Gospel Minded Mama

I had to ask myself a hard question recently: Is my faith actually in God, or is it in my own ability to "do the right things"? It’s an easy trap to fall into. We slip into a mindset where we think that if we obey the scriptures  (not even perfectly), follow the right rhythms, and check off enough "good deeds," we will get that prayer request. We start treating our obedience like a down payment for a life of answered prayers and ease. But here is the hard truth I’ve been sitting with: If my peace is dependent on getting my "desired outcome," then my faith isn't really in God—it’s in my own performance. Obedience Without the "Contract" Now, please hear me: realizing your faith has been performance-based doesn't mean you stop obeying the Lord or throw out your disciplines. Obedience is still the goal, but the motive has to change. It’s not about stopping the "good works"; it’s about shifting your focus from your own blueprint for...

This morning (HST), I received the heartbreaking news that Charlie Kirk had been shot. Tragically, I was sent footage of the shooting. I do not recommend looking it up—I was not prepared for what I saw, and the video was deeply disturbing. Immediately, I began to pray with my children. I was glued to my phone, waiting for updated information, until I saw the devastating news that Charlie Kirk had died. Filled with grief and a flood of thoughts, I want to share a few things with you.

You Don’t Have to Be The Best — Just Do Your Best In our home, there’s a saying that comes up often: “You don’t have to be the best—you just have to do your best.”  This simple phrase guides so much of what we believe about effort, character, and identity. It’s a reminder to ourselves and our children that life isn’t about competing with others. It’s about being faithful with what God has given us. We don’t all have the same talents, gifts, or strengths—and that’s a good thing. God has fashioned each of us uniquely, with specific propensities, callings, and purposes. Instead of striving to be better than someone else, we aim to be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us. We remind our children that their best effort, done with the right heart, matters deeply to God. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” —Colossians 3:23 (NKJV) Our ultimate goal isn’t perfection—it’s glorifying God. Whether we’re studying, working, parenting, playing,...

     As followers of Christ, we are called to love. It’s the very heartbeat of our faith, and everyone knows this. In a world that often feels fractured and cold, the desire to embody God’s love is a beautiful and commendable pursuit. We see brothers and sisters, filled with sincere hearts, striving to be compassionate, understanding, and inclusive. They genuinely believe they are walking in step with Christ—demonstrating His kindness to a watching world. But what happens when those good intentions, however pure, become untethered from the unchanging truth of God’s Word? What if, in our fervent desire to love, we unknowingly embrace teachings or practices that lead us away from the very God we claim to serve? Scripture warns us repeatedly about deception—especially in the last days. It doesn’t always arrive as an obvious lie, but often creeps in subtly, twisting truth just enough to turn hearts in the wrong direction. The Core Problem: Biblical Illiteracy and Cultural I...

Hey friend, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how challenging it can be to share our faith in a world that feels so divided—especially with family members who don’t see eye to eye with us, whether it’s about politics or even Christianity itself. It’s easy to get caught up in heated debates, to want to prove our point or “win” the conversation. But I want to encourage you (and myself!) to try something different: put the politics aside. Remember, for many non-believers, their political views and their understanding of what it means to live as a Christian might be very different from ours. And that’s okay. Our priority isn’t to convince them about who to vote for or how to run a country. Our priority is to make Christ the main focus — loving God first, then loving our neighbors, no matter how different their views may be. If your family feels strongly opposed to you about about politics, God is the one who will help change the hearts of men. You can gently let your family know th...

 Hey friend, If you’ve ever sat down to read your Bible and felt a little overwhelmed—wondering where do I start? —you’re not alone. I’ve found that having the right Bible study tools can make all the difference when it comes to staying consistent, engaged, and inspired in God’s Word. So today I’m sharing some of my absolute favorite Bible study tools —all available on Amazon and perfect for your daily quiet time, Bible journaling, or even just getting back into a rhythm with Scripture. (Yes, these are affiliate links—meaning if you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my little corner of the internet 🫶) 📖 1. A Good Bible I personally enjoy reading from the NKJV. And this one is a great size for everyday use and carry along to church,  I got this one for my husband:  NKJV Leather Bible But a cute journaling Bible could be a nice option too! Having space to write down notes, prayers, and verses that...

 Let’s be honest—life can be a lot . Between family, work, relationships, church, and personal expectations, it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly juggling too much. If you’ve ever whispered, “I can’t do this,” or cried in the middle of a laundry pile—this post is for you. But you’re not alone. And more importantly, God sees you in your overwhelm. Here’s a biblical approach to help you navigate the chaos with grace and peace: 1. Pause and Breathe: God Invites Us to Rest In a world that praises hustle, God calls us to rest. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28 Start by pausing. Take a deep breath. Before you make another to-do list, bring your burdens to the One who promises rest. He doesn’t need you to do it all—He invites you to come as you are. 2. Don’t Carry It Alone Overwhelm often grows when we believe the lie that it’s all up to us. But God designed us for dependence—on Him and on others. “Cast all your...