Mary had a baby in a barn. The shepherds went back to their sheep. And somehow, they were all rejoicing. If you’re looking ahead to the new year wondering if things will finally get better, the Christmas story has something unexpected to tell you. It’s not what you think. Picture the shepherds that night. They’re…
Mary said yes to the angel. “Let it be to me as you say.” But I don’t think she knew what she was signing up for. Immediately after, Joseph finds out she’s pregnant and doesn’t believe her—he’s going to divorce her privately. In Israel, if you’re pregnant outside of marriage, you’re stoned to death. Do…
We’re living in a confusing time. Everywhere you look, people are distracted, deceived, pulled in a thousand directions. But one truth hasn’t changed and never will: God is light, and there’s no darkness in Him at all (John 1:5). As church leaders and followers of Jesus, we’re not just supposed to know that—we’re supposed to…
Why We Can’t Forget the Meaning We live in a world overflowing with books, podcasts, programs, and voices—all claiming to know what the Christian life should look like. In the noise, we’ve diluted definitions. We’ve changed meanings. And nowhere is this more dangerous than when it comes to the word “disciple.” Here’s what I want…
There’s a conversation happening in church leadership circles that should concern us all. Pastors, theologians, and ministry leaders are debating what they call “minimum ecclesiology”—essentially asking, “What’s the bare minimum we have to do to be a church?” You know what they’re saying? “Well, I think we only have to get together with two or…
The Ongoing Battle: The story of Nehemiah offers a sobering lesson for church leaders today: emotional moments don’t equal lasting transformation, and winning battles doesn’t mean the war is over. After the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt in record time, the people experienced genuine revival. They wept at God’s Word, celebrated with feasts, and even…
As we launch into a new season at Real Life Ministries, we’re diving into one of my favorite books in the Bible: Nehemiah. It’s been years since I last taught through it, and as I’ve revisited it, I’ve been struck anew by how relevant it is for the church today—especially for leaders, disciple-makers, and anyone…
Leadership in the church isn’t reserved for the polished, perfect, or professionally trained. If the story of Peter teaches us anything, it’s that God builds His church on humble, imperfect people who are willing to follow, fail, and be restored. And for church leaders especially, there’s something both sobering and deeply encouraging in that truth.…
There’s a misconception that following Jesus is supposed to make life easier. That once we say “yes” to Him, the path forward should be smooth, free of resistance or suffering. I don’t know about you – but in my almost 40 years of ministry, I have not found that to be the case. And if…
We’ve been walking through some tough circumstances lately here in the Pacific Northwest and really, that has been the case across our entire country. Whether it’s a tragedy that hits close to home or a heartbreaking event in our broader community, these seasons can shake us. It’s hard not to lose heart when the world…