As I continue this Bible Study Essentials series—highlighting the digital tools that have become trusted companions in my study—I would be remiss not to include a resource I discovered only more recently but now consider essential for Bible study and message preparation: the STEP Bible. Why This Series Matters This series on my Lead a Quiet Life blog on Patheos is about highlighting the tools that help me grow as a student, pastor, bible nerd, and follower of Jesus. It... Read more
In this blog post, I’m continuing the Bible Study Essentials series—a journey through the digital resources I’ve come to rely on in my study of the scriptures. This series on my Lead a Quiet Life blog on Patheos is about highlighting the tools that help me grow as a student, pastor, bible nerd, and follower of Jesus. It is my hope that along the way, you will discover resources that will help you study and grow as a follower of... Read more
In my journey to lead a quieter life—one rooted in simplicity, depth, and thoughtful faith—I commit a lot of time to study and grow. Over the years, I have had to rethink how I study and grow based on the season I am in. As a pastor and student, I’ve always loved sitting with a physical book and experiencing the book, but recently, I found myself leaning more toward new and digital resources than ever before. In the next few... Read more
Amos stands out among the Twelve Prophets as an unexpected and powerful voice of God’s presence and judgment in a time of great nationalism, confusion, and conflict. Identified as a sheep farmer from an agriculturally significant region (Amos 1:1), Amos receives visions so vivid and unmistakable that he knows without a doubt they are from God. There is some learning from Amos that we could do as a church in the West. A Tale of Two Kings These visions, Amos... Read more
Throughout Lent I have been focused on Psalms and Ecclesiastes in my devotions. Lent is a season for remembering wilderness moments—like the one in which Jesus spent 40 days faithfully in the desert at the beginning of his ministry, and like the 40 years the Israelites spent wandering in the wilderness. These moments are often a season of lament. Psalms and Ecclesiastes are a good place to focus on lament. Many of us find ourselves in wilderness moments far more often... Read more
The Megiddo Mosaic on display at the Museum of the Bible (Washington, D.C.) is an invitation to journey back to the life of the church, at least 1,800 years ago, in the land of Israel during the reign of the Roman Empire. It is more than a glimpse into an artistic endeavor from an early church worship space, it is the chance to see the story of faith that united a Roman centurion, an artist, and five women. Their faith... Read more
A few months back, Dr. Anthony L. Blair—President of Evangelical Seminary, Kairos Executive Partner, and Professor of Leadership and Historical Studies at Kairos University—had praised the Museum of the Bible in a Facebook post, after his visit. This affirmation in a Facebook post certainly piqued my interest to see it for myself. As a doctoral student at Kairos University, I have great respect for Dr. Blair’s opinion, and his endorsement prompted me to reconsider. Additionally, the Megiddo Mosaic—an early Christian... Read more
Have you ever had a moment when something ordinary became extraordinary? For me, that often happens at the beach—watching the waves roll in, feeling the rhythm of the tide, and letting the ocean’s vastness quiet my soul. There’s something about that stillness that puts me at peace, reminding me of my pursuit to lead a quiet life. It seems often that when you stare at something bigger than you, it somehow changes your perspective, and helps you put everything else... Read more
Many of us are seeking transformation in ourselves or various aspects of our lives. The self-help and therapeutic book industry has grown into a multi-million, even billion-dollar market. Thousands of articles, coaches, and guides promise to help us become the version of ourselves we’ve envisioned. While we can learn to adapt, true transformation always comes from something beyond ourselves. This blog explores the call to pursue leading a quiet life, as outlined in 1 Thessalonians 4:11. In our pursuit of... Read more
In Philippians 4, Paul celebrates the Philippians – commendable comrades, co-conspirators, and collaborators who he longs to be gathered with once again. These are people that Paul celebrates for standing in the Lord in a steadfast and established way with perseverance and unwavering commitment despite the uneasy times they are in. Writing from his imprisoned state at a distance, Paul realizes written words and interceding prayer are the only hopes that he has to give a kindled spark and prophetically... Read more
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In