Archive
October 2026
Faithful Where You Are, Building Others in Christ
The men’s 19-week study through 1 Corinthians caught up this week: the group had skipped a session two weeks earlier to help grill in North Dallas, and last week covered the end of chapter 7 (“a …
Equipped for Spiritual Warfare: Living as Authentic Christians
Guest speaker Jonathan “JP” Pokluda, lead pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, opened with a story from his years leading The Porch, the Dallas young adult ministry, when his family hosted a …
September 2026
Living with Undivided Devotion to Christ and Eternity
The men’s study through 1 Corinthians continues the series’ question, “What does a disciple look like?” with about 15 verses from chapter 7, where Paul counsels the Corinthians on singleness and …
Finishing Well: Living and Leaving a Legacy of Faith
Big idea: a life that ends well is lived for an audience of One–anchored in God’s Word, faithful to the ministry He assigns, and unafraid to go public for Jesus. The final week of the verse-by-verse …
Does the Bible Contradict Itself? Working Through the Objections
This week’s Live Free podcast from Lakepointe Church took on a question that unsettles a lot of believers: does the Bible contradict itself? Carlos Erazo and Pastor Paul Cunningham started in 2 …
Faithful in the Last Days: Standing Firm on God's Word
Big idea: in the last days a disciple must break with the flow of the world, expect opposition, and cling to the God-breathed Scriptures that alone equip us to remain faithful. Week seven of the …
You Are Not Your Own: Living as Christ's Purchased Disciples
Week 6 of the men’s study through 1 Corinthians. Paul reminds the Corinthian church–and us–that discipleship shows up in ordinary, concrete issues: how we resolve conflicts, where we ground our …
Vessels for Honorable Use: Pursuing God's Purpose with a Pure Heart
Drawing from Paul’s charge to Timothy, the message reminds the church that God’s household holds both “gold and silver” vessels for honorable service and “wood and clay” vessels for common use. Every …
A Disciple Takes Sin Seriously: Grieving and Repentance in Community
Week 5 of the men’s study on 1 Corinthians, focusing on what the letter teaches about discipleship; the theme for the week: “A disciple takes sin seriously.” Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 5 confront a …
Remember Jesus: The Heart of Our Faith and Endurance
Preaching from 2 Timothy 2:8-13, the message urges believers to refocus on Jesus amid distraction, fatigue, and opposition. Paul, writing from prison, gives Timothy a single directive–not seven …
August 2026
Serving Humbly and Reflecting Christ's Heart
The group walked through 1 Corinthians 4 to answer one practical question: “What does true Christian maturity look like?” Paul’s answer is startlingly simple–mature disciples serve like unseen …
Strength Through Grace: Becoming 60-Grit Followers of Christ
Writing from a cold Roman prison under Emperor Nero’s persecution, shortly before his execution in AD 67, the apostle Paul hands the baton of leadership to his protege Timothy–with persecution rising, …
Rooted in Christ: Discovering Our True Identity
The study launched the new “Built Different” series by opening Paul’s first letter to the troubled church in Corinth, where he begins not with rebuke but with a sweeping reminder of who the believers …
Fighting the Good Fight: Becoming a Disciple of Christ
Pastor celebrated 4,000 first-time decisions for Christ during the recent “At the Movies” series and called new believers to their next step: water baptism–“the starting line, not the finish line.” …
Standing Firm in Spiritual Battle: Fighting From Victory in Christ
Using the true-life film “Captain Phillips,” this week’s message likened Somali pirates boarding a cargo ship to Satan’s attempts to commandeer our lives. Scripture teaches that two realms …
