The Last Word Before Dinner: Max Is Hungry, and So Are You
You know when you’ve poured out your heart all day, when your soul is both full and spent, when you’ve poured every ounce of yourself into something that truly matters—and just when you think you’ve reached the pinnacle of revelation, your dog walks in, sits at your feet, and gives you that look that says:
"Great job, human. But also, I'm starving."
That’s where I’m at right now.
Max—my red Boston Terrier, my loyal, soft-eyed, fire-loving, quietly-spiritual companion—has decided it's time to wrap this thing up. I’ve written through laughter. Through tears. Through Scripture. Through story. Through hours where the Holy Spirit held my hand when the strength of my own fingers gave out. I’ve typed, I’ve prayed, I’ve paced, I’ve cried—and now… it’s dinner time.
But as I finish this book and Max gears up to finish his dinner, I want to give you one last word that’s not heavy, not theological, not even structured. Just raw, real, and totally me.
Because I’m guessing, if you’ve made it this far, you're not just reading. You're searching.
And maybe—like Max—you walked into this thing spiritually hungry, spiritually hopeful, maybe even spiritually hollow.
But I hope…
That somewhere in the pages behind you, in the paragraphs now settled in your memory, you’ve been fed.
Let Me Be Clear About My Hope
Before you picked up this book, you may have whispered something only the Father could hear:
“I need to be fed.”
“I want to be closer to Jesus.”
“I’m trying, but I don’t know how to keep going.”
And friend—if that's where you started, then I thank God that’s not where you're ending.
Because this book wasn’t written to give you steps. It was written to stir your spirit.
It was written to awaken something. Not something new, necessarily. But something true.
Something already inside you—buried maybe, broken maybe—but never beyond the reach of God.
And if anything I said, wrote, wept over, or wrestled through did even one thing to help you say:
“Yes, Holy Spirit. I hear You. I will obey.”
Then every moment of writing was worth it.
Every tear, every edit, every time I second-guessed my own voice—it was worth it.
Because you were worth it.
The Mission, Should You Choose to Accept It
I’ve always said this isn’t just a book—it’s a calling.
It’s not the end of the conversation.
It’s the start of your next chapter.
The mission is simple.
Grow the Kingdom.
Make it more than it was before.
Not through striving. But through surrender.
Not through power. But through presence.
Not through eloquence. But through obedience.
You don’t need to be a preacher.
You don’t need to be a theologian.
You just need to be you—Holy-Spirit-filled, God-purposed, Christ-centered you.
Because this world doesn't need more performance.
It needs more people who are just real—and really in love with Jesus.
Now Let’s Play a Game (Because Max Told Me To)
Before I feed Max (who is now audibly sighing as he lays his chin on the floor in protest), let’s do something fun.
Let’s test your memory. Or maybe your obedience.
I want you to pause. Take a breath. And ask yourself one simple question:
What was the one thing the Holy Spirit spoke to you in this book?
Maybe you highlighted it.
Maybe you reread it three times.
Maybe it was something I wrote that echoed something you already knew but had forgotten.
Whatever it was—grab it now.
Hold it close.
And then, from the list below, pick one and make it your superpower.
Five Things I’ve Written About That Could Change Your Life Forever
-
Holy Spent Living:
The idea that it’s not about being burned out—it's about being poured out. When you give it all for the Kingdom, the Spirit fills where you’ve emptied. -
Obedience Over Outcome:
It’s not your job to make it “work.” It’s your job to say “yes.” God handles the fruit. You handle the faith. -
Don’t Let the Enemy Win:
You are a threat. You are light. And darkness will always try to silence what it fears. Keep shining. -
Pain Is the Pathway to Power:
Your scars don’t disqualify you—they authenticate you. God uses the broken. That’s who He trusts with real power. -
The Closeness of Heaven:
Treasure isn’t about rewards—it’s about proximity. What you do now affects how close you stand to the throne later. Live now like you’re already home.
Now Pick One… And Make It Yours
Out of those five, what stood out?
Go ahead—circle it, write it down, make it your wallpaper, tattoo it on your soul (figuratively, unless you’re a tattoo person… then go wild, just spell it right).
Now here’s the deal:
Make it your superpower.
Own it.
Let it lead how you walk, talk, live, love, give, forgive, and show up.
Let it guide how you pray.
Let it shape how you love your family.
Let it transform how you speak to your neighbor.
Let it fuel your late nights and inspire your early mornings.
Because that one truth, lived with boldness, can change the atmosphere around you.
Not because it’s flashy.
But because it’s faithful.
Why This Matters So Much to Me
You might wonder why I care so much. Why I wrote all of this. Why I poured my guts into 10,000-word final chapters when I could be watching Netflix or chasing Max around the yard.
It’s because this is real to me.
Jesus changed my life. Not just once, but every day.
He keeps rescuing me from myself.
He keeps holding me when I’m broken.
He keeps showing up when I have nothing left to offer.
And I want you to know that love.
I want you to live that love.
Because when you do—when you walk in the love and fire of God—you can’t help but change the world around you.
You become dangerous.
You become light.
You become a builder of the Kingdom.
To Those Who’ve Felt Forgotten by Church, Family, or Life
I see you.
Better yet—God sees you.
If this book found you in a moment of despair, or grief, or betrayal…
If your church pushed you out…
If your family left you behind…
If life has punched you in the throat and said, “You’re done…”
I say, you’re not.
You're just getting started.
Because when man closes doors, God breaks walls.
When people silence your voice, Heaven amplifies it.
And when you think it’s over, the Holy Spirit breathes fresh wind into your lungs.
In Closing, Because Max Really Needs to Eat
This book has been my heart.
It’s been my prayer.
It’s been my tears.
And it’s been my worship.
And now, I leave it with you—not as an end, but as an ignition.
You are now responsible for what you’ve read.
Not in guilt. In glory.
Not in pressure. In purpose.
You have a mission. And it’s not someone else’s. It’s yours.
So walk into it.
Own it.
Live it.
And if you ever doubt your place, your calling, your worth—remember:
Jesus chose you.
The Holy Spirit empowers you.
And I love you.
P.S. Happy Sunday
I don’t know what day you’re reading this—but I pray it feels like Sunday.
A day of joy.
A day of grace.
A day of resurrection.
A day of hope.
So yes—Happy Sunday.
Go feed your Max. Or hug your kids. Or forgive your enemy. Or write your next book. Or pray out loud for the first time in weeks.
Whatever it is—
Do it in faith.
Do it in joy.
And do it in the name of the One who still moves stones, mends hearts, and multiplies loaves.
And know this:
I love you.
I’m proud of you.
And I can’t wait to see what you do next.
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