Lean into Jesus Ministries, Inc., 8011 AL Highway 79 S, Guntersville, AL (2026)

05/31/2026

"What's on your plate?" by Kristie Fowler

"Only look at someone else’s plate to make sure they have enough…"

I read these words a few weeks ago and had zero idea what they meant, but something about that sentence stuck with me over the next few days. Then, hearing a church member share her testimony helped me understand.

She shared how she was going through a rough time and decided to take her two boys to church. A lady there (whom we still go to church with) gave her her number and offered to watch her boys if she ever needed someone. This was literally their first time meeting. She probably just saw a tired mom and recognized that her plate might need a babysitter.

At first, I assumed the quote meant comparing yourself and wanting what others have on their plate. In the social media age, it is so easy to see what someone is portraying in their life and want what they have. It's easy to see a mom who looks like she's killing it—with a clean house, well-behaved kids, and homemade dinners—while I'm over here with crumbs all over my house, making it look like Hansel and Gretel have moved in, both kids in a screaming competition, and popping corndogs in the microwave for dinner.

It's easy to look at a part of someone else's life and want that for yourself.

But hearing this story changed my perspective on comparison. Growing up in Sunday school, we were always told not to envy or want what someone else has. But comparison can also show up as pride.

That sweet lady at church could've looked at that young mom and thought, "Man, she doesn't have it together," and completely avoided her. I'm ashamed to say I have done the same thing… at church.

We do this because, for some reason, we think we are better than someone else. We look at their plate and judge because they don't have something that we do.

Relating comparison to a plate has really helped me think deeper about what comparison is.

When we sit down with a plate, we usually make sure ours has enough. In life, it's the same. We are selfish. It's me, me, me all the time. Then we might glance at another friend's plate and think, Man, I wish I had what they had.

But my plate is full. I have enough. Why should I want what they have?

Then maybe we glance over another shoulder and notice that someone else's plate only has PB&J crusts and nibbled-on food because she made sure her kids had enough to eat—even though she might be hungry too.

This was a reminder I really needed.

I hope it encourages someone reading this to give thanks for what is on your plate of life and to only look at someone else's to make sure they have enough.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." —Philippians 2:3–4

"Carry one another's burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." —Galatians 6:2 CSB

Kristie Fowler
Lean into Jesus Ministries

05/26/2026

Do you remember the day you were set free from the penalty and power of sin? For me, it was the weekend of June 13, 1971. Richard Nixon was president, the final Ed Sullivan Show had just aired, and Carole King’s “It’s Too Late/I Feel the Earth Move” was about to hit #1 on the Billboard Charts.

It’s fun to remember the good ol' days – for the most part. We laugh as we recall the hairstyles and fashions. We grin when we see bell-bottoms and mustaches making a comeback. And when teens admit the ’70s had the best music, we can’t help but smile.

Next month will mark my 55 years as a blood-bought believer. I was 13, and a youth group trip had just changed my perspective on life. I distinctly remember the feeling I had when I knew I wanted to follow Jesus and tell others about Him. The Holy Spirit met me, convicted me, and filled me. I was forever changed from the inside out.

For all of us believers, Sunday is our spiritual Memorial Day. It’s the day we set aside to remember the One who gave His life for us. As we gather for worship and praise, we also connect with and encourage our church family.

God understood the importance of remembering. Before Jesus came to earth, the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt was the most remembered and celebrated event in history. The Old Testament consistently records God reminding His people that He rescued them from Egypt. He even established the Passover to help them remember. In the same way, Jesus established the Lord’s Supper to help us recall His sacrifice, which freed us from the penalty and power of sin—and one day, from its very presence. What an amazing celebration that will be!

If you’ve participated in the Lord’s Supper, you’ve probably heard someone read Paul’s words in Corinthians, where he quoted Jesus: “The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 ESV)

Just as the gospel (the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus) and church unity formed the core around which all of Paul’s writings were woven, the Lord’s Supper lies at the center of our worship and celebration. The Lord’s Supper makes the gospel tangible. When we call it Communion, we highlight its power to unite the church to Jesus and to one another.