July 2026
Faith to Finish: The Perseverance God Honors
In 1926, a young American swimmer named Trudy Ederle waded into the frigid water at Cape Gris-Nez, France, and started swimming toward England. Twenty-one miles of open sea, riptides, jellyfish, and …
Faith Over Fear: Embracing God's Purpose Through Life's Storms
Week 2 of “At the Movies” uses the tornado-chasing film “Twisters” as a parable of courage: Kate’s literal storms mirror the emotional, relational, and spiritual storms we all encounter. Big idea: God …
Start Your Engines: Humility Across Generations
Launching an “At the Movies” series, the speaker treats the unreleased Formula-1 film “F1” as a modern parable. Big idea: God pairs the strength of the young with the wisdom of the old, but only …
Ignited by God's Call: Discovering Your Divine Purpose
Wrapping up the “En Fuego” series, the message goes to Exodus 3–the Bible’s “Mount Everest” of fire passages–where God meets 80-year-old Moses in a flaming bush. Israel’s 400 years of prayers move …
June 2026
Is God Worth It? Faithfulness in the Silence
The study closed the “Completely” series in Malachi by merging the final two lessons into one question: “Is following God even worth it when life doesn’t seem to pay off?” Malachi 3:13-4:6 exposes …
Refined by Fire: Trusting God Through Life's Trials
Fire comes to every life. Drawing from Daniel 3, the message shows how God uses that heat to expose impurities, set us free, and reveal His own reflection in us. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s …
Trusting God With Our Resources and Obedience
The group explored Malachi 3, where God accuses His people of “robbing” Him by withholding the tithe. Through lively stories about grandparents who lived through the Great Depression and modern habits …
Consumed by God's Fire: Surrendering All to Him
The message moves us from being spiritual consumers to people completely consumed by God. Using the fiery showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, the pastor contrasts the …
Freedom Through Forgiveness: Letting Go of Anger and Bitterness
The message digs beneath explosive moments to the hidden fire of anger that keeps many followers of Jesus locked in a self-made prison of bitterness. Drawing from Jesus’ words in Matthew 5 and Paul’s …
Giving God Our Best: Sacrifice, Covenant, and Relationships
Malachi confronts God’s people for bringing blemished, second-rate sacrifices and then wondering why heaven seems silent. Tonight’s lesson presses the class to see that God is not after our “leftover …
What Lies Beneath: Godly Anger and the Path to Healing
We live in an “age of rage,” yet Jesus warns that simmering anger is as deadly to the soul as murder. Using Ephesians 4 and Proverbs 15:1, the message uncovers what really lies beneath our explosions, …
May 2026
Completely Loved: Introducing Malachi
Malachi opens with a startling exchange: God declares His love; Israel fires back, “How have You loved us?” Tonight’s study launches a seven-week series called “Completely,” showing how God’s covenant …
When You Can't Control the Storm
Guest speaker Jonathan “JP” Pokluda continues Lake Pointe’s Acts series, “There Is More: Endgame,” walking through Paul’s harrowing voyage in Acts 27. From a prisoner’s chains, Paul steadies 276 …
Paul reminds the Colossians that growth in Christ does not come from spiritual add-ons. Believers deepen by returning to what they already received in Jesus: trust, dependence, surrender, fullness, …
Living with a Christ-Aligned Conscience
Pastor Josh continues Lake Pointe’s Acts series, “There Is More: Endgame,” by tracing Paul’s declaration before the Sanhedrin: “I have fulfilled my duty to God with a good conscience to this day.” The …
April 2026
Leader opened by rearranging chairs, asking how everyone felt entering an unfamiliar room. Purpose: create a micro-example of the tension we carry into relationships and to explore how Jesus’ …
