The only time I’ve really been around sheep has been at petting zoos. If it came to caring for sheep I’d be completely clueless. The suburban life doesn’t adequately equip me to be a shepherd — go figure.

Have you ever read a portion of the Bible and felt absolutely captivated by it to the point where it feels like it cannot leave you alone? The words you read enthrall your every waking moment. It’s as if the Holy Spirit is drawing you into an encounter where He is longing to reveal new facets of revelation and love through those verses.

Have you ever felt really passionate about something but lacked the initiative to consistently follow through and see your dream realized? Well, that’s been my reality with writing the last month.

Has God ever spoken something so powerful, wonderful, and beautiful over you that it scared you? It scared you because you did not think it was possible, or if you believed it was possible you were scared of what it would mean to fully walk into that promise? It would mean you have to get uncomfortable and step out into something you have never done before. It would mean you have to start taking steps toward the direction of the promise.

Recently I received a gift card that was able to be used at several wonderful restaurants. I did nothing to earn this, it was simply a gift of love. When I finally chose a restaurant to use it at, I was anxious to get my food — my buffalo chicken mac and cheese sounded so tasty! However, when the food came I felt shorted. I actually said, “What a rip-off, this is not enough food.”

I love nature documentaries. I thoroughly enjoy seeing the intense beauty and splendor of the world from the comfort of my own home, and I always find myself in awe at God’s creation when I watch them. Whether it be Planet Earth, some Disney Nature project, or an obscure Australian show from 2003 on Netflix, I often find myself gravitating towards these shows and movies.

Have you ever daydreamed about meeting Phil Knight before Nike became a global empire, and getting in on the ground floor? Maybe you’ve thought about being best buds with Wozniak and Jobs and helping found Apple. Possibly you have replayed a failure of yours in your head and thought about all the ways it could have gone differently. Regardless of what you have thought about, there’s something to be said about being in the right place at the right time.

I will never forget the crippling look of despair she wore as she walked down the aisle towards the pulpit. Years of defeat and pain marked her hobbling steps as she weightily leaned on her cane. The entire room was silent as she made her long journey towards the pastor — the anticipation in the room was tangible.

All throughout Middle School and High School I identified as a militant atheist.

I hated God. I loathed religion. Faith disgusted me.

My wife and I were discipling two young boys in our youth group for about four weeks, and we would meet every Wednesday evening. We would gather and teach them out of the Bible and give them practical steps for how to live out their faith the following week.

A friend of mine has an outreach ministry to homeless people in downtown Portland, Oregon. What makes her ministry unique is the relational focus she places on her outreach. Her love and kindness to those a city has deemed unlovable is truly remarkable.

In April of 2017 I was at youth pastor school in Redding CA. I was at this place in my life of confusion and I didn’t know who I was or why I was created. I was broken and lost, I felt hopeless. During a time of worship the worship team led us in the song Great Are You Lord.

A beautiful thing happens when you meditate on the goodness of God — every facet of your life becomes saturated with His presence.

The more time I spend with God the more I see His plan to bring His kingdom to earth. As I read through the Bible I see all this crazy stuff happening all the time: 3,000 people being saved in a day, healings, deliverances, the Holy Spirit being poured out on people in a greater measure,etc.