Is your Christianity a crutch or a cross? July 7, 2025 I’ve been in church as far back as I can remember. With few exceptions, one common thread I have seen is the idea that becoming a Christian changes your life for the better. I understand that it is technically true. But at the same time, in a more real way, it is absolutely false.   This view lends credence to those who might say Christianity is a crutch — a life-bettering add-on for the weak or broken. But that perception couldn’t be further from the truth.   Following Jesus doesn’t guarantee comfort, ease, or success. In fact, Jesus promises the opposite: “In this world you will have trouble…” (John 16.33).   The Christian life often begins with disappointment; not because Jesus fails, but because we come into this lifestyle with the wrong expectations. Whether it’s from a misunderstanding or a wrong understanding of the Gospel, we expect fruitful blessings but end up facing painful pruning. We ...READ POST

Is your testimony an Instagram post? June 30, 2025 Taking family photos is like having an emergency tooth extraction… without pain killers… and it will probably (read: absolutely) cost you more money than you budgeted.   These “family bonding” moments are made even more “enjoyable” by the fact that you know that one person is determined to post the perfect photo to Instagram. That means dressing the kids, fixing everyone’s hair, sucking in your stomach, and begging your child to stop rolling in the dirt — all while being quietly yelled at (read: threatened) by that one person hissing directives under their breath. And after hours of chaos, sweat, erased tears, and forced smiles, the photographer finally captures one usable shot.   The final photo may look perfect, but it hides all the relatable details — the chaos, the tears, and the not-so-veiled threats of dismemberment. And yet, we post the polished picture and not the painful process that got us there.   Unfortunately, a ...READ POST

Is screen discipleship really a thing? June 23, 2025 About 20 years ago, my wife and I owned a production company. We created videos and designed graphics for churches and ministries (click the following link to view our super secret video project archive playlist: https://rumble.com/playlists/II8gOCGIiVo ). Additionally, we served as the creative directors for the church we attended. I prioritized everything to be the highest quality for online distribution.   I’m 41 now, and between life and ministry experience, I have discovered one BIG truth — while online is good in a pinch, in-person Spirit-led community is the key to real transformational freedom and spiritual maturity.   Staying home and watching church online while folding laundry while your kid is vomiting into a bowl isn’t bad (we’ve all been there) — but we cannot pretend it’s discipleship. Double-tapping a Bible verse or reposting a Christian quote by a famous Christian doesn’t equal evangelism. Following your favorite mega-pastor’s highlight reel is no substitute for ...READ POST

You weren’t designed for social media. June 16, 2025 Social media seemed to be a good idea for a generation that felt disconnected. It met a felt need. Facebook was for friends. Instagram was originally for unfiltered photos. Since then, we have been inundated with platforms that purport to “connect” us: Twitter, I mean X, Snapchat, TikTok, Pinterest, Telegram, LinkedIn, and more. Social media has trained us to believe more followers (think “bonds”) means more connection — when in reality, it’s the opposite.   Psychologists talk about Dunbar’s Number — the idea that the human brain can only maintain about 150 meaningful relationships. Beyond that and the emotional closeness and connection break down. Our digital lives may be full, but very little of it actually feeds the soul (I’m looking at you, Christian grazers who snack all day long on the dopamine hits of inspirational graphics, Scripture verses, quotes, and video clips).   Even Patrick (Yes, that St, Patrick of Ireland) seemed to ...READ POST

What if God parented like we do? June 9, 2025 Let’s be real: if God parented like we sometimes do — distracted, reactive, or just running the same script for every situation — we’d be in trouble. But thankfully, He doesn’t.   God parents us moment by moment. He’s not relying on a rigid formula. He’s present — paying attention to who we are, what we’re going through, and how best to guide us through it. Sometimes that means a gentle reminder. Other times, it’s consequences laced with compassion. But it’s always grace — not grace that enables bad behavior, but grace that shows up as undeserved attention, support, or assistance right when we need it most… and let’s be honest, sometimes painfully.   And that’s what being a Spirit-led parent looks like. We don’t parent from a one-size-fits-all playbook. We parent with presence, led by the Holy Spirit, so we can know when to comfort, when to correct, and when to just be ...READ POST

