If you're anything like me, witnessing comes super-easily. It seems I can winsomely turn every conversation I have back to the foundations of the gospel, have people laughing, nodding their head in agreement, crying, and saying, "Amen!" within just a few minutes. I quote a verse, and people cry out, "Please, more truth, Ben!" I sing a hymn while walking down the sidewalk, and people never look at me like I'm a freak … Nay, they begin singing along, raising their hands in worship. I just have to encourage them not to close their eyes … [Read more...]
Is Jesus Really All You Need?
“All you need is Jesus.” Ever heard that phrase? In the evangelical world that I consider myself a part of, this phrase is constantly proclaimed as the very essence of the Christian faith. All I need is my personal relationship with Jesus. Everything else may be helpful, but not necessary to live out my Christian faith. I know I have preached the same message. I've offered that message as counsel. I've even lived this message in my Christian faith. But is that all that there is to it? I don’t think so. Radical … [Read more...]
The Ugly Truth About College Students And The Gospel
Here’s the ugly truth about college students and sharing Christ: Based on our understanding from research and personal experience, it’s clear that typical Christian college students do not regularly share their faith. Most Christian collegians have never even attempted to share the gospel with another person. Eating the Elephant of Gospel Cloistering In October 2011, a group of college ministry leaders gathered for an evangelism think tank to process the problem of Christian college students cloistering, or secluding, the … [Read more...]
Why You Should Grow Where You’re Planted
I’ll admit it. I hate cleaning gutters. Standing on ladders? Walking around on a roof? Scooping up handfuls of goop? No thanks! But there always comes a time when I know it’s time to pull out the ladder, walk around the roof, and shovel out the goop. It’s when I can see upstart plants growing out of the gutters. See, the trees around our house don’t just drop leaves in the gutters. They also deposit their seeds, and the gutter goop is a perfect environment for those seeds to sprout. So between cleanings, I sometimes see wanna-be … [Read more...]
7 Prayer Practices for Every Day
A man prayed, and at first he thought that prayer was talking. But he became more and more quiet until in the end he realized that prayer is listening." ~ Soren Kierkegaard For those of us struggling with perpetual busyness, the Apostle Paul’s instruction to “pray constantly” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) may not be as out of reach as we once thought. Here are a handful of creative ideas for weaving conversational prayer with God into your daily routine: Pair Up. Form a unique prayer alliance with a fellow Christ-follower. Take … [Read more...]
When “I Don’t Know” Is A Good Start
When I was younger I had a fear of being asked a question and not knowing the answer. It was a genuine fear that covered a wide range of life aspects--from not knowing the correct pronunciation of a word to not being able to answer deep theological questions. I felt like I always needed a prepared answer for every question. Honestly, it was pretty ridiculous and prideful. And if we're completely honest, I'd venture to say that most of us fear not having an answer for questions we might be asked. This fear keeps many people from … [Read more...]
Why Faith Is A Must During College
Ever heard the following statement? “Experimenting is normal. It’s just what college kids do.” I don’t know about you, but I fell for that ploy hook-line-and-sinker. I dared not question that the “rules” of my faith did not have to follow me into college. And why would I? I was given that subtle but very understood "go ahead" to party, experiment, and party some more. It was bliss (or so I thought). I mean, who would question that rite of passage? I attended a football game recently at a very well renowned … [Read more...]
Why Patience Has Its Perks
BEFORE YOU READ FURTHER, WATCH THIS BRIEF, COMICAL VIDEO CLIP. I'm sure St. George is a lovely place, but Disneyland? Disneyland is coined as THE happiest place on earth! Especially for kids. I watched this video and thought about the Israelites. God rescued them out of slavery in Exodus. Slavery. Then, he took them to the desert, promising them they would go to the promised land (which would be infinitely better to the people of God than Disneyland, by the way). Much like the kids in the video, though, Israel immediately began … [Read more...]
What’s the Difference Between Career And Calling?
When does a job not feel like a job? Simple — when you know it to be a calling. One of the biggest secrets to making the most of your formative young adult years is allowing God the space to speak to you about how you were designed and gifted, how you were infused with passion for something, and how your gifts, talents, and passions can make a difference in the world. A SENSE OF PLACE Finding the place where your unique gifting and passion can bring blessing and relief to those who hurt and struggle in our world — that’s … [Read more...]
Why Patience Is A Process
We all have a specific calling in life. Some of us already know what that is, and others are struggling to find it. Either way, we all have an idea of where we want to end up in life. For some, we want to be the next great doctor or nurse who uses their medical expertise to provide healthcare to impoverished people across the world. Still, others desire to use their artistic talents to change the world through media and music. Some, like myself, feel called to preach and teach God’s Word and build up the church. All of these careers … [Read more...]
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