Thinking on Jesus' many "I am" statements found in John's gospel, I picked up an incomplete song from 2014 and penned the song I share in this episode. "I Am" is meant to lead all who listen to worship Jesus who is, along with the Father and the Spirit, God.

I Am

I am the bread of heav’n; come down to give you life

Come unto me, you’ll never grow hungry again.

I am the light of the world; don’t walk the darkened path

Follow my way, you’ll walk in the light of life.

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep by name

They hear my voice; and follow my lead each day.

I am the gate for you; through me you enter in

And you are saved from every thief and snare.

I am the resurrection; I am the life as well;

All who believe in me, will never die at all.

I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.

I am the vine of God which you are the branches of

Remain in me and you will bear much fruit.

©2026 Mike Neifert (Based on the 7 “I am” of Jesus in John)

Jesus' followers want to follow him to the bitter end. They will abandon him when the heat's turned up. Peter claims he'll never leave. He still falls. On the other side, he finds God to be unchangingly faithful.

St. John of the Cross wrote the poem, The Dark Night of the Soul, while earnestly seeking to yield his will completely to God's will. He wanted nothing of himself to keep God from doing in him what he wanted. Jesus also submitted to the Father's will.

Because I have ADD (or is it ADHD?), I have developed all kinds of systems to keep my on track each day. While praying through my prayer requests spreadsheet the other day, God assured me of something especially encouraging to this easily distracted guy.

What happens when a dead man somehow drives down the Illinois Tollway and incurs tolls? He gets sent to collections and the amount he supposedly owes grows due to fees and fines. And there's nothing Violation Enforcement Services can do about it. Bills will continue to be sent until the Lord returns.

The Law was never meant to limit our obedience to what was written, but to guide us in following God's heart in any situation which arises. We do so with the Spirit's help.

What do you do when you're miserable? You praise God, right? Job said, "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him." I'm trying that on for size while I deal with illness.

Those who don't eat leftovers are missing out on so much goodness. Those who read only from the New Testament are missing out as well. The New is understood better in light of what's in the Old.

What are believers supposed to be doing while they wait for Jesus' second coming? What does Jesus say on this matter?

A pair of strange shoes at the end of a middle school basketball court got me thinking about God's power to provide. Do I trust him for what I need?