The Easter story is a familiar story that many of us have heard since childhood. And we’ve seen it portrayed on countless felt boards in churches throughout the Western world. But I’m afraid it has lost some of its gusto. I guess the felt-board characters haven’t aged very well. Bunnies and chocolates have taken center stage in this modern-day version. Consequently, Jesus gets a casual, “Thank you.” Then, it’s back to life as usual. But this year, I approached the […]
This week, we celebrated the passing of a man known affectionately as “America’s pastor”. Billy Graham was one of the most prominent figures of this generation, and I would argue that he bridged the gap between religion, politics and popular culture better than anyone in history. But there are others who would disagree. In fact, a scathing article ran in Rolling Stone calling him a “shameless sycophant” and credited him with “transforming evangelical Christianity into a patriotic corporate entity”. Opinions […]
There is a fierce battle raging in our country. The events in Charlottesville and the backlash that followed have sprouted bitter fruit from a crippled seed planted long ago. At a quick glance, the conversation is about Confederate statues, racism, and taking sides. Like a schoolyard fight, we line up on one side holding fast to our stereotypes, anger, and hatred for those across from us. But is that really the issue? In a moment of clarity, I feel like God […]
My wife, Liz, is an amazing mom to our four children. We’ve walked through a challenging season with her health that has proven to be both humbling and empowering. As you read her story, we hope it will be both humbling and empowering for you as well. In the fall of 2011, I gave birth to identical twins boys. Despite being born six-weeks early, each weighed six pounds. I knew that pregnancy had done a number on my body, but […]
Classic hymns like The Old Rugged Cross take me back to childhood memories of church, where the organ music echoed throughout the sanctuary and bounced off of the stained-glass windows. I remember being in awe of the majesty and reverence of God back then, but years of hearing the story over and over and seeing the imperfections of religion had a deadening effect on my spirit. As I grew older, ambition and success replaced any subtle notion of God’s love. Sure, I believed. […]
In the 1980s we fell in love with Marty McFly, time travel, and DeLoreans. Thanks to Stephen Spielberg, Robert Zemeckis, and a host of others, Back to the Future was one of the most iconic movies of the decade and one of the best-selling trilogy series of all-time. I was born in the ’80s, but the decade following would be the decade of my generation. Wedged between the end of Generation X and the beginning of Generation Y were, the Nineties. I recently caught […]
In 2006 Mexico-based brewer, Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma Brewery, hired marketing firm Havas Worldwide to create a campaign for their brand Dos Equis. What followed shows the response of popular culture to creative advertising. The created persona has sparked a marketing whirlwind and internet sensation: The Most Interesting Man in the World When describing the campaign’s purpose and the creation of their character, the firm said, “He is a man rich in stories and experiences, much the way the audience hopes to be […]
We get busy in life. Matt reminds us of why we dedicate ourselves to something other than ourselves.
- Robert Wagnon, CEO, Republic State Mortgage
