Category: Over The Hump

Growth is important! Whether it’s physical, spiritual, relational, or occupational, growth matters. When I was a young boy, my mom had a specific wall in our home with marks on it where she would measure my physical growth from year to year. It was the same drill before the beginning of every school year—a reminder that growth should be natural.

When new parents have an infant, they make regular visits to the pediatrician. There are always two measurements the doctor checks: height and weight. If the child is not growing proportionally, something is physically wrong.

In a similar way, the same is true spiritually for a Christian. Case in point:

Watching my friend, Los Angeles Angels scout Brandon McArthur, grow spiritually has been nothing short of encouraging and inspiring. Week after week, month after month, and year after year, I’ve had a front-row seat to Brandon’s intentional pursuit of spiritual growth in Christ. He has consistently placed himself in environments that challenge and stretch his faith, choosing to be where growth can take root and flourish.

His commitment to spending time in God’s Word, in fellowship with other believers, and in prayer is evident—not just in his discipline, but in the transformation of his character and conduct. Aiming for progress, not perfection, I’ve watched him move from the simplicity of spiritual “baby food” to the richness and depth of spiritual “solid food,” feeding on the truths of Scripture in a way that strengthens him for life’s challenges.

Brandon’s journey is a living testimony that growth doesn’t happen by accident—it happens through a willing, intentional heart and a faithful God.

Listen closely: God uses an infinite number of vehicles to help you grow. There is no “one-stop shop” environment that leads to instant spiritual maturity. I’ve never met anyone who became spiritually mature overnight. It’s a painstaking process that God takes you through over years—sifting, sanding, shaping, and molding your character and conduct to look more and more like Him. Often, these times include waiting, failing, falling, losing, and being misunderstood—each one calling for extra doses of perseverance. Unsure if it’s all worth it?

Just ask Brandon.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Have you ever been angry at God? If we’re honest, I believe most of us have experienced those emotions at one time or another in life. Although Jonah was one of the greatest evangelists, he was angry.

He wasn’t just mildly upset; he was bacon-grease furious at God’s mercy. After (reluctantly) preaching to the city of Nineveh, Jonah saw the people repent and turn from their wickedness. But instead of rejoicing, he resented God’s compassion. Jonah didn’t want God to forgive them; he wanted them judged and punished. And so, he sat outside the city, sulking under the burning sun, emotionally and spiritually distant from the heart of God.

But even there – angry, bitter, and disobedient – God met Jonah right where he was.

God caused a plant to grow, offering Jonah shade and physical relief. It was a small comfort, and Jonah was “very grateful.” It’s striking: Jonah was more grateful for a plant than for the salvation of an entire city. It’s safe to say Jonah’s heart was angry, self-centered, bitter, and resentful. God had enough!

Then, just as quickly as the plant appeared, it was gone. God “arranged” for a worm to destroy it. The worm was no accident—it was divinely appointed, just like the plant. And in that moment of severe discomfort, God got Jonah’s attention.

Why? Because Jonah cared more about his own comfort than the eternal souls of others. The plant was never just about shade. It was a tool in God’s hand to reveal what was in Jonah’s heart.

God often uses unexpected things to get our attention. Sometimes it’s a blessing – a “plant” that brings temporary relief or comfort. Other times, it’s a loss – a “worm” that strips away everything we’ve been relying on.

The “Plant” may be:

• A job you wanted

• A job you love

• A relationship that gives you stability

• A dream that seems to finally be coming together

The “Worm” may be:

• An unexpected disruption

• A sudden loss of a loved one

• A closed door

• A disappointment that hits deeper than you expected

Listen closely: Just like in Jonah’s life, God isn’t being cruel to you. He’s being kind. He’s trying to show you something. Often, it’s His gentle but clear message:

“I care more about shaping your character than preserving your comfort.”

What is your “Plant”?
What has God provided that has brought you comfort or relief recently?

What is your “Worm”?
What has been “eating away” at that comfort, and is it possible that God is using it to get your attention and wake you up to something deeper?

C.S. Lewis said:

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts to us in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

It was 4 a.m. on July 4, 2025. The lives of people in Kerr County, TX; Mystic Camp; and many surrounding counties throughout the vast Guadalupe River Hill Country changed forever in the blink of an eye when devastating floodwaters decimated everything in their path. When the floodwaters receded, the grief remained.

Yet we are left searching for words. How? Why? Parents lost children. Children lost parents. Grandparents lost grandchildren. Communities lost neighbors. Siblings lost siblings. Friends lost friends. Husbands lost wives, and wives lost husbands. Hearts broke across the nation as we watched the images flash across the TV screen. And perhaps you, reading this, are among those who now carry that grief.

It is in moments like these—when the weight becomes too great, the questions too many, and the answers too few—that the cry of King Jehoshaphat becomes our own in
2 Chronicles 20:12:

“O God, we do not know what to do, but we are looking to You for help.”

There are no right words to soften sorrow. But there is a holy truth we cling to: even when the floods of life rise, God remains sovereign. Even when God appears silent, He is not absent. He is not unaware. He is present—in the chaos, in the silence, and in the grief.

Scripture reminds us again and again that the Lord is near the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). He collects our tears in a bottle, and each one is recorded in His book (Psalm 56:8). And He walks with us through the waters (Isaiah 43:2). He does not always stop the storm, but He promises to stand with us in the middle of the storm.

Floods are not limited to natural disasters. Floods come in many forms: grief, loss, depression, sickness, betrayal. And when they do, they threaten to drown our hope. We can feel as if all hope is lost. However, in Christ, we find a Rock that is higher than the waters (Psalm 61:2). We find an Anchor that holds on to us.

Listen closely: the people of Kerr County, TX, and beyond now face the long and painful journey of rebuilding. And the truth is that some of you reading this devotional do as well. Your floods may be invisible to others, yet devastating nonetheless. It’s in these times, as painful as they may be, that I encourage you to lift your eyes and hearts to the One who sees, who knows, and who loves you with an unshakable and unconditional love. Lean into the God of heaven—even if He appears silent in the moment.

What floodwaters are you enduring in your life today? Whatever they are, shift your gaze upward—even if just for a moment. He will never leave you, and He will never forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Luke 6:40 is an incredibly important verse that is often overlooked. To be completely transparent, I overlooked it myself. However, twenty years ago, that changed in my life.

Again, consider the words of Jesus:
“The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.”

Jesus is telling us that we can be fully trained disciples. Of course, “fully trained” does not mean perfect (the apostles make that perfectly clear). This became a “wow moment” for me. As followers of Christ, we are called to be “fully trained” and to “make disciples.”

Jesus spent three years training twelve men to continue His mission of disciple-making. There was no Plan B. Plan B was Plan A! These twelve young men had gone from “untrained” to “fully trained.” They were “all in.” And now, they were ready to display the “character and conduct” of Christ and to “Be and Build” disciples of Christ—and the world was forever changed.

Over twenty years ago, I committed my life to becoming a “fully trained” disciple of Jesus and to “make disciples.” It was non-negotiable. No more riding the fence. No more being half in and half out. Every year, I committed to leading a discipleship group for athletes and/or coaches—teaching them, leading them, and discipling them to become “fully trained” disciples.

Below is a powerful testimony from a Head Football Coach:

“The Coaching with Impact discipleship group, led by Kevin Burrell, had a profound impact on me as a person and a coach. Week after week, month after month, I learned about the ‘Character and Conduct’ of Jesus. Learning how Jesus led, influenced others, and prioritized building relationships was eye-opening to me. I thought I did it well, but wow—had I fallen short. This study has both encouraged and challenged me to go beyond what I was doing as a Christian coach. I now clearly understand the Great Commandment and Great Commission, and what we are called to be and do every day as a coach to build God’s Kingdom.”

Listen closely: I encourage you to be all in! You have one life here on earth. You get one chance to invest your life in others—by leading them, teaching them, and training them to become “fully trained” disciples of Jesus.

Live your life with the end in mind.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

There are seasons in life when the weight of waiting feels unbearable.
Ever been there? I certainly have.

You’ve prayed.
You’ve hoped.
You’ve obeyed.
You’ve tried to stay strong.

And yet, the breakthrough hasn’t come. The door remains closed—or worse, invisible.

But here’s an amazing truth tucked into Revelation 3:8:

“God sees you.”

He sees the quiet obedience.
He sees the tears no one else notices.
He sees the moments when you wanted to give up, but chose to trust Him instead.

He knows you’re tired.
He knows your strength is waning.
And He honors your faithfulness—even when all you could do was whisper a prayer or lift your eyes toward Him in weary hope.

God doesn’t ask for perfection.
He asks for trust.

And in your trusting—even when you feel weak and unseen—God is working. He is sovereign. He is directing your steps, even through the confusion and the ache of delay (Proverbs 16:9).

The waiting isn’t wasted.
It’s a refining fire, shaping your heart, building endurance, developing your character, and preparing you for what’s next.

But through it all, you work while you wait.
Don’t miss that.

Then, in His perfect timing, God says, “Now see what I’ve done.”
He opens a door—not just any door, but one that no person, no system, and no setback can shut.

That’s the kind of door only God can open.
It’s not earned; it’s given.
It’s not forced; it’s revealed.

