In the book of Romans, Paul states, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

This call to “change the way you think” happens with our active choice to surrender to the wisdom and presence of the Holy Spirit. He is the one that enables us to live with a new perspective.

To capture the active choice we have in the matter, consider it like this. Every new morning that God wakes us up, the first thing we need to do is reach over to our nightstand and put on our hypothetical glasses. If you actually wear real glasses you have a slight advantage. For those with 20-20 vision, you can either use your imagination or go buy some fake, hipster glasses. I like the hipster option myself. Continue Reading…

Several months ago, I wrote a post entitled “The Problem with a God-given Dream.” To make a long story short, it went viral, with over 3 million views the first week. Just kidding. That’s not even close to true.

However, it did resonate with a number of readers, and spurred on some great conversation. My basic premise was simple.

“No matter how certain you are that God inspired your dream, you have to hand it back to him. Without this kind of surrender, our dream becomes the thing we hope and long for, while God slips to the background.”

In today’s part 2, the question to answer is “So what comes after the surrender of our dream?” For this, I’m assuming you’ve wrestled with your own selfish ambitions and begun to delight in God rather than delighting in your dream. (which is a huge assumption!)

So what’s next?

3 things, and lucky for you, they all start with the letter “P” Continue Reading…

Today I have the honor of sharing some thoughts on the Wayfarer blog. Here is the start of the post, and if interested, be sure to check out the full post at Wayfarer here  

College students are the most experiential people on the planet, which reflects their own developmental stage of life. They fill the streets for political demonstrations, spark racy debates, travel from hostel to hostel, and rush the field to tear down goal posts.

In regards to the church, it should be no surprise that many of the most passionate Christians are college students. The energy they contribute to the faith community is amazing. They often cry out for revival, and they experience God’s presence and work in powerful ways as they seek Him.

This last January, there was a record crowd of over 50,000 college students packed into the Georgia Dome at the Passion Conference to lift up the name of Jesus together. Throughout this conference, various Christian leaders addressed these young adults, inspiring them to follow Jesus and change the world.

On a much smaller scale, we as youth pastors do the same thing at our churches. We cast big vision for our students, proclaiming that they will change the world in Jesus’ name. We say things like, “Your generation is going to be different.” “God is doing something in your generation.” “Revival is going to come through your generation!”

There’s nothing wrong with these declarations. We speak in these ways to our young people all the time, and we truly believe it. However, I do wonder if sometimes we are so busy praising the current students for how great they “will be” that we forget to look at the actual impact of those who have gone before them…continue to full post

Over the last year, I’m struck by the number of athletes that are making headlines both for their sporting careers, and their Christian devotion.

There are the obvious ones, like NFL’s Tim Tebow and NBA’s Jeremy Lin, but many others have emerged more recently.

Bubba Watson, a devoted follower of Jesus, won the PGA’s most prestigious tournament, the Masters, last year in Atlanta.

Pro baseball’s knuckle-ball pitcher R.A. Dickey gives credit to Christian faith for saving his marriage and transforming his life. He also won the National league Cy Young award last year, the highest award given to a pitcher.

Just weeks ago, after Louisville beat Michigan to claim the NCAA men’s basketball championship, we listened to starting point guard Peyton Siva Jr. take his few seconds on camera to share his gratitude to Jesus Christ.

Then, just yesterday I came across an article about the spiritual dynamic of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors. Led by coach Mark Jackson (who also pastors a church), the team has a chemistry a passion that moves beyond just winning games. A core number of teammates are committed to studying the Bible, praying together and walking with Jesus.

None of these athletes are perfect, and I have a hunch they’d be the first ones to admit it. When you’re a professional athlete, every mistake is under the microscope of scrutiny. They will surely make them, just like us all. However, they are choosing to follow God in careers so easily characterized by inflated egos and the desire for fame.

Revival in sports? That’s a tough question, especially since the word “revival” means so many different things to different people.

Perhaps a better word for it is a Renaissance. Several Christian leaders such as authors Os Guinness and Johnny Enlow have spoken about a Christian Renaissance in our culture today.

Whether it’s the world of sports, the marketplace, or the entertainment industry, I believe we are beginning to see this renewed passion for Jesus unfold. Specifically, I’m grateful for the athletes at all levels that are shining for God and paving the way. #LiveFully

I’d like to believe that doing the right thing means people will like and support you. Sadly, this isn’t always the case. Scripture often demonstrates this.

David, for instance, did nothing wrong. He killed Goliath and served King Saul with absolute integrity. David loved Saul’s son as a friend and his daughter as his wife. He followed the King’s orders and saved the King’s life.