Meeting Needs, Sharing the Bread of Life
Guest preacher David Nasser expresses gratitude to Lake Pointe Church and honors Pastor Josh & Jana Howerton. Announces focus on a single verse–John 6:35–calling it “fighting words” (Spurgeon) and …
Six-week series in Colossians entitled “Enough.” Week 1: “Jesus Is Enough to Save” – Col 1:11-14. Week 2 focus: Col 1:15-20 – “Jesus Is Enough to Sustain Us.” Purpose of Paul’s letter: counter “Jesus …
Displayed Faith vs. Devoted Faith
Pastor Chris (on staff nearly 20 years) continued the “Investigating Jesus” series. Previous week: End-Times message; this week: the question, “What about all the hypocrites?” Light-hearted open …
Opening conversation contrasted “avoiding bad” with “becoming good.” Group agreed true goodness is found only through deeper relationship with Jesus, not self-effort. Leader distributed a …
Pastor celebrates Easter weekend impact: 53,000 in-person attenders and 2,772 salvations. Sets expectation: this message is heavier–extensive Scripture reading and dot-connecting. Illustration: the …
Pastor Josh welcomes the Lake Pointe family and guests on Easter, emphasizing worldwide celebration of Christ’s resurrection. Explains annual Easter survey card that shapes future teaching series and …
March 2026
Easter Is Coming -- Find a Church and Celebrate
Easter is one of the most significant days on the Christian calendar – the celebration of Jesus rising from the dead. If you’ve been meaning to find a church, or it’s been a while since you’ve …
I Am the True Vine -- Concluding the Seven I Am Statements
Last of the seven “I Am” statements in John: “I am the True Vine.” To surface the longings Jesus satisfies, six groups analyzed popular songs from six decades, each identifying the “cultural crisis” …
Pastor Mike Breaux welcomes in-person and online attenders and reminds them Easter is next weekend – “Who are you inviting?” Sets up the theme: as Easter approaches, move from “investigating where …
Jesus -- "The Way, the Truth, and the Life"
Opened with an invitation to serve in North Dallas (Friday or Saturday options, car-pooling encouraged, lunch/hang-out afterward). Leader affirmed how much he learns from the group’s dialogue; …
Hell Is Real: What Jesus Actually Taught
Series: “Investigating Jesus” (goal: move from crowd to true discipleship). Luke, a physician, writes to his lost friend Theophilus, carefully compiling controversial teachings–including Jesus’ words …
King on a Donkey, Face Set Like Flint
The preacher invites the church to journey with Jesus along His final, “dark and scary road” toward Easter. Luke 9:51 marks the hinge of the gospel narrative: Jesus “set His face” toward …
Mounting a Synology NAS in a Proxmox LXC Container
First, this is not going to be a step by step guide. There are plenty of posts on the internet how to do it but this is why you have to do things a particular way. I really like using the terminal but …
I Am the Gate / I Am the Good Shepherd
Third session of a six-week series on the seven “I Am” statements in John. Setting: Men’s life-group Bible study; Leader: Mark. Ice-breaker: “If you were important enough to have a posse/entourage, …
Six Days With God Are Better Than Seven Without Him
Pastor opens with lighthearted “hurry-sickness” quiz to show how frantic modern life has become. Confesses the sermon first confronted him personally: “Physician, heal thyself.” Sets context: part of …
Claude and Codex: Merged Meta-Analysis of the Cornyn-Paxton Comparisons
A merged, dual-author critique of the Claude and OpenAI Codex Cornyn-vs-Paxton analyses, with clearly labeled sections from each AI system.
John Cornyn vs. Ken Paxton: Side-by-Side Comparison (OpenAI)
A source-based side-by-side comparison of John Cornyn and Ken Paxton, including accomplishments, key decisions, and how actions align with stated positions.
