Important note:

I have not and will never will use AI for my music. I write it myself, collaborate with a producer and hire real musicians. This song has real strings arranged by a real string arranger.

Making real music is costly in time, energy, and resources. But that’s what makes music and art good. When it stops being hard it stops being meaningful.

I am thankful for the team who helped bring this song to life!

Mitch Dane (Producer/Engineer), Caitlin Anselmo (String Arrangements, Piano, BGV’s), Nate Dugger (Guitars), Paul Eckberg (Drums), Byron House (Bass), David Davidson & David Angell (Violins), Austin Hoke (Cello), Betsy Lamb (Viola), I thank God for you!

Spotify:

Apple Music:

https://music.apple.com/us/album/water-under-the-bridge/6790288994?i=6790288996

YouTube:

Hope you love this!

Thank you for your support!

Peace,

Stephanie

SUPPORT UPCOMING TOUR:

StephanieStaples.com/gift

I am releasing a brand new song on Friday, July 31st. It’s my birthday so seemed an appropriate day to release a song about letting go of the past.

Since I am giving YOU, my faithful subscribers a preview, I would love it if you could take a moment to pre-save this on Apple Music or Spotify. It takes two seconds and makes all the difference in the world!

Pre-Save Here

About the song:

“Water under the bridge” is a phrase that means, “what’s done is done.”

The chorus:

When water’s under the bridge

When holding on takes all of your courage

Hold on, hold on

Let love win

Culture tells us to abandon relationships when things get tough, to weed out “toxic” or difficult people so we can have peace. But what if peace is found not in letting go of relationships but in letting go of the hurt and showing the Grace we so often need ourselves? While there are certainly times where walking a way from another human relationship is necessary, but more often than not, some sort of repair is possible.

Psalm 133 says blessing is found when brothers (and sisters) live together in harmony.

How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head . . . Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the LORD has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.

And our Lord taught us to pray, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.”

The Apostle Paul wrote,

“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace” Colossians 3:13-15

Sometimes relationships need to change—but change does not have to mean “the end.” A healthy boundary is just that—a boundary.

Our world is fractioned—but that’s not new. Choosing to “let love win” reveals the truth of God’s ever-present-help in times of trouble (Psalm 46). Jesus said that our unique love for one another would show the world we are his.

Verse 2

Darlin’, my arms will stay wide open

Your heart is safe with mine

God heals what’s broken

Musically this song is a viiiiiibe. I hope you love it. I am so thankful for the incredible team who collaborated with me to make it what it is: Mitch Dane, Caitlin Anselmo, Nate Dugger, Byron House, Paul Eckberg, David Davidson, David Angel, Betsy Lamb, and Austin Hoke. You guys crushed it.

I hope that you pre-save it and that on July 31st you’ll give me the gift of sharing it with everyone you know. Or maybe with someone you hope to repair relationship with—again, a repair doesn’t always involve complete restoration to the way things were before—but it fixes what’s broken. God wants us whole.

Have a great day!

Stephanie

P.S. Scotland mini tour info coming soon. Still booking.

Apart from the busyness of family life, I recorded five songs, took two trips across the pond for concerts, had a pretty big surgery in April, a house leak and a bunch of other personal stuff I can’t get int…

Read more

I am studying Church history and have been deeply moved by the evidence of the Grace of God working in spite of the shortsightedness and weaknesses of humanity. Even the most revered of Christian leaders, scholars, and teachers have had their flaws. The apostle Paul said, “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” 1 Corinthians 13:12

No human being or institution has ever gotten it “right.” But so many have pointed us to the One who did.

We are living in a time that is not unlike times past. A brief study in history will prove that for many, things have been far worse. The earliest believers had so much to navigate but they chose to lean into grace and do what Jesus did: “the Father’s business.” Regardless of the cost.

We have unique opportunities and incredible freedom to live out the good news and bring light to our communities. Regardless of what is happening in society we have an obligation to press in to communion, to lean into grace, to study our faith and be solid in our understanding of God’s purpose. We are called to help the lost, the confused, and the broken find their way to freedom. But we can only do that when WE are found, stable, and whole.

The lyrics of this song are a prayer for Christ to purify and unify his Body so he receives the blessing, honor, and praise he deserves. Hope it blesses your heart.

Thanks for your support!

Stephanie

P.S. Heading across the pond to England do a concert at Capernwray Hall on May 16th with Matt Searles. Your prayers are greatly appreciated as I am still recovering from surgery!

