The Second Flame: Christ Our True Peace

Advent slows us down. In the midst of crowded malls, busy calendars, and the rush toward Christmas, we light the second candle — the candle of peace. Its steady flame reminds us that peace is not the absence of noise, but the presence of something deeper. Advent whispers that true peace is not found in possessions or power, but in the presence of Christ.

One of the most memorable images of peace in storytelling comes from The Lord of the Rings. Before the great journey begins, Frodo and Sam walk through the Shire — green hills, quiet woods, the simple beauty of home. That peace is fragile, soon to be shattered by darkness. Yet even in the midst of battles and burdens, the memory of the Shire gives them strength. It’s a picture of peace that sustains, even when the world is falling apart.

But Advent tells us something greater: Jesus doesn’t just give us glimpses of peace to hold onto. He is our peace. He doesn’t simply remind us of what once was; He brings what we could never secure ourselves. As He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives” (John 14:27). His peace is not fragile like the Shire, not fleeting like a quiet moment — it is eternal, unshakable, and strong enough to guard our hearts even in chaos.

Advent peace is the promise that in Christ, the storm does not have the final word. His presence is our calm, His love our anchor, His kingdom our home.

What do you think? Does Frodo’s longing for the Shire help you see the deeper peace Christ offers? Merry Christmas!

More Than a Whisper: The Hope We Needed in Christ

The season of Advent is upon us. There’s something about these weeks leading up to Christmas that feels different — the soft glow of candles against the long nights, the familiar carols that echo through churches and homes, the anticipation of gathering with family. Advent is more than nostalgia; it’s a season of waiting. Waiting for light to break into darkness. Waiting for hope to rise in a weary world. And if we’re honest, we need that hope now as much as ever.

Stories remind us of this longing. Even in galaxies far, far away, hope is the thread that keeps people moving forward. One of the most powerful moments comes at the end of Rogue One. Jyn Erso and her team know they won’t survive, but they fight anyway. Against impossible odds, they succeed in transmitting the Death Star plans. Their sacrifice sparks a chain reaction that will change everything. Princess Leia holds the plans close and says simply: “Hope.” That single word carries the weight of an entire galaxy longing for freedom in the midst of overwhelming darkness.

But here’s the difference: in Star Wars, hope is fragile. It depends on heroes rising up, battles being won, and sacrifices being made. It’s always at risk of being extinguished. Advent tells us something far greater. The hope we celebrate in Jesus is not fragile, not uncertain, not dependent on human strength. It is a hope that cannot be defeated because it is rooted in God Himself. As Isaiah declared, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2).

Jesus doesn’t just inspire hope — He is hope. He doesn’t merely spark resistance against evil; He conquers it. He doesn’t just give us a chance at freedom; He secures it forever. Where the rebels fought to survive another day, Christ came to bring eternal life. Where Leia whispered “Hope,” the angels shouted, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10).

Advent reminds us that in Jesus, hope has already broken into our world — a hope stronger than fear, deeper than despair, and brighter than any darkness.

What do you think? Does the hope in stories like Star Wars help you see the greater hope we have in Christ? Share your thoughts in the comments — I’d love to hear your perspective.

Impactful short film: Forevergreen

It’s been a while since I’ve written here, and I hope everyone has been doing well. Sometimes it takes something truly beautiful to draw us back to sharing again. For me, that was Forevergreen — a short animated film that feels like a gospel story in motion.

About the Film

• Directed by: Nathan Engelhardt and Jeremy Spears

• Crew: Over 200 volunteer artists and technicians

• Length: Just 13 minutes

• Production: Took more than five years to complete

This short is a true labor of love, blending handmade artistry with innovative animation techniques. Without giving away spoilers, it’s a tale of innocence, temptation, and redemption. 

Gospel Themes Woven In

I hesitate to say too much about what I saw in the story, because part of its beauty is in experiencing it fresh for yourself. But as you watch, I’d encourage you to look for:

• The longing for love

• The pull of temptation

• The hope of redemption

The film doesn’t preach, yet it whispers truths that echo the good news we hold dear.

What stood out most to me was as I watched this was the love of our Heavenly Father. His love is steady, pursuing, and was so clear to me in the story. And yet, that love shines brightest against the reality of our rebellion — not just wandering, but a willful turning away from Him. The film reminded me that while rebellion is real and destructive, it is never the end of the story. The Father’s love meets us in that place, offering forgiveness, restoration, and a way back home. Forevergreen felt like a quiet parable of that truth: that even when we resist, His love is relentless and redeeming.

Forevergreen is only available on YouTube for a limited time — November 21st-30th. At just 13 minutes long, it’s easy to fit into your day, but the story lingers far longer in the heart. If you’re reading this, I encourage you to watch it now before it’s gone, and let its imagery remind you of the gospel story we live in.

If you do watch Forevergreen, I’d love to hear what you thought of it in the comments.

May this short film be a reminder that God’s love is truly evergreen — constant, sheltering, and full of grace.

God bless!