Listen closely:
If you’re in the waiting today, God is working. Do not lose heart.
He sees your faithfulness.
He honors your endurance.
He delights in your trust.

Your waiting is not the end of your story—because He is the One writing it.

It’s the setup for a door you can’t open on your own—a door that no one will be able to shut.

So lean into this truth today:

God is rarely early.
He is never late.
But He is always right on time.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

In our backyard stands a birdhouse. As the first rays of sunlight peek through the trees, a female bluebird stirs in her nest. The day begins not with rest or leisure, but with unbridled devotion from the new bluebird parents. From dawn to dusk, they tirelessly search for food—worms, insects, caterpillars, and more—anything to nourish their tiny fledglings. They make countless trips all day, fluttering back and forth between the wild and the nest, delivering provisions straight into eager mouths.

However, their care doesn’t stop with feeding. The male bluebird stands guard, alert to every sound and shadow: a rustle in the grass, a predator hawk lurking in nearby trees. He flares his wings and sounds an alarm, ready to fight, to flee, to protect at all costs. His devotion is constant, unwavering, and sacrificial. The young may not understand all that both parents do for them; however, their care surrounds the fledglings every moment of the day.

In a similar way, our Heavenly Father watches over His children. From the moment we rise to the time we lay down—and even in our sleep—God provides for every need, seen and unseen, known and unknown. We may not always recognize His hand, but He is always working: shielding us from dangers we never knew approached, providing for our every need, and nourishing our souls in ways we cannot measure.

Listen closely: Unlike the bluebird, who must rest when night falls, God never sleeps. His eyes are on you 24/7, 365 days a year. His care never ceases. He hears your cries, knows your fears, and anticipates your needs. Just as the fledglings trust in the provision and protection of their parents without worry or toil, you also should rest in the care of your Heavenly Father.

Let the bluebird be a simple yet profound reminder: if God has written such nurturing love into the instincts of a small bird, how much more has He poured into His love for you? His eye is always on you—because you are the apple of His eye.

What are some ways God has provided and protected you that you only realized in hindsight?

Pause today and thank Him for His unseen hand in your life.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

There are days—or even weeks—when we feel like we’re soaring: prayers are answered, plans are thriving, and there are more wins than losses. We sense that God’s presence is near.
And then there are days when nothing goes as planned—we stumble, we fall, we fail, or we feel far from God, wondering if He could possibly still love us.

However, God’s Word (the Bible) is crystal clear. Do not miss this truth:

“God’s love for us is not based on our performance, but on His character.”

Don’t misinterpret that. This does not give us a license to live however we want. There are always consequences to disobedience.

In 1 John 4:9–10, we see love in its purest form—real love. Authentic love. Genuine love. Not a love we earn, or one based on our performance, but a love freely given. God didn’t wait for us to get our act together. He loved us first, and He proved it by sending Jesus, His only Son, to willingly lay down His life so we could have a right relationship with God the Father.

God’s love is constant—on your best days and your worst days. His love is not based on who we are, but on who He is. It’s not based on what we do or how well we perform, but on what Jesus has already done.

Listen closely: Even when you blow it—when guilt weighs heavy and shame whispers that you’re unlovable—God’s love remains. It doesn’t retreat. It doesn’t relent. It doesn’t hesitate. It embraces you.

The cross of Christ is eternal proof that “nothing can separate you from God’s love.”
(Romans 8:38–39)

You were made by God and for God—and until you understand that, life will never make sense.

Love is God’s nature. He created the universe and everything in it just so He could love it. And He created you so He could love you.

Embrace His love. Be captured by it.

Take a deep breath. Let go of the need to prove yourself. Whether today feels like a spiritual victory or a valley of failure, remember this:

You are deeply, fully, unconditionally, and forever loved by God.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

It was a typical Monday morning commute. Traffic was dense, brake lights flickering like Christmas lights ahead. The driver, appearing to be running late and already frustrated, found himself boxed in. Another car abruptly swerved into his lane without signaling. That’s all it took. His temper erupted.

He laid on the horn, rolled down the window, shouted words he’d never say in church, gave the middle finger “good luck sign,” and tailgated the car in front of him just to “teach them a lesson.” His blood was boiling. His heart was pounding. And in that moment, he was consumed—not by traffic, but by his own lack of self-control.

Listen closely: Here is the reality—life is not about you. Life isn’t about our comfort, our convenience, or even our schedule. We weren’t created for our own agenda but for God’s purposes. And those purposes often involve transformation—turning reactive, impatient hearts into ones that mirror Christ’s love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. All nine of these characteristics are better known as the “fruit of the Spirit.”

