Here lies John E. Hargrove January 24, 1958 – [date yet to be written]
A boy from Buna who never stopped wondering how things worked and never stopped trying to make them work for others.
He chased signals across microwave towers and fiber miles, built networks that carried light to forgotten places, and in the darkest valleys carried the light of Christ to broken hearts.
Husband to Leisa for a lifetime and beyond, father to Joshua—whose brief life taught him how to love forever, son of Robert and Lavee, brother, friend, mentor, builder.
He knew grief intimately, yet chose every morning to show up, to do the quiet work that lasts when applause has long faded.
He was not perfect. He was faithful.
Still learning. Still building. Still becoming. Now, at last, fully known and fully home.
Some days I’m reminded to go back to the starting point. “In the beginning was the Word…” That truth centers me. It reminds me that everything we’re doing—family, work, community—rests on something solid and steady.
The scriptures in the RCL today lean into that same hope.
Daniel talks about God standing with His people even in hard seasons. Psalm 16 says our security isn’t in what we build, but in the One who holds us. Hebrews encourages us to keep lifting each other up. And in Mark, Jesus tells us not to get lost in the noise or fear when the world feels shaky.
Then He brings it all home: “I came that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.”
That’s the thread that runs through it all. A reminder that real life—steady, grounded, meaningful—comes from the One who speaks light into dark places and hope into tired hearts.
So if you’re carrying a lot today, take a breath. The One who was there in the beginning is still speaking life now. We can walk forward with that.
(inspired by Pete Townshend’s song and the words of Jesus in Matthew 22:37–40)
When Pete Townshend sang, “Let my love open the door to your heart,” he probably wasn’t trying to preach a sermon—but he touched on something deeply spiritual. Love is the master key. Jesus said it even more plainly:
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
—Matthew 22:37–40
Everything—every rule, every teaching, every act of faith—hinges on love. When Jesus boiled down the whole of Scripture into two laws, He was saying that religion isn’t about gates and guards; it’s about open doors.
When we love God fully, our hearts unlock to His presence. When we love others sincerely, their hearts begin to open too. The power that heals, restores, and reconciles begins to flow freely—because love always finds a way through.
So maybe today the invitation is simple:
Let His love open the door.
Let it unlock your fears, your grudges, your guarded places.
Let it swing wide the door of compassion for your neighbor, the one who’s hard to love, the one who doesn’t love you back.
The song says, “When people keep repeating that you’ll never fall in love… let my love open the door.”
Jesus says the same, only deeper. His love isn’t just romantic—it’s redemptive. It doesn’t just make life better; it makes life new.
For some, it’s addiction that never seems to let go.
For others, it’s broken promises, betrayal, or the crushing weight of loss.
In moments like these, faith can feel more like a whisper than a roar.
But here’s the good news: God does not ask us to have perfect faith. He asks us to trust Him with what little faith we have — even when it feels shaky.
What the Bible Says About Faith
Hebrews 11 begins with this powerful reminder:
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see… without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
And in Mark 9, a desperate father brings his suffering child to Jesus. He cries out words that feel so familiar to anyone who has struggled:
“I believe; help my unbelief.”
That’s the heart of real faith. Not having it all together. Not pretending to be strong. But admitting, “I’m weak, but I need You, Jesus.”
Faith with Scars
The heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 weren’t perfect people.
Abraham lied. Moses killed a man. David committed adultery.
Yet, they are remembered for one thing: they trusted God enough to keep moving forward. Faith doesn’t erase scars. But it gives us courage to walk into tomorrow with hope.
A Simple Step
If your life feels shaky right now, try this:
Take a piece of paper. Write one thing that feels impossible to trust God with. Pray: “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” Tear that paper up as a sign of releasing it into God’s hands.
It doesn’t fix everything in a moment. But it’s a start — a step toward faith.
Faith Grows in Community
No one heals in isolation. Faith gets stronger when we walk together. That’s why church, recovery groups, and safe friendships matter so much. Someone else can remind you of hope when you forget it yourself.
