When we first moved to North Idaho, the deep green spring pasture looked like a blessing. After years in Kansas and Colorado, I had never heard of cheat grass, so I admired the lush growth—until a neighbor stopped by and informed me that our beautiful field was actually an invasive pest.

Around here, everybody knows cheat grass except the newcomer praising it. Like fool’s gold, it succeeds by appearance. It looks valuable at first, then reveals itself later as dry, troublesome, sharp, and stubborn.

Experts offer complicated plans and cheerful wishes of “good luck,” but many landowners simply learn to manage it one season at a time. The lesson reaches beyond weeds.

Fool’s gold and cheat grass both remind us that not everything bright or green is good. As Scripture says, “You will know them by their fruits.” Some things require time, heat, and hardship before the truth appears.

In Part 2 of this Morning Brew, I take a step back from the political themes of the Great Awakening film and admit I missed the bigger picture the first time around—the power of prayer.

As the Constitutional Convention teetered on the edge of collapse, Benjamin Franklin’s call to prayer helped shift hearts, open minds, and guide the delegates toward compromise. But what does that kind of prayer look like in our everyday lives?

From the founding of a nation to a simple moment in my workshop—searching for a missing one-inch piece of plastic—I explore how prayer isn’t just for life’s biggest crises, but for the small, ordinary moments too.

With a touch of humor (and three uncooperative cats), this episode reflects on what it means to “pray without ceasing” and why inviting God into the daily details of life might matter more than we think.

Tax Day has a way of stirring up more than just paperwork—it stirs up questions. In this episode, Ted gathers around the table with a couple of his friends for a candid round table discussion on taxes, stewardship, and responsibility.

But beyond the numbers and deadlines, there’s a deeper tension many of us feel: contributing to a system we don’t always understand—or agree with.

This episode doesn’t offer financial advice (far from it), but it does explore something more personal. Why does the tax system frustrate us? Where’s the line between obligation and conviction? And how do we respond in a way that reflects both our values and our faith?

Drawing on the words of Jesus Christ—“render unto Caesar”—we wrestle with what it means to live with integrity in a complicated world. Do we simply comply? Push back? Stay engaged?

Maybe the answer is found somewhere in the middle: being honest, informed, and involved citizens—while treating others with respect and keeping our perspective grounded.

It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about asking the right questions… and continuing the conversation.

In this lighthearted Morning Brew, we tackle one of life’s most overlooked annoyances—loose change. From the ever-growing coin bowl in your dresser drawer to the moral dilemma of Coinstar fees versus rolling coins like it’s 1955, it’s a problem we all know too well. But what if there’s a better way?

Enter the 67-cent solution: a simple, intentional habit that keeps the change from piling up in the first place. Along the way, we explore the unique challenges of North Idaho living—like unexpected Canadian coins and the fear of accidentally spending a rare treasure worth far more than its face value.

With a touch of humor and a dash of faith, this episode reminds us that it’s often the small things—the daily habits and tiny choices—that shape our lives in bigger ways than we realize.

Sometimes, a little change…can make a big difference.

After watching The Great Awakening, I dusted off my old history teacher hat and took a fresh look at a familiar story. We all know about the Constitutional Convention and the Founding Fathers, but what shaped the people who shaped the nation?

In this Morning Brew, we go back before 1787…before 1776…to a time when a preacher named George Whitefield was drawing massive crowds in open fields, and a printer named Benjamin Franklin was helping spread ideas that stirred hearts and minds across the colonies.

This isn’t a deep dive into dates and documents—it’s a look at the culture, beliefs, and conversations that helped prepare a people for independence.

Along the way, we’ll connect those early influences to our lives today and ask a simple question: where do big ideas really begin?

This Friday Morning Brew is a mix of gratitude, honesty, and reflection.

I share a handful of listener letters—encouraging words, thoughtful suggestions, and a few smiles along the way.

I also take a moment to apologize for missing a couple of deadlines this week, thanks to some lingering pain from oral surgery. Life happens, even here in “almost paradise.”

We wrap things up by turning our attention skyward, offering a simple prayer for the safe return of the Artemis II crew. A reminder that whether we’re grounded at home or traveling beyond it, we’re all in need of a little grace.

You know, every once in a while, something comes along that doesn’t demand your attention… it just quietly invites it.

No headlines. No arguments. No breaking news.

Just life… unfolding.

I came across something like that this week—a live eagle cam down in Blue Springs, Missouri. And if you take a minute to look it up, you’ll find yourself watching a pair of bald eagles—Freedom and Liberty—raising two eaglets high up in their nest.

Feeding them. Protecting them. Taking turns, like good parents do.

And it’s not dramatic… it’s just steady.

Meanwhile, right here at home, Joy spotted her very first hummingbird of the season today. Feeder’s been up about a week, and just like that—there it was.

Add in a little sunshine and 70 degrees… and I think it’s safe to say—

Spring has officially arrived.

Now… if we can just keep the cats from getting too interested

In this week’s deep dive episode, we spend time with Kukui—a young man whose life reflects a rare blend of purpose, humility, and quiet strength.

Originally from Hawaii and now rooted in North Idaho, Kukui has embraced a life that many are still searching for. Living off grid with his mother, he has developed a deep appreciation for hard work, the outdoors, and the simple rhythms of life.

But what truly sets Kukui apart is not just how he lives—it’s why he lives that way.

His faith in Jesus is not something he performs, but something he practices. Through study, service, and a willingness to step outside his comfort zone—like his mission work in Guatemala helping provide clean water—Kukui demonstrates what it means to live with intention. He’s not preachy or pushy, but he is unafraid to share what he believes and why it matters.

In a time when many young men are still finding their footing, Kukui offers a compelling example of what it looks like to be grounded early—focused on faith, service, and a life that points beyond himself.