Author Archives: John-David Culbertson

Some of the baptisms you do as a pastor stick with you more so than others. I baptized one kid a while back that asked me if the water was going to burn his eyes. After being assured that it would not, he told me, “that’s good because if it does, I’d probably freak out.” AnotherContinue reading “Getting Wet”

Passion, hope, thirst for life…will all go unsatisfied if you don’t have Jesus.

What a tragedy to speak the truth of Christ in the spirit of Satan. What’s the story? I hear a song and I often imagine the story behind the song. Casting Crowns, “Does Anybody Hear Her,” is one of those songs I can’t hear without picturing the story it tells. JJ Heller’s, “Father-Daughter Dance,” isContinue reading “Something Missing from the Story”

The openness of kids is rarely found in adults. We learn to mask our thoughts and hide our struggles as we grow up. Unsurprisingly, teens fall somewhere in between adults and kids. They are more open than adults, far more willing to discuss where they are struggling, but less open than kids. Working with teens,Continue reading “In Too Deep”

We live in a culture of self-determination. You determine your career and educational trajectories. You pick where you’ll live. You pick who you’ll be. This has even extended to what gender you claim for some. Throughout history, most people had very little freedom of self-determination, you were what your family, community, country, or faith systemContinue reading “Self-Identifying Christian”

“Jesus the anthem of my heart. Jesus, the anchor of my soul. I’m overwhelmed by all You are. Oh how I love You.” These lyrics come from “Anthem” by Phil Wickham. Inspired lyrics, but they come with a question: “Is the anthem of MY heart Jesus?” Reflecting on this song, I was drawn to a trip thatContinue reading “Perspective”

Some people enjoy working out. For some, its one of their favorite things to do. I am not one of those. I do it because I must. I’m officially back in medium shirts…mostly. But it is not a labor of love for me. It is grueling. I wake up a little before 6am, not becauseContinue reading “Willingness to Suffer”

There were two kings, both real, historical figures. Both men were long shots to be king. Neither was the oldest son of their father and neither family had a clear claim to the throne. Both men married at least 6 wives and had at least one affair. Both men had people murdered to cover upContinue reading “Two Kings”

This can be one of the busiest times of the year. It certainly is for me. There’s all the end of the school year events, VBS, student camp, and our student mission trip all packed in just a 6 week period. It can be a hard time of year to feel peace, to still yourContinue reading “Be Still My Soul – Song of the Week”