Category: Over The Hump

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

A high school football coach was famously known for winning games, but what people remembered most about him was how he won.

With the region championship game on the line, the referee missed a call that clearly favored the coach’s team. The opposing team began to protest; however, before it could escalate, the head coach walked over and quietly told the official the truth, “The call should be reversed.”

The crowd groaned, assistant coaches stared in disbelief, and the players looked stunned and confused. With an overtime field goal, the region championship was lost by one point. In the locker room, silence hung heavy as the loss settled in.

Decades later, old teammates gathered for the funeral of their once head football coach. No one mentioned the championship that slipped away. Instead, player after player spoke about the moment that defined their coach. They shared that integrity mattered more than trophies, and a man’s name was worth more than the final score. The truth is that the coach never regretted his decision. Why? Because he understood that a “good name” is earned, guarded with honor, and can shape the lives of athletes long after the final whistle blows.

In a world that constantly measures success by wealth, power, position, and visibility, God gently but firmly redirects our focus. Proverbs 22:1 reminds us that “our name” is of far greater value than anything we own. A good name is not built overnight, nor is it sustained by appearance alone. It is formed and preserved through a life that is consistently shaped by godly character, conduct, and integrity.

Proverbs 22:1 highlights four essential pillars that uphold a good name. Don’t miss these:

1. Honorable Behavior

Honorable behavior is how our faith shows up in everyday life. It’s choosing honesty when dishonesty would be easier, fairness when cutting corners would benefit us, and doing the right thing when no one is watching. Honor is not about perfection, but it is about consistency. People learn to trust our name when our actions align with our convictions, and our convictions align with our words.

2. Godly Wisdom

A good name is rooted in wise choices, and true wisdom begins with a holy reverence for God. Godly wisdom helps us discern not just what we can do, but what we must do. It shapes our responses, tempers our speech, and guides our decisions. Seek God’s wisdom rather than relying solely on your own understanding.

3. Moral Courage

Keeping a good name requires courage, and a lot of it. Moral courage is the strength to stand firm in doing what is right, even when it’s costly or unpopular. It is saying no when compromise is expected and standing for truth when silence would be safer. A good name is not built by blending in, but by faithfully living out convictions rooted in God’s truth. Moral courage declares that our loyalty is first to God, not to comfort or the approval of others.

4. Personal Integrity

Integrity is the foundation that holds everything together. It is being the same person in private as you are in public. Integrity protects a good name because it leaves no room for hypocrisy. While riches can be lost and status can fade, integrity endures. It creates a life that can withstand scrutiny and a name that can be spoken with high esteem and confidence.

Listen closely: A good name is a gift from God, but it is also a great responsibility. It must be earned, carefully built, and diligently guarded. Riches may open doors, but a good name (your name) builds trust, honors God, and leaves a legacy that outlives material gain. Value and honor your name, because in the end, it is how you will be remembered.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Last week, while I was driving on the interstate, I saw a bumper sticker that read:

“Please be patient—student driver.”

It made me smile, but it also made me think.

When we see that sticker, most of us immediately give a little more grace. We expect a wide turn, a sudden brake, or a hesitant lane change. Why? Because we understand that the person behind the wheel is still learning. They’re not experienced yet. They are going to make mistakes. That’s part of the process of becoming a fully trained driver.

In the same way, we need that same heart posture when it comes to new disciples of Christ.

Young believers are spiritual “student drivers.” They are learning how to follow Jesus, how to hear His voice, how to read the Bible, how to walk in obedience, how to repent, how to trust, and how to grow spiritually. And just like anyone learning something new, they are going to mess up. They are going to fail. They are going to make mistakes. They are going to have moments of immaturity. They may even let us down.

But so have we.

The truth is, all of us are still a work in process. None of us has arrived. Every spiritually mature believer today was once a brand-new follower of Jesus, trying to figure out what it meant to live a surrendered life. Growth takes time. Sanctification takes time. Spiritual maturity takes time.

That’s why Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:12 that we are to “clothe ourselves” with five specific attributes:

1. Mercy—Young disciples need mercy because they will stumble. They may repeat mistakes, wrestle with old habits, or struggle to understand truth right away. Mercy reminds us not to write people off when they are still learning to walk with Jesus.
2. Kindness—Correction without kindness can crush a new believer. Kindness creates safety. It reminds them that growth in Christ is not about perfection overnight, but about faithfully following Him one step at a time.
3. Humility—It remembers, “That could be me… and at one point, it was.” It keeps us from becoming harsh, prideful, or impatient with someone else’s spiritual growth process. Humility allows us to walk beside people instead of looking down on them.
4. Gentleness—Not every lesson needs to come with force. Gentleness matters when someone is fragile, confused, ashamed, or discouraged. A gentle response can keep a struggling disciple from giving up entirely.
5. Patience—This may be the hardest one of all. We often want people to grow faster, change more quickly, and mature sooner. But patience recognizes that God is writing their story. Just as the Lord has been patient with us, we must be patient with new disciples of Christ.

