Jesus once said that we must deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow him.  Sorry Jesus, but I am going to pass on this one. I would rather follow you from a distance and not up close if it means that I am on my way to death or worse than death -... Continue Reading →

I was recently at an anniversary celebration for a church. A video was shown with members of the church talking about their experiences and what the church has meant to them. One couple talked about how they had been there from the early days. The wife mentioned that they almost left the church twice. Then... Continue Reading →

Each of us has a demon we are facing. For you, it may be anxiety, or body shame, or fear, or addictions, or grief, or deteriorating health. For me, my demon is worry and bitterness. Sometimes, when I am in the midst of a worry episode or a time of deep bitterness, I forget that... Continue Reading →

The need to sanctify each moment is a necessity in the Christian life. Sanctify is a stuffy word that means to make holy or set apart.  Imagine if all that follow Jesus would have sanctified their time and commitments during the Coronavirus Pandemic. If we would have turned over our extended margins, our open schedules,... Continue Reading →

Men’s ministry is full of examples pushing masculine things such as eating meat that someone hunted and killed, smoking cigars, starting a fire, or playing golf. There is nothing wrong with these things and men need to find more ways to connect and build community with other men but doing these things with a little... Continue Reading →

It was 2000 and I had been a believer since I was 9 but at age 24 I needed something that I could count on. I had tried managing a new career, a new family, and a new life on my own and the result was a life strained, burdened, tapped out, and broken. I... Continue Reading →

Jesus wants followers who live beyond a set of beliefs.  He wants followers who know him. He says, “And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent”  When I know someone, I know what their interests are and what they are prone to... Continue Reading →

Every Christian must have a Grow Up Mindset, as we discussed last week. A Grow Up mindset is one where the Christian embraces the chance to cultivate their Christlikeness no matter the work or sacrifice needed.  Today, I want to show how Jesus encouraged and taught his followers to have a Grow Up mindset. The... Continue Reading →

There is a problem in our churches that goes far beyond poor doctrine, secular influence, and weak leadership. This problem is the Christian fixed mindset. What is the Christian fixed mindset? These Christians don’t see their Christian faith as a means to change, transformation, or growth. They approach God to help change their circumstances or... Continue Reading →