No Answer For much of my life, basketball was my life. When I graduated from high school, I went to the University of Chicago on a full-ride scholarship and earned a starting position on the basketball team by the end of my freshman year. Then I transferred to Central Bible College, where I earned first-team…
The Holy Dare: All in for the All and All
More than a hundred years ago, a British revivalist issued a holy dare that would change a life, a city, and a generation. That timeless challenge echoes across every generation: “The world has yet to see what God will do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully and…
Pray Hard
The Cattle on a Thousand Hills Shortly after Dallas Theological Seminary opened its doors, their doors almost closed because of bankruptcy. Before their 1929 commencement day, the faculty gathered in the president’s office to pray that God would provide. They formed a prayer circle, and when it was Harry Ironside’s turn, he circled Psalm 50:10…
What Is God’s Favor? And How Can I Get It?
The Point of Precedence I don’t know what went through Noah’s mind when God told him to build a boat, but I’m guessing it was either You’ve got to be kidding or You’ve got to be crazy! Noah didn’t even have a cognitive category for what God was calling him to build. It was absolutely…
One Decision Away
Few Americans have stamped the collective consciousness of our country like Jonathan Edwards. He was an intellectual prodigy, entering Yale University at the age of twelve. And he is buried at Princeton University, where he served as president until his death in 1758. Edwards was the author of dozens of volumes, both theological and inspirational.…
Prayer: A Secret Weapon in Parenting
I’m a connoisseur of testimonies. And the most poignant prayer testimonies I’ve received over the years come from parents who are circling their children in prayer like never before. Parents are praying the promises of God around their children. They are interceding for future spouses, believing for miracles, and praying a hedge of protection around their children. And parents aren’t just praying…
A Praying Parent
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. – Deuteronomy 4:9 Compared to parenting, every other challenge is child’s play. Being…
Praying Circles Around Your Children
I want to be famous in my home. This is the deepest desire of my heart and the greatest challenge of my life. Parenting our three children is far more difficult and far more important than pastoring thousands of people. Just the other day, I said to [my wife] Lora, “I feel like we’ll finally…
All In: It’s Now or Never
Watch the All In Video Trailer The book All In along with this study guide and video are an invitation to experience the kind of life God created you to live. You were designed for more than a life of following a few religious dos and don’ts. Your heart longs for more than an hour…
Who’s Following Who?
Most people in most churches think they are following Jesus, but I’m not so sure. They may think they are following Jesus, but the reality is this: they have invited Jesus to follow them. They call Him Savior, but they’ve never surrendered to Him as Lord. And I was one of them. Trust me, I didn’t want…