For a couple of generations, the notion of punishment as a necessary practice has been passe, and discipline (which is designed to treat evil and transform us rather than punish us) has been seen as the “enlightened” choice. Dr. John White, with the help of C.S. Lewis, makes the case that we need to get back to embracing and utilizing both punishment and discipline. I’d love to hear what you think. The aim of this “unpopular opinions” series is to generate some good discussion.  I grew up with the thought that God disciplines us, he doesn’t punish us, and we should have the same ..read more

If you’ve ever ridden a bike, you know that over-correcting can cause a crash. You see a potential problem, over-correct, and soon you’re scraped up and lying on your back. While it’s crucial to refine and sometimes even refute poor teaching from a prior generation (that may still be going on in some sectors), there’s always a tendency to overcorrect and thus unwittingly peddle other errors. Belah Rose from Delight Your Marriage has worked with many couples. She is passionate about pleasing and honoring God and living according to His word, while also bringing married couples to new heights of ..read more

Many churches preach regular (and annual) series on tithing, using carefully (and selectively) chosen passages from the Old Testament, particularly when Malachi urges us not to “rob” God of these tithes. But I’ve never—not once—heard a sermon on tithing that uses Moses’ words in Deuteronomy 14: “Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year…Exchange your tithe for silver, and take the silver with you and go to the place the Lord your God will choose. Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then y ..read more

This is part one of the second chapter of a book in progress entitled The Good Enough for God Life. You can read chapter one HERE. “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:5-8 The “Good Enough for God Life” that Dan is talking about assumes conversion. After we have been called, welcomed, forgiven, and r ..read more

Last week, we met Arianna, broken-hearted over her son’s rejection of Jesus (please read that post first HERE before you read this one). This week, we look at the disconnect in Scripture between parents’ faith and kids’ faithfulness by examining the “Samuel Syndrome.” And then we conclude with my final pastoral words to Arianna–three truths that I hope helped her deal with this real heartbreak.  The Samuel Syndrome Samuel was a seminal figure in Israel’s history and, by all accounts, a faithful servant of God (see 1 Samuel 2:35 and 12:1 – 5). Yet both his kids rebelled against G ..read more

When an adult child goes astray, the most common question I hear as a pastor is, “Was I a bad parent?” We tend to take responsibility for our adult children’s faith or lack thereof, even though I believe Scripture refutes any such notion. The challenge is that every one of us could have been better parents. I mean, who thinks they were perfect as parents? And how good is good enough? So guilt has many places to lodge while it condemns us, accuses us, and discourages us. This will be a two-part post, as the discussion is a long one. Today’s post seeks just to answer the question, “Was I a bad p ..read more

I had a wonderful conversation with Whitney from Woven Ministry about how Jesus taught and modeled walking away from the toxic people who tear us down and impair our ministries. Six verses after Matthew 6:33 (Seek first the Kingdom of God) we read Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:6 about not throwing our pearls before swine, and warning us what will happen if we do. He tells us to play defense right after telling us to go on the offense.  Whitney and I talk about the difference between a toxic person and a difficult person, and how to handle that difference even if we suspect it’s a family membe ..read more

Two truths carry me as I get older: knowing that (only in Christ, of course) I’m good enough for God, and secondly, that God is good enough for me. Divine affirmation is an essential component for someone who wants to serve God. We will be mocked, challenged and ignored, but divine affirmation lifts us to a place of courageous service and sweet peace. The second part, that God is good enough for me, is essential to avoid the allure of sin, the idolatry of family, the need for recognition, and concerns about daily provision.  I hope to combine these two into a book someday, but perhaps you ..read more

After When to Walk Away came out, a person on social media who saw the title but never read the content simply said, “Jesus never walked away from anyone, and we shouldn’t either.” That’s an understandable default reaction, and since I was so blinded myself, for so long, to walking away as sometimes a necessary strategy, I could understand her visceral rejection. But this chapter should put that notion to rest. My publisher has allowed us to print both chapter one, HERE, and this chapter, chapter 2, in its entirety, to celebrate When to Walk Away, surpassing over 100,0 ..read more

When I updated Sacred Marriage in 2015, Gateway Bible asked me a few questions that I appreciated receiving, as answering them helped readers get into the core message.   Here are the questions I answer: “What’s the real meaning behind that subtitle?”  “What unique challenges do you think today’s younger generation face in their marriages?”  “For Christians who are having a hard time getting along with their spouse, what is the best advice you can give that will help them find peace in their situation and see improvement?”  “What impact has this book had on t ..read more