dkcdude

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Blessed Be the Name of the Lord

Introduction It’s been a hard ten days. My dad passed away a week and a half ago, and while I know he is at peace now and no longer suffering, the ache of his absence is still fresh. And a short time ago—while I was writing this blog—I got a phone call informing me that my son was in a car accident. Thankfully, everyone involved walked away uninjured, but now he’ll have to deal with the…

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I’ll Carry a Part of You

This week I’m sharing something more personal. Rather than my usual reflections, I’ve written a poem in memory of my dad, who showed his love in quiet but powerful ways. Life rolls ever onward—A stream, a river flowingOnly one way, to the sea,Mysterious and deep.Living and lovingBring pain, bring tears,Yet when done well, They bless you with smiles,Brush bright colorOn your memory canvas.You…

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Truth Will Set You Free

Introduction If you’ve read this blog for any length of time, you know I often celebrate God’s glorious grace—both in these posts and in my daily walk with Jesus. After all, without that grace, I’d be unfit for a relationship with Him. But this week, I want to focus on something that gets less attention: truth.Not “my truth” or “your truth,” but God’s truth—the only truth there is. Grace and…

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Every Good Thing Is Opposed

If you’ve ever tried to do something truly good—something that draws you closer to God or helps someone else do the same—chances are, you’ve felt resistance. That’s not a coincidence. It’s spiritual warfare. The closer we get to God, the more the enemy pushes back. He hates everything good, pure, and Godly, so he opposes all of it. Sometimes it’s a full-frontal assault: temptation, addiction,…

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The List of Things That Can Keep You from God

Introduction If I were God, there would probably be a very long list. A list of offenses.A list of failures.A list of words I regret saying—and some I regret not saying.A list of selfish thoughts, impure motives, prideful moments, wasted time.A list of failed (or at least delayed) intentions—I want to slow down (as I confessed last week) and focus on the things that are most important to me (as…

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Slow Down

Introduction “Hi, my name is Dave, and I’m addicted to hurrying.”As part of my Hurriers Anonymous support group, you respond with the group in unison: “Hi Dave.” It sounds a little funny, maybe even overdramatic—but the more I reflect on it, the more I believe that’s a real confession I need to make. Last week, I wrote about the things I consider my top life priorities: faith, family, and…

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🧭 Does How You Spend Time Reflect What Matters Most?

Lately, my dad has been having significant health challenges, which have caused me to reflect deeply. Not just about him, but about myself—and the way I’ve been leading my own life. If someone asked me to name the three most important things in my life, I’d answer without hesitation:Faith, family, and friends. If I could add a fourth, it would be health, because taking care of myself enables me…

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Freedom From, Freedom To, and the Price Paid

Reflections for Independence Day Introduction As fireworks light up the night sky and flags ripple in the summer breeze, many of us pause to celebrate the freedoms we enjoy as citizens of the United States. But for followers of Christ, Independence Day can also invite us to reflect on another kind of freedom—a deeper, more eternal one. Freedom is more than just the absence of tyranny. True…

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Chariots of Fire on Our Side

Introduction We live in a world that often insists, “If you can’t see it, it isn’t real.” Our culture prizes what’s visible, tangible, and scientifically provable. But Scripture tells us again and again that there’s far more going on around us than we can perceive with our physical senses. Unseen battles. Unseen forces. Unseen help. Many of us—even those who follow Christ—drift through life…

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Signs of God

Introduction Within the last eight days, I have set foot in Costa Rica, Florida, and now Colorado. In each of these places, I’ve been struck by the beauty and sheer diversity of God’s creation. Costa Rica teems with life—monkeys, sloths, birds of every color, plants growing in wild abundance. Florida bursts with coastal vibrancy—the hum of insects, the chorus of birds, and the breezes through…

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Everybody Needs a Dad

Introduction When my kids were very young, family hikes often turned into tests of endurance—not just for their little legs, but also for their resolve. There came moments when they’d stop, sink to the ground, and fuss, convinced they couldn’t go any further. I’d kneel beside them, speak encouragement, show them how to keep going step by step. But sometimes, words weren’t enough. I couldn’t…

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Faith Over Fear: What Do We Have to Be Afraid Of?

Introduction Fear is one of the most natural human emotions. It can keep us safe—but it can also hold us back, consume our thoughts, and steal our peace. As followers of Christ, we’re not immune to fear—but we are invited to live differently. Scripture doesn’t deny fear; it simply calls us to something greater: faith. My wife and I are on vacation in Costa Rica, and on a tour we took this…

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Represent

Introduction Whether we like it or not—God doesn’t give us a choice—when we declare ourselves followers of Christ, when we accept His glorious gift of grace, mercy, and forgiveness, we’re also stepping into the “uniform” of a Christ-follower. What does that look like, though? Is it a coat and tie for men on Sunday morning, and a properly long dress for the ladies? The right haircut, the right…

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Grateful for Those Who Have Gone Before Us

Introduction This Memorial Day weekend, I find myself reflecting on those who’ve gone before me—those whose sacrifices have shaped the world I live in, the freedoms I enjoy, and the faith that gives my life purpose. Borrowed from YouVersion Grateful as an American As an American, I pause with deep gratitude to honor the brave men and women who have given their lives in service to this…

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Eternal Life AND Abundant Life

Introduction Most of us who follow Christ are deeply familiar with the promise of eternal life. It’s one of the most foundational truths of the Christian faith—that through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are forgiven, redeemed, and granted life forever with God in heaven, in paradise. That’s exciting, to say the least. Not to mention the idea that it sounds way better than the alternative. But then…

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Remembering Mom

When I was small and fevered,Eyes heavy, body weak,She stayed up late beside me,With cool hands and whispered words,Read me stories into the night,Until the monsters lost their grip.She made me better.When I said, “I can’t,”When fear clutched my lungs like a fist,She saw more in me than I could,Spoke belief into my soul,Tied my shoes, nudged me forward—Refused to let me quit.She made me…

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Making Sense of Biblical Nonsense

Episode 2: Why Did Jesus Disappear? Introduction There’s a peculiar detail tucked into the Resurrection story in Luke 24 — and every time I read it, I stop and think, Wait… what just happened? It’s the moment on the road to Emmaus, where two followers of Jesus, one named Cleopas and the other unnamed, encounter the risen Christ but don’t recognize Him. He walks with them. Teaches them. Unpacks…