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Steady Living in an Age of Noise
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” – Romans 12:18 (ESV) It doesn’t take long to notice the volume. Shouting surrounds us. Opinions travel quickly. Headlines compete for our attention. Conversations, once manageable, suddenly carry an edge. Even ordinary disagreement feels heavier than it once did. Sometimes I catch myself…
Read MoreStaying Faithful for the Long Road
Do you remember how you felt when you stepped into your new career or launched your business? For me, my first calling to serve a small church in a beautiful location was a moment of excited anticipation. My energy—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—was high. I launched into my new role as pastor with high hopes, faith,…
Read MoreGod Sees the Women the World Overlooks
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18 In many parts of the world, women follow Jesus quietly — not because their faith is weak, but because the cost of open faith is high. In Central Asia, women who choose to follow Christ often face rejection,…
Read MoreA Faithful Presence in a Fractured World
We don’t have to look far to notice fractures. They show up in public discourse and private conversations, in families and congregations, in social media feeds and at dinner tables. Tension has become so familiar that many of us no longer ask why things feel divided—we simply brace ourselves for the next moment of misunderstanding…
Read MoreThe Loneliness No One Sees
I first recognized loneliness as a child in Newton, Kansas. Forced to move again, I told myself, “There’s no point in making friends.” I was in fifth grade and had already attended four different schools—from Washington to Michigan and beyond. Stability seemed out of reach for this eleven-year-old boy. When my parents told me we…
Read MoreDo Weary Shepherds Contribute to Weary Sheep?
I recently received a call from a pastor. He asked, “Do you have time to meet with me?” I could immediately tell from the sound of his voice that this wasn’t a “Hey, let’s get together” invite. I heard the ache behind his request—I’ve heard it many times from my friends and colleagues. We scheduled…
Read MoreBeing A Non-Anxious Presence in Anxious Times
As we come to the final reflection in this series, it’s important to name something honestly: fear is not only something we experience internally. It shapes our conversations, our reactions, our tone, and even the way we see one another. We live in anxious times. That anxiety shows up in many ways—harsh words, quick judgments,…
Read MoreFacing Fear with Faith
I’m slowly easing into a new year. I’m noticing that I still want to default to writing 2025, rather than 2026. But that’s not all I’m noticing. I’m also noticing something else: fear does not magically disappear simply because the calendar has changed. In the first two reflections of this series, we’ve acknowledged that fear…
Read MoreWhat Fear Reveals About What We Trust
Someone once shared with me that there are 365 commands in the Bible telling us not to fear. While I’ve never personally verified that number, I do know that “fear not” is a recurring reminder throughout the Bible. I’ve yet to meet a person who has entirely escaped fear. It’s something we all experience. The…
Read MoreA Year of Fear—or Faith?
The start of a new year often brings a mix of hope and anxiety. On one hand, we embrace the hope of new beginnings. On the other hand, we carry questions that feel heavier than we want to admit. What’s coming? What will change? What will stay uncertain? For many people, fear isn’t just an…
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