The Trouble with Jesus

by Constance Hastings

Kingdom Book Award Finalist
July 11, 2026

“I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.” Ephesians 1:16

With a grateful heart, I want to express my deepest appreciation for your faithful support and continued reading of The Trouble with Jesus blog. Each Monday as I send out a new message, I pray that you find in it a word, sometimes gentle, sometimes edgy, that affirms your faith and strengthens your soul. I believe God entrusted me with this purpose: to offer a measure of blessing as you walk with Christ Jesus, our Savior and Lord.


Recently, The Trouble with Jesus: Considerations Before You Walk Away was honored as a Finalist in the Kingdom Book Awards. While my name appears in bold print, I wish the book title stood there instead because I truly believe this work is from God and not of my own making. May He receive all glory, and may my efforts be seen only as a humble extension of His message.


Now, there is an opportunity for you to help further that message.


The top winner of the Kingdom Book Awards will be announced in November. Between now and then, a public voting session is open, followed by judging based on Kingdom impact. While “winning” is not my ultimate goal, participating in the voting process helps promote the book to readers who may never encounter it otherwise.


The Kingdom Book Awards notes: “Public voting is only one component of the overall awards process. Every submission is also carefully evaluated by our panel of judges using established judging criteria that includes message, impact, excellence, originality, Kingdom influence, and overall quality.”


If you feel led, please support the message of The Trouble with Jesus: Considerations Before You Walk Away by casting your vote and offering a brief supportive reply to the question:


Why did you vote for this person/book? What about them and their work has impacted you?


Click Here for the Voting Link


Your encouragement, prayers, and partnership in this work mean more than I can express. Thank you for helping share a message that points hearts back to Jesus.


In Christ’s service, Constance


The Trouble with Jesus: Considerations Before You Walk Away by Constance Hastings

Ask for it wherever you buy your books, or just Click Here.

 

Subscribe to The Trouble with Jesus Blog Here.

 

Buy Me a Coffee 

 




The Trouble with Jesus: His cross flips the game into winning by taking the loss...

Lost in a Cross

By Constance Hastings • August 24, 2026
Don’t you dare criticize him for what he said. Honestly, you’re no different than he when it comes down to it. You claim you believe in God, but when push comes to shove, rubber meets the road, and truth be known, you’re as big a wuss, a real live phony, as Peter.
The Trouble with Jesus: He’s not known by what people call him, but how the people he calls live...

Name It

By Constance Hastings • August 17, 2026
Names matter. Names aren’t just labels. They’re status badges. What people call you shows where you stand, who you roll with, how much respect you get. Jesus knew this game. By asking his disciples the question, it was more than checking his street reputation. Public response was consequential to power and impact.
The Trouble with Jesus : He refuses to meet our expectations, not the other way around.

A Dogged Faith

By Constance Hastings • August 8, 2026
Let me tell you straight: if there’s a portrayal of Jesus I hate reading, it’s this one. The one that makes you squirm, makes you hunt for excuses you know don’t exist (like who could ever excuse the Son of God?), or forces you to wrestle with the truth, swallowing stuff you never want to admit...
The Trouble with Jesus: He calls people to walk with him right into a bad storm.

Storm Walkin'

By Constance Hastings • August 3, 2026
When the road breaks open and unthinkable obstacles appear on the path, when innate ability and skill are erased and “No Way” is the biggest sign in the road, when risks feels like it’ll cost your whole soul, what then? Inevitably, storms hit, flip your whole world, and what was a smooth sail gets tossed like a toy...
The Trouble with Jesus: Miracles hit when what’s small is shared and becomes more than enough.

Feeding Frenzy

By Constance Hastings • July 27, 2026
It was a long day, and in wanting to care for their rabbi as well as dissipate the crowd, the disciples tell Jesus to send them into the villages to buy food for an evening meal. That’s when Jesus snapped...
The Trouble with Jesus: Jesus contrasts what should be against what is not.

The Good Trouble Kingdom

By Constance Hastings • July 20, 2026
You can’t say Jesus ever made it easy...He required challenge, debate and wrestling with his teachings beyond what makes you feel comfortable.
The Trouble with Jesus: He proposes both good and evil exist side by side for now.

Weedy Wheat

By Constance Hastings • July 13, 2026
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like…” The two seeds, good seed and the bad seed which would choke out the good seed, are permitted to exist side by side until end of the world....If you’ve read this parable story as one of God’s condemnation on the evil in the world, slow down. Be very careful....
The Trouble with Jesus: He calls out those who think they can play in the dirt and not get dirty.

