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When I first met Jodie, I was sitting in The Roastery at Oliver Gospel. One of the first things I noticed about Jodie is that he is an encourager. Even as he is walking his own journey through the Rebuild program, he comes alongside dozens of men in our community, encouraging them to dig deep, ask for help, and find faith in God. The second thing I learned about Jodie was his remarkable memory. Many of our guests have blurred memories of their first day at Oliver Gospel, which is not uncommon for those experiencing homelessness. When a person is in crisis, not knowing where their next meal is coming from or where they will lay their head that night, it becomes difficult to remember the past or look to the future. This shortened time horizon means that a lot of our guests don’t remember what they ate at their first meal at Oliver Gospel. Not Jodie. Jodie vividly remembers every aspect of his first meal. He was hungry, but more than physical hunger, Jodie was hungry for faith. He knew that God was doing some BIG work in his life by bringing him to Oliver Gospel. Jodie doesn’t just remember his meals. When Jodie was in grade school, his little sister was killed in a house shooting. It changed his life forever. He can’t forget it. He remembers every detail. How was he supposed to forgive this man if he couldn’t forget what he had done? In the days and years following the shooting, Jodie struggled to find the forgiveness he knew he was called to give. He wrestled with what he knew to be true in Scripture with the pain of those memories. After some time and some wrong turns, Jodie found forgiveness in his heart. “I was so bottled up with stuff that I let everything go to my head,” says Jodie. In his newfound forgiveness, Jodie found freedom. “When I think about your freedom, I think about the way God has brought me from where I was at. When I was homeless, God was like ‘Nuh-uh, I am about to bring you to a new place and turn your freedom loose.’” As Jodie walked through the doors at Oliver Gospel, he took the first steps of his journey to freedom. Jodie lives in the Light of forgiveness and freedom that only Jesus Christ can give him. If you met Jodie today, you would see it. You would see it in his cheerful grin. You'd see it in the way he encourages his brothers in their own journeys at Oliver Gospel. Each one of us could learn from Jodie. Take a moment and search your heart. Are you withholding forgiveness from someone? Is that robbing you of freedom? As Jodie encourages so many at Oliver Gospel with his story, I hope he encourages you. You can find freedom and goodness on the other side of the door of forgiveness!

THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY of the Christian year is and always has been Easter Sunday. Christians around the world have been mourning the death and then celebrating the resurrection of Jesus for roughly 2,000 years. Long before eggs and pastel bunnies (traditions which started just 300 years ago in North America, according to most sources) were three days: Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. Everything rests on those three days. Paul writes it best: “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:17-19, NRSV). Reminding us of the book of Ecclesiastes, which argues that life is meaningless without God, Paul articulates the utter centrality of the cross and the rolled-away-stone. Without the crucifixion and the resurrection, belief in Jesus is worthless. That is one of the reasons why the Gospel authors wrote the accounts of the death and resurrection in such detail, dedicating more words to it than any other event of Jesus’ life. They knew that if Christ did not die and rise again, then Christianity is a tragedy and we who believe are to be pitied above all others. The Gospel writers understood that they had to get this story exactly right. IN EVERY GOSPEL ACCOUNT there is a particular detail that I invite you to think about with me. Have you ever noticed the passages on the Second Day – the day between the cross and the resurrection? It is a day of silence and stillness. Some call the day Holy Saturday, some don’t have a name for it, and some overlook it entirely, skipping right to Easter Sunday. But the Second Day is unmistakably there, and each Gospel writer asks us to consider it with awe and reverence. You may remember that the Israelites practiced the sabbath on Saturdays (as Jews still do today), just as God commanded them in the Torah (first five books of the Bible). The switch to Sunday sabbath only occurred after the Resurrection. It seemed more fitting for the first day of the week to be the day of the Resurrection. The sabbath was practiced by Jesus and other Jews from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday, a full 24 hours of rest and worship, every week. It was such a big ordeal, that Jesus and others would spend time preparing for it every Friday—the day of Preparation—so that they could abstain from work for the entirety of the 24-hour period. Significantly, this detail of the sabbath between Jesus’ death and resurrection is included in every Gospel. Take Luke’s account, which reads: “[Joseph of Arimathea] went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. It was the day of Preparation and the sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. [But] on the sabbath they rested according to the commandment” (Luke 23:52-56). On the night of that Friday that Jesus hung and died, they rushed to have him wrapped in a cloth, compelled to wait on applying the spices and ointments to leave Him until Sunday when the Sabbath was over. A day of rest—after the darkest of human history and right before the brightest—landing in-between, where all seems lost. There is no hope to be seen, touched, felt, or heard. If you’ve ever lost a loved one, recall the moment you realized you would never see them laugh or cry on this side of heaven. I imagine the disciples had that same realization about Jesus. In despair, they may have wanted to cry out, as Jesus did, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Yet, the disciples still observed sabbath—that is they rested and worshipped God—and I think God tells us something in this. WHAT WE LEARN FROM THE DAY INBETWEEN Paul’s famous conversion story where he encounters the risen Savior on the road to Damascus is often used as an example of God changing someone’s life in an instant. But perhaps that interpretation skips the Second Day. Paul himself testifies that it took 17 years after his encounter on the road to Damascus before beginning the bulk of his ministry (See Galatians 1:15-2:1). What does this have to do with the Second Day? Well, in both stories, we see the followers of Jesus wait. In the waiting, we see faithfulness. I am encouraged to wait on the Lord’s transformation story in my own life and the lives of others. We love a comeback story. But, sometimes, I think we try to rush the process. Sometimes, we give up on people too easily or oversimplify the solution to their suffering. It can be frustrating to see the same man begging on the street corner when we bought his lunch yesterday. The process of transformation, moving from death to life, can be slow, and I for one am guilty of impatience. At Oliver Gospel, our programs for men, women, and children typically run 6 – 18 months (learn more here). Our mission statement is engaging and transforming lives together through the power of Christ’s love, but there is a second day between “death” and “resurrection”; a period of waiting. When someone has encountered suffering most of their life: abuse, discrimination, hunger, depression, and loneliness—it can take some time to heal and fully be open to God’s restorative work. THE REST OF THE STORY Thankfully, we know the rest of the story: Jesus did rise again (and He will come again!) and God’s new Kingdom project was inaugurated with his glorious Resurrection. For humanity, that means that Jesus defeated sin and death and invites us into eternal life with Him through the finished work of the cross and empty tomb. Working and ministering on this side of the Resurrection, we hope in the that Resurrection power to transform lives. No matter how long or hard the journey is between the cross and resurrection, it’s worth the trial. On the other side is eternal life with Jesus, who satisfies every hunger, wipes every tear, and loves deeper than we could imagine.

Shane grew up in Orangeburg, South Carolina, with a close-knit family that taught him to pray and follow God. However, his family held him to high expectations with little grace for shortcomings. Because of this, relationships with his family have been strained over the past few years. They accused him of making poor decisions and being lazy, leaving Shane feeling crushed and abandoned. He loves his family and being pushed away by them was heartbreaking. Soon after the pandemic hit, Shane found himself unemployed, couch-hopping around town. Before coming to Columbia, he was living with an elderly friend in Orangeburg. When she moved to Texas in mid-2021, she connected him with Oliver Gospel to have a safe and welcoming place to live. Shane recalls his first few days at Oliver Gospel, saying, “It’s world-changing for you because it helps you get a foundation of what’s going on and what you’re doing. It helps you to see what it’s like to not be homeless again.” Shane started out in our Refresh program, which provides nightly shelter for men experiencing homelessness for up to 30 days. Shortly after his first few nights, he realized that his mental health declined from the pain and hardship of his estranged family and unemployment. For the first time, he was able to focus on himself after years of worrying about where he would sleep for the night. Through Oliver Gospel, he was connected to Prisma Health, where he received mental health counseling and medication and started to feel like himself again. Once he stabilized his mental health and got a job, Shane started the six-month Rebuild program at Oliver Gospel. In Rebuild, he has remained healthy and stays in our transitional housing while saving money for permanent housing. He continues to reach out to his family and prays that he will see renewal in those relationships as he begins this healthier and more stable chapter of his life.