—-—

You can read more about the writing of this song on my other substack post:

https://stephologie.substack.com/p/new-song-out-today

Apple Music:

https://music.apple.com/us/album/hallelujah/1893843893?i=1893843894

Sometimes my songs come like a gift—“received” vs written.

I remember the day the music for Hallelujah came to me like a wave. But even though I sensed the Lord strongly as I was writing, I was insecure about the song. When I was preparing it to take it into the studio for tracking, a bridge came. Once again, it came like a wave. But even though it seemed to come straight to me like a gift, I didn’t have much confidence in it. I just knew it was given for a purpose.

Needless to say, this particular song taught me a lot about faith.

Even when God’s gifts (or his assignments) are clear—sometimes we doubt. Did we really hear from heaven? Was this really a gift? Has there really been a specific assignment given? Sometimes the gift (though heaven sent) doesn’t feel like “enough.”

All through scripture we see scenarios where the human response to God’s “assignment” is doubt—oftentimes self-doubt (Moses, Gideon, David, Sarah, Jeremiah).

Moses protested his call multiple times. For example:

But Moses protested again, “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The LORD never appeared to you’?” Exodus 4:1

But Moses pleaded with the LORD, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”

Then the LORD asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”

But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.” Exodus 4:10-13

Sometimes our response to a specific call is hesitation (Lot).

Sometimes it is direct disobedience (Lot’s wife, Saul).

Sometimes we don’t like the task (Jonah).

Sometimes we grumble that God’s provision for the task is not good enough (Israel).

Sometimes we simply lack vision. We fail to see the big picture (Everyone).

Sometimes we learn, like Israel did, that the journey is really hard, that the gift requires more than we want to give.

Sometimes the results of obeying the call are not as we expected (Everyone).

In my life I have experienced almost all of the above scenarios.

The process of writing and tracking this song taught me so much more than I care to share on this post but in short I will say that remaining true to our peculiar / particular calling is incredibly important.

To some, “Hallelujah” will be just another song. To me, it is a personal milestone. The Lord’s Prayer, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” became very real to my heart.

All that said, “Hallelujah,” is not guaranteed to be a blessing to everyone simply because I had certain experiences while writing (receiving) it. It may not reach more people just because I tried my best to be obedient. It actually may resonate with fewer. I don’t know. It’s not my place to know. The “success” of obedience may never be measured. We can never presume.

But I do hope you love it.

“Our Father, Prince of Peace, Holy Spirit, bind our hearts in unity . . .”

Spotify:

Apple Music:

https://music.apple.com/us/album/hallelujah/1893843893?i=1893843894

Amazon Music:

https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0GX7WFY2N?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_LVzfFQQVpYpe01taPzQzQb3SH

So thankful for all who contributed to this recording—especially Caitlin Anselmo who was so careful to lean in and lay hold of the vision for strings. I am pretty certain she heard from heaven! Her string arrangements are stunning. Soli deo Gloria.

Credits:

Guitars by Nathan Dugger

Bass by Byron House

Drums by Paul Eckberg

Piano & Organ by Caitlin Anselmo

Violins by David Davidson and David Angell

Viola by Betsy Lamb

Cello by Austin Hoke

Produced & Engineered by Mitch Dane

String Arrangements by Caitlin Anselmo

BGV’s arranged by Caitlin Anselmo and performed by Kiley Phillips & Team

Words and Music: Stephanie Staples

StephanieStaples.com

Hey everyone!

It has been a while since I updated.

-The mini tour in Scotland went so well and I am already looking forward to returning (hopefully) in the Fall!

-I had a big surgery when I returned and I am still in recovery. Prayers so appreciated.

-I am looking forward to returning to the UK in May for a concert at Capernwray with Matt Searles.

-Now for the big update: NEW SONG DROP TODAY!

I am a songwriter with lists of songs yet to be tracked and released so it is rare that I will invest in a cover song. It has to be a song that resonates deeply in my soul—like, Higher Ways by Stephen Curtis Chapman, Your Love Broke Through by Keith Green, and You Are My Hiding Place by Michael Ledner. When I heard Holy Forever for the first time it gripped my heart. I knew it was a gift to the Church—exactly the reminder we need. I never tire of hearing it. What better message in a time of deep division and warfare than this?

“Your name is the highest, your name is the greatest, your name stands above them all. All thrones and dominions, all powers and positions, your name stands above them all.”