Soil Maintenance

By Constance Hastings • July 6, 2026
If you push past some religious snobbery and gatekeeping here, Jesus’ parable about a farmer who scatters seed is going to be a real challenge on more than one level…. Anyone out there ever thinking, “I’m saved, I’m good,” ticket to heaven punched, you’re in, and that’s all you need? Then this parable is NOT for you
The Trouble with Jesus: He did not refrain from using images that oppose each other.

Child-like Wisdom

By Constance Hastings • June 29, 2026
You’re either going to love it or hate it. And trust me, you’re not the only one wrestling with it. The Bible, Holy Scriptures, God’s Word, Gospel, or whatever name you want to slap on it, isn’t built for folks who want a warm blanket and a bedtime story...
The Trouble with Jesus:Extend what little one has to the little ones and all ones.

Even a Cup of Water

By Constance Hastings • June 22, 2026
It’s wild out there right now, one side screaming at another, the whole world split in half. You may be feeling if you don’t choose a side, you’ll get caught in the middle with both sides pounding you instead of just one. No lie. The world’s grimy, petty, and straight-up dangerous, no doubt about it. Jesus warned them…
The Trouble with Jesus: His cross flips the game into winning by taking the loss...

Lost in a Cross

By Constance Hastings • August 24, 2026
Don’t you dare criticize him for what he said. Honestly, you’re no different than he when it comes down to it. You claim you believe in God, but when push comes to shove, rubber meets the road, and truth be known, you’re as big a wuss, a real live phony, as Peter.
The Trouble with Jesus: He’s not known by what people call him, but how the people he calls live...

Name It

By Constance Hastings • August 17, 2026
Names matter. Names aren’t just labels. They’re status badges. What people call you shows where you stand, who you roll with, how much respect you get. Jesus knew this game. By asking his disciples the question, it was more than checking his street reputation. Public response was consequential to power and impact.
The Trouble with Jesus : He refuses to meet our expectations, not the other way around.

A Dogged Faith

By Constance Hastings • August 8, 2026
Let me tell you straight: if there’s a portrayal of Jesus I hate reading, it’s this one. The one that makes you squirm, makes you hunt for excuses you know don’t exist (like who could ever excuse the Son of God?), or forces you to wrestle with the truth, swallowing stuff you never want to admit...
The Trouble with Jesus: He calls people to walk with him right into a bad storm.

Storm Walkin'

By Constance Hastings • August 3, 2026
When the road breaks open and unthinkable obstacles appear on the path, when innate ability and skill are erased and “No Way” is the biggest sign in the road, when risks feels like it’ll cost your whole soul, what then? Inevitably, storms hit, flip your whole world, and what was a smooth sail gets tossed like a toy...
The Trouble with Jesus: Miracles hit when what’s small is shared and becomes more than enough.

Feeding Frenzy

By Constance Hastings • July 27, 2026
It was a long day, and in wanting to care for their rabbi as well as dissipate the crowd, the disciples tell Jesus to send them into the villages to buy food for an evening meal. That’s when Jesus snapped...
The Trouble with Jesus: Jesus contrasts what should be against what is not.

The Good Trouble Kingdom

By Constance Hastings • July 20, 2026
You can’t say Jesus ever made it easy...He required challenge, debate and wrestling with his teachings beyond what makes you feel comfortable.
The Trouble with Jesus: He proposes both good and evil exist side by side for now.

Weedy Wheat

By Constance Hastings • July 13, 2026
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like…” The two seeds, good seed and the bad seed which would choke out the good seed, are permitted to exist side by side until end of the world....If you’ve read this parable story as one of God’s condemnation on the evil in the world, slow down. Be very careful....
The Trouble with Jesus: He calls out those who think they can play in the dirt and not get dirty.

Soil Maintenance

By Constance Hastings • July 6, 2026
If you push past some religious snobbery and gatekeeping here, Jesus’ parable about a farmer who scatters seed is going to be a real challenge on more than one level…. Anyone out there ever thinking, “I’m saved, I’m good,” ticket to heaven punched, you’re in, and that’s all you need? Then this parable is NOT for you
The Trouble with Jesus: He did not refrain from using images that oppose each other.

Child-like Wisdom

By Constance Hastings • June 29, 2026
You’re either going to love it or hate it. And trust me, you’re not the only one wrestling with it. The Bible, Holy Scriptures, God’s Word, Gospel, or whatever name you want to slap on it, isn’t built for folks who want a warm blanket and a bedtime story...
The Trouble with Jesus:Extend what little one has to the little ones and all ones.

Even a Cup of Water

By Constance Hastings • June 22, 2026
It’s wild out there right now, one side screaming at another, the whole world split in half. You may be feeling if you don’t choose a side, you’ll get caught in the middle with both sides pounding you instead of just one. No lie. The world’s grimy, petty, and straight-up dangerous, no doubt about it. Jesus warned them…