If you have been to our Men's Center, taken a tour, or read some of our past newsletters, you have likely encountered this word: Rebuild. Maybe you immediately pictured a construction site or a hardware store, or maybe you weren't sure what this word had to do with our mission here at Oliver Gospel. Rebuild is our six-month, transitional housing program for unhoused, working men. Like scaffolding on a building, this program supports the walls and foundation they are rebuilding after much of their life has been damaged by homelessness. Much like a building under construction needs scaffolding, there are many in our community who need external support to rebuild parts of their lives. They are often well-trained and hard-working, but they have lost a sense of hope and safety because they no longer have a place to call home. The main cause of homelessness is the lack of affordable housing. Someone must earn $17.30 per hour, working full time to afford a two-bedroom home at the fair market rate. The average renter earns $13.52 per hour, leaving a $3.78 "wage gap" that renters must fill with already low resources. Homelessness can be sudden. It can also be short-lived. Neither reality makes it any less stressful, damaging, or painful. The Rebuild Program provides the "scaffolding" necessary to repair and restore a person's livelihood. How do we help bridge this wage gap? Rebuild is for men who are employed 30+ hours a week. By providing no cost lodging and food, Oliver Gospel takes away two of the biggest stressors in a person's life: food and shelter. More than physical needs, our Rebuild residents are paired with a Life Advisor to disciple and support them. They discover Jesus in a new light and their hope is restored despite difficult circumstances. We have seen restoration take place in countless lives through this program. If you would like to learn more about all the programs we offer, schedule a tour!

Desmond Frazier walked through Oliver Gospel's door less than a year ago. What prompted him to come here? Desmond had struggled with alcoholism for some time. He watched it affect his career, his relationships, and his life. He knew that he didn't want to keep going down this path and risk losing everything. “It was time for a change,” he confessed. In 5 months, Desmond had moved through our Recovery program and entered the Career phase, where he began a job for a roofing company. This job requires early hours that don't align with the public bus schedule in Columbia. Without a car, he didn't have an affordable way to get to his new job on time. Through a new feature in our programming, Desmond was awarded a transportation scholarship, providing the financial means for him to get to and from work every day for a whole month. During that time, Desmond saved up his money so that he could sustain the insurance and gas costs that come with owning a car. His mom gave him a used car, and now, because of the scholarship, he is able to use the car to get to work each day! "I’m just blessed to have had this opportunity. This is a gift from God. Whoever is donating money to help us, that is just such a blessing. And, I wish in the long run I can return the favor and help other guys who are in the program." In the Career Phase, the men, like Desmond, often do not have a car or even a license to get to their new job. Unless their job is in walking distance of Oliver Gospel, daily transportation to and from work can be a barrier to success in their new career and to progress towards finding permanent housing. This barrier also exists for the women at Toby's Place. Between kids' school and daycare schedules and their own jobs, transportation can be a major hurdle to jump in their journey of transformation. Through the generosity of our donors, Oliver Gospel has begun providing transportation scholarships to the men and women in our programs in need. The money is given in the form of Uber gift cards that they use to arrive at work in a timely and consistent manner each day. This is an ongoing need, as we frequently have men and women in our programs who have full-time jobs, part-time jobs, or sometimes even multiple jobs. These men and women are working hard to save their money so that they can purchase cars and move into permanent housing. The transportation scholarships are providing a temporary solution that makes a lasting impact. If Desmond's story strikes a chord with you, please consider supporting future transportation scholarships. For $1,000, you can provide 3 full months of transportation and spark transformation at the same time! It is through your generosity that we see these men and women transform and move towards their bright future. Thank you for being a part of their journey! *If we exceed our budget for this specific project, we will expend the extra funds toward a similarly focused project at the discretion of our leadership.

You may see this article heading and think, "This is just their obligatory acknowledgement of Women's History Month, aka nothing too exciting." And, you may be right. To some, this will seem like just our "duty" as an organization to acknowledge the importance of women's history and rights. But if you're willing, take a moment to read this anyway, because I believe this is more than just obligation. This is necessity. Even if this article moves the heart of only one reader, it's worth it. Because the women we serve are worth it. The women in our country are worth it. The women across the globe are worth it. Women are World-Changers Women's History Month is an opportunity to recognize the female leaders in the history of the world who advocated for the voice of every woman. Women have consistently held central roles in making history. Rahab and Esther are two of the many women in the Bible who protected and advocated for the nation of Israel. Joan of Arc led the French Army to victory in the Hundred Years' War and is a Roman Catholic saint. Harriet Tubman rescued dozens from slavery and into freedom. In more recent history, we have Clara Barton, Susan B. Anthony, Rosa Parks, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Maya Angelou, and hundreds more who changed the world. These women shaped history. March is dedicated to looking back on their lives, not only to honor and celebrate these women and their work, but also to learn from them. We can glean so much wisdom from the examples they set. Two common attributes I see among the women in history are dignity and courage. To know one's inherent worth and to be willing to take action on your convictions are not only admirable, they are effective. Women who possess these traits tend to change the world. At Toby's Place, we believe women are world-changers. It may be on a smaller scale than Michelle Obama or Anne Frank, but the women at Toby's are changing the world for themselves, for their children, and for the women who will come after them. Our programs are rooted in the desire to see dignity and courage shine through the women who grace our halls. We empower them through education and opportunity, allowing them the space to own their identity and their gifts. Our life skills classes are just one example of this. The women learn about everything from taxes to jewelry-making, giving them the chance to gain practical skills and exercise their creativity. I have seen these classes spark passion and innovation in the hearts of these women. After experiencing homelessness, hardship, and heartbreak, the ability to feel passion again is a huge step in the journey of healing. Providing Healing. Promoting Hope. The theme for 2022 Women's History Month is Providing Healing. Promoting Hope. This theme is so fitting! At Toby's Place, we exist to help women across the Midlands heal from trauma, addiction, illness. Consistently the word I hear at Toby's Place is healing. In that process of healing, there is hope to be found - hope for a new life of freedom and goodness. Looking back at women throughout history brings me hope for today and hope for the future. Hope that women will know their inherent worth as Christ's image-bearers. Hope that women will continue to build one another up in love. Hope that through the work of programs like Toby's Place, women will always find the space to heal, grow, and change the world. Join me in praying that Toby's Place would continue to provide healing and promote hope, not just in the month of March, but into the future. Pray that the women who walk through our doors will know their dignity, feel loved, and learn courageousness. If you would like to support the work of Toby's Place, please consider making a donation today!

