“Paper or plastic?” The question barely registers. I look down at my nuts in a vice grip, and then back up at the pimply teen. “Plastic.” I pay and wait for the last few bags to be loaded into the cart. My balls are killing me. “Would you like help with that sir?” God...

(Editor’s note:  The following is an excerpt from Chip MacGregor’s new book, 40 Ways to Get Closer to God , which was published under his given name, Jerry MacGregor.) To address God as Abba is the boldest and simplest expression of that absolute trust with which we rely on God for all...

In 1988, I had been a Christian for a couple years, when I first really read Matthew 25, “..when I was hungry you fed me, when I was naked you clothed me…” and James 1:27 “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in...

The fourteen year old me would be horrified and shocked about what I am about to publicly write, but here goes: I love my Mommy. While this is not a new emotion for me, as I’ve been blessed to have a very good relationship with both her and my Dad, lately I feel like I need to address just what...

There are certain words that I cannot stand. When I hear these words, something in my brain snaps, and I have to stifle a large, ugly utterance of disgust. It’s nothing against the words themselves, but the way that they have been misused by people who throw them out with little care or thought....

When my dad turned eighteen, he was not thinking of becoming a husband, a father, or a pastor; he was planning to become a priest. He was raised in a Catholic New England family, and when he announced an interest in the priesthood, my grandparents were elated. The fall after his high school graduation,...

(Editor’s Note: We’re re-running Ariele Gentiles’ excellent tribute to her dad, which we published two years ago.  Ariele Gentiles does a ton of work behind the scenes here at Burnside, but doesn’t often contribute.  David Gentiles is her father, and a name that will be familiar...

As I was walking out of our local farmer’s market grocery store almost two months ago, I passed a bell ringer of the Salvation Army. The sign behind him read “Doing theMost Good” and I skeptically wondered “since when did charities become competitive?” This idea stuck...

If you’re too broke for Netflix or a movie rental, I strongly STRONGLY suggest you head over to Pitchfork.tv and take the time to watch Danielson: A Family Movie. I wrote an article about this documentary a few months ago…I really feel it’s a film every Christian artist needs to see....

My little sister Kailyn begins her first classes at Oregon State University today. Considering our family typically prefers the Ducks, it was an audacious choice, but I guess educational preferences should win out over athletics. As you may have heard, the Beavers pulled off a stunning upset over the...