Bro Chris’ Ponderings

Don’t Allow Your Footing to Give Way: Reminders about how to stand firmly on God’s Word.                      Pastor Chris Downing                                                                                                                                                                            February 3, 2026

I recently had the opportunity to go inside the home that once belonged to my great-grandmother, Daisy Sphinx, and later my great-uncle, Ethel Birdsong. I remember visiting that house at least twice a week with my grandmother when I was a child. Every Tuesday, she would pick up Ethel’s grocery list, and every Thursday, I would go with her and help do his shopping. I can still picture sitting in the living room with my granny while he offered my sister and me molasses cookies. The house is rich with our family history, but unfortunately, it has not held up. It has deteriorated over the years to the point that the roof has caved in and the structure is no longer secure.

My wife Alisa and I, along with other family members, went through the home looking for mementos to salvage before the house is demolished. We found a few treasures that we cleaned up and now have on display in our kitchen.

However, it wasn’t the safest place to be. Many parts of the floor are weak or have already fallen in—something I found out the hard way. As I was walking through the living room trying to avoid a hole, the floor suddenly gave way and I went straight through to the ground. Fortunately, it was a low drop, but it wasn’t comfortable to have one foot on the ground and the other still on the living room floor. I am grateful the floor gave way entirely so I went straight down, only tweaking my ankle a bit. Once I got back up on level ground, I was definitely more aware of where I was stepping.

Physical footing is something we must treat with caution, but understanding our spiritual footing is of deep, eternal importance. Jesus was not silent on this matter.

In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus said “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand…”

Jesus was telling us that we must have our spiritual footing on the solid rock, which is the Word of God. When we live according to the Bible, we can endure the storms this life bring us and the lies of the enemy because our footing is firmly on the truth. We can be sure that we will not be moved.

When our footing is on the sand—the opposite of the rock—it might feel good for a moment. It might even feel secure for a time. But much like that floor I fell through, when the storms blow and the devil shouts his lies, we will fall because our footing is not sure. We won’t just be blown over; we will be blown away.

How can you ensure your footing stays on the solid rock of God’s Word? Here are truths you can put into practice to ensure you are standing on sure ground.

• Read the Bible for transformation, not just information. Make it a discipline to read what God has given you. Much like a builder checks blueprints to ensure the house matches the architect’s design, we must check God’s Word to ensure our ways align with His. (2 Timothy 2:15)
• Practice active obedience. Reading isn’t enough; hearing isn’t enough. We must apply it. Ask yourself: “How does this passage change how I think, speak, or act today?” Action is key. (John 14:15)
• Depend on the Holy Spirit through prayer. We must seek guidance to live according to the Word. The Spirit’s responsibility is to give light to the Scriptures and the strength to obey them. (John 16:13)
• Surround yourself with fellow believers. Being active in a local church is key to staying secure. We all need people to pour into our lives through mentoring, accountability, and encouragement. (Proverbs 27:17)
• Live with integrity. Let your actions reflect God’s Word in all areas—work, family, finances, and relationships. The more your life matches Scripture, the firmer your foundation becomes. (Matthew 5:16)
• Evaluate your footing regularly. Watch where your feet are moving. Regularly examine your life for “foundation cracks,” confess sin, and adjust your actions. (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Firm footing is the key to living a life that honors God. A foundation built on the solid rock of the Bible will never fail you!

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my rock where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” — Psalm 18:2

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Not Lost, Just Home: Navigating My First Year Without Dad
Pastor Chris Downing                                                                                                                                                                                January 30, 2026

With that said, we have experienced all kinds of “firsts” this year since his passing: his birthday, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and, in a few days, the first anniversary of his death. These times have not been the same without him. I have often had to redirect my thoughts to focus on the promise of eternity rather than dwelling solely on the fact that he is gone.

There have even been times when, for a split second, I forgot he had passed. I’ll think, I’d better call and check on Dad, or, I need to get Dad’s opinion on this. Then, just as the thought forms, I remember he is no longer with us. As you can see, these firsts were not easy. But I can tell you that having faith in Christ allows us to mourn differently than those without hope. While some call it “getting used to a new normal,” I see it as leaning on a higher strength.

