“Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.”
(2 Timothy 4:2 NLT)
College campuses are full of conversations — ideas traded like currency, philosophies debated in late-night lounges, and stories shaping identities. In a world where every voice has a platform, Paul’s charge to Timothy cuts through the noise: Preach the Word.
Not trends. Not opinions. Not what’s popular this semester. But the Word of God — the steady, living truth that endures when every other ideology fades.
Paul’s words remind us that good preaching isn’t just about being eloquent or relevant; it’s about being faithful. To “preach the Word” means we carry God’s story into the spaces where students are searching for meaning, belonging, and truth — even when it’s inconvenient, misunderstood, or resisted.
“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching…” (v. 3)
That time is now. Many students long for spirituality without accountability, inspiration without transformation. Yet our call isn’t to cater to itching ears but to cultivate listening hearts. Through patient teaching, honest correction, and deep encouragement, we help students see that God’s Word doesn’t just inform their minds — it forms their lives.
And so Paul’s reminder continues:
“Keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord.” (v. 5)
In the university world, suffering might look like being dismissed, misunderstood, or simply ignored. But our faithfulness in those moments testifies louder than applause ever could. Keep your heart steady. Speak the truth in love. Carry out the ministry God has entrusted to you — fully.
Because one day, when Christ sets up His Kingdom, He won’t measure our ministry by popularity or attendance, but by our faithfulness to His Word.
Prayer
“Lord, make us faithful preachers of Your Word. Give us courage when it’s hard, patience when it’s slow, and clarity when the culture grows noisy. May our teaching lead students not to us, but to You — the living Word. Amen.”
When Jesus came down from the mountain, a desperate father knelt before Him and said, “Lord, have mercy on my son. He suffers terribly. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.” Jesus healed the boy instantly, and later told His disciples, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:14–21)
That story came alive for us this past year.
For the last two years, I’ve run the Oklahoma City Memorial Half Marathon. The race begins at the memorial where 168 lives were lost in the 1995 bombing. Just across the street stands a statue of Jesus, turned away and weeping. Every time I see it, I’m reminded: Jesus Himself wept. He knows our pain.
This has been a year of both pain and learning. Kathy had surgery in December, and then another in May to reconstruct her right hand from the damage of rheumatoid arthritis. What doctors called a “six-week recovery” has stretched into many months of ups and downs. There have been braces, setbacks, and the weariness that comes with repeated procedures.
But in the middle of it all, God whispered to Kathy’s heart: “All you need is mustard seed faith.” Not a promise of instant healing. Not the guarantee of only good days. Simply the assurance that a tiny seed of faith is enough.
At first, that sounded easy—until the hard days came. Because mustard seed faith isn’t just “barely enough.” A seed is meant to grow. And growth requires something more.
So what makes mustard seed faith grow?
It feeds on Scripture, on remembering God’s faithfulness, on prayer, and on the encouragement of others. But sometimes—maybe more often than we’d like—faith grows through tears.
One day Kathy asked me, through tears, “Why do I cry when God said I only need mustard seed faith?” And I heard myself reply, “Because for faith to grow, it has to be watered by our tears.”
Our tears remind us we are not in control. Healing comes slowly. Dreams and plans sit on hold. And while God is in control, we often wish He would move faster. It’s frustrating. It’s humbling. It’s soul work. So we weep.
But those tears are not wasted. They water the seed of faith. And in God’s timing, that seed will grow into something strong, fruitful, and unshakable.
We’ve been asked by staff and students here, staff on other campuses, supporters, pastors—and honestly, sometimes even by ourselves—about our new role at Sam Houston State. I had a lot of conversations with Kathy and with trusted friends, asking, “What does it really mean to provide pastoral care and staff development?”
As I prayed over those conversations, the Lord reminded me that my calling here really comes down to a few simple things. These five things pretty well capture our role as part of Chi Alpha at Sam Houston State:
Prayer
Prayer is where it all begins for us. It’s not just part of our role—it’s the heartbeat of everything we do. When we pray, we’re reminded that God is the One who moves hearts and changes lives, not us. Our role is to stand in the gap, to lift up staff and students, situations, and needs before Him, and to believe He is at work even when we can’t see it.
Listening
We’ve come to realize that one of the greatest gifts we can give is our attention. When we slow down to really listen—to someone’s story, their struggles, their questions—we make space for God’s Spirit to move. Often people don’t need an answer as much as they need to know they’ve been heard and loved.
Guiding
We don’t see ourselves as the ones with all the answers, but as people who get to point others back to Jesus. It’s not about fixing problems; it’s about reminding everyone where true life and holiness are found—in Him. Our prayer is always that our words and actions gently guide people closer to the heart of God.