Temptation’s Coming — Do You Have an Exit Strategy? June 2, 2025 Let’s be honest — temptation can feel like an onslaught of exhausting and unstoppable attacks. And too many of us treat it like we’re supposed to overcome just by “trying harder”. Some of us have even been told, “just don’t do it”. What’s worse, depending upon the culture and people we are around, some of us have socially acceptable sins that are encouraged and applauded. But you weren’t designed to be victorious by yourself. You were designed to be more than a conqueror with community AND the Holy Spirit.   Here are some steps to help you create real, practical victory in your life:   1. Know What You’re Up Against (A Real Enemy) You have to first be honest. What kind of temptations are most common for you? (1 Corinthians 10.13). Identify the patterns and triggers (Proverbs 7.6-27). Is it a person, place, or time of day? Are you just tired or stressed out? ...READ POST

Wait… I Have to Repent for That? May 26, 2025 When most of us hear the word repentance, we imagine some big dramatic apology — tears, guilt, dramatic music swelling in the background. But sometimes, repentance looks a lot more like this super hypothetical situation: You’re in the kitchen, and your spouse (or loved one) comes into the kitchen at the same time, and you happen to step on their foot. You weren’t mad, it wasn’t on purpose, and you barely noticed. But then they look at you and ask if you will apologize.   Not because you were evil.   Not because you meant harm.   But because you did something that caused pain, albeit unintentionally.   That’s the heart of repentance in the Kingdom of God. It’s not just for the willful rebellion and deep betrayals (though it’s good for those, too). It’s also for when our words, decisions, or ignorance have hurt someone — or grieved God — even when that wasn’t our aim.   David prays ...READ POST

Talk to God like He’s real… cause He is. May 19, 2025 I used to have a friend who would wait for you to get done saying something, just so he could tell you what was already on his mind. His words would always come off feeling empty, pre-planned, and impersonal.   Do you have anyone in your life who only talks at you instead of with you?   Prayer gets frustrating when we do that with God. And yet, many of us wonder why our prayer life feels flat, like we’re leaving voicemails with God and hoping for a callback.   Here’s a wild idea: what if prayer is supposed to be a messy conversation?   That means asking questions — real ones — and even changing the question if it’s not getting an answer. Not because God’s dodging you or not understanding you, but because maybe it’s you who is learning to think and talk the way God does — the way He designed you to.   For example, instead ...READ POST

Prayer Isn’t a Vending Machine. It’s a Marriage. May 12, 2025 A lot of us treat prayer like that vending machine. We come with our selections, pay with the right “sacrifice” — good behavior, emotional sincerity, long enough prayers — and expect the desired outcome. And when it doesn’t happen? We get frustrated… maybe even shake the machine a bit.   But prayer isn’t transactional. It’s relational. Just like marriage, the real work actually begins after you say, “I do”. A healthy marriage is learning how to communicate with each other. And prayer is no different.   Your relationship with God deepens over time. You grow in your ability to hear Him, to trust His tone, to speak His language. Prayer isn’t just talking at God — it’s listening, waiting, and learning what matters most to Him.   Prayer isn’t like a vending machine and getting something — it’s a relationship where you get to know someone. Saying “I do” to Jesus is just the beginning. Real ...READ POST

Was That God… or Just a Bad Burrito? May 5, 2025 Wouldn’t it be easier if God always sounded like James Earl Jones with a thunderclap and a choir of angels behind Him? But more often than not, His voice sounds strangely familiar — like your own thoughts, but wiser, gentler, and usually with better timing… and maybe a bit of sarcasm if you’re wired that way.   Here’s the wild part: you were designed to hear Him. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice” (John 10:27). We start off hearing Him as children (usually referred to as our “conscience” — but then the noise of responsibility, life, and overthinking starts turning His volume down.   So how do we know it’s God speaking and not just last night’s spicy takeout?   Here are three ways to discern:   1. Is it consistent with His character and Scripture? The Holy Spirit won’t contradict Himself. If it sounds like grace, truth, and love — even when convicting — you’re probably on ...READ POST