We often want faith to be gentle, like a breeze through a quiet chapel. But when the Spirit came at Pentecost, it wasn’t a breeze. It was a wildfire. It blew the shutters off their fear and filled the disciples with a courage they didn’t know they had. Not a single one of them came away untouched.

And yet—how quickly we expect comfort.
How easily we retreat when it costs us something.

Discover why simple obedience matters more than grand religious gestures. This Together Church blog explores urban monastic living, daily faithfulness, and how to follow Jesus in everyday life. Featuring 1 Samuel 15:22 (NLT), a modern monk quote, reflective questions, and a powerful call to action for believers seeking authentic spirituality.

Today, we pause in the quiet rhythm of our urban monastic walk to remember Dirk Willems, a humble follower of Christ who lived not for fame, but for faith. Born into the storms of 16th-century Christendom, Dirk chose a narrow path, one where love trumped fear, and mercy held more weight than survival.

Every year, March 17th arrives with parades, green attire, and excessive celebrations. For many, St. Patrick's Day has become tantamount to drinking and celebration rather than with the man himself—Patrick, the missionary who risked everything to bring the Gospel to Ireland.

What if, instead of a day of indulgence, we reclaimed St. Patrick's Day as a day of evangelism, prayer, and renewal—one that reflects his true mission? What if we aligned it with the heart of St. Patrick

I asked AI this question earlier, “If you were the devil, how would you stop the youth from following Jesus?”  This is the response I got.

If I were the devil and my goal was to stop young people from following Jesus, I would use subtle and strategic methods to distract, deceive, and discourage them. Here’s how I would go about it:

If we had the cure for cancer, we would shout it from the rooftops. The cure for sin—Jesus Christ—is infinitely greater because it doesn’t just heal the body but restores the soul and guarantees eternal life. Let’s not let fear, complacency, or doubt hold us back.