“A Supernatural Faith”

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I’ve been in full-time ministry for over 25 years. During that time, I have wrestled with my beliefs about spiritual warfare, healing, spiritual gifts, and many other “controversial” aspects of the Christian faith. I’m still learning. However, I have come to believe that when I don’t make room for these elements in my ministry, I am only presenting part of the Gospel.

The full Gospel, I’m convinced, includes supernatural elements that surpass our finite understanding. Healing is particularly interesting to me. Naturally, the first thing that comes to mind is physical healing, but healing encompasses the emotional just as much. Jesus said, “I am the Life.” He also said, “I have come to give abundant life.” We can only receive abundant life when we allow God to heal the deepest parts of our souls.

That’s not easy. Our hurts often become so ingrained in our identities that we’re afraid to let them go. The enemy deceives us into believing that these dark places somehow provide us with strength. The most frightening thing to me is that Satan can even help us gain a false sense of strength through those dark places—just enough to entrap us and bring us down later… unless we allow “The Life” to penetrate.

When we do, we can honestly say, “When I am weak, He is strong.” That is healing. The good news of the Gospel is that we can all be healed. But, as Christ Himself asked, “Do you want to be healed?”

~Rev. James Williams

“Learning from the Least”

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My family and I watched the new movie, The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson a few nights ago. It is bound to become a yearly holiday movie for many families. I can’t think of one critical point to make. It was just beautiful. I encourage you to see it. It is a timeless story that beautifully illustrates themes of grace, redemption, and the transformative power of the Gospel.

If you’ve ever seen the movie or read the book, you know that the Herdman kids are infamous in their town. Known for their unruly behavior and mischievous antics, they’re the last children anyone would expect to see participating in a church Christmas pageant. Yet, in a twist of fate (or perhaps divine intervention), they end up taking over the lead roles in the annual nativity play. What follows is a chaotic yet deeply moving journey that reveals the heart of the Christmas story in an entirely new way.

The Herdmans are messy—messy in their lives, messy in their behavior, and messy in their relationships. But isn’t that the beauty of the Christmas story? Jesus came into our messy, broken world to bring redemption and hope.

In the movie, the Herdman kids bring a raw and unpolished perspective to the nativity story. They don’t know the “churchy” way of doing things. They don’t know the sanitized, picture-perfect version of Christmas we often cling to. But their questions, their emotions, and their unfiltered reactions remind us that Jesus came for everyone, especially for those who feel unworthy, overlooked, or out of place.

As the Herdmans hear the Christmas story for the first time, they are struck by its wonder and significance. They ask questions that many of us take for granted: “Why didn’t someone call the police on Herod?” “Why would God send His Son to be born in a barn?” Their reactions, though humorous, reflect an awe and curiosity that we often lose in our familiarity with the story.

By the end of the story, the Herdmans aren’t magically transformed into perfect kids, but something significant changes. They begin to grasp the weight of what they’re reenacting. Imogene, playing Mary, sheds tears as she holds the baby Jesus. The other Herdmans—though still rough around the edges—approach their roles with a newfound seriousness.

This transformation mirrors the way the Gospel changes us. God doesn’t demand that we clean ourselves up before coming to Him. He meets us in our mess, just as He met the Herdmans. And as we encounter His grace, our hearts begin to change.

The Herdmans remind us that the Christmas story isn’t just about tradition or perfection. It’s about God’s love breaking into our world and turning everything upside down.

The story also challenges us as Christians. How often do we, like the townspeople in the movie, judge others based on their outward appearance or behavior? How often do we dismiss people as “too far gone” for God to reach?

The Christmas pageant becomes a success not because it’s polished but because it’s real. The Herdmans’ participation forces the church community to confront their own biases and rediscover the true meaning of Christmas. It’s a powerful reminder that God’s kingdom is for everyone, and His love is big enough to encompass even the most unlikely people.

As we celebrate this Christmas season, let The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever inspire us to reflect on the heart of the nativity story. Who are the “Herdmans” in our lives—those we might overlook or avoid? How can we extend grace, love, and hospitality to them, just as Christ has done for us?

I’m trying to allow this story to remind me that the miracle of Christmas isn’t in perfectly planned pageants or beautifully wrapped gifts. It’s in the messy, unexpected grace of God becoming flesh to dwell among us. And that, truly, is the greatest pageant of all.

