The prodigal son didn’t come home because he missed his father.

He came home because he was starving.
He wasn’t repentant.
He was desperate.

Here’s what most people miss:
🧵 Jesus says, “he came to himself.”

Not: he was overcome with guilt.
Not: he remembered his father’s love.

He realized even his father’s servants had food.

This wasn’t a sentimental return.
It was survival.

Rock bottom logic.

You begged God to fix it.
He didn’t.

Now what?

You lost your job.
A loved one died.
Life fell apart.

And then someone says something that makes it worse...

🧵 ⤵️ “Don’t worry, all things work together for good!”

But what if "good" doesn’t mean what you think?

Let’s take a hard look at what Paul actually meant in Romans 8:28 👇🏽

I've been a Bible Missionary for over a decade.

Here are 12 controversial truths about religion you won't like–but need to hear: God doesn’t owe you a good life.

He gave you a crucified Son.
If that’s not enough—you don’t understand grace.

“Faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26)

Most people don’t even know what that verse means.
And the worst part? They’re spreading a lie without realizing it. James doesn’t mess around.

He says:
If your faith doesn’t produce anything, it’s dead.

Not weak.
Not struggling.

Dead.

The most terrifying verse in the Bible: “Depart from me, I never knew you.” (Matthew 7:23)

You expect to hear, “Well done.” Instead, Jesus says, “Depart from me.”

He’s not talking to atheists or criminals—but to people who thought they were saved.

Let’s dig deeper 👇🏽 They said they were Christians:

"Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, cast out demons, and do mighty works?" (Matthew 7:22)

They called Him Lord.
They performed miracles.

And Jesus still says, “I never knew you.” (Matthew 7:23)

Psalm 23 is one of the most misunderstood chapters in the Bible.

I’ve spent 12 years as a missionary and Bible teacher, and I’ve seen it over and over again.

It’s not just about comfort—it’s about war.
It’s not a warm blanket—it’s a battle cry.

Here’s what most people miss: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

Most people don’t want a shepherd.

A shepherd controls the sheep.
Leads them where they don’t want to go.
Corrects them when they wander.

You don’t get to be your own boss if the Lord is your Shepherd.

The Lord’s Prayer is dangerous—if you actually mean it.

Most people recite it without thinking. But if you pray it for real, it will turn your life upside down.

I’ve spent 12 years as a missionary, and I’ve seen it over and over again.

Here’s why it changes everything 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽 "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name."

Who are you really praying to?

We start with “Our Father”—but do you actually believe that???

“All religions lead to the same place.”

Timothy Keller once shared a story about three men standing outside a temple...

Three men from different religions were standing outside a temple.

One of them said, “All religions are fundamentally the same.” The Christian thought about it and said, “It’s almost like God is at the top of a mountain...and we’re all at the bottom of the mountain. I may take this path up, you may take that path up...but in the end, we’ll all end up at the same place.”

For most of my life, I did not enjoy reading the Bible.

That’s hard to admit.

I WANTED to enjoy it.
I WANTED to stay focused.
I DIDN’T WANT to fall asleep whenever I read it.

Here’s what I think got in my way:

🧵 thread I didn’t understand most of it. Not really. Some of the prophets in the Old Testament sounded… crazy.

Okay, alllll of the prophets seemed crazy.

But the biggest reason I didn’t enjoy reading the Bible...

is because I didn’t fully believe it.

If I die unexpectedly...

An open letter to my 9 kids (no, that's not a typo—but we cheated and adopted 5.)

"We live a fairly crazy life and we live in a fairly crazy country.

When I die, I want you to know..."

// a thread 🧵 I love you.

I always have.
I would do anything for you.
I would gladly give you my heart.

I'm 58 years old. Men seem different today. Soft.

Today, everything changes for you.

Today, it's time to be a man.

Do not complicate it.

Try this for 10 days: 1. Get to the gym and lift. No gym? 100 pushups and 100 air squats. 10k steps. Do a little more every day.

The American Dream v. The Gospel Truth

The American Dream:

Work hard and get good grades in High School.

Get into a good college.

Graduate and get a good job.

Get married.

Have 1.9 kids and a dog. Go on one or two vacations a year.

Retire at 65 and travel.

That’s not a bad dream.

But here’s the thing...

Today my wife and I have been married 26 years.

We’ve lived half those years in Guatemala as full-time missionaries.

Our marriage is amazing. AMAZING.

But it wasn't always that way. The first 7 years were brutal.
The first year was the worst.
By year 7, we’d both given up.

I'm 57 years old. This is the advice I'd give my younger self to radically change my life.

(This is also the advice you probably don't want but need to hear.) • Don't date until you're ready to get married.

There's no hurry.
Work on yourself.
You have a lot of maturing to do.
It will take a ton of pressure off that you don't need.

Did you know???

An average lifespan is about 30,000 days.

The first day at your first job is one of them...
Your graduation is one of them...
The day you met your first best friend was one of them...
Your wedding day is one of them... And over time, those days are sewn together to create... our lives.

How many big moments do you have a year?

Like, BIG moments that you remember. Two? Maybe three?

If you live until you’re 85. That’s 255 big moments. Ever.

If you want to become a better writer...

These are the 5 books I recommend over and over again... 1.TOP OF THE LIST is Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert.

She takes Imposter Syndrome to the back ally and kicks his ass.

After the Bible, this is my favorite book of all time.

Someone asked yesterday, "From your experience... do relationships need rules? If yes what are the basic rules?"

This was my answer: More than rules...I think relationships need communication.

If there are rules they should guide you...not them.

• listen
• be kind
• get up earlier
• don't keep score
• tell her you love her often
• continue to grow personally
• take care of your physical health

The 5 biggest mistakes writers make... 1. Too much talk...no action.

"I'm writing a book..." (3 years later)

Set a daily goal and ... write.

Or at least be honest with yourself...

Talking about what you're GOING to do is a powerful source of dopamine that doesn't serve you.

14 quotes and an essay from my favorite book of all time... If you're a writer or an artist or someone who wants to conquer the world...

Read this book.

My wife recently said, “I love your confidence. It’s hot.”

I wasn't always confident, this is how I changed.

// a thread 🧵 • Be firm in your decisions.

Be calculated.
Look at all angles.
But when you decide, own it.

How to be a great writer... Start writing.

In the beginning...it won't be great. Write anyway.