John Cornyn vs. Ken Paxton: Side-by-Side Comparison (Claude)
A research-backed side-by-side comparison of Senator John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton — their accomplishments, key decisions, and how their actions align with their words. Researched by …
February 2026
Leader opens with a personal update: son (22, Marine Corps, Camp Pendleton) placed on higher-alert status; unit itself non-deployable but he could be re-assigned. Group thanks members for earlier …
Go Again: Understanding Unanswered Prayer and the Father's Heart
Context: Week 2 of the “Investigating Jesus” series, preaching cross-sections of Luke to help skeptics and believers examine Christ closely before Easter. Pastoral moment: The church’s gracious …
Seven I AM Statements of Jesus
New spring series: the seven “I AM” statements in John, running through Easter. Leader: Caleb. Ice-breaker: each man completed “I am ___” (e.g., “cool dude,” “loved,” “so grateful,” “duck-hunter,” …
Marriage Weekend launched with light-hearted giveaways, prayer for couples, and a clear warning that the message would be candid about marital intimacy. Sets stage for new series “Investigating …
No Acceptable Loss in Jesus Economy
The leader opened with real-life examples of “acceptable loss”–a 2% inventory shrinkage in his retail business, underperforming investments, parental advice that “goes in one ear and out the other,” …
Embracing the Fathers Heart for The One
The preacher retells Jesus’ parable of the two sons (Luke 15) through a modern father’s voice, spotlighting two radically different children. Purpose: expose both the “rebellious prodigal” and the …
Two Primaries, One Ballot: How the 2026 Texas Republican and Democratic Races Compare
Disclosure: This analysis was researched and written with the assistance of Claude Code, Anthropic’s AI coding assistant. All candidate information was sourced from public reporting, campaign …
Facts vs Feelings: A Data-Driven Guide to the 2026 Texas Democratic Primary
Disclosure: This analysis was researched and written with the assistance of Claude Code, Anthropic’s AI coding assistant. All candidate information was sourced from public reporting, campaign …
Facts vs Feelings: A Data-Driven Guide to the 2026 Texas Republican Primary
Disclosure: This analysis was researched and written with the assistance of Claude Code, Anthropic’s AI coding assistant. All candidate information was sourced from public reporting, campaign …
Stewardship and the Parable of the Minas
The group listened to the same passage that was preached in Sunday service and revisited it for deeper discussion. Conversation opened with a light-hearted “button” exercise about risk versus …
Stewards, Not Owners: Faithful With God's Resources
Pastor opens with testimony of gospel impact in Iran–average of ten daily baptisms amid persecution; calls congregation to remember persecuted believers (Heb 13:3). Series context: “Boot Camp–Training …
This is going to be short but I wanted to get this down because I did this once before and everything worked out great but then when I tried it again with another lambda project, I had a lot of …
January 2026
The Call to Humble Service: Discipleship Boot Camp Week 5
Opening reminder that the 10-week “Rooted” discipleship course begins tonight; next session begins in ~18 weeks. Session aim: expose our default instinct to protect personal status and contrast it …
Made for This: Serving Like Jesus
The preacher (Breaux) greets the congregation in the New Year and promotes the “Rooted” discipleship experience as a next step for everyone—from skeptics to seasoned believers. He frames the current …
A Disciple Assembles a Band of Brothers / Sisters
Snow and ice cancelled in-person services, so the Howertons invited everyone into their living room for a “life-group style” Bible study. Viewers asked to grab Bibles, coffee, and drop comments …
Trust, Obedience & Submission in the Wilderness
Ice-breaker on favorite fast-food chains (Whataburger, Burger King, Portillo’s, Raising Canes, In-N-Out, Steak ’n Shake, etc.) highlighted convenience, taste, speed, and affordability—setting up the …
Week 3 of the “Boot Camp: Training for Team Jesus” series. Focus: a true disciple becomes a man or woman of the Word and of prayer. Pastor warns that drowning people don’t need Greek word studies on …
Okay, they’re not totally useless but they might as well be. I opted to use a shell script in a mise task to manually create the file with the information I needed. Specifically, what I figured was an …
The group launched week 2 of an eight-week discipleship series that parallels Sunday sermons at Lake Pointe. Tonight’s focus: baptism—Is it something we do for God, or something God does for us?
