The Weight Of Our Words

 

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."
.....But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. (Colossians 4:6, Matthew 5:37)

Walk-Line: The conversations of the world can be foul and nasty. The foul words that are used, will make you take notice right away, if you are not in the habit of using them. Our speech is to be seasoned with grace and salt. Compassion and a preservative appeal in the building of relationships. Our speech should contain sincerity and commitment. We say what we mean, and mean what we say.

Let not your speech be nasty and foul.
Showing forth what's in your heart and soul.
But season your words with grace and salt.
Sharing your sincerity and love for all.
________g/Patterson (C) 2026 All Rights Reserved.

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The Christian Journeyman Walk-Line 2026 All Rights Reserved.

Caring About Our Christian Character

 

Caring About Our Christian Character 

Walk-Line: 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23) 

Christian character isn’t something we manufacture through sheer willpower. It’s the visible evidence of Christ’s life within us. When Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit, he isn’t giving us a checklist to complete — he’s revealing what naturally grows in a life surrendered to God.

Character is who we are when no one is watching. It’s the quiet consistency of a heart shaped by grace. In a world that celebrates image, speed, and self‑promotion, Christian character stands out because it is rooted in something deeper than personality or performance. It flows from the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus didn’t simply call His followers to believe; He called them to become. To become more like Him. To reflect His compassion, His integrity, His humility, His courage. Christian character is the daily expression of Christ’s nature through our choices, our attitudes, and our relationships.

Why Christian Character Matters?

1. It reveals Christ to the world

People may never read a Bible, but they will read your life. When believers display love, patience, and integrity, they offer a living picture of the gospel.

2. It strengthens our witness

A life marked by Christlike character gives credibility to our words. It shows that the message we proclaim has truly taken root in us.

3. It anchors us in trials

Character formed by the Spirit doesn’t collapse under pressure. Instead, hardship becomes the very place where Christ’s strength shines through us.

4. It shapes our relationships

Christian character transforms how we treat others — with grace, forgiveness, and compassion — even when it’s difficult.

Prayer: Father, shape my character to reflect Your heart. Grow in me the fruit of the Spirit, and make me more like Jesus in my thoughts, words, and actions. Where I am weak, strengthen me. Where I am resistant, soften me. Let my life be a testimony of Your transforming grace. Amen.

Christian character isn’t about perfection — it’s about transformation. As we walk with Christ, His life becomes visible in ours. The world doesn’t need more impressive personalities; it needs people whose character reflects the Savior.

Why Should we care about our character?
Why should it matter what we say, or what we do?
The Lord did not just call us just to believe, 
but to let the fruit of the Spirit, strongly show through!
_____g/Patterson (C) 2026 All Rights Reserved. 

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The Christian Journeyman Walk-Line (C) 2026 All Rights Reserved. 

Facing Insurmountable Challenges

 

Facing Insurmountable Challenges

Walk-Line:

When Moses asked, “Who am I…?” God didn’t answer by listing Moses’ strengths, qualifications, or resilience. He answered with Himself: “I will be with you.” That same shift applies to anyone facing battles that feel too big—illness that threatens the body, financial strain that wears down the spirit, relationships that feel fragile or broken. The message isn’t that you must be strong enough, brave enough, or capable enough on your own. It’s that you don’t face any of this alone. The God who called Moses into an impossible task didn’t remove the difficulty, but He filled the journey with His presence, His guidance, and His sustaining power. In the same way, your worthiness to overcome isn’t rooted in who you are by yourself, but in the One who walks with you, strengthens you, and carries what you cannot. This promise isn’t just for Moses—it’s for every person standing before something that feels insurmountable, including you.

How can we face the challenges before us?
How can we stand up strong against them?
No doubt, by ourselves, we're not able.
But In God's wisdom and strength, WE CAN!
_______g/Patterson (C) 2026 All Rights Reserved.

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The Christian Journeyman Walk-Line (C) 2026 All Rights Reserved.

Looking At Our Blessings, Not Our Burdens

 

Looking At Our Blessings, Not Our Burdens

Walk-Line;

Scripture Reading

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." — 1 Thessalonians 5:18  

I don't think I am alone in this, but there is a strong tendency to focus on our burdens, more than we do our blessings.

Life often feels heavy when we focus on what weighs us down — illness, uncertainty, financial strain, or broken relationships. Yet Scripture continually calls us to lift our eyes from the weight of our burdens to the abundance of God’s blessings.  

Burdens remind us of our weakness. They show us our need for God’s strength.  

Blessings remind us of God’s faithfulness. Even in trials, His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22–23).  

When we choose gratitude, we shift from despair to hope. Like Paul in prison, who sang hymns at midnight (Acts 16:25), we discover joy that burdens cannot steal.  

When we focus on blessings, burdens lose their power. Gratitude doesn’t erase hardship, but it transforms how we carry it — with hope, joy, and faith in the One who carries us.  

There are some practical things we can do to focus on our blessings, instead of our burdens.

We can start our day with gratitude: Write down three blessings before we face the day’s challenges. We can reframe burdens as opportunities: Instead of asking “Why me?” ask “How can God use this?”  

And then we can speak blessings aloud: Share with a friend or family member what you’re thankful for — it multiplies joy.  

