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A Journey I Could Not Have Written Alone

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A Journey I Could Not Have Written Alone Every now and then, the Spirit invites us to pause and look back—not with regret, but with wonder. This morning was one of those moments. As I reflected on the path behind me, I realized again that this journey has never been mine alone. The fingerprints of Father God have been on every step, every insight, every word. Scripture “This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” — Psalm 118:23 (KJV) Reflection I was thinking about this blog again this morning. I started it on June 6, 2011 — fifteen years ago now. As I look back and read the things I’ve written over the years, I realize something very clearly: this could not have been just me. These reflections, these insights, these moments of clarity… they have been the Spirit’s work through me, far more than my own ability. Everything I’ve learned over these years is now coming together in the Unity Series Hub and in the book The Road Into Father God’s Kingdom ...
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The Purpose of God’s Judgment: Hope for All Humanity

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The Purpose of God’s Judgment: Hope for All Humanity Scripture reveals a God whose purpose is restoration. He desires all humanity to come to the knowledge of the truth ( 1 Timothy 2:3–6 ). He works through Christ to unite all things in heaven and on earth ( Ephesians 1:9–11 ). God’s Plan Is Larger Than We Imagine From the beginning, God planned to bring everything together under Christ. His judgment is not abandonment—it is correction, healing, and ultimately reconciliation. A Hope Rooted in Scripture Christ gave Himself as a ransom for all. God’s purpose is not thwarted. His plan is not fragile. His desire is not limited to a few. He is a Father who restores His children. Father, thank You for Your righteous purpose and Your unending hope. Visit the Unity Series Hub
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Rethinking Hell: Why Grief and Sorrow May Be the Real Fire

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Rethinking Hell: Why Grief and Sorrow May Be the Real Fire For years, I believed hell was a place of physical torment. But through Scripture, study, and personal experience, I’ve come to see something different. I believe hell is the deep grief and sorrow we feel when Father God lifts the veil and we finally see the truth about ourselves. Grief as Fire When I saw the ugliness inside myself, the grief was overwhelming—like being consumed. Scripture describes grief and sorrow with words like anguish, torment, woe, and heartbreak. These same words are used in descriptions of hell. Even Jesus is called “a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.” ( Isaiah 53:3 ) The Worm That Never Dies When grief eats at a person, we sometimes say they are “eaten up inside.” Scripture says, “where their worm never dies.” This imagery aligns with internal anguish, not external torture. Everlasting Judgment Many things in Scripture are called “everlasting,” yet clearly did not...
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My Journey Through Shame, Discipline, and Father God’s Mercy

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My Journey Through Shame, Discipline, and Father God’s Mercy My life has been a long road of learning, stumbling, and being restored by Father God. I grew up in the Lutheran faith, doing everything I thought made me a “good person.” Yet beneath the surface, I struggled with sin, shame, and confusion about who God truly was. Early Years and Misunderstandings I viewed sin on a scale—small sins and big sins—never realizing that the heart behind them mattered more than the size. Lust, shame, and hidden thoughts followed me into adulthood, even as I tried to live rightly. Military Life and Deep Failure During the Vietnam era, I entered the Army hoping for a safe path. Instead, I found myself drifting spiritually. Drinking, pornography, masturbation, and other sins became part of my life. A painful betrayal by someone I trusted brought me to bitter tears and deep grief over who I had become. Father God’s Gentle Intervention In my darkest moment, I asked Jesus b...
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Why English Fails Us When Reading Scripture

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Why English Fails Us When Reading Scripture As I’ve studied God’s Word over the years, I’ve come to see how often our English translations fall short of expressing what the original writers intended. Words like wrath , vengeance , fear , and anger can paint a picture of God that feels harsh and distant. Yet when we look deeper into Hebrew and Greek, we find meanings that reveal a Father who is just, loving, and deeply relational. Seeing God as Father Yeshua consistently referred to God as Father . Matthew 23:9 reminds us that we have one Father in heaven. The Hebrew Scriptures do the same— Malachi 2:10 and Isaiah 64:7 both speak of God as Father. This language softens our understanding and brings clarity to His character. Why Translation Matters Our English Bibles often come from Greek translations that were themselves translated from Hebrew. Each language carries its own nuances, idioms, and cultural assumptions. It’s no wonder confusion arises. Even Hebre...
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The Hammer, the Sheep, the Goats, and the Bridegroom

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The Hammer, the Sheep, the Goats, and the Bridegroom Sometimes Scripture hits us in a way we didn’t expect. This time, it didn’t start with reading my Bible — it started with reading one of my own old posts on Matthew 25. As I read my own words, something stirred in me, and Jesus began showing me something deeper about readiness, relationship, and the slow work of the Shepherd. As I reread that old post, I began thinking about my past — the times I helped others and the times I turned a blind eye. If I weighed them, the blind‑eye side would feel heavier. And then the fear crept in: “What if I’m a goat?” But as I kept reading — both my old post and the Scripture behind it — something gentler began to rise. It was as if Jesus was saying, “Let Me show you what this really means.” The Fear We Grew Up With Many of us grew up with a certain picture of “the rapture” — a single moment in time when Jesus returns, and if you’re not ready at that exact second,...
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Trust in the Midst of Trials: Looking Back, Looking Up

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Trust in the Midst of Trials: Looking Back, Looking Up There are seasons when faith feels strong and unshakable, and seasons when questions rise to the surface. As I look back over the years — through pain, surgeries, healing, setbacks, and unexpected blessings — I can see how Father God has shaped my trust in Him. This reflection is part of that journey. December 2017 I’ve often said that I’ve learned to trust the Lord in all things. In my post Salvation , I wrote about the many times the Lord has saved me from harm throughout my life. That trust was built by looking back and realizing that God had His hand on me again and again. But during this time, I also had moments where I questioned even the existence of God. Maybe it was the enemy whispering. Maybe it was the weariness of a long journey. Maybe it was simply being human. Back in August of 2015, I wrote a post called “Funny Dream” (now titled " A Divine Handshake… With Dog Paws ").  In that dream...
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A Veteran’s Lament — And a Call to Make America Whole

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A Veteran’s Lament — And a Call to Make America Whole I served this country because I believed in something bigger than myself. I believed in a nation where every person mattered, where freedom meant responsibility, and where we stood together even when we disagreed. But today, as a veteran, I feel a deep grief — not only for America, but for the spiritual fracture running through us. Many have died for this nation. Many still serve. Yet we are tearing ourselves apart from the inside. We Have Forgotten Who We Are Our Constitution was built on a simple truth: all people are created equal . But we have never fully lived that ideal. From the beginning, America carried a beautiful vision and a broken reality at the same time. We lifted some people above others. We treated the poor as disposable. We divided ourselves into tribes and forgot that we belong to one another. We cared more about winning arguments than healing wounds. The saddest part is this:...
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