We can never be good enough or do enough to deserve being saved. The bread and the cup remind us that it took Someone stronger and better than us to save us. Better yet, Communion reminds us of God’s love for us as individuals. God not only throws a giant blanket of love over all of us; He tenderly wraps each of us in a blanket just our size and then holds us close. It’s His holding us close that brings us closer to one another. If given the proper attention, the Lord’s Supper reminds us to love God and love people.

I’ve taken the cup and bread without appreciating their significance. I’ve let it become routine too often. But the older I get, the more wonderful things I have to remember. Every day brings another reason to thank Him for all He’s done.

When we look back, we can laugh at how we used to think, knowing that God was with us through it all. We can grin when we recall the day we traded our old fashions for Jesus’ robe of righteousness. When others admit our new God song is the best, and put their trust in the Lord, we can’t help but smile. No, we may not always feel the earth move under our feet, but it’s never too late to remember we have been set free.

It’s fun to remember the good ol’ days!

***************

Check this link out! Flourish is coming! Registration ends June 1st!
https://vimeo.com/1195422114

05/24/2026

"Light in the Darkness" by Amanda Patterson

There is a place in North Alabama called Cathedral Caverns. This cavern is an attraction that you can visit. I have been there with my children a few times, and we have been able to journey on the adventure of traveling 3,960 feet down a well-lit path into the heart of the mountain.

As you begin to make your journey, a few things start to happen. You become slightly disoriented by the change in environment, but also your body becomes more conscious of the unfamiliar surroundings. When you get to the very end of the trail, the tour guide makes a few statements about the statistics of the cave, and then he tells you what he is about to do. He informs you that he will be turning off all the lights that have illuminated your path up until that point, and then you will be in complete darkness. Not just any darkness, but 3,960 feet below ground darkness. You can't even see the person beside you, nor can you see your hand in front of your face. It is DARK!

This reminds me of a place spiritually that many people are living in. A world plagued by sin and one that is hopeless without Jesus Christ. Many people don't even realize that they are living in the dark. Like the way you adapt to the surroundings in the cave I referred to earlier, many have become used to the life of darkness that they live in. In the Bible, there are verses that speak to this very subject.

In John 3:19-20, scripture says

"And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed."

Sin and darkness overtake man without the hope of Christ. But Jesus makes it very clear that we can be free from darkness.

John 8:12 says

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"

When I talked earlier about how the tour guide at Cathedral Caverns turns off all the lights and lets you experience a darkness void of light, I forgot to mention that after a short time, he then takes out a small match and shows you how something so small can pe*****te the darkest depths. It really is quite amazing to experience. Like the light that brings revelation to the surrounding cave, Jesus brings more than a small amount of light, and His light pe*****tes through the darkest of hearts. One of my favorite passages of scripture reminds me of this truth.

In 1 John 1:5-9, it says this:

"5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

As we have read these verses, we see that Jesus is the Light! He is the only way to illuminate the darkest parts of your heart. As it says in 1 John 1:9

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

My prayer is that you will receive the real forgiveness that can only come from Him alone, and you can walk on the path of His Everlasting Light.

Amanda Patterson
Lean into Jesus Ministries

05/19/2026

Planning is underway for the 2027 Lean into Jesus Ministries annual women’s conference! Mark your calendar, invite friends, and join us for a day of Christian encouragement and spiritual growth.

Save the date and stay tuned for more information.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2027
9 AM - 2:30 PM
19272 Highway 431 N, Guntersville, AL 35976

Lean into Jesus Ministries, Inc.
www.leanintojesus.com

05/19/2026

“When the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:26-27 NLT)

Stained-glass-tinted slivers of sunlight bounced off the shiny black-lacquered baby grand. Parents and grandparents scurried into the sanctuary like ants on a kicked-up ant hill. Boys with comb-marked hair and girls with ribbons and bows took their places in the front two pews. Soon, they’d play tunes to prove they had paid attention to their teacher over the past year. The younger ones went first.

