Greetings,
As we enter into this new year, let us acknowledge that God's mercy is new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23)! He shows us mercy everyday that He sustains our very lives (Colossians 1:17, Hebrews 1:3) and does not give us what our sinfulness justly deserves (Psalm 103:10, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:3)!
Isaiah 55:10-11 tells us "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven... so is my Word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire...".
I love this verse because is a direct promise from God that His Word is powerful, purposeful, and effective, accomplishing all that He says it will. As I contemplate this, my mind leads me to ponder the question, "But what is God's purpose and desire for us?
According to God's Word, our purpose is "to act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God" (Micah 6:8) and that "we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works (Ephesians 2:10)".
God also clearly lays out His desire for mankind in 1 Timothy 2:3-4 where His Word says "3 This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
The "truth" this verse discusses is that we come to believe the truth of the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ and be saved!
So, what is the Gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ?
Three of my favorite bible verses that I think clearly demonstrate the good news (gospel) of Jesus Christ are John 3:16, Acts 16:31, and Romans 10:9. John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life! Acts 16:31 states, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household. Romans 10:9 tell us, "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved"!
In order to receive the salvation and eternal life that Jesus offers, we must recognize that we are all sinners in need of his salvation (Isaiah 53:6, Romans 3:23) and turn from our unbelief to believe in Jesus Christ (Mark 1:15)! We live in unbelief when we place our faith and trust in human works or worldly systems and religions to save us. The bible says that we must repent or turn away from our unbelief to believe in what God's Holy Word says about who Jesus is, and what Jesus has done on the cross for the salvation of all humanity (Mark 16:16, John 8:24, Romans 4:24).
Jesus paid the “wage of sin” on behalf of all of humanity, so we could be reconciled to God through his death. Through this reconciliation in Christ, we receive eternal life (Romans 6:23, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Only those who have received salvation in Jesus Christ will escape the condemnation that is coming to all the earth because of sin (Romans 8:1)! It is God’s Holy Spirit that convicts the world of sin and unbelief (John 16:8-11) and testifies to us of the truth of God in Christ Jesus (1 John 5:6-8)! Jesus alone is the only one who can save because He is God in the flesh and only His shed blood has the power to wash us clean of sin (Hebrews 9:22)! There is salvation in no other name under heaven than Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12)!
Those who continue in their unbelief, rejecting the free gift of the salvation in Jesus Christ, remain under God’s wrath (Isaiah 59:2, John 3:36, Revelation 21:8). Tomorrow is not promised to anyone (James 4:14) and death comes to all (Hebrews 9:27)! Those who die outside of the salvation of Christ will die under God's condemnation, and spend eternity suffering in a place called hell, a place of torment and total separation from the grace of God. (Matthew 25:30,41,46; Revelation 20:15).
Personal Plea to the reader:
If you are a believer in Christ, let us continue to pray for the salvation of those who do not believe and pray that God would ignite or renew our evangelistic efforts for 2026! Let us also hold fast to Christ in all things (John 8:31, Philippians 2:15,Hebrews 10:23) and be assured of the inheritance of eternal life promised to all who have faith in Christ (Ephesians 1:11, 1 Peter 1:4-5, Hebrews 9:15)!
If you do not believe in Jesus as the only Lord and Savior, my prayer for you is that God would newly convict you of your unbelief, and in that conviction, you would change your mind (e.g. repent) of going your own way and turn to Christ today! Right now is the time for your salvation! Now is the best time to begin a new faith/new trust in the forgiveness and redemption that is found only in the shed blood of Christ our Savior!
Unbelievers, turn to Christ while you still have time because you literally have your eternal soul to lose and eternal life in Christ to gain! Let 2026 be your year of salvation, by grace, through faith, in Christ Jesus the LORD! AMEN!
Recent Personal Faith Posts
-
Post 23: New Year, New Growth
This short post discusses how I began to experience spiritual growth in my new reconciled life with God through Christ Jesus, and ways in which I look forward to continued growth in faith.
-
Post 22: 2025 Year-End Reflections
This post shares some brief reflections of how God as been working in my life since I repented from my own self-centered way and turned to trust solely in Christ for salvation through His perfect sacrifice on the cross.
-
Post 21: Jesus, God's Greatest Gift!
In this post, I discuss the meaning of Christmas, how my family typically celebrates the holiday, ending with post with the gospel message of the salvation of Christ!
-
Post 20: Thanksgiving Fellowship 2025
This short post highlights my Thanksgiving 2025 and the gratitude for the fellowship of amazing brothers and sisters in Christ at God has recently brought into my life.
-
Post 19: Thanksgiving unto God
This post discusses the concept of the celebration of Thanksgiving from both a secular and a biblical sense and discusses how we as Christians ought to show Thanksgiving to God.
-
Post 18: The Spiritual Harvest
In this post, I discuss the meaning of "Spiritual Harvest" with scripture references. I also talk about how a person is added to God's harvest, how to participate in God's Harvest and what it means for those who are never added to the harvest.