Final Word
Faith that holds in shaky times is not about never doubting. It’s about turning to Jesus with your doubts in hand.
If you are battling addiction, shame, or pain today, remember:
God doesn’t demand perfect faith. He honors honest faith. And He meets us right where we are.
There’s a weight we don’t often talk about in church life—the grief that lingers in the soul when things don’t work out the way we prayed they would. Jeremiah knew that weight. He wrote, “Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night for the slain of my people” (Jeremiah 9:1). The psalmist prayed something similar: “Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and forgive our sins, for your name’s sake” (Psalm 79:9).
Both voices remind us that lament is not just personal sadness—it’s a holy act of naming the pain before God.
Lament in Scripture, Lament in Life
When I read Jeremiah’s words, I hear echoes of seasons in my own journey. There have been moments where I’ve had to sit across from friends, colleagues, or family members, knowing that words couldn’t fix the brokenness we were facing. Times when projects I poured years into were stalled by forces beyond my control. Times when communities I love were fractured, and I felt powerless to heal the divides.
I’ve often carried those burdens quietly, as an engineer, a leader, a brother, a son. Like many men, I was taught to just keep going, solve the next problem, make the next call. But Scripture teaches that silence isn’t the only response—lament is.
What Lament Looks Like
Lament is not despair. It’s not quitting. It’s a turning of the heart toward God when life feels too heavy to carry. It’s saying out loud what we’d rather keep inside:
This hurts. I don’t understand. God, why does it seem like you’re far away?
Lament opens a door to hope because it refuses to let pain have the last word.
Carrying Pain in a World of Injustice
The prophet Amos points out that part of our pain comes from living in a world where injustice is real. He names those who trample the needy and cheat the poor. I’ve seen versions of that play out in Southeast Texas—families weighed down by the unfair cost of living, workers underpaid while corporations thrive, small towns overlooked when resources are allocated.
My own work in rural broadband has been shaped by that reality. It grieves me that whole communities are still left behind in an age where connection determines opportunity. That’s not just a technical problem—it’s a justice issue. And lament, at its heart, is agreeing with God that this isn’t how things should be.
Learning to Pray the Pain
Paul urges us in 1 Timothy to pray “for all people—for kings and all who are in high positions.” That’s not easy when leaders disappoint us, but it’s part of carrying pain rightly. Prayer puts lament into motion, turning grief into intercession.
I’ve had to learn this the hard way. In seasons where leadership at church or in business felt uncertain, I wanted to either fix everything or walk away. Instead, God has gently reminded me to pray—not just for outcomes, but for people. Prayer doesn’t erase pain, but it transforms how we carry it.
Choosing the Treasure That Lasts
Jesus’ parable of the dishonest manager ends with this line: “You cannot serve God and wealth.” For me, that lands like a compass point. All the work, all the projects, all the energy—none of it can become the ultimate treasure. Pain has a way of reminding us what really matters.
When I’ve lost deals, faced setbacks, or been misunderstood, the Spirit has pressed me back to what lasts: relationships, faith, hope, and love. Those are eternal treasures.
Walking Forward with Honest Hearts
So what do we do with the pain we carry? We learn to lament. We give voice to Jeremiah’s tears and the psalmist’s cries. We name injustice, we pray for people in power, and we re-orient our hearts to the treasure of God’s kingdom.
If you’re carrying something heavy today, don’t bury it. Pray it. Cry it. Write it. Let lament be your way of standing before God honestly. Because in the end, lament is not just about pain—it’s about trust. Trust that God hears. Trust that God heals. Trust that His kingdom will come, even in Southeast Texas, even in my life and yours.
1. Develop The Control of Your Self-Property: But the fruit of the Spirit is love,joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:23-23 Being a pleaser is usually someone who is compliant on the outside and resentful on the inside and does not practice the spirit of self-control. Just like God doesn’t force anyone to change, you can’t force anyone to change either. However, you are in control of the property of you. As a protector of your heart and its’ treasures, you absolutely have the right to accept or not accept certain behavior on your emotional property. You can’t change anyone or force them to change, but you can maintain the boundaries of your self-property and let them know that their behavior is not acceptable with you.
