LIFE IS A VAPOR
"Life is short, like a candle flickering in the wind—brilliant for a moment, then gone." – Unknown
“For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” — James 4:14 (NKJV)
LIVE YOUR FAITH OUT LOUD
After witnessing the devastating floods in Texas—dozens dead, many still missing—I can’t stop asking: how could God let the waters of a small river consume innocent children at a Christian camp? That question echoes in my mind nearly every hour. And it's not as if this tragedy stands alone. Stories of innocent lives lost in unimaginably cruel ways seem endless, each more harrowing than the last.
Perhaps the above picture will bring you the peace, the true shalom, that it brings me. The image of exuberant children running to the arms of Jesus isn’t just the stuff of comforting stories or movie scripts—it’s a promise from God. While that promise may not ease the pain for those left behind, we can pray that, in time, those touched by this tragedy will find the strength to offer comfort and hope to others. When reaching out to those suffering, we must live our faith out loud. What does that mean? Actively expressing and demonstrating our beliefs through our actions, words, and choices—so our faith isn’t just private or internal, but visible and impactful in everyday life. Living my faith amplified, I feel moved to share the following.
NOAH: GRACE, JUDGMENT, AND ETERNITY
At our church service this past week, guest pastor Derrick DeLain opened with a heartfelt prayer for those affected by the tragic events unfolding in Texas. He then shared a powerful reminder: “Life is a vapor.” Fittingly, his message came from the story of Noah and the flood in Genesis 6. Pastor DeLain emphasized the following key points:
God’s grace is not meant to make us comfortable; it’s meant to send us on a mission, just like it did with Noah.
Judgment is real, even in a culture that tries to ignore it. Today’s toxic social norms parallel Noah’s.
Eternity isn’t a gentle suggestion—it’s a pressing reality. Noah began building the ark long before a single drop of rain fell. He did so because he understood the weight of evil and the certainty of its consequences.
I was baptized as an infant, confirmed in the Presbyterian Church as an adolescent, and profoundly transformed at a Billy Graham crusade in my teenage years. The title Christian is not something I earned—it is a gift of grace, entirely unmerited. As I entered my teen years, my life became marked by alcohol, failing grades, the heartbreaking loss of an unborn child, and a string of reckless, misguided choices. And yet, through it all, God smiled on me. Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound.
GOD’S GRACE
There was no burning bush in my backyard. No voice of God carried on the wind during a summer thunderstorm. More often than not, I’ve mistaken my own will for His. I’ve run headlong in directions I truly believed were God-led, only to later realize it was my own voice guiding me—and leading me astray. While God’s voice may not thunder in my ears, His gentle whispers often stir in my thoughts and weigh on my heart. Today, I believe He is prompting me to write to you. The grace I received so long ago wasn’t meant to leave me comfortable—it was meant to move me, to comfort others, and to remind my brothers and sisters that God’s grace is still available for all. Amazing Grace! We are lost, but we will be found!
If you’ve been following my blogs and podcasts recently, you know I’ve been writing about topics like education reform, the “California Effect” on my home state of Colorado, the need to stand against evil, and my personal journey through a life marked by abuse. Each of these conversations has centered around a sobering truth: our children are being failed by a broken education system, by destructive ideologies, and by the lingering wounds of trauma. Friends, we are in dire need of Divine Intervention. Amazing Grace! We are blind, but we will see!
We’re living in a time when good is called evil, and evil is celebrated as good, on a scale that feels straight out of Scripture. God’s grace is like an overflowing well of love and mercy given freely to us, not because we’re perfect, but because God chooses to care and restore. Amazing Grace that saved a wretch like me!
GOD’S JUDGMENT
In today’s culture—shaped by the echo chambers of social media, entertainment, and digital gaming—judgment is a topic many would rather avoid. Yet here’s something worth noting: a significant majority of people, both in the U.S. and around the world, believe in some form of afterlife. According to the Pew Research Center, roughly 70–80% of adults hold this belief. But what’s often missing from the conversation is the most critical question of all: Who receives an afterlife—and what kind?
Not only do our actions have consequences, but in the great scheme of things, our lives have even greater consequences. This is also from the Pew Research Center: About eight-in-ten Americans say that they have no doubt that God exists, that prayer is an important part of their lives, and that “we will all be called before God at the Judgment Day to answer for our sins.” A more recent poll from 2007 found that 54% of Americans completely agreed that they would be called before God at Judgment Day, a decline from over 60% in the 1990s.
The belief in God’s final judgement for all is declining because eternity, in Pastor Derrick’s words, is a soft suggestion and not a certain reality. So, who does receive this afterlife? Those who follow Jesus Christ, commit to His teachings, live according to His example of love, compassion, and truth, and trust in Him will spend eternity with Him.
GOD’S ETERNITY
I firmly believe that at the end of my life, I will stand before God, give an account for my sins, and see—perhaps in vivid detail—the full journey of my choices. And yet, I trust that I will be forgiven, not because of anything I've done, but because of my love for and faith in Jesus Christ.
But here’s the thing: if I’m wrong, then we all simply die—ashes to ashes, dust to dust—with no judgment, no accountability. In that case, evil walks away unscathed, and the righteous merely shrug and say, “Oh well.” Either way, it’s a sobering thought.
But what if I’m right? What if the path to eternity truly runs through Jesus Christ? What if the way we live—how we treat others, how we love what is good, and how boldly we share my faith—actually matters forever? You may not believe in an afterlife, but are you ready to bet your eternity on that? This is the reason, dear friends, I’m choosing to live my faith out loud. And I hope you will too, through actions, not just words.
A candle is meant to burn, not last. Life is the same—measured not in time, but in the light we give while we’re here. Life is but a vapor. In an instant, beautiful and innocent lives—like children caught in a sudden flood—can be swept away. So I invite you to pause and ask yourself: Am I prepared to face my own death? Am I ready to endure the loss of those I love? And do I truly trust that God is in control, even then?
God’s grace was never meant to leave us passive—it was meant to send us out, to speak truth, and to share His Word with everyone who will listen. Judgment is not a myth to be dismissed. Eternity is not a distant idea. It’s real. And it’s coming.
COMING SOON: I have asked my friends and family to write prayers on behalf of our country, our children, our faith walk, and any spiritual thoughts they would like to share. If you would like to add your prayer (either anonymously or with your name), please leave your prayer in the Leave a Comment portion of this blog. May God’s grace and blessings beyond measure surround you and your family.
