http://www.ReviveCoachingGroup.com/, https://kurtbubna.com/

Kurt Bubna, 9949 SW Geneva View Road, Bend, OR (2026)

11/03/2026

You can look someone in the eyes, see their smile, hear them laugh, and walk away believing they’re doing just fine.

And you might be completely wrong.

I know someone who’s battling cancer right now. Most people have no idea because that person hasn’t chosen to make the diagnosis public. Behind the smiles and ordinary conversations is a battle few people know anything about.

I know someone else who’s been wrestling with infertility. For a long time, I had no clue about the heartbreak and disappointment she was carrying. Only recently has she begun to share her struggle.

And I understand something about hidden battles.

For years, I wrestled with depression, shame, and emotional pain that almost nobody knew about. There were seasons when I was so overwhelmed by life that I didn’t even want to live anymore.

But I kept smiling. Kept working. Kept showing up. I was pretty good at looking okay when I was anything but okay.

People saw the outside. They didn’t know what was happening on the inside.

That’s why I’ve become increasingly convinced that kindness isn’t optional. It’s essential.

That impatient cashier might be caring for a dying parent. The friend who hasn’t returned your call might be barely holding it together. The person who seems distant or distracted might be fighting a battle they don’t have the words or courage to explain.

And here’s something else I’ve learned the hard way: We can be incredibly quick to judge people based on what we see, while expecting others to understand everything they can’t see about us.

Funny how that works.

Paul wrote, “Be kind and compassionate to one another” (Ephesians 4:32, NIV).

Not just to people who are easy to love. Not just to those who explain themselves. Not just when we understand their behavior.

Everyone.

You don’t have to know someone’s whole story to treat them with compassion.

You may not know what someone is going through.

So be gentle. Ask questions. Listen longer. Assume less. And remember, sometimes the people who appear the strongest are carrying burdens that would bring the rest of us to our knees.

11/01/2026

Four Phrases That Might Change Your Life

There’s a traditional Hawaiian practice called Ho’oponopono, which roughly means “to make things right” or “restore what is broken.”

Historically, it was a process of confession, forgiveness, and reconciliation within families.

A modern version emphasizes four simple statements:

“I’m sorry.”
“Please forgive me.”
“Thank you.”
“I love you.”

Four phrases. Simple enough for a child to understand, but sometimes incredibly difficult for adults to say.

Especially when pride, pain, shame, and broken trust get in the way.

In my upcoming book, Unshamed, I write candidly about my failures, divorce, and the painful consequences of choices I deeply regret.

There was a season when looking in the mirror wasn’t easy. I knew what I’d done. I knew people had been hurt. And no amount of explaining, rationalizing, or wishing things were different could change the past.

I couldn’t undo my failures. But I could decide what kind of man I would become moving forward.

That’s where genuine repentance begins.

Not with excuses. Not with blaming someone else. And certainly not with expecting everyone to immediately forgive and forget.

But with the humility to say, “I was wrong. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”

Here’s something I’ve learned the hard way: An apology isn’t a transaction. We can’t buy forgiveness or reconciliation with a few carefully chosen words.

We can own our failures, ask forgiveness, and demonstrate genuine change. But we cannot control another person’s response or dictate their healing process.

As a follower of Jesus, I see something beautiful in the heart of Ho’oponopono. Not because it’s identical to biblical teaching, but because it echoes something Scripture has always taught.

Confess. Repent. Forgive. Love. Pursue peace whenever possible (James 5:16; Romans 12:18).

So here’s my challenge.

Is there someone who needs to hear you say, “I’m sorry,” without adding a defensive “but”?

Someone who needs to know you’re grateful for them? Someone you need to remind that they’re loved?

Say it. Mean it. Live it.

And remember, you can take responsibility for what you’ve done without becoming what you’ve done.

Grace doesn’t erase our past, but it gives us the courage to face it honestly.

Sometimes making things right begins with four simple phrases. And sometimes it means trusting God with what you cannot fix.

10/31/2026

Tonight, plenty of people will put on a mask and go looking for fun. Some of us have been wearing ours for years, and we didn’t even get a Snickers out of the deal.

