Are you like this all the time? Say one thing? Doing something else? How are we supposed to understand you, let alone believe you, when you move like that? We need a steady vibe to be able to trust you. Otherwise, following you is as chaotic and wild as any other option. We’re hunting for peace, not more problems.

He knew they had no clue what they signed up for. They weren’t exactly the honor‑roll squad, the brightest bulbs on the street. But they were teachable...

Jesus, hold up now. “IF”? That word’s loaded, layered. IF can mean something that’s conditional, or whenever, or even though, or whether (or not). I don’t think you’re asking permission in saying this, like If I may... No, you’re dropping two big things on the table: love and rules.

Dear Jesus, you said this was ok, so here it is. Ask anything in your name, and you’ll do it. Right? Cool. So here’s what I’m asking: explain this one. “No one can come to the Father except through me.” You really mean this?

Some interpretations makes God small, a spiritual dispenser of bulletproof vests. God’s not a vending machine for safety gear. God’s purposes are greater than only the immediate concerns of the day.

Instead, God…

Could it be faith is not a fully convinced, blindly confident mindset? What if faith isn’t walking around 100% sure all the time? Could it be real faith actually needs a little doubt in the mix, like “maybe not” sitting right next to the “maybe so”? What if faith and doubt aren’t enemies but two sides of the same coin?

How do you get out of bed in the morning when the day, the world is still shrouded in darkness?... How are you supposed to stand up when grief, anger, and anxious fear are sitting heavy in your soul? Why even open your eyes when all you see just slices pain through whatever little faith you got left?

If you hadn’t heard about Jesus before, this week you couldn’t dodge his name if you tried. Before Jesus even hit the city limits, people were lining the road like it was some VIP red carpet...Too bad he wasn’t there to play the part they wanted.

Letting someone get close like this? That’s terrifying. I’d rather tuck away all the parts that people could ridicule, the stuff that makes people look at you sideways. I’d never want someone seeing all that mess who’s way better than me, cleaner than me, holier than me. Why does God have to come so close?