My wife had recently given birth to a beautiful baby girl. I was explaining to a person at our church why my wife was not able to meet up to a certain expectation they had of her. And the reply came, we need "strong women" in ministry. If I were to make a list of... Continue Reading →
Follow the Money
If you ever want to know what matters most to someone, simply follow the money. Money represents power and influence. It promises to give you what you want most. The same principle applies to organizations. Whether the budget is personal or public, you can learn a lot about people by looking at the numbers. That's... Continue Reading →
Should You Watch the Super Bowl Halftime Show?
Last year I wrote a blunt blog about the Super Bowl halftime show. It was reactionary, partly written in frustration that so many people complained about the highly sexualized nature of the event when we should have seen it coming. That blog was also my most read piece of 2020, probably because it had the... Continue Reading →
The Sin of Judgmentalism
We have witnessed much violence in America over the last 24 hours and in the last year. The near future does not seem to offer any promise of rest. Yet in Matthew 5:9 we read these words from Jesus, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." In context, Jesus is preaching his famous Sermon... Continue Reading →
Come, Adore the Lord with Us
Merry Christmas to you and yours! I wish I had more opportunities to blog recently, but instead I have been busy working on a new hymn for Christmas. A few months ago the Getty team launched their inaugural Hymn Writing Collective. It was a dream come true for me to take part and learn from... Continue Reading →
Hang in There, Mom & Dad
I’m up late and can’t sleep because my circadian rhythm has been thrown off yet again by our 5-month baby girl. Oh yes, you moms and dads out there know what I’m talking about. And since I have your attention, and I can’t sleep, please allow me to speak two truths of encouragement for weary... Continue Reading →
The Gospel and Social Justice
The rise of the political organization Black Lives Matter and the modern social justice movement has caused no small disturbance in the American church. Some people are confused, some are overwhelmed, some are overconfident, and some are deceived. I'm specifically concerned for friends of mine in conservative Christianity who are blindly accepting this movement while... Continue Reading →
My Declaration of In(ter)dependence
Dear God, Please help me to recognize my need for interdependence today. In a world that relentlessly demands I embrace my independence, help me to realize you have a different plan for my life. Help me to remember your wisdom in Ecclesiastes chapter 4. 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward... Continue Reading →
Is Christianity a Religion of Shame?
Even though I disagree with the LGBTQ+ movement, I try to cultivate relationships with people of that persuasion. It is often uncomfortable. Because I believe every person is made in the image of the God, I try to treat every human being I meet with dignity and respect. And I try to listen to their... Continue Reading →
Three Pleas to My Formerly Christian Friends
Many of my friends who once professed to be Christians have walked away from the faith. If you are one of those people, I want you to know that I still love you and deeply appreciate our friendship. But I also grieve for you and pray for you. I know we don't have the opportunity... Continue Reading →