Happy New Years! We're all gearing up for the New Year and making our plans to celebrate. Every year, people gather together, pop champagne, eat snacks, go to parties, watch the ball drop on television, and finally: make New Years resolutions. The New Years resolution is an interesting practice, and has been the fodder for a lot of jokes and criticisms over the years. I'm sure, at this point, that the resolution is now considered fat-phobic, racist, sexist, and any other -ist it needs to be in order to stop hurting people's feelings. For a long time, people have used the brand new year to tell themselves they're going to change something about themselves, and make the resolution to change up bad habits or a lifestyle they know is not healthy or productive for them. And… read more

Tis the season my friends. It's the season of conflict, uproar, panic and all out chaos. The world cracks and splits as politicians run around screaming on deck, watching the ship (I mean country) sink, and being sure to stuff their pockets full of all the silverware and trinkets they can pilfer from the ship's ballroom. I figured, seeing as Christmas is a joyful, peaceful occasion, we would discuss the crazy nature of the news lately, and what we can actually do about it. The Omnibus Bill Isn't it amazing that our government, in the last couple days of a session, can somehow come together and get something major done? Of course, it's a 4,000+ page spending bill that costs a tiny pittance of 1.7 trillion dollars. This is only 5.4% of our total national debt, so it's… read more

How do you keep going? Honestly, this article isn't written from the mountain top, looking down with the wise vision of 20/20. I'm writing from within the trenches. There are times where the feelings can begin to overwhelm, pushing you to wonder why it matters, what it's worth, or why keep going. Points exist on the journey within which you sit in the mud on the side of the road, wondering whether to bother standing back up. The emotions boil through you, the reminders come to the surface, and that voice you thought went away comes roaring back, gloating, “I told you so. You can't make it. This will never get better.” Times exist in life which will test your perseverance and your strength, courage and faith. Those times can be major, or they can be the soft little cuts that… read more

You may notice that unlike most articles posted on Self-Evident's website, this article is a direct result of a Podcast episode. I thought writing this would be useful for people who may want to look back on the topic, do some research, and spend a little more time with the information. We pray that this Discipline Series that we're doing on the Podcast would benefit you greatly. Our goal is to help disciple you in every area of your life, be it government, social, or faith. If there is another area of discipline that you'd like us to cover, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at: selfevidentministriespodcast@gmail.com (yes. Seriously. It was the best I could do with what wasn't taken.) We hope this article blesses you! Fasting A deeply misunderstood discipline… read more

A rush of consecration seems to be making its way through the church realm, and I find it a breath of fresh air. I've recognized in many people, within my own circle, the deep desire to consecrate themselves for the Lord. That word, “consecration” tends to get a bad wrap. Images of monks tearing their backs apart with flogs, and people fasting for 40 days and nights bounce around our heads at the mere mention of the word. Our hearts recoil at the thought. We tell ourselves, “Well now, I don't want to be that dramatic...” What if that word didn't mean what you thought it meant? I'm disgruntled in having to give you the definition (because I find such a writing technique boring and trite,) but it's in the definition and application of the word that this whole essay hinges. We… read more