Like sand on a beach, the brain bears the footprints of the decisions we have made, the skills we have learned —Sharon Begley, Newsweek Science Editor1 Restart and reboot yourself. You’re free to go. —U2, “Unknown Caller”2 “I know it’s not really true,” said Manny, “but it seems as if my brain has been…
How Playing Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump led to a Life of Service
Editor’s Note: When actor Gary Sinise took on the role of Lieutenant Dan Taylor for the 1994 film Forrest Gump, he had no idea just how it would change his life forever. Not only did his performance garner an Oscar nomination, but it set Sinise on a new path — one of service on…
Losing My Voice To Find It
Editor’s Note: Mark Stuart was the front man of popular Christian rock band Audio Adrenaline at a time when the Christian music scene exploded. Advancing from garage band to global success, the group sold out stadiums all over the world, won Grammy Awards, and even celebrated an album going certified Gold. But after almost twenty…
Renovation
During my engagement, I bought a house in a nice area just south of Nashville. I was ready to settle down and decorate and get rid of my beanbags and mismatched furniture. Be a grown-up. Finally! I was eager to move on and focus on things like marriage and making music and coming off…
Being Formed in the Way of Jesus
We’re Being Formed, Whether We Like It or Not If a whiteboard were a love language, it would be mine. Who cares about “quality time” or acts of service?1 I just want to brainstorm and scribble about ideas. While I love to use the whiteboard for just about anything, it also shows up in…
Quit Waiting for a Plan; Just Go Love Everybody
Editor’s Note: Bob Goff’s first two books,Love Does and Everybody, Always, became runaway bestsellers thanks to their unique combination of entertaining, witty storytelling, and challenging, surprising perspectives. Now Bob has created his first devotional, Live in Grace, Walk in Love: A 365-Day Journey. It’s a full year’s worth of meditations on how we can step out…
Come Out, Son of Our People!
[Jesus’] parents were astonished when they saw Him, and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been terribly worried trying to find You.” He answered them, “Why did you have to look for Me? Didn’t you know that I had to be in…
The Love That Leads to Death That Leads to Life
Editor’s Note: More than a decade ago, at the height of the Iraq War, Jeremy Courtney and his wife Jessica Courtney chose to move to Iraq. Rather than turn away from chaos and conflict, they made an incredibly difficult decision to lean in and love anyway. They would go on to found the Preemptive…
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 one of…
“Do You Want to Be Whole?”
One day, as Jesus was walking through Jerusalem, He came to a famous pool. The pool was famous because people believed its waters had magic powers. They believed an angel would periodically come down from heaven and stir the pool, and the first one into the bubbling waters would be healed. Jesus walked toward…