As each student made their way to the front to bow, the teacher adjusted the bench and footrest so each child felt secure and confident. Because the younger students hadn’t yet learned to use their left hand, the teacher slid beside them, wrapped her arm around them, and played the accompanying chords. It was easy to see that the students had grown accustomed to their teacher’s nearness and to her soft whispers meant only for their ears. Together, they played sweet, sweet music.

Although well prepared, many students felt the audience's gaze and seemed slightly distracted. (Why do we let the fear of failure occasionally steal our focus?) If a little finger plinked the wrong note, the teacher slowed, giving the student time to recover. After letting the last note linger for a count or two, the child stood, bowed again, and grinned with accomplishment.

It was clear that the older students had spent many years learning the elements of making good music. Fortunately, they had spent enough time with the teacher that her soft whispers had become internalized. She sat close by, offering reassurance with her mere presence as students' fingers moved with ease through the longer memorized pieces. The teacher had taught them well.

One could sense the moment when the students’ distractions faded, and their hearts and souls were lost in the music. Their focus shifted from merely playing a string of correct notes for an audience to offering a melodic flow that enticed listeners to pay attention. When the teacher’s last student stood and bowed, her face revealed the joy she felt, knowing they had all listened and learned well.

When Jesus, our Teacher, calls us home, His face will surely beam with joy. Perhaps He will recall the times He’s wrapped His arms around us and played the chords we couldn’t play ourselves, chords we needed to hear to carry us through another day. Maybe He will smile, knowing the gift of His Spirit has been the music within us, quietly whispering personalized instructions meant only for our ears. Hopefully, He will feel our immense gratitude for the many adjustments He made for us when we didn’t even know what to adjust. Thankfully, we will have all eternity to praise Him for drowning out our distractions with the new song He placed within us.

Thank you, Jesus, for giving us your Spirit, who doesn’t flinch at our wrong notes, but leans in closer. “Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, ‘This is the way you should go,’ whether to the right or to the left.” (Isaiah 30:12 NLT)

Before Jesus calls us home, may we all offer up the new song of praise we’ve been given so that many will want to listen and put their trust in the Lord. (Psalm 40:3) That will be sweet, sweet music to His ears!

05/17/2026

"One Friend, One Faithful God" by Missy Burks

“Two are better than one,If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

There is something deeply beautiful about friendship between women. God created us for connection, encouragement, and community. Some of life's sweetest moments are shared with a friend who laughs with us, cries with us, prays with us, and walks beside us through every season. A godly friendship can feel like a gift straight from Heaven.

But if we are honest, friendships can also become one of the deepest sources of hurt.

Many women carry silent wounds from friendships that changed unexpectedly. Some friendships slowly faded without explanation. Some ended after misunderstandings. Some became one-sided. Others left us feeling forgotten, replaced, or unimportant. We may smile on the outside while quietly grieving the loss of someone we trusted with our heart.

The truth is, people are human. Even good people can disappoint us. Even loving friends can fail us sometimes because none of us is perfect. Expectations can become heavy, feelings can get hurt, and seasons of life can pull people in different directions.

As women, we sometimes believe we need a large circle of friends to feel valuable or fulfilled. Social media often convinces us that everyone else has endless support, constant invitations, and perfect friendships. But God never said we needed a crowd.

Sometimes one genuine, loyal, Christ-centered friendship is enough.

One friend who truly prays for you.
One friend who speaks truth with love.
One friend who celebrates your victories without jealousy.
One friend who stays when life gets messy.
One friend who points you back to Jesus instead of drama.

That kind of friendship is rare and precious.

Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Real friendship is not built only during easy seasons. It is revealed during the hard ones. A true friend does not disappear when your life becomes complicated.

Yet even the best earthly friendships cannot fill every empty place in our hearts. Sometimes God allows disappointment in relationships so we will remember where our deepest security truly belongs.

