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I handed cash to a drug addict—what happened next blew me away. I walked into the church in Reno and met Tim, a resource table volunteer. I handed him the money bag with $120 to make change for cash sales and gave simple instructions. Here’s what I didn’t know. Tim was a recovering addict fresh off the streets. For ten years, no one had ever handed him cash. It would go up his nose or into his veins. Nobody gave Tim cash ... but I just gave him $120! (this photo is from that actual day) Tim had just received...

Life will always have friction. Like storms, it's ubiquitous, it will always be there. It’s part of being human. The key to a successful life is dealing with friction. Not all friction is bad. It takes friction to make a match spark for a flame. And yet, it’s the overwhelming presence of friction that can wear down our hearts. Like the brake rotors on an out-of-balance wheel, we can get worn down and misshapen. We can become a man we don’t want to be—headed in a direction we don't want to go. Bad rotors are said to be 'warped'. Jesus...

When Jesus was born he was surrounded by animals. When he gave his life on the cross he was surrounded by criminals … and family. In between his birth and crucifixion, one of the constants of his life was that he was always with family and friends. Brotherhood is one of the core values of CMN. To be a friend and stay connected with the brotherhood. It’s said that a friend brightens the room when they enter – others brighten it when they leave. Funny, but too often true. Jesus had a close friend named Lazarus. In John 11 he’s...

Christmas is the time of year when most of us think of how we can be a blessing in someone else’s life. We want to be generous and help someone. There’s a spirit of giving in the air. Jesus came to set the world free, and they killed him. Your good intentions will always find resistance. It’s part of wanting to be a good man. Jesus said, “The enemy (resistance) will always try to stop you, kill your dreams, destroy your hope.” (John 10:10) The key to a successful life is dealing with that resistance. Research tells us the brain...

He is the king who cried. When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem from Lazarus’s house in Bethany at the start of his passion week, he rode in on a donkey. A humble entrance. Unexpected from a king. The ancient Jewish prophet Zechariah had declared it centuries prior, “Rejoice greatly, O Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey” This Sunday is known as Christ the King Sunday on the church calendar. It’s the last Sunday of the year prior to Advent Sunday and is always the last Sunday of...