The Tragedy of Almost Following Jesus

Today's Sponsor: The Go BibleHave you ever told Jesus, “I’ll follow you”… but deep down knew there were conditions?In Luke 9, Jesus encounters three men who all say they want to follow Him. One is overly excited but hasn’t counted the cost. One delays, waiting for a more convenient time. And one wants Jesus—but still keeps looking back.Each one is close. But none fully surrender.In this message, we explore the uncomfortable truth about discipleship: following Jesus will cost you everything. Not because He wants to harm you—but because He wants to heal you, transform you, and make you fully alive.Jesus isn’t looking for momentary excitement. He’s looking for faithful disciples who are all in.This message will challenge you to ask:• Have I counted the cost?• Am I delaying obedience?• Am I still looking back at my old life?• Or am I fully surrendered?The greatest tragedy isn’t rejecting Jesus outright. It’s almost following Him your entire life.Scripture: Luke 9:57–62

If you zoom into any single moment of someone’s life, you can draw the wrong conclusion.David looks like a hero… until you keep reading.Peter looks unshakable… until the denial.Moses, Abraham—faithful men with very uneven stories.And the same is true for us.In this episode, Jerrad invites you to zoom out on your faith journey. Discipleship isn’t an “up and to the right” chart. It’s more like the stock market—ups, downs, setbacks, growth—all held together by a faithful God who finishes what He starts.You don’t get to crown yourself in the good seasons.And you don’t get to condemn yourself in the hard ones.God isn’t surprised by your uneven growth. He knew exactly what He was getting when He saved you—and He’s still at work.Homework for today:Stop judging your faith by a snapshot. Zoom out. Speak truth out loud. And rest in the faithfulness of God.

Dadology Parenting Conference for DadsMost of the discipleship we’ll ever do as fathers happens inside the four walls of our home.In today’s Dad Tired Devotional, Jerrad reflects on how limited our hands-on time with our kids really is—and why that makes our homes sacred ground. He invites fathers into a simple, practical exercise: finding quiet time to walk through their home and pray over each space, each child, and their marriage.This isn’t about fear or perfection. It’s about taking spiritual leadership seriously, inviting God’s presence into ordinary spaces, and recognizing that homes are often where the most important formation happens.

Join us in San Diego for our Dad Conference: dadtired.com/dadologyWe’re exhausted because we’re treating temporary things like they’re eternal.In today’s Dad Tired Devotional, Jerrad reflects on how Scripture constantly reminds us that this life is short—and how remembering eternity actually brings freedom, not fear. From a simple moment at a red light to the words of James, Peter, and the Psalms, this episode is a quiet invitation to zoom out, regain perspective, and stop letting temporary stressors dominate your soul.When we forget eternity, everything feels overwhelming.When we remember it, wisdom begins to grow.

There’s a moment in Mark 10 where Jesus stops everything for a blind man crying out on the side of the road.Bartimaeus doesn’t pray a polished prayer.He doesn’t say the right words.He just asks for mercy.And when the crowd tells him to be quiet, he cries out even louder.In this short devotional, we talk about why so many men stay vague with God, why the crowd often pressures us to keep it together, and why Jesus asks a simple but confronting question:“What do you want me to do for you?”You don’t need to clean it up.You don’t need to stay quiet.You just need to be honest.

This week was heavy — not because something catastrophic happened, but because my body acted like it did.Tight chest. Tense shoulders. Headaches. No sleep.And that disconnect can be confusing for a lot of men. You know things aren’t a big deal… but your nervous system doesn’t agree.In this episode, I talk about how trauma memory works, why even a small overlap with past pain can send your body into full survival mode, and why Jesus’ words in John 14:27 matter more than ever when your body feels out of control.This isn’t about “calming down.”It’s about receiving a kind of peace the world can’t give.If your body feels stuck in high alert lately, this one’s for you.

Download the worksheet: Say “No” MoreToday’s Sponsor: The Hands On BibleWhy did Jesus say no—and why does that matter for you as a dad?In this episode, we talk about boundaries, calling, and the quiet cost of saying yes to everything. Jesus didn’t heal people and then automatically bring them along. Sometimes He said no—because He was crystal clear about what He was saying yes to.If you feel pulled in a hundred directions by work, culture, expectations, and other people’s agendas, this conversation will help you slow down and realign.We’ll talk about:Why Jesus’ “no” often confused peopleHow unclear priorities lead to burnoutWhy your wife and kids pay the price for your overcommitmentHow to confidently say no without explanation or guiltPlus, there’s a simple one-page worksheet to help you put this into practice.👉 Get it here: dadtired.com/yesStrong families begin with healed—and focused—men.

What do you do mentally when something hard hits your life?In this episode, Jerrad shares a real moment from his day—going from gratitude and joy to panic when his email was hacked and multiple problems hit at once. He reflects on two familiar mental paths many men walk: catastrophizing and numbing.But healing often means cutting a new path.Using a powerful backpacking metaphor, Jerrad explores how men can stop defaulting to fear and escape, and instead learn to walk the quieter, harder path of gospel truth.Practice for today:Ask yourself: When life gets hard, what are the well-worn paths in my mind—and are they leading me toward healing or away from it?Because strong families begin with healed men.

What if God actually wants to talk to you today?Not in a dramatic, spiritual, churchy way—but in the middle of your real life. In this episode, Jerrad explores the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19 and the surprising way God speaks—not through wind, fire, or earthquakes, but through a gentle whisper.If your life feels loud, chaotic, or overwhelming, this episode is a simple invitation to slow down, listen, and rediscover the quiet voice of God.Practice for today:Take one minute of silence and ask God, “What do You want to say to me today?”Because strong families begin with healed men.

Today's Sponsors: Backgate Prayers (promo code DTNECKLACE) & Cozy Earth (promo code DADTIREDBOGO)Why does real life feel boring sometimes?Why does your phone feel more exciting than prayer, your marriage, or even God?In this episode, we talk about dopamine—the brain’s reward system—and how our world has hijacked it with cheap, artificial pleasures. From scrolling and porn to sugar and streaming, we’ve trained our souls to crave fireworks instead of candles.Jerrad shares stories, Scripture, and practical wisdom to help men understand what’s happening in their brains and hearts—and how to slowly retrain their desires toward the kind of joy God actually designed.If you’ve felt tired, numb, or disconnected from God and your family, this episode will help you name what’s happening and take your first step toward healing.