Psalm 22:1–5 (Click to access the full text.) Jesus’ cry from the cross echoes the words of the psalmist: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” These words remind us that faith does not eliminate darkness. It endures within it. Even in lament, the psalmist remembers God’s faithfulness. Trust in the dark does not deny pain; it holds onto hope. This time of preparing for Easter invites us to bring our unanswered questions into God’s presence. God is not absent in the si

Luke 22:39–44 (Click to access the full text.) In the garden, Jesus prays honestly. He does not hide His anguish or pretend obedience is easy. He asks for another way and then entrusts Himself fully to the Father. This moment reveals that faithfulness does not require the absence of struggle. Surrender often includes wrestling. Trust is forged not in ease, but in honest dependence on God. The Easter season gives us permission to bring our whole selves before God - fear, doub

I drive my kids crazy sometimes because they will bring up topics in conversation that they are very passionate about and I don’t have much of an opinion on the matter. The other day the debate about soft serve ice cream vs. hand-dipped came up. I love both. A lot. I literally don’t have a preference. It’s not that I don’t listen or even that I don’t care about someone’s ice cream preference (ok, I probably don’t), but I just don’t dwell on topics that require energy I’d rath

Philippians 2:5–11 (Click to access the full text.) The way of Jesus is marked by humility. Though fully God, He did not cling to power or privilege. Instead, He chose the path, the path of self-giving love. Humility is not weakness. It is strength rooted in trust. Jesus trusted the Father enough to lay down His rights, knowing that obedience would ultimately lead to life. This season invites us to consider how we carry ourselves before God and others. The way of the cross b

Emma grew up at White Oak and recently stepped into a new season of life at Miami University. In this Formation Conversation, Emma shares how God has been shaping her faith through prayer, community, and learning to listen for the Holy Spirit. Emma reflects on growing up in church, the moment her faith began to feel personal, and how spiritual practices helped her move from simply knowing about God to trusting Him with her life. In this conversation we talk about: • Growing u