David Wilkerson used to say that, “God does not always solve our problems. He loses them in his vastness.” Songs like Holy Forever are a gift because they point us to the greatness of God’s power—pointing to the source of peace vs focusing on our lack. My favorite songs of praise have always been songs of adoration.

A few months ago when I was inspired to record this song I envisioned more of an organic/artsy sound with the music carefully expressing the same message as the lyrics. I wanted strings to bring texture to the song—especially in the pre-chorus moments where Christ is so beautifully proclaimed as the one who “stands above them all.” Caitlin Anselmo somehow managed to get into my brain and arranged the strings so perfectly in tune with that vision.

I will always love this song. I imagine they are probably singing something similar in the heavenly places. I truly hope you enjoy my version of a song that is sure to stand the test of time. While it is not “mine” I present this as an offering of love.

Holy Forever by Chris Tomlin, Brian Johnson, Jenn Johnson, Phil Wickham, and Jason Ingram

Produced by Mitch Dane
String Arrangements by Caitlin Anselmo
Guitars by Nate Dugger
Drums by Paul Eckberg
Bass by Byron House

Piano by Caitlin Anselmo
Backing vocals by Caitlin Anselmo, Kiley Philips and team.
Violins by David Davidson and David Angel
Viola by Betsy Lamb
Cello by Austin Hoke

Peace to you!

Stephanie

Apple Music:

https://music.apple.com/us/album/holy-forever-single/1892891122

YouTube:

https://youtube.com/channel/UC48E93Cfh39ASCi3JlGcZwA?si=haWgtB9udqjTbJSs

Amazon Music:

https://music.amazon.com/albums/B0GWLTFHPS?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_JsFr3K7CfBmcUg1AypI28Y0IS&trackAsin=B0GWLXHXYN

I’m so excited to share that my brand new ballad is out TODAY!

“Loved” is a letter to a loved one. Although deeply personal, I think will resonate with many.

I haven’t seen your face for years

But you’ve been on my mind for a while

I’d pick up the phone if I thought you’d take my call

Oh, darling

Don’t you know how much you’re loved

One of the most painful lines to write was, “I wish that I could make you better.”

Not being able to rescue or even to comfort someone we know is struggling or in pain is so difficult. Our hearts ache for them to know how much we care—how much they’re loved.

Darling, don’t you know

You’re loved

“Loved” is streaming on all digital platforms. Please listen and if you love it, add it to your playlists, text the links to ten people. Or twenty. Or one million. Thank you for your support!

Joshua 21:45

LINKS:

Apple Music

Amazon Music

Spotify Music

YouTube Lyric Video

“Loved” Credits:

Words and music by Stephanie Staples

Produced, Engineered, & Mixed by Mitch Dane

Strings arranged by Caitlin Anselmo

Guitars by Nathan Dugger

Piano by Caitlin Anselmo

Bass by James Gregory

Drums by Paul Eckberg

Violins by David Davidson and David Angell

Viola by Betsy Lamb

Cello by Austin Hoke

Background Vocals by Caitlin Anselmo

More at StephanieStaples.com

Instagram: StephanieStaples

“Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.”

The mantra of the hit show, Friday Night Lights is a wise one.

Clarity of intention and purpose is important for success—and for peace.

Good intentions, without clarity, fail to fulfill purpose.

Clarity directly impacts perspective.

We all see through different lenses. That old saying, “walk a mile in another man’s shoes,” is true. Our lived experiences impact our perspective. The only way to ensure we exercise good judgment is to intentionally take the lenses off and surrender to what is objectively true.

Church, what is impairing our vision? What is making it impossible for us to see? Why have we lost perspective? A house divided cannot stand.

Let’s consider what may be the source of our chaos:

Anger and fear impair vision.

Bitterness impairs vision.

The inability to forgive impairs vision.

Lies spoken to us, about us, or about others, even lies that we tell ourselves impair vision.

Choosing to engage in worldliness or behaving like the world, impairs vision.

(Being faithful matters! See Galatians 5:19-21 and James 4:4.)

Participating in, accepting, or making peace with sin impairs vision.

(It will also make our hearts hard to good seed, burning our conscience so badly we may not longer feel the pangs of conviction.)

Algorithms impair our vision.

(One of the great deceptions of our era: the mighty algorithm.)

