Hope for the Everyday

In this week’s episode of Hope for the Everyday, Troy reflects on the Second Article of the Creed — moving from Christ’s suffering to His exaltation. From the cross to the resurrection, from Nebraska Holy Week memories to the promise of eternal victory, this episode reminds us that Christ’s triumph is our hope. Includes a heartfelt reading — and sung verse — of Abide With Me to close the series on...

Today we look at Christ’s humiliation — His birth, suffering, and death — and how His willingness to enter our pain brings comfort to our everyday lives. This week also marks two years since my mom went home to the Lord, and I share how Christ’s nearness has carried me through grief. As our nation celebrates 250 years, we remember the greater freedom Christ gives through His love.

In this episode of Hope for the Everyday, Troy reflects on the mystery of creation — the God who shaped the heavens and the earth and breathed life into dust. Through Scripture and quiet reflection, we’re reminded that the same breath that gave life to Adam still renews us today. Join this devotional walk of faith and discover how God’s creative power continues to move in ordinary moments.

In this week’s episode, we step back into the world of Martin Luther — not as a distant historical figure, but as a man searching for the heart of God in a world full of fear, confusion, and longing. From the creaking pews of a small Nebraska Lutheran church to the firestorm of the Reformation, this episode traces how Luther’s struggle for clarity and grace still speaks into our lives today. We ex...

In this final episode on the Ten Commandments, we step into the Tenth — the commandment that reaches deeper than actions and into the desires of the heart. We look at the story of David’s family, the ripple effects of unchecked desire, and the way God uses His Law to reveal what’s hidden inside us. And then we turn to the Gospel — the only place where our hearts are made new. This episode closes o...

In this episode of Hope for the Everyday, Troy reflects on the Ninth Commandment: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.” What begins as a simple commandment opens into a deeper conversation about desire, comparison, gratitude, and the quiet work God does in our hearts. Troy shares two personal stories — one from high school involving a 1985 Mercury Cougar, and another from a recent sump‑pump...

In this episode, we explore the quiet but powerful invitation of the Eighth Commandment: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” This commandment doesn’t just warn us against big lies — it reaches into the small, everyday moments where honesty and kindness meet. Troy reflects on a childhood memory of exaggerating small details to hide embarrassment, and the moment one of his olde...

In this episode of Hope for the Everyday, we explore the deeper meaning of the Seventh Commandment — “You shall not steal.” It’s more than avoiding harm. It’s a call to integrity, generosity, and helping our neighbor flourish. We look at: • What Luther meant by “helping our neighbor improve and protect what’s theirs” • How faithfulness shows up in our work, our relationships, and our daily choices...

In this episode, Troy reflects on the Sixth Commandment—not as a warning, but as an invitation to quiet, everyday faithfulness. Through stories from his early marriage, the hum of a 1973 blue Dodge Coronet, and the biblical lives of Joseph and David, Troy explores how small choices shape our hearts. Whether you’re married, single, divorced, or rebuilding, this episode offers grace, hope, and a rem...

A special Mother’s Day bonus episode. This one wasn’t planned — it was born out of a moment with my mother‑in‑law, Carol, that stopped me in my tracks and reminded me how precious, fragile, and holy motherhood really is. In this episode, I honor the women who shaped my life: • Carol, the last mother we have • My mom, whose grit and love carried us through the 60s, 70s, and 80s • Grandma Rosella, t...

In this week’s episode, I’m reflecting on the Fifth Commandment and what it means to choose life — not just in big moments, but in the small, ordinary ways we speak, respond, and show mercy. Jesus invites us into a life‑giving posture of meekness, mercy, and peacemaking, even in a world that often rewards the opposite.

In this episode, we explore the Fourth Commandment — “Honor your father and mother” — and what it really means in the complicated seasons of adulthood. I share stories from my own life, including caring for my mom in her final days, navigating difficult workplace authority, and remembering the quiet faith my parents passed down. Together, we look at how God calls us to gratitude, humility, discern...

What does it mean to “remember the Sabbath” when your life has held seasons of deep spiritual belonging… and seasons where that belonging feels harder to find? In this episode, I return to the Third Commandment through the lens of my childhood Catechism, the rhythm of Deuteronomy 6, and the Acts‑shaped community Kris and I once lived in. I share how The Experience — a small, relational, creative “...

In this episode, we explore the Second Commandment through the lens of Isaiah 41:10 — a verse that reminds us God is near, strengthening and upholding us in every season. I share a childhood story involving my friend Mike, a mini‑bike, and an unforgettable moment on number two green that taught me early on how much our words matter. From there, we look at what the Catechism says about using God’s...

In this episode, Troy opens up his old childhood Catechism, reflects on the First Commandment, and shares stories of faith, family, and the quiet ways God provides. He talks about growing up with simple lunches, moving to California with his parents, and the nightly prayer habit that has strengthened his marriage for over a decade. A gentle, hopeful reminder that trusting God isn’t about perfectio...

In this first episode of Hope for the Everyday, Troy shares the story of a small book passed down through his family — a simple little volume that still speaks hope into everyday life. What begins as a look at an old catechism becomes a reflection on faith, memory, and the steady truths that carry us through seasons of change.