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10/06/2026

The Bottom is Solid

Last week I ran into a friend while I was out walking our dog Texas. Yes, that is our dog's name, Texas. It was one of those ordinary encounters that somehow becomes more than ordinary. We stopped, let the dogs sniff around, and caught up a little about life, grief, and the last six years since my late wife, Anna, died. ...

09/28/2026

Being Present in the Moment

Being present in the moment might be one of the most difficult things to practice consistently. Our minds are rarely content to stay here. They drift backward into regret, memory, and replay. They rush forward into planning, worrying, and imagining what might happen next. And it doesn't help that our culture often rewards distraction. Doing one thing at a time can feel inefficient, and giving someone our full attention can almost seem like we are going to run out of time to get things done. ...

Being present in the moment might be one of the most difficult things to practice consistently. Our minds are rarely content to stay here. They drift backward into regret, memory, and replay. They …

09/21/2026

Everyone Meditates

The word meditation brings about all kinds of ideas and assumptions. For some, it sounds peaceful and healthy. For others, it sounds strange, mystical, or disconnected from ordinary life. But perhaps one of the most misunderstood ideas about meditation is that some people meditate and some people do not. I am not sure that is true. That might be true when we are talking about certain practices or techniques....

09/17/2026

Jesus Invites Thirsty People

In the previous post I spent time sitting with the pressure Jesus experienced in John 7. His brothers misunderstood Him. The crowds were divided about Him. The religious leaders were watching Him. And still, Jesus kept moving with the Father, not on anyone else’s timeline and not for anyone else’s approval. But there is one line near the end of that chapter that keeps pulling me back....

In the previous post I spent time sitting with the pressure Jesus experienced in John 7. His brothers misunderstood Him. The crowds were divided about Him. The religious leaders were watching Him. …

09/14/2026

When Obedience Feels Misunderstood

Have you ever done what you thought was right and then, almost immediately, started second-guessing yourself? I have. More times than I would like to admit. It is one thing to wrestle quietly with doubt inside my own heart. It is another thing when people close to me start questioning the way I am moving, suggesting I explain myself better, soften the edges, or take a safer path....

09/11/2026

Nowhere Else To Turn

There is a moment in Jesus' life that surprises me. Just as his popularity is growing, He says some pretty hard things and asks people if they want to walk away. Not a common practice for a leader who is trying to build a following and gain momentum. The scene: Jesus has been teaching about belief (John 6), the bread of life, and the kind of life that comes from receiving Him rather than simply admiring Him from a distance....

09/08/2026

Digging Deep

When I was eight years old, I watched my dad, granddad, great uncle, and a few other men build our home. I grew up on a couple hundred acres in West Texas, where it was still pretty normal for men to gather together and build a house with their own hands. A few subcontractors were brought in along the way, but for the most part, those men built the home my dad still lives in today....

When I was eight years old, I watched my dad, granddad, great uncle, and a few other men build our home. I grew up on a couple hundred acres in West Texas, where it was still pretty normal for men …

09/03/2026

Respect or Desperation

People end up at the feet of Jesus for one of two reasons, respect or desperation. Mark 5 has examples of both. The first story involves a demon-possessed man living in a graveyard. "When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him."(v.5) This man was desperate, and he came running. Next, a father named Jairus came to Jesus out of respect....

People end up at the feet of Jesus for one of two reasons, respect or desperation. Mark 5 has examples of both. The first story involves a demon-possessed man living in a graveyard. “When he …

08/31/2026

Why Are You So Afraid?

“Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Those are two of my favorite questions Jesus asks in the Gospels. They are simple, direct, and not easily misinterpreted. Jesus asks them in Mark 4 after He and His friends have been caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee. But to understand the weight of the questions, we have to go back to the beginning of the story, when Jesus first says, “Let’s go across to the other side.” …...

“Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Those are two of my favorite questions Jesus asks in the Gospels. They are simple, direct, and not easily misinterpreted. Jesus asks them in Mar…

08/28/2026

Belief Affects A Whole Community

In my earlier post this week I reflected on the belief of the woman Jesus encountered at the well in John 4. I love how the story ends: "Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” (v 39) Belief led to belief. One changed life (the woman) opened the door for more changed lives....

In my earlier post this week I reflected on the belief of the woman Jesus encountered at the well in John 4. I love how the story ends: “Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus bec…