I took two attempts to finish seminary. My first attempt was short-lived because I didn’t set myself up for success. In my second attempt, I graduated with honors. In my first attempt, I dropped out in the first semester because…
What does your ideal desk setup look like? Your environment affects your mood and productivity. I’ve found that I work best in a simple, clean environment with a lot of natural lighting. When my desk is a mess, my mind…
Look, if you are a pastor who preaches nearly every week, your job is hard! You are always under pressure to churn out another good sermon. You will carry that stress like a 50-pound boulder on your chest. That is why…
The word mission is not a biblical word, so we must define what we mean when we talk about a mission. The word mission comes from the Latin words mitto (to send) and missio (sending). So mission implies that someone…
Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, fake news, Enron, Barry Bonds, Lance Armstrong, Ted Haggard, and countless other examples prove that lies are a major problem on the front page of the news and in the church. Most people would agree that…
It’s disturbing how many of the pastors that I grew up idolizing have fallen. My early years in ministry were shaped by pastors like Perry Noble (alcohol abuse and divorce), Mark Driscoll (abuse of power), Rob Bell (heresy), and the…
Something is bothering me in the aftermath of Easter. I’m trying to let it go, but I can’t. A lot of pastors are only preparing their preaching week-to-week, and worse, many are just beginning to write their sermons on Saturday…
Christianity is many things, but above all, it’s the belief that a Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised again to life. The resurrection of Christ is the heart of Christian faith. Belief in the resurrection separates Christianity from all other…
Have you ever felt unprepared? This year, my four-year-old son began his first season playing flag football. It didn’t go as expected. When we arrived for his first practice and scrimmage, we learned that our coach had a personal emergency and…