This episode is an honest look at the years that shaped my career before I ever found my forever job. If you're feeling discouraged because life after graduation doesn't look the way you expected, I hope this conversation reminds you that there's often more value in the journey than we can see while we're living it.

Following the same research approach used throughout this podcast, I examine each document within its historical context, discuss its authenticity, and focus on what the evidence itself can reasonably support. Rather than beginning with conclusions, the goal is to let the primary sources speak for themselves.

If you'd like to follow along, you can read the sources discussed in this episode here:

Josephus – Antiquities of the Jews (Book XVIII)
Josephus – Antiquities of the Jews, Book XVIII

Tacitus – Annals (Book XV, Chapter 44)
Tacitus – Annals XV.44

Pliny the Younger – Letters (Book X, Letter 96)
Pliny the Younger – Letters, Book X, Letter 96

Before examining ancient sources or drawing conclusions, it's important to understand how historians approach the life of Jesus as a subject of historical inquiry. What questions are they trying to answer? What methods do they use? What kinds of evidence are considered, and where are the limits of what history can tell us?

This episode serves as the foundation for the series that follows. In the coming episodes, I'll examine the primary sources commonly discussed in Historical Jesus Studies—including both Christian and non-Christian writings—and evaluate what each can reasonably contribute to our understanding of Jesus of Nazareth.

Sources:

Journal for the Study of the Historical Jesus

 Mark Allan Powell, Historical Jesus Studies Today

 Society of Biblical Literature, Jesus and His Teachings

What surprised me most wasn't the service itself, but what I noticed after I left. Over the next several hours and days, I experienced a number of physical and mental changes that caught me completely by surprise. I don't have an explanation for them, and that's really the point of this episode. I'm simply sharing what happened and documenting the experience as honestly as I can.

Before beginning my next series on the historical Jesus, I wanted to take a moment to share this part of my own journey. Whether you've had similar experiences, very different ones, or you're simply curious, I hope you'll join me for the conversation.

Using the same methodology applied to each document, I examine Washington's final written references and compare them with the language found in his earlier letters, proclamations, and public addresses. With the documentary record now spanning much of his adult life, I summarize the patterns that emerged and discuss what Washington's own writings can—and cannot—reasonably support regarding his religious beliefs.

Rather than relying on historical labels or later interpretations, this investigation has focused on the historical record itself, allowing Washington's own words to serve as the primary evidence.

Read George Washington's Last Will and Testament here:

George Washington's Last Will and Testament (1799)

Using the same methodology established in previous episodes, I identify Washington's explicit references and implicit allusions to a higher being and compare them with the language found in his earlier writings. In addition to its political significance, the Farewell Address provides another opportunity to evaluate the consistency of Washington's religious expressions as he prepared to leave public office.

With each document, the evidence becomes more complete, allowing patterns to emerge while still avoiding conclusions that extend beyond what the historical record can support. The investigation will continue by examining additional writings from later in Washington's life.

Read the Farewell Address for yourself:

George Washington's Farewell Address

One additional note: you'll hear my puppy, Asher, making several appearances throughout this episode—chewing on water bottles, chasing the cats, barking, and generally reminding me that life doesn't pause for research. I left those moments in intentionally. They're part of the environment in which these conversations happen so enjoy the magical sounds of nature as I try to train my puppy to not be a giant monster =) 

Using the same methodology established in the previous episode, I analyze Washington's language to identify explicit references and implicit allusions to a higher being. Comparing this document with his earlier writings allows for an initial assessment of whether his expressions of faith remain consistent over time.

While no final conclusions are drawn in this episode a hypothesis is offered as the evidence examined thus far begins to reveal a more defined picture of Washington's religious worldview. The investigation will continue with his later writings to determine whether these patterns persist throughout the remainder of his life.

Read the Thanksgiving Proclamation for yourself:

George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation (1789)

As I work through the document, I ask a simple question: What does Washington's own language tell us about what he believed? Was he a deist, an atheist, an agnostic, or something else entirely? This episode marks the beginning of that investigation by letting Washington speak for himself.

If you'd like to read the letter yourself, you can find it here:

George Washington's Circular Letter to the States (1783)

Rather than relying on retellings, this series follows the documents themselves. In this episode, I begin examining the historical record surrounding Washington's early military experiences and the accounts that have shaped these enduring stories.

Primary sources discussed in this episode:

• George Washington's letter to John Augustine:
Founders Online – Letter to John Augustine Washington (18 July 1755)

• Recollections and Private Memoirs of Washington (full text):
Internet Archive – Recollections and Private Memoirs of Washington

Whether your reflections are centered on history, family, service, or simply gratitude, I hope this Independence Day offers a chance to appreciate how far we've come while remembering that every generation contributes a new chapter to the American story.

Happy 250th Birthday, America—and Happy Fourth of July!

This isn't a story about perfect parenting. It's a collection of memories, lessons, sacrifices, and moments that have stayed with me over the years. I wanted to put them all in one place, not because there was a special occasion, but because sometimes the people we love deserve to hear what they've meant to us while we still have the chance to tell them.

This episode is my way of saying thank you—to a father who has been there through every stage of my life and whose love, guidance, and example continue to shape the person I'm becoming.

From awkward encounters to moments that crossed professional boundaries, I share stories that remind me just how strange the workplace can be. While the experiences themselves weren't always humorous at the time, enough years have passed that I can finally laugh at them—and hopefully you'll laugh with me.

In this episode, I reflect on the difference between what we're told to expect and what we actually experience when someone we love is gone. This isn't a guide to grief or an attempt to explain it. It's simply an honest conversation about loss, the uncertainty that comes with it, and how sometimes the hardest part is discovering that your own reaction is unlike anything you imagined.

I also share how loss has shaped my faith, why the gospel remains at the center of my life, and what my relationship with Christ has taught me through seasons of uncertainty. As with every series, I don't end with all the answers—but I do leave with a clearer understanding of what anchors me as I move on to the next question.

In this episode, I share what happened, discuss a few stories that have shaped the way I think about the supernatural, and explore the importance of wisdom and discernment when trying to make sense of experiences that don't fit neatly into our everyday understanding of reality.