Some Christians treat the Great Commission like it’s optional. That’s a mistake. That decision robs them of the chance to experience all that Jesus has promised. He said he came to give us a full, abundant life.

Anxiety is on the rise in our culture and the personal lives of the people I talk to regularly. It may be due to the prevalent use of social media, the constant drumbeat of the negative news cycle, or our over-scheduled and overcommitted personal lives.

It was my honor to be interviewed by Family Life Radio and my good friend Steve Smith for their original podcast The Calling. We talked about how to find work that matters and the ways that the church represents a table that feeds our spiritual growth.

I have been mentored and coached by Dave Kraft for the past 10+ years. He is a godly man, father, husband, pastor, and leadership coach. It is my honor this month to ask him several questions about leadership that I know will be a blessing.

In some parts of the world, people have found an incredibly simple way to catch monkeys.

There is such a thing as the ministry of presence. I have seen it on many occasions. It’s not flashy. And it doesn’t create headlines. But often, our presence is the most meaningful gift we can give someone.

The next time you are tempted to say that you don’t know your calling, stop yourself. If you are a Christian, the Bible is clear about your highest calling. You can embrace it today.

Show me a person with purpose, and I will show you someone with a reason to live. Alternatively, show me a person without a clear purpose, and I will show you someone who struggles to get out of bed in the morning, consistently fails to bring their best to their relationships, and readily admits they aren't enjoying life.

Work is not the only reason you were created, but it is a key part of the purpose of your existence. Apart from meaningful and productive work, you will endlessly struggle with purpose and happiness because you were meant to be productive for God’s glory.

The topics of sin and repentance are out of vogue in the church today. I think that is a big mistake. The Bible is incredibly focused, from cover to cover, on the reality of sin and the need for forgiveness.

Most people live for the approval of the many. They make decisions that they know others will approve of. They go along with the crowd. They blend into the culture. Unfortunately, they also live safe and ineffective Christian lives.

At some moment in our lives, we all face a storm. The question is not whether the storm will come, but how will you survive the storm when it comes?

Some years ago I discovered the gift of getting away with Jesus. Every month I carve out a day to enjoy my relationship with him, listen to his voice, and discuss the direction my life is headed.

There is a fascinating story in 2 Samuel 6:12-23 that describes the moment that King David brings the ark of God into Jerusalem. He is overjoyed and shows it with his worship, but his wife is embarrassed.

The story of King David in the Bible is about waiting for God's promise to come about in his life. At 15 years old, the prophet Samuel announced that God had rejected Saul and instead chose young David to be the future king of Israel. It must have been bewildering to receive such a promise and feel like it would never happen.

My wife bought me a plaque for my home office. It reads, “A man who walks with God, always reaches his destiny.” I can’t tell you how much that has meant to me over the years.

Sometimes in life a friend will betray you, a family member will hurt you, or a co-worker will unfairly blame you. These events deeply injure us and leave us with wounds that are difficult to heal. What do you do when this happens to you?

Giants come for all of us. I wish it wasn’t the case, but at some moment in your life you will face down something that will feel daunting and insurmountable.

I have been a pastor for 16 years, a husband for 21 years, and a father for 12. My son Levi is 12, Judah is 9, Adlee is 7, and Ezra is 3. My parents live less than 15 houses from us and we see them often. We have a full house and a full life.