-
Post 17: My Current Christian YouTube
In this post, I discuss some of the gospel-centered folks I listen to currently on YouTube that have really helped me understand the simplicity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
-
Post 16: Persecution from a childhood best friend
This post discusses one of the first ways I experienced Christian persecution in which one of my childhood best friends lashed out against me after I began witnessing to him about Christ.
-
Post 15: A Prodigal Son Returns
This post discusses returning back home to SC as a new man of God, sharing testimony and fellowship in Christ with family and friends, and participating in volunteering opportunities during my time home.
-
Post 14: Celebrating Laboring in Christ
This post is dedicated to honoring the God-given rights and achievements of those who labor in the eternal work of the gospel of Jesus Christ, who died that we might have eternal life through Him!
-
Post 13: Persecution from a neighbor
This post, continued from Post 8: A Neighbor in Need, discusses an instance of Christian persecution that came from my neighbor to whom I had previously witnessed about Christ.
-
Post 12: Shifting entertainment and friendships
This post discusses some of the entertainment and friendship changes that occurred as I began setting more intentionality towards the things of God.
-
Post 11: Multi-Church child of God
In this post, a continuation of Post 6: Finding a Local Church, I discuss visiting 3 churches over a 6-month period to find the right gospel-centered church for spiritual growth as a new Christian.
-
Post 10: Outcome of the Storm
In this post, a continuation of Post #7: A Storm is Brewing, I discuss returning to work after an amazing vacation with mom to the outcome of the previous storm that had been brewing.
-
Post 9: Mad Dash to Get Baptized
In this post, I discuss erroneously turning to online resources to look into baptism, leading me to think baptism was essential to salvation and adopt an unnecessary urgency to get baptized.
-
Post 8: A Neighbor in Need
In this post, I discuss meeting a next-door neighbor who lived in my apartment building and how I began our friendship showing him Christian love and witnessing to him about Jesus.
-
Post 7: A Storm is Brewing
In this post, I discuss finding the peace of God amidst the rising pressure of being put on a sudden performance improvement plan at work and leaning on Him despite the uncertainty.
-
Post 6: Finding a Local Church, Part 1
In this post, I discuss my mom’s strong urging for me to find a gospel-centered church and outline my subsequent plan of searching for a new church home in the Seattle area.
-
Post 5: The Beginning of True Wisdom
In this post, I discuss learning more about God, praying, reading the bible, and how setting intentionality towards Jesus Christ began to show results in my life.
-
Post 4: A new life in Christ
In this post, I discuss the next few days immediately following receiving the salvation of Jesus Christ, and the excitement I felt about sharing this news with at least one person.
-
Post 3: The Light Cometh
In this post, I discuss how I finally came to the realization that the previous dread I was feeling was the conviction of the Lord and how it lead me into the soul-saving light of Jesus Christ.
-
Post 2: A Mysterious Burden
In this post, I discuss how God's conviction suddenly came into my life, and my unsuccessful attempts to distract myself from the feeling of dread that followed me around.
-
Post 1: From Birth, Before Christ
In this first post, I discuss a bit about my life prior to receiving salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ; a sinful life lived in spiritual blindness, deception, and separation from God our Creator.
New Years Eve/Day Recipes
Holiday Breakfast
Holiday Dessert
December Favorites Recipes
Herbal Teas
Caffeinated Drinks
French Press Coffee
Brown Sugar Milk Tea
Jazzed Mint Zinger Tea
Alcoholic Beverages
Spiked Coconut Hot Chocolate
Amped Hot Toddy
Mulled Wine
Rum Apple-Pear Cider
Recent Recipe Posts
-
Coconut Peppermint Cookie Bark
This phenomenal peppermint and white chocolate shortbread-style cookie bark is one of my favorite sweet treats to make during the winter holidays! Try it out!
-
Drambuie Coconut Nog
This creamy, dreamy coconut and whiskey cocktail scratches my holiday itch for Egg Nog but without the eggs!
-
Collard Greens & Black Eyed Pea Soup
This recipe reuses leftovers from typically southern New Years Eve/New Years Day meals to make a flavorful, and comforting soup to warm the soul in the winter months!
-
Spiked Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
Once you try this delicious combination of white chocolate, peppermint, and booze, you’ll want it again and again. Trust me on this!
-
Broccoli Cornbread Breakfast Scramble
The first time I made a breakfast plate using my Broccoli Cheddar Cornbread, I fell in love with the combination and decided to turn this into it's own recipe and share it! Enjoy!
-
Creamy Mushroom & Wild Rice Soup
This creamy, and comforting mushroom and wild rice soup is one of my favorite soups during the winter season. Make yourself a bowl and you’ll understand why!
-
Amped Hot Toddy
When the cold weather sets in, reaching for this amped up version of a classic Hot Toddy will really warm up those chilled bones!