We smile, stay busy, and say, “I’m fine.” Meanwhile, we’re terrified somebody might discover how un-fine we really are.

In my upcoming book, Unshamed, I admit I had a whole collection of masks.

I performed to please people and chased perfection to win approval.

I disappeared into entertainment to avoid my pain and stayed productive to feel important.

Those masks (and more) looked respectable enough, but underneath them was a man afraid of being seen as broken.

For years, I hid behind a happy face and a full calendar. I should have gotten help, but I kept pretending. I was afraid that if people knew the real me, they’d reject me.

What I learned the hard way is that pretending is the path to greater misery and anxiety, not peace.

Taking off the mask is scary. Some people won’t know what to do with your honesty, and you don’t owe everyone access to your deepest wounds. But you do need someone who knows what’s actually going on. Start with one trusted person and an honest sentence: “I’m struggling, and I need help.”

God already sees the parts of you that you work so hard to hide. He knows your failures, your fears, and the mess behind the smile, and He still loves you.

You don’t have to impress Him into loving you. Enjoy the costume tonight, but when the party is over, remember that you can come to Jesus exactly as you are. He’s been loving the real you all along.

10/30/2026

John Piper wrote, “Most of our bitterness and anger towards others is rooted in an inability to be profoundly amazed at Christ’s love for us in our sin.”

That’s a hard sentence to read when you’re busy building a case against somebody. And let’s be honest, most of us can build a pretty impressive case. We remember what they said, what they did, and what they should have done instead.

Meanwhile, our own failures come with footnotes and explanations. Funny how that works.

When my life came apart, I carried plenty of anger and self-loathing. My therapist, Shelley, met me with patience and gentleness. She spoke the words of Jesus into my heart, filled with both grace and truth.

She reminded me that Jesus knew everything about me, including the parts I wished weren’t true, and He still loved me. That kindness mattered because I already knew how badly I’d failed.

Paul wrote, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32, NIV).

Those last words get personal. God didn’t wait until I cleaned up my mess before He loved me.

Remembering that makes it a little harder to insist somebody else has to earn every ounce of kindness I offer.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean what happened was okay, or that trust magically reappears. But receiving mercy ought to change how I treat people, including the ones who hurt me.

Before I rehearse someone else’s failures today, I need to remember who loved me in mine.

That’s part of what I explore in my upcoming book, Unshamed, and something I’m still learning to live: I can tell the truth about the hurt without letting bitterness do the talking.

10/29/2026

Some people see a glass half empty and think somebody will probably knock it over. Spend enough time with them, and they can drain the marrow right out of your bones. Every opportunity has a catch. Every person has an agenda. Every challenge is proof that life sucks.

Then there are the folks who slap a smiley face on everything. Your life is falling apart, and they’re telling you to “just stay positive.” Apparently, if we grin hard enough, the bills will pay themselves and broken relationships will magically heal. That kind of optimism is exhausting, too, especially when it leaves no room for grief or honest questions.

Perspective matters because it shapes how we interpret people, circumstances, challenges, and opportunities. If I assume the worst about you, I’ll find something to support my suspicion. If I believe nothing can change, I’ll probably stop trying. But pretending everything is wonderful doesn’t help me see clearly either.

Jesus calls us to a perspective rooted in truth and trust. He told His disciples they would have trouble in this world, and called them to take heart because He had overcome it (John 16:33). He didn’t minimize the trouble or ask them to manufacture a better attitude. He gave them a reason for courage that reached beyond their circumstances: His presence.

When thousands needed food, the disciples saw a hungry crowd and an impossible assignment. Jesus saw people He loved and an opportunity to reveal His Father’s provision (John 6). The shortage was real, but it wasn’t the whole story.

Sometimes we make the same mistake: we count what we lack and forget who is with us.

Faith doesn’t require us to call something easy when it’s hard. It invites us to bring what’s bigger than us to the One who is greater than what we face.

We can grieve, ask questions, and take the next faithful step without knowing how everything will turn out. Our limitations don’t limit God’s ability.

What’s taking up the most space in your head? Take an honest look, and leave room for what God might do that you can’t see yet.

Before you decide how this story ends, give Him a chance to surprise you.

