The dental student examined her inflamed, bleeding gums and loose teeth. From all appearances it looked as though her teeth would have to be pulled. A supervising dentist with an experienced eye asked the woman what she ate. Her diet consisted largely of beans, rice, and meat, no vegetables or...

“The Father Himself loves you” (John 16:27). Fatherhood is an identity-shaping vocation. Whether he does so consciously or not, a dad tells his child who and what to become. The child is significantly defined by the father’s manner of relating to him. By his actions and attitudes toward the child,...

As a student of the ARISE program, I was blessed with a rich experience of meaningful Bible studies, priceless interactions with classmates, staff, and community, and most importantly, a clearer understanding of the beauty of God’s true character. “It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is enshrouding the...

First, let’s make something clear: Richard Sherman is not a thug (ie., “a cruel or vicious ruffian, robber, or murderer”). By now, even if you’re a nominal sports fan, you’ve probably seen the interview heard ’round the world in which Richard Sherman, who is a defensive back for the Super Bowl-bound Seattle...

Every time you perform an action it contributes to shaping your fundamental identity. When life is done, you are the sum total of your repeated actions. Here are seven actions worth repeating over and over again this year until they become habits for life. 1. Follow Someone Take note of...

Lord God Almighty, ineffably holy, Great in weakness, immeasurably lowly, From the corner of my eye, I see Your glory, Through prophets of old who breathed Your story. But sweep me into the narrative now, Resisting no longer, Your will to allow, Not mere words on ancient page, But present...

One of the most exciting fields in nutrition is nutritional neuroscience. It is the study of how components of the diet impact the central nervous system, specifically cognitive function and mental health. The idea that food impacts brain function was considered ridiculous not too long ago. Today, however, it is...

A really cool thing happened recently, and I can’t wait to tell you about it. Here goes… It started at the Light Bearers Convocation earlier this year. The theme was Jesus Only, and was a chapter-by-chapter study through Acts. In preparation for those sermons, I, along with Ty, James, and...

We are living in desperate times—desperate, meaning a feeling showing, or involving a hopeless sense that a situation is so bad as to be impossible to deal with, like national debt, life-destroying typhoons, earthquakes, tsunami’s, war, terrorism, crime, economic and civil upheaval, and… unreliable political promises of peace and safety....

I’m one of those weirdos who could listen to Christmas music year-round. But I don’t, because I love the special sense of awareness of the incarnation that dawns upon my heart every year in December as advent songs begin to play. Some of these songs, especially the old ones, seem...

Cinnamon is one of those flavors and smells that can’t be substituted, especially around the holidays. I have cooked with coriander and cardamom and they can be quite good—but they are not cinnamon. I find it very interesting though (because I am such a foodie), that what Americans typically purchase...

Is there somebody in your family or in your church who is doing something you think they ought not to be doing? Of course there is! Are there people around you with defects of character that you can’t help but notice? Yep! Do you find it natural to try and...