The Most Life-Changing Decision in College

The single most life-altering change I made in college was when I finally decided to read the Bible. I became dissatisfied with riding the coattails of others’ biblical knowledge, and I have yet to recover from the transformation that occurred.

Why Some Christians Thrive in College

I have witnessed too many students begin college following Christ but leave far from Him. In my years of ministry, one particular element makes the difference between those who make it and those who don’t.

All Beliefs Cannot Be True

Students desiring to follow Jesus in college must decide how they will define truth. If you don’t know what you believe or why you believe it, forces can successfully alter your worldview based on cultural opinions.

The Potential Impact of Christian College Students

Christian college students have a unique opportunity to live for Jesus at that stage in life at a more intentional and intense pace than previously able. Many fail to thrive during those years, even though the potential is unlike any other time.

Collegiates Casually Committed to Christ

Many college students treat their spiritual life like a compartmentalized doggie box. You know those types of boxes that have different compartments for the different types of food?  Due to a fear of the food touching, it keeps these different items separate from one another.  Many students I know do that with the different sections of their lives. You have …

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Freshman 15 – 2nd Edition

Seven years ago, I completed a manual for college students who wanted to make much of Jesus.  I entitled it Freshman 15.  I wrote it because I kept answering the same questions to college students regarding living for Jesus. Book Overview Freshman fifteen is an Americanized concept proposing that when students conclude their freshman year at college, they are approximately …

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Money Matters

Spending temptations are everywhere.  With the click of a “Buy” button, you can easily get all your favorite music on iTunes and simultaneously run up a bill of a hundred dollars.  Ultimately we spend and borrow, and we begin to develop a method of spending that is self-destructive.   Unwise financial decisions will cost you more than what you ever …

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The Danger of Worldliness

I tend to look at the shape of our world and the morals of people who aren’t following Jesus and think that I am a pretty good guy.  I look around at how blatantly sinful other people are, and my “respectable” and “quiet” sins don’t seem as severe, and gradually I just get complacent. I look at other people’s standard …

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Don’t Go to Church

When it comes to church involvement, you and I have a few options: Neglect.  Statistically, this option is the preferred choice of the majority of college students.  Only 20% of your college peers that were active in church during high school remain active in church during college.  The rest of your classmates are sleeping in indicating either church has nothing …

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Why I Don’t Drink Alcohol (Even Though I Probably Could)

One of the most debated issues in Christianity concerning freedom is that of social drinking.  Denominations differ.  Backgrounds divide.  Experiences direct.  When most pastors communicate to students concerning the sins to abstain from in America, the list normally starts with premarital sex, drinking, and smoking. These are areas which the Bible actually does address, but few ministers ever mention the …

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How Far Is Too Far?

In my time as a pastor, I have been asked many different questions.  Without a doubt, one of the most frequently asked questions is this: So how far is too far? In most contexts, people are asking it in relation towards dating and what is allowed physically in a relationship. The problem with that question is that it is a self-referentially …

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5 Dating Tips

I’m often asked what is the biblical method to become married.  Is it through dating, courting, or something else. Honestly, it’s arranged marriages.  I’m actually in favor of those. If that concept frightens you, then depend on God to arrange your marriage.  Let him set the rules, the boundaries, and the timing. If you have determined that you think you …

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The Best Advice to Give College Students

September is usually the most challenging and rewarding month of the year for me.  With programs blowing and going at the church, Lander classes starting up, college group at our house, events, programs, weddings, classes, etc., it is one of the most sleep-deprived times of my year. This year has been exceptionally busy yet exceptionally fruitful. Especially in the area …

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Biblically Complacent

To truly let God shape your worldview, you must not only filter the teachings of your culture in order not to be conformed, but also you must be transformed by the renewing of your mind as you study the Word of God (Rom. 12:2).  In God’s sovereignty, he inspired human authors to write the pertinent information concerning life, faith, the …

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Christ Was Never Meant to Be Part of Your Life

It has been so good to see our college students rolling back into town and getting back into connecting with the church.  Can’t wait to reconnect in the days to come! As a college student, you will begin to understand the necessity of the Waffle House in your life.  When you have procrastinated studying so long that you must find refuge …

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The Dangerous Progression in Relationships

Today, I got the privilege to speak at RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards).  Housed at Erskine College, high school students from around SC are selected for a week of training in servant leadership.  I have gotten to speak the last few years and have been asked to talk about the role of one’s relationships as it relates to leadership. OG, …

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“There Aren’t Enough Hours in the Day!”

  Time is one of those things that you can never get back.  We all have an appointed time to live, and we will not see another second of it.  Everyone has a certain purpose to live for on this earth, and when that purpose is accomplished, our time is done (Acts 13:36).  No magic wand will ever be able …

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Free Chapter from Freshman 15

Ministering to college students since I began working at North Side has shown me that there aren’t many new temptations facing college students.  In fact, the same things that I teach on or counsel concerning one year or the same issues being addressed next year.  That’s why, a few years ago, I decided to write what the Bible says about 15 areas in which college students struggle.  I titled the book Freshman 15.

