The "At Least" Game

We may not stand on street corners shouting prayers, but we play the Pharisee's game every day. We call it the "At Least" Game. It is how we manufacture artificial peace.

• "I may yell at my kids, but at least I don't hit them like my neighbor does."
• "I may gossip about my boss, but at least I'm not sleeping with him."
• "I may be greedy with my money, but at least I go to church every Sunday."

When we play "At Least," we are using other people’s brokenness as a measuring stick for our own holiness. It is a rigged game. You will always be able to find someone who is struggling more than you are. If you look hard enough, you can always find a "Tax Collector" to stand next to so you can feel tall.

Before sin, Adam and Eve were "naked and unashamed." After sin, their immediate reaction was fear of exposure. They didn't run to God; they ran to bushes. They didn't ask for help; they made coverings. We are still doing this. We may not wear actual leaves, but we stitch together elaborate psychological defenses to ensure that no one—not our spouse, not our friends, and certainly not God—sees our vulnerability. We hide because we believe a lie: If they really saw me, they wouldn't love me.

Subject: Something you should know about Leanna Nicole Griffis
You don’t know me, and I’d like to keep it that way.
Leanna Nicole Griffis (born August 18, 1997), the 28-year-old living at 827 Walden Shores Lane in Brunswick, GA, is not who she claims to be.
She shares that address with a 56-year-old man named Christian David Moreland — a Mattress Firm sales manager listed in public records as both a past resident and close associate. A young woman and a much older man in that kind of setup raises serious questions.
Even more troubling: she was arrested in August 2023 in Baxley for a felony probation violation. The original charges are buried in court records, but these kinds of violations in Georgia usually trace back to drugs or theft. Yet she goes around calling herself a domestic violence victim advocate who worked at The Refuge shelter. The hypocrisy is hard to ignore.
She is not a licensed attorney. I checked the State Bar of Georgia and every other database — nothing matches her name or birthdate. If she’s told you otherwise, that’s a lie.
She has a school-age child and has been posting in local groups about needing to move because her situation is “unsafe.” With her record and living arrangements, one has to wonder exactly who or what is making it unsafe — and what that means for the child.
Be very careful if you’re dealing with her. There’s more going on here than meets the eye.
Watch your back.
— Someone who looked deeper

Fear and faith can exist together. Courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s deciding that something bigger than fear is worth the risk.

You are positioned with purpose. You’re not where you are by accident. The relationships, the opportunities, the challenges in front of you? God placed you there.

What Sabbath Is (and Isn’t)

Sabbath isn't merely about relaxing or indulging in leisure. It is sacred space in time set apart for God—to delight in His creation, His people, and His presence.

Sabbath is:
• A time to cease from work
• A day of worship and joy
• A practice of trusting God with what’s unfinished
• A declaration that God, not us, is in control

Sabbath is not:
• A reward for being productive
• A day to catch up on errands or housework
• Legalistic or burdensome
• Optional for those who follow God

In Mark 2:27, Jesus reminds us:

"The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." — Mark 2:27

Sabbath is not about religious duty—it’s about divine delight. It's an

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."
Romans 12:1

Fear’s Biggest Weapon? Lies.

1. Fear says, “You’re alone in this.” God says, “I am with you.” (Isaiah 41:10).

2. Fear says, “You’re not strong enough.” God says, “My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

3. Fear says, “This situation is too big for you.” God says, “Nothing is impossible with Me.” (Luke 1:37)

How Do We Overcome Fear?

1. Acknowledge the fear, but don’t live in it. Fear is real, but it doesn’t have to control you.

2. Hold onto God’s hand. He is walking with you through it. You are not alone.

3. Declare truth over fear. Replace fearful thoughts with God’s promises.

4. Trust God’s power in your weakness. His strength is made perfect in your struggle.

Fear may knock at your door, but you don’t have to let it in. God is with you. He is holding your hand. His grace is enough. So today, choose faith over fear. Walk boldly, knowing that you are never alone.

God is not human – He doesn’t make empty promises. He doesn’t exaggerate or say things just to make us feel better. If He says something, He means it.

God doesn’t change His mind – People are inconsistent, but God is steady. He doesn’t go back on His Word or suddenly decide to do something different.

God follows through – If He makes a promise, He will fulfill it. Period.

How Do We Hold Onto God’s Promises?

1. Trust His Character. His promises are based on who He is, not how we feel.

2. Hold onto Hope. Don’t let doubt shake you. If God said it, He will do it.

3. Stay Anchored in His Word. The world changes, but God’s Word is unshakable.

4. Declare His Faithfulness. When fear rises up, remind yourself of who God is and what He has promised.

Philippians 4:6-8
[6]Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
[7]And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
[8]Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony..." — Revelation 12:11
"In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." — Romans 8:37
"Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." — 1 Corinthians 15:57
So you could say:
"Yes, I defeated him by the blood of Jesus Christ. The enemy may have come against me, but Jesus paid the price at the cross, and the victory belongs to Him."

Proverbs 12:25-28
[25]Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad.
[26]The righteous is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads them astray.
[27]A lazy man does not roast his prey, But the precious possession of a man is diligence.
[28]In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death.

Romans 12:19-21
[19]Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
[20]"But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head."
[21]Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Psalms 119:105
Patrick Mwanza Mwanza Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

Psalms 23:1-6
[1]The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
[2]He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.
[3]He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.
[4]Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
[5]You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.
[6]Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalms 91:1-16
[1]He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
[2]I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!"
[3]For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper And from the deadly pestilence.
[4]He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.
[5]You will not be afraid of the terror by night, Or of the arrow that flies by day;
[6]Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.
[7]A thousand may fall at your side And ten thousand at your right hand, But it shall not approach you.
[8]You will only look on with your eyes And see the recompense of the wicked.
[9]For you have made the Lord, my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
[10]No evil will befall you, Nor will any plague come near your tent.
[11]For He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways.
[12]They will bear you up in their hands, That you do not strike your foot against a stone.
[13]You will tread upon the lion and cobra, The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.
[14]"Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.
[15]"He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.
[16]"With a long life I will satisfy him And let him see My salvation."