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…
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…
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…
From the Sidelines to the Frontlines: Why Small Groups Must Be the Heartbeat of Your Church In the American church today, we’ve got a system that, quite frankly, isn’t producing what Jesus intended. If we’re honest, many of our churches are filled with spectators—people who gather weekly, understand the content, maybe even take notes—but…
In our walk as church leaders and disciple-makers, it’s easy to believe that God calls the most qualified, the most eloquent, or the most religious among us. But when we look at the life of Peter, we see something beautifully different—a reminder that God’s call isn’t based on human qualifications, but on His grace and…
In a world that tells us what we see is all there is, the church must continue to tell a different story—one that stretches from creation to eternity. At the center of that story is the human soul. Whether you’re a pastor, small group leader, or simply someone trying to live out your faith day…
Let me ask you a question: when was the last time you felt truly rested? For many of us, life feels like a constant race—one that we didn’t necessarily sign up for, but somehow got swept into. We’ve built routines that keep us moving at full speed, even when we know deep down something isn’t…