10/27/2026

We Need to Talk About Judging

Some Christians love to quote Jesus: “Do not judge.” Often to avoid correction.

Others love to say, “You’ll know them by their fruit.” Often before criticizing somebody.

Frankly, both can miss the point.

Jesus never told us to ignore sin or destructive behavior. In Matthew 7, He told us to deal with the plank in our own eye before helping someone with the speck in theirs. He still expected us to help.

And James 4:11–12 warns us about something far more dangerous than recognizing wrongdoing. It warns us against speaking against others and acting as though we occupy God’s seat as Judge.

There’s a difference between telling the truth about someone’s actions and pretending we know everything about their heart, motives, or future.

I’ve been on both sides. Being right about sin doesn’t make me right in how I treat someone.

I see three kinds of judging in Scripture:

1. CONSIDERATION. We can and should carefully evaluate teaching, behavior, and spiritual fruit against God’s Word (Matthew 7:15–20). Love isn’t blind, but neither should it be quick to assume the worst.

2. CORRECTION. We can confront sin, speak truth, and call one another to accountability and repentance (Matthew 18:15). But the goal should be restoration, not humiliation.

3. CONDEMNATION. This is where we cross the line. We don’t get to declare someone hopeless, assume we know every motive, or decide they’re beyond God’s mercy and grace. That’s wrong of us and unholy.

Here’s what troubles me. Sometimes we use the truth as a weapon rather than a tool for healing. We expose someone’s failure but leave no room for repentance, growth, or redemption.

And sometimes, in our eagerness to point out another person’s sin, we overlook the pride in our own hearts. I’ve done that, too.

So yes, consider carefully. Correct when necessary. But refuse to stand as judge and condemn.

We can name sin without naming someone by their sin forever.

God alone gets the final verdict. And thank God, He is rich in mercy.

10/25/2026

When You Fail, Run Toward Jesus, Not Away From Him

I love the story in John 21.

Peter had denied Jesus three times. He had failed miserably. And although he’d already seen the risen Christ, there was still some unfinished business between them.

Then, one morning, while Peter and the other disciples were fishing, someone appeared on the shore.

It was Jesus.

And when John recognized Him and shouted, “It is the Lord!” Peter didn’t hesitate.

He jumped into the water and headed straight for Jesus.

I love that!

The man who had denied knowing Jesus was now desperate to get to Him.

Peter didn’t hide. He didn’t wait for the boat. He didn’t let his past failure keep him from running (or swimming) toward the One who loved him.

And there’s a lesson here for all of us.

When you fail, don’t run from Jesus. Run toward Him.

Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Notice what it doesn’t say.

It doesn’t say to come when you’ve cleaned up your mess. Or when you’ve proven you’re worthy. Or when you’ve finally gotten your act together.

It says COME. Boldly. Confidently. Because His throne is a throne of GRACE!

But here’s another part of the story that moves me.

Before Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Before He recommissioned Peter to feed and care for His sheep, Jesus said something wonderfully simple.

“Come and have breakfast.” (John 21:12)

Wow.

In that culture, sharing a meal was more than grabbing a bite to eat. It was an expression of fellowship, hospitality, and relationship.

And Jesus invited Peter to the table.

Before the hard conversation, there was breakfast.

Before the recommissioning, there was an invitation.

Before Peter was told what he needed to do, he was welcomed into the presence of the One who loved him.

Don’t miss that.

Maybe you’ve failed. Maybe you’ve disappointed yourself, hurt someone you love, or done something you deeply regret.

Take responsibility. Repent. Make things right where you can.

But please don’t let shame convince you to stay away from Jesus.

The throne of grace isn’t reserved for people who’ve never fallen. It’s where fallen people find mercy and help to get back up.

So, come to Jesus.

And if you need to jump out of the boat to get there, jump!

10/23/2026

Sometimes We Miss the Manna Because We’re Craving Leeks & Onions

In Numbers 11, the Israelites complained about the manna God provided in the wilderness.

They missed the fish, cucumbers, melons, leeks, and onions they ate in Egypt.

They remembered the food, but apparently forgot their life of slavery. Wow.

