It is time to prepare for Christmas. But I don't mean at the shopping mall. I mean sacred preparation.

Dear Chuck, My father recently passed away in an accident and a whole life insurance policy he had is providing some financial relief to my mother, though unlike some other policies they had, it did not pay more for an accidental death.

It is appointed once for a man to die, and after that comes the judgment. So declares the Bible. As everyone knows by now, Fidel Castro's time to die came over the weekend.

News reports are featuring famous athletes, actors, and pop-stars being asked about abortion and gay-marriage. Often, they criticize Christians: "Doesn't the Bible say 'judge not'; who are you to tell people what they can, and cannot do?"

The church member knows his or her church is in decline.

The greatest leadership lesson I have ever learned is: Not every hill is worth dying on. If I had believed and practiced this in my previous churches and perhaps during the first few of my 30 years at Cross Church

Is our culture losing touch with reality? The folks who pick the official "word of the year" think so.

After reading Buzzfeed's "expose" on the evangelical teachings of the church that evangelicals Chip and Joanna Gaines attend, I have a few questions for Buzzfeed, Kate Aurthur (the writer of the piece), and for publications that do this kind of thing:

Actress Jennifer Nettles, who stars in Dolly Parton's holiday special "Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love," says the made-for-TV movie provides a glimpse into how faith informs the mega superstar's life and her belief in miracles.

The United States—and the whole West—stands at a critical point. Will Western Civilization continue to enjoy the fruit of the worldview arising from Judeo-Christian belief, or will it go from twilight to darkness in our lifetimes?

Simeon the prophet never wished anyone a "holly-jolly Christmas" or envisioned anything about chestnuts roasting on an open fire. But what about our songs, the songs of the church?

There are few things more intimate than a gravesite funeral service attended by a handful of family members and friends, and if I were a homophobic person, you would think that I would have been mortified at the news that the rabbi presiding at the ceremony was openly gay.

A brutal communist dictator has gone on to meet his reward. And too many seem confused about the legacy of Cuba's Fidel Castro.

Christianity and Judaism are different branches on the same family tree. Built on the teachings of Jesus Christ — a Jew living in the land of Israel — Christianity shares with Judaism the sacred text of the old testament, a set of values rooted in ethical monotheism, and a belief in the infinite value of every human life.

When we think of our inner city neighborhoods and communities, it is easy to think first of the negative aspects.

At the height of World War II, there was room in America for conscientious objectors. Where are we now?

On the day the U.S. elected Donald Trump as president, Prime Minister Modi of India announced a sudden midnight decision to demonetize 86 percent of India's cash economy

Can Christians agree to disagree on our culture's most controversial topics? Well, when it comes to certain issues, the answer is no.

In addition to the Bible, here are 18 Christian books that are must-reads for the believer seeking intellectual, emotional, and/or spiritual edification.

Because the post-election coverage made it pretty clear that a big contributor to the Trump win was the evangelical vote, many young people, already cynical of Christians, may harden their views of believers and the Gospel. They may view evangelicals as even more narrow-minded, racist and callous than ever before.

With the presidential election behind us and a convincing win for president-elect Trump in the Electoral College, it isn't surprising that many on the left are now calling for the college's elimination.

Can you imagine peering into the tomb where Jesus' body was laid? Well, last month, archaeologists did just that.

Rather than learn some valuable lessons from the resounding electoral victory of Donald Trump and the Republican Party, it appears that the left is lurching further leftward, thereby paving the way to its own demise.

That the United States is not a direct democracy where decisions are decided by popular vote is a dilemma for Democrats unhinged over Donald Trump's Electoral College win who are now calling for a recount in some states.

If the truth be told, prayer is hard work. Although all serious Christians recognize the importance that the Bible places on prayer, most fall short when it comes to doing it.

Today, I want to share with you 30 lessons I've learned in leadership through leading the same organization for 30 years.

I've noticed that some Christians tend to minimize the role of the mind in the life of faith. I understand that these folks want to avoid "over-intellectualizing" walking with God and point people instead to the supernatural power available to them in the person of the Holy Spirit.

While the election of Donald Trump has become a beacon of hope to some it has initiated a moment of crisis and fear for others.

Dear Chuck, I cannot believe that it's Thanksgiving week, and Christmas coming in weeks. Most of the time, I feel more stressed than thankful at this time of year (unless you count how thankful I feel when it's all over!) Have any advice about making Christmas more about Jesus' birthday and less about a shop-til-you-drop time of year?!

"But I am the church!" — I would bet we've all heard this once or twice.