I know everyone grieves differently. I am not one to share my feelings openly—a characteristic I likely inherited from my father. However, I want to share a Christian perspective on how believers can approach the first year without a loved one. Here are five things the Lord has reminded me of this past year:

3. Remember the past without compromising the present.
This has been a big one for me. If I am not careful, I can live in the past longer than I should. Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us: “To everything there is a season… a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” God gives us memories as a gift, but He also ordains our present. Grief becomes unhealthy when memory replaces mission. We can remember the past with gratitude and mourn with honesty, but we must still live with expectancy. The past molds us, but it was never meant to bind us.

4. Remember to cling to the gifts God has provided.
One of the greatest gifts God has given me is my family. Between my wife, Alisa, my daughter, Ella, my sister, and my nieces, nephews, uncles, and aunts—we lean on each other. We mourn together and we rejoice together. In Romans 12:9, Paul reminds us to “cling to what is good.” My family is truly good.

5. Remember that God comforts with a multitude of grace.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 calls Him “the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction.” Our God is a great comforter. Whenever I feel down, He is there to lift me up—sometimes by sending a friend at just the right time, speaking to me during my devotions, or playing just the right song on the radio.

I love my mom and dad more than words can express. I praise the Lord for their influence; they loved me, pointed me to Jesus, gave wise counsel, and were always there for me. I don’t think I was ever truly “mentally prepared” to live in a world without them.

These are just a few of the truths that have sustained me through the “firsts.” I know I am biased, but they were the best parents a son could have. I am so thankful for the 50 years I had with them and for a family that can still laugh together while telling stories in their memory.

The Ministry of Rest, Relaxation, Refocus, and Renewal                                                                          Pastor Chris Downing                                                                                                                                                                              January 1, 2026

As I sit in a cabin with my family at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama, I find myself finally able to sit back and truly rest. No laptop, no agenda, no schedule—just being present with my family and enjoying the gift of time off. I’ve slept in, watched TV, explored thrift stores, and walked the beach and pier. I even accepted a mini-golf challenge from my daughter (which I won by one stroke!) and ate way too much shrimp. It is the kind of rest I didn’t even realize I needed until I had it.

Before this week, I was consumed by plans for the new year. To be honest, thinking about them was giving me a headache; it felt difficult to focus on what’s ahead. As a pastor, it is easy to pulled in a dozen different directions. It isn’t hard to stay busy, but it is easy to neglect the fact that I need time away. I am incredibly blessed to serve a church that recognizes this need and grants me the time to recharge.

Rest is vital—not just for pastors, but for everyone. One of the most dangerous places you can find yourself is in burnout. I know this from personal experience: burnout drains you to the point that there is no joy in your work, and definitely no joy in ministry. Over the years, I have discovered a “Ministry of Rest” that follows a divine cycle: Rest leads to Relaxation, relaxation leads to Refocus, and refocus leads to Renewal. Let’s look at how God uses this cycle to restart our spirits from a biblical perspective.

Rest

Rest is not a new concept; it has existed since the beginning of time. God is the author and creator of rest. It was created as a gift and should be considered a holy practice. Our Lord rested on the seventh day—not because He was tired, but to set an example for us.

“The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. So then, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” — Mark 2:27-28

Relaxation

While rest is the practice relaxation is the result. Rest is designed to relieve stress and help us take our minds off the trials of the day. More importantly, physical rest often paves the way for spiritual rest. True relaxation is found in God, not just in inactivity. It is an invitation to lay down our burdens and find peace in Christ. Inner rest is the act of trusting God with what we cannot control.

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” — Matthew 11:28-30

Refocus

Once we experience relaxation, we can begin to refocus on our faith. Rest is an act of trust that allows us to center our attention on the things of the Lord. When we refocus, we acknowledge that God is our provider and that we cannot sustain ourselves on our own strength.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” — Matthew 6:33

Renewal

Renewal is the birth of a new sense of purpose or direction. Sometimes, it is simply the confirmation of a current path that had become blurred by fatigue. Our God promises to restore our strength and clarify our vision.

