Jared Belcher, Ben Shoun, & Brett Moore In December, The Atlantic ran an investigative piece about the practices of Casinos in targeting people who had gambling additions. In this episode, we discuss some of the revelations that shocked us and have altered our views from indifference to outright opposition to gambling businesses. How far will a casino let you go to get every last cent out of you? The answer, perhaps not surprisingly, is disturbing.

It's the time of year for resolutions and setting goals, including spiritual ones. But can you discipline yourself into spiritual growth? Isn't growth up to the Lord? As our church, like many others, challenges our people to 21 days of prayer and fasting, should individuals expect "results" in the same way as a change in health habits? In this episode, we evaluate whether stricter spiritual habits can help move us closer to God.

Over the Christmas and New Year's break, our staff read some great books they'd like to recommend. If you're looking for something new to read for the new year, here are few options we think are really great.

Throughout history, whenever a large group of people develop a perspective of moral superiority against one another, it has often led to destructive ends antithetical to the gospel. And yet, America has cultured many fractions of people who strongly believe the worst about each other. How dangerous is the cultural divide in the United States? Continuing our series of episodes on disagreement, in this short episode, we explore the dangers of moral superiority and the ways Christians have been instructed by God to respond.

When the highest value in culture is sexual liberty, everything else loses priority, including mercy ministries and care for those in need. Culture is more divided than ever, and yet the progressive path forward is one of harsher divides against people who are not "tolerant." Is the "new tolerance" in America doing more harm than good? How ought Christians respond?