A young woman recently shared something on Instagram that caught my attention: the Greek word translated “believe” in John 3:16 is πιστεύω (pisteuō). It was something I’d already known, but had never really investigated very deeply. The word “believe,” here in the US, is rather passive. We believe it will rain. We believe the restaurantContinue reading “Counting Costs”
Category Archives: Freeform Writing
His Extravagance
We often think of generosity in terms of what we have left to give. Our time is limited. Our energy runs out. Our attention can only stretch so far. When we are already focused on one urgent need, it is easy to overlook another. But Jesus is different. In Luke 8, Jesus is on HisContinue reading “His Extravagance”
Yet, I Will Rejoice
Fire leaves behind a landscape that can be difficult to look at – blackened trees, empty foundations, and the reminders of what once stood there. But if you walk through a burned forest long enough, you begin to notice something else. Life. A tiny pine sapling pushing through the ash. New growth appearing along sideContinue reading “Yet, I Will Rejoice”
Amen, Amen
There are some things God says once. And there are some things He says again. When Scripture repeats itself, we should stop and listen. In the New Testament, Jesus often began His most important statements with the words, “Ἀμὴν ἀμὴν” – “Amen amen.” It was a divine way of saying, Pay attention. What I amContinue reading “Amen, Amen”
Remember
We see rainbows and often think of beauty, hope, or new beginnings. But the rainbow has a far greater purpose. A far greater purpose than the purpose of the “alphabet religion” which has co-opted the rainbow. God placed it in the heavens as a reminder – not primarily for us to remember something, but forContinue reading “Remember”
Belonging
There is something about standing beside the ocean that puts our lives into perspective. Wave after wave rolls toward the shore, drawn by forces we cannot see. We can watch it, hear it, and feel its power, but we cannot control it. As I filmed these waves at Point St. George near Crescent City, California,Continue reading “Belonging”
The Fig Tree & the Apple Tree
Matthew 24:32 “Now from the fig tree learn this parable: When its branch has now become tender and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near.” Today, many Christians believe we are living in the last of the last days. Those who embrace Premillennial Dispensationalism often point to current events as evidence thatContinue reading “The Fig Tree & the Apple Tree”
The Grass Wasn’t the Only Thing Growing
I haven’t written anything here in quite a while. As often happens in the Spring, life shifts into overdrive as the weather begins to turn nicer. Weekends filled up quickly. We would be out of town, then come home to several days of rain. Just when the ground dried out enough to think about mowingContinue reading “The Grass Wasn’t the Only Thing Growing”
Remain
I have always thought that John 15 was a foundational chapter of the Bible. Whenever I felt that temptation was going to sweep me away, it was always due to me not remaining near to Jesus. Once I began to read the Word and pray, I found that the temptation faded. When I was aContinue reading “Remain”
Curiosity Unalived the Cat
February 2, 2026 I once watched a video post on Instagram where the commentator kept using the word “unalived.” He was describing a historical event – the Revolutionary War – and repeatedly used unalive or unalived to refer to soldiers who had died in battle. Never mind that this was commentary about the Revolutionary War.Continue reading “Curiosity Unalived the Cat”