Galatians 5:22–23 tells us that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. It’s not something you manufacture by sheer willpower. God’s character is the fruit of the Spirit. His character grows in you more and more when you lock eyes with Jesus daily and surrender to His shaping hand on your life. Every aggravation on the road—or in life—is a chance to build, develop, and grow Christlike character.

So the next time you’re tempted to lose it—on the highway, on the field of competition, in a conversation, or in a moment of frustration—remember this: your response is shaping eternity. Your attitude and your words carry weight. Spend your time on earth preparing for heaven by developing Christlike character. You’re not just avoiding road rage; you’re preparing for heaven.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

As college baseball teams prepare for their conference tournaments this week, the intensity rises. Coaches and players study game film, analyze statistics and data, and pour over scouting reports. They know their opponents’ tendencies: the pitcher’s put-away pitch, the batter’s hot and cold zones, and the team’s defensive deficiencies. Every strength and every weakness is mapped out—all with the purpose of exploiting any vulnerabilities.

Just as these teams prepare to face their competition, we too have an opponent who knows our tendencies and weaknesses. The Bible describes Satan as a “roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). He studies us—not with game film or stat sheets, but with millennia of experience in human behavior. He knows where we are strong, but more importantly, he is well-acquainted with our weaknesses. He strategizes his attacks where we are most vulnerable, when our guard is down, and where temptation can find its mark. Two of his greatest tools in his arsenal are distraction and busyness.

If Satan were holding a conference with his demonic forces, here is a list of distractions and temptations he would likely communicate for them to use against us. Don’t overlook these!

• Keep them busy with non-essentials.

• Tempt them to overspend and go into debt.

• Keep them and their children from going to church by scheduling travel sports tournaments and competitions every weekend.

• Make them work long hours to maintain empty lifestyles.

• Discourage them from spending time with family so the home disintegrates.

• Overstimulate their minds with television, computers, and social media so they can’t hear God speaking to them through His Word, the Bible.

• Keep them chasing after material things in order to appear successful in the eyes of the world.

• Stimulate their minds with models and TV personalities so they focus only on outward appearance and become dissatisfied with themselves and their spouses.

• Make sure married couples are too exhausted for physical intimacy; that way, they’ll be tempted to look elsewhere.

• Make them self-sufficient. Keep them busy working in their own strength so they’ll never rely on God’s strength and power in their lives.

Listen closely: It’s been said, “If Satan can’t make you bad, he’ll just make you busy.” I would add distraction to that quote as well. Sometimes, being “busy” simply means “Being Under Satan’s Yoke.” Don’t allow Satan to distract you and make you so busy that you have no time for God in your life.

Be aware! Stay alert! Your enemy, Satan, seeks only to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10).

Remember: If Satan can’t make you bad, he’ll just make you busy and distracted.

Keep your dukes up!

When Billy Sunday was 18, he was recruited to play for a fire brigade baseball team in Marshalltown, Iowa. Within three years, he was playing professional baseball with the Chicago White Stockings. Then, in 1886, Billy was invited by a friend to a Chicago street corner to listen to an evangelist share the Good News about God’s unconditional love and forgiveness. That invitation made a profound impact on his life. After some time, Billy submitted his life to following Christ. Just three years later, he turned down a lucrative contract with the Philadelphia Phillies to accept a full-time ministry position with the YMCA. From that time on, Billy Sunday committed his life to inviting people to “Come and See” how Jesus could change their lives.

In John, chapter 1, Jesus did the very same thing. He reached out to a group of fishermen with no formal education and invited them to “Come and See.”

There is power in an invitation! Deep within every human heart is a longing for relationship, meaning, purpose, value, and truth. The disciples who followed Jesus weren’t just looking for a teacher; they were searching for meaning. They were simple fishermen but had a desire to be known. In the same way, people today are seeking. Some may not realize it, but their hearts are drawn toward something far greater than themselves. They are searching for a right relationship with God—even if they don’t know it.

People Are Seeking an Invitation!

“Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where Jesus was staying, and they spent that day with Him. (John 1:39)

A simple invitation can change a life for eternity. Jesus didn’t overwhelm these fishermen with arguments or doctrines; He simply invited them to “Come and See.” A word of kindness, a gesture of welcome, or a simple “Come and See” can open the door for someone to encounter Jesus and move from spiritual death to spiritual life.

Listen Closely: It’s easy to think that inviting others to “Come and See” is only reserved for the outgoing, for pastors, priests, or bold personalities. It isn’t! The truth is that obedience to God and love for others are far more powerful than personality traits. Jesus calls each of us to share His love—not based on our ability, but on His authority and our willingness to be faithful.

Who in your life is seeking today? Who is waiting for an invitation from you? Like Andrew and Philip, I encourage you to be bold and loving enough to simply say…

“Come and See.”