Listen closely: Don’t forget these five attributes. Getting angry at a student driver for not handling the road like a professional is unrealistic, and honestly, it’s unfair.

Discipleship is not just about teaching truth; it’s also about making room for spiritual growth.

Start seeing new believers with a spiritual bumper sticker over their lives: “Please be patient—student disciple.”

And if you’re honest, maybe that sticker still belongs on you as well.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Imagine a crowded stadium on game day. Thousands of people fill the seats wearing jerseys, waving banners, and cheering loudly for their favorite team. They know the players’ names, sing the fight song, and celebrate every victory. They are passionate fans.

But when the game ends, those fans go home. They don’t attend practice the next morning. They don’t run the drills. They don’t watch film. They don’t endure the discipline, the sweat, the sacrifice, or the cost of being on the team.

A player, however, lives a completely different reality. The player shows up early. The player trains when it’s hard, listens to the coach, follows the playbook, studies video, and stays committed even when the crowd disappears. Being on the team requires obedience, sacrifice, and daily commitment.

In the same way, there is a difference between being a fan of Jesus and being a follower of Jesus. Fans admire Jesus from a distance. They like His teachings, enjoy the songs about Him, and may cheer when they hear inspiring sermons. But admiration from the seats costs very little.

Followers step onto the playing field. Followers listen to Jesus and shape their lives around His words. They choose forgiveness when it’s difficult, love when it’s inconvenient, and obedience when it’s costly.

Following Jesus means surrendering control and trusting Him with every area of life.

Jesus never called people to be His fans. He called them to be fully trained disciples. He called them to be committed followers.

Jesus fed 5,000, and many followed Him for food and miracles. But when Jesus began teaching hard truths, most walked away.

Jesus often taught in synagogues. Many listened, but few accepted His message.

Jesus entered the Garden of Gethsemane with eleven disciples before His arrest. Eight stayed near the entrance. Three went further to pray. All fell asleep. And only one stood by Him at the foot of the cross.

Listen closely: here is the hard truth. The closer you get to the cross, the smaller the crowd becomes.

I encourage you today, don’t simply be a “fan” of Jesus—be a committed “follower” of Jesus. Don’t leave. Don’t walk away. Don’t abandon Him.

Be bold. Be committed. Be faithful.

Be His disciple!

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Harland Sanders was born in 1890 near Henryville, Indiana. He grew up facing hardships, taking on adult responsibilities early after his father died. Throughout his life, he worked an array of jobs: farmhand, soldier, streetcar conductor, railroad worker, salesman, and lawyer, rarely finding long term stability. Yet he never stopped searching for an opportunity that fit.

That opportunity finally arrived in his 40s when he began cooking for travelers at a gas station in Corbin, Kentucky. His homemade meals became so popular that he opened a small restaurant and developed the pressure fried chicken and secret spice blend that would later become known as “Kentucky Fried Chicken.”

It was not until Sanders’ late 60s that KFC made a worldwide impact. Sanders did not build his empire in his youth. He built it in his senior years. His story stands as a powerful reminder that age is never an excuse to stop pursuing a dream that God has placed in your heart.

In a similar way, age has a way of whispering lies to us…

• “Your best days are behind you.”

• “You have done enough. Someone younger can take it from here.”

• “Just settle down. God surely is not expecting much from you now.”

However, Scripture cuts straight through those lies with a beam of truth. Joshua was likely between 80 and 90 years old when God spoke these words to him in Book of Joshua 13:1.

By any earthly measure, Joshua’s résumé was full: battles won, faith proven, leadership demonstrated. Yet when God looked at Joshua, He did not see a man who was finished. He saw a man He could still use.

God said, “There is still much land to be conquered.”

In other words, “Yes, Joshua, you are an old man, but get up, pal. I am not done with you!”

The world retires people. God reassigns them. The world sees limits. God sees availability. The world measures age. God measures obedience.

Joshua’s story teaches us that God does not shelve His children because of their age. He empowers them in every season for His purpose. If anything, age often sharpens what youth cannot: wisdom, perspective, steadiness, patience, and an ear tuned to God’s voice.

Listen closely: the same is true for you. Whether you are entering your later years or simply feel past your prime, hear this truth:

“If you are still breathing, God is still building.”

