UF grad spurs empowerment, confidence in girls
Shareen Baptiste has a vision that extends throughout Gainesville and across state lines: She wants to see junior high and high school girls dream beyond the […]
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Faith + Inspiration
UF grad spurs empowerment, confidence in girls
Shareen Baptiste has a vision that extends throughout Gainesville and across state lines: She wants to see junior high and high school girls dream beyond the […]
Gilland: Finding peace in an ‘EXIT’ sign
Transitions are never easy, especially life-altering changes, such as a move to another city. I have experienced several of these, and not one of them was […]
Gilland: The cost of courage
This past Friday marked the 36th anniversary of one of the saddest days for our nation. That was the day when the Challenger space shuttle exploded […]
Gilland: Learning when to let go of friends
The role that this thing called “community” plays in all of our lives is hard to overstate. I’m not speaking of the geographical neighborhood or city […]
Remembering MLK’s Letter from Birmingham Jail
On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it’s an appropriate time to revisit one of Dr. King’s most iconic messages. King gave many interviews and speeches, […]
Gilland: Enjoy the view ahead
This past Thursday found me doing something that happens much more often now than in prior years. I have quarterly eye checkups to monitor some fairly […]
Gilland: Capturing the power of encouragement
In my daily Bible reading, I recently re-read the amazing story of Nehemiah, the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. This servant’s heart was broken over the dire […]
Gilland: A fresh start with renewed hope
Here we are again, a fresh turn of the page on the trusty old calendar, and just like that, 2021 is over. Hello, New Year! Yep, […]
Gilland: Hug those necks a little more tightly
To borrow a line from the Andy Williams classic, we have just come through “the most wonderful time of the year.” This amazing annual event is […]
Advent reflection: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Much of what we love about Christmas is related to traditions. The song “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is a way we Christians have celebrated prophecy […]
Gilland: Hope for a different Christmas this year
I have a very different reason for being excited about the arrival of Christmas week this year. No, there is no anticipated gift that is driving […]
Advent reflection: The Gift of the Magi
This is a time of year when we love to consume sentimental stories we feel are appropriate to Christmas. Watching or reading A Christmas Carol. It’s […]
Advent reflection: Carol of the Bells
We were made to worship God. While we should feel it and see it throughout the year, the special nature of Christmas time brings it out […]
Gilland: Thanksgiving that runs deep
Another Thanksgiving holiday has passed. This is one of my favorite days of the year, as members of my family gather together to eat, fellowship, play […]
Church to sell Christmas trees for charity
In true C.S. Lewis fashion, customers can step through a wardrobe and into a forest of Christmas trees just off of Newberry Road at Destiny Community […]
Gilland: Learn to avoid missed turns
I recently read an account of a conversation between Scottish pastor Alistair Begg and his wife. They were having a nice talk as they drove on […]
Gilland: We must never forget
We just passed an important date on the calendar this past Thursday. November 11th, Veteran’s Day. Though I never served in the military, I have many […]
Gilland: Wrestling with life direction
I received some valuable advice when I was a young man. It went something like this: “Choose an occupation you love, and you’ll never work a […]
Holiday History: All Saints Day
Today, Christians of many denominations around the world will celebrate all of those who have achieved Heaven. Today is All Saints Day, or, as it was […]
Gilland: An unforgettable boating adventure
Several years ago, my friend Tom and I joined with several other buddies for a camping, fishing, and boating weekend that turned into an unexpected adventure. […]
Gilland: Life’s seasons come and go
This past week I attended a “retirement party (not really retiring)” for a friend. Now, this person didn’t use that expression, but it does represent what […]
Gilland: Pondering the mysteries of the universe
To borrow a line from Bob Dylan, “The times they are a-changin’.” He wrote that song for his 1964 album by the same name. He was […]
Gilland: Thoughts on real love
Last weekend I had the privilege of speaking in a chapel service at a Christian school. I shared a brief word about the important role in […]
Gilland: Finding integrity when no one is watching
These are days when the actions and directives of national leaders are on the minds of everyone, but this is not a new pastime. In fact, […]