Unfortunately, we live in a culture that is driven by results. And while goals are great and they keep us motivated, we, as a society, have become so driven by goals that sometimes it works to our detriment. So to the person who wants to lose some weight, losing ten to fifteen is not a success until they’ve reached their thirty pound goal.   To the parents who want their student to bring her grades up, the goal may not be fully met until that C becomes an A, all the while it took tremendous effort on the daughter’s part to get it up to a B. Goals are great and we...

I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-the Spirit of truth.” John 14:16 Consider this: Jesus didn’t send His disciples into the world to make disciples with just their minds stuffed full of His amazing teachings from the past three years. That wouldn’t have been enough. He didn’t send them into the world to make disciples with just an armload of incredible experiences and miracles witnessed. That wouldn’t have been enough. He didn’t even send them out into the world to make disciples with just a dramatic...

So, you’re taking your kids on a mission trip or perhaps you’ve already been on one and you’re scratching your head about how to make this “pay off” for the long run. I know some churches run in cycles with the group taking a trip every 2, 3 or 4 years. Others, like mine, offer a mission trip every year. Other churches go to evangelize, others use trips as discipleship events for their students. Whatever the reason or philosophy, here are a few things I’ve implemented to make the trip “stick”. I’ve been going with AIM for over 7 years...

Throughout my years of following Jesus, there has been one constant that has proven invaluable as it relates to mine and others’ discipleship … Short-Term Missions.   I must admit, that like some do today, I used to see mission trips as projects to be accomplished. Too many times, I would go on a mission trip and come home and think in my head … “Great, I’ve done that, what’s next.” However, discipleship is not a check-list or to-do or not to-do list. Yeah, there were changes made by me and some changes even within me because of the mission...

Right now one of the most fascinating reality TV shows that is mesmerizing viewers every Tuesday night is The Biggest Loser and it has been rolling for nine seasons now. Have you seen those before and after photos from the show? They are amazing! They take some of the most obese, undisciplined people in the United States and train them, teach them, and give them the confidence and skills to not only change their weight but their lives. I love that about the show but hate the unimaginably long and drawn out weigh-ins that make the show practically unwatchable in my opinion… unless...

When I think about what it means to be a fully devoted follower of Christ I think about that special willingness and faithfulness to do what is asked. I think about Noah who was asked to build an arc. I think about Isaiah who said, “Yes I am here, and I will go” I think about Levi, the tax collector who also said, “Yeah, I will follow.” I think about Paul who met Jesus in desert. I think about how they not only said they were willing to go/do, but actually did. I also think about the rich guy who wanted to follow Jesus, but couldn’t bring himself to give up...