Celebrity-driven religion is one of the reasons why today’s Christianity is so shallow. So much so that it’s a profound challenge to drown a gnat in it. The marks of a celebrity are twofold. They are overexposed and inaccessible. (And very often, they’re underdeveloped.) Try reaching Tom Cruise, Bruce Willis, or Taylor Swift with an email or Facebook message. Inaccessibility creates a certain mystique that gives the impression that someone is a VIP. This is true regardless of the person’s... Read more

Phil Cooke is the leading media expert in the world. He’s also a strong Christian. So I was honored when he wrote this about my new book recently (below). Phil has written a slew of books, all of which are valuable. Recently, I caught up with Phil to discuss his recent book Maximize Your Influence: How to Make Digital Media Work for Your Church, Your Ministry, and You, which I highly recommend for every author, content-creator, and spiritual leader. Enjoy!... Read more

While traditional sermons produce little change (as I’ve argued elsewhere), Spirit-inspired spoken messages can move continents in your spirit and soul. However, it’s rarely enough to hear a message once. The same with reading a Spirit-inspired book. But if you listen to that same message a dozen times, it will renew your mind and get into your soul. And if you read that book five times, a shift will occur in your brain, and something lasting will be deposited in your heart. I’m talking... Read more

According to experts, manipulation is the exercise of undue influence through mental distortion and emotional exploitation, with the intention to seize control over another human being. It’s important to distinguish between healthy persuasion and psychological manipulation. Healthy persuasion seeks to influence someone to do or believe something that’s for their benefit. Manipulation seeks to influence someone to do or believe something that’s not for their benefit, but for the benefit of the manipulator. Was Paul of Tarsus a manipulator? Not... Read more

We’ve all seen it. The belligerent smackdowns where Christians take the gloves off with fellow believers over doctrinal, theological, and political differences. Many of them can’t walk away from a fight or “lose.” Instead, some pour coals on an already roaring fire. Others bring in the gasoline trucks. It’s time to recover the art of “agreeing to disagree.” The enemy gloats when God’s children are at one another’s throats over their petty disagreements. Forfeiting a relationship over a disagreement effectively... Read more

If you’re looking for a Bible that combines daily reading with space for reflection, the Thomas Nelson NoteWorthy New Testament (NKJV) is a solid pick. It offers a 365-day reading plan that breaks down the New Testament into manageable daily portions, with six days of readings followed by a full page on the seventh day dedicated to journaling. Each page includes generous lined margins, making it easy to jot down thoughts, prayers, or insights as you go. The 9-point NKJV Comfort Print... Read more

The Thomas Nelson Sovereign Collection New King James Bible Large Print Reference Edition is another example of getting great bang for the buck prevalent by Bible publishers today. I found this edition thoughtfully crafted as it honors the legacy of the 1611 King James Version while offering modern readability and study tools. Physically, this edition is available in Leathersof covers in black, brown (the one I reviewed), and purple, featuring gold gilded page edges, perimeter stitching, and raised spine hubs that... Read more

The NKJV Color Code Study Bible is a beautifully crafted Bible. I love the cosmetic appeal of this particular Bible. It stands out for its thoughtful physical design and durable construction. In short, the physical craftsmanship ensures that this Bible is both aesthetically pleasing and built to withstand regular use. But beyond that, what sets this Bible apart is its unique color-coding system, designed to enhance thematic understanding of Scripture. I had a color-coded Bible when I went off to college... Read more

Bruce and Carolyn Hindmarsh’s At the Feet of Jesus: A Guide to Encountering Christ in the Gospels is an invitation to deeper spiritual intimacy. The book seeks to blend biblical insight, historical wisdom, and practical exercises. The book centers on the gospel stories of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, some of Jesus’ closest friends, and uses their encounters with Christ as a framework for readers to experience Jesus’ presence in their own lives. Sadly (and oddly), the authors don’t appear to... Read more

Louis Markos’s Passing the Torch: An Apology for Classical Christian Education is a passionate and erudite defense of the enduring value of classical Christian education in the modern world. Markos, a seasoned scholar and advocate for the Great Books tradition, argues that education should be more than the mere transfer of information-it should shape the soul and cultivate virtue, preparing students to become morally self-regulating citizens. The book is structured as both a philosophical pilgrimage and a practical guide, taking... Read more