top of page

All Posts


No More Hiding
Revival Starts Here • Part 5 Psalm 51:1–9 We can become very good at looking clean without actually being clean. We know how to smile when someone asks how we are doing. We know how to show up, serve, worship, and say the right things. We can keep the outside looking together while hiding what is happening on the inside. But revival cannot grow in a heart determined to hide. Psalm 51 takes us into one of the most honest moments in David’s life. After his sin with Bathsheba, h
1122smshoffner
Oct 145 min read


Come Close. Come Alive.
Revival Starts Here • Part 4 • John 15:1–11 We can own a Bible, know the songs, and attend worship every week while allowing our fellowship with Jesus to grow distant. Our prayers become hurried. Our Bibles stay closed. Familiar routines continue, but our hearts feel tired. In John 15, Jesus gives us a picture of where spiritual life comes from: He is the true vine, His Father is the gardener, and we are the branches. A branch bears fruit because it remains connected to the s
1122smshoffner
Oct 73 min read


Surrender and Follow
Revival Starts Here • Part 2 • The Grove NetworkScripture: Luke 9:23–26 We say we are willing to surrender control, but something as simple as the television remote can test that commitment. We might lend someone our tools or hand over our car keys. But let someone reach for the remote, and suddenly we protest, “We were watching that!” We may have been asleep for twenty minutes, but now we are deeply invested in the program. The thermostat can produce the same struggle. Someo
1122smshoffner
Sep 284 min read


The Road to Revival
Revival Starts Here • Part 1 • The Grove NetworkScripture: James 4:7–10 When we hear the word revival, it is easy to think about who needs it. Our country needs it. Our community needs it. Our church needs it. We may even have a few names ready. But what happens when the question becomes personal? What if the first heart God wants us to examine is our own? Sometimes we treat revival like a spiritual GPS. We enter the destination and hope God will show us a route around surren
1122smshoffner
Sep 285 min read


Standing Firm: Three Ways to Resist the Enemy
The Grove Network | James 4:7 and Ephesians 6:10–18 (Part 3) Imagine buying the finest home security system available. Cameras cover every corner. Sensors monitor every window. The alarm could wake the neighborhood. Then a friend asks, “Did you lock the front door?” “No,” you answer. “I leave it open so the dog can get in.” We can recognize the problem immediately. Yet sometimes we approach our spiritual lives in much the same way. We have a Bible on the table, church on the
1122smshoffner
Sep 284 min read


Take the Next Step: Trusting God Beyond What You Have Known
The future often begins with one faithful step Most meaningful changes begin before we feel completely ready. A new calling, a needed conversation, a ministry idea, or a season of church revitalization can place us at the edge of unfamiliar ground. We may know that something needs to change while still wondering whether we have enough clarity, courage, experience, or resources to move. The unknown can feel intimidating, but it does not have to control us. God rarely asks us t
1122smshoffner
Aug 264 min read


A Better Tomorrow Starts Today
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR YOUR NEXT STEP A Better Tomorrow Starts Today When life feels heavy or stuck, there is still a path forward—and you do not have to find it by yourself. There are seasons when the thoughts keep coming, the pressure keeps building, and it feels easier to keep moving than to admit that something is not working. But you were not created to carry every burden alone. A small, honest pause can become the beginning of a better tomorrow. 1. Stop. Give yourself permis
1122smshoffner
Aug 42 min read


You Are Not Alone: Finding Hope When Loneliness Feels Heavy
By The Grove Network Loneliness is one of the most common struggles people face, yet it is one of the least talked about. You can be surrounded by people and still feel isolated. You can have a busy schedule, a successful career, or even a loving family and still wonder, “Does anyone really know me?” The truth is that loneliness doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It simply reminds us that we were created for meaningful relationships—with God and with others. At The Grove Network, we
1122smshoffner
Jul 132 min read


Make It Count
Stewarding What God Has Given You One of the most sobering truths in life is that every one of us has been entrusted with something valuable. Time. Influence. Opportunities. Relationships. Abilities. Resources. None of these things belong to us permanently. They are gifts from God, entrusted to us for a season. The question is not whether we have been given something. The question is what we are doing with what we have been given. In Matthew 25:14–30, Jesus tells the Parable
1122smshoffner
Jun 163 min read