When we focus on our burdens, we open the door for distress, and discouragement to overwhelm us. But when we focus on our blessings, it steers our vision towards God, and His faithfulness. And that will bring comfort and peace to our souls. GP

When shadows fall and burdens weigh,  
And hope feels distant, far away,  
Lift up your eyes, the light still streams,  
Through broken paths and shattered dreams.  
Each breath you take, a gift of grace,  
Each sunrise paints the Father’s face,  
Though trials press and sorrows stay,  
His mercies rise with every day.  
Count not the stones that bruise your feet,  
But flowers blooming where they meet,  
For blessings shine in hidden places,  
Carried by His love and traces.  
So let your heart in thanks abide,  
For burdens fade when blessings guide,  
And joy will grow, though storms may roar,  
God’s goodness stands forevermore.  
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A Savior Is Coming, A Savior Is Here!

 

A Savior Is Coming, A Savior Is Here!”

Isaiah 9:6-7 
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Luke 2:11 
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Walk-Line:

From the earliest pages of Scripture, God’s people lived with anticipation. The prophets spoke of One who would come—One who would bring light into darkness, hope into despair, and salvation into a world broken by sin. Our world is so broken today, just as it was when Isaiah spoke these words. Isaiah’s words painted a picture of a coming King, a Savior who would reign with justice and peace forever.

Centuries later, that promise was fulfilled in Bethlehem. The angels announced to shepherds that the Savior had arrived—not in royal splendor, but in humility, wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. The long-awaited hope was no longer a distant promise. He was here. Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, had come. This was the greatest gift the world had ever received, because of the love, and mercy of God.

This truth is both past and present. A Savior is coming reminds us of the hope that sustained generations before Christ’s birth. 

A Savior is here reminds us that Jesus is alive today, reigning at the right hand of the Father, and present in our lives through the Holy Spirit. We don’t just celebrate what God has done—we rejoice in what He is doing right now! So today, what should our response to this Precious gift?

Live with anticipation
Just as Israel longed for the Messiah, we look forward to His return. Our hope is not in earthly solutions but in Christ’s eternal kingdom. 
Live with assurance
The Savior is here. He is with us in every trial, every joy, every ordinary moment. His presence is our peace. 
Live with proclamation:
The shepherds couldn’t keep the news to themselves. Neither should we. Share the good news: The Savior has come, and He is here! GP

A Savior is coming, Isaiah foretold.
Words of hope, so wonderful, so bold.
A Savior is here, for us to receive,
that in Him, we can have the gift of life,
for all who truly believe.
_______g/Patterson (C) 2025 All Rights Reserved.

A Message We Need To Hear

 

A Message We Need To Hear

Walk-Line:

So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation." (Hebrews 9:28) 

*"The blood that purchased your eternal redemption came not from unwilling animals, but from the Son of God who willingly laid down His life for you. (John 10:14-18) The spotless lamb of God had to die only once; the sacrifice need not be repeated. Have you trusted that blood to save you?"

That is a good question. What is your response to it? "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!" You don't hear this preached from a lot of pulpits anymore.

*"We are living in a day when the message of the church is changing. Churches, and even whole denominations, are moving away from the old message of salvation through the blood of Jesus, and are moving toward a message of salvation through social activism and good works. The old bloody message of the cross is quickly being replaced by a bloodless message that lacks power and that lacks hope. Instead of hearing the devastating, but life changing news that men are sinners, people hear a message that tells them, "I'm OK and you're OK!"

According to the Bible, apart from the saving provision and power of the blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross for us, we are far from being OK! Apart from the sacrifice that Jesus made for us, we are in the serious position of paying for our sins, and being placed in the fires of hell forever. Jesus is our sacrifice, given to us by a loving God, who by no means wants us to perish. GP

*Warren Wiersbe

* Alan Carr

What are the messages we hear today?
Watered-down truths, that have nothing to say?
The saving power of the blood of Christ, that was shed for you and for me, is the message the world needs to hear.
In order to receive the call of the Gospel, and to live in hope, instead of fear.

_______g/Patterson (C) 2025 All Rights Reserved.

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 The Christian Journeyman Walk-Line (C) 2025 All Rights Reserved.

Who Do I Thank For All Of This?

 

Who Do I Thank For All Of This? 

 "I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High." (Psalm 7:17) 

Walk-Line: I look at the family I have, the shelter I have, the food I have to eat, the warmth and electricity to function where I live. The transportation I have, and many, many more blessings. And I ask myself, "Who Do I Thank For All Of This?" According to the Psalmist, the Lord is righteous, and does all things right by me. He knows my name, my status, who is in my life, my strengths and weaknesses, and most of all He knows my needs. And He meets those needs. 

As I will gaze upon the food on our Thanksgiving table, again "Who Do I Thank For All Of This?" Like the Psalmist, "I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High." We should be always thankful, that we are never alone in this cold dark world. And that the God of the universe knows us, and wants to provide for our needs both great and small. "Who do we have to thank for all of this?" Our Great and Awesome God! GP 

Why is it that my needs are met? 

That my welfare is God's great concern? 

I have Him to thank for everything I have, 

and His love for me, He daily affirms. 

 ___g/Patterson 

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The Christian Journeyman Walk-Line 2024 All Rights Reserved.