Countless unplanned events mark the timelines of our lives.

Christianity is not about good people getting better. It is about real people coping with their failure to be good.

People who are hurting would, overwhelmingly, rather not be hurting. If they could simply choose to be happy, they would. If the depressed could simply choose not to be depressed, they would. That they don’t implies a deeper problem.

Sadly, it was the Christian Community that shifted my focus from the cross to a ladder, leading me to conclude that the focal point of the Christian faith is the climb of the Christian.

Because of what Jesus has done for me, God gives me what I don’t deserve (grace) and withholds the judgment that I do deserve (mercy). And that means that God doesn’t love us as we are. The news is so much better than that.

The scandal of Jesus’ promiscuous love toward those who are hated is just too vulgar for a culture that has to find some solace in dealing with the uncomfortable log in their own eye by pointing out the speck in someone else’s.

I’m convinced that we desperately need to rediscover the reality of Christian lostness. If we don’t, then all we are left with when a Christian wanders off and gets lost is to doubt whether they were ever found in the first place. Sadly, this assumption is made all the time.

The Bible has plenty to say about our becoming like Jesus. But our transformation is not the foundation of the Christian faith. The foundation of the Christian faith is Christ’s substitution—the fact that Jesus became like us. The modern church has sadly reversed the order. The focus of the Christian faith has now become the life of the Christian.

Far from telling this story to help us become like The Good Samaritan, Jesus tells this story to show us how far from being like The Good Samaritan we actually are!

No matter how well I behave, how much time I spend cleaning up my life, how far I get from the first and second divorce, from the rumors and the gossip and the truth, I am a rotten sinner in desperate need of a risen Savior. Even my best good deeds and days merit no mercy, are no grounds for grace, and provide no foundation…

In God’s economy, I am bankrupt. I am every label that has been attached to me: idolater, liar, adulterer, coveter, thief. And because of my bankruptcy, God sent Jesus as my substitute, not only to pay my debt in full but to make a deposit of righteousness that will never run out.

As far back as I can remember, I always wanted more than what I had. Even though I had been given so much, it wasn’t enough. I was always looking past whatever moment I was in for a better moment.

As demands for justice get louder and louder, we dare not forget the one thing that ultimately makes injustice just: mercy.

Spiritual growth is not what they told us it was. It’s not, “I’m getting stronger and stronger, more and more competent everyday.” Rather, it’s “I’m becoming increasingly aware of how weak and incompetent I am and how strong and competent Jesus was and continues to be for me.”

In light of the numerous scandals that have erupted over the last five years alone with regard to church leaders, my friend Chad Bird and I co-authored the following article that we hope encourages, provokes, and enlightens the conversation…

What we do for God is important. But it is infinitely less important than what God has done for us.

A month ago, my wife and I traveled to Jacksonville at the invitation of business leader Chris Patterson so that I could be interviewed on his show. You can watch our conversation here.

Here’s to real independence: the freedom that comes from a savior who has kept the law in our place, and which allows us to live, delivered from bondage.

Unless we go to the Bible to see Jesus and his work for us, even our devout Bible reading can become fuel for our own narcissistic self-improvement plans.

Affair Recovery’s Survivors’ Blog helps people heal from the pain of affairs and betrayal. Their programs are research-based, combining a solid curriculum with the strength of collaborative support to provide solace and recovery for both couples and individuals. All of their materials are created by clinical professionals…

The Ministry Minded Podcast is a show full of interviews, stories, and reflections on God’s amazing grace in an often messy and chaotic life in ministry. Through this medium, Brad Gray hopes to delve into the intricacies of everyday ministry. Not the flashy parts that attract people but the messy parts that may, perhaps, scare…

The Ministry Minded Podcast is a show full of interviews, stories, and reflections on God’s amazing grace in an often messy and chaotic life in ministry. Through this medium, Brad Gray hopes to delve into the intricacies of everyday ministry. Not the flashy parts that attract people but the messy parts that may, perhaps, scare…

The Ministry Minded Podcast is a show full of interviews, stories, and reflections on God’s amazing grace in an often messy and chaotic life in ministry. Through this medium, Brad Gray hopes to delve into the intricacies of everyday ministry. Not the flashy parts that attract people but the messy parts that may, perhaps, scare…

The #AskSteveAustin Podcast is a very progressive look at life and faith with Life Coach, Steve Austin. Each week, Steve talks with guests about the biggest questions and issues of our day. If you're looking for honest conversation and hope for a better tomorrow, minus all the religious b.s., you've come to the right place…

Are you ready to discover your true identity and become who you were born to be? Welcome to The Born to Be Podcast, where we believe you were created on purpose and for a purpose. Each Sunday, we deliver an interview with one of today’s top thought leaders—from popular recording artists to authors…

Raymond Arroyo is an internationally recognized, award-winning journalist, producer, EWTNews Managing Editor, Fox News Contributor, and New York Times bestselling author. He is the host and creator of EWTN's "The World Over with Raymond Arroyo" which is seen each week in more than 200 million homes…

At Give & Take, Scott Jones talks with artists, authors, theologians, and political pundits about the lens through which they experience life. With empathy, humor, and a deep knowledge of religion, current events, and pop culture, Scott engages his guests in a free-flowing conversation that’s entertaining, unexpected…

FOX News Channel’s The Ingraham Angle (weeknights 10PM/ET) is hosted by Laura Ingraham. She explains, “We’re going to talk about the issues that I think our country is in turmoil about, and also a lot of the good stuff that's happening that we sometimes overlook in the culture and in politics.” Ingraham aims to cut through…

The Rev. Billy Graham, who transformed American religious life through his preaching and activism, becoming a counselor to presidents and the most widely heard Christian evangelist in history, died Wednesday. He was 99. Graham, who long suffered from cancer, pneumonia and other ailments, died at his home…

The Basic Bible Podcast seeks to take high-level theology and place it down on the bottom shelf for everyone to enjoy. That’s right—enjoy. Theology is not merely an academic pursuit but a passionate journey to learn more about our relationship with God. Each week we will discuss a different theological concept…

The Free Sex Podcast encourages sexual freedom and exploration in marriages. Candice and Katie have been friends for 10 years. They realized one day that there wasn't anyone talking about sex in the church, except old white men from the pulpit telling the wives to have more sex with their husbands. Through their own stories…

Grace on Fire is a gospel-inspired podcast empowering Christians to apply God’s grace to life’s most challenging problems. The goal? To live an extraordinary life for a higher purpose. Let’s face it, for many, the life of faith has become nothing more than a routine. At times, the Christian faith can seem boring and out of touch…

At Give & Take, Scott Jones talks with artists, authors, theologians, and political pundits about the lens through which they experience life. With empathy, humor, and a deep knowledge of religion, current events, and pop culture, Scott engages his guests in a free-flowing conversation that’s entertaining, unexpected…