The Trinity: Three in One, Active Since the Beginning
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit — three in one — have been present and active throughout all of Scripture. As believers, we hold this truth by faith, and when that truth becomes revelation, it changes everything.
But who is the Holy Spirit?
And why does the Spirit seem to resist religion and the traditions of men?
The Holy Spirit Moves Where Jesus Is Lifted Up
In every denomination where Jesus is truly lifted up, His Spirit is present.
The Holy Spirit moves where He is welcomed, and it’s through that living encounter — not ritual — that the body of Christ is drawn back into deeper relationship with God.
It is His Spirit that gives us the grace and power to live a holy life.
Jesus Came to Break Ritual and Restore Relationship
Jesus came to break down barriers of man-made religion and to invite us into something far greater — a living relationship with God through the Holy Spirit.
When believers open their hearts without restraint,
and when churches welcome Him fully into their atmosphere,
the glory of God becomes tangible.
That is the difference between religion and relationship —
between knowing about God and being born of His Spirit.
Is Tradition Always Wrong?
Does that mean those who still hold to tradition aren’t truly saved?
No. If someone has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and the Spirit has begun transforming their heart, then salvation is at work.
Only God sees the heart; only He can judge the process.
Who the Holy Spirit Truly Is
The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one — omnipresent and inseparable.
But the manifestation of the Spirit becomes visible when faith replaces formality.
The Holy Spirit lacks nothing.
He carries everything that is good and true:
healing
provision
answers
gifts
deliverance
power
When we allow the Holy Spirit full access — without inhibition or control — heaven touches earth, and the supernatural becomes natural.
Today?
I’ve often asked myself that.
Could it be that our divisions, denominational lines, or reliance on routine have weakened our faith and our awareness of the Spirit’s presence?
We can know of God, and know of Jesus, and know of the Spirit —
but to truly walk in the Spirit is different.
We live in a very natural world, and sometimes we forget that the spiritual realm is more real than what we see.
The Key: Stillness Before God
Maybe the key is found in this simple, powerful verse:
“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10
If we could quiet the noise — our constant thoughts, distractions, and the pull of social media —
our born-again spirit could tune more deeply into the voice of God.
In that stillness, our spirit connects with His,
and we begin to receive from the endless sea of His power, peace, and presence.
Where Transformation Happens
That’s where transformation happens.
That’s where heaven meets earth.
That’s where the Holy Spirit makes Himself known.
What Happens When Everyone Does What’s Right in Their Own Eyes
“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” — Judges 21:25
A World Without Direction
Have you ever looked around and thought, “What is happening to the world right now?”
If so, you might understand the Book of Judges more than you think.
Judges is one of the most raw and unsettling books in Scripture — filled with war, betrayal, heartbreak, and moral collapse. God’s people had lost their way. Everyone followed their own truth, and the result was chaos.
It sounds a lot like today.
We live in a world where right and wrong are blurred, where people do whatever feels good in the moment — and then wonder why everything feels broken.
The Dark Spiral of Doing “What’s Right in Your Own Eyes”
By the end of Judges, even God’s chosen people had descended into complete disorder.
One of the most disturbing moments comes when, in a desperate attempt to preserve their tribe, the men took innocent young women by force — claiming them as “wives.”
It was sexual violence.
It was sin.
It was heartbreaking.
This brutal event exposes just how dark the human heart can become when it drifts away from God’s truth and compassion.
Scripture does not sanitize history.
It doesn’t protect us from the ugliness of sin.
It shows us what happens when people replace God’s ways with their own.
God Was Not Absent — Even in the Chaos
Even in the darkest moments of Judges, God did not abandon His people.
He didn’t endorse their actions, but He also didn’t walk away.
Out of this same broken nation — full of violence, idolatry, and rebellion — God would one day raise up:
kings,
prophets,
and ultimately a Savior
who would redeem every failure of the human heart.
That’s the message of Judges:
Not that evil is excused,
but that grace refuses to give up.
Where Sin Grows, Grace Begins to Work
God works in ways we cannot see —
in the wreckage,
in the collapse,
in the parts of the story we think are too far gone.
He takes what feels irredeemable and begins to restore.
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He brings order out of chaos.
He turns endings into beginnings.
He writes redemption into the very places we thought were ruined.
If Your World Feels Out of Control…
If you’re watching things crumble — in your life, your family, your world — and wondering where God is in it…
Remember this:
He’s still writing redemption stories.
And even in the darkest chapters, His mercy has not left the page.
By His Wounds We Are Healed
“By His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
A Truth Written in Present Tense
This verse isn’t written as a wish, a hope, or something that might happen someday — it’s a statement of truth:
We are healed.
Whether we believe it or not,
whether we see it in our bodies or not,
whether it has manifested in this earthly realm or not…
It remains true:
By His wounds, we are healed.
But What About When Symptoms Remain?
