A Quiet Exodus
People are leaving the church at an alarming rate. Quietly. Not with grandiose actions. Just the quiet patter of feet heading out the door. They leave because they can’t find the real Jesus in that church, or no one has ever done the work to show them what being “in Christ” really means. Is your church pushing a misplaced emphasis for spiritual growth? The mission is really about people, and not anything else.
Be of Good Courage
Your weariness is real, as are the challenges you will confront today. But the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go, so be of good courage!
What I Learned This Week: When “Trying” Becomes Permission
What if you gave yourself permission to try something — knowing you don’t have to sustain it forever — and discovered something life-giving you never would have found otherwise?
New Leader, Same Name
Iran has a new Supreme Leader, and it is the son of the late Supreme Leader. Fifty-six-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Ali Khamenei, has never held a government position, but takes over the regime after his father was killed in airstrikes by Israel and the U.S. The younger Khamenei will be the country’s primary decision-maker as the conflict continues and will also decide whether to continue the hostile and antagonistic approach of his father or seek a more conciliatory posture with the world.
Broken
Jesus told us that it isn’t the healthy that need a doctor but the sick. Churches are filled with people that have learned, and been taught, to keep their broken areas to themselves. But the entire Gospel of Matthew is geared towards showing that Jesus sought after the broken. The despised. The “unclean.” The outcasts. That is who Matthew was. A tax collector. We still don’t really like the tax collectors. Matthew was cut off from everything in his Jewish faith. He was rejected. He was broken. But Jesus called him to follow. And he did. Time and again Jesus stopped to interact with the broken of society. They were special to Him. They should be special to us today.
New Secretary
How is the following for a direct and candid reminder?
“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful” (2 Tim. 2:23-24).
Miracle on Miracle
Forty-six years after the Lake Placid “Miracle on Ice” in the 1980 Winter Olympics, the U.S. men’s hockey team has again won gold, this time defeating Canada when Jack Hughes scored a sudden death “golden goal” in overtime on Sunday. The U.S. win completed a clean sweep for U.S. hockey, with the women’s team also defeating Canada to win the gold medal a few days prior. While neither of the two gold medals was a sports “miracle” in the mold of 1980 (both of the modern teams were clear gold medal contenders while the 1980 team was a significant underdog), the back-to-back wins provided a jubilant end to 2026 Winter Olympics for American fans.
U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Tariffs
Tariff policy likely does impact you in at least some way—perhaps prices at the grocery store or even the geopolitical posture of your favorite international destination. But far more important than tariffs or the major questions doctrine (both of which are certainly of some import) is the reality that all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Jesus (Matt. 28:18). It is a comforting reality as you grapple with complex questions of earthly authority.
What I Learned This Week: Why I’m Learning to Chase the Impossible
What if, instead of settling for what feels achievable, you dared to run after something that feels impossible — trusting that who you become in the process matters more than whether you fully arrive?
Chaos in Mexico
Chaos and destruction in both life and death. That is the somber legacy of El Mencho. As deadly and chaotic as the scene of El Mencho’s death and the nationwide aftermath is, the destruction caused by the cartel’s trafficking operation is unquestionably more devastating. Untold thousands are almost certainly dead or addicted as a result of the illicit drugs trafficked by El Mencho. Both his life and death speak tragically of death, and his legacy remains one of destruction that will not unravel simply because he has passed from earthly life.
Plus-Six Vision
Do you have Plus-Six vision? God does, and while He is the only one who can take you there, He expects and requires you to first turn the five He has given you into ten. It is time to be courageous and do the work (1 Chron. 28:20).
Jesse Jackson Dies
As we pray for the Jackson family during their time of loss, we should also reflect on our own upcoming entrance into eternity. Are you prepared for that certain eventuality? You can be! Left to your own accord, your life will be deemed to have fallen short of the required standard (Rom. 3:23). But all that is required to change that fact is that you believe in Jesus and state that belief to those around you (Rom. 10:9, Matt. 10:32-33).
What I Learned This Week: Why “More” Never Feels Like Enough
What if you learned to enjoy where you are right now — while still letting “more” motivate you toward growth — instead of believing the next thing will finally be enough?
Fallen
The things, the leaders, and the people of this world will fail us. If not now, eventually. Our hope rightly placed in Christ will sustain us through all of it. It isn’t that we all just want grace. Without it, we can be and do nothing in the world.
ICE Drawdown in Minnesota
We should continue to pray for both law enforcement as they put themselves in harm’s way to protect our communities, and for the people of the Minneapolis area. We should pray for a sustained peace and calm (Ps. 34:14), and that love for neighbors would “cover a multitude of sins” (1 Pet. 4:8).
Will the NAR Churches Survive?
The growing demand for reconsideration of NAR churches, prophets, and apostles gained takeoff momentum with the well-known failings of IHOP in Kansas City, Missouri. The alleged misconduct by various apostles, leaders, and prophets throughout the NAR universe provokes two questions: (1) Can NAR churches survive? And (2) Should such churches survive?
Deadly Shootings
Brokenness is a reality of life on Earth. But we do not have to acquiesce to it. Our God sent His son to the cross to make a way of healing and restoration. It is the only way for a brokenness like that on display in our world to be made whole again.
Ashes and Affection
God’s affection burns for you, my friend! How do I know? The evidence is in the ashes!
What I Learned This Week: When Getting Better Doesn’t Make It Easier
What if the fact that your work still feels hard isn’t a failure — but evidence that you’re pushing your growth, your influence, and your impact farther than before?
Lent
A more liturgical in nature background likely means you are familiar with the history and practice of Lent. More evangelical? Maybe you are curious about adding some of the rhythmic liturgical elements into your spiritual life. Lent provides a unique and special opportunity to grow closer to the Lord spiritually.