Stephanie Black

I have a hard time finding God in the in-betweens.  In the midst of chaos, I have no doubt that He is there.  In the tragic and sad times, I know He’s there. In the times of celebration and fun, it’s easy to give Him credit for being there.  But the times in-between… I struggle.  When I have questions and no answers… I struggle.  As each normal day comes and goes... I struggle.

Do you ever read about the Israelite's and wonder how could they ever question God with everything that they had seen?  Judgmental confession time.  I do.  Often.  I read thr...

Last weekend I said goodbye to my last grandparent.  

That generation and their influence coming to a close.  It'a a generation that saw more change than I could ever imagine. They started life in one world and ended it in a completely different kind of world.  It was a generation that grew up in the depression, who lived and served in World War II.  A generation that saw life expectancy increase by almost 20 years from the time they were born til now. It was a generation that saw space travel become a reality and knew what life was like before television and cell phon...

6 weeks in Haiti. 

1.5 months. 

Over the last month and a half I’ve shared pictures of different things that I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of, of the different groups that have been here, of the adorable children and of the beauty that is this country. 

Pictures are easy. 

Words I am struggling with. 

I’ve sat down many times with the intention of writing an update on everything going on but the words just don’t seem to come.  There’s so much to take in, so much to process through and so much to learn.

I can tell you of the many things that I’ve experienced in...

Today I had the pleasure of joining these Haitians here in their Sunday morning worship. Familiar songs with unfamiliar words. A familiar message in an unfamiliar language. While this year has been a season of change, I am very thankful for the body of believers all over the world that I have had the opportunity to gather with during this time... Solid Rock, FBC Darkington, Park Valley and here in at Church of Hope, Haiti. And of course for those that invested in me for the years before that... South, The Point. The church isn't a building, it's the people and God has...

Are you excited?  It’s the question we all ask when someone is heading into something new.  It’s a question I’ve asked other’s as they are at crossroads in life…

It’s the question that I have struggled with the most in the last two weeks.

Many of you reading this have asked me that exact questions.  So… Are you excited? And while I’ve tried to answer you honestly without being the Debbie Downer that answers with a NO, it’s a question that I have struggled to articulate my thoughts and feelings regarding. I know. I know. Right now many of you are thinking… “Oh crap....

Responding to God’s call to Go

Genesis 12:1-4

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”] 4 So Abram went.

As a child, I remember sitting in Sunday School. Often missionaries would come visit our chu...

Responding to Authority

Romans 13:1-5

13 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear th...

Responding to those in need.

Matthew 25:35-40

35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I...

Responding when it's not about you.

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's e...

Your Response to God

As I was leaving a friend’s house a while back, I came around the corner and was shocked to see the roof of the house in front of me engulfed in flames.  Quickly I tried to process what was going on.  Is this house actually on fire?  Is anyone else seeing this?  Why is there no one else around?  Is there anyone inside?  Has help been called?  Am I willing to go into a burning house? In a matter of seconds I tried to comprehend exactly what was going on and what needed to be done. Although the minutes seemed like an eternity, before long, the police...

I love my family. But family isn’t always easy.  A more accurate statement would probably be family is very rarely easy.  Family can often be like a magnifying glass that reveals the flaws in our lives.  How we respond to family quickly shows the true condition of our heart. When done God’s way, family has an incredible ability to glorify God and exemplify Christ and the church.  When sin comes into play though, family gets tough.  Sometimes seemingly impossible.  I love my family.  Growing up in a family that made Christ a priority is much of the reason I desire have...

Titus 2:3-5

3 In the same way, teach the older women to lead a holy life. They must not tell lies about others. They must not let wine control them. Instead, they must teach what is good. 4 Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children.5 The younger women must control themselves. They must be pure. They must take good care of their homes. They must be kind. They must follow the lead of their husbands. Then no one will be able to speak evil things against God’s word.

If someone were to ask you if you exhibit self-control, what w...

I love Starbucks.  I’m not really sure why. It cost far too much money and is far too many calories. It’s often too busy to find a seat and definitely never quiet.  But you put a Starbucks coffee in my hands and I have a moment where if I could just freeze time... all is right in the world. (Of course as I’m writing this all I can think of is the self-control blog I just finished…. it’s now apparent that I have self-control issues when it comes to Starbucks).  Moving on….

Starbucks has often made the news, sometimes good, sometimes bad, but one of the st...

Matthew 7:21-23

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

This is by far one of the most haunting verses that I find myself reading in the Bible.

 I have this s...