Last night at The Conversation (Mt Vernon’s Wednesday night Bible study) we talked about practical ways to fight lust (Matthew 5:27-30). In a world overflowing with lust, how can we as Christians protect ourselves? Here are the highlights from last night. If you struggle with lust, I pray that these truths will help you towards freedom. 1. First, admit that lust is a cancer to cut out, not a sickness to cope with. Lust isn’t a low grade fever. It isn’t... Read more
What do you do when you're tired of waiting on God? What else can you do? Just keep waiting, but take hope. Read more
Gladwell’s The Tipping Point is a cerebral journey into the psychology of mass movements. As he puts it, the book “is the biography of an idea . . . ideas and products and messages and behaviors spread just like viruses do” (7). He attempts to discern how trends become fashionable, how unexpected societal changes come to be. It’s a well-researched and audacious explanation of something that for most people is unexplainable: how do movements (fashion, cultural, societal) happen? His three... Read more
Last week a friend from church emailed me a question that seemed simple at first, yet had some profound implications. Here’s a portion of her email to me: “I have had a question stated to me in conversation with a coworker. It was really meant more as a statement, not as a question to be answered. But it has come up several times, and I’ve been thinking next time it comes up I’d like to have a good answer. I... Read more
This week’s links are all over the place. Some will make you mad, and some will inspire you. Enjoy! Carrying the Gospel to the ‘Roof’ of the World – Guys like this are my hero. I idolize them. NewSpring Church (A Video Celebration) – Take a second and rejoice with an amazing church who dreamed big and saw 1521 people accept Christ in one weekend. University of Texas Backs Professor in Battle with Gay Blogger – The gay blogging world is enraged... Read more
Anyone who’s been to high school knows the power of labels. Whether you’re a ‘cheerleader,’ ‘jock,’ ‘band nerd,’ or ‘mathlete,’ your label defines you. It shouldn’t be this way, but it is. Why do the hard work of actually getting to know someone when you can just stick a label on them? Let’s be honest, sometimes church people are weird. They’re unique. So even in church, we have labels. We shouldn’t, but we do. Maybe one of these labels describes... Read more
BIG Idea: Don’t lift your hand against the Lord’s anointed. Everyone’s had “that boss.” At one time or another, you’ve probably worked for someone who was a mix between the TPS-reports-boss from Office Space and Kevin Spacey from Horrible Bosses. Someone who stopped having fun in life a long time ago and made it their personal goal to suck the life out of every one of their workers. Even though it’s not very Christian to think thoughts like this, you hated... Read more
Theodore Roosevelt has always been one of the most fascinating characters for me in American history. The River of Doubt is perhaps the fourth or fifth book I’ve read on him. Edmund Morris’ books, The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt and Theodore Rex are especially good reads. Candice Millard succinctly captures the essence of Roosevelt that makes him such a larger-than-life enigma: “In a lifetime of remarkable achievement, Roosevelt had shaped his own character—and that of his country—through sheer force of... Read more
According to the Department of Labor, Labor Day is “dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers.” First started in New York in 1882, this national observance quickly swept the nation and became the beloved holiday that we know and love. At its core, Labor Day celebrates the work ethic that has made America what it is today. The same work ethic that founded this nation and carved civilization out of the wilderness is the same work ethic that... Read more
Another great week! In between college football games, check out these five links to articles guaranteed to make you think a little bit . . . Dear Stay-At-Home Mom – to all the stay-at-home moms out there (including my wife), this article is for you. Be Bold, Go Out and Chase Your Dreams – challenging post based off of Diana Nyad’s failed attempts to swim from Cuba to Florida. Christians Victims of Rising Hostility – do you think Christians are... Read more
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