But honestly, I’ve done the same thing.

When circumstances get hard, and things don’t go the way I expected, it’s easy to romanticize the past.

Manna wasn’t fancy, but it was faithful. It wasn’t everything they wanted, but it was exactly what they needed.

Maybe the situation you’re in today is not what you expected.

But maybe you’re missing the miracle right in front of you: Daily strength, unexpected grace, a new beginning, and a new season of godly adventure in your life.

Don’t let your longing for yesterday blind you to God’s work and faithfulness today.

I’ll say it again: God knows that what we need is often better than what we want.

So, trust Him and don’t trade today’s miracle for yesterday’s leeks and onions.

10/22/2026

Just Because You Heard It Doesn’t Make It True

I saw something on Facebook today claiming that drinking coffee on an empty stomach is bad for your pancreas.

Well, that’s disturbing, especially for those of us who consider coffee one of God’s better ideas.

So, I did a little research. Turns out, there’s no credible scientific evidence that drinking coffee on an empty stomach damages your pancreas.

But it got me thinking about something far more serious than coffee.

Why are we so quick to believe what we hear or read on social media, especially when it’s something negative about someone else?

I’ve been accused of a lot of things over the years. Some of those accusations were true. I’ve made plenty of mistakes, and I’ve owned some pretty ugly failures.

But I’m not guilty of everything I’ve been accused of. Not even close.

And I suspect you aren’t either.

The Bible says a lot about this.

Proverbs 18:17 reminds us that the first person to present their case sounds right until someone else comes along and asks questions.

Proverbs 18:13 says that answering before listening is foolish and shameful.

And Exodus 20:16 commands us not to bear false witness against our neighbor.

That’s not just about lying under oath. It’s about misrepresenting people, spreading accusations we haven’t verified, and damaging someone’s reputation with things we don’t actually know to be true.

Slander is speaking falsely in a way that damages someone’s reputation. And gossip, even when it contains some truth, can still be cruel and destructive.

Here’s what concerns me.

We live in a culture where accusations travel faster than facts, opinions get treated like evidence, and people are often convicted in the court of public opinion before anyone bothers to hear both sides.

Christians should know better. Sadly, sometimes we’re among the worst offenders.

I’m not suggesting we become cynical, suspicious of everyone, or unwilling to confront genuine wrongdoing. Truth matters. Accountability matters. Protecting people matters.

But so do fairness, wisdom, and mercy.

Being discerning doesn’t mean believing nothing. It means refusing to believe everything without doing the work of seeking the truth.

Before you share that post, repeat that rumor, or make up your mind about someone’s character, ask yourself:

Do I actually know this is true? Have I heard the whole story? Am I being fair? And would I want someone to treat me this way?

Because sometimes the most Christlike thing you can do is refuse to pass along a story you haven’t bothered to verify.

And sometimes the wisest, most Christlike thing you can say is, “I don’t know enough to have an opinion.”

Just something to think about over your next cup of coffee.

10/20/2026

EXILE IS NOT THE END OF YOUR STORY.

Throughout Scripture, God allowed His people to experience exile. Often, it was the consequence of their rebellion, stubbornness, and poor choices.

Sound familiar? It does to me.

I’ve experienced seasons of exile, too. Some of my own making. Some not.

But here’s what I’ve learned.

God’s discipline isn’t about revenge. It’s about redemption.

Sometimes God allows us to lose what we’ve been clinging to so we’ll rediscover the One we should have been holding on to all along.

Exile hurts. Consequences are real. But God’s mercy is greater than our mess.

When Israel was in Babylon, God promised them a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). He didn’t promise an immediate escape. He promised His faithfulness, even in exile.

And eventually, He brought them home.

I’ve discovered that God doesn’t always restore things exactly as they were. But restoration, renewal, and redemption are His specialties. He offers us hope.

Maybe you’re in exile right now because of your choices or someone else’s.

Hear me. Exile may be part of your story, but it doesn’t have to be the final chapter.

God hasn’t abandoned you. His grace reaches farther than your failures, and His mercy is still writing your story.

Trust me. I’m living proof.

Kurt Bubna

11/03/2026

11/01/2026

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