In a world driven by relentless comparison and self-doubt, it's easy to lose sight of the profound truth that God has endowed each of us with a unique set of gifts, talents, and circumstances. Our existence, every facet of it, is a divine provision meant not just for our own benefit, but for the benefit of others as well. Yet, far too often, we question whether we have anything of value to offer the world around us.

In our journey of faith, one concept that often eludes us is the idea of leverage. Leverage is not about our striving or our efforts; it's about stewardship, a posture of curiosity, availability, and openness. Leverage is what happens when we make anything we have available for anything God wants. It encourages us to look inward and consider how we can make the most of the gifts God has entrusted to us.

An odd entry on my Bucket List is visiting the world-famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas, where the reality television show Pawn Stars films…

We all have that one friend or family member who is a know-it-all and somehow an "expert" at everything under the sun. I know I do. To protect their identity, I will call this person Michael Jordan…

The cold weather is creeping in… and my seasonal depression has begun to rear its ugly head. I am far from the first (or the last) Christian to wrestle with depression. Especially in the winter months, a lot of us struggle. The activities that usually bring us joy feel like a chore. We don’t live—we survive. Taking care of ourselves becomes a herculean task. We wrestle with the urge to isolate ourselves, to cancel our plans and lock ourselves away. But isolating ourselves rarely has the desired effect. Being alone can seem like a solution, but it can feed into the problem itself.

I want to thank whoever came up with the "brilliant" idea of Powerschool, which enables students to have 24/7, real-time access to their grades. Being the parent of a daughter who has a super-driven Type A personality, you have added a great deal of unneeded angst and stress to our household…

One day, when my cousin was in elementary school, my brother and I found ourselves talking to her about what she was learning in math class. She was quick to tell us all about how she’d mastered her multiplication tables. She was so proud of herself! We were so impressed with how well she was doing and how thoroughly she understood the concepts she was being taught. Though, my brother (a true math geek) decided to upend my cousin’s entire world. 

Maybe because we're a few years removed from it. Still, many random things took place in 2020 that we've somehow forgotten - Murder Hornets, Tiger King, UFO videos, Baby Yoda, the death of Mr. Peanut, and Kanye West running for president. Those are just a handful of the bizarre events that defined this year. But one of my favorite oddities from 2020 was when unsolicited seeds from China showed up out of the blue in people's mailboxes. Agricultural officials warned recipients not to put them in the ground because they were unsure of what would happen.

One night when my wife was studying for nursing school, she looked up from her textbook and said, "I think you have Prader-Willi syndrome." Just like that, she went back to reading without explaining what horrible disease was plaguing my body. So, I did what any semi hypochondriac would do; I headed over to WebMD to self-diagnosis myself…

How do we honor God in matters concerning money? When we venture to answer this question, we often start by assessing our relationship with our personal finances. Though it is critical to evaluate whether our private saving, spending, and giving is honoring to God, we must also assess how money colors how we see others. A lot of us have classist views that we rarely confront or challenge.

Peaceful. Secure. Undisturbed.

We're all friends here, so let's be honest. Those words don't describe my house, and chances are good, they stand in stark contrast to what's taking place under your roof right now…

Think of it like planting seeds in a garden. If you only toss a few seeds, you'll only get a few sprouts. But if you scatter them generously, you're in for a bountiful harvest. In our lives, the more we give – whether it's love, kindness, or even material things – the more blessings come our way.

In a world dominated by the pursuit of financial success, it's easy to become consumed by the idea of achieving financial freedom as a distant destination. We're bombarded with advice on the "right" principles and strategies to attain this elusive goal. Yet, as followers of Christ, we must remember that financial freedom isn't merely a destination we reach through careful planning or strategic investments. Instead, it's a way of life where we can trust God with everything at any moment.

What topic tends to dominate your thoughts when you are tossing and turning in bed? Are you worried and distraught over past due bills, making ends meet, saving for the kids’ college, and putting food on the table? Do you find yourself wrestling with envy over what others have or dreaming of the perfect car, vacation, or beach home?

As you read this passage, you can almost feel the crowd of people inch a little closer when they hear the rich, young ruler’s question for Jesus. Even though they were captivated by His miracles, finding out the answer to this question…

King David, the author of Psalm 138 & 139, speaks of giving thanks to God with his WHOLE heart. He invites God to search it COMPLETELY. Not selective parts. Not just what is convenient and cleaned up. Not merely those places that are safe and require little to no vulnerability. 

Just like people, money is something we all have a relationship with. But here's the thing: our relationship with money is as unique as each one of us. You see, money isn't just paper bills, electronic debit cards, and metal coins; it reflects our values, priorities, and fears. It can bring out the best and the worst in us, depending on how we choose to engage with it.

If money were a person, what would your relationship with them look like? Would it be a strained, complicated bond or a healthy, thriving connection? Fear can create distance, avoidance can lead to neglect, and pride and arrogance can strain our finances like a bad breakup. Discontentment can keep us constantly chasing more, and selfishness can turn us into emotional spenders. These money struggles are common and relatable, but there's hope. Like any relationship, our connection with money can be formed and shaped!

Today, I want to dive into a topic that lies at the heart of what it means to be a community of faith—a concept that can potentially transform our lives and the world around us. You see, unity isn't some lofty, unattainable goal. It's a practical, tangible expression of love in action. Mutual concern makes that love visible and sets it in motion.

Life is a grand adventure, filled with twists and turns, but the relationships we build are the heart of it all. But here's the thing: these relationships are not always convenient. No, they often entail a cost – a cost that's worth every penny, every ounce of effort.