As a campus minister, it seems I’m witnessing an increase in the myriad of problems that arise out of a desperate need students have to control their lives.  I realize that to say this need for control is the necessary outcome of a more subjective and individualized culture might be redundant, but maybe it’s worth saying again.  The 18 to 22 year olds who will soon be unleashed into this world long for a unique life that asserts their individuality.  So, the need to meticulously control the details of ones life in order to arrive at that goal of uniqueness often leave me working with lonely and relationally dysfunctional people.  I guess I could boil it down to this: relationships are the bane of selfishness’ existence. Read more

In the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, Jesus reveals to us a man who was so consumed with himself, his possessions and his own comfort that during the course of his life he never really noticed this poor beggar named Lazarus who sat at his gate day after day.  While preparing to preach this text a few months ago, I couldn’t help but see much of myself in the character of the Rich Man.  Often my own schedule, needs, hobbies and comfort blind me from the obvious needs of those around me.  It caused me to ask the question: who are the needy that are right in my midst, and yet are “invisible” to me?  It’s sort of a scary question to ask.  There are some obvious ones that immediately came to mind, such as the homeless in my community, the elderly widow two houses down, and even the young single girl across the street who desperately needs Jesus.  But it wasn’t until a couple of nights ago that I realized there is a whole group of people that are often invisible to me, even though they are all around me.  They are people with special needs and disabilities.Read more

By the look on her face, one might have thought I had just suggested she murder her own mother.  It was that horrified, yet puzzled look that is often the response to a statement so bizarre that the hearer does not have time to mask her disgust with a fake, grimacing smile.  What had I suggested?  What could I have possibly said to conjure that distortion upon the pretty little face of this co-ed?  I suggested she stop.  That’s it, really.  I suggested she take an entire day where she did no work at all; a day where she did nothing to secure her own future, or inch closer to her own dreams.  The thought was utterly terrifying to this highly driven student.  After a moment she shuttered, and then wearily asked if I had any other suggestions to help curb her persistent anxiety.Read more

A couple of years ago my family moved into a house with a large fig tree in the back yard. I've always wanted a fig tree. I love the musty, earthy taste of fresh figs. So, that first summer I religiously inspected the tree, looking for signs of fruit. It looked bleak at first because the tree had been victim of a late frost and many of its leaves were withered. But then, in late June there were tiny buds, barely teardrops of fruit. My wife was confused by my excitement, not being a fig lover like myself.

But as the summer pressed on, I began to question this tree's fruit producing proficiency. The process slow, the harvest not quite in sight. Late in the summer I took the kids out for an inspection—the tree was covered in figs, hard and green. We picked a couple, the milky latex oozed out of the stems. We cut the hard figs in half and registered the progress—definitely a few more weeks on the tree. Those final weeks where when we had to watch for predators—squirrels and birds that sneak in and try to steal the harvest. My daughter was particularly distraught over the birds, and frequently peered out the window to warn me of their presence. We were watching for that heavy droop; that deep purple hue. Ripen, already!Read more

Interview with Jason Boyett, author of THE POCKET GUIDE TO THE BIBLE

A few months ago a friend of mine was reading a book about end times stuff called The Pocket Guide to the Apocalypse and kept going on and on about how funny it was. I thought to myself, how funny can the apocalypse be? Then I read it and my life hasn’t been the same since. Well, ok, maybe that’s a bit dramatic but I enjoyed it immensely. Jason Boyett gave a great overview of all of the official stances as well as some not-so-official ones in a way that was clever, funny, and culturally relevant. I was thrilled when I heard Jason was doing a Pocket Guide to the Bible.

 The following is an interview with Jason about his newest release that I think you will greatly
enjoy. By the way, please visit, www.jasonboyett.com to gain access to all of Jason’s work.
 

Todd Bragg: Who are you? Tell me about why      you do what you do and how you’ve come to this point in your journey.

My name is Jason Boyett. I’m a decent husband (of Aimee), a world-class father (of Ellie and Owen), a mediocre musician (drums, guitar, dulcimer), and a moderately talented writer (of books and magazine articles and answers to interview questions).

I do what I do because, for some reason, God gave me the ability to string words together in interesting and occasionally humorous ways. And because this sort of thing comes naturally to me, I feel some obligation to put it to use as often as I can, out of gratitude for the gift. My first writing job came as an advertising copywriter.

I spent my days writing newsletters for retirement homes, and radio spots for cellular phone companies, and print ads for pharmaceutical compounding. Then I got sorta tired of the corporate grind and had the chance to drop out of that world. I downsized and took a job as communications director for my church. And at some point in that process, I hooked up with a fledgling media company called Relevant Media Group. A half dozen books later, here we are.

 What was your inspiration for the Pocket Guide series? Did you know you wanted to do all of them, or did you do one then get the idea for the next one?Read more

Someone once told me that if you want to be a good parent then you will be.  When I asked for parenting advice, I wasn’t expecting that answer.  But the more I thought about it, the more I saw the wisdom in it.  I have a seven month old boy named Elliott and he is the joy of my life.  He is a content baby, goes down for naps well, seems to be developing properly for his age, is healthy, beautiful, and I can’t believe that he is my son.  I don’t mean that I am questioning whether or not I’m the father, this is certain, I just mean that I feel as though I have turned around and I am 34 years old, married for almost 8 years, and I have a son… I am a dad.
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I am a first time father, at age 34, to a 3 month old son named Elliott Lewis, who has impacted my life in many ways.  He smiles and frowns with no more than the blink of an eye between.  He doesn’t really laugh yet, but he can cry like nobody’s business.  You would not believe the volume and outstanding force that’s behind any number of bowel movements each day.  I have to say that this is quite impressive and gives me much pride.  Read more

I want to start with a disclaimer.  Being a professional musician, I often get asked to listen to music by people that think I can help them get a record deal or an opening slot on a tour.  This is potentially an awkward situation.  More times than not, the music is not very good and I truly don’t want to be the one to break the news to them.  Besides, it’s just my opinion anyway.  However, there are those rare occasions when I encounter a project or a writer that needs no disclaimer.  Andrew Peterson is one of those writers, and his latest project, The Far Country , is one that I relish the chance to review and share with you.Read more

[Editor's Note: Todd Bragg is the drummer for Caedmons Call.]

I have had the privilege of knowing Dave Owen now for several years and have seen the college ministry that he pastors at Providence Baptist church grow and thrive in many ways.  When I heard that Providence College Ministry was putting out a cd of worship music I couldn’t wait to hear it.  I have attended the college services several times and each time I come away blessed and excited to see the truth of the Gospel being taught in word, song, and deed.  How great it is to see the evidence of this in the form of their new worship cd, Vaunted Pleasures.Read more