A handful of years ago, just before the political/cultural climate in America was rocked by the events of 2020, I recommitted my life to Christ. This decision forever changed my life and future. Shortly after, I felt the burdened call for ministry. Thus, “Truth on Fire Ministries” was born.

In the years that followed, I experienced many trials and tribulations. My faith called me to renew my mind of the preconceptions I had from college as a liberal agnostic. As I left those ideas and embraced biblical theology, I found myself falling into conservative fundamentalism. Though I made my share of scoffers and mockers amongst my own family and friends, I was convinced I was being obedient to God.

In 2024, I made the leap of faith to abandon my previous life and start a new one in Cincinnati with my ex-fiancee and her two children. What followed was one of the hardest years of my life. As I was confronted with job loss, financial struggles, medical diagnoses and a brush with fire myself, I found myself backsliding in my faith.

Hardship broke me. Though I knew the promises of God and His goodness, I did not believe them in my heart. As far I was concerned, miracles and blessings always seemed to happen to others. Instead of carrying on in hope and faith like Job, I abandoned my faith and the family I came to know in Cincinnati. Broken in mind and spirit, I came back to my hometown and recuperated.

As I healed mentally and spiritually, I wrestled with my faith in God. I asked questions of my time in Cincinnati. I reflected on my own backslidden relationship with my Heavenly Father. In spiritual despair, I once again humbled myself before the Lord Jesus Christ. How do I reconcile living for God when I had fallen so hard? Can one come back from hitting absolute rock bottom?

In the past year, I wrestled with these questions and came to a new perspective in my faith. Progressive mercy combined with the sacrificial commitment to God. Fundamental theology with the loving nature of Christ. Hopeful grace with the fiery conviction of the Holy Spirit. Ideas that may seem contradictory if one were to follow one political/cultural leaning over the other. But Christianity doesn’t follow man. It follows the Savior. One cannot carry a cross whilst placing their identity in politicians, policies, or cultural personas. For Christ Himself even said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”1

In the past couple of months, I have grounded myself in the identity of Christ alone. Not in a flag like patriotic countrymen or in a church like many denominations, though I admire and respect some of the values exhibited in those identities. Christ cannot be found in a flag or building. Nor can He be found in politically-motivated speeches or rallies. Jesus Christ is found at the right-hand of the Father in heaven, but His message is found on the Cross at Calvary. As the apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians, “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross.”2

Which brings me to the creation of this Substack site. Though I do have a podcast for Scriptural study and a vlog that is currently on a creative hiatus, there is no place for a deep reflection on faith and its relationship to our personal identity. “Truth on Fire” is a statement on the fiery sanctification by the Holy Spirit in our lives. But sometimes, the fire nearly dies due to cultural/social pressures. But, our trust in God and commitment to the work of Christ keeps a few embers burning in our faith. All it takes is some much needed care and reflection to start that fire again.

“Embers of Faith” seeks to ignite that fire again. Through personal reflections and cultural acknowledgement, my hope is to point wayward Christians back to Christ and away from misplaced identities.

Glory to God and the King of Kings, the Lord Jesus Christ.

With Humility,

Zachary Miller