Fear Frenzy You’ve probably heard that fear of public speaking is one of the greatest fears in our society. That doesn’t come from some random backwoods survey. It actually originated with Chapman University and their now famous “Survey of American Fears,” which started in 2014. Among others that year were walking alone at night, being…
Jesus, Born a Servant
Editor’s note: As we celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas, enjoy these two short but powerful devotions on the beauty of the Incarnation from Eugene Peterson, beloved pastor and translator of the Message Bible. The 365-day devotional God’s Message for Each Day gathers Peterson’s best-loved, most powerful writing into a daily invitation to…
Beyond Valor
I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. — Psalm 34:4 KJV Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. — John 15:13 KJV We have a lot of problems in this country, but we should never forget…
Finding True Fulfillment – A Tale of Two Rings
Editor’s Note: For years, Barry Zito lived as a walking personification of the American Dream. Professionally, he was at the top of his game as a Cy Young Award winner in Major League Baseball. Financially, he signed the richest contract ever given to a pitcher — seven years for $126 million. Socially, he was…
Man in White
Editor’s note: Legendary songwriter Johnny Cash, known to many as “The Man in Black,” was highly regarded for the raw honesty and storytelling ability within his songs. But later in life, he also felt compelled to tell another story… in the form of a novel about the Apostle Paul, for whom Cash felt a deep…
Real Men Do Get Depressed
While many men who suffer from depression feel that somehow, and in some way, they are weak or deficient, I have found it most encouraging to reflect on great men who have suffered from depression. Many men from Scripture, including kings David and Solomon fell prey to it. While for a period of my childhood…
Chasing Failure: Kobe Made Me Do It
The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. — Psalm 37:23-24 ESV * Everything negative — pressure, challenges — is all an opportunity for me to rise. ~ Kobe Bryant How do you impress…
What the Creator of Corn Flakes got Wrong
For over a decade, I’ve been giving a lecture on human sexuality in the largest classroom auditorium we have on the Christian college campus where I teach. And every year, with two hundred students present, I start the class with this sentiment: “When it comes to sex, there’s a lot of crazy thinking.” I’ll…
Escaping Emotional Incarceration
In the United States, the dimensions of a typical prison cell are approximately six by eight feet, encased in steel or brick walls. One solid or barred door locks the cell from the exterior. Those condemned to life inside soon lose touch with the free world outside. Sadly, there’s another prison cell that holds…
Seeing Yourself as God Sees You
Do you have a photo of your spouse, significant other, or children as your phone background, eager to show them off at the first opportunity to anyone and everyone? What about your driver’s license photo? Do you delightedly show it to others? Pass it around at parties? Copy it to your online profile? Or…