-
Loaded Potato & White Bean Soup
Potato soup might be on my top five comfort-food soups for the winter season and the addition of white beans adds more fiber! Make yourself a bowl and enjoy!
-
Blueberry Cornbread à la mode
This blueberry cornbread served with vanilla ice cream and topped with a warm blueberry compote will surely satisfy that sweet tooth!
-
Spiked Coconut Hot Chocolate
Nothing hits the spot quite like a cup of hot chocolate on a cold day and this alcoholic version is sure to please!
-
Vegan Chicken noodle soup
If you like vegan meat replacements, this quick cooking vegan chicken noodle soup made with soy chicken replacement is sure to fill you up and keep you warm during the cold weather.
-
Jazzed Mint Zinger Tea
This jazzed-up ginger, jasmine and mint tea is one of my all-time favorite tea combinations to warm me up thoroughly during the cold season!
-
Vegetarian Field Roast Chili
This is my go-to recipe for vegetarian chili, made with 2 kinds of beans, field roast sausage and delicious flavor to keep you warm in the winter and coming back for more!
-
Drambuie Horchata Chai
Chai is one of my favorite fall-inspired drink flavors and this warm cocktail made of Whisky Liqueur, Horchata, and Chai Concentrate is one of the most delicious liqueur drinks I've ever had!
-
Sweet Potato Soufflé
Sweet potato definitely makes the rounds in the fall recipe rolodex and this Sweet Potato Soufflé made with brown sugar, coconut flake topping, and marshmallows is sure to please!
-
Brandy Cran-Pear Sunset
This cool-looking, uniquely-flavored, fall-inspired cocktail, made with pear liqueur, apple brandy, and cranberry syrup, is sure to become a favorite in your drink rolodex
-
Fall Stacked Toasts
Here is a tasty fall-inspired topped toast made with apple butter, figs, cured meat, and pumpkin seeds that is sure to fill you up and satisfy your itch for something sweet and savory!
-
Rum Apple-Pear Cider
When the weather cools down, I like to warm up my taste buds with this delicious spiced apple and pear cider made with Dark Rum.
-
Apple, Fig, and Oatmeal Muffins
These spiced apple, fig, and oatmeal muffins are an excellent start to any fall morning! Try these and see for yourself!
-
Marionberry Manhattan
Check out this berry-forward twist on the classic Manhattan! One sip and you'll come back for more!
-
Strawberry and Fig Salad
The combination of figs, strawberries, walnuts, and goat cheese was a pleasant surprise in this fall inspired salad! Try it out and see for yourself!
-
Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
This sweet potato salad recipe may seem a bit unusual, but give it a try and I'm sure you won't be disappointed!
-
Ground Turkey Larb Gai
Larb Gai is one of my all-time favorite low carb Vietnamese take-out meals and this version made with ground turkey is a hit every time!
-
Ginger Peach Rum-Tini
Nothing says summer quite like this tasty peach-flavored martini made with rum and other liqueurs. One sip and I'm sure you'll agree!
-
Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken
I recently grown to love making teriyaki chicken this way because it is a cool way to display the meal, and the addition of pineapple really turns up the flavor a notch!
-
Key Lime Pie Martini
Key Lime Pie is a favorite summer dessert treat! This like-minded cocktail has all the flavors of the dessert but takes only a fraction of the fuss or time to make!
-
Amped Mustard-based BBQ Ribs
Check out this unique twist on classic Carolina mustard BBQ ribs, featuring a mustard-based BBQ sauce made with Indian spices, and smoked red jalapeno powder!
-
Smoky Ketchup-based BBQ Wings
I'm no chicken magician but these smoky ketchup-based barbeque wings are seriously some of the best chicken wings I've ever made! Try these out and see if you agree!
-
Potato Salad
Nothing compliments southern summer gatherings, barbeques, or Sunday family dinners quite like potato salad, and this classic potato salad recipe is sure to be a crowd favorite!
-
Loaded Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a party favorite in my family and these come loaded with bacon and a few additions to the filling that make a truly heavenly deviled egg experience!
-
Garlic Butter Roasted Corn
This lemony, garlicky, buttery, baked corn on the cob is the perfect summer appetizer or addition to any meal. Try one bite and you'll keep coming back for more!
-
Baked Shrimp Cocktail
Few summertime appetizers hit quite like shrimp cocktail! This easy baked shrimp cocktail uses homemade cocktail sauce that rivals store brand cocktail sauces.
-
Chocolate Cherry Coconut Milk Ice Ice Cream
The combination of chocolate, cherries, and coconut milk makes for a delicious ice cream flavor to enjoy during the summer heat!
-
Cherry Pineapple Orange Gin Frosty
You won't be able to stop at just one sip of this layered cherry, pineapple, and orange flavored frozen cocktail! This one is sure to land on your favorites list!
-
Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
The flavor combination of the salty prosciutto wrapped around the asparagus baked together with garlic and lemon make for the perfect summer appetizer to any meal!