Before I say anything about abortion, I want you to know where this is coming from: the heart of a pastor. I know this isn’t just an issue to debate. It’s a deeply personal story for many people. Researchers estimate that about one in four American women will have an abortion in her lifetime. That means some of the women who sit in our services each Sunday carry this in their past, and some of the men carry it too. I’ve seen the grief, the regret, the secrecy, and the quiet devastation it can leave behind long after the moment has passed.

Every October, Christians ask the same question: is it okay to celebrate Halloween, or is it the devil's holiday? I don't think the answer is a simple yes or no. Here's how I think it through, and how our family has landed. My goal isn't to make our family the standard, but to help you think carefully about yours.

If you've spent any time paying attention, you've noticed that masculinity is in the crosshairs of our culture right now. The push to flatten, minimize, or outright mock the concept of a man who leads, protects, provides, and takes responsibility is relentless. That's not random. And it's not new.

This topic is highly debated in the world today, and there are plenty of voices who loudly proclaim to speak for God. When answering the question about homosexuality, we can’t look inward for answers, and we shouldn’t take a poll from culture; as Christians, we have to look to scripture alone.

I’ve had my fair share of people doing stupid things to me over the course of my life. I’m sure you have too. Asking people if you have ever been hurt, offended or mistreated, is like asking someone if you went to the bathroom today. Sure it happened, but that doesn’t mean we feel like talking about it.