Despite all this, Saul was dead set on killing David. He tried many times, and often David was left feeling very alone. In 1 Samuel 19:12, for instance, he had to sneak out of his own home and flee into the night. And while Scripture does not specifically say it, I imagine he felt very confused and isolated as he climbed out his window into the dark wilderness before him.

Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. He literally proved God’s existence to everyone watching, and yet was hunted for it. He escaped to the wilderness and felt like such a failure that he asked God, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” (1 Kings 19:4, ESV)

Paul was one of the greatest teachers to ever lived. He constantly preached the Gospel and did what the Lord called him to do. He describes the consequences in 2 Corinthians 11 –

“far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles,danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.”

Jesus, of course, is our perfect example. He lived a perfect life, did nothing wrong, and the people crucified him.

Doing the right thing, it seems, often produces serious enemies. 

Upon realizing this, there are a few questions we must answer.

1) Does this mean we stop doing the right thing? Of course not. It will rarely be easy, but nonetheless we are called by God to live righteously. “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16, ESV) There will be times in this life when you face extreme opposition, but even then, continue to honor the Lord with your actions.

2) Does this mean evil people win? No, at least, not in the long run. Saul tried to kill David, but God protected him and gave David the throne. Elijah was swept away into heaven by a chariot of fire. Paul saw more people come to faith and planted more churches than most of us could ever dream of. Jesus conquered death and now sits enthroned above all others.

3) How should we respond to ridicule? While it is very tempting to return hate with hate, it will only leave us feeling bitter and angry. Instead, we should follow the example of Christ, who on the cross said, “Father, forgive them…” (Luke 23:34). Martin Luther has another great quote, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

4) Why should we do the right thing? Sometimes the evil in this world can seem very great, insurmountable even. But those who are in Christ have a hope to hold onto. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Like Paul and David, like Elijah and Christ, like the millions of martyrs who have died because of their love for Jesus, we look forward to a day when the broken things of the world are put back together. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more,neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4, ESV)

We have an incredible hope to hold onto. What’s more, we have an incredible King who identifies with our suffering. Doing the right thing does not guarantee we’ll find success according to the world’s standards, but when all is said and done, only God’s standards actually matter.

Continue to do what it is right, even when it is hard.

Continue to #LiveFully.

1) Favorite Demonstration: How Animals Eat their food

2) Favorite Worship Song: Angie Miller on American Idol

3) Favorite Testimony: Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher

4) Favorite Dog: This one-

5) Favorite Hawaiian Monk Seal: Spinner

This is going to be short and sweet. Just three different albums that demonstrate high level of creativity and deeply authentic worship. They are all unique, and well worth the investment. #LiveFully

1. Rend Collective – “Campfire”

2. Will Reagan & United Pursuit Band – “Endless Days”

3. Hillsong United – “Zion”

Our culture often glorifies convenience, and even laziness.

But how many of your favorite stories involve a character who found life remarkably convenient and easy? There were no obstacles to overcome, no trials to work through, and no challenges to complete. The answer, of course, is zero.

If we want to live good stories, then we will have to overcome challenges. A convenient life is rarely a compelling one. Sometimes life will throw you trials, but other times I believe it is healthy to go looking for challenges yourself.

This past weekend, my wife, a couple friends, and I hiked the Kepler track. The hike took place in a stunning piece of nature, walking along lakes, over mountains, and through river valleys. In 3.5 days we hiked 32 miles and climbed up and down more than 4,000 feet of elevation change. We carried everything on our backs, and one day fought against wind that approached 60 mph.

There were a few moments where I was so tired that I wanted to quit, but couldn’t. We were in the middle of nowhere, and the only solution was to press on until we reached our next destination. And while that hike may not seem like hard work to you, it certainly was for us!

Despite the difficulties, however, we are all thrilled we did the hike. At the end of the week, we all felt like we accomplished something. We challenged ourselves and were able to overcome the difficulties laid out before us. Not only did it give us a sense of accomplishment, but it also gave us the opportunity to visit places that more than 99% of the world will never see.

And while it certainly would have been more convenient to stay at home and sit on the couch, I can’t say it would have been better. The full life will always include difficulties, and if you are not willing to challenge yourself, you’ll probably miss out.

How can you challenge yourself today? Is there something you’ve always wanted to learn, but never tried? Is there a physical goal you want to meet? Perhaps you want to turn your hobby into a career? Or visit a new country?

Whatever the case, today is the day you should begin. It may take years to complete, but you can start today. Draw a plan, get other people involved to hold you accountable, and start actually acting on that plan!

It may not always be easy, but it will be worth it.