We can try to blame the internet for our lack of perspective and unity, but clarity is not lost in a moment. The tiny little decisions we make over a long period of time either clear or impair our vision. When we choose to distance ourselves from conviction and faithful living (discomfort) while simultaneously cozying up to the idols of our time, we lose discernment. Some describe these tiny compromises as, “little foxes”—things we don’t think are really a big deal but become a big deal as we give them more and more attention. “Give the devil an inch and he’ll become a ruler” is a saying for a reason. In our attempt to move away from the rigidity of false religion aka legalism many have chosen to completely ignore, suppress, quench, and silence the Holy Spirit. When the words coming from unfaithful, idolatrous, even perverse lips become more palatable than “truth as it is in Jesus” (1 Timothy 6:3) we need to re-evaluate our path and seek clarity. Obedience matters.

It’s trendy to distance ourselves from discomfort. But feeling uncomfortable, even fearful, when our soul is in danger is a blessing. A Good Shepherd keeps us in the fold by chasing us down, sometimes even using his shepherds hook if necessary, so that we do not become prey. Any shepherd who seeks to interfere with that process, who tells us we can be at peace with God, even when we are “walking in the stubbornness” of our own hearts (Deut 29:19, Jeremiah 23:22), isn’t a good shepherd at all.

Perhaps we have not lost discernment because of sin or worldliness. Maybe some of us have lost it because we simply haven’t made space for connection. We’re so busy living life we have forgotten our first love—our real purpose for being here. Perhaps we do not see clearly because we are not seeking the Lord “while he may be found.”

The world is divided with no hope of unity apart from an authentic move of God. A move that brings clarity. A move that knocks us off our soapboxes of hypocrisy, removes the blinding beams from our eyes, opens our ears, washes hearts and our minds so that we can understand what the Spirit is saying. I am praying for Nehemiah 8 moments.

Christians, we must seek the Lord for clarity in this hour so we can stand side by side and fight the good fight of faithfulness against the unseen forces of darkness.

We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do.

We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.

We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God.

We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NLT

Faithfulness—fidelity—is a lifestyle. James 1:5 says we can’t bounce back and forth in fidelity and expect stability. No relationship can withstand disloyalty.

Read the word, spend time with your Shepherd. Give him space to speak.

Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. Hebrews 5:14

Jesus warned us so many times about these things. In Matthew 24 he said:

STAY AWAKE. . . . Be ready . . . . Make sure or “see to it” you are not deceived/no one misleads you.

Paul said,

“Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14

Let’s heed these warnings and seek to maintain the unity of the spirit by becoming unified with Christ—by being filled with HIS Spirit and not being led astray by the spirit of the age.

Let’s make sure our eyes are clear.

“Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!” Matthew 6:22-23

“Clear eyes, FULL HEARTS, can’t lose.”

(Take note of the clarity of reflection in this photo of one of my favorite places in Scotland … oh that we might reflect the grace of our God as clearly!)

Christians: let’s make it our New Years resolution to “get the plank” out of our eyes “SO WE CAN SEE CLEARLY to take the speck” out of our brother’s.

“Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.“ Matthew 7:5

Really think about that…

We can’t point fingers at our brother or neighbor and accuse them of being blind when our own vision is impaired. If our vision is impaired, our judgment will be, too.

Clarity and discernment come when are living in the light (walking in obedience).

Fact: there are always unseen forces at work in the natural and in the spiritual world that seek to kill, steal, destroy, divide.

In order to have discernment in this hour we have to stay close to the Shepherd who said, “My sheep know my voice.”

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.” John 10:10-15

How do we stay close? By choosing to lean into grace so that we can be empowered to live in the light we already have. Obeying what we already know will lead us into MORE light.

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. Titus 2:11-14

This is a daily practice.

“Understanding is the reward of obedience.” George MacDonald

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. . . So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 5:7-10

Two things here:

First, if we are sowing into our flesh (take that as you will) or aligning with perversion and lawlessness, we will certainly miss the mark. Isaiah 30:1, Jeremiah 10:1, Matthew 24, James 4:4

But if we sow into the Spirit by leaning into Grace and obedience to what we know is good and right and true, we will find the light and life we need.

Second, “Do good to the household of faith.”

Do not isolate from your brothers and sisters in this hour. Do not be ashamed of them. (Read Luke 9:26 and remember: we are in his body!)

We need to help each other SEE CLEARLY! See Ephesians 4:3

Lord, please help me be willing to lay aside anything that might be hindering me from seeing things clearly so I can help my brothers and sisters see clearly, too.