Only God can love perfectly.
Only God can stay constantly faithful.
Only God can fully understand every part of us.

People may misunderstand your heart, but God never misunderstands you.
People may walk away, but God never leaves.
People may forget you in your pain, but God sees every tear.

Deuteronomy 31:6 says, "He will never leave you nor forsake you." Think about that promise for a moment. Human love can change, but God's love never does. His presence is not seasonal. He does not abandon us when we are difficult, emotional, broken, or struggling.

There may be seasons where you feel lonely. Seasons where invitations stop coming. Seasons where you wonder why certain friendships ended. But loneliness is not proof that God has forgotten you. In fact, some of the deepest intimacy with God is formed in lonely seasons.

Sometimes God removes people because He is protecting your peace.
Sometimes He allows distance because He is growing your dependence on Him.
Sometimes, He strips away shallow relationships to make room for deeper, healthier ones.

And sometimes, God teaches us that we do not need many people to validate our worth when we are already fully loved by Him.

I am currently in a season where I question whether I matter because certain friendships have changed. However, I can see HE is teaching me to lean on Him in ways I never had before.

Jesus Himself understood friendship heartbreak. He was betrayed, denied, abandoned, and misunderstood by people He loved deeply. Yet He continued to love faithfully because His security rested in the Father.

As Christian women, we must learn to hold friendships with open hands while holding tightly to God. Friendships are blessings, but they were never meant to replace Him.

If God has blessed you with even one faithful friend, treasure that gift. Pray for her. Encourage her. Speak life into her. Be present for her. In a world filled with surface-level connections, loyal friendships rooted in Christ are rare treasures.

But also remember this: if every person walked away tomorrow, God still would not.

He is the Friend who stays.
The Friend who listens.
The Friend who comforts.
The Friend who strengthens.
The Friend who knows every hidden hurt and still loves you completely.

There is peace in knowing that our hearts are safest in His hands.

So stop measuring your worth by the number of people around you. Stop believing the lie that you are unloved because your circle is small. One godly friendship and one faithful Savior are worth more than a hundred temporary connections.

At the end of the day, people may fail us sometimes, but God never will.

Prayer:
"Lord, thank You for being my constant when life and relationships feel uncertain. Heal every wound caused by broken friendships and disappointment. Help me not to place my identity in people's approval or presence. Teach me to treasure the godly friendships You have given me while remembering that You alone are perfectly faithful. Help me become a loyal, loving, and grace-filled friend to others. Thank You for never leaving me, never forgetting me, and never giving up on me. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Missy Burks
Lean into Jesus Ministries

05/15/2026

“Now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” — 1 Corinthians 13:13

Nothing is more necessary in this hour than truly finding Jesus… and falling deeply, passionately, wholly in love with Him.
Not just knowing about Him. Not just attending church. Not just carrying a Bible while starving spiritually.

But KNOWING Him. Walking with Him. Abiding with Him.
Communing with Him until His voice becomes more familiar than the noise of this world.

Love decides everything.

What you are in love with will determine what consumes your thoughts, directs your steps, shapes your desires, and pulls you out of bed in the morning.

If we want to know Him more intimately, we cannot neglect the very place where He reveals Himself...His Word.

The Word is not black ink on white paper.

It is living.
Breathing.
Sharpening.
Revealing.
Transforming.

Every page unveils His heart. Every scripture pulls us deeper into communion. Every moment spent sitting at His feet changes us from the inside out.

Stay in the Word. Stay in prayer. Stay in communion with Him.
Not out of religious obligation… but because love keeps leaning closer. Love keeps listening. Love keeps longing to know the One it belongs to.

Fall in love with the hands that formed you. The hands that shaped your heart before anyone else knew your name. The hands that cup your face in tenderness. The hands that trace every scar without shame. The hands that were pierced so you could be held by grace.

Fall more in love with the Lover of your soul. Because when this world fades and every temporary thing passes away, faith, hope, and love will remain.

And the greatest of these is love.

-Dawn Mason

Lean into Jesus Ministries, Inc.

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