What happens when sickness lingers?
What do we do when medication stays part of our daily routine?
How can God speak healing over us when our current reality looks nothing like wholeness?
The same way we were saved —
by being sure of what we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1) —
I believe we must also walk in healing even when we cannot yet see it.
Scripture tells us:
“We walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7
Sometimes that means we walk by faith and not by how we feel,
not by what we see in the natural,
and not even by the doctor’s report sitting in front of us.
The Fight of Faith Is Real
If walking out God’s promises were easy,
we wouldn’t be instructed to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12).
And if we naturally understood every mystery of suffering and healing,
there would be no need to:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” — Proverbs 3:5
Faith is not denial of reality —
it’s choosing to hold onto a greater reality.
Life as a Classroom of Faith
Sometimes I think of life as one long classroom of faith.
The first test we ever pass is the moment we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior. That’s our entry point.
From there, it’s not about perfection.
It’s about growth —
learning, being shaped, gaining wisdom and understanding.
Some believers walk in such closeness with God that self fades,
and Christ shines so fully through them (Galatians 2:20).
Others love Him deeply but still wrestle to surrender those final pieces of fear or self-reliance — something all of us can relate to (Hosea 4:6).
And some, like the servant who buried his one talent, never quite step into what God placed within them (Matthew 25:14–30).
We’re each somewhere in that journey.
Growing Under the Master Teacher
Wherever we are in our walk, the goal isn’t to “arrive.”
It’s to keep learning.
To grow in grace.
To remain teachable.
To let His Spirit form Christ within us, day by day (2 Timothy 2:15).
My Prayer
My prayer is to stay in the classroom of grace —
never assuming I’ve mastered anything,
never believing I have all the answers,
but continually yielding, learning, and allowing Him to write truth
on the tablets of my heart.
Why I’m Starting This Blog
It all begins with an idea.
I’ve been feeling led to start writing here — not because I need one more thing to do, but because words matter. They have the power to encourage, lift us up, and even help us see life a little differently. My hope is that this blog becomes a place where faith, health, and everyday life meet — and maybe where you’ll find a bit of encouragement for your own journey.
“Write the vision; make it plain… so he may run who reads it.” (Habakkuk 2:2)
That verse has been on my heart as I’ve thought about this space. Writing isn’t just about putting thoughts on paper — it’s about making things clear enough that someone else can take hold of them and run with hope.
I’m Jessica — a follower of Jesus, a wife, and a nurse practitioner. But really, I’m just someone still learning how to walk in faith every day. Some days I get it right, some days I don’t. Like many of you, I’ve faced struggles with health, with mental wellness, with questions about where the world is heading. Through it all, I keep coming back to this: His way is the only way to lasting, true happiness.
Here, you’ll find reflections on faith, health, and the real stuff of daily life. Sometimes I’ll share a verse or prayer. Other times it might be a thought on current events or a simple reminder that you’re not alone. My heart is that this blog will shine light in the middle of all the noise we’re surrounded by — and maybe give you a little hope for your week.
So thank you for being here at the start. I’m excited (and a little nervous) to step out and share in this way. My prayer is that Jessica’s Lampstand feels like a steady voice of hope — not heavy or complicated, but honest and encouraging for the journey we’re all on.
“Let your light shine before others… that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
— Jessica
The Hidden Power of Lyrics: How Music Shapes Our Minds
It all begins with an idea.
Have you ever had a song stuck in your head long after it ended? The words loop, the feelings linger, and before long, your mood starts to match the music. Music is powerful — it’s more than background noise. It speaks to our emotions, our thoughts, and even our beliefs.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” — Proverbs 4:23
When I think back to some of the music that defined decades, I see a pattern — lyrics about heartbreak, isolation, and self-focus. These aren’t just catchy tunes; they’re messages repeated into our hearts.
From the 80s
“’Cause we are living in a material world, and I am a material girl.” — Madonna (1984) → A catchy beat that celebrates status and possessions — and still echoes through today’s influencer culture.
“I want to know what love is… I want you to show me.” — Foreigner (1984) → Longing for love, but rooted in emptiness.
“Every breath you take, every move you make…” — The Police (1983) → A song often mistaken for romance, yet rooted in obsession and control — a subtle reminder of how culture can distort love.
From the 90s
“I’m a loser baby, so why don’t you kill me.” — Beck (1994) → Words of despair wrapped in irony.
“I’m all out of faith, this is how I feel… I’m cold and I am shamed, lying naked on the floor.” — Natalie Imbruglia, “Torn” (1997)
A haunting honesty about broken trust and emotional emptiness — longing for love but left unfulfilled. It captures what happens when we look for wholeness in human approval rather than divine love.
From the 2000s
“In the end, it doesn’t even matter.” — Linkin Park (2000) → Hopelessness tied to failure.
