The central message for our times in that there is a powerful, pervasive, and ravenous problem facing us.  We face it as individuals and we face it as a tribe of people.  Poor people face it, rich people face it, all races face it; almost every single American faces it.  It is called "Practical Atheism" and it is defined as "declaring a belief in God while behaving with no regard for God".  It is the central problem in our culture.  It is the central ...

(Jeff shared with us a portion of the Sermon on the Mount and specifically Matthew 5--the "light on a hill" example) My big brother is a planner.  He is a major league planner.  He orients his life around the idea that a plan makes more things happen, makes whatever happens better, and whatever is better to endure.  He has had a vibrant relationship with Jesus for over two decades and the intentionality with which he lives his life is incredible.  So it was no surp...

Chalk me up for the standard resolutions.  I want to eat less, exercise more, lose weight, be healthy, be financially stable, save wisely, give generously, and spend frugally.  Yeah I want to do all of that.  But most of all, I simply want to be aware.  I miss out on a lot of what is going on around me because I am so busy doing all the stuff I've resolved to do.  And I bet you do to.  I want to be aware of the friend whose marriage is crumbling and step in bef...