You’ve heard of carpe diem , right? Latin for “seize the day.” People quote it like it’s a verse from the Bible. But guess what—it’s not in there. Go ahead—try to find it!   But there’s a bigger problem with it: seize the day assumes this world is all there is. So, grab what you can, while you can. Really? If this world is all there is, why bother seizing anything?   So this Thanksgiving, I want to propose something better—just as memorable, but with a different starting po

“Today we know the Bible isn’t true because…” How many times have you heard someone say that? The problem is, most of what they offer as evidence is usually urban myths , that is, "a story of obscure origin that has little or no supporting evidence, and yet spreads spontaneously." And what's most frustrating is you don't know how to respond. So, here's what I’d like to do: respectfully challenge some popular misimpressions about the Bible.  But first, let me be upfront about

“Why should I bother dragging myself to church? And don’t tell me it’s because I’m obligated —says who?”   Ever felt that way? You’re in good company, because more people than ever are asking the same thing.   The truth is, church attendance has been declining across America for decades. Research from the Pew Foundation shows that the fastest-growing faith category today is “the nones”—people who claim no religious affiliation at all. They now make up about 30% of Americans.

Remember that Beatles song, “All You Need Is… Hate ”? Maybe not. But doesn’t it feel like that when you look at the news these days? And the worst part? The more you take in, the more upset you become at “them”—whoever that happens to be for you.   Well, maybe the Bible can help. Here are ten practical things you can put off and put on (Ephesians 4:22–24) to avoid hating your neighbor. Go ahead—give it a try!   Put Off Put off…over-consuming the news —the outrage cycle is des

Who came to mind when you saw the title of this article? Well—sorry to disappoint you—I was actually thinking about you and me.   The phrase comes from C.S. Lewis in his classic Mere Christianity . In the chapter called “The Essential Vice,” he makes the case that pride is not just another sin—it’s the root of them all. As he put it: “According to Christian teachers, the essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride.” [1]   Lewis explains why. Pride is competitive by nature. It d

Are you more anxious than you were four years ago? Probably so, for all kinds of reasons. The question is: how can you get your anxiety meter out of the red zone...before you explode? Let me offer 5 tips that may help.   1.    Less…Noise. In our hyper-connected world, it’s easy to be captivated by the barrage of information, much of it designed to stir up fear, outrage, or confusion. Keeping the television on in the background or constantly checking our smartphones allows

What’s wrong with Christian nationalism? After all, who wouldn’t want more Christian values in our country? I sure would. But here’s my question: Is Christian nationalism actually working? Is it producing more of the fruit of the Spirit and a deeper alignment with biblical values—in society, or even among its own advocates?   I’m not trying to be snarky. I know, love, and respect many who consider themselves Christian nationalists. And I affirm their intent. But if the goal i

I’ve figured out the root cause of division in America—and it’s not what you think.   The standard way to think about our divided culture is to hold up the opposing sides: Republican and Democrat, Conservative and Liberal, Pro-Life and Pro-Choice. You name it. The list of opposing forces in society is long. But differing opinions are not the real cause of division. So what is? What Causes Division? I think the root cause boils down to a very old-fashioned word from the Bible:

How do you get more people in your church to develop and maintain a habit of regular Bible reading? That may seem like a very basic question. But I’m convinced that correctly answering it will lead not just to the renewal of a spiritual discipline, but also to the renewal of the church itself. Because of that, I’d like to suggest a new approach to church-wide Bible engagement. I’ll give you a summary here but if you’re interested in a longer description, and the research beh

How do you know the Bible is true? Sure, you do your best to read it and live it every day but there’s still a nagging problem. Some of your friends say the Bible isn’t true, and you’re not always sure how to respond, right? So to help, I've created a list of the best arguments I can find for the credibility of the Bible. Interested?  Okay, here are my Top 10 Reasons the Bible is True. Manuscript Evidence .   There are way more copies of the biblical manuscripts, with remarka

This week I discovered a new way to think about the practice of daily Bible reading and prayer. And it was Mike Tyson who helped me experience it. Here's what happened. I was having breakfast with a friend and shared an insight I'd gained from my morning Bible reading. His response was, “You know, it’s so good to get that daily reset, isn't it?" “A daily reset with God,” I thought, “that’s the main thing I've gotten from my morning quiet times all these years!” Sure, I'