“When you try your best but you don’t succeed… when you get what you want, but not what you need.” — Coldplay, “Fix You” (2005)
A tender attempt to offer comfort — but one that stops short of true healing. It shows our human desire to fix what only God can truly restore.
We don’t always notice how lyrics become background beliefs. The melodies fade, but the words stay — shaping how we talk to ourselves, how we see love, success, or even God. That’s why Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard the heart: it’s the doorway to everything else.
Looking at these lyrics, it’s no wonder depression and anxiety have become so common. What we feed our hearts matters — and music is one of the most powerful gateways.
Pay attention to what you’re listening to — is it fueling despair or feeding hope? Try swapping one playlist this week for something uplifting, and notice how your mood shifts.
Remember: your thoughts shape your emotions, and your emotions shape your life. Choose wisely.
Music can heal or harm. It can pull us deeper into darkness or lift us toward light. Guard your heart, even in the songs you sing along to.
“Remember, even the smallest seed of faith can grow into something beautiful”
As a nurse practitioner, I’ve seen how what we dwell on affects our mental health. Depression doesn’t always begin with a diagnosis — sometimes it begins with what we rehearse in our minds.
That’s why evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focus on renewing thought patterns. We now understand what Scripture has taught all along: as a person thinks in their heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7).
CBT, often combined with carefully chosen medications when needed, helps patients recognize and replace distorted thoughts — much like how faith invites us to renew our minds daily (Romans 12:2). Science confirms what the Spirit already knows: transformation begins in the mind.
— Jessica 🌿
My Strength Is Made Perfect in Your Weakness
It all begins with an idea.
Do you ever feel misunderstood — a little different from everyone else? If so, you’re not alone. We all have moments when we don’t quite fit in — when we look at ourselves and wish we were more like everyone else.
The truth is, the more unique a person is, the more likely they are to feel that way. But being different isn’t something to hide or fix — it’s something sacred to uncover. What if our “weaknesses” aren’t flaws at all, but places where God’s light is waiting to break through?
When we can face those moments of discouragement or inadequacy with honesty instead of shame, something shifts inside us. God meets us there — not after we’ve fixed ourselves, but right in the middle of the mess — and His grace begins to do what our striving never could.
I’ve learned that the best way to face weakness — whether it’s imagined or painfully real — is to stand on God’s truth:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:9–10
When we can embrace our humanity and even boast in our weakness, we make space for Christ’s strength to rest on us. Rather than running from the parts of ourselves we wish were different, we can bring them to Him — trusting that He can turn even our lowest moments into a testimony of His power.
Sometimes our weaknesses rise to the surface not to shame us, but to remind us to lean more fully on Christ — to depend less on our own ability and more on His strength.
So don’t hide what feels broken. Bring it into the light. Because it’s often through our cracks that His light shines the brightest.
— Jessica 🌿
Faith Hope Love
It all begins with an idea.
Faith, Hope, Love — But the Greatest of These Is Love
What is love?
If you ask ten people for their definition, you’ll likely get ten different answers.
Some will say love means being kind.
Others might say it’s accepting someone as they are.
Still others will describe it as a feeling, an emotion, or a deep connection.
And while each of those has some truth to it, Scripture paints a much deeper picture.
Most of us know 1 Corinthians 13 — the love chapter.
I’ve read it countless times, and every time it rings true… but for the longest time, I never fully understood it.
Not until I realized this:
Love is death.
Not the death of joy or identity, but the death of self.
Consider Christ — the Lamb of God on the cross.
The Creator of the world, the One who formed life out of nothing,
the Living Stone rejected by people yet chosen by God…
He cared enough to die for us.
Even when we didn’t know Him.
Even when we didn’t want Him.
Even though we deserved the penalty for our sins —
a penalty demanded by God’s perfect righteousness —
He stepped into our place.
He humbled Himself and became a man
so that His perfection could atone for our imperfection.
His innocence for our guilt.
His purity for our rebellion.
His life for our death.
This is love.
God is love — and love is sacrifice.
The giving up of oneself for the good of another is the highest form of love humanity has ever witnessed.
This is why Scripture says:
“Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.
But the greatest of these is love.”
Why is love the greatest?
Because Christ is the greatest.
Before Him, we were nothing.
Through Him, we became something.
We were made by Him, for Him, and ultimately redeemed by His blood.
We are not our own — we were bought with a price.
Today is the day to remember this.
To remember who came for you.
To remember what love truly looks like.
To surrender fully to the One who gave everything to call you His.
This is the greatest love of all.
Hi, I’m Jessica — a woman learning to walk closely with God in the middle of a busy life, a demanding career, and a heart that longs for deeper purpose. I write to encourage women who want to strengthen their faith, find peace in the everyday moments, and grow in the love Christ has called us to. My hope is that these words remind you of who you belong to — and how deeply you are loved. Thank you for being here.