A Sabbatical Origin Story
How God used a song to wreck me and lead me into a sabbatical season after 20 years in full-time church ministry.
The Best Pen for Writing Notes and Underlining in Your Bible
Why pigment ink-based pens are the best for writing, taking notes, and underlining in your Bible. Plus my recommendation for the best nib sizes.
Race Planning Using the SuperPower Calculator
Plan the perfect racing strategy with a little math wizardry. Say goodbye to going out too hard and blowing up or finishing knowing you had more in you.
How to Dig Yourself out of a Bible-Reading Rut
Ideas for getting out of a Bible-reading rut and keeping your reading fresh.
I got convicted
Conviction come's in the weirdest ways sometimes. One day you're saving money while enjoying a hobby. The next day, you're like oi vey.
5 Lessons from 15 Years as a Christian
Reflecting back on what 15 years as a Christian and 10 years in full-time ministry has taught me.
You and I Are Both in Full-Time Ministry
People often ask me what being in full-time ministry is like because I work at a church. You should have an answer to that question just as much as should.
The Secret Sauce to Spiritual Growth
How do we have spiritual “what the hell” moments? Times we look back and wonder how in the world did our faith get so strong?
6 Uber-Practical Steps to a Spiritually Significant Fast
Fasting should be a spiritual activity, not a dieting exercise. Here are six extremely practical tips for maximizing the spiritual impact of your next fast.
5 More 30 Minute Worship Playlists
A collection of 30 minute worship playlists you can listen to for free through Spotify.
The Unintentional Influence of a Parked Car
Often the small decisions and behaviors we think only affect us, unintentional influence others. As it turns out, where you park your car matters a lot.
The Courage to Rebuild Ruins
We all have ruins in our lives. Situations or problems that we're facing. Learn where to find the courage to rebuild those ruins.
Your Breath Stinks
A friend wanted to share three things with me. One and two were no biggie. But then three comes along.
Unreturned Favors From God
Has God ever not returned a favor after you did something for him? Here's what I learned after I gave God $500 and he took back $5400.
The Most Comprehensive List of Bible Reading Plans
With over 600 Bible reading plans to choose from, the YouVersion Bible App has you covered! Year-long, devotionals, books of the Bible, topical and more!
The Crossroads of Speaking Negative Words
Negative words are like jabbing a fork at someone. It doesn't matter how thick a person's skin is. Eventually you'll do permanent damage and leave a scar.
Too Much Cheese Makes You Selfish
Just a few weeks ago a random, flamboyantly gay guy comes crashing a dinner party with some friends of mine. Did I mention he was high and drunk too?
God Never Disqualifies You
Even though we may be nobody's in our own eyes, if we embrace our weaknesses and imperfections, God's transforming power can come alive in us. God works through broken people.
Being Comfortable with the Uncomfortable
Learning to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. Relying on God when our current situation has us scrambling for breathe.
Why I Started Reverse Fasting to Grow Closer to God
It's been, by far, the best thing I’ve done to increase spiritual engagement during a fast.
Do You Have These Four Characteristics of a Disciple?
What exactly does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? Here's four Biblical characteristics along with some questions to think about.
How to Grow Spiritually and Save Time with Grace Letter
Grace Letter is a weekly newsletter linking to the best Jesus-related articles, videos and stories across the web - delivered straight to your inbox!
Why I Hate Fasting
What I hate about it is what it reveals about myself.
My 3 Words for 2012
The three words that will help me define my goals and experiences for 2012.
Holy Crap, What Just Happened?
I don't lead very well navigating unknown environments. I get panicky. Anxious. I can sense physiological changes in my body.
Centering on Christ
In the midst of madness, chaos and life, sometimes we just need to slow down and sit at the feet of Jesus.
6 Thirty Minute Worship Playlists
A collection of six 30 minute worship playlists featuring artists like Hillsong, Bethel Live, Phil Wickham, Gungor and Kari Jobe.
An Encouragement Folder: You Need One
Remind yourself what you're doing right, the lives you're touching and what God's done in your life with an encouragement folder.
The Reason We Sacrifice
It's an easy trade when you know what you're trading for. What's not easy is trading something you love now for something unknown later.
Deception is Easy
I believe I have reached a lethal level of understanding of the Christian faith. One that would let me fake Christian maturity.
4 Lessons from 40 Years of Ministry Experience
Four lessons from Jeanne Mayo's four decades of ministry experience.
How You Can Change the World
How the story of Bezalel in Exodus 31 gives us a model to change the world for God.
Overview of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
A brief overview of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and how to determine what your personality type is.
Heart and Soul Relationships
Seven verses that demonstrate what it means to have heart and soul relationships.
A Couple Verses on Being Content
Afraid to Pray
How often do we fail to pray because of fear? Afraid what God may say. Afraid where he may lead us. Afraid of the sacrifice.
