I’m not sure there is a book that has inspired and challenged me more deeply than the biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer written by Eric Metaxas.  The life of this German theologian and pastor is better than the movies, and I am still holding tightly to the rumor that a film will be coming in the future.

As I heard one university professor say, there has recently been a “Bonhoeffer awakening.”  Many Christians, young and old, are taking a fresh interest in his life, devouring his books (i.e. The Cost of Discipleship, Life Together), and even forming groups to practice the communal disciplines he prescribed.

Of course his life was fascinating. One can’t help but be curious about a Christian pastor who also happened to be a double agent in a plot to assassinate Adolph Hitler. Regardless of one’s religious convictions, you have to respect a man that ultimately died for his specific spiritual devotion.

Despite the epic nature of Bonhoeffer’s life, I do not think these are the primary reasons for the “awakening” that has occurred over the last few years.  I believe God himself is stoking this fire because today’s Jesus followers have specific things to learn from it. Here are just three  of many things we can take away.

Three ways we can learn from Bonhoeffer’s life today:

1. Be Radically devoted to daily study and practice of God’s Word – he worked right through the Scriptures, consistently. Nothing fancy, no “just-open-and-see-where-your-finger-lands”- He was committed to a methodical, consistent study through books of the Bible. Bonhoeffer’s commitment to spiritual disciplines challenges Christians to not settle for a “pie-in-the-sky” faith that doesn’t translate into real action in the real world. Continue Reading…

Theologian Abraham Kuyper said, “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, “Mine!” This quote communicates the heart of the #LiveFully conviction that “the redemption of Jesus transforms every area of personal life and positively impacts every channel of cultural life.”

To simply define “personal life” and “cultural life,” here are the 7 broad categories for each.  We believe the “full life” (John 10:10) that Jesus invites people into is an integrated spirituality that fills all seven areas of one’s personal life.  Then, together as a community, Christians are called to impact the 7 different channels of cultural life.

These 7 categories are displayed as a “dresser” (or at least my failed attempt at a dresser) because our lives often feel fragmented and disconnected like various drawers in a dresser.  Yet this holistic approach understands biblical spirituality not as just one of many drawers to manage but rather the dresser itself – a life with God that fills every area (or drawer) of life.

As Christians discover and live this kind of life, I believe they will begin to also gain clarity about their unique calling to impact the world in which they live.  The seven different channels of culture are not meant to be an all encompassing list of vocations and professions, but they provide a starting point for imagining where and how God is calling one to impact the world. Continue Reading…

My first semester of college was miserable.  I couldn’t sleep. Literally, I did not fall asleep before 5 a.m. my entire fall term. I tossed and turned and tossed and turned, unable to shake a mysterious inner anxiety.  The only thing worse than not sleeping was not knowing WHY I was so discontent.

There was a diverse group of guys on my hall.  Some smoked pot daily inside their dorm rooms.  Others went downtown to get drunk and meet girls just about every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. A few others stayed intensely focused on school and lived in the library.

As different as these hall mates were, they all shared one important quality: they were way happier than me! I was emotionally depressed- full of anxiety, insecurity, and sleepless nights.  I envied their carefree attitude and confidence that they were living the best life. All I could do was doubt. “Maybe following Jesus isn’t really the best way to live?” “Maybe it’s not worth it?” Continue Reading…

I am thrilled to share that my friend, and #LiveFully partner Evan Forester, has released his first eBook entitled “1 Step To Becoming a Good Christian.”

The message is simple yet profound, and brief enough to enjoy in one sitting.  It’s also a great conversation starter to share with others about what matters most in our faith. You can receive this eBook FREE by subscribing to our email list, so visit the book’s page and go for it!

In connection with Evan’s eBook, I want to ask you a question – “What is ONE simple change that made a significant difference in your life?”

This is not about getting real deep and philosophical, although I love that too.  This is practical, and a chance for us to help one another by sharing simple changes that have made a legitimate difference in our lives. Continue Reading…