There is land yet to conquer. There are prayers yet to pray. There are people yet to disciple. Lives to encourage. Wisdom to pass on. Kingdom work to engage in. Battles still needing a seasoned warrior.

Do not let your age become an excuse to retreat to the sidelines, or to your sofa. Do not quit. Do not give up. Do not put life on cruise control. Do not assume God has moved on to someone younger. God does not look at your ability. He is looking for your availability. Finish well.

Submit. Surrender. Obey. Stay faithful. Keep saying yes to the One who never stops working through surrendered hearts.

God is not finished with you. Not today. Not at your age. Not ever, until He calls you home.

Just ask Joshua when you see him.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Major League Baseball scouts, college coaches, recruiting coordinators, and R&D departments place great value on analyzing video. They spend countless hours watching “clips” of potential prospects. They slow the film down, rewind key moments, and study tendencies and details—how a hitter loads in his approach and how his swing works; how a pitcher repeats his delivery; and how an infielder’s hands and feet work when fielding routine ground balls or making off-balance throws. These “clips” reveal more than raw talent; they show priorities, habits, and patterns. The “clips” never lie.

In a similar way, the “clips” of Jesus’ life that we read about in the Gospels reveal His patterns and priorities: “He got up early. He sought solitude. He prayed. He worshiped His Father.”

It wasn’t an afterthought or a leftover activity squeezed into His schedule. It was foundational. It was a priority. Before teaching, before healing, and before leading—Jesus worshiped.

Mark 1:35 gives us one of the clearest “clips” of Jesus’ priorities. Read it again. Lean into it. Chew on it. But don’t miss it.

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.”

If we claim to be disciples of Jesus, our lives ought to mirror the patterns and priorities of His life—not out of duty, but out of devotion. Disciples don’t just admire Jesus; they model what He modeled. The “clips” of our lives never lie—they only reveal.

Listen closely. Here is a question worth examining: If someone studied the “clips” of your life, what would they reveal? Would they show that you prioritize time with God, or that you only turn to Him when the pressure of life is on?

Discipleship means learning to order your life the same way Jesus ordered His—putting worship first, seeking the Father early, and letting everything else flow from that place.

Before the day gets loud. Before you click on your social media. Go to a solitary place and worship God. Spend time magnifying Him. He can’t wait to spend time with you. That’s where strength is formed, direction is given, priorities are set, and hope is established for your life.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Imagine you’re on a flight cruising at 550 mph at 35,000 feet. You’re comfortably seated, enjoying your journey with the other passengers. Suddenly, a voice comes over the intercom:

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard the world’s first fully automated plane. There is no captain or first officer on this flight. Just sit back and relax—nothing can go wrong, go wrong, go wrong, go wrong…”

As the announcement sinks in, a wave of panic spreads through you and your fellow passengers. You look around, gripping your seat in fear while exchanging worried glances with those around you. The thought of being on a plane without a human pilot raises fears of what could happen if something goes terribly wrong.

In a similar way, this picture serves as a powerful metaphor for life. Just like the passengers, we often find ourselves in situations where we feel out of control. We may think we’re safe; however, the absence of guidance can lead to fear, anxiety, and uncertainty.

However, the Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 16:25…

“Jesus Christ has revealed His plan for you, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time.”

Listen closely. Don’t miss that truth. Lean into it. Chew on it. Allow it to settle deep in your heart. God has a plan for your life! It is He who is writing your story.

You will face storms—whether personal struggles, health setbacks, relational challenges, sudden loss of friends or family members, or financial hardships. However, the key is to remember that, unlike the automated plane, you are not alone. You have a Divine Captain who is always in control. His eye is on you every moment of every day. You are the apple of His eye.

When you put your trust in Jesus, you can find peace in the turbulence of life. Just as the passengers needed to trust the technology, you must trust in God’s plan for your life. Remember, He is the One who is writing your story. He is your guide. He is your Shepherd. He is ensuring that you will reach your final destination safely—no matter the storms you encounter or the storm you’re currently enduring.

So rejoice!

Why?

Because…

“You have a home in heaven, an eternal body being kept for you by God Himself.”

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

“Don’t worry” may be the most difficult command in the Bible to keep. Everyone has worried. We disobey that command all the time. Why? Because it’s in our nature to worry.

People commonly worry about money, financial security, pending retirement, job stability, health, children, personal relationships, family relationships, death, failure, and rejection.

However, worry has never changed anything. Worry is worthless. It can’t change the past. It can’t control the future. Every moment we spend worrying is a wasted moment of our life.

Listen closely: worry focuses on your fears instead of trusting God. It’s practical atheism. When you worry, you’re acting like an orphan. You’re acting like you don’t have a heavenly Father who has promised to care for all your needs.

