Lessons from Theo

One of the books most recommended at the end of 2025 was Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. My favorite literary characters are people like Joe Pickett, Pike Logan, Scot Harvath, and Cork O’Connor, to name a few. Theo of Golden is nothing like these high-stakes operators. However, I was thoroughly surprised at how I enjoyed this emotionally charged book, and I would highly recommend it to you. As I journeyed through the book, I grew increasingly reflective about my own life. I turned 60 in September, and I found traits in Theo that I pray I can see in myself. Many of Theo’s traits, I pray, one can see in me.  

              Theo was a kind and gentle man. He had a beautiful spirit, and people were drawn to him. He was a conversationalist who could gear every conversation toward the other person. Theo had a beautiful way of seeing the imago dei, the image of God, in each individual. He saw the value of each person and made them feel special and seen. Levi describes Theo as winsome, deeply generous, self-forgetful, winsomely creative, and full of kindness. These are qualities I hope to cultivate in myself.

               Theo is neither a Christ character nor necessarily a Christian character, but the character of Christ oozed out of Theo like jelly in an overstuffed donut. He was intentional in his relationships, personal and sacrificial. Theo of Golden was a beautiful book with no glaring weakness. It is worth your time to read, to reflect on, and even to strive to be more like Theo. I have completed nineteen books so far in 2026, and Theo of Golden tops them all. Take time to read it, you can thank me later.

Events of the Moment

As I write this, my heart is heavy. Heidi and I watched the events unfold in Iran, and we grieved deeply over what was taking place. We are praying earnestly for our nation, for the President, for the men and women serving in our military, for the people in Iran, and our Christian brothers and sisters around the Middle East. A close friend of ours is currently deployed, and we continue to pray for him.

In moments like these, we naturally ask how we should respond. We wrestle with uncertainty, fear, and even anger. However, our Christian faith gives us a solid foundation to rest upon. God is sovereign over all things, and Jesus reigns and will eternally reign.

As Christians, our faith and our hope are always in God. We look at these events with hope and remember a few things.

  1. We are living in the last days. Scripturally, the last days began with the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:16-17; Heb 1:1-2; 1 Peter 1:20; 1 John 2:18, Jude 17-18).
  2. God is sovereign over all details in the world. He is on His throne, completely in charge (Psalm 47:7-8; Daniel 4:17, 35; Acts 17:26; Isaiah 40:17 and Matthew 28:18).
  3. History is moving to a “Last Day.” On that day, there will be the resurrection (John 6:39-40; 11:24), final judgment (John 12:48, Revelation 20:11-15),  Jesus will vanquish His enemies once for all (Revelation 19:11-16), establish His Kingdom on the new earth, and reign eternally (Revelation 21:1-8). In other words, Jesus gains eternal victory, and nothing will hinder history’s progress.

Are we nearing the end? Will the war hasten its end? All I’m sure of is we know “our salvation is nearer than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11). While we wait, remain faithful to God. Make disciples of Christ. Pray fervently while you love God and love others.