2. Guard Your Heart. Above all else, guard your heart, for from it flows the wellspring of life. –Proverbs 4:23 Although Jesus said that we should operate as a unified community, there are always separate properties in a community. When properties have fences, they are there to let the good in and keep the bad out. It is important to guard our well-being from intruders or clingers, but equally important to receive goodness, help and love by letting it in through opening the gate. Jesus also says, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” -Matthew 7:6. This means if you’re wisdom, advice and time are not appreciated and valued by someone, by all means stop wasting it because you will eventually be hurt and left broken.
3. Know the Difference Between A Boulder and a Load: This is my favorite one. Carry each other’s burdens,” says Galatians 6:2, “and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” This verse shows our responsibility to one another. Verse 5 goes on to say, that “each one should carry his own load.” The greek words for “burden” and “load” gives us insight into how to apply this to setting Godly boundaries.The greek word for burden means, “excess burden” or burdens so heavy they weigh us down. This is when we are responsible to helping someone carry weight they can not carry on their own. The greek word for “load” is “cargo” or burden of daily toil. These are the daily responsibilities that need to be carried out in order to function in life.In this scripture, Jesus is calling us to help people do what they can not do for themselves, because that is what he did for us. However, we are each responsible for doing what we are capable of doing. A good deciphering rule of thumb is to ask yourself if you are being asked to do something they are not able to do or to do something they don’t want to doThere is danger in confusing helping someone with an excess burden and enabling a daily toil. Stepping in and not allowing someone to take responsibility for their self-property (self-control) takes away the natural opportunity to be empowered or sharpened in crisis.
4. Check Your MotivesIf you are driven to do something out of any motive other than pure love and to bring glory to God… don’t do it at all. Many of us know that we are being taken advantage of, even by the sweetest, most well-meaning people. Yet, we continue to drive ourselves crazy, dropping everything in order to come to their aid. Why do we do this? Some of us fear that if we stop helping, we will no longer be needed or will cause conflict and therefore will be discarded. Here is a remedy for a fear of rejection or disrupted peace:“Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.” Matt 10:11-14.Jesus told his followers if a town rejects you, leave the town and shake the dust off your feet. He doesn’t tell them to stay and take abuse.Setting boundaries is not being mean, it’s having self-respect. You cannot effectively love if you do not sustain your mental, emotional and spiritual health. Be prepared that some people will not adapt to your new boundaries well, which is fine. If someone leaves you because of your boundaries, then that was not a healthy relationship in the first place and you need to let the “bad” out of your fence to make room for the good to come in.
Why is knowing what you believe on the controversy issues important? Or are they?
What is theology? Is it important in making any decisions of what you believe? John
Father, son, holy Ghost. What’s the different beliefs, some explain a egg example. Leisa
Is father, son, holy spirit 3 different people? Leisa
What is a theological bible study? John
What exactly do you need to know/ belief so you can find a church that you agree with their beliefs/ teaching? Leisa and John
Does missionary groups follow a doctine/ denomination? Yes – usually the church that is supporting them. Varies widely.
Question for study- how do we know we are learning wisdom? If you are studying the Bible, praying, and Worshiping God – you are being trained by God and enabled by the Holy Spirit.
Our God is a Trinity. This means there are three persons in one God and not three Gods.The persons are known as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and they have all always existed as three distinct persons. The person of the Father is not the same person as the Son. The person of the Son is not the same person as the Holy Spirit. The person of the Holy Spirit is not the same person as the Father. If you take away any one, there is no God. God has always been a trinity from all eternity: “From everlasting to everlasting, You are God,” (Psalm 90:2).
What is a theological bible study? Theology – The study of the nature of God and religious truth; rational inquiry into religious questions. What is theology? Is it important in making any decisions of what you believe?
