Taking Advantage of the Ice
How to Use an Unexpected Pause Well. And the weekly recap.
If you’re in Texas right now, you already know the deal: it’s icing outside, roads are sketchy, and this is not the moment to be running errands or pushing your luck. For most of us, the wisest move is simple—stay put.
And honestly? That might be a gift.
Being stuck at home or in your apartment doesn’t have to feel like lost time. It can be an invitation. An unexpected pause. A chance to take advantage of what’s right in front of you.
If what you need most right now is rest, then rest well. Don’t feel the pressure to be productive. Sit by a window. Watch the ice and snow blanket everything in white. Let your body slow down. Let your mind breathe. Sometimes the most faithful thing we can do is stop.
If you do have energy, this can also be a great time to take care of things that usually get pushed aside. Organize a closet or pantry. Hang the pictures that have been leaning against the wall for months. Tidy up something small and enjoy the quiet satisfaction of finishing it.
For me, this ice break has been a mix of both. I’ve been knocking out some professional development through online courses, and I’m genuinely thankful those exist. When you’re stuck inside, you’re not missing anything happening outside—so it’s a great time to focus, learn, and actually absorb what you’re working on. If you’ve got courses you’ve been meaning to finish, now’s the moment.
I’ve also been intentional about rest. Real rest. Time where I’m not trying to accomplish anything at all.
And I finally organized some of my artwork—slipping finished pieces into clear covers, placing them into a notebook, and flipping through the work I’ve done. That simple act felt grounding, like marking progress instead of rushing past it.
One more thing I want to mention. I’ve spent a long time researching Islam—primary sources, historical records, and what Muslims themselves openly say about their beliefs and goals. Because of the nature of the material, I haven’t made much of it public. Recently, I pulled all of that research together into documentation—about a hundred pages of notes and another twenty pages of links.
If you’ve struggled to understand Islam, or if your exposure has mostly come from headlines and soundbites, you may be missing a much bigger picture. If you’d like those notes, send me a DM and I’m happy to share them.
I want to be clear about this: Jesus loves Muslims. The gospel is for the whole world. We are called to share Christ with everyone, including Muslims, with truth and love.
So if you’re stuck inside and looking for something meaningful to read, let me know.
And finally—spend time with Jesus. Pray about what’s on your heart and ask about what’s on His heart. Ask the Lord about His plans and purposes for you. Ask Him what your next steps are. Sometimes a forced pause is exactly where clarity shows up.
Stay safe. Stay warm. And take advantage of the ice.
This Week’s Recap:
I had a thoughtful conversation this week with someone who follows Norse pagan beliefs, including belief in Thor and the Norse gods. It was one of the first times I’ve had an in-depth discussion with someone who holds these views. We talked respectfully, and I was able to share Jesus at the end of the conversation. Please pray that the seed of the gospel would take root.
I also met someone who had fled Iran. He shared parts of his story, including why his past experiences led him to reject Islam. While he was deeply thankful to have escaped, he carried real grief for family members who remain in danger. He shared that he felt drawn toward Jesus, so I was able to share the gospel with him and give him a Bible. Please pray that he would come to know Christ personally.
I recently finished a powerful and eye-opening book: The History of Jihad by Robert Spencer. I highly recommend it for anyone unfamiliar with the historical development of jihad or the treatment of dhimmis under Islamic rule. It provides important historical context that is often overlooked or unknown.
Death is Out Ultimate Problem: A 10 Part Series.
Part 2: What Sin Actually Does
Part 3: Atonement: How God Deals with Death Without Destroying Us
Part 4: Propitiation Without Wrath Transfer
Part 5: Why Jesus Had to Rise
Part 6: In Christ: How One Death and One Life Can Be for Many
Part 7: Saved Through Faith
Part 8: Why Judgment Still Exists
Part 9: Forgiveness Now, Judgment Later
Part 10: From Death to Life
A New Article on the Authority of the Bible (and Why the KJV Still Matters)
This week I published a new article titled Which Bible Is the Authority? in response to a recent YouTube video that dismissed the King James Bible and strongly favored modern translations like the ESV.
While I appreciate the pastor’s desire to help people love the Bible, I believe several misconceptions were shared about the KJV, manuscript history, and the idea that modern critical texts are obviously superior.
So this article is a response and defense of the King James Bible and the traditional text, and more importantly, a defense of the belief that God has actually preserved His Word in a stable and authoritative form.
I also sent a respectful message to the pastor and YouTuber who made the video, hoping to clarify some of the misunderstandings he shared. I genuinely hope he reads it.
But even if he doesn’t, I believe this article may still be helpful to someone reading this newsletter who has wondered:
Which Bible is actually the authority when different versions say different things?
👉 Read the article about which Bible is the authority?
I’ve also built a resource site that addresses why the King James Bible and the traditional text offer a stable and trustworthy foundation for biblical authority. I’m working on bringing all of those notes over to Substack. I know they will be helpful to people.
A Small Word With Big Meaning: “Lord” in Luke 23:42
In Luke 23:42, the King James Bible records the dying thief calling Jesus “Lord.” Most modern English translations quietly remove that word and read simply, “Jesus, remember me.”
This difference isn’t stylistic—it comes from the underlying Greek text. The KJV follows the traditional manuscript line that includes “Lord,” while most modern versions follow a different textual tradition that omits it.
This exchange is also unique to Luke’s Gospel; the other Gospels mention the thieves but do not record this conversation at all.
That one word matters.
Calling Jesus “Lord” turns the thief’s words into a confession of who Jesus is, not just a desperate request for mercy.
While dying, the thief acknowledges his own guilt, affirms Jesus’ innocence, recognizes that Jesus has a coming kingdom, and entrusts himself to Him. The King James preserves this moment as an explicit act of faith—recognizing Christ’s authority even in apparent defeat.
Without “Lord,” the passage still shows belief, but with it, Luke presents a clear confession of Jesus as Lord, fully consistent with his Gospel’s emphasis on Christ’s kingship.