Merry Christmas! May your season be filled with joy, love, and the awe of God’s amazing grace. 

~Rev. James Williams

“Holy Ground”

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I’ve always felt a strange closeness to Moses. Like the Prince of Egypt, we often don’t believe we are equipped for what God is calling us to do. And you know what? Maybe we aren’t. But when we say yes, God will equip us.

We must approach the throne of God in our bare feet, just as Moses did—humbled, vulnerable, and ready—knowing He will lift us up and move us to action. Answering God’s call sometimes means coming to Him with absolutely nothing but a willingness to be used.

But here’s the truth: we often want to keep our shoes on. We see the fire. We see what God could do… but we’re afraid. We’d rather stomp out the fire in that bush than face it. The problem is, the more we try to stomp out God’s fire, the bigger it gets!

That’s how the God of holy ground works.

God said to Moses:

“I have heard the cry of your neighbors. Their jobs are killing them. Their families are in crisis. Sickness is attacking their bodies. They are held captive—slaves to hard taskmasters. They feel like failures in their marriages. They feel they have failed as parents. They are slaves to their problems, and I have come to rescue them… but I need your help.”

Then God said:

“I’m calling you, Moses. I need you to go and bring them back to this holy ground—this Promised Land.”

I can’t fully explain it, but I believe Grace Resurrection is holy ground. God made me take off my shoes and walk through a few fires to get here.

And now I hear Him calling you.

The people are out there. They need hope. They need rescue. And God is ready to move—but He needs us. Like Moses, we might say, “But what about this, Lord? I can’t do this, Lord!” We make excuses. We resist.

But God is saying to us:

“Just tell them what I have already done for you. Tell them that I AM who I AM.”

Can you hear the call?

More importantly, will you heed the call?

Thousands of years ago, God said to Moses:

“This is the name I will be remembered by for generations.”

Here we are now, standing on the brink of 2025, and He is still calling us to introduce others to this holy ground.

I’m ready. I won’t stomp out the fire again. Instead, I’m going to walk toward it—barefoot and humble—trusting God to do the rest.

Will you join me?

~Rev. James Williams

“God is Center Stage”

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OK, I’m just going to say it—Grace Resurrection is the best in town. I know, I know, that’s not taking into consideration all of the other great churches in Marietta. But I’m partial. Seriously, if you’re paying attention to this place at all, you know that faith, support, community, and Christ are bubbling over on the corner of Indian Hills Parkway. There is something special about Grace Resurrection Church. It was standing room only on Sunday, and Suzanne, along with our choir and musicians, ushered us right into the throne room. I could feel the Holy Spirit in a powerful way.


This place is unique. The worship is authentic, the friendships run deep, and discipleship is growing. Those are just a few areas. I love these people. We’re not perfect, and sometimes we have chinks in our armor, but we are striving to be more like Christ. That’s not based on what we do but who we are.

I’ve been thinking and journaling about what I call “religious spirits.” Over the past few years, it became obvious that this was a problem in our former denomination. It’s an old problem and a human one. The Pharisees were the epitome of a religious spirit. They looked good, smelled good, had money in the bank, and made sure all the moral boxes were checked—but no one was welcome unless they were like them. Jesus said, “That’s a problem.” They were all about tenure, inner circles, and, well, themselves. Forgive us if our circles are so tight that Jesus remains a guest.

As I strolled through this building on Sunday, I saw crowds and crowds of people—long-time church members getting to know one another. Think about what’s happened here in just two years. That’s what happens when a congregation is a river, not a reservoir. Oh, the Pharisees meant well; they were protecting their much-beloved turf. Then the Lamb of God came along and proved He was also the Lion of Judah (Rev. 5:5). He said they were like “whitewashed tombs.” I sense none of that among us. That’s why something like this past Sunday can happen. Love is taking center stage for us. And God is love.

So thank you. I still think we’re the best, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
~Rev. James Williams

Waiting on Peace

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John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

It took me years to fully understand that, as Christ-followers, we sense the light of peace we have in Christ, even in the midst of adversity and anxiety. The world looks for secular peace—a peace that is momentary. But Christmas reminds us that sometimes great hope comes in the midst of waiting. That’s the peace that surpasses human understanding. It lasts—even in the storms.

