Knowing & Being Known

From Prison to Purpose: My Conversation with David Garlock There are moments in ministry when I find myself humbled by the raw power of God’s redemption. Sitting down with David Garlock for our latest Embracing Brokenness podcast was one of those moments. David’s story is not an easy one to hear—but it’s one we need to. It’s a story of unimaginable trauma, personal failure, and the relentless pursuit of grace that only Jesus can offer. As he…

A year after making Dallas Buyers Club, Matthew McConaughey won the Oscar for Best Actor. The next day his kids asked him, “Papai, what did you get that trophy for?” As a father who wants his children to appreciate the value of delayed gratification, I recognized this as a cool opportunity to teach them, McConaughey writes. I said, “Remember a year ago when we were in New Orleans and I was already at work before you woke up in the morning and every night…

In our fast-paced, technology-driven world, it's easy to feel disconnected from our spiritual selves and from God. As John Eldredge reminds us, “we've become disciples of the internet”, conditioned to expect instant gratification and immediate answers. This constant connectivity has inadvertently trained our souls for impatience, making it challenging to cultivate a deep, meaningful relationship with the Divine. But what if there was a way to reclaim…

In a world that often separates the sacred from the secular, we are called to recognize that our work, no matter how ordinary it may seem, has eternal significance. Through the lives of five remarkable individuals, we discover profound lessons on how to glorify God in our everyday pursuits and embrace our role as "mere Christians" in a complex world. The Power of Presence and Unhurried Love Imagine a man so committed to being present with others that time seemed…

A friend of mine just listed a property for sale at nearly $2 million. Over 8,000 square feet with acres of land and a beautiful built-in pool and deck, it’s an impressive home. I looked at the size, the majestic architecture, the circular driveway and entrance with all the upscale accoutrements. I remembered a day when I would have lusted after such opulence. Honestly, this home would not have been big enough for me. I accumulated some pretty cool stuff. Oceanfront,…

In this episode of Colleen's Corner, we dive into a shocking reality—discipleship in America is at an all-time low. Surveys reveal that only 2-3% of adults can truly be called disciples of Christ, actively being discipled while discipling others. But why? Colleen unpacks the deep-rooted independence in American culture that resists spiritual mentorship and exposes how a lack of true discipleship is leading to hypocrisy, misplaced priorities, and even idol.…

It’s not every day that you face a high-stakes decision. But when you do, are you ready? Did you consider the cost if things go poorly? Sometimes, the best decision is to just - Stop. I’ve been meeting one-on-one with an inmate at our county prison for close to a year. We’ve had countless conversations about what life will be like from the other side of the wall. You see, my friend has been in and out of jail for nearly 15 years. Mostly because of parole…

“Before I formed you in the womb.” This phrase should fill you with a sense of destiny. It’s your spiritual birthright. God has ordained your days, ordered your footsteps, and prepared good works in advance. And he did it before you were even conceived. The irony of destiny is that it’s rarely discerned at the time. Sometimes it’s not even revealed until after we die. David may have reigned over a kingdom of millions, but his psalms have…

Been telling instead of teaching?Hearing instead of listening?Condemning instead of understanding?Misinterpreting certainty for self-confidence? Me? Guilty. I’ve always thought the best teachers were the ones who were most understood. I love to teach, I love to share wisdom, I love being a parent. But I have to watch it. Sometimes I talk AT people instead of teaching people, act ALL KNOWING instead of wise, and GIVE ADVICE to my children instead of actually listening…