Lately the news seems determined to remind us how marred our world truly is. Reports of violent confrontations involving federal agents and civilians in Minnesota, protests over the use of force, and heart‑wrenching international tragedy in Iran all compete for our attention in a world groaning under sin and suffering.

One of the convictions that has shaped me over the years is this: God didn’t just design the world—he designed a way to live in it. And when we live outside of his design, things begin to break down. We see it everywhere. Relationships fracture, purpose fades, and anxiety rises—not always because people are malicious, but because we’re often trying to live life on our own terms in a world we didn’t create.

One of the convictions that has shaped me over the years is this: God didn’t just design the world—he designed a way to live in it. And when we live outside of his design, things begin to break down. We see it everywhere. Relationships fracture, purpose fades, and anxiety rises—not always because people are malicious, but because we’re often trying to live life on our own terms in a world we didn’t create.

Hope Alight 2025 is in the books and it was one worth celebrating.  We saw God do some amazing things through the preparation and prayer that went into this magnificent event.  There were four sold-out performances, which totaled 379 people gathered to celebrate the story of Jesus through music, Scripture, and story.  Many of that 379 were engaging with Port City Church for the very first time, creating meaningful moments of connection. Behind the scenes, 52 volunteers served faithfully, giving their time and energy to make every detail possible. 

The other day, after shoveling a light layer of snow from the driveway, I walked back into the house and was greeted by the smell of the fireplace and the soft glow of Christmas lights. Something about that moment—the warmth, the quiet (well as quiet as it gets with 5 kiddos), the scent of wood burning—pulled me deeper into the Christmas spirit.