Keep The Faith

Entering His Reign: The Kingdom, the Father, and the Son Entering the Kingdom of God is not about waiting for a distant future or checking religious boxes. In John 17 , Yeshua Jesus lifts His eyes to heaven and speaks of the glory He shared with the Father before the world existed, the people the Father gave Him, and the authority granted to Him over all flesh. This authority establishes a present reality: the domain and rule of God breaking into our lives right now. 1. The Heart of the Kingdom Yeshua defines the very core of this dynamic by pointing directly to relationship: "And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" ( John 17:3 ). He speaks of a completed work and a shared glory before creation ( John 17:4–5 ). These words reveal relationship, not religion—a life rooted in living under the direct rule and fellowship of God. 2. What God Delights In Jeremiah writes that we should not boa...

Living in the NOW Kingdom: Discovering God Beyond the Walls Living in the NOW Kingdom: Discovering God Beyond the Walls Introduction Welcome to today’s reflection. It can be easy to view our faith as a waiting game—looking forward to a distant future or relying strictly on static texts. But what if the Kingdom of God isn't just a destination down the road, but a living reality waiting to be experienced right now, in every corner of creation? Scripture “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” — Mark 1:15 “Jesus answered him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God... Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'” — John 3:3 , 7:38 Reflection After moving to the north side of Houston last year, I looked for a Quaker Meetinghouse or a community rooted in Quaker spirituality, but couldn't find one nearby. While my attempt ...

Welcome! Pull up a chair and grab a cup of coffee. Today, I want to share a reflection that hit me deeply during my morning quiet time—one that challenged the way I think about faith, everyday distractions, and how we love those around us. Scripture Matthew 25:40 (NIV) “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Reflection I was drinking coffee this morning, as usual, when these words came to mind: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” As I thought about them, I wanted to go back and read the full parable in Scripture. I began reading through several chapters around this verse, and the weight of what Jesus was teaching hit me hard. Here is what stood out during my study: 1. The Immediate Context: Matthew 25 The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats serves as the climax of a three-part teaching on spiritual r...

There are moments in our walk with God when questions rise to the surface—questions about how we come to know Him, how He draws us, and how His love reaches us long before we understand it. These reflections often come through Scripture, but also through conversations, books, and the quiet leading of the Spirit. This post gathers those threads into one simple, clear picture of where knowing God truly begins. 1. The Father’s Eternal Love: Where Knowing God Begins (A simple foundation: God’s love comes first.) Before creation, before time, before humanity existed, Scripture shows us something astonishing: the Father loved the Son. Yeshua says: “You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” — John 17:24 This is the starting point of everything. Knowing God begins with the Father’s love, not human discovery. It begins in heaven, not on earth. In the same chapter, Yeshua speaks of those whom the Father “gave” to Him: “Yours they were, and You...

Unity Series: This image comes from the Hammer Story — a picture of returning, surrendering, and trusting the Son. It reminds us that unity with Father God begins not with our righteousness, but with repentance that brings us back into His hands. This Unity reflection explores a question that touches salvation, holiness, and the heart of the Father: What is more important, righteousness or repentance? As we walk through Scripture together, we’ll see how being born again, becoming like little children, genuine repentance, and even the Hammer Story all weave together into entering the Kingdom of God. What Is More Important: Righteousness or Repentance? There is a Scripture that says, “Be righteous, for I am righteous.” This echoes God’s call in 1 Peter 1:16 — “Be holy, because I am holy.” But can we truly do that? Maybe for a season we walk in a righteous character. Maybe for a time our choices align w...

Lying and Deception in All Things Lying and deception are not confined to any one sphere of life. They appear in nonprofits, politics, business, media, and even in the quiet places of our own hearts. Scripture teaches that deception is never a small matter. It is a sin that grieves God, harms people, and corrodes trust wherever it is allowed to grow. Many nonprofit organizations do beautiful, sacrificial work. Yet behind polished mission statements and emotional appeals, deception can still take root. The same is true in politics, where truth is often buried beneath strategy, fear, and manipulation. And in business, greed and self‑interest can twist numbers, messaging, and motives. Deception is not limited to “bad places.” It is a temptation everywhere human beings exist. As believers, we cannot assume that any institution, cause, or leader is automatically trustworthy. We are called to walk in truth, test...

In this Unity Series reflection, I want to share how my own story, a simple experiment with rats, and the way of Yeshua all point to the same truth: everything begins with an encounter that breaks isolation and opens the door to real community and oneness. The Encounter That Breaks the Cage When I look back over my life, I can see a pattern I didn’t understand at the time — a pattern that reveals how the Kingdom actually begins in a person. It doesn’t start with doctrine. It doesn’t start with effort. It doesn’t start with trying to be better. It starts with an encounter — a moment when Yeshua Jesus steps into the isolation of a human life and opens the door to connection, healing, and community. For me, that moment came after Vietnam. When I returned home from the service, I didn’t feel welcomed. I didn’t feel understood. I didn’t feel safe. I felt isolated — cut off from the world I had left behind. Whether people truly didn’t want to associate with me o...