Series: “Boot Camp – Training for Team Jesus.” Year-long theme: “I am a disciple.” Congregation using a “Field Guide” to pray over one specific next-step in discipleship. Today’s focus: a disciple is …
It is finished: Trusting the Completed Work of Christ
The group mirrored Sunday’s sermon on John 19:30 (“It is finished”), asking: “If Jesus really finished the work, is my life showing that I believe it?” Big idea: “If Jesus truly finished the work, …
Tetelestai It Is Finished: The Starting Line of Discipleship
Pastor Josh launches a new six-week series, “Boot Camp: Training for Team Jesus,” designed to raise—not lower—the bar of discipleship. Sets a military tone with an illustration of a blunt Marine …
December 2025
The facilitator has spent the entire week burdened by the word “hubris,” convinced it sits at the root of fear. Tonight’s aim: let James 5:1-6 expose hubris in both material and spiritual “wealth,” …
Pastor celebrates last week’s harvest (33,000 in-person; 692 salvations) and warns against treating holy moments as common. Begins Advent series built around the angels’ four-part proclamation: “Fear …
November 2025
Series context: “Christmas at the Movies” — using modern films to illuminate biblical truths, mirroring Jesus’ parable method. Seasonal focus: the angelic proclamation that Christ’s birth brings “good …
The speaker—an investigative journalist and former skeptic—opens with a humorous family story and then recounts Elisha’s servant in 2 Kings 6 whose eyes are opened to angelic hosts. This biblical …
Leader opened with a real-life “home intruder” story to illustrate how one irreversible decision (pulling a trigger) parallels the permanent impact of spoken words. Group reflected on the gravity of …
Righteousness, Self-Control & the Judgment to Come
Weekend celebration: ~3,000 participants graduating from the 10-week “Rooted” discipleship experience at Lake Pointe. Upcoming evangelistic weekend: “Christmas at the Movies,” Nov 29–30, designed for …
The study opened with light conversation on New-Year resolutions, “trying” vs. “doing,” and how mere intention quickly fades. Tonight’s focus: James 2 : 14 - 26, presented as the “apex” of …
Passing the Baton: Running the Relay of Faith
Pastor opens by honoring students who led worship, remembering his own first preaching opportunity. Announces “Christmas at the Movies” (Nov 29–30) designed for evangelism. Sets tone: Today’s shorter …
Recap of James 1: external trials require internal, Spirit-formed responses (“listen and do,” “quick to listen, slow to anger”). Transition: James now moves from the general (chapter 1) to specific …
Pastor begins with lighthearted remarks about arriving “disheveled” after family soccer and cheer events, then quickly shifts: no sleepy listeners—today is about the return of Jesus. Series theme: …
October 2025
Ice-breaker question: “Which is harder to deal with—trials or temptations?” The group used personal experience to compare the two and set the stage for studying James 1:12-15.
Guest preacher: Ernest Smith, Lead Pastor of Front Range Church (Castle Rock, CO), a Lake Pointe church-plant (2013). Ernest recounts Lake Pointe’s partnership, highlighting the Strategic Launch …
Initial brain-storm: participants named “faith,” “trials,” and practicality as hallmarks of James. Leader highlighted four biblical men named James and identified the letter’s author as “James the …
Facing The Two-Question Test of Eternity
Pastor returns from vacation and 20th-anniversary trip, grateful for church family and fellow pastors who preached in his absence. Launches new series, “Run to Win,” promising some weighty themes. …
Ice-breaker: everyone rated their fear of heights (0 - 10). The leader later tied this to “spiritual heights,” safety harnesses, and the assurance God gives in vv. 24-25. Session goal: finish the Jude …
Fearless Living in the Hands of God
Pastor begins by greeting all campuses and online viewers, then poses a penetrating question: “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” Acknowledges common, paralyzing fears—rejection, failure, …
February 2025
A Simple Guide to Split a Monorepo into a Separate Repository
Assume we have monorepo at git@github.com/haydenk/monorepo.git With directory contents: I did say simple
Removing Hugo as a Blog Application
Absolutely nothing against Hugo, in fact I love Hugo as a blog framework. I found myself focused too much on having the right look and meddling with themes that I was not producing any posts. This one …
July 2024
Journey to Create A Shopify App
When I started, I struggled with what I was going to use. I wanted to use Rails but I couldn’t find much information on how to use Rails with an embedded app in Shopify. That has since been debunked. …
June 2024
Fresh Start macOS (Apple Silicon) Setup
UPDATE 2025-02-27 Replaced asdf for mise. I had some oddities pop up on the latest asdf update that I didn’t have with mise and mise seems to work nicer. Sometimes I like to wipe my Macbook and start …