Listening to a musical artist live is one of my favorite experiences. I recently saw Joel Ansett (check out his tour), and he was tremendous. Not just a musician, but a true storyteller, and he wove a journey with the purposeful intent for his listeners to find healing and hope. Maybe not every song for every person, but perhaps a line, a chord progression, or a thought that each person could connect with on a deeper level. The live show... Read more
Have you ever faced a dark night of the soul? A “dark night of the soul” is when you ask hard questions like, “Does it matter what I do with my life?” “Is there any meaning in my suffering?” “Does God love me?” These are times in life when doubt is loud, and life is hard. Jesus faced a literal and spiritual dark night of the soul. It was so stressful that it physically manifested, His sweat becoming like drops... Read more
Jesus asked of His disciples, “Why are you so afraid?” They were in the middle of a storm; how else should they feel? The truth is that there will be storms no matter what you do or how you live. Jesus promised his closest friends they would have trouble in this life. But He also promised they would not face those troubles alone. What you believe is the foundation on which you build your thoughts. Faith is the foundation of... Read more
Hopefully, 2024 was an excellent year for you. For me, last year was spent walking through valleys. Whether this new year is good or bad, I hope to encourage you to find a particular type of faith in 2025. My challenge (for myself and you) is to live an “even if” type of faith. But what does that mean? It is a faith that is not determined by experiences. Instead, faith defines how I see my circumstances every day. I... Read more
Jesus prays for unity for those who would be called His followers. He portrays it as one of the ways that the world will know that God sent him. Yet one looks around the United States and you see division, violence, and hate. Are we a Christian nation? Or at least a nation full of followers of Jesus? If we are, how does so much division exist? My Way We have more access to information and sources of information than... Read more
Blame it on my strong Baptist roots, but I firmly believe in the separation of the church and the state. Forcing teachers, who may or may not believe in God or follow Jesus, to display the Ten Commandments opens up vast scenarios that conservatives will gnash their teeth against. Having them displayed may do some good, but at the end of the day, it is religious theater carried out for political gain. Two Commandments Jesus was asked what the greatest... Read more
Is it time for a spiritual spring cleaning? The daylight is starting to last longer and the days are warmer. You may have already opened up your doors and windows where you live to let old winter air out into the spring. Spring cleaning ushers in the season of sunshine and new life. We do that with our homes, but spiritually we can also do that with our hearts. I will be using the Lord’s prayer as one way to... Read more
I have spent the last couple of months contemplating what I believe about being called to vocational ministry. From the summer after my 8th grade year, I have felt called to vocational ministry. But I have been asking others about their calling whether they serve vocationally or not. I have been pleasantly surprised to realize that my understanding and experience are both unique and similar. But even if you don’t feel called to vocational ministry, I think there are several... Read more
Think about what is noble. Noble thinking is thoughts showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles and ideals. Noble things are worth thinking about, but some things aren’t worth thinking about. Our brains work to understand the world all day long. The world is full of sources of information. We watch YouTube, TikTok, and television and scroll through social media. Our brain works to collate it all. Bad and negative information is taken in alongside good and positive information.... Read more
What is truth? Well, to put it in 1980’s movie jargon, just the facts, man. Webster says it is a descriptive word to indicate the subject is in accordance with fact or reality. To some, truth is simply what you make it. And to others, truth is only true when it is verifiable in the physical world. Those who seek to understand the physical and spiritual world are often seen at odds with each other. But this year, I am... Read more
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