Andrew Peterson, Warriors Against the Storm, For King and Country

Andrew Peterson

I recently discovered singer/ songwriter/ novelist Andrew Peterson, and have greatly enjoyed beginning to listen to his music and having the chance to become familiar with his story and work. I have found that he is the type of artist that I have always wanted to find, where his music is Jesus centered and full of a sense of authenticity that connects with the listener and declares a sense of awe of God and helps you in your walk with God. Andrew puts to words in such a beautiful way a lot of what I feel deep inside, and I am sure many of his other listeners feel the same way.

Not only does his music point so beautifully to Jesus, but he is also a novelist that writes amazing fiction! I have not gotten the chance to read a physical copy of Andrew's books yet, but at the time of this writing, each night Andrew has been reading sections of his novels on his YouTube channel! It has been such an encouragement for me to tune in every night and listen to him read his books! I'd highly recommend you check it out!

Warriors Against the Storm

I am also excited to make mention of a book I was recently made aware of that was written for a great cause. The book is Warriors Against the Storm, and it is an anthology of twenty fantasy and science-fiction short stories, with all proceeds going to help author Mary Weber and her family as they go through a tough time. (I’ll leave a link below if you wish to find out more.)

If you are a fan of fantasy and science-fiction short stories and want to help somebody out at the same time, perhaps this is a book that would interest you. If you’re interested in checking out Warriors Against the Storm, you can find it right here on Amazon.

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I also wanted to share a Christmas song released to YouTube by a great band that I have featured here before: For King and Country. They are releasing a Christmas album this year, and this was the first song that they released. It was such a blessing listening to this, and if it’s not too early to listen to a Christmas song for you, perhaps you’d like to listen to it too! I hope that it is an encouragement to you!

Related links:

Mary Weber GoFundMe page

Warriors Against The Storm Amazon page

Andrew Peterson's website and YouTube channel.

Kingdom Series by Chuck Black

This is an all around great series that kids would enjoy having read to them at bed and to even read and re-read for fun independently.

The series reads as an allegory. Books 1-2 are the old testament, book 3 is the Gospels and into Acts, books 4-5 are an allegory of Paul's journey, and book 6 is the end times. From their Goodreads page; "Swords, knights, and battles define these captivating tales that parallel biblical events from Genesis to Revelation!"

There is no swearing or graphic violence and it's a nice series that kids will enjoy. I believe you'll see kids flipping through their bibles to read the stories that are portrayed in the allegory throughout the series. These stories will pique an interest in life with Christ and definitely present an opportunity to talk with your kids and teach them truths about Jesus.

The writing is fast paced and there is plenty of action to entertain. Even though I'm in my twenties, I will be reading it again in the future haha.

This is a series I'd definitely recommend checking out if you like medieval and fantasy adventure stories, and enjoy biblical allegory.


Here are some links to learn more about "Kingdom" and author Chuck Black:
Website
Christanbook.com
Goodreads

The Grinch

You've more than likely seen the classic 1966 animated television special; How the Grinch Stole Christmas! at some point in your life. It's a timeless tale without question.

This year, Illumination (the creators of Despicable Me) have taken on the project of creating a new adaptation of the classic, simply titled; The Grinch.

I went to see this movie last night, and it was terrific! It was so good that I wanted to write a quick review with a couple of takeaways.

First off, the animation is terrific. Truly beautiful. I'd say it takes one's breath away. Very impressive.

I'm also a real fan of what they did with the Grinch's character. He has a personality, and I really felt a connection to his character.

I also really liked how the filmmakers tinkered with some elements of the original story. I'd call this film a "fresh take" on the Grinch. It doesn't have to replace the 1966 classic. You can be a fan of both. I know I am. But I'd also say that this is my new favorite Grinch film.

In summary; the animation is terrific, I like what they did with the Grinch's character, and it is filled with many laughs.  And I should mention that from a faith perspective, there is much truth exposited.

I'd love to here your thoughts on the Grinch. Do you plan to see this film this Christmas season? Do you like when a timeless tale is tinkered with? Which is you favorite Grinch film? And if you have watched this film, it'd be cool if we could have a discussion about some of the truths presented in it. I honestly saw quite a bit and look forward to seeing it again!

Thanks for reading! God bless you!

Terrific young adult fantasy novel

Fantasy might be my favorite genre of storytelling, but I must admit that I have watched  more fantasy films than I have read fantasy novels. But when I discovered that one of my favorite authors had written a young adult fantasy novel....I was pretty excited!

Quest for Celestia by Steven James is a fascinating and highly motivating book. The book is a re-imagining of The Pilgrims’ Progress by John Bunyan, and thus an allegory of the Christian life.

The story is a compelling one taking place in a unique setting with plenty of surprises along the way. It’s a journey filled with high stakes action, lighthearted humor, and all of the fantasy elements you could hope for! And then there is also the allegory to consider, which adds a whole different dimension to the book (especially for re-reading).

This is a book I will continue to read in the years to come. There's something special about storytelling in the fantasy setting that makes it even more enjoyable to read year after year. I've already read this book twice since I got it last summer and I would definitely recommend it to fans of young adult fiction, fantasy, and to Christians of any age.

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I'm yet to post a book review on Journey with Emmanuel, but a fantasy novel travel story seemed like a great one to share.

Have you ever read Quest for Celestia before? What's your favorite fantasy travel story? You can't go wrong with Narnia and Lord of the Rings!