I love the Bible. It's weird saying that now because I used to cringe when I heard others say it. No, it wasn’t that I didn't believe the Bible—I became a Christian at a young age and I always respected it—but hearing someone say they loved the Scriptures always felt too...religion-y. How could anyone love a Book filled … [Read more...]
Explaining God’s Sovereignty in Salvation (Why Spreading the Gospel is Always 100% Effective)
Destiny. That is the world’s most mysterious concept. Does destiny really exist? Is it possible for us to know it? And do our actions even matter at all? Numerous books, movies, and songs have explored those questions. People like having control of their lives, so the idea of a predetermined fate is met with anger … [Read more...]
5 Lessons I Learned From Christian Schools That Prepared Me for Life Today
I attended Christian schools until I was basically a teenager. My family moved a lot when I was younger, so I went to three Christian schools in three American states. I didn’t leave for public school until junior high. And to be honest, I was more than ready to go by then. That’s not to say my experience was a bad one … [Read more...]
The Practical Importance of Theology: Why Biblical Doctrine Isn’t Just for Old White Men
“What is truth?” That’s the question a Roman governor asked a Jewish man 2,000 years ago. And it’s the question I asked myself while sitting alone in a church pew. Like the Roman governor, I too stared truth in the face; but at that point, I didn’t recognize it. I was 20 years old then—14 years a believer. I grew up in … [Read more...]
An Ever-Present Help: How to Connect to the Source of All Things Great (Going Great #7, the Finale)
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Ps. 46:1 NIV) Yep, this one’s gonna be different. So far in this series, I’ve mostly avoided the spiritual side of things, but not so today. There’s only so much you can do as a frail human being. And if you try to do great things on your own, there’s a … [Read more...]
On Serpents, Doves, and Everything In Between: Assessing the State of HFE
So I’m not sure where to start with this one. I don’t have a witty one-liner or a snippet of dialogue. I really don’t have much of a message at all. I just wanna talk. This whole experience, or journey, or whatever you call what I’m doing here has been both incredible and discouraging. Incredible, because thousands … [Read more...]
How to Read the Bible: The Non-Overspiritualized Beginner’s Guide
“You need to read your Bible.” That blanket statement is one of the most frustrating things in the Church today. No, not because reading the Bible is a bad thing, but because we neglect the skills needed for beginners to do so. From my experience, people’s willingness to read the Word isn’t the problem. The biggest … [Read more...]
Embrace the Wilderness, or How to Be Content at All Times
I know, I know... You don’t belong here. Everything about where you are now is a slap in the face. You’ve been disrespected, taken for granted, and underestimated your whole life. Sure, you’ve overcome incredible odds, you’ve garnered a little outside attention, and your critics will never understand how much you’ve … [Read more...]
Five Unique Men of the Bible Whose Stories Will Change Your Life
Experience, as they say, is the best teacher. There’s nothing quite like being slapped in the face to learn a lesson the hard way. And there’s not a textbook on earth that can do that. Life just has to happen for you to truly understand its pains, victories, and complexities. That’s why experience will always be … [Read more...]
5 Common Pitfalls You’ll Avoid by Keeping God First
Christianity is simple. So simple in fact that Christ Himself summarized it in only 2 commandments (Matthew 22:37-40): Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul. Love your neighbor as yourself. People talk about the love your neighbor part all the time, but what about the first, and greatest … [Read more...]
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