In the promise of Christ’s coming, both as a baby in Bethlehem and as King in glory, we find the peace that is beyond comprehension. The silence of Advent invites us to lay down our fears and worries and to seek the Prince of Peace, who is the Lord of Lords.

This week, identify the areas in your life that require peace. Are you stressed by uncertainty, fear, or a long-standing burden? Maybe it’s a financial issue, a lost child, or a marital problem. Write it down, pray that God will give you His peace no matter the outcome, then burn it or flush it down the toilet. And wait. The Christ child keeps His promises, but often it is a waiting experience.

Here’s my prayer this week:

“Lord, teach us how to accept Your peace into our own lives, then the lives of those we are surrounded by, and into a world that is in deep darkness. Amen.”

~Rev. James Williams

When Sweat Turns to Sweetness

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“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15

I remember, as a young child, walking to so many places. Living in a small town, it was just the norm. But I didn’t like it. Admittedly, I was a little lazy and envious of every passing, air-conditioned car. That’s how kids think, I guess.

One particular July day, I remember walking with my aunt to the grocery store in our hometown. Once again, I didn’t want to go, but she coaxed me by promising to buy me a candy bar. Well, that was enough for me. I remember the anticipation that built as we trudged along the hot pavement, knowing that in just a short while, my dreams would be realized, and the satisfaction of the sweet candy would make it all worthwhile.

That was my temporary idol. The adoration and anticipation of that moment was all that mattered in the world. All of my work, aggravation, and sweat felt worthwhile. And do you know what? It was.

I think about that story often, and it becomes particularly interesting when I consider it in light of the journey to Bethlehem. That was a tough walk. There were many more unknowns for Mary and Joseph, but I’m sure the trek itself was the least of their concerns. It had to be hard, hot, and tiring. But they were from a small town, and that was just the norm.

Little did they know what a marvelous gift awaited them. Just up the road, a few steps more, and the anticipated moment of thousands of years would make that tired journey worthwhile.

The wise men, the shepherds, and the various people traveling to be part of the census were all met with the sweetest gift in the history of the universe. The birth of the Savior of the world made it all worthwhile.

It’s more than the old adage, “No pain, no gain.” It’s a small effort in exchange for a tremendous and undeserved gift. Despite our complaining, bad attitudes, and unwillingness to go the “extra mile,” Jesus is still given to us.

So, with anticipation, we journey and wait.
~Rev. James Williams

Can You Hear Him Now?

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Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” ~Matthew 16:24

I was greatly encouraged by our Commitment Sunday this past week and the number of people willing to sacrifice many hours in 2025 for the work of ministry. God will bless Grace Resurrection deeply because of this.

I was reminded of a story I once heard about a 17-year-old girl who had been left to raise her family and take care of the home early in life after her single mother passed away following a long battle with cancer. Not only did she clean the house, prepare meals, and care for her two younger siblings, but she was also known by her neighbors as a kind, caring young woman who was always helpful and checked in on them regularly.

Even though she was in great need herself, she never complained and constantly looked for extra ways to serve those in her community. Most unfortunately, she was later diagnosed with an advanced form of cancer. While hospitalized, she received a visit from a lady from the local church, who asked her if she had ever been confirmed or baptized. To each very direct and curt question, the girl quietly replied, “No.” The lady smugly inquired, “What are you going to say to God when you have to tell Him that?”

The saintly young girl weakly raised her hands and said, “I will show Him my hands.” Her hands were work-stained and honorable.

This young girl had taken up her cross, and every cross of ours is a part of the cross of Christ. At the center of Christianity is humble service, shoulder to shoulder with Jesus.

Paul wrote, “That I might know him in the fellowship of his sufferings.” To Paul, this meant striving for and against the same things as Christ. It meant expending energy, praying as if all depended on God, but working as if all depended on Paul. To this end, he writes that he would fill up what was lacking in the afflictions of Christ.

When Abraham Lincoln was asked by friends whether he thought God was on his side, he replied, “I don’t much trouble about that, but I am concerned that I am on God’s side.”

A life only concerned with self is starved. But a life of service is a life truly lived—a life following the way of the cross.

-Rev. James Williams