“If you abide in me, and my words in you abide, whatever you might desire, Ask for it! It will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” John 15:7-8 Human desire often gets a bad rap in religious conversations. Many Christians tend … [Read more...] about How Fulfilling our Desires Brings Glory to God
In the broadway musical, Hamilton, Lin Manuel chronicles the astonishing rise of Alexander Hamilton, America's first Treasury Secretary. Aaron Burr's opening line from the show artistically catpures the question on everyone's mind: "How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore and a / Scotsman, … [Read more...] about Hamilton, Jesus and a Healthy Approach to Ambition
One of the great mysteries of the past 2,000 years is how Jesus came to be known as God. Born in obscurity without connections, living as a little-known Jewish peasant in the first century, and dying from a bloody crucifixion, are not the usual steps on a path to universal acclaim. Just as … [Read more...] about The Hard Work of Believing in Jesus
Several years ago, during an intern experience working as a Pastor, I got an opportunity to climb my first mountain. As a kid from Kansas that claims a bump in the middle of a field as it's highest elevation point, this was a very exciting opportunity. It was no Everest, but since the climb required … [Read more...] about Leaving Behind a Halfway State of Mind
No doubt you've seen one of those uncomfortable episodes on ABC of "What Would You Do." In case you haven't, the main concept is to concoct scenarios portraying people in need, then witness the sometimes good and sometimes cringeworthy response of unsuspecting onlookers. Like when teenage kids … [Read more...] about Finding Compassion When it Doesn’t Come Easy
Without a doubt, John 3:16 ranks as one of the most well known verses in the Christian bible. It topped the list of most popular verses in 2016, finds frequent reference at sporting venues, and forms the cornerstone of countless sermons around the globe. Perhaps due to its ubiquitous usage, the … [Read more...] about The Hidden Story of John 3:16
When Donald Trump announced his plans to run for President to some close friends, just before the Christmas of 2013, they thought he was crazy. He didn't want to spend a lot of money on ads and ground crew, and he didn't want to spend too much time visiting the small town meetings and pizza … [Read more...] about The Secret of Creating Influence that Matters
The gospel of John presents some extraordinary claims about Jesus. From the opening line, "In the beginning," he offers it as nothing less than as a second creation story, with Jesus at the center. In this epic tale, he identifies Jesus as the Word, the Light, the Life of Man, the Son of God, the … [Read more...] about One Question for Followers, Skeptics, and Seekers to Think About