June/July E-News: I Love You, Even Though... —Jul 2, 2010
Dinner time at my house almost always produces memorable moments. It is a time when our whole family gathers around the table to eat, pray, and talk about our day. I like to ask my kids about school and anything else they want to share about their day. I have had many enjoyable interactions at the dinner table, not to mention many hilarious moments as well. Recently, we were eating boneless chicken for dinner (this will have significance in a minute) when such a memorable, hilarious moment occurred.

May E-News: Why is God Faithful? —May 2, 2010
Am I the only person who finds it remarkable that God is faithful? I mean, from a God-is-perfect-holy-and-cannot-be-anything-other-than-true perspective, I get it. But from a human point of view it just doesn’t make sense. Why would God be faithful to people who have proven throughout all of history their incapacity at reciprocating such faithfulness? We have such short attention spans and the attribute of faithfulness is certainly not one that is hardwired into us at birth. We drift… a lot.

April E-News: What Should We Do While We're Waiting? —Apr 2, 2010
I think I have not been good at waiting.  But wait . . . let me think about that a bit.  No, I can't wait . . . I don't really have time to think about it.  Besides, I know.  I'm not good at waiting.  I like to plan and push and expect and get.  If there's an answer out there, I don't want it held back from me.  I do not like to anticipate or wonder.  I'm a good wanderer, but a very poor waiter.  I plunge headlong into chaos rather than cautiously wading into the calm.  As much as I yearn to rise up with wings like an eagle, I have a greater tendency to scurry on in like a common sparrow.  Thank God, literally, that His eye is upon me.

March E-News: The Beauty of Brokenness —Mar 2, 2010
Brokenness is not a condition we usually desire. We typically associate brokenness with weakness, being incomplete, or something is out of order. We don't strive to be broken. We don't pursue brokenness like we would wealth or fame or love. Yet, we are all broken. We are all weak, imperfect and in need, regardless of economic position or social status. Brokenness is the common denominator in all of humanity. We all come up short of perfection or wholeness. But no one seems to admit their brokenness. This is truly sad because I see such beauty in our brokenness.

February E-News: Is There a Payoff to Obedience? —Feb 2, 2010
Do you wonder sometimes if there is a “payoff” for obeying God? I mean, doesn’t it seem like everything He asks us to do just flies in the face of what the culture promotes and even demands? It often feels like swimming upstream without any relief in sight. What is the payoff, if there even is one?

December E-News: What is Advent, Really? —Dec 2, 2009
Waiting is not something most of us desire. We are able to warm up meals in seconds through the technology of microwave ovens. We communicate globally through the Internet. We have cell phones for instant communication through voice and text messaging and many other sophisticated devices to keep us plugged in and up to date every second. But Advent Season is a time of waiting—of looking forward with anticipation. You might ask, to what?

November E-News: The Joy in...Trials? —Nov 2, 2009
I've been studying the book of James lately. Well, more reading and re-reading than actual "study." But God seems to speak most personally to me when I just commit to meditating on various sections of Scripture. One such portion I have pondered recently is James 1:2 - "Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy." (NLT)

October E-News: Overcoming Resistance —Oct 2, 2009
My life really isn’t hard. I generally get to wake up when I want to. I grab a cup of coffee and have dozens of choices about what kinds of creamers or sugars I might add. I hop into my car, drive to my office or a client appointment, and go about my day. I’m not forced to denounce my faith or engage in activities that clearly defy God’s Word. And yet, I have moments and seasons in which I think this thing called “life” is unbearable. It’s sad, really.

September E-News: Why Faithfulness Matters —Sep 2, 2009
Have you noticed that the value placed on faithfulness has plummeted in recent years? It seems that everywhere you turn in our culture the message against being faithful is growing louder and louder. The idea of staying committed to one person in marriage for a lifetime is portrayed as antiquated and silly. From the White House to the Waffle House this mantra keeps resounding: me, me, me.

August E-News: But I Don't Want to Obey! —Aug 2, 2009
We have all said at one time or another in our lives (whether out loud or silently in our heads), "But I don't want to ______." And whatever fills in the blank is irrelevant. When our will is set against something, there is usually only one of two outcomes that occurs: 1) You get your way and don't engage in the activity demanded, or 2) You are overpowered to do the activity against your will. In either of these outcomes, it is rare that the activity is performed or avoided with a positive heart attitude. The will is essentially tied to attitude.

July E-News: Freedom (in)Dependence —Jul 2, 2009
July 4th is a significant day for Americans each year. It is a day in which every citizen of the United States is invited to pause, reflect, and celebrate the liberty our nation's forefathers provided through their sacrifice and resolve. We remember such significant historical documents as the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution and the Emancipation Proclamation. We are reminded that freedom came at a high price, and therefore we honor the many defenders of our country, past and present.

June E-News: Is Purity for Everyone? —Jun 2, 2009

I'm going to do something an author really isn't supposed to do when titling an article with a question. I'm going to give you the answer right up front (and keep my fingers crossed that you will still read the rest of the article).

Is purity for everyone?

No.

March E-News: Building a Life of Purity Amidst Opposition —Mar 2, 2009
I have been reading through the book of Nehemiah again. I get charged up every time I read this book. It paints a great picture of what rebuilding a broken down life should look like. I want to point out 6 key principles that are fundamental to building a life of purity, even in the midst of growing cultural and spiritual opposition.

February E-News: Life is Precious! —Feb 2, 2009
"Little Whiskers" died last week. He was only 15 months old and the news hit our family hard. My youngest, Megan, took the news especially hard, just crying and crying over the loss. The truth is we all cried and grieved. It was a sad week in the life of our family. I dare say that there may never have been such love ever bestowed in all of history on one so cherished as Little Whiskers, our hamster.

January E-News: Exposing the Lies of Lust —Jan 2, 2009

The devil isn't creative, just persistent...

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I have come into contact with thousands of sex addicts over recent years. I myself was bound up in sexual addiction for 13 years. In all my interactions with the issue of sexual lust, I have come to realize one fundamental characteristic that is common to its nature: lies. There is never one moment in which lust tells you the truth. And it is this key insight that can actually help you break free from the chains of lust...for good.