How I've Learned to Let Go of Money
Documenting the four money-related God testimonies I've experienced up until this point in my life.
Mature Christians Don't Exist
It's easy to deceive ourselves into thinking we are mature Christians when we compare ourselves to the lives of other Christians.
Would Jesus Divorce You?
If you took an honest look at your relationship with Jesus, would it be considered healthy or would Jesus want to divorce you?
I'm a Guy Who Wants to Smell Like Perfume
Obeying a commandment such as feeding the poor may not glorify God as much as you’d think.
Are we movie compatible?
But as for me, I trust in you
I love the Psalms for their transparency. They are a realistic portrayal of what it’s like to live as a Christian desiring after God’s heart.
Someone Wants to Follow. Ask.
Unfortunately, the discipleship process is not an introverted, single person activity. It requires we engage in the lives of others.
The Marks of a Disciple
Those striving to be disciples of Jesus Christ should do these three things ...
How I'm Saving Money By Driving Smarter
Making some minor tweaks to my driving habits the past month has increased my MPG by 17%. I went from averaging 35 MPG to 41 MPG. Here's how ...
Accountability and Staying Connected to the Vine
Why I Stopped Praying Before Eating
How God changed my mind when it comes to praying before meals.
6 Sources for Weekly Bible Memory Verses
A collection of the most popular Bible verses suitable for weekly Scripture memory.
It Only Took 30 Years, But I Have One!
The one thing I want to devote my life to: making disciples of Jesus Christ.
How Big is Your Noah's Ark?
Past experiences are often not a good indicator of future results with God. How Noah saw past previous experience and built an ark big enough for God's vision.
A Story About Minimal Mannie
Faith: You're Hot and You're Cold
Don't Be Afraid to Ask
Don't be afraid to ask God for things. Doesn't matter if you deserve it or not. What rookie mistake you made last week. Or how close to God you feel.
Tidbits of Wisdom from Pastor Steven Furtick
My PRK Recovery Timeline
My personal experience healing from PRK that offers hope and a realistic timeline for recovery.
The Terrible Opportunity
88% of Jesus' Standard?
The Cost of Christian Ambition
Suffer Well My Friends, Suffer Well
Transitioning from student to teacher?
Should Ordained Pastors Opt Out of Social Security?
A closer look at IRS Form 4361 and why the most common arguments for opting out of self-employment taxes are invalid. Links provided for further research.
I am a <blank>
Soliciting input. How do you read the Bible?
Like Mother, Like Son (Poems by Alex Tran)
Who Am I?
Christine Caine’s “Must Haves” to Sustain Your Success in Ministry (Part 3)
Christine Caine’s “Must Haves” to Sustain Your Success in Ministry (Part 2)
Christine Caine’s “Must Haves” to Sustain Your Success in Ministry (Part 1)
8 Insights from Andy Stanley on Stating Vision Simply
There's No "Stop" in "Go"
I am afraid
Flourishing with Roots
Are You Heading into Eternity Leaving Behind an Eternity?
Since I Have My Life Before Me
Why Accountability Fails
Falling Short on Making Disciples
Be Wise. Maximize.
Pushing or Pulling from God?
Spiritual Maturity Requires Action
Buy One Step, Get One Free!
Whose Prayer Are You Answering?
Unveiling of the Son
Reminder to update your digital camera's clock
Guys are definitely not girls
The marriage of chaos and peace
God's wrath and judgment are our fault
How often is God around?
Laughing in the Face of Science
What I want . . .
Asking for Wisdom: Remedial Edition
How to Fail Asking for Wisdom 101
Your Hands or God's?
Apply, Keep and Be Ready
3 Reasons to Love the Book of James
Busting Up a James Commentary
Patience as an excuse for passivity
I would like to thank . . . (not the Academy)
Become familiar and become the fool
Don't deceive yourself
Jesus' sacrifice isn't enough
Is 2 hours and 10 years worth infinite influence for Jesus?
A hodge-podge of late night ponderings
Initiating Growth Environment, Phase 1
Creating an atmosphere of growth
Expect more at the line in Wal-Mart
Thank You Giovanni
Love your neighbor. Start with a name.
Grandma, please believe in Jesus
Reading the Bible for New Christians: A Well-Rounded Approach (1 of 2)
Faith in its complete form
An act of worship that hurts
The Bible's Contradiction-Free Take on Temptation
What is God's ultimate goal for us?
24 Bible Reading Plans That Will Satisfy Anyone
A list of Bible reading plans that range from two-week to year-long commitments—from topical readings to a mixture of Old Testament and New Testament readings.
Easily memorize the Old Testament books with a phone number
A testimony to God’s provision
Fasting References in the Bible