I see it all over Facebook and Twitter each time someone famous dies. In recent weeks two well-known Christian authors passed away (Brennan Manning and Dallas Willard) and I saw countless comments using the phrase. I hear it after someone at church passes. I heard it many, many times after my grandpa passed away: "May he rest in peace." RIP. Rest in peace. It's a common cultural thing to say "rest in peace" to the dead as a way of saying goodbye. I honestly don't even think we know what it... [click for more…]

The past few weeks my life has brushed up against life and death in its most acute form. Today I want to share some thoughts that have motivated me to continue pursuing people despite the internal grief I have over losses in and around my family. Death is often ignored in our culture, even among Christians, but there is also a fascination with death. Television shows such as The Walking Dead and the book series Twilight, hint at our fascination with the subject. Within Evangelicalism, books l... [click for more…]

Ever since writing a book on holiness the first question I typically get asked is how Christians should engage the increasingly unchristian culture around them. America, and many other first world countries, were largely Christian nations in generations past. But today this is no longer the case. Today the center of culture is out in the marketplace instead of within the walls of churches. But God has placed us within this world and we cannot live within the walls of the church at all times. ... [click for more…]

Everyone I know wishes for more opportunities to come their way. Not the kind of opportunities that feel like more work, but the kind of opportunities that you dream for. Friends of mine wish to tour as musicians, move up within their organization, get accepted into a prestigious academic program, receive grant money to start a new non-profit ministry, or grow their ministry into a greater level of prominence. All of these represent things that could happen in the future but do not exist i... [click for more…]

The great thing about this picture is how well it illustrates Oprah becoming a cultural pope who allows for confession and forgiveness of news worthy downfalls. Tonight Lance Armstrong will announce to the world that he did in fact take performance enhancing drugs during his incredible run of 7 consecutive victories in the Tour de France. For those who looked to Lance as a source of inspiration due to his prominent role in cancer awareness and research, this is devastating news. To those ... [click for more…]

As a year ends and a new one begins, I enjoy anticipating what will summarize the coming 365 days. As Rose and I approached 2012, I told her my one word was change. I didn't tell anyone but Rose because when you say the summary of a year will be change people ask questions, and I didn't have answers. Sure enough, 2012 was a year of immense change. Pregnant wife, book release, new job, new home. What a crazy year it was. Now as 2013 has entered into our lives, I approach these upcoming 12 m... [click for more…]