The Jonah Complex

I was reading the book of Jonah this morning. And it struck me just how relevant his story is. To recap, God tells Jonah to “get up and go to the great city of Ninevah”, and Jonah really doesn’t want to go. Ninevah is a non-covenant enemy of Israel. Jonah can’t stand them. Instead of listening, Jonah runs in the … Read More

Sleeping with Lions

Samson slayed the lion. Daniel slept with them. God doesn’t always confront the same problem in the same manner. If we aren’t careful, it’s easy to miss how He’s moving, because we expect it to look a certain way. With Samson, God enabled him to eliminate the threat through power (Judges 14). With Daniel, God kept him safe while He worked … Read More

Rear View Potential

I have sort of a bad habit when it comes to relationships and sizing up humans. The foundation of my opinions is oftentimes based on (future) potential. I mentally acknowledge an individual’s gifts and abilities. I admire their strengths and imagine all the good they’re capable of. Seeing people for their potential is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, … Read More

God, Candy Bars, and Memory Loss

I was reading the story of Elijah this morning, and I couldn’t help but laugh. We see similar themes all throughout the Bible, detailing God’s promises and blessings as well as His warnings and eventual consequences. Yet people tap into their inner child, eyes wide and mouths agape, and act like they’re surprised when the faultless God follows through.   … Read More

My Thrive Experience: 2 Week Update

  Where to begin? I’m not a highly emotional person. I’m rational, skeptical, and even a bit cynical at times. But not with Thrive. It’s no small thing when I say: Thrive has completely changed my life. Starting my second week, I’m beginning to rest better. Sleep and gut issues have always been my biggest struggles. When one is off, … Read More

My Thrive Experience: Week 1

I’ve been on Thrive for a full week now, and I will confidently say that I’ve never felt so great in my adult life. My sleep is better than it has ever been, and that’s always been my largest struggle. I’m able to concentrate on what I need to during the entire day, run errands, enjoy time with my kids, … Read More

Be the Change

Most of the developed world is aware of the Notre Dame tragedy. That terrifying blaze swept through the landmark and nearly destroyed 850 years of history. The religious and secular communities alike were shaken as the flames devoured everything they could consume before finally being quenched. My social media feeds have overflowed with tears and sentiments from friends and acquaintances … Read More

Finding My Voice.

Nothing is ever really lost, or can be lost, No birth, identity, form—no object of the world. Nor life, nor force, nor any visible thing; Appearance must not foil, nor shifted sphere confuse thy brain. Ample are time and space—ample the fields of Nature. The body, sluggish, aged, cold—the embers left from earlier fires, The light in the eye grown … Read More

Don’t Cry Alone in the Bathroom

April 19, 1995 – This was the first time in my few short years when I realized evil was real. It wasn’t reserved for storybook characters or fantasy lands. It existed in my world, and it was no respecter of persons. A newspaper with this image on the front page lay on the counter top. I vividly remember the profound … Read More

Lift As You Climb – You Won’t Climb Alone

I love success stories. I especially love success stories that involve people who’ve overcome tremendous struggles to achieve their goals. In the past few years, I’ve witnessed fellow authors grow to New York Time bestseller levels and sign movie/TV deals. I’ve seen many commit to leading their lives in a more health-conscious way, losing 50+ pounds or giving up sugar … Read More