“Understanding is the reward of obedience. Obedience is the key to every door. I am perplexed at the stupidity of the ordinary religious being. In the most practical of all matters he will talk and speculate and try to feel, but he will not set himself to do.” George MacDonald

“. . . Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” Matthew 7:21-26

Obedience matters. If we want discernment, we need to obey what we already know is true. If we want more understanding, we need to obey what we already understand. If we want wisdom, we need to walk in the wisdom we already have. If want to be sure we can distinguish between good and evil or light and darkness we need to be sure we are doing (and agreeing with) what we already know is good—and living our lives as though we have nothing to hide.

God’s abundant grace alone makes this way of living possible.

“Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.” James 4:8

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.“ James 1:5-8

Divided loyalty = instability.

Disobedience = lack of understanding

Walking in darkness = stumbling, blind

Conversely,

Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD.

Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.

They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.

You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully.

Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!

Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands.

As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should!

I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me!

How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.

I have tried hard to find you—don’t let me wander from your commands.

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

I praise you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us.

I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches.

I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word.

Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word.

Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. Psalm 119:2-8

All of the above is possible—by grace, through faith. Christ in us will give us the power to lean into “all we need for life and for godliness.“

What is impossible in our own strength, God says is possible in his.

My prayer for this new year is that I will set my heart to do everything my Savior has already instructed me to do. After all, if I do not do what I already know to do, why should I expect any further light to come? The light of grace is already shining. Lord, help me walk in it.

. . . let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Hebrews 12:1-2

“Further up and further in!” C.S. Lewis

Happy New Year!

“He shows mercy from generation to generation . . . Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and redeemed his people. He has sent us a mighty Savior . . . We have been rescued from our enemies so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness for as long as we live.” Luke 1

Our Messiah came to set us free from the source of our misery (the tyranny of our flesh) and to enable us to serve him in a new and living way, without fear, empowered by his spirit to become who we were intended to be from the beginning.

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 NLT

Yesterday, a friend posted some beautiful thoughts. He said we often emphasize that God came down to us—which is true. But the Magi and the shepherds went to him. They heard about the Messiah and they searched for him until they found him. The gift had arrived but they needed to see and experience his presence for themselves. (Such a good reflection, Tyler Russell!)

Our Messiah promises peace, comfort and strength—“all that we need for life and godliness.” His promise of life is not just a “someday promise.” It is a promise of the ever-present help of his actual presence working in our lives, moment-by-moment.

Will we be like the Magi and Shepherds (and so many others) and search for this liberating connection with Jesus until we find it? Or will we settle for hearing stories about ”the wonders of his love,” without seeking to experience it for ourselves?

As we begin the celebration of Christmas and head into a new year may we choose to seek for the freedom and light of the Messiah—the fullness of his grace.

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 ESV

Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. Isaiah 55:6-7 ESV

But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29 ESV

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy . . . Psalm 16:11 ESV

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 ESV

As the familiar carol declares, “Light and life to all He brings, risen with healing in His wings.”

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1:16 ESV

I am so thankful to all who have prayed for and supported me this year! I look forward to seeing all that Jesus has in store for 2026.

Happy Christmas!

With love,

Stephanie

Our Savior provided us with everything we need* to live our lives the way we were intended to live them. The life and truth that still resonates from his body (his Church) has the power to bring hope to a world that is crying out again for a Savior.

A “wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father and Prince of Peace**.”

When he returns death will no longer separate us from our loved ones, sickness will no longer ravage our bodies, war will no longer terrorize the most vulnerable.

All will be well.

This time of year can be overwhelming. But every feeling of weariness, wariness, even sadness, can serve to remind us that we are still in Advent. We are waiting for all things to be made new.

I have had to pause many times over the past month to sit with that reality; to reorient my heart to focus on what matters: living out the good news (our Savior will return!), and leaning into Grace so I can be a messenger of Grace to others.

Our weary world will rejoice once more when light and truth return.

I cannot wait.

Thank you to all who have streamed and shared my song, Missing Christmas. It captures the tension of the joy and the heartache of the holiday season. If you haven’t heard it yet, links are below. Don’t forget to share!

Merry Christmas!

Peace to you!

Stephanie

*For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14

**For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

https://music.apple.com/us/album/missing-christmas/1843603974?i=1843603975

Like in Narnia when Peter was losing ground and Edmond stepped in to assist… that’s prayer. It is effective!

“Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord.

“Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!

“Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.” James 5

Keep. Praying.

Keep supporting one another in pushing back the darkness.

“One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.” Luke 18:1

“Missing Christmas” has been out for a little over a month! I hope you love it! Please be sure to add it to your playlists and share the digital links with family and friends!

