Is Your Parenting Style Transactional or Grace-based?

Many of us find our parenting style too often mirrors the ways we were raised by our own parents. And this is not always a good thing.

My wife, Tina, and I were raised in pretty similar ways. If we had to name the style of parenting our parents often used we would call it “transactional”. Every desire or action–even our emotions–was connected to a certain requirement or response based on the “value” of what it was we desired. Or avoided.  (more…)

The Importance of Discerning Guilt from Shame

Guilt or shame… are they the same thing? The last time you made a mistake or really blew it, what were you feeling in your gut: guilt or shame? Do you know the difference? One is healthy, and the other is deadly!

In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, I’ll show you why understanding how these two emotions differ is critical to your emotional health and for all of your relationships.

discerning guilt from shame

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The Gospel Is Not Just About Your Afterlife

If you’re struggling with finding joy in your Christian walk or have a low desire to live on mission and share your faith with others, it may be that you have been taught, and are believing­, a very small Gospel.

Christianity is not about sin management and the Good News of the gospel is not just about your afterlife. Let me unpack this for you, stick with me, you’ll love this. [Get my latest free training on Gospel Fluency now.] (more…)

Embracing How and Why God Saves Us – Pt.1

Most of our evangelistic messages focus on “How” someone can be saved. But the Gospel also tells us “Why” we’ve been saved. Understanding both is critical in making disciples of Jesus who make more disciples.

In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, I explain the “two lenses” of the Gospel: Power and Purpose. A failure to embrace and consistently proclaim both is what has led to such a discipleship deficit in the Church. Let’s change that.

embracing gospel power

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Racism, Identity and Our Gospel Hope

The subject of racial equality and related social injustice is one of the most pressing and important topics in our culture today. Is this a problem that’s “out there” and since it’s not affecting the majority of us today, we ignore it and hope it goes away? Is there hope for change? I believe there is, but it may not be a popular or politically correct option to take.

This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, I talk about racism, our identity, and how the Gospel is our only true hope. Not churchy stuff, not more Bible studies where we don’t live out what we learn in those studies. The Gospel.

racism our gospel hope

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Are You Really a Friend of Sinners?

Far too often I’ve heard Christians say, somewhat sheepishly, but with a hint of self-righteousness, that they really have nothing in common with non-Christians. That’s why they don’t have many (or any) not-yet believing friends.

Or they tell me that they don’t hang out with lost people, or allow their kids to, because they are trying to remain “holy” and don’t want to become polluted by the world. And to those objections I almost want to laugh and ask them if they have ever really read their Bibles or have you looked in a mirror recently?

Scripture and virtually all of history have shown us that if there is one thing we have most in common with every other human being, it’s our own sinful nature. Yet usually we let other’s sins define them and divide us, when in fact we are all sinners in need of a savior. We’re all dying, literally, and in need of rescue. We’re just alike.  (more…)

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