09/09/2026
Ever since Madeline left this world, I have gained an entirely new perspective on death.
I have always told my children, “This is not our home. Jesus is coming back for us.” But when Madeline went ahead of us, my faith was tested in a way I could never have imagined.
I still believe.
And through His Word, God has taken something that once seemed only terrifying and heartbreaking and shown me that even in death, there is grace, mercy, purpose, and hope.
It was grace when God guarded the Tree of Life so mankind would not live forever in a fallen, sinful state. It was grace when He shortened man’s lifespan after the flood. Even judgment reminds us that God will not allow sin, suffering, and death to continue forever.
When His saints have died throughout Scripture, God already knew the glory that awaited them. He knew the plan. He knew the Kingdom that was coming.
And then there is Jesus.
Jesus lived on this earth knowing it was not His home. He did not spend His life building an earthly kingdom for Himself. He came to do the will of His Father, to serve, to save, and ultimately to lay down His life.
Then He made death beautiful—not because death itself is good, but because He defeated it.
Death does not get the final word.
This life is only a v***r. Eternity is forever.
I recently heard a sermon about tithing that made me think beyond money: How have we robbed God?
The truth is, it is ALL His.
Our bodies are His.
Our talents are His.
Our time is His.
Our money is His.
Every breath is His.
So what are we doing with what He has entrusted to us?
Are we using it for Him? Are we loving His children? Are we reaching the lost and helping the hurting? Or have we taken His gifts and used them only to build comfortable lives for ourselves?
How much of our lives is spent working to pay for things we accumulated, chasing things that make us feel better, building bigger lives for ourselves and our families—while giving God what is left over?
Jesus praised the widow who gave everything she had. Her offering may have looked small to the world, but Heaven measured it differently.
That has caused me to ask myself: Where is my treasure?
If our health were suddenly taken from us and we were told we did not have long to live, how much would we spend trying to stay here just a little longer?
So much of this world teaches us how to avoid aging and death. Work out more. Eat this. Don’t eat that. Buy this. Take that. Look younger. Live longer.
We are desperately trying not to die.
But both the ranch and the Bible have taught me something: death is part of the curse that Jesus is going to reverse. Until that day, even death can point us toward eternity.
Jesus overcame the grave, and because of Him, those who belong to Him will overcome it too.
So while God gives you another breath, use it.
Love God.
Love people.
Forgive.
Give.
Serve.
Tell someone about Jesus.
Help the hurting.
Love your family.
Invest in souls.
Store your treasure where death cannot touch it.
“Lift up your eyes and look around; all your children gather and come to you. As surely as I live,” declares the LORD, “you will wear them all as ornaments; you will put them on, like a bride.”
— Isaiah 49:18
“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
— Matthew 6:20–21
My treasures are the souls of my family and friends. 🤍
“For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.”
— Romans 8:19
When I finish the race God has set before me, I pray there will be many waiting for me at that finish line—and I pray that while I am still here, God will use my life to help many others find their way home.
Madeline going ahead of me changed the way I see that finish line.
I don’t want to spend the rest of my life desperately holding onto a world God has already told me is passing away. I want to spend it preparing for the Kingdom that is coming and helping others prepare too.
Death is not the end.
Eternity is long.
Prepare your heart now. Prepare your soul now. Put your faith in Jesus now.
I do not want anyone to experience the wrath of God. Scripture warns us that a time will come when people will desperately seek the very death we spend our lives trying to avoid:
“During those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.”
— Revelation 9:6
The time to seek Jesus is not someday.
The time is now.
Until my race is finished, I want every breath He gives me to count for eternity. 🙏🏻
