Over the past two months, I've consciously known I was living in the middle of a major life-testimony. Most of the time, I was extremely grateful and appreciative for this. Witnessing such incredible support and love from my wife, family and community has been humbling and I've been so honored to know and be reminded … Continue reading The Next Chapter →

  These are interesting times. The world around us seems to be caving in on itself. Maybe every generation has said that. Maybe we only believe it now because the media brings every crisis, conspiracy and disaster from around the world into our living rooms. Whatever the case, there's plenty of wood available to stoke the fire of … Continue reading Could Radical Islam Somehow Help the American Church? →

A surprising number of cliché phrases about marriage suddenly make great sense to me, and it's only been a few weeks. After six years of friendship, my bride and I are officially doing life together as best friends and partners in crime, and I can already attest to the sageful truth behind the joke, happy wife, happy life. Our adventure … Continue reading I Gave my Wife Away →

We probably all have that friend who likes to make up new rules to the game so they always end up with what they want. Some names come to mind to describe those people, and none of them are very flattering. I think the worst part, though, is when they try and lay claim to being … Continue reading The Five Most Unchristian Beliefs Held by Many Christians →

This article is a continuation of a different article I wrote this week, called The Purpose of Our Salvation. While it can easily stand alone, reading the first one might make my comments below about heaven and salvation make a little more sense. Since heaven represents the fruition of salvation to us, how we imagine heaven is a crucial indicator of how well … Continue reading Your View of Heaven Matters →

Church is not a group of people who take refuge in each other. The purpose is not to always be there for each other and never let each other down. You'll quickly be disappointed if you walk in with the expectation of receiving never-ending friendship and intimacy from the people you meet. In no time at all, you'll be "church … Continue reading Church Misconception →

Anyone who grew up in the church recognizes the ritual. You may know it as The Lord’s Supper-- maybe the Eucharist if you’re the formal type. I suppose it really doesn’t matter what you call it, as long as you know it as one of the major Christian sacraments. But do we really understand what it … Continue reading What Were the Disciples Thinking at the First Communion? →

  We had a picketer show up on the sidewalk outside church a couple Sundays back. Zip-tied to his long PVC pole was a sign that read "God will judge the nations." For effect, he had a big atomic mushroom cloud painted on the other side. When those of us who saw him from inside got … Continue reading Put Down Your Sign →

Tragedies: we've all had them and despite how much they universally suck, we will all have more of them. It's an unfortunate part of life that strangely reveals-- almost defines-- God's goodness. After all, how would we know to call smooth sailing "smooth" without the occasional rough waters? During a tragedy, it's not uncommon for even the … Continue reading Trusting God in Non-Tragedies →

  On my way home from working Christmas Eve services tonight, I listened to 'O Holy Night' one last time. We sang it to candlelight in each service and it gave me goose bumps all five times. I wanted to sing it one more time, this one in the private theater of my own car (where … Continue reading Truly He Taught Us →