George Washington (1732–1799), the first President of the United States, was a deeply religious man. The famous portrait of Washington kneeling in prayer at Valley Forge captures his religious zeal and the role faith played in his personal and political life. He famously proclaimed in his 1796 Farewell Address, “Of all the dispositions and habits,…
Continue the Work of God
The annual National Religious Broadcasters conference came around again in the spring of 2020, right before the virus shut everything down. NRB held a bittersweet place in my life. It was a reminder that thirty minutes after my father had been inducted into their hall of fame, he was telling us that Mommy’s cancer had…
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…
Love Everybody, Always
Love Everybody, Always “Love one another.” What is simple often isn’t easy; what is easy often doesn’t last. It was a lawyer like me who tried to set up Jesus. This lawyer asked Jesus what the greatest commandment was. I think he was looking for a plan, but Jesus told him about his purpose instead.…
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…
The Gift of Friendship
Editor’s note: C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were two of the most prolific writers of faith and fiction in the 20th century. They were also great friends, and Tolkien was a guiding force in Lewis coming to faith in Christ. Both men also served as soldiers in the First World War, survived the trenches,…
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…