Caring for Souls
So much of ministry happens in the unseen, and we’ve learned to embrace that. The hidden prayers, the quiet conversations, the unnoticed acts of love—all of it matters. This “soul work” may not draw attention, but it creates an environment where people can encounter God’s love and discover His purpose for their lives.
Teaching and Preaching
Finally, we count it a privilege to open God’s Word with both staff and students. Whether in a large group setting (often me, though Kathy is an excellent teacher), over coffee or hot chocolate, or in a small Bible study, we love those moments when Scripture comes alive and someone sees God more clearly. Teaching and preaching aren’t just responsibilities—they’re opportunities to watch the Holy Spirit open eyes and hearts.
At the end of the day, our role here is simple: to be faithful in prayer, to be present, and to point people to Jesus. In doing that, we live out both the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. Everything else flows from there.
“They quickly forgot His works;they did not wait for His plan.” (Psalm 106:13 NASB)
Before everything went digital, I kept a file folder in my desk drawer labeled, “Before You Quit.” Inside was every note of thanks, every card of blessing, every letter of encouragement I’d ever received in ministry. And tucked in the very back was my resume.
Whenever life felt like it was unraveling and nothing seemed to go the way I thought it should, I’d pull out that folder. I’d read through every single note, every reminder of God’s faithfulness. And if, after reading, I still couldn’t see His hand at work, that was my cue—I’d start sending out resumes.
But here’s the thing: I never did. I never made it to that point. Every time I read through that folder, discouragement would lift. I might not have liked my situation, but I could see God working. I knew He had a plan, and I just needed to wait.
Patience may be called a virtue, but let’s be honest—it often feels like a test by fire. Waiting on God’s plan can be hard. That’s why having a “Book of Remembrance,” some tangible way to record how God has moved in your life, is so valuable. Because in those silent seasons when His plan feels hidden, when nothing seems to be happening, those reminders whisper, “He’s still working.”
So here’s an invitation: find your own way to remember. Write it down. Keep the notes. Create a folder. And when life feels stuck, open it up. See how faithful God has been—and trust that He’s still writing your story.
In my devotional reading this week, I came across this passage from Psalm 105:16-22:
“And [God] called for a famine upon the land; He broke the whole staff of bread. He sent a man before them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. They forced his feet into shackles, he was put in irons; until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the Lord refined him. The king sent and released him, the ruler of peoples, and set him free. He made him lord of his house, and ruler over all his possessions, to imprison his high officials at will, that he might teach his elders wisdom.
You know, sometimes I forget a simple but powerful truth: God is already in my future. He’s not just with me now—He’s ahead of me, preparing the way.
I remember hearing a pastor talk about Psalm 23 and the line, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” He pointed out something I’d never thought about before: enemies and God’s table seem to show up together. When trouble comes, we usually notice the enemies first. But what if, instead, we remembered that a table of God’s provision must also be nearby?
Think about it—since God is already in the future, He knows exactly what we’ll face. That table of provision is already set. Joseph’s story is a perfect example. God prepared him in Egypt so that Israel could one day be saved. Joseph’s entire life was turned upside down, but it was all part of God’s plan to bring provision to His people.
The truth is, we shouldn’t be shocked when enemies or hard times come. Instead, we can look for how God is going to surprise us with His goodness in the middle of it all.
So let me ask you: are you facing some enemies right now? If so, don’t just focus on them. Lift your eyes. There must be a table of God’s provision nearby. He’s already there, working in ways we can’t always see—His wonders to perform.
“It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has done for me. How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation.”
Daniel 4:2-3
Sometimes it takes losing everything to get a realistic perspective on what is truly important.
King Nebuchadnezzar had it all, and he knew it. Even though he had been warned in a dream from God of his sins, he did not change. And when he boasted of his own power and his own majesty, God took everything away. For seven years he was estranged – estranged from his kingdom and estranged from his own sanity.
But when Nebuchadnezzar finally honored and glorified God, his sanity returned, and he was restored as king. But this was a new king, one who recognized that everything we have comes from God.
Are you thankful for what you have been given by God, or do you boast in your own strength? Nebuchadnezzar is a reminder of the sovereign nature of God to act in our lives as He will.
I have spent the last several mornings sitting in the living room rather than in my typical spot in the family room. Partly this is because of the fireplace, partly this is because one of the sick people in the house tend to be sleeping in the family room recliner.
For whatever reason, being there has made me more reflective. Much of our family life during the early years of the house (before the family room addition) occurred in the living room. Fireplace, television, toys…they all had their place. These days it is a room few of us visit. So that makes it the perfect place to stop, reflect and rest.
One of the first things we did when we bought our house 20 years ago was install a fireplace. With our home located in a very rural area, it was a decision based on function as well as appearance. During those times we have lost power, we can heat the house and cook meals.
But this morning? I am just enjoying sitting next to the fire.
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