We have to look at our lives as a window of opportunity, because none of us has unlimited time. Everyone, no matter who they are, has 168 hours a week, and we’re supposed to spend about a third of it sleeping, and then another large amount of that likely goes to work. But in terms of what we call discretionary time, how much do we actually have? And how are we spending it? Scripture tells us to redeem the time... Read more
Whatever our feelings and opinions about the upcoming election, certainly we can all affirm that as Christ followers, our hope should not be in politics, nor should it be our ultimate focus. (I recently shared some helpful reflections from Paul David Tripp on my blog about being careful where we put our hope. Don’t miss what he has to say.) When I was emailing with a friend recently about the issues surrounding the election, she shared the encouragement she has found... Read more
Many Christian fiction readers are familiar with Francine Rivers. Her books are exceptionally powerful, well-written, and always Christ-honoring. Redeeming Love is probably her best known, but my own favorite is The Atonement Child. In my opinion, she is one of the finest writers of Christian fiction in the world. Francine (who her friends know as Frani) and her husband Rick are committed followers of Jesus, and a delight. (Nanci and I stayed in their home some years ago.) When I was working on my... Read more
In this excerpt from my novel Dominion, the main character Clarence Abernathy, a black journalist, shares about his experiences as a black man with his friend and coworker Jake Woods (the main character of the previous novel Deadline). What Clarence shares echoes what every black man, from poor guys to rich ones, told me when I interviewed many black Americans while researching Dominion. (See also this article I shared from Shai Linne, a firsthand account that encourages understanding and empathy.) Jake and Clarence headed to their... Read more
In the last five years Nanci and I have come to know and love Benjamin Watson and his wonderful wife Kirsten. For the last fifteen years Ben was one of the most highly respected players in the National Football League, and now he continues to have a ministry to many inside and outside the NFL. Ben was the first round pick of the New England Patriots in 2004. He was part of the Superbowl Champion Patriots of 2005. Ben also... Read more
My new book It’s All About Jesus: A Treasury of Insights on Our Savior, Lord, and Friend really is unique, and as I have been daily reading through the printed book, I’ve been struck again by many of the quotations. I’ve been underlining, but I guess since I ended up selecting the quotations, with the help of others, it’s obvious I think they’re great! But the fact that they are literally ALL about Jesus is especially great. I give away a lot... Read more
One of the things I most look forward to about Heaven is learning the stories of countless faithful brothers and sisters in Christ from all places and times who used their lives to further God’s kingdom. But I love hearing some of them on this side of eternity, such as the story of Henry Parsons Crowell, founder of the Quaker Oats Company, shared in this video from Pastor Tom Joyce with Immanuel Bible Church (in Springfield, Virginia). This faithful and successful man... Read more
Like many of you, I am not looking forward to all the political turmoil, including in the church, that is sure to come as the presidential election gets closer. At the same time, this is an excellent opportunity for God’s people to determine where our hope is placed. I don’t mean that politics don’t matter and certainly I know that moral positions such as abortion and racial justice matter very much. But the fact remains, when people put their hope in... Read more
I loved spending time recently with NFL players Nick Foles and Chris Maragos on their great podcast, Mission of Truth, which they just started this year. I first met Chris in a players’ chapel service before a Seahawks game, when he was a star on special teams. That year they won the Super Bowl. Later I met Nick, when he and Chris were both with the Eagles. I led a Bible study with fifteen guys, including all three quarterbacks, the head... Read more
Death is not a natural part of life as God intended it. It is the unnatural result of evil. And yet through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God has removed the ultimate sting of death, which explains the appropriate sense of peace and triumph that accompanies grief at a Christian’s memorial service. I’ve conducted funerals for both Christians and non-Christians. As I look into the eyes of those gathered, the tears are just as real for Christians, but I also see... Read more
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