Many are familiar with Jesus’ question, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” It’s often quoted, and it’s as relevant today as when he first asked it of his students 2000 years ago. The contrast is clear. We often get caught up in our work and desires. Our priorities get mixed up. We lose sight of the important. But what was Jesus saying was important? Read More >>

Have you ever been frustrated with where you are in life? Perhaps you want to be at a certain point, emotionally, financially, spiritually, intellectually, or otherwise. To achieve such goals, you might endeavor to study, research, pray or what not. However, sometimes the results of our efforts are hard to see. It reminds me of some of the Karate Kid’s most important lessons – patience and discipline. Read More >>

Have you ever noticed how some folks get upset when religious icons or ideas are in the public view? It’s along the lines of people getting upset about the ten commandments in front of a court house. It’s an issue that is growing. I once saw a shop foreman tell a Latino auto mechanic to take down his religious memorabilia that adorned his tool box. People don’t like religion thrown in their face. But what are these folks that are so upset preaching? What’s their world view? Read More >>

After running around the backyard with my kids – in bare feet – we all needed a good scrub before my wife would let us walk through the house. So me and my oldest three piled into the bathroom. Then, in a profoundly ordinary moment, we discussed Jesus. Read More >>

As many of you know, Joe and Dayna Martin were on Wife Swap recently. The show was incredible for so many reasons, but I want to highlight one scene that was particularly moving.  As Dayna began to witness how her new “husband,” Andrade, rather cruelly treated his kids, she was obviously disturbed. She sat down with him, exposing some shocking truths. They were not well-received. Read More >>

My friends Dayna and Joe Martin were one of the families on a recent episode of ABC’s Wife Swap. It was a fantastic show with one of the highest ratings in recent years. In typical Wife Swap fashion, the families were polar opposites. The Martins are freedom-loving, joy-filled unschoolers. The Avery-Lamb’s are strict disciplinarians with a heavy emphasis on control, regiment, and education. As expected, there were some heated interchanges, especially between Joe and his “new wife,” Cindy. But why did Joe get so angry? Read More >>

I know some really cool people. In getting to know them, I always look to discover what drives them – what motivates them – what foundation they operate from. For example, for me, I stumble after Jesus. But others follow Buddhism, Hinduism, atheism, and other philosophies and belief systems. I learn so much about my own faith and framework from these amazing people. During a recent discussion with my permaculturist friend, there was a profound moment where our belief systems crossed paths. Read More >>

I was taking a moment to pray the other day when a friend popped into my head. So I started to pray for them. I followed the thought, or rather drifted off with thoughts. They didn’t entirely feel like my own. And then God prompted me, telling me to go and do what I was thinking. Sound weird? It is. Read More >>

My kids don’t like to share. Who does, really? Sharing was instilled in us because it’s nice – it’s polite. In a sense, we were taught to share in an attempt to cover the natural greed and selfishness inside us. It’s still there – we just get good at hiding it. My kids don’t usually hide behind politeness. When asked to share, the answer will very often be no. They have moments of grace, of course. They also seize the moment to get what they want – they’re not beyond blackmail. Do they ever share from the heart? Do any of us? Read More >>

The strive for happiness is, for many, the ultimate goal. We’re striving because we’re starving. We’re missing something we know we should/could have, but it continues to evade us. We try one thing after another, listen to one motivational speaker after another, and watch one inspirational YouTube video after another hoping to fill ourselves up on happiness. It’s not working. Why? Read More >>