February is Black History Month. It is a month that we dedicate to reflect, celebrate, and honor the ancestors of the black community locally and globally. It is also an opportunity to grieve the trauma still being experienced today as a result of the racial injustices in our history. Why the month of February? The date was chosen because of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass' birthdays, which fall in February. Black History Month came about in the 1940s, and it became nationally recognized in 1976. A Legacy of Honor and Resilience In African-American culture, the practice of honoring those who came before, especially those who fought for racial freedom and equality, is central to their identities. With so much work that still needs to be done in our nation in regards to racial justice, studying and remembering the work that has already done is vital to push forward in the fight for equality. Just as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and so many others fought for the freedom of future generations of black Americans, the black community today is fighting for better justice and equality for future generations. The progress that has been made in the past 100+ years brings hope for the future. But, it also inevitably brings up deep pain, tragic loss, and trauma. Black Americans were stripped of dignity and identity during the slave trade in the 1800s. Countless men and women have fought to restore dignity and identity since, but that doesn't remove the pain entirely. Each and every African-American faces some consequence of the past. Black History Month serves as a time to acknowledge reality, while being empowered by the hope that black leaders have provided throughout history. How does OGM fit in the story? Oliver Gospel serves an ethnically diverse population with the common thread of poverty and homelessness. But, the circumstances that lead to poverty are heavily influenced by race. Any person can get caught in a cycle of poverty, but because of the historical racial inequality between blacks and whites in jobs, education, healthcare, and more, the African-American community is more susceptible to the poverty cycle. The racial injustices in our country's history perpetuates the poverty cycle, making the fight for racial justice even more difficult. Our programs are designed to help break the poverty cycle. As we honor and celebrate Black History this month, our team is seeking to learn more about how racial injustice has shaped the identities of the African-American people who come through our programs. Through listening and learning, we hope to join in the fight for equality and justice.

If you have been in the Oliver Gospel community for long, you know that we LOVE to celebrate here! Graduating from our programs is a huge milestone in a person's life. It is an opportunity to look back and see how far they have come and to rejoice over all they have learned and accomplished. At the beginning of this year, Adrian graduated from Toby's Place. Her dad, sister, and friends came to celebrate with us and share testimonies of the transformation they have seen in Adrian's life. Since 18, Adrian had battled depression, drug use, and abusive relationships, as well as losing her mom to cancer. Adrian tested positive for marijuana at the birth of her second son. DSS stepped in and removed him and her older son, from her custody when her baby was just 6 weeks old. Adrian came to Toby's Place at the end of 2020. She had an open DSS case with her two oldest children and was 38 weeks pregnant with her twins. She arrived at Toby's 5 days before her twins were born. Even though she was clean and sober, DSS took the twins because she need to prove her stability. At that point, Adrian felt hopeless. "I basically fell on my hands and knees and said 'I can't do this anymore' and that is when God stepped in and ultimately saved my life." The Lord heard her prayer, and she miraculously got a court hearing a day after that prayer. That court hearing resulted in Adrian regaining custody of her twins and weekend visits with her older sons. On March 11th, 2021, Adrian received full custody of all four of her children. Before Toby's Place, Adrian was stressed, tired, and scared. When she arrived, the staff and residents at Toby's Place instantly became family. She felt safe and ready to deliver her twins. "Having that tight knit community was so appreciated." She has learned not only how to be a better mom, but also a woman of God, through the classes and relationships at Toby's Place. They allowed Adrian be independent and grow at her own pace. She loves that people from all over the Midlands come to teach as well because it builds connections outside of just Toby's Place. Since Adrian came to Toby's Place, she has also slowly repaired her relationship with her dad. To have his presence and words at her graduation was so meaningful. Back in November, Adrian participated in the Through Our Eyes Project photo contest. Her picture of her son won 1st place out of over 500 pictures! Adrian received a gas gift card, as well as a large canvas print of the winning photo as a prize. Adrian worked in the nursery during her time at Toby's Place. She realized how important donations are to the operations. Food, nursery items, clothes, and so many other things are vital to help the women and children thrive and succeed at Toby's Place. If you are interesting in donating supplies to Toby's Place, check out our Amazon Wishlist or reach out to our Community Engagement Coordinator for more information! - (803) 567-2236 - christian.albertsen@olivergospel.org