When you worry, you think it’s up to you to take care of your problems. That’s not in the Bible; that’s in self-help books—and it’s just not true.

To overcome the power of worry, you have to choose your focus. If you focus on your problems, you’re going to become unstable, fearful, and anxious. The key to overcoming worry is not to say, “I’m not going to worry.” That never works, because you’re focused on what you don’t want. The key is to change the channel. Don’t resist it.

“Refocus!”

Center your focus on God. Trust in His love, goodness, faithfulness, and the promises He has for you. Don’t trust in your feelings—trust in God’s Word, the Bible.

Lock eyes with Jesus today and walk toward Him. You’ll be glad where you end up at the end of the day.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

In the four major sports, great head coaches do not just lead their teams; they develop people. They invest deeply in their assistant coaches, shaping them, stretching them, and preparing them for what is next in their coaching careers. These assistants study the system, learn how to lead a locker room, manage pressure, manage people, and make decisions when it counts. Over time, a “coaching tree” is developed that forms fully trained leaders who go on to become head coaches and make an impact.

What is striking is this: the best head coaches never rush the process. They do not recommend one of their assistant coaches for a head coaching position until that person is fully trained and ready to lead. Readiness is not just about knowledge of the game; it is about character, conduct, understanding, maturity, humility, and the ability to lead others with excellence. It is a reminder that leadership is not given lightly; it is cultivated, developed, and fully trained.

In the same way, God cares deeply about the heart of a leader.

Jeremiah 3:15 says, “And I will give you shepherds (leaders) after My own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.”

Jesus modeled this perfectly with His disciples. He walked closely with them. He taught them. He corrected them. He allowed them to grow. And even though Jesus had all authority, He chose patience. Do not miss this:

Jesus made fully trained disciples, and then He appointed leaders.

He shaped His disciples’ character and conduct first, before He entrusted them with leadership and influence (Luke 6:40).

Listen closely: the right type of leaders are not born; they are fully trained over time. They start out as seekers, become followers, are fully trained as disciples, and then serve as appointed leaders.

Who has trained you? Who has developed you? Better yet, whom have you trained, developed, and equipped to become fully trained disciples of Christ? What does your “disciple tree” look like?

When you become a leader after God’s own heart, with the right heart, the right knowledge, and the right understanding, you will always get the right results.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.

Have you ever witnessed a “mic drop” moment? Jesus had many of them. Here is one.

For 38 years, the lame man sat by the pool of Bethesda, watching, waiting, and hoping. Thirty-eight years of seeing others step into the water while he remained confined to his mat.

Thirty-eight years of disappointment rehearsed into belief: If only I could get into the pool, then I would be healed. The problem, he thought, was access. The solution, he believed, was the water.

However, Jesus saw something deeper.

When Jesus asked him, “Do you want to get well?” it was not because Jesus lacked compassion. It was because 38 years of long-term brokenness can quietly reshape our expectations. After decades of pain, the man no longer imagined wholeness. He only imagined better odds. His answer revealed where his faith had settled, not in God’s power, but in a process. Not in a Person, but in a place. And yet, Jesus did not correct him with a sermon. He healed him with a word.

“Stand up. Pick up your mat. Walk.”

No water stirred. No ritual followed. No assistance arrived. The healing did not come from the pool he had trusted for nearly four decades. It came from the voice standing right in front of him. In an instant, muscles strengthened, bones aligned, and hope was restored. What 38 years could not fix, Jesus resolved in a moment.

Then comes one of the most striking “mic drop” moments of the story: Jesus turned around and walked away.

Wait. What?

Multitudes had gathered, waiting and hoping Jesus would heal them, knowing death was likely imminent if He did not. Yet Jesus healed this one man, turned around, and walked away.

I can only imagine the anger, confusion, frustration, and disappointment that countless people felt in that moment. Why only that one man? Why not me?

Listen closely. Jesus leads under priority. He never leads under pressure. The same holds true for your life today. Jesus does not need optimal conditions to work. He does not need you to be first in line, strong enough to move, or articulate enough to explain your pain. He only asks that you listen when He speaks and respond in obedience when He asks, even when it feels impossible.

The man stood up before he had proof. He carried the mat that once carried him. His obedience became the evidence of his healing.

Jesus still walks into crowded places today. He still sees individuals overlooked by systems and worn down by waiting. And He still speaks life with authority, power, and compassion.

The question is not whether Jesus can heal what you are currently going through, but whether you are willing to release the false sources you have trusted in and believe that Jesus alone is all you need.

Love God. Love People. Live Sent.