In this episode of Arise + Abide, Sally and Curtis explore Hosea 13, a powerful chapter that highlights the culmination of Israel's long pattern of unfaithfulness. Building on chapter 12's warnings, Hosea 13 opens with a sobering reminder that Ephraim—once a tribe whose words carried weight and inspired fear—has now fallen into idolatry and self-reliance, sealing its own destruction. Through vivid imagery of mist, chaff, and smoke, God reveals how fleeting the nation's strength has become apart from Him.

Sally and Curtis reflect on the themes of misplaced trust, forgotten dependence, and misused influence. They discuss how Israel's prosperity led them to pride, causing them to forget the Lord who provided for them in the wilderness. Curtis draws attention to the responsibility that comes with influence, while Sally highlights the warning embedded in Israel's story: when comfort replaces devotion, hearts drift.

Even as the chapter describes fierce judgment, the conversation emphasizes God's patience, His desire for His people to return, and the hope that ultimately finds its fulfillment in Christ. The episode closes by pointing forward to the restoration promised in Hosea 14 and with Paul's triumphant reminder from 1 Corinthians that through Jesus, God brings victory over sin and death.

In this episode of Arise + Abide, Curtis and Sally reflect on David's heartfelt praise in Psalm 138, a song filled with gratitude, trust, and confidence in God's unfailing love. Together they explore how David's worship—offered "with all his heart"—reminds us that God's promises are backed by the full honor of His name, giving us assurance even when circumstances remain unchanged.

The conversation highlights the comfort of God's immediate encouragement when we pray, the strength He provides in troubling times, and the promise that He faithfully works out His plans for our lives. Curtis and Sally also discuss the psalm's forward-looking hope: a future in which all people recognize God's glory, and how our own testimony becomes a way of praising God before others.

Grounded in David's example and supported by New Testament encouragements, this episode invites listeners to trust deeply, pray continuously, and live as gentle, confident witnesses to God's goodness.

In this episode of Arise + Abide, Curtis and Sally reflect on Psalm 137, a passage that captures the experience of the Israelites living in exile. The psalm describes their sorrow, their memories of Jerusalem, and the difficulty of singing joyful songs in a place that feels far from home.

The conversation explores how the psalmist's longing for Jerusalem reveals a renewed appreciation for what was lost, as well as the honest emotions that come with hardship—grief, frustration, and the desire for justice. Curtis and Sally discuss the historical context of the Psalm, the role of perspective during challenging seasons, and how these ancient experiences invite us to consider our own responses when life feels unsettled or uncertain.

They also reflect on how followers of Christ today can continue to honor God in difficult circumstances, drawing attention to themes of hope, forgiveness, and trusting God's timing. Even in moments that feel like "exile," the episode highlights the steady truth that God remains present, just, and faithful.

A thoughtful, grounded conversation about remembering where our joy comes from and how to stay connected to God in every season.