I know, I know...it is a stretch to say that we have harsh winters here in Columbia, South Carolina. We are a city famous for canceling school at the first sign of a flake and for buying up all the milk, bread, and eggs just in case we get snowed in and desperately want to make French toast. It is safe to say that Columbians are NOT considered adepts at navigating extreme winter weather. Nevertheless, even mild winter temperatures can leave those without shelter vulnerable and at risk for illness. Think about how many days out of the year you run the heat in your house or put on an extra layer for the walk from your car to the office, store, or house. Consider the little things you do during your day that bring warmth - drinking a cup of coffee, donning a hat, or turning up the heat in your car. Each of those moments represents an opportunity you have to choose comfort. The word that strikes me here is: choose. Lately, I have become aware of the freedom I have to choose things in my life. I get to choose what I want to eat, I choose what I wear, I choose whether I want to buy this or that thing. As I have noticed this freedom in my life, I have also realized the bondage that is caused by the poverty cycle. When your immediate needs aren't automatically met, you lose the freedom to choose comfort because you must seek survival. During the winter months, mild as they seem compared to Chicago, NYC, or Denver, there are unique challenges to those experiencing homelessness. There are things that are essential for survival that some people can't provide for themselves or their families. 1. Winter Clothing Warm layers are essential during colder seasons, especially when you spend the majority of your days and nights outside. For someone who has shelter, it is easy to store coats, hats, and boots in a closet or bin during the warmer months and then pull them out of storage as needed. For those with no place to call home, they must carry those layers around year-round or get new ones each year, which costs money. This is why blanket and coat drives are so important. By providing free, warm items, the community can help reduce the annual costs those experiencing homelessness face. 2. Shelter Perhaps the most obvious need during the winter is shelter. Columbia gets a LOT of rain during January, February, and March. That dampness, combined with chilly temperatures, can lead to illness quickly for those exposed to the elements. During these high-risk months, Oliver Gospel opens up emergency beds in Oliver Hall (our dining facility) because it can quite literally save lives. 3. Warm Food While the amount of food a person needs doesn't shift with the seasons, warm food and drinks can go a long way in helping the body stay warm and produce energy that regulates your body temperature. While any food can help fill stomachs, there is a reason we gravitate toward soup, stews, and hot cocoa during the winter - They warm us up! This time of year is a great opportunity to buy someone a cup of coffee or a bowl of soup, if you are able. I want to be clear about something: This post is not meant to make you feel guilty for the freedom you have to choose comfortable things in life. Give thanks to the Lord for the grace He has lavished on you by providing for you in this way! "Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." (Psalms 106:1 NIV) Instead, I want to challenge you, because of your freedom, to let your heart be moved with compassion, recognizing the ability God has given you to lavish grace on people in your community. Heed John the Baptist's command in Luke 3 when he says, "Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same." (Luke 3:11 NIV) Let the gratitude in your heart overflow into your actions. You have been given the incredible opportunity to change someone's life through compassion and generosity. If you are reading this blog as a past or current donor, volunteer, or partner of Oliver Gospel, I want to thank you, on behalf of each staff member and guest here. We wouldn't be able to do what we do without you. If you are reading this and you are interested in learning how to get involved with Oliver Gospel, visit our Donate and Volunteer pages, or give us a call at (803) 254-6470 ext. 1200.