Freshman fifteen is an Americanized concept proposing that when students conclude their freshman year at college, they are approximately fifteen pounds heavier than when that school year began.  The theory rests on the fact that many college students experience an increase in their weight due to an excessive amount of alcohol, lack of sufficient exercise, and the consistent consumption of unhealthy food eaten at an unwise time and in exorbitant amounts.

My theory is that every college student will gain weight in college, but that doesn’t have to be a negative thing.  People in the ancient world spoke of giving weight to something as giving it glory or heightening it to a place of significance in one’s life.  You give something weight by valuing it.  In your time at college, you will put on the freshmen fifteen.  I would just recommend that you put it on in all the right places.

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Graduation Gift

It’s wild to think that I released Freshman 15 a year ago.  As graduation time approaches, if you need a book for a graduating senior, you might think about giving this a try.  I wrote it in part because I got so many books that were a tad fluffy when I graduated.  They were high on the encouragement to “survive” …

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Lander BCM: What to Do With the Letter You Received

If you are reading this and you are a Lander BCM student, you probably have already received your letter in the mail.  This letter was different than most mail you receive, this is a letter you sent to yourself.  You wrote this on September 17th.  I told you that I would give you about two months before putting it in …

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Only 2 Months – Lander BCM

With everything that happened this weekend, I haven’t had a chance to share with you the great time I had with Lander’s BCM group for the last two Thursday nights.  The picture above is their leadership team for this year.  I have never seen such a group with so much potential, enthusiasm, and commitment.  If they keep it up and …

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Buy a Book/Help a Child

My first book, Freshman 15, went on sell on May 26th.  I posted this back on May 22nd: I normally have a hard time promoting something I have done, but I don’t have a problem now because of two reasons. The answers in this book are God’s answers rather than mine – His ideas are a lot better.  Each chapter …

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Is Social Drinking OK?

With Jeff on vacation this week, I had the privilege of handling another volatile topic in our “You Asked for It” series – “Is Social Drinking OK?”  I prayed that the message would cause everyone to at least reconsider casually addressing this subject.  I pray that every person at North Side will truly seek God’s Word and seek God through prayer to …

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Freshman 15 Update

Thanks for all of you who bought Freshman 15 – I don’t know who all of you are, but thanks!  I pray God uses it in your life! I had some questions about ordering the book from Create Space.  If you order it, it says that you might not get the book until a few weeks.  The reason why is …

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Freshman 15 Released TODAY!

After a lot of time hyping this thing, it is finally here!  Order Freshman 15 here. Freshman 15 is my first book. Written as a guide for college students and graduating high schools seniors, this book encourages Christians to give weight to Christ in fifteen crucial areas during this pivotal time. Even if you aren’t a college student, buy some …

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Freshman 15

Freshman fifteen is an Americanized concept proposing that when students conclude their freshman year at college, they are approximately fifteen pounds heavier than when that school year began. Every college student will gain weight in college, but that doesn’t have to be a negative thing. People in the ancient world spoke of giving weight to something as giving it glory …

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Freshman 15 Release Date

After receiving the third proof copy, everything is a go for Freshman 15.  Woo hoo! I didn’t think I would ever see this day come.  So, here’s how you can get your copy: the official release date will be Tuesday, May 26th online.  I will post the link on how you can get your copy right here on my blog …

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It’s Here!

I received the first copy today! Woo hoo!  I’m going to take a nap after ordering some. We might have them here next Sunday! Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement during this process! UPDATED (05.08.09 3:16PM) Find some errors on the publishers end in the interior of the book.  Doh!  Going to see if they can correct it …

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Freshman 15 Submitted to Publishers

Today, I submitted Freshman 15 to the publishers.  I will hopefully get a copy of the book in approximately a week.  After that, unless there is some major issue with it, it will be available for printing! It was such a huge relief to click “submit” today.  This project has been a part of me for a few years now. …

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Freshman 15 Cover

Here is Cory’s design for the Freshman 15 cover. He took this picture and did all the fancy stuff to make it look like this. I think it looks pretty stellar myself.  He’s so stinking talented!  What do you think about it? I am currently finishing some editing. I am waiting to receive the proofed version of the last few …

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Freshman 15 Cover Arrived in the Mail

As I am making some more adjustments on my first book, Freshman 15, I am pleased to announce that my cover came in the mail yesterday. Funny story: Cory and I found a picture on a stock photo place that we loved, but we then discovered to use that photo on a published book would cost over $100. Target had …

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Freshman 15 Draft Completed!

  I am so relieved to tell you that the content for my Freshman 15 book is complete!  After many hours of work (filled with many months of taking off of the process), I have been working feverishly for the last four weeks to complete the content, and I am happy to say that I have finished it yesterday afternoon. …

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