Spiritual Growth

There’s something unsettling about Jacob’s story. And if I’m honest, one thing I couldn’t shake while reading it was this: Why is deception everywhere? It shows up again and again, almost like an inescapable thread woven through his life. Jacob deceives his brother (Gen 25:27-34) Jacob deceives his father (Gen 27:18-27) Later, Jacob is deceived by his uncle (Gen 29:21-30) Even within his own family, deception continues... It left me confused. Why would the author of Scripture

Genesis 22 highlights Abraham’s obedience. God told him to offer Isaac as a burnt offering, and Abraham responded without delay. He rose early the next morning, packed everything, and set out. There was no recorded hesitation this time, unlike in chapter 15 when he questioned God’s promise, or in chapter 18 when he pleaded for Sodom. Something has clearly changed in Abraham, and it’s evident in this chapter. But what’s even more striking than Abraham’s obedience is Isaac’s s

There’s something different about today's run. After last week’s hard 5K, the 8-mile walk, and today’s 5-mile walk/run, I can feel it—something has shifted. My legs feel strong. Steady. For the first time, I wasn’t just finishing a workout… I felt like I could keep going. And in that moment, it hit me. I’m no longer just trying to avoid injury. I’m finally ready to build. All those small, patient, sometimes frustrating sessions, they worked!! The slow, steady foundation I’ve

This post started as I was reflecting on the end of 2025 and thinking about New Year's resolutions for 2026... then it hit me - Oh, I'm turning 45 this year! Forty-five means checking a different box on surveys. No more 40 - 44. Now it's 45 - 50. You know that small stab when you jump a category? There it is. The big 5-0 looms next, absurd and inevitable. But here’s the arithmetic that actually matters. Start working at 25, retire at 65. 45 is the exact midpoint. Twenty year

When I first studied Genesis 15, I was honestly offended by Abram. God had just rescued him from Egypt (Genesis 12). He had just defeated powerful kings in battle with 318 trained men (Genesis 14). God had been repeatedly promising him land, nations, and blessings in Chapters 12, 13, 14, and 15! He was wealthy, protected, visibly blessed. Then God appears and says: “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great.” And Abram responds: “O Lord GOD, wh

I was once a runner in my thirties. I trained for and completed a half marathon — a huge milestone in my life. Shortly after that race, I went for my 40-year-old annual checkup. The doctor smiled and said, “Welcome to the aging club! Now that you’re in your forties, you’ve got to take good care of yourself. If you don’t want knee injuries, you’d better stop running.” And guess what? I listened. I stopped running. Part of it was fear — fear of injury. Another part was practica