Blog Archives
Moving Beyond Shame and Regret: Part One
Rick Warren recently wrote a great article about how Our Churches Should Be No Shame Zones. I’ve been surprised at the […]
When God Comes to Shake Things Up
We so badly want God to show up and do great and mighty things. But we also want him to […]
The Truth About Fasting and 7 Ways to Do It
We’ve heard people say they are going to start a “fast,” whether for health reasons, for spiritual reasons, or maybe […]
10 Dating Commitments Teenagers MUST Make
The world of dating is about as convoluted as you’d expect. Two messed-up sinners trying to figure out not only […]
Here’s the Reason You Exist
On March 5, 1995, I was on a school bus headed to Louisville, Kentucky, for a field trip when I […]
This is What “Living Sent” Means
The command to “live sent” may or may not be a familiar phrase in today’s church vernacular. Same goes for […]
Lessons From the Ultimate Traitor
Even if you’ve never read the Bible, you know who he is and what he did. Thesaurus.com lists Judas as a synonym […]
Human Trafficking: What it is and Why You Should Care
January is human trafficking awareness month. Instead of submitting an overload of statistics or information, I’d simply like to bring […]
Five Reasons Being a Prisoner is a Good Thing
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have […]
The Tough Decision to Give My Dog Away
It was that worst-case scenario: “What if our new-born son is allergic to our beloved dog?” On paper, it’s easy. […]
Steve’s Story: A Lesson in Love and Grace
It was another cold, rainy day in Washington, D.C. Steve, an African American in his late 40s, was making his […]
Seize the Day . . . No, Seize the Decade!
A new year is here! Not just a new year – a new decade. Somehow, it seems impossible to think […]
Something Missing in Your Life? Don’t Start With Religion.
Perhaps one of the biggest frustrations in life is not knowing where to start. It is a common problem for […]
What is Your Internal Canary Bird Singing to You?
In the old days of mining, the miners took a canary bird down with them while they worked. This bird […]
What Does Your Life Reflect?
I noticed the other day that my wife has been using the word precious more frequently. I’ve known her for over twelve years, […]
Prayer is Much More Than You Think it is
“God is Great God is Good Let us thank him for our food. Amen” When my brother and I were […]
This is How Job Teaches a Lesson on Character
One of my mentors has taught me a great lesson on character. His name is Job. Even though we’ve never met […]
This is Why a Sheep Loves to Read
In a pivotal passage, Jesus explains, “I know my own and my own know me” (John 10:14). In this verse he […]
This is Why Satan Wants Your Soul
I suppose two mistakes can be made as you ponder Satan’s work in your life. While we can agree his […]
The Truth About What it’s Like to be a Preacher’s Kid
“Well, you know what they say about the preacher’s daughter.” [Insert boyish snickers and winks here.] This is a phrase […]
Instead of Self-Obsession, Try Focusing on This Obsession
I think we’ve all experienced it before—that sense of timidity and insecurity, feeling like everyone can see it written all […]
A New Year, a New Decade, the Same Promise
Starting a new decade makes me think of all kinds of things. This year will mark twenty years since I […]
Do You Have “Dishwasher Faith”?
It seems to me that the dishwasher has got to be the most misunderstood appliance in our homes today. I […]
The God Who Sees You
There she sat alone by the water. Given to a man, by no choice of her own, only to be […]
What Does it Mean to be “Born Again”?
We’ve all heard the phrase “born again”. Some mock. Some scratch their temple. Some bend their knees in worship. But, […]
When Godly People Get Depressed
I recently wrote the following tweet, and it received a lot of reaction. Good people get depressed. Godly people get depressed. […]
We Pay a High Price for Social Media
In the late nineteenth century, newspaper companies pioneered a powerful marketing concept that still to this day dominates our media […]
The Answer For Those Who Suffer Quietly in Church
What’s the answer for the many who suffer quietly in the supposed safe place for the hurting–the church–yet go without […]
Sin Brings Pleasure – And That’s OK to Admit
Sin brings pleasure, but not satisfaction. It brings ruin, never flourishing. Disobeying God sounds good somewhere in the bowels of […]
A Christian’s Response to The First Temptation of Christ
This Christmas season, Netflix released a host of holiday movies. One of them, a satirical comedy, is called The First Temptation […]
What We Missed During the Busy-ness of Christmas
I have been so busy this last month. Christmas parties, decorating for Christmas, wrapping presents, keeping kids out of the […]
The Secret of Christianity We So Often Forget
The secret of Christianity is that God has given us himself. That’s the prize. And many Christians today have lost […]
When Everything Seems to be Falling Apart
Sometimes, everything around you seems to be falling apart. Your kids are making bad choices… You can’t seem to communicate […]
How Do I Know I’m Really a Christian?
I’ve lost count of people who’ve come into my office asking, “How do I know I’m a Christian? Like, really know?” […]
The Best Resolution Ever
There is no escaping the fact that we live in a very divided country. It seems that the political division […]
He Calms the Storm and He Heals Our Hearts
Late one evening, Jesus and the disciples boarded a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee to the other side […]
Doing Ministry in the Christian Bubble
As a Christian (and a pastor, at that!) I can easily get into the rut of the infamous ‘Christian Bubble’ […]
Lesson From The Grinch
One of my favorite subtle movie lines is found in The Grinch (the Jim Carrey edition). In a scene where he’s busy […]
Your Christmas Table Isn’t Extravagant Enough
Wow, the spread this year! Whether you’re catering in from a restaurant (be honest, it’s tempting!) or delegating dishes to […]
Surviving the Most Wonderful Time of the Year when You’re Grieving
by Lifeword Executive Director Donny Parrish Christmas can be the worst. That doesn’t sound very religious coming from a guy […]
The First Words of Christmas
Most of us have read the story of Jesus’ birth and sung the songs of Christmas many times during the […]
Takeaways from Christmas Carols – Part Three (Good King Wenceslas)
“Therefore, Christian men, be sureWealth or rank possessingYe who now will bless the poorShall yourselves find blessing” This is the […]
The Battle of Self Worth in a Performance-Based Culture
I love to please people. I work hard to achieve things- stupid, meaningless things or accomplishments that I think people […]
Just a Baby
I know it sounds wrong to say but Christmas really is a strange time of year in some ways. For […]
What DID Mary Know?
The Christmas song “Mary, Did You Know?” was written by Mark Lowery and Buddy Greene in 1991. It quickly became a […]
What Does “Home for the Holidays” Really Mean?
During the holiday season, we always hear about going home or other family members coming home. It got me thinking […]
How to Have Joy in the Suffering
I’ve never understood why Christians are called to be joyful sufferers until recently. Like, I understood the theology, sure. I […]
The Antidote to Holiday Consumerism? Generosity!
Black Friday is so named because Americans do so much shopping that a lot of retailers who have been in the “red” […]
Less Shopping, More Serving During the Christmas Season
Even if you’re an atheist, you know that Jesus is the reason for the season. It’s unpopular and politically incorrect today […]
A Life-Giving Home for the Holidays
During the holiday season, we always hear about going home or other family members coming home. It got me thinking […]