Shame is one of the most powerful and least discussed forces shaping the lives of men. It often hides beneath[...]

Does character really matter? In this talk, Craig Glass defines true character as living from internal convictions—not external expectations—and shows how everyday choices shape our legacy: one conviction (“my life is not all about me”) and two commitments (principles we believe in, people we care about).

Mark 12:30, 31 makes it clear that God has designed all humans with heart (emotions), soul (spirit), mind (intellect), and strength (physicality.) In his mysterious mercy, God allows us to be broken so that he can bring about redemption. Listen to Craig's extremely personal story of brokenness and redemption.

Having grown up in northern Illinois, I have a permanent memory of certain highway route numbers and the roads they[...]

On the last day of a sabbatical I took this summer, I had a Zoom conference with my board and[...]

One week ago we were stunned by the news that NBA star Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others[...]

We are entering the Season of Light, the Light Festival, the Christmas season when so much of the world decorates[...]

Perhaps you've seen the recent Gillette commercial about men being the best they can be. The phrase "the best a man can get" took me back to hazy "wonder years" when I wondered when I might need to shave anything at all.

As I watched the clip, it evoked similar beneath-the-surface feelings: recognition, conviction, inspiration and commitment. So I was surprised to hear and read that not everyone had the same positive impression of the clip as I did. In fact, I saw through one source that reactions against the commercial were 4:1 versus those that saw it as positive.

Those were my words when the first accusations against Bill Hybels, founder and senior pastor of Willow Creek, came out in the Chicago Tribune and Christianity Today last spring. My words were in response to a group of men who asked how it felt for me, knowing I had served on staff at the church for four years in the 1990’s. Those words still hold true for me today; they are just stronger. As weeks have gone by more women have courageously stepped forward to reveal shocking stories of harassment, intimidation and inappropriate behavior they say they experienced from Hybels. He still denies the accusations and the elders are now re-investigating the claims, after months of their own denials and unkind characterizations against the women.

Once again we wrestle with piercing feelings of grief, bewilderment and anger. Yet again a young American male has unleashed his wrath against a vulnerable group of students. Our hearts ache, our heads shake and our minds reel. How can this keep happening? What can we do to make sure this never happens again? We’re familiar with the spectrum of suggested causes as well as solutions—it’s a mental health issue, it’s a gun access issue, it’s a cultural issue. It’s all of those to some degree, but in my option it’s a horrific case of American Exceptionalism. I love my country, but I really dislike the way that term is typically used. It implies that American culture is first and best, as if we’re all in a global competition for a mythical cultural gold medal. Having traveled to more than 60 countries over the years I’ve experienced qualities in every one of them that are admirable as well as unfortunate. Mine included.