The Hope of Healing

Jesus says something almost too beautiful to absorb if we’re not careful. “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” (Matthew 13:43) We spend a lot of time imagining heaven—and rightly so. Streets of gold. A throne blazing with uncreated light. A universe flooded with the glory of God, radiating from His presence like the sun on its brightest day. Scripture invites that imagination.…

Two Disney enthusiasts were asked to describe their experience with the Tower of Terror at Disneyland. Their perceptions were radically different. When they were interviewed to understand how their expectations impacted their experience, some interesting things emerged. Zoe had read about Disney her whole life and had been saving for years to go someday. And someday, finally came. She was especially excited about the Tower of Terror, which had very long lines. So, on the…

A reflection on God’s economy of relationship Psychology experts are offering a sober reminder as AI companions gain traction: these tools function more like mirrors than actual companions. They reflect back our words, our emotions, our preferences. They can sound affirming, attentive, even caring. But they do not share life with us. They do not bring themselves to the relationship—because there is no “self” to bring. And that distinction matters…

Jesus never said, “Get on the treadmill.”He said, “Come and follow me.” That distinction matters more than we realize—not just spiritually, but biologically. In recent years, neuroscience has been confirming something Scripture has quietly revealed all along: human transformation happens most deeply through invitation, not coercion. Growth flows from desire, not demand. From willingness, not fear. And our brains know the difference. Growth, the,…

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory…” — John 1:14 (ESV) On this Christmas Eve, we’re reminded of a truth so staggering it’s easy to take for granted: God stepped into our story. Not from a distance. Not from the clouds. But into a manger—low, quiet, breakable, vulnerable. He came close. The world waited for a King and got a Child. Humanity longed for a throne and was given a feeding trough. We…

This morning, I joined Tommy “Rivs” Puzey on an iFIT walk through Stephen’s Grove in the heart of the California redwoods—towering trunks reached toward heaven, some standing for centuries. Along the trail, we passed fallen giants—massive logs with hundreds of rings visible inside. Each ring marked a year of growth, each scar a season of fire or drought endured. John Muir once wrote, “As soon as a redwood is cut down or burned, it sends…

“For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” — Hebrews 2:18 ESV When you’re hurting, rejected, or facing temptation, there’s a deep ache that rises from somewhere words can’t quite reach. It’s the place where loneliness whispers, “No one understands what I’m feeling.” But Scripture interrupts that lie with something astonishing: God does. Not from a distance.…

There’s a sobering truth tucked inside Jesus’ words in Luke 6:45: “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good… for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Our words are not random. They reveal something deeper — the condition of our hearts. What we say (and how we say it) exposes what we believe, what we value, and who truly rules our inner life. When grace fills our hearts, grace spills out. When,…

In Mark 1:40-45, we read about a man who was healed from leprosy by Jesus. With compassion, Jesus reached out, touched him, and made him clean. But then came the command: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing.” The man, overwhelmed with joy, “went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news.” Can you blame him? He had been an outcast,…