What you believe about God defines many things, especially about your self.
Origin meaning morality destiny
Apologist Ravi Zacharias offers what he calls the 3-4-5 method of analyzing worldviews. I would like to share it with you because it will provide you a method with which to judge worldview options.
First, there are three tests that a worldview must pass. It must be:
1. logically consistent – Its teachings cannot be self-contradictory.
2. empirically adequate – Its teachings must match what we see in reality.
3. existentially relevant – Its teachings must speak directly to how we actually live our lives.
Second, each worldview must address the following fourultimate questions:
1. origin – Where do the universe and human beings come from?
2. meaning – What is the meaning or purpose of life?
3. morality – How do we know what is right and what is wrong?
4. destiny – What happens to us after we die?
Third, there are five academic disciplines that must be employed to study a worldview:
1. theology – the study of God
2. metaphysics – the study of what is ultimately real
3. epistemology – the study of how we can know things
4. ethics – the study of moral right and wrong
5. anthropology – the study of what and who humans are
Why do I believe that the worldview of biblical Christianity is the best choice?
Its teachings are logically consistent, they accurately describe reality as it is, and they speak directly to the human condition.
In addition, Christianity provides compelling and powerful answers to the questions of origin, meaning, morality, and destiny.
Finally, the theology, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and anthropology of the Christian worldview are expansively rich and deeply profound – unsurpassed by any other worldview.
If you are a Christian and you haven’t analyzed Christianity using the 3-4-5 method, you are truly missing out. Read, and read some more. Dig into your faith, as it provides comprehensive answers to life’s most important questions.
If you are not a Christian, I plead with you to open your heart and mind, and study the Christian worldview. Apply the 3-4-5 method described above, but never forget that Christian doctrine always revolves around a person, Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of our faith, and it is to him that we look.
Why is knowing what you believe on the controversy issues important? Or are they?
Depends on the issue
If the issue is about Jesus then we need to defend if important
If the issue is about salvation then we need to know how to explain and defend.
What exactly do you need to know/ belief so you can find a church that you agree with their beliefs/ teaching?
Do they teach the bible, How do they View Jesus? the Trinity? What is their statement of faith or Doctrine? Do they offer Bible Study and prayer group sessions? To answer these questions you have to answer them first for yourself.
Apologist Ravi Zacharias offers what he calls the 3-4-5 method of analyzing worldviews. I would like to share it with you because it will provide you a method with which to judge worldview options. First, there are three tests that a worldview must pass. It must be: 1. logically consistent – Its teachings cannot be self-contradictory. 2. empirically adequate – Its teachings must match what we see in reality. 3. existentially relevant – Its teachings must speak directly to how we actually live our lives. Second, each worldview must address the following fourultimate questions: 1. origin – Where do the universe and human beings come from? 2. meaning – What is the meaning or purpose of life? 3. morality – How do we know what is right and what is wrong? 4. destiny – What happens to us after we die? Third, there are five academic disciplines that must be employed to study a worldview: 1. theology – the study of God 2. metaphysics – the study of what is ultimately real 3. epistemology – the study of how we can know things 4. ethics – the study of moral right and wrong 5. anthropology – the study of what and who humans are Why do I believe that the worldview of biblical Christianity is the best choice? Its teachings are logically consistent, they accurately describe reality as it is, and they speak directly to the human condition. In addition, Christianity provides compelling and powerful answers to the questions of origin, meaning, morality, and destiny. Finally, the theology, metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and anthropology of the Christian worldview are expansively rich and deeply profound – unsurpassed by any other worldview. If you are a Christian and you haven’t analyzed Christianity using the 3-4-5 method, you are truly missing out. Read, and read some more. Dig into your faith, as it provides comprehensive answers to life’s most important questions. If you are not a Christian, I plead with you to open your heart and mind, and study the Christian worldview. Apply the 3-4-5 method described above, but never forget that Christian doctrine always revolves around a person, Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of our faith, and it is to him that we look.
John Hargrove Seeking Truth and Reality 