Lighten Up Gear Blog
Thoughts, Musings and Challenges from Des Moines, Iowa
Best of 2014: Top 10 Christian Shirts
I've never really done anything "by the book" so it makes perfectly good sense to me to take time out of the middle of the year to recap 2014 and our top 10 best-selling Christian t-shirts. But first, let me say thanks. Last year was an epic year for Lighten Up Gear,...
Lighten Up Gear Is Back Online
A couple of weeks ago, my previous hosting provider decided to take my website (along with a few others) hostage. It's a long story (thankfully it wasn't anything I did), but I ultimately decided to transfer my domains and hosting service over to my new friends at...
Could this Easter service win America’s Got Talent?
If you've ever read my BaldTees.com blog, you'll know that I am a huge Howie Mandel and America's Got Talent fan. Watching that show is one of my family's favorite pastimes and since I'm bald, I'm naturally love watching and supporting Howie Mandel. Awkward...
Favorite T-Shirt from SoCal Vacation
Last week, my family was on vacation in Southern California (San Diego / Carlsbad) having some great family time and enjoying the sun. (It was a long winter in Iowa...although I got a lot of respect for the folks in Boston, MA). My wife loves the beach. Now you know....
The Best Sermon on Forgiveness
A couple of weeks ago, Pastor Troy Nesbitt (the lead pastor of Cornerstone Church of Ames & Ankeny) gave one of the most heartfelt, passionate and stirring sermons I've ever heard on forgiveness. I was so moved I immediately shared it with my parents and some of...
Dinner Devotionals for Families
If your family is like mine, then dinners can be a little crazy and hectic. It used to be a lot crazier when our children were younger - especially our twin sons. Trying to feed two toddlers as a family just didn't work so a lot of times we'd just have dinner after...
Skittles and Progressive Get Marshawn Lynch to Talk
Nice work out of Progressive Auto Insurance and Skittles. They managed to get Seattle Seahawks' elusive running back, Marshawn Lynch to talk to the cameras. The irony of the whole situation is that it took a little money. Sponsorship money. If you aren't following...
Spiritual Attack, Bad Dreams or Just a Terrible Fever?
There's a song written and performed by Tedashii (and Flame) called "Make War" that appears on his album "Identity Crisis". If you're unfamiliar with this song and like Christian Hip-Hop, I would challenge you to listen to this every morning before you start your day....
When God Answers Your Racial Reconciliation Prayers
Ever since the Michael Brown and Eric Garner verdicts were announced, I have been struggling at what I should do. I live in a predominantly white community here in Des Moines and work in an even whiter town an hour east of here. I read a lot of the posts and tweets by...
Meet Hip-Hop Artist Illijam & Liberty University Student Ben Walters
I love it when God orchestrates new friendships. I don't specifically remember how we were officially introduced other than it was the magic of Twitter. Since then, I've been listening to Illijam and following his hip-hop career. Only God knows where He's going to...
I Want To Live My Faith Like This (A Letter From Mary Love)
Last month, my church hosted a Theology Summit and hosted several great teachers including: Dr. Jason Allen, President, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Bob Thune, Lead Pastor, Coram Deo, Omaha, NE Dr. J.T. Bridges, Asst. Professor of Philosophy, Southern...
It’s a Life Is Good Christmas!
I love the Life Is Good brand. Always have. Always will. The first time I walked into a Life Is Good store was probably in Portland, Maine or Ogunquit, Maine, and I was in awe. Not that I struggle with envy often, but I wanted to buy everything. Ever since then, I've...
Thankful on Thanksgiving
I used to be a huge Caedmon's Call fan. I was a card carrying member of the Caedmon's Call Guild, owned all their albums and would travel within a 250 mile radius to their shows. So this morning I woke up humming "Thankful" by Caedmon's Call this morning. And I can't...
Meet Ethan. And Learn About His Upcoming Trip to Uganda.
One of the best aspects of owning Lighten Up Gear is getting to know my customers. I love that God can connect people together based on common interests...starting with Jesus and going from there. When I first met Ethan, it was actually on Twitter and we...
Chicago, Running and Jesus
Confession: Selling Christian t-shirts is not my full-time gig. (I simply don't sell enough shirts to support a family of five) This week I'm staying the week in Chicago, one of the greatest cities ever...next to Des Moines of course, for a digital marketing training...
Top 5 Christian “Celebrities” I’d Like to Have Coffee With
When we're on long road trips, my wife and I like to play "Top 5" games to pass the time. For example, I'll say something along the lines of, "What are your top 5 romantic comedies of all times?" or "What are the top 5 worst pick up lines you've ever heard?" The top...
Robert Griffin III Told To Turn Christian T-Shirt Inside Out
It's no surprise that Robert Griffin III (RGIII) wears his faith on his sleeve...literally. Over the weekend, the Redskins quarterback unfortunately turned his ankle awkwardly during a play and ultimately dislocated it. After the game, RGIII wobbled into the press...
10 Of Our Favorite Christian Apparel Snapback Hats
Snapback hats have been around for a while, but ever since I started following Andy Mineo I've wanted to beef up my collection of snapback hats from zero to several. Here are a few of my favorite snapback hats from some great Christian apparel brands. [gallery...