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You know that moment when your GPS recalculates your route for the third time, and you're pretty sure you're more lost than when you started? Welcome to the lives of Isaac and Jacob. These guys had divine promises, family drama that could rival any reality TV show, and enough plot twists to make your head spin. But here's the beautiful mess of it all – God was working through every detour, every family feud, and every moment when they thought they'd completely blown it. If yo

Ever made a promise you weren't sure you could keep? Now imagine God making you promises so big they sound impossible, then watching you stumble through trying to believe them. Welcome to Abraham's story, a masterclass in messy faith, divine promises, and the beautiful chaos of learning to trust when you can't see the whole picture. If you've been following our Genesis Unfiltered series, you've already walked through the garden's perfection and humanity's first major detour.

Ever wonder why family reunions can feel like walking through a minefield? One minute everyone's sharing laughs over old photos, and the next minute Uncle Bob and Cousin Sarah are having a heated argument about something that happened fifteen years ago. Well, buckle up, because Genesis chapters 4-11 make even the most dysfunctional family gatherings look like peaceful picnics. Welcome back to Genesis Unfiltered! If you missed Part 1 where we explored God's perfect design gett

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to witness the very first sunrise? Not just any sunrise, but the sunrise: the moment when light first broke through absolute darkness and God spoke the universe into existence? That's exactly where we're starting our journey together in Genesis Unfiltered. Welcome to Part 1 of our five-part adventure through the book of Genesis! This isn't your typical Sunday school lesson where everyone sits quietly and nods politely. We're divin

OPENING HOOK: Ever feel like life just threw you into a pit and walked away? Like your dreams got buried under betrayal, disappointment, and circumstances completely out of your control? Well, grab your coffee and settle in, because we're about to dive into one of the most incredible comeback stories ever told – and it's going to change how you see your own "pit moments." Welcome back to Genesis Unfiltered! If you've been with us through this journey, you've walked through c

Ever notice how family dinner conversations can go from heartwarming to heated faster than you can pass the mashed potatoes? Welcome to Genesis 26-36, where family dysfunction reaches biblical proportions, dreams literally come true, and God somehow keeps His promises despite everyone's best efforts to mess things up. This is where we meet Isaac (the quiet middle child of biblical history), Jacob (the scheming dreamer), and Esau (the brother who traded his birthright for a bo

Hook Alert: Remember that friend who always had the best intentions but somehow ended up in the most ridiculous situations? Well, meet Abraham – God's chosen guy who heard directly from the Almighty but still managed to create some pretty epic detours along the way. If you've ever wondered whether God can use someone who makes questionable decisions (spoiler alert: He absolutely can), then buckle up for Abraham's wild ride through promises and... well, let's call them "learn

Hook #1: Ever notice how the worst fights happen between people who share the same DNA? Welcome to Genesis 4-11, where family dysfunction reaches biblical proportions, literally. If you thought your last family reunion was awkward, wait until you meet Cain and Abel. When Siblings Turn Deadly (Genesis 4:1-16) Picture this: Two brothers, both trying to honor God with their offerings. Abel brings his best lamb; Cain brings some vegetables from his garden. God accepts Abel's g

What if I told you that the very first pages of your Bible contain the most radical, life-changing truths you'll ever encounter? Not just ancient history, but a blueprint for understanding who you are, why you're here, and what God thinks about you right now, today. Welcome to Genesis Unfiltered – where we're diving deep into the real, raw, unvarnished truth of how it all began. Over the next five weeks, we're going to journey through the book of Genesis together, and I promi

Money stress doesn't have to be part of your family's story. As Christian parents, we want to provide security for our loved ones while honoring God with our finances. The good news? Building a solid financial cushion doesn't require a finance degree or overwhelming lifestyle changes. It just takes a few smart moves and the right heart posture. God calls us to be faithful stewards of everything He provides. When we approach saving with biblical wisdom and practical action ste

Family memories don't have to come with a hefty price tag. Some of the most treasured moments happen when we get creative with what we have and discover free or low-cost ways to connect. Whether you're planning weekend adventures or looking for everyday activities that bring joy without breaking the bank, there are countless ways to make family fun both meaningful and affordable. Start With What's Already Free in Your Community Your local community offers more free entertai

Money stress doesn't have to rule your household. When you're staring at bills that seem bigger than your paycheck, remember that small changes create massive results. Every family can win with money: you just need the right game plan that actually works in real life. The good news? You don't need complicated spreadsheets or fancy apps to transform your family's finances. These proven strategies will put money back in your pocket starting this week. Start With The Simple Fra

You know that feeling when you discover a shortcut that saves you twenty minutes on your commute? That's exactly what finding the right money-saving websites feels like for your family budget. While everyone talks about the big-name coupon sites, some of the most powerful savings tools are hiding in plain sight. Last month, my neighbor Sarah told me about her family's "Great Grocery Disaster of 2024." Her husband decided to surprise her by doing the weekly shopping without a

Money stress doesn't have to define your family's story. Every week, I talk with Christian families who feel overwhelmed by financial pressure, convinced that saving money requires complex spreadsheets or extreme lifestyle changes. The truth? Some of the most powerful money-saving strategies are so simple you can start them today: right after you finish reading this post. The beauty of biblical stewardship isn't found in complicated formulas or financial jargon. It's discover

Every January, gyms in Memphis fill up faster than Beale Street during a blues festival. By February, most of those same spaces are echoing with the sound of... well, not much. Here's the uncomfortable truth: 92% of people abandon their New Year's resolutions before Valentine's Day rolls around. But my friend Harley? He's different. And before you think I'm talking about motorcycles, let me clarify: Harley Thompson from East Memphis has kept every single resolution he's made

January 1st hits different when you're a Christian, doesn't it? While everyone else is posting their "New Year, New Me" manifestos on social media, you're sitting there thinking, "Didn't I already try to read through the Bible last year?" Here's the thing about New Year's resolutions – they have about the same success rate as my attempts to keep houseplants alive. Spoiler alert: it's not good. Studies show that 80% of resolutions fail by February, which explains why gyms are

Every January, millions of people make promises to themselves. This year will be different. This year, I'll lose weight, read more, exercise daily, or finally break that bad habit. Sound familiar? Here's what most people don't want to admit: by February, 80% of those well-intentioned resolutions are already broken. Only 8% of people actually stick with their New Year's goals for the entire year. As a counselor and coach, I've watched this cycle repeat itself countless times.

You've been called to mentor someone, but there's just one problem: you feel completely unqualified. Maybe you're a young professional in Memphis who barely has their own life together, or perhaps you're a church leader who's still figuring out what authentic Christian leadership looks like. Either way, you're convinced that effective mentorship requires years of experience, theological degrees, and having all the right answers. Here's the truth that will transform your mento

Walking into church on Sunday morning, you might wonder if those weekly small group announcements are falling on deaf ears. With busy schedules, digital distractions, and the lingering effects of social isolation, it's natural to question whether small groups still matter in 2025. The short answer? Small groups are far from dead: they're actually thriving and proving more essential than ever for building authentic Christian community. The Research Speaks: Small Groups Are Al

You're scrolling through another dating app at 11 PM, wondering if true Christian love even exists anymore. Between the endless swipe culture and the pressure to find "the one" by your 30th birthday, dating as a believer feels more complicated than ever. Here in Memphis, where Southern hospitality meets modern romance, young Christians are asking: How do we honor God while genuinely connecting with someone special? Dr. Layne McDonald has counseled hundreds of singles through