Renewed Strength for the Path You’re On
Carol Carol

Renewed Strength for the Path You’re On

I’m not sure where the New Year’s tradition of “out with the old and in with the new” originated, but I know it didn’t come from Scripture. I understand the appeal of releasing the old and embracing the new. But the potential problem with this mindset is twofold…

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The Blessing and Benefits of Personal Reflection
Carol Carol

The Blessing and Benefits of Personal Reflection

It’s the second day of 2026, yet do we feel any different? Has our “old” become miraculously new? While it would be nice, that’s not usually how life works. And if we’re honest, the first day of the new year, at least for most of us, doesn’t feel much different from the last day of the old one. Because of this, many of us find ourselves wondering…

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Prince of Peace
Carol Carol

Prince of Peace

I believe most of us live in a temporary bubble during the Christmas season. I’m referring to the sweet space we intentionally enter to celebrate the holiday. Yet once Christmas is over, we recognize it’s time to return to life. So, we dutifully “de-decorate” our homes, sweep up tree needles, take down Christmas lights, and write thank‑you notes. And while some of us do this reluctantly and others eagerly, we all, in the end…

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Everlasting Father
Carol Carol

Everlasting Father

I’ve certainly heard plenty of unique baby names over the years, but I can honestly say I’ve never heard of any parents naming their newborn “Everlasting Father.” If I had, I’d think it was strange—after all, no baby lives forever, at least not here on earth. And no baby is born as a father. So, the name feels both odd and impossible…

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Mighty God
Carol Carol

Mighty God

Who was that one person who made you feel safe when you were growing up? Maybe a parent, a grandparent, or someone you knew you could always depend on. Regardless of age or maturity, the truth is none of us outgrow the need to know there’s someone in our corner.…

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Wonderful Counselor
Carol Carol

Wonderful Counselor

My introduction to Handel’s Hallelujah began in 9th grade chorus. To say I liked it is an understatement—I loved it then, and I still do today. At 14, I was captivated by the alternating vocal lines, rising to a grand, unified Ha‑le‑lu‑jah!

Decades later, I remain just as awestruck. Yet my appreciation now is…

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Beyond Thanksgiving
Carol Carol

Beyond Thanksgiving

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone. I pray yours was lovely and meaningful in all the ways that matter most. I understand that for some, the day carried mixed emotions as you missed people you love. Holidays can be tender, even painful. But God is gracious to comfort us when our hearts are heavy, reminding us He is near, and His love never fails.

Wherever you found yourself this holiday…

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Gratitude Matters
Carol Carol

Gratitude Matters

You know those weeks when your to‑do list feels impossible—when you realize that if God doesn’t carry you through, it simply won’t get done? That was me last week.

Between writing deadlines, teaching responsibilities, and all the little details that had to fall into place, I found myself continually asking God for help. And He graciously answered…

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The Beauty That Is Now
Carol Carol

The Beauty That Is Now

We’re at the peak of fall right now in Greenville, SC and all I can say is that it’s more than stunning. Having lived most of my life in Florida, where fall is just a word, I treasure this season. I look forward to it. I’m grateful for it. I walk in it, celebrate it, and take far too many pictures of it. Why? Because I don’t want to miss a moment of the beauty that is now…

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Why Worry?
Carol Carol

Why Worry?

In a culture obsessed with maximizing time, it’s surprising how much of it we waste on worry.

Through a recent search, I learned that the average person spends over two hours a day worrying.  That’s 16 hours a week, 830 hours a year, and nearly 8 full years over the course of a lifetime. This is a sad, sobering statistic and a whole lot of wasted time!

The truth is worry is something everyone deals with, including believers…

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A Seemingly Simple Word
Carol Carol

A Seemingly Simple Word

Have you ever noticed how small words can have a big impact? They truly can. Words like but, also, and yet may seem insignificant, still they have the power to transform simple statements—shifting tone, deepening meaning, and conveying possibility.

For instance, someone might say, “This is hard.” But add one tiny word…

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Thoughts Matter
Carol Carol

Thoughts Matter

I’m a thinker by nature. This is mostly a “good thing”. Yet there are days I wish I could simply shut my thoughts off or at least put them on hold. Perhaps this describes you as well…

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Perspective for Hard Things
Carol Carol

Perspective for Hard Things

I’m currently in a season of overload, with many things I want—and need—to accomplish in a limited amount of time. What adds to my sense of “overload” is that I’ve mentally labeled some of my tasks as “hard.” Not necessarily because they are, but because…

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Between a Bison and a Hard Place
Carol Carol

Between a Bison and a Hard Place

Recently while hiking in Yellowstone, my husband and I found ourselves—quite literally—caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place when a massive bison greeted us on our designated trail. This was simultaneously awesome and scary…

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The Seemingly Simple Things We Say
Carol Carol

The Seemingly Simple Things We Say

When was the last time a few simple words completely changed your day, providing perspective and hope? The truth is, it’s the seemingly simple things we say…

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The Promise of Presence
Carol Carol

The Promise of Presence

To me, the most stellar of all God’s promises is His promise to be with us—and not just sometimes or occasionally, but always. This literally means…

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Truly Knowing God
Carol Carol

Truly Knowing God

My mail carrier, Lisa, is incredibly friendly. I see her when I’m walking in my neighborhood. We say hello–sometimes have a brief conversation, and that’s about it. So, do I really know her? The fact is…

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The Holy Habit of Prayer
Carol Carol

The Holy Habit of Prayer

Good habits don't just happen. Instead, they are established over time by repetition and consistency. This is true of every good habit, including the holy habit of prayer. And this became crystal clear to me…

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Taking the Next Step
Carol Carol

Taking the Next Step

Have you ever felt stuck, knowing where you want to be, but unsure as to how to get there?

I’m confident you answered “yes” as we all experience this at various seasons of our lives. And while it’s not uncommon, overtime the feeling of “stuckness” can become problematic. The truth is…

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Everyone Runs
Carol Carol

Everyone Runs

Are you an avid runner, either for sport or fitness? I’ve never been a runner myself, but I appreciate those who are. My daughter ran cross-country in high school, so I’m somewhat familiar with what it takes to be a runner. Runners embody focus, determination, and commitment. They run with the goal…

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