A few thoughts as we get closer to Christmas . . .

The business and busyness of Christmas can be overwhelming and exhausting. As I have been rushing around to Christmas parties and prepping for family Christmas gatherings, I have been reminded of Matthew 6:25-33:

“Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? . . . For the {nations} seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” ESV

Sometimes it seems the holiday season is all about what we eat, drink, wear, and buy! I have young children who have class parties and Christmas recitals and dress up days and gift exchanges. Many of us have Christmas parties and dinners and family Christmas gatherings. It’s all very wonderful and preparing is necessary and requires me to think about a lot of “worldly” things.

Jesus was not instructing us to stop participating in life. He certainly doesn’t mind when we busy ourselves to serve our families and communities. Food and clothing is necessary and gatherings and celebrations are fun. But it can be helpful to pause and to remember this passage so we don’t end up anxious about things.

“Seeking first the kingdom” in the holiday season can look like changing our posture (our attitude) about it all. The things we do, the physical gifts we give, the dinners we host, will all fade away. But the hearts / souls we may bless are eternal.

There is freedom and peace in the understanding that we are called to be a blessing—not to be impressive. Every gift given, cookie baked, party or dinner hosted, every card written is a ministry of hospitality and grace. When our focus remains on eternity we will look at every opportunity as a chance to build people up and point them to light and life (Jesus!). And we can draw on God’s strength instead of wearing ourselves out. There is always abundant grace for kingdom work.

“If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 4:11

When we feel weary, wary, exhausted, and overwhelmed we can and should pause for a moment to reflect. It is advent, after all. During advent we acknowledge our longing for wholeness and rest and we prepare our hearts for our Savior. Jesus came in to a weary world to bring light and hope and he continues to come into ours. We can find rest even in the chaos by maintaining connection with the greatest Gift of all.

Also, remember: you carry the presence of Christ with you wherever you go! Your very presence can be a blessing wherever you go this year. Choose peace over stress and let your light shine.

Be a blessing, not impressive.

Peace to you all!

https://music.apple.com/us/album/missing-christmas/1843603974?i=1843603975

All scripture used is in the New Living Translation.

Featured on this podcast is Stephanie’s song, “Grace.”

Instagram: StephanieStaples

Please share it with all of your family and friends and add it to your holiday playlists!

Apple Music

Amazon Music

YouTube:

“Nightlight” was written by Annie Herring (a phenomenal songwriter), recorded by 2nd Chapter of Acts and produced by Buck Herring. Buck passed away this past week so it seems even more appropriate to share these scriptures and this song.

All scripture today is read from the New Living Translation.

Guitar by Nate Dugger

Produced & Engineered by Andy Hunt

Instagram: StephanieStaples

Listen to Nightlight on Apple Music :

Apple Music

Nightlight on Spotify:

2nd Chapter of Acts epic version:

“Missing Christmas” is for anyone who carries the ache of loss into the holiday season.

Pre-Save on Spotify

At the very least, we should all be on the same page in our understanding good and evil—but we aren’t. We seem to be unable to even come to a unified understanding of the words of our Savior. It is almost as if we aren’t even reading from the same pages we claim to honor as inspired.

Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”

Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” (Matthew)

Jesus talked about a day when “those who kill you will think they are doing God a service.” Remember when Stephen was stoned, many religious people, thinking they were doing God a service, laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. Who was looking on with approval.

That same young man was knocked off of his high horse soon after, Christ revealed himself in power, and he spent the rest of his days fighting for the cause he had spent so much time and effort and passion fighting against.

God might just be asking us the same questions he asked the first disciples.

Who do we say God is? Are we serving the one true God or one we have created of our own imaginations or one who has been created for us by people who do not have eyes to see or ears to hear?

This episode features a lot of scripture (again). The Holy Spirit says it best. We must return to the “ancient paths” to find rest for our souls.

Featured song: Something More

https://music.apple.com/us/album/something-more/1837133541?i=1837133543

Instagram: StephanieStaples
StephanieStaples.com

This episode talks about the importance of ensuring we “seek who we say we’re believing” so the work God has begun will take deep root. We must be grounded in truth so we can withstand the inevitable resistance every move of God faces.

It also addresses the need to guard against being carried away or distracted by movements vs true moves of God. The enemy will always try to undermine or distract us from what is good and right and true.

“You will know them by their fruits.”

This episode is filled with scripture.

Features Stephanie’s song, “Awake, O Sleeper.”

StephanieStaples.com