“He gives strength to the faint and strengthens the powerless. Youths may become faint and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint.” — Isaiah 40:29-31

It is nearly impossible to experience renewal if you never stop moving. Rest is a gift from God designed to help us understand His will. Don’t neglect the ministry of rest, relaxation, refocus, and renewal.

Christian First: Lessons Learned from Ministry and the Airwaves

Reflections on Identity, Faith, and the Call to Glorify Christ in All Things

One of my first jobs in ministry was working at a Christian radio station in the late 1990s and early 2000s. I was truly blessed to share great Christian music and encouraging programming with our listeners. It remains a highlight of my ministry; I still have people, more than 20 years later, who remember me from the station. During my time there, I had the privilege of serving as the Southern Gospel station’s music and program director and as the morning drive-time on-air personality.

I loved what our ministry president, Darrell Gibson, often said to our listeners: “We are a ministry that happens to be a radio station.” That statement has profoundly impacted my own ministry over the years. I often tell people that our professions do not totally define us. If you are a follower of Christ, you are first and foremost a Christian that happens to be in whatever position you currently hold. A person’s career may change, but our faith in Christ never changes. It makes perfect sense, then, that our primary identity must be in our faith in Christ—the one constant in our lives. When we fully embrace that truth, it will shape our worldview to increasingly strive to live for Him.

I enjoy and listen to all forms of Christian music, some more than others, but if the artist and their music genuinely glorifies Christ, I will usually give it a listen. (The criteria for that is a discussion for another day, because not all Christian music is necessarily biblically and theologically sound—a truth I learned early on at the radio station.)

This past summer, my daughter introduced me to the fairly new Christian recording artist Forrest Frank. His music is a combination of pop and R&B. While not my favorite genre, I’ve found myself enjoying a few of his songs—the kind you enjoy driving in your truck, even if they aren’t what you’d sing in church worship.

This year, Forrest Frank was nominated for a Dove Award for Artist of the Year and actually won, but Frank did not attend the show. Days before the ceremony, he confessed on his Instagram page that he does not attend or accept awards due to personal convictions. Frank was quoted saying, “As a Christian artist, I dress kind of like the world. I kind of look like the world. My music can kind of sound like the world. So, where’s the line in the sand drawn?”

Forrest Frank makes a powerful point. The Christian music industry (and it is, indeed, an industry) often sounds and sometimes looks too much like secular music. I perfectly understand what he is saying: he is a follower of Christ who happens to sing and perform Christian pop and R&B music. He is a Christian first, and a performer second. The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3:13-15: Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. Therefore, let all of us who are mature think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you.

I believe we need to do exactly what Forrest Frank has done: we need to draw our own line in the sand so that we start looking and sounding different than the world. Our ultimate “award” is Christ, and if we are not careful, we can start taking credit for things where the credit belongs only to Him. We must understand that the good work we do must be the natural result of who we are and who lives inside of us. As Christians, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit, and that must be displayed in our lives! What is on the inside will always come to the outside.

Our ultimate reward, award, and prize is, and always has been, Christ Jesus! No matter if you are a Christian recording artist or a construction worker, Jesus should always be enough. Your core purpose is to glorify Christ; everything else is secondary to that crucial truth.

Glorify Christ in All Things. It doesn’t matter if you serve in a “ministry position,” or are a carpenter, a CEO, or anything else; our number one job is to live our lives for Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.”

Proclaim the Name of Christ in All We Do. It’s one thing to live for Christ; it’s another to proclaim Him. We live in a time where we need to be bold in our faith. Pray for opportunities to lift up the name of Christ in your community and sphere of influence. Philippians 2:10-11 says: “…so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—in heaven and on earth and under the earth—and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Praise the Lord for All He Is and All He Does. We must give credit where credit is due. If it wasn’t for the Lord, our lives would be on sinking sand, as the old hymn states. We need to praise the Lord in the good times and in the bad times, never taking credit for the good and never blaming God for the bad. Hebrews 13:15 tells us, “Therefore, through him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.”

So, let’s go into the world being a Christian that happens to be whatever we do, because what you do must be done for Christ!