I love college students. Absolutely love them. Perhaps it was because while at college Christ rescued me. Then we were able to invest our remaining undergrad years and the next three to serving on the campus full-time. (I saw “us,” because that’s where Kari and I met, serving side-by-side.) A long-time friend from childhood, Peter Dusan, now serves with his family as campus missionaries in Texas — to and with college students. In the short video below he encapsulates what it means to work with the next generation, as they explore identity, meaning, truth, intimacy, pleasure...

Buckle your seatbelt. Every time. Twelve years ago I was saved in a wreck because I had paused to buckle-up. I certainly would have died on that snowy night, except for that little strap across my shoulder. In those days, pausing to buckle-up was rare for me. Actually believe an audible voice told me to do it, at around 1am, and my life was spared from the ensuing crash. Next thing I know the car had crashed head-on into a concrete ditch, and I was shaken, but safe. The little things, like buckling-up, really do matter. Take the time to fasten your seatbelt, and your kids’. (And put down...

On the weekend after Christmas I enjoyed the opportunity to preach at our church (previous times here and here). The text was Luke 15, and I called it “The Search.” (Listen here.) Three key themes emerged from Luke 15: A deeper view of our sin // we are lost A higher view of our value // we are treasured A farther view of salvation // Jesus is the Relentless Shepherd The background was key, especially about the Pharisees. Won’t go into it here, but suffice to say they were not villains or extremists. They were the moral middle class, and they are more like us than we even realize....

Tonight’s BCS National Championship game started with Texas quarterback Colt McCoy — the most aptly-named player in the nation for position and geography — injuring his throwing shoulder. A bummer for the ‘horns who are down 24-6 at the half. McCoy and one of his opponents, Heisman trophy winning running back Mark Ingram of Alabama, have been profiled on ESPN’s “Sport Science,” which gives us a detailed scientific take on sports. One segment compared Colt McCoy’s passing ability to the accuracy required by a trained skeet shooter. Watch another segment as...

A fascinating 5 minute TED talk, “4 ways sounds affect us” Abstract: Playing sound effects both pleasant and awful, Julian Treasure shows how sound affects us in four significant ways. Listen carefully for a shocking fact about noisy open-plan offices. SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "How sounds affect us", url: "http://www.deTheos.com/2010/01/03/how-sounds-affect-us/" });

This is how a pastor can shepherd his people into the goodness of God even in the midst of difficult circumstances and personal illness. Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor of The Village Church near Dallas gives his church family some perspective as he faces chemo treatments after the New Year. On Thanksgiving morning he had a seizure, then doctors found a brain tumor, did surgery, and it turns out the tumor is malignant. Brain cancer. Last week he tweeted, “Why not me? Why not you?” Indeed. When I found out, I cried. Then prayed for Matt, Lauren and their three kids together with my lead pastor....

One of the great questions of our age goes like this: “If God is good — and all-powerful — why does He allow evil and suffering?” Just yesterday I say down with a college student and discussed this. For a few years I’ve been able to read and grate first-year seminary students’ attempts to answer that question, in light of Scripture. The theological term for this discussion is theodicy, as in the justice of God. It is asking God to justify Himself for what we see. (Note the irony in the phrase: we should be on trial, not God, for being inconsistent and limited.) The...

A short animation our youth team put together to communicate the truths of Matthew 7:24-27 this weekend. What’s your foundation?  More to the point: Who is your foundation? the Wise and Foolish Builders from WCC Students on Vimeo. Song: “Safe” by Phil Wickham on “Heaven & Earth” SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Wise & Foolish. Who is your foundation?", url: "http://www.deTheos.com/2009/12/14/wise-foolish-who-is-your-foundation/" });

I enjoy recommending the The Jesus Storybook Bible (by Sally Lloyd-Jones, illustrated by Jago) because as the subtitle states, “every story whispers His name.” The point of the Bible is Jesus. While reading the stories of Scripture to our kids the connections to Christ become more vivid … aha! That’s why that was this way … Oh, now I see! (Parents and adults, you should read this book.) It’s a great read and we’ve given it as gifts to many. Helps us to enjoy the Bible so we can enjoy the One about whom it is written. Here’s a video version of the...

I remember when I was not a Christian; I resonate with both of the speakers below. Two videos here, both speakers are not believers in Jesus (or one of His followers). Both with different perspectives on this question … or, perhaps just different on the surface. What do you think? ( “I’d like to say something about Christians trying to convert non-Christians.” At the end of an interview for a series we were doing at The Journey Church (St. Louis), Pastor Jonathan McIntosh’s good friend Aaron turned to him and said, “I’d like to say something about Christians...