advent. We have already lit the candle representing hope and peace. We talk about hope and peace a lot in our Motivational Mondays. But today, my focus is hope and peace at Christmas. So, let’s talk about it.

The candle of “Hope” or also referred to as the “Prophet’s Candle”. This candle symbolizes the anticipation of the coming Messiah and the hope that He brings to the world. The Scripture readings and prayers the Hartwigs read focus on the prophecies in the Old Testament about the promised Savior and the expectation of His arrival. Like the prophets in the Old Testament, we hope for a Messiah to save us from the sin in the world (Isaiah 9:6-7). We anticipate our Savior’s arrival. As the “prophecy candle,” this candle assures us we can have hope that God will fulfill the prophecies declared in the Old Testament about Jesus. Hope doesn’t disappoint us (Romans 5:5).

I feel like in this day in age, there are times we all feel the evil around us. I know this is supposed to be motivating and that sounds pretty pessimistic. But, I think what this candle also represents is knowing He is coming back. And when He comes back, we will be in heaven. We won’t endure what this world has coming. We will be chillin’ with the homies.

And what does hope bring? Peace.

Luke 2:14 says, “Peace on earth”. Jesus brought about peace, in the most unexpected ways, when he arrived. The Jews wanted a rebellion. They wanted their Savior to overturn the oppressive rule of the Romans and bring about peace in a violent way. But Jesus had something else in mind. Jesus brings us peace in a number of ways.

He gives us inner peace. Because of his work on the cross, we have a chance to receive salvation and be indwelled by the Holy Spirit. This grants us an inner peace (John 14:27).
We have peace with others. We put aside our differences (Galatians 3:28), especially with other believers, because we belong to the same family. We have the same purpose: to let others know about the peace of Christ.

Peace from God, biblical peace, allows us to trust in God’s promises (Proverbs 3:5), through restful, tranquil faith, despite the dark, scary world around us.

This week, I want to challenge you to reflect on the hope and peace we have been given because of the birth of Jesus. I think it is so important that we stop and reflect on the reason for the season. I know we hear that statement frequently but I think it’s easy to get caught up in decorations, food and gifts. Christmas really is a beautiful time of the year. While you are in the store shopping for a loved one or just buying groceries, use this time to talk to the cashier about their plans for Christmas. Listen to them and try to weave the true meaning of Christmas into the conversation. You never know if you are the reason they get to know Jesus.

Love you all and see you next week,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday- Thanks and Giving Series

By Jennifer Robbins

On November 17, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! Today, I want to continue our Thanks and Giving series as we are quickly approaching the holiday. Do you have expectations? Of course you do! We all do. What happens when your expectations don’t go as planned? I would expect you to feel defeated and frustrated with a possible side of disillusionment. When this happens, what sort of weapons do you use against your discouragement? Did you know God gives us weapons? Let’s talk about it.

Many years ago when Jon and I got married, we bought a townhome. We were only supposed to live in this townhome for 5ish years and then we wanted a “freestanding” home. Well, we were in debt. Then, I got pregnant. We went bankrupt. Then, the market crashed. Our 5ish years turned into 11. We were very thankful to have a roof over our heads but we felt like we weren’t doing Logan justice by not having a yard and we just felt like a disappointment. At the 11 year mark, we decided to go for it and sell the townhome and buy another home.

Well…we listed our townhome and it went under contract quickly! So quickly, we have to hurry to find another house to move to! GREAT!! We found a home we loved that was in our price range and we were good to go. We paid for inspections (septic tank, house AND for snakes-a story for later), put a deposit down to have a fence installed the day after closing, and booked movers. Financially, we were tapped out but hey! We are moving and making a small profit on the townhome so we should be ok.

36 hours before closing and while we were doing our final walkthrough, we learned the buyers of our home no longer had financing. Y’all. I.was.devastated. Everything was packed. We were going out to eat at this point because the kitchen was packed. We had thrown every dollar we had to move and then BAM! All was gone. I cried. I knew we didn’t have enough money in reserve to do this again so we were stuck in the townhome until we could save enough again. All I could do was pray.

The house we were buying was a flip. The man that currently owed the home was a contractor. He just wanted to sell this house. When we backed out (36 hours before closing) he asked what the issue was. Everything was explained to him. He offered to buy the townhome for what we owed on it. This was great…and stressful. The money that we thought we would recover would be gone. But I felt like this was God’s way of giving us an opportunity to move. Who has this type of opportunity given to them?? Well, we took him up on the offer. We got the house. He resold the townhome 13 days later making more profit than we would have made. But what a roller coaster of emotions, right?

In Ephesians 5, God points to a reality that we don’t like to admit but we know to be true and that’s “the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16). Because of the brokenness, we have to make the best use of our time. Paul tells us this for two reasons. First, the days are evil because we are tricked into thinking we have more time and opportunities than we really have. Second, the days we live in introduce evils in our lives. So what are we supposed to do?

Don’t get drunk on wine and be filled by the spirit. I know what you are thinking? Jennifer, I am not a drinker so check for me! Let me explain this one. Alcohol is a numbing agent. It helps us to not feel. But many things can be a numbing agent. Just because you don’t consume that doesn’t mean you are free. Don’t ignore the difficulties in your life by burying yourself in sinful behavior. You might think this will help you avoid pain, but speaking from experience, you are just postponing it. Instead, be filled with the spirit, and you will be equipped to deal with it instead of avoiding it.

Address one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Jennifer, I’m not a singer. Guess what? Neither am I!! But the key takeaway of this verse is “addressing one another”. Paul wasn’t just telling us something that was for our own good. Paul is addressing the church and wants them to accept their responsibility for one another. He tells them to remind each other of God’s goodness through: Psalms- scriptures of praise, Hymns- songs of praise written by the church, and Spiritual songs- impromptu responses of praise. God knows you can’t sing! It’s ok!

Piggy backing off the last point, He wants us to sing and make melody to the Lord. Not only does he want us to encourage each other with praise but to make worship a regular part of our lives. Music inspires us and changes us. It’s hard for the devil to get a hold of us when we are making it a habit to worship Him.

Give thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul tells the church of Ephesus to give thanks always and for everything. When we respond with gratitude, we see things differently.

Lastly, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. The bible says mutual submission helps us walk wisely. When we attend worship regularly, we develop friendships with like minded people. They are there to help you in your walk with the Lord. So, you should respectfully and willingly submit to their help and recommendations when you need it! They want to succeed!

Look, disappointments will happen. I don’t care if you are 7 or 77. As long as you are alive on this Earth, you will have disappointments. But God, right? Thankfully, He has our back and He wants to seek him. In my situation, it all worked out like I wanted. But what if it didn’t? What if we had to stay in the townhome longer and we had to let this house go? I would have always wondered what was He was saving us from…

Love you all and see you next week,

Jennifer