Summer Faithfulness Still Matters
Encouragement for Pastors During the Summer Months By The Grove Network Summer can be a difficult season for pastors. Attendance fluctuates.Families travel.Schedules change.Volunteers disappear for weekends at a time.Offerings may dip.Programs pause.Momentum can feel inconsistent. And if we are not careful, pastors can begin carrying discouragement that God never intended them to carry. Pastor, hear this clearly: Summer attendance decline is usually not your fault. It is ofte
1122smshoffner
May 183 min read


1122smshoffner
May 110 min read


Thriving Through Difficult People
How to Respond, Not React, and Grow Stronger Through the Challenge Life would be much easier if it weren’t for difficult people. Yet the reality is this—people are part of God’s plan for your growth, not an interruption to it. Whether it’s a coworker, family member, church member, or someone you encounter daily, difficult relationships have a way of stretching us, testing us, and revealing what is truly inside of us. From a biblical perspective, difficult people are not just
1122smshoffner
May 43 min read


Living Beyond Easter: Walking in Hope and Certainty
Easter is more than a day we celebrate—it is a truth we live. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just a moment in history; it is the foundation for how we move forward every single day. Because He lives, we do not have to walk through life uncertain, defeated, or without direction. We can live with hope and certainty. Too often, the excitement of Easter fades, and life returns to routine. Challenges resurface. Questions linger. But the empty tomb reminds us that our hope
1122smshoffner
Apr 211 min read


Finding Peace in Uncertain Times
In recent days, the world has felt increasingly unsettled. News of wars, political tension, economic concerns, and cultural conflict can leave many people feeling anxious about the future. When the world seems unstable, the natural question becomes: Where can we find peace? Scripture reminds us that peace is not found in stable circumstances but in a steady trust in God . Isaiah 26:3 says: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in
1122smshoffner
Mar 42 min read


Give to Gain: Letting Go of What Holds You Back to Grow What Matters Most
Based on Philippians 3:7–11 Growth—real growth—almost always requires letting go . That’s true in orchards, in leadership, in relationships, and especially in our walk with Christ. At The Grove Network , we often remind people that thriving isn’t just about producing more fruit—it’s about growing deep enough to sustain it . In Book of Philippians 3:7–11 , the apostle Paul gives us a powerful framework for this kind of growth. His words challenge us to re-evaluate what we hol
1122smshoffner
Feb 233 min read


Your First Step Matters More Than You Think
Every season of ministry carries its own weight, but few feel heavier than leading a church that seems stuck. Attendance has plateaued—or declined. Energy feels thin. Vision that once burned brightly now flickers in the wind of discouragement. If you are a pastor standing in that place, hear this clearly: you are not alone, and your church’s story is not finished . Across the country, God is quietly renewing congregations through faithful shepherds who are willing to take one
1122smshoffner
Feb 42 min read


When Life Slows to a Standstill: Finding Fruitfulness During a Snowstorm
Snow and ice storms have a way of forcing life to slow down. Roads close, plans are canceled, routines are disrupted—and for many people, being stuck at home can stir up restlessness, anxiety, or even discouragement. What feels like a brief inconvenience for some can feel isolating or overwhelming for others. At The Grove Network , we understand that unexpected pauses can be just as challenging as seasons of busyness. When you’re confined at home, it helps to reframe the mome
1122smshoffner
Jan 272 min read


New Year, New You?
A new year often brings with it the hope of a fresh start—a reset, a new beginning. It’s the season of “New Year’s resolutions,” when many people commit to making a change they believe they can carry through the entire year. Those resolutions can range from reading the Bible more consistently to the most common goal of all: losing weight. Yet, for many, that motivation fades, and by the end of the first month, the resolution is already behind them. But you do not need to lose
1122smshoffner
Jan 52 min read


Transform Your Life with Expert Coaching Services
In a world that constantly demands more from us, many individuals find themselves feeling overwhelmed, lost, or unfulfilled. The journey to personal and professional growth can often feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Expert coaching services can be the catalyst for transformation, helping you unlock your potential and achieve your goals. This blog post will explore how coaching can change your life, the different types of coaching available, and how to choose the rig
1122smshoffner
Nov 21, 20256 min read


Effective Counseling Techniques for Personal and Spiritual Healing
Counseling is a powerful tool for personal and spiritual healing, offering individuals the opportunity to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a safe and supportive environment. Whether you are seeking to overcome personal challenges, navigate life transitions, or deepen your spiritual journey, effective counseling techniques can facilitate profound change and growth. In this post, we will explore various counseling techniques that can aid in personal and spirit
1122smshoffner
Nov 21, 20254 min read
bottom of page
