Friendship: the emotions or conduct of being friends; the state of being friends. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) This past week, I was having coffee with a young adult who is on the verge of graduating college and already has plans for a season of mission work for 2 years on the other side of the … [Read More...]
Relational Boot Camp
I often tell my people that marriage is war. Not because two spouses are destined for a lifetime of arguing and fighting. Not at all—I tell them this because of something deeper. … [Read More...]
3 Ways We Might Misunderstand Romans 8:28
Romans 8 might be the best-known and most-comforting chapter in the whole Bible. I’ve come back to it again and again over the years with the effect of greater hope, greater joy, … [Read More...]
3 Habits for Handling Hot Topics
If you’ve spent any amount of time on social media lately, you know there is no shortage of hot topics hitting our news feeds these days. Abortion, politics, racism, gender issues, and the list goes on and on. These are not simple, trivial topics but rather culture-shaping issues that the college … [Read More...]
3 Lessons About Leading People Who Are Older Than You
Several years ago, I watched a film that I would one day live. No, I did not attend Hogwarts. I avoided "mean girls" who reminded me of Lindsay Lohan, and I did not fall in love with a rich girl whose father tried to shoot me. The film, entitled In Good Company, starred Topher Grace, Dennis … [Read More...]
3 Ways to Overcome Disappointment in Ministry
We’ve all been there. We planned something for months and the day finally comes--and only 3 people show up. We had a significant conversation with someone in our collegiate or young adult ministry about a life decision--and a few days later, they're making choices as if that conversation … [Read More...]
I’m a Dude, and I Journal
I have a confession to make… I’m a dude, and I journal. It’s something that I started to do in 2007, and I plan on doing it the rest of my life. Growing up, my sister had a diary. It was one of those diaries that had a little key and lock to go with it. I wasn’t that brother who tried to find it … [Read More...]
What to Do When Ministry Seems Impossible
If you have served in ministry for very long, the chances are likely that, somewhere along the way, you have felt helpless. Maybe it was a person you were ministering to who seemed to never have enough of your time or that nothing you did or said ever seemed to help them. Maybe it was frustration … [Read More...]
Are You Equipped for Your Next Spiritual Battle?
I recently spent a week in Wisconsin. I know what you’re thinking; Wisconsin isn’t exactly a tourist destination in January. In fact, while I was there, my cute leopard-print flats were rendered completely useless in favor of thick, wool-lined, lace-up boots. While packing, I thought, “I don’t need … [Read More...]