Our faith usually breaks down because our heart breaks first. We’re shocked and disillusioned by circumstances God has allowed. Maybe you’ve been rejected; lost a loved one; or a financial or health crisis has “ruined” your life. Good news –…
Some know all too well that heartbreak can seem worse at Christmas. Yet the One whose birth we celebrate understands and knows exactly how to fix a broken heart! In fact, He states upfront that mending broken hearts was a…
There is something about great hardship that makes us cling to God like never before. We desperately cry out to avoid the pain. He draws near to us, as He is compelled by His love for us. Then He reveals…
I believe in supporting folks through hard times! Hopefully that would be the case, as for 8 years we’ve supported people fighting cancer and other trials through our non-profit, Stronghold Ministry (see our new website). Yet there were times during…
-Joe Fornear That would be really nice, right? Well, welcome to Niceville – He IS always on your side! You might be thinking, “If that’s true, it sure doesn’t feel like it!” I can relate. During my Stage IV cancer battle,…
-Joe Fornear The Christmas season can be really rough when you’re fighting cancer or grieving great loss. I remember the beginning of my cancer battle on December 23, 2002. I was recovering from a rough surgery to remove a large…
-Joe Fornear During the Christmas season, much is made about Jesus’ name, “Emmanuel,” which means He has come to be with us. And rightly so! It was an incredible expression of love and humility to leave heaven’s comfort to live among…
-Joe Fornear Why is this happening to me? A common human response to difficult times. It’s evidently not a problem to ask this question of God – even Jesus asked on the cross, “My God, My God, why have you…
– Joe Fornear One thing we know, the Lord certainly allows pain and heartache in our lives. In the Bible, the most beloved ones seemed to have had the hardest journeys. The Who’s Who of the Bible’s heroes turns out…
– Joe Fornear On a recent fishing trip, I would often stay out until dark on my boat. Getting back to the lake house where we were staying was easy though, even if it was pitch dark. There was a bright light…