The word is out: I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. I found out just before the holidays last year. I didn’t immediately share it with the social media world for several reasons. For one, I’m a pretty private person who’s not big on airing angsty posts on Facebook....

  In their 1985 book, Habits of the Heart, Robert Bellah and Richard Madsen referenced a nurse they code-named Sheila Larson who adhered to a faith she herself dubbed “Sheilaism.” The authors were chronicling the gradual shift of American religion from being corporate and public to privatized and inwardly-focused. To illustrate this change, they quoted Sheila: “I believe...

  Easter Sunday 2016 is in the books, and it’s a safe bet that if you attended church, you heard a message on resurrection. The most important day on the Christian calendar is about an empty tomb, a risen Savior and new life. But Easter also brings death. As the...

  The Cross of Jesus Christ. From its beginnings, the Cross has exemplified Christianity. Once an instrument of terror, the Cross is now a cherished symbol in many parts of the world. It tops our churches, hangs on our walls and dangles from people’s necks.   How did that happen? What was the process that turned the Cross from a sign of...

  Judging from social media posts during this particularly raucous political season, I think many people will resonate with this quote from Robert Byrne: “Democracy is being allowed to vote for the candidate you dislike least.” A lot of folks are announcing that they may sit out the presidential election...

  Music has always been a potent force. Trumpets tumbled the walls of Jericho and David’s harp soothed the vexed King Saul. Scripture encourages us to “Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonderful acts” (Psalm 105:2). Music has lost none of its effectiveness since biblical times. Research has shown...

  I recently heard a preacher comment, “Most of us wake up on a pursuit to happiness. What we really should be waking up to is a pursuit of truth.” That really struck me. Psalm 51:6 states that God “desires truth in the inward parts.” The literal translation of “inward parts” is...

  I’ve observed a few things in my 17 years as an evangelist. I have seen strong churches and churches that need an overhaul. Without exception, I have met good Christian people in all the places I’ve visited. Occasionally someone will ask, “So how is the state of the church out there? Are...

  Jesus never existed. At least, that’s according to a new poll in the UK, revealing that about 40% of people believe Jesus was a mythical figure. Interestingly, one in five who aren’t Christians are open to learn more about the faith. Most people who were polled knew at least one Christian and many described them...

  Have you ever had an epiphany — an “Aha!” moment, a revelation that hit you like a ton of bricks? It’s happened to me after struggling to learn a difficult magic trick. After practicing for what seems like an eternity, my brain and hands suddenly cooperate and voila! I understand the...