Category Archives: Encouragement

Every Sparrow

Posted on November 28, 2024 by pastorpstephens

I really do enjoy the fall season. The temperatures are much more pleasant and I love to see the leaves of the trees start to change color. Just being out in nature always seems to be relaxing and energizing at … Continue reading →

Posted in busy schedule, Christianity, Don't give up, Encouragement, following Christ, God will help you, Let Your Light Shine, Matthew 6:26, Poem, poetry, Psalm 188:1 | Tagged Christianity, don't give up, faith, God will help you, God will meet your needs, God's Strength, inspirational, Poem | Leave a comment

Winning at Life

Posted on August 10, 2024 by pastorpstephens

I have been watching various sports in the summer Olympics in Paris the last couple of weeks. The moments I have enjoyed most are the displays of sportsmanship by some of those who are competing – some of whom won … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Timothy 4:8, Do Your Best, Encouragement, Give it your best, sportsmanship | Tagged 1 Timothy 4:8, baseball, Give it your best, sportsmanship, winning at life | Leave a comment

Loving Life

Posted on December 16, 2023 by pastorpstephens

I was talking with someone this week about a mutual friend of ours who has gone on to be with the Lord. This person was, still is, and will always be very dear to us. We laughed and smiled as … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Don't give up, Draw close to God, Encouragement, Faith during hard times, God will help you, Philippians 4:13 | Tagged Christianity, don't give up, faith, God will help you, loving life, Philippians 4:13 | Leave a comment

Let’s Not Lose Heart

Posted on May 5, 2023 by pastorpstephens

Last week I planted a Mountain Laurel in the back yard. I have been wanting to plant something like that for quite a while but I kept holding off. We used to have some very nice Hearty Bottle Brush shrubs/trees … Continue reading →

Posted in can't go on, Choose to be happy, Christianity, Church, diligence, Don't give up, Encouragement, faith, Faith during hard times, Galatians 6:9 | Tagged Christianity, doing good, don't give up, faith, faith in hard times, Galatians 6:9, God will help you, good advice, inspirational, Patience, plant a tree | Leave a comment

Kind and Encouraging Words

Posted on December 16, 2022 by pastorpstephens

I recently had an opportunity to spend some time with our grandson Theo who just turned three. We sat on the floor and played with trucks, drums, and a few other toys. I had a great time. My favorite part … Continue reading →

Posted in Being Thankful, Christianity, Encouragement, encouraging others, faith, God has blessed me, grandchildren | Tagged Christianity, encouraging others, faith, good advice, grandchildren, inspirational, Kindness, Proverbs 16:24 | Leave a comment

This is the Day

Posted on November 18, 2022 by pastorpstephens

On the news tonight, I heard one newscaster touting a new segment on their program called “Working for the weekend.” The segment provides information about local activities available in our area during the weekend. One of the other anchors said … Continue reading →

Posted in Being Thankful, Choose to be happy, Christianity, Encouragement, faith, Faith during hard times | Tagged Christianity, God's Peace, God's Strength, inspirational, Psalm 118:24, religion | Leave a comment

A Sad Song

Posted on May 25, 2022 by pastorpstephens

In the wake of the tragic and senseless loss of life yesterday in Uvalde, I have been overwhelmed by various emotions – sorrow and sadness and anger and outrage. There is so much that needs to be done, so much … Continue reading →

Posted in Encouragement, faith, Faith during hard times, Grief, Grieving Together, Poem, poetry | Tagged Dealing with Grief, faith, Faith during hard times, Grief, Loss of Life, Uvalde | Leave a comment

Praying for Friends and Family

Posted on October 9, 2021 by pastorpstephens

I have many friends who serve in the medical field and in ministry in one capacity or another. They have all been on my heart this past week. I know the last 18 months or so have not been easy … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Church, Don't give up, Encouragement, faith, Faith during hard times | Tagged Christianity, Church, faith, Faith during hard times, God's Strength, inspirational, Isaiah 41:10, never forsaken, Praying for Others | Leave a comment

Jesus Comforts and Confronts Us

Posted on August 21, 2021 by pastorpstephens

Each week I get to lead a Bible study with some young children. Generally, we take turns reading some scriptures, reading a reflection on those scriptures and then sharing our thoughts on what we have read. The theme of the … Continue reading →

Posted in can't go on, Christianity, Don't give up, Draw close to God, Encouragement, Faith during hard times, Matthew 14:31, Trusting the Lord | Tagged Christianity, don't give up, faith, Faith during hard times, God will help you, inspirational, Matthew 14:31, religion, Trusting the Lord | Leave a comment

Build Upon the Rock

Posted on July 31, 2021 by pastorpstephens

In chapel this week, we looked at a passage from Matthew. In Matthew 7:24 – 27, Jesus tells a story about two kinds of people. He speaks of one person who built their house on the sand and another who … Continue reading →

Posted in A refuge, a stronghold, Build Upon the Rock, Christianity, Church, Draw close to God, Encouragement, faith, Faith during hard times | Tagged Build Upon the Rock, Christianity, Church, don't give up, faith, God, God will help you, God's Strength, inspirational, Matthew 7:24, religion | Leave a comment