Honest reflections on faith, culture, and the glorious mess between.

When's the last time you looked in the mirror and thought to yourself, "There's a masterpiece!" My guess is probably never because most of us don't see ourselves as a masterpiece. We see all the things in our life that are holding us back from being who God called us to be. Things like bad habits, poor attitudes, fear, broken relationships, and so many more. 

Here's the thing... As a follower of Jesus, when God looks at you, He sees a masterpiece!

Have you ever had a houseguest? You know, the kind who politely stays within their designated space, careful not to intrude too much on your daily routine? Truth is... many treat Jesus the same way – like a polite houseguest with limited access to the home in our heart. But here's the thing... when Jesus said "abide in me" in John 15, He wasn't asking for a guest pass,  He was asking for the keys to every room in our lives.

This past Sunday during the Super Bowl, millions of fans sported their favorite team's jerseys and gathered around TV's to watch the big game. While they may have looked the part in their team gear, they weren't actually on the field making plays. They were spectators, not participants. The reality is, many of us approach our relationship with Jesus the same way.

Have you ever felt pushback for following Jesus? Maybe it was a raised eyebrow from a family member, tension with a coworker, or that uncomfortable silence when you mention your faith. Here's what we must remember...

If you've ever used Focus mode on your iPhone, you know the immediate sense of peace that comes from silencing the constant stream of notifications. But what happens when you turn it off?

We all do it. As I scrolled through my own New Year's photo collage recently, I caught myself carefully curating the highlights of 2024 - the smiling faces, the perfect golf shots, the celebrations. But what about those moments that didn't make the cut? The struggles, disappointments, and times when life felt overwhelming?

There is nothing like answered prayers to elevate one’s faith. When God shows up and brings an answer, a healing, a promise, a solution to a problem, it ignites your faith and reminds you God truly does hear your prayers. Unfortunately, we often rejoice in the moment only to completely forget His handiwork a few days later. Sure, we remember the “big” answered prayers or the ones that are life-changing in our mind. But what about all the moments in between? How many answered prayers have we forgotten? 

Have you ever noticed how uncomfortable some Christians seem to be with celebration? We've somehow developed this notion that being spiritual means being boring and solemn. However, in the book of Esther, we discover something fascinating... when God delivers, it's time to party!

Most everyone, at some point in their life, is called to work or serve under someone who doesn’t appreciate, value, understand, or lead you well. At the end of the day, you have no control over the words, thoughts, and actions of the person in authority over you. However, what you can control is your response to it. 

Thinking and praying this morning for my fellow friends in ministry who are preparing for their upcoming Christmas services. I echo the words of Paul, "I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit."