The Waymaker's Misfit

We talk a lot about having a "relationship with Jesus," but what does that actually mean? What does it look like in real life? For many, the idea of a relationship with Jesus feels abstract—like something we say but don’t really experience. We read the Bible, pray, and go to church, but if we're honest, sometimes Jesus still feels distant. But Jesus never meant for our relationship with Him to be distant. He never intended to be a part of our lives only on Sundays or in moments of crisis. He calls us to abide in Him —to live every moment aware of His presence, just like we would with a close friend. A Relationship, Not Just a Routine If we truly believe that Jesus is with us everywhere we go , how would that change the way we live? Imagine if we saw Him as the Friend who is at home with us, at work with us, in every moment of our day . Not as a distant figure watching from afar, but as someone present, engaged, and deeply interested in our lives . When we wake up i...

Theme Verse: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105 (ESV) Welcome & Intentional Start Let’s begin this time by focusing our hearts and minds on the Lord. Opening Prayer: Lord, thank You for being our light in the darkness. Open our eyes to Your truth today. Help us to trust Your Word to guide us, step by step. Draw us closer to You as we learn to walk in Your ways. In Jesus’ name, amen. Worship Choose from these worship songs and Scripture to prepare your heart: “Thy Word” – Amy Grant “This Little Light of Mine” (traditional or modern version) Psalm 27:1 – "The Lord is my light and my salvation…" Let the music and Scripture remind you that God’s presence lights your way. Scripture Reading Start with the theme verse , Psalm 119:105. To go deeper, consider reading Psalm 119:101–112 , which focuses on loving and following God’s Word. Discussion & Reflection Reflect on or discuss these questions: What do...

Imagine if the building, the stage, the service—all of it disappeared overnight. Would your relationship with Jesus stand strong? Too many of us have been taught to depend on a system instead of on a Savior. But faith was never meant to live in a building. It was always meant to live in our hearts, our homes, and our daily lives. “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” —1 Corinthians 3:16 The early church didn’t have buildings. They had boldness. They had prayer. They had each other. And they had Jesus. The truth is, we don’t need more programs or polished performances. We need more real relationship with Christ . Ask yourself: If everything external was stripped away, what would my faith look like? The Pandemic Exposed a Dangerous Dependency When the pandemic shut down churches, I expected believers to adapt and press into God more than ever . Instead, I saw something troubling— many didn’t know how to worship at home. When pastors said, “We ...

Theme Verse: “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” — Philippians 4:13 (NIV) Welcome & Intentional Start Let’s take a moment to pause and focus our hearts on the Lord. Opening Prayer: Jesus, thank You for being our source of strength. As we gather together, help us lay down our burdens and lean on You. Fill us with courage, endurance, and peace. Let this time draw us closer to You and to one another. In Your powerful name, amen. Worship Here are some songs and a psalm to help guide your worship today: “Battle Belongs” – Phil Wickham “You Make Me Brave” – Amanda Cook Psalm 18:1–2 – "I love you, Lord, my strength..." Let these words remind you of God’s power and presence in your life. Scripture Reading Start with the theme verse , Philippians 4:13. To understand the full context, read Philippians 4:10–13 , where Paul shares about finding contentment in every circumstance through Christ’s strength. Discussion & Reflection R...

Whenever someone questions church structure, the first accusation is often: "You’re just bitter." But not every concern is rooted in bitterness. Sometimes it’s rooted in discernment . Yes, bitterness is real. But let’s be honest—it's easier to label someone as bitter than it is to listen and reflect. If you’ve been hurt, it's okay to acknowledge it. But don’t stay there. Let God heal that place in your heart so you can speak truth from a place of love. At the same time, don’t ignore that something may genuinely be broken in how we do church. “The wounds of a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” —Proverbs 27:6 Truth spoken in love can sound like criticism to those who don’t want to hear it. But if God is opening your eyes, stay humble, stay kind—and stay faithful to the truth. Not every question comes from a place of bitterness. Sometimes, it comes from discernment. From love. From a heart that desperately wants to see things align with God’s Word...

Theme Verse: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) Welcome & Intentional Start Let’s begin by setting our hearts on God. You can read this prayer aloud or in silence: Opening Prayer: Father, thank You for gathering us in Your presence today. Quiet our thoughts and help us focus on You. Remind us that no matter what we’re facing, Your plans are good, and Your love is constant. Help us to trust You more. In Jesus' name, amen. Worship Choose one or more of these songs to sing, listen to, or reflect on: “Trust in You” – Lauren Daigle “Way Maker” – Leeland Psalm 33 – Read aloud or reflect on its words of praise and trust Feel free to add your favorite worship songs that speak of God’s guidance and faithfulness. Scripture Reading Begin with the theme verse , Jeremiah 29:11. If you'd like to read it in context, consider reading J...

You sit through the songs, the sermon, and the announcements. You even take notes. But when you walk out the door, something still feels... off. You might feel guilty for thinking that way. You wonder if you're being too critical. But here’s the truth: It’s okay to sense that something isn’t right. That’s often the first nudge from the Holy Spirit. You're not rejecting the Church. You're responding to a hunger for more of Jesus.   “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” —Matthew 5:6 The early Church wasn’t about stage lights or sermon series. It was about real community, deep discipleship, prayer, and boldness. If that’s what your heart longs for—you’re not crazy. Maybe you’re waking up. What If We've Been Missing the Point of Discipleship? For years, I’ve heard about discipleship. I’ve heard sermons, attended Bible studies, and listened to people talk about making disciples. But for the first time, I really stopped to ...

Theme Verse: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" — 2 Corinthians 5:17 Welcome & Intentional Start Take a moment to quiet your heart and invite the Holy Spirit into this time of worship and reflection. “Lord, thank You for the gift of a new beginning. We set aside this time for You. Help us focus our hearts and minds on Your truth. Make us more like Jesus as we meet with You now. Amen.” Worship Choose 1–3 songs that reflect on themes of renewal, surrender, and new life. You can sing together, listen to music, or read a psalm aloud. Suggested Songs: "This Is a Move" – Tasha Cobbs / Brandon Lake "I Surrender All" – Hymn Psalm Option: Psalm 40:1–3 Scripture Reading Read 2 Corinthians 5:17 together. You may also want to include verses 14–21 for added context. Reflect quietly for a moment after reading. Discussion & Reflection Use these questions to guide your conv...

Not everyone feels at home in a traditional church building. Some are in a season of transition, some are healing, and others are simply seeking something deeper and more personal. That’s why I created the Weekly Gathering posts . These simple, Scripture-based guides are designed to help you worship at home —whether you're alone, with your spouse, your children, or a small group of friends. What Is a Weekly Gathering? A Weekly Gathering is a structured-yet-flexible worship guide that includes: A welcome & prayer to open your time with intention A theme for the week grounded in Scripture Suggested worship songs or psalms A main passage to read and reflect on Thoughtful discussion or journaling questions Prayer time and optional Communion A weekly challenge to help you live out your faith Each post is simple, adaptable, and meant to help you stay connected to Jesus outside the walls of a traditional church. Who Are These For? These Gathering posts...

For those who feel displaced from the traditional church system but still desire to gather and grow in faith, home worship can be a Biblical, Spirit-led, and fulfilling way to walk in obedience to Christ. This guide lays out what Scripture says about gathering and offers a flexible framework —not as a rigid rulebook, but as an encouragement to help believers worship, learn, and serve together. What Does the Bible Say About Gathering? Scripture provides key principles on how believers should come together: Acts 2:42 – “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” → The early church focused on teaching, fellowship, meals, and prayer. 1 Corinthians 14:26 – “When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.” → Worship was interactive , not just led by one person. Ephesians 5:19 – “Speaking to one another in ps...

Communion , also known as the Lord's Supper , is a sacred practice that Jesus gave His followers as a way to remember His sacrifice , reflect on our walk with Him , and renew our commitment to live in Him. This guide is meant to help individuals, families, or small groups observe communion with reverence and understanding outside of a traditional church setting. What Is Communion? Communion is a symbolic meal that remembers the body and blood of Jesus, sacrificed for us on the cross. Jesus instituted communion during His final Passover meal with His disciples (often called the Last Supper). "Do this in remembrance of Me." —Luke 22:19 It is not just a ritual. It is a deeply personal, spiritual act that calls us to: Reflect on Christ's sacrifice Examine our hearts Reaffirm our faith and unity with Him Key Scriptures Here are some foundational passages to read aloud before or during communion: 1. The Institution of the Lord’s Supper Luke 22:...

Many of us have been taught that staying busy in church means we’re growing in our faith. But deep down, we know something's missing. We show up to serve, attend the meetings, and volunteer for every event—but still feel spiritually dry. Busyness doesn’t always equal maturity. If you're honest, do you feel closer to God after a packed week of ministry activity? Or are you so drained that you have little energy left for personal prayer, Scripture, or listening to His voice? Jesus didn’t call us to activity. He called us to abide . “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” —John 15:5 If our calendars are full but our hearts are empty, it’s time to pause and ask: What am I really growing? Fruit or fatigue? Church isn’t the problem. What the church has become is. Somewhere along the way, programs, outreach efforts, and entertainment started replacing the one thing that matters m...

Hi there. I’m so glad you’re here. This space was born out of a stirring in my heart that I couldn’t ignore anymore. I’ve been part of the church for most of my life, and for a long time, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off . I’ve seen a lot of good—but also a lot of hurt, confusion, and misplaced priorities. I’ve wrestled with the way modern church culture sometimes replaces relationship with Jesus with routine and programming . And maybe, like you, I’ve asked myself:  Is this what Jesus intended? This blog is a place to rethink church traditions and conventions—not to tear it down, but to return to what Scripture actually says about faith, discipleship, and community. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I’m seeking God’s truth with everything I have. Here, you’ll find honest reflections, encouragement for the journey, and practical tools to help you grow in your walk with Jesus—even if you feel like the church no longer reflects what you read in the Bi...