The wisdom of Proverbs isn't just ancient philosophy; it's a practical guide for winning at life. By aligning our lives with these principles, we can move from frantic activity to purposeful living, making an impact that lasts far beyond our own lifetimes.

This approach to politics won't always be easy. It may not lead to immediate political victories. But it aligns with God's heart and His ultimate plan for redemption. As we live this way, we become living testimonies to a different kind of kingdom - one not of this world, but one that's breaking into this world through the lives of faithful believers.

In a world that seems to be shifting beneath our feet, how do we as Christians navigate the changing tides of culture and society? As the views of Christians and their ethics move from being honored to viewed as weird, and potentially even harmful, we find ourselves in a position not unlike believers throughout history. For two thousand years, Christians have faced the challenge of living faithfully in environments that range from indifferent to hostile.

I believe generative leadership is the one key thing to look for in identifying leaders, staff members, church planters, and almost any other leadership role in the Body of Christ. It's my belief that valuing generative leadership is what causes organic growth and the lack of generative leadership causes churches, movements, and organizations to stall and begin to decline. In the age of overly specialized roles in overly event-driven ministries, we begin to hire people who can get the job done, rather than reproduce Kingdom fruit. I think there's a better way...

The Church in the West has been in sharp decline for many years and is in need of what Lesslie Newbigin calls a “fresh missionary encounter." This short paper aims to give greater insight into Western culture in the twenty-first century, empower preachers to contextualize the Gospel better, and equip pastors to lead their churches into more significant measures of courageous, humble Gospel witness.

Today marks one year since I had one of the scariest experiences of my life. I was preparing to preach the following weekend and had multiple panic attacks over two days. I felt impending doom, tears began rolling down my cheeks, and preaching was the last thing I wanted to do. For the first time in my life, I called out of a speaking event due to anxiety. I’m writing this post now because I have healed enough to offer some helpful things I’ve learned over the past year to manage and grow in freedom in this area. I hope my experience can encourage you if you deal with panic attacks or anxiety, show that you’re not alone, and give you some practical tips on living with greater freedom.

One of the most pressing issues for Christians in this cultural moment is how we should interact with politics. With which party should we align? Should we remain silent or should we be outspoken? Should we run for office or retreat into exclusively Christian communities? This topic should lead us to think deeply and prayerfully consider our words and ways.

With all of the racial tension that’s been building in America, I have spent hundreds of hours listening, learning, and thinking deeply. I’ve had many conversations with black and brown friends explaining heartbreaking stories. I’ve had many conversations with white friends explaining their experiences and views, sometimes pushing back against claims of systemic racism. I’ve read many books and listened to many podcasts that talk about the realities of racism, as well as many that caution against false ideologies, like critical theory. I’ve listened to news anchors talk about how another black person was killed and others talk about building burning from the riots. I’ve watched hostility and arguments brew. I’ve seen people leave the church because the pastor said too much or too little. I’ve had lots of feelings and have done research on statistics highlighting racial disparities, trying to get behind the political narratives to the facts, and have been left wanting. The worship service gave me a picture of what I have been longing for…

“Most African Americans have had at least two life-altering experiences that are burned into their memory—the moment they realized they were black and the moment they realized that was a problem.” (Excerpt by Dr. Eric Mason from his book “Woke Church”)

Since before beginning to travel the world preaching the Gospel, I wrestled with the legitimacy of the calling of a traveling evangelist. I had heard stories of people doing it wrong, seeking fame and fortune, and having moral failures. I heard people mocking this calling, and encouraging people to become a pastor instead because the role of the evangelist was unneeded or illegitimate. I wrestled with the calling in prayer, asked the elders at my church for wisdom, and got advice from people who knew me well. I concluded and still believe that the role of the traveling evangelist is not only legitimate but also very needed in the Church today. Here are a few reasons why…

This is a wild season. For many people in the recovery world, it can be scary, because many of the rhythms that you have implemented into your life in recovery have been changed or eliminated. Because of this, I put together a list of 21 things you can do in this season to remain spiritually healthy.

…Many Christians are experiencing the same thing. We read all the books, listen to all the podcasts, attend all the church events, but still don’t feel satisfied. What if the reason we feel bored and unsatisfied is that sonship is meant to lead to the battlefield, rather than the safety of the castle? What if intimacy with the King isn’t found in the safety of cultural Christianity, but on the battlefield? What if the intimacy we long for won’t ever be found in more spiritual disciplines, but in wild mission?

God wants us to pray, plan, and bear fruit. The new year is a great time to evaluate our plans and make new plans for this next year. We should hold these plans with open hands, trusting that God’s plan trumps our plans every time; but this doesn’t mean that we don’t make plans. Godly plans honor God and advance His Kingdom.

So, HOW do we do this?

God does not promise you an easy life on this side of eternity, but He does promise He will be with you through it all and He will be enough regardless of your circumstances. In part one of this series we began a conversation about pain and suffering. We looked at two types of pain all people experience, internal and external. In this article, we are going to look at four benefits of pain in the life of the believer.

When Jesus saves us, He begins doing a similar work in our hearts. I used to be at the center of my own universe and I expected everyone to revolve around me, including God. My opinion is what mattered. Everyone and everything was created to meet my needs and serve me. This is the mindset of most people, especially addicts. The truth is, God does not revolve around us like some sort of deified butler; we revolve around Him. People are not here to meet our needs; we’re here to serve them and point them to the real Center. I am not the crown jewel of the Universe; God is.