During the holiday season, Palmetto Trails collected socks and shoes for the men, women and children in our programs. This has become an annual collection, and we are so grateful for Palmetto Trails' partnership in transforming the Midlands! See the article here.

This December, Oliver Gospel was the recipient of a grant from The Columbia Sertoma Club. This 501(c)(3) organization's motto is: Service to Mankind. We are so appreciative that they chose to serve Oliver Gospel and our community in fulfilling their motto. Pictured on the left is our Director of Development, Christian Markle and Joby Castine, the president of Columbia Sertoma Club. Read the article here.

Happy New Year! Each new year, it seems that everybody tries to reset their goals, plan their schedules, and establish new rhythms, so they can start off the new year right. I am 100% this way. I am a natural organizer. I love hoping and dreaming about all of the possibilities a new year can bring, and I love figuring out how to make all of those hopes and dreams a reality. In the words of Hannibal, from the classic TV series The A-Team, "I love it when a plan comes together!" But, with my desire for a new goal, a new plan, a new dream, comes the urge to pursue perfection. I am often pushed to exhaustion by my own desire to have perfect plans and rhythms. A few years ago, a dear friend encouraged me to choose a "word of the year." The purpose of this is to set a theme or a focus for the year. Most importantly, I've found that having a word of the year has helped me simplify and frame my goals for the year in a way that actually helped me meet more of them! I have found 3 ways that choosing a word for the year has helped me in my planning and goal-setting: 1) Seeing the Bigger Picture When I choose a word to frame my year, my focus shifts off of all the nitty-gritty details. I no longer obsess over every habit I want to form or the tasks I want to accomplish. This happens because I am looking at the motivations behind my plans rather than plans themselves. I am taking a look at how my word of the year shapes my desires and, in turn, shapes my goals. For example, if my word of the year is peace, I am going to look at the things in my life that are either bringing me peace or taking it away. If I discover that spending the first half-hour of my day in complete silence promotes peace in my life, then I add that rhythm to my plan. If I realize that engaging in debates on Facebook robs me of peace, then I will cultivate a discipline of limiting my social media time. By choosing a word to frame your life for a season, you are able to see why or how your rhythms and goals are formed. Changed desires bring changed actions. 2) Deepening Your Definitions The second thing that I have found so helpful in choosing a word for the year is that it invites you to deepen your understanding of the word. In keeping with the previous example, the word peace can be quickly defined as "the absence of conflict." This is a correct statement but doesn't quite speak to the depths of my heart or emotions. In narrowing your focus to just one word, you are given the opportunity to go deep with that word. Dictionaries, thesauruses, and other academic tools are a great place to start. From there, I love using resources like Bible Gateway or the You Version Bible app to find all of the uses of my word in both the Old and New Testaments. I want to know how God defines the word and how that word impacted characters in the Scriptures. If you really want to go deeper into the meaning of your word, you can look up the Greek or Hebrew words that translate to your word. Using Bible commentaries and dictionaries, you can learn a lot about the original meaning of a word based on the Bible's cultural and historical context. Whew...there is so much to be learned, even about just one word! Even if you don't go beyond Webster's definition of the word, I have found that merely having a word tunes your eyes and ears to notice that word popping up in your everyday life, from sermons to Instagram captions to everyday conversations. 3) Grounding your Prayers and Bible Studies Lastly, I have found that by choosing a word for the year, I have a framework or a jumping-off point for my prayers and for bible studies. When I am praying on my own, I typically journal my prayers. This keeps me focused and also is something I can look back on to remember where I came from. Once I have chosen my word for the year, I write it down in my prayer journal and talk to the Lord about it. I write out what I think it means, why I chose the word, and what Bible verses I already know that use the word. I then ask the Lord to teach me more about the word and to show me why this word is uniquely important for this season. As the year goes on, I continue prayer journaling as I learn new meanings of the word or I experience its manifestation in my life. This is my favorite part of choosing a word. I love seeing how my understanding of a word or concept grows slowly over time and with new life experiences. Similarly, by having a word of the year, I can more readily pick out devotional books on the topic and choose verses, chapters, and books of the Bible to study either on my own or with a group. I often like to find sermons online that focus on my word too. Of course, this is not to say that every prayer and every Bible study I do in a year will be centered on my word, but it guides and focuses me as I pray and study Scripture. After reading this, I hope that you will consider choosing a word of the year (or semester, or month, or even week!). It has served as a wonderful tool for me, and I have been so encouraged by how the Lord has used my word of the year to teach me, convict me, and comfort me. I pray He will do the same for you!