Pour-Over: Before the Next Mile

Just over a week into the new year, and I’m finally finding a quiet moment to stop and look back before charging ahead. We turned the page to another trip around the sun without much fanfare this time — but before shifting fully into 2026, I wanted to pause and take stock of the year we just walked through.

Looking back at my “trail map” of 2025, it was a year marked by real growth.

On a personal level, it brought adventure and a much-needed sense of stability for my family — something that hasn’t felt quite the same since my dad passed away. There were moments of joy and moments of quiet gratitude, and more than a few reminders that God’s kindness often shows up on steady ground rather than dramatic turns.

Professionally, I spent a good chunk of the year on the move, working on meaningful projects and getting to see our company’s products used in real-world applications. There’s something deeply satisfying about watching ideas become tools that actually serve people.

Spiritually, though, 2025 surprised me in the best ways.

On the Bible Geeks Podcast, Ryan and I finally released the Square One Guided Study. We poured a lot of heart into that evangelism resource, and seeing it make its way into the hands of others has been incredibly encouraging. Over the summer, we had the joy of welcoming Allen Greeley into a short sermon series, and by fall, we were back in the deep end of the Bible geekery we love so much.

This past year of preaching also took me through our Cross Training series. Teaching through those themes forced me to slow down, rethink how I prepare lessons, and sit with the text more carefully. Along the way, the Lord opened up insights I hadn’t noticed before — another reminder that Scripture continues to shape us when we let it.

Launching this blog has been another unexpected gift. It’s given me space to process ideas differently and to connect faith with the everyday terrain of life. Alongside that, shifting more of my church work toward supporting Bible classes — writing new material and getting back into the classroom with eager kids — has been a genuine joy. I can see the Lord gently steering me toward new fruitfulness, and I’m grateful for the reminder that abiding precedes producing (John 15:5).

Looking Ahead to 2026

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been prayerfully planning what comes next. Between the podcast, this blog, and my preaching, my prayer is simple: that God would establish the work of my hands for his purposes, not mine (Psalm 90:17).

Here’s a glimpse of what’s on the horizon:

• March: I’ll be heading to the Plainfield church in Indiana to speak for a few days. If you’re in the area, stop by!
• Fall: I’m hoping to reconnect with some friends for a SBL Bible conference.
• The Show: Ryan and I have some exciting plans for the podcast this year, and I can’t wait to share what’s coming.
• The Blog: I’m committing to a better rhythm here — posting sermons and field notes more consistently, and removing some of the friction that’s slowed me down in the past.

If you haven’t seen it yet, check out my first post of the year: Resigning as Creator. It’s an adaptation of a recent sermon on the relief of being created. My hope is that it opens the door to deeper conversations and future lessons about identity and purpose in a world that keeps asking, Who am I? and How do I present myself?

Thanks for walking alongside me through this past year. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May he make his face shine upon you and bring you peace in new and deepening ways (Numbers 6:24-26).

Let’s see what 2026 has in store. See you on the trail!