The One Powerful Gift of My Weakest Moments

Last updated on: July 1, 2016 at 1:18 pm By Guest Contributor

I’m not called to have it all figured out. I’m not called to have wise words or answers or certainty. I’m called to use what I have, my weaknesses, for the benefit of people around me. For me, I often find myself writing more when I’m more keenly aware of my depression. The moments where it’s harder to pick myself up, when I’m fighting the hardest against the lies of my head, these moments are usually followed by moments when I feel like what I’m writing is worthwhile. In my hardest times, I know what I need to hear. And if I truly believe that you’re not alone in your struggles, then I must believe it for myself as well. This means that the things I need to hear are probably things that someone else needs to hear too. Maybe in my weakest moments, I’m the most useful for God because I know I can’t do it. Read more

On Zombies, Trump, and Denying Jesus

Last updated on: August 18, 2016 at 1:55 pm By Steve Austin

Growing up in the Evangelical tradition, I was scared to death of denying Jesus. Countless times, I heard sermons preached on the end of the world. I grew up in the days of the Left Behind series, which was like our own personal Christian horror story. I was talking about the series with a friend recently, who said, “I feel like that series would make the perfect Christian drinking game.” I was six when a book was published with 88 reasons Jesus was coming back in 1988. It didn’t happen, but I still heard the End of Time sermons around it. For at least the first twenty years of my life, I fully expected the trumpet to sound at any time and Jesus to come bursting through the clouds on a white horse, somewhere above Atlanta. That was about as far east as I could fathom. I imagined the end of the world looked something like a combination of the Holocaust and The Walking Dead. I had heard “Midnight Cry” enough times to know “the dead in Christ” would rise, but what about all the others, the ones who weren’t in Christ? Would they be roaming the streets too? Read more

Join Us! The Church and Mental Health

Last updated on: June 30, 2016 at 11:34 am By Steve Austin

I was privileged to be a part of a very helpful (and hilarious chat with Robert Vore and Sarah Simmons from the #churchmh team, plus Kate Pieper, LMFT. If you struggle with the church's role and response to those with mental health issues, this chat is definitely for you! Read more

Abuse, Addiction, and Recovery: This is My Story

Last updated on: September 6, 2016 at 9:54 am By Steve Austin

I remember it like it happened this morning, every nasty detail. His name was Jeremy and he lived across the street. He was a teenager. He seemed like a giant at the time. He was big and strong and took advantage of me. This was not just two kids experimenting, which is common. He knew what he was doing. He knew he was wrong. Read more

How to Win a Free Copy of My New Recovery Journal

Last updated on: June 30, 2016 at 9:59 am By Steve Austin

It’s time to take ownership of your recovery. It’s hard work, but you can do it. No more running, no more hiding, no more masks. No matter what your journey has looked like so far, recovery is possible. I am living proof. Read more

Dealing with Dysfunctional Families: How to Make Strong Fences

Last updated on: June 27, 2016 at 12:52 pm By Steve Austin

We expect certain people, based on their title and role in our lives, to always know how to love us well. But that’s not usually the case. Those closest to us often hurt us the most. And if you choose, as I have, not to walk away from those relationships, you have to draw strong boundaries. People can confuse emotional intimacy with honoring your parents. Your parents can love you and not know part of you. Just because a person is in your family, doesn’t mean they have access to every part of your life. Read more

The Gospel According to Winnie the Pooh

Last updated on: June 26, 2016 at 11:27 am By Steve Austin

I’ve always thought of myself as a Tigger, and so has everyone else. But being Tigger all the time comes with a lot of pressure. (Because he’s the only one.) So what do you do when you are typically a Tigger, but are having a down day like Eeyore or a grumpy day like Rabbit? Read more

Light the Torches! Grace for Divorced Christians

Last updated on: June 24, 2016 at 11:46 am By Guest Contributor

I’m divorced. Well, not really. I’m now married. Happily, with five kids. But I have been divorced, or, more appropriately, have gone through a divorce. There’s a difference. The past does not define us. Divorce, in particular, is not a label. Many Christians disagree. Many Christians deem divorce the mark of death, the breaking of God’s covenant, the dreaded scarlet letter. It’s one of those ‘sins’ that is given greater weight than others - like, you know, killing people, being gay, having loads of premarital sex - and, likewise, damns those who go through it to raw ditch pits and hellfire. Read more

One Year After Same-Sex Marriage was Legalized, Love Still Wins

Last updated on: August 18, 2016 at 1:56 pm By Guest Contributor

I couldn’t tell you exactly how many weddings I’ve attended, but I can tell you how many have actually meant something to me. The answer is four. Four weddings where I was in full emotional and spiritual support of the couple coming together before God and their dearest loved ones. The most recent was this wedding that I had the privilege of officiating. I opened up the moment with these words: “I’m pretty sure that by law I have to ask if anyone opposes this wedding… but the real question is, ‘who is wildly excited about this moment?’” After the brides and I wiped tears from our eyes, we moved forward in the most emotional, supportive, and spiritual wedding I’ve ever been part of. When the only people present are core relationships, you cannot help but be moved. Read more

JOIN US: Christianity, Queers, and Crisis…and What about Orlando?

Last updated on: August 18, 2016 at 1:56 pm By Steve Austin

The Church has found itself sharply divided in the midst of this, waging a cultural battle over who gets to be a Christian. Some people are saying some pretty awful things on God’s behalf and others desperately want to help but have no clue where to begin. In light of the mass shooting in Orlando, plus the one-year anniversary of Obergefell (the legalization of gay marriage), I’ve called on the best and brightest to join me for a Blab chat TONIGHT about “Christianity, Queers, and Crisis...and what about Orlando?” at 8pm EST. Read more