I’ve been spending a lot of time recently with tiny humans who can count their age in months rather than years. I love singing with them in the morning to greet the day. Of course, smiles and snuggles are top priorities. But my all-time favorite is belly laughter.

I have always enjoyed watching birds. Growing up, I listened to my father point out the different types of birds and explain their unique diets and behaviors. I have literally spent dozens of hours just sitting in desolate places with nothing to do but observe birds.

I don’t know about you, but things in our world seem to be getting out of hand. Sometimes we look around, and it appears as though the darkness is winning. War, school shootings, abuse, human trafficking, murder, suicide…the news never stops. As a result, our hearts ache continuously.

I am reminded of my time as a parent, my years in youth ministry, and my general observation of kids. I can recall trying to give kids instructions before going swimming. They make occasional eye contact as they inch closer and closer to the water’s edge.

God is the main character! When we embrace this, following his lead, we love and pursue his holiness and truth while humbly helping others. This is for the glory of God and not our own. Selfishness and magnifying self have no place in his story.

Pornography is no longer a problem we can afford to ignore. It is increasingly accessible, often hidden in secrecy, and affecting men, women, children, families, churches, and communities. In this video, I address the destructive influence of online pornography and challenge Christians to take the battle seriously.

As Christians, our work isn’t merely trading our time for resources to pay the bills, although that is necessary and important. We are called to a Kingdom focus in which our efforts are centered on a higher purpose (Colossians 3:17, 1 Corinthians 10:31) and mission (Matthew 28:18-20). As a result, the Good News is lived (Matthew 5:14-26) and proclaimed throughout the world (2 Timothy 4:2). These God-glorifying efforts are never in vain.

My concern is that we may have been influenced a little more by culture than we realize. Unfortunately, much of the Christian practice today has resulted in the idea that we can DoorDash a little Jesus whenever we want. The church has been compelled to make it convenient and comfortable so that we can quickly move on to another stronger hankering. 

Believe it or not, as followers of God, we are called to be masters at hiding. Maybe that seems silly since we are all grownups, but Scripture reveals something we shouldn’t take lightly.

For some reason, the fancy schmancy social media algorithm started showing me videos of the most fascinating thing. They contain time-lapse footage of restorations. Everything from old tools to antique motorcycles. I hate to admit it, but I am drawn to their simplicity.

I have spent a lot of time in medical facilities recently. I have a little experience being in those spaces from my early career as a nurse and subsequent time in ministry. One of the most common themes in those hallways of help and healing is this: waiting on the doctor.

Can he do it? Can the Lord provide? Can the Lord turn the tide of nations? Can God build His church?

So many times we limit God based on our own ideas and our own limitations.

But that isn't fair to us, nor is it honoring to God. He has told us what he has done and what he is going to do. It is not for us to determine what God can or cannot do. It is only for us to be obedient.

One of my teenagers got up and started getting ready for school, and I could see it written all over his face—he was upset. He was walking around defeated. Something had happened yesterday, and even though it was in the past, it was still influencing him and weighing on him this morning.

What’s up, internet? It’s been a minute.

I wanted to drop something out there because I wasn’t sure if I ever had, and I thought it would be unfaithful if I never did.

I was once told in high school that I was unofficially most likely to be dead or in prison after graduating high school.

I laughed at the time, but they were right.