Worship Worthy of the Name
True worship starts with understanding who God is and giving him the honor he deserves. It’s not just an emotional experience or aesthetic appreciation — it’s a realignment of our affections, pulling them away from idols and directing them toward God. Whether through liturgy or contemporary music, worship should engage the mind, will and emotions, drawing us into awe and surrender before the One who is truly worthy.
Strange Signs Of God’s Incredible Love
The ER isn’t the first place you’d look for evidence of God’s love, but even there, grace can surprise us. A crowded hallway, overworked caregivers and long delays reveal a deeper truth: healing is rarely straightforward, but no one is ever turned away. Even in uncertainty, there’s a quiet beauty in the kindness of strangers and the assurance that God is always at work.
The Story of Silent Night
At the heart of Christmas traditions lies “Silent Night,” a carol that has transcended centuries, cultures and languages to become a global symbol of peace and hope. Its origins in a small Austrian village — crafted by Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber — carry a quiet magic, blending lullaby-like melodies with profound theological depth. Whether sung in a candlelit church or played in bustling malls, “Silent Night“ invites us to pause, reflect and long for tranquility.
Religious Traditions Help With Holiday Blues
The holidays can stir a mix of joy and challenges, but faith traditions offer a unique lifeline. From “Blue Christmas” services to moments of communal singing, shared meals and acts of giving, faith communities provide meaningful ways to navigate grief, loneliness and stress. These gatherings remind us we’re not alone and offer a chance to rediscover hope and joy — even in the midst of life’s heaviest seasons.
New Netflix Film Wants To Make Mary Accessible to All
Netflix’s “Mary,” directed by D.J. Caruso, offers a compelling look at the mother of Jesus, told from her own perspective. With Anthony Hopkins as Herod and newcomer Noa Cohen as Mary, the film presents her not just as a holy icon but as a relatable young woman navigating faith, sacrifice and courage. Caruso hopes the film’s beauty and humanity make Mary’s story accessible to all, regardless of belief.
How Christmas Movies Have Changed Over The Last 20 Years
Faith-based films are reshaping Christmas movies, bridging timeless traditions with modern audiences. As Hollywood shifts toward niche storytelling, faith-centered Christmas films are gaining traction, connecting deeply with families seeking meaning in the holiday season. With overlapping themes of family, hope and reconciliation, these films could redefine what it means to create a Christmas classic. Could faith-based movies become the future of holiday storytelling?
There’s Something About Mary: ‘No Person Knew Christ With Greater Intimacy’
When kids are hurt or lost, their first instinct is often to call out for their moms. There’s a deep, natural connection there — a bond that comforts and guides. In the same way, Mary, the mother of Jesus, stands as a figure of profound intimacy with Christ. No one knew him more closely, and her role offers timeless wisdom for reconnecting with faith.
The Arts of Slowing and Paying Attention
The rhythm of December offers a gentle reminder: some of life’s deepest treasures are only found when we slow down. Advent invites moments of stillness, a chance to sit with longing and hope. Like the stark beauty of winter trees or the quiet of early morning light, waiting can reveal the unseen — reshaping hearts and preparing us for the promise of new life.
Celebrate Christmas Your Way
Christmas can look different for every family. Some find meaning in the stillness of a quiet morning, others in the joy of serving a neighbor, or the glow of shared traditions. However you celebrate, there’s room for the unique ways God wired you to honor the season. Let this year be one where your family finds joy and connection in the simple and sacred moments that reflect Christ’s love.
Choose Hard-Earned Joy Instead of Cynicism
True joy doesn’t avoid the heaviness of life — it embraces it, journeys through it and emerges on the other side, fuller and brighter. Rob Bell calls cynicism “lazy,” a superficial retreat from life’s complexities. Joy, by contrast, takes courage. It acknowledges the heartbreak and injustice of this world but refuses to be undone by them. Instead, it chooses gratitude for what’s fleeting and beautiful, savoring every precious moment while it lasts.
Rediscover Christmas Through 12 Classic Tales
Caught in the holiday rush, it’s easy to overlook what makes Christmas truly special. “Twelve Classic Christmas Stories,” edited by Timothy Larsen, offers a moment to pause and reflect through tales of generosity, redemption and faith. Featuring works by Charles Dickens, O. Henry, Louisa May Alcott and more, this anthology revives the timeless truths of the season — truths that remind us how deeply love and selflessness shape Christmas.
Charles Dickens Changed How We Celebrate Christmas
Charles Dickens transformed how Christmas is celebrated, shaping it into a season of generosity, connection and hope. “A Christmas Carol” isn’t just a tale of one man’s redemption — it’s a challenge to rethink what we treasure. With its vivid characters and timeless lessons, Dickens’ work asks whether the holiday is about what we gain or what we give, a question still worth exploring today.
Why Get To Know Thomas Aquinas?
Why get to know Thomas Aquinas? Because he shows us how to seek truth with humility. Aquinas didn’t settle for easy answers or shy away from ideas outside his tradition. Instead, he wrestled with them, learning from Jewish, Muslim and classical thinkers along the way. His life and work remind us that wisdom grows when we approach both faith and reason with curiosity and an open heart.
Signing Church Services for the Deaf Is a Work of Love
At First Baptist Church of Suitland, the Holy Hands ministry is more than sign language — it’s a bridge to the gospel. What began with hesitant faith has grown into a team of interpreters ensuring Deaf members feel seen, heard and loved. Through dedication and God’s provision, this ministry reflects the beauty of inclusion, showing that sharing his word is both an act of service and a testament to his faithfulness. Look at God.
The Struggle Between The Kingdoms Of Empire and Peace
Jesus stood before Pilate and declared a kingdom unlike any other — a kingdom not of this world. Where empires conquer and dominate, his kingdom calls for love, humility and mercy. Yet throughout history, the kingdom of heaven has been mistaken for the kingdom of empire, blurring lines and betraying its radical nature. The question remains: can we live by Jesus’ kingdom today, knowing it may cost us everything?
The Advent of Humility
Humility was at the heart of Jesus’ life, and it’s the foundation of true Christian faith. But humility isn’t something we achieve by effort — it grows only as a byproduct of marveling at God’s grace. The gospel frees us from self-focus, replacing pride with self-forgetfulness. In a culture bent on proving itself, the quiet strength of humility points us back to the life Christ calls us to live.
Bible Study And Church Attendance May Stem Loneliness
A new study highlights the power of Scripture and church attendance in combating loneliness, an epidemic likened to smoking 15 cigarettes a day in its toll on health. Those engaged with the Bible or attending church weekly report dramatically lower loneliness rates. With forgiveness and meaningful connections at its core, faith offers a tangible antidote to isolation, inviting a deeper sense of belonging and community in a disconnected world.
Praying for the Impossible
What’s on your heart that feels too big to pray for? Grief and loss often leave us hesitant, yet impossible prayers open the door to God’s unexpected grace. As a loving Father, he listens, cares and answers in his perfect way. Today is an invitation to trust him again — bring him your hopes, no matter how audacious, and watch what he might do.
Miracles, God, Faith, Ecumenism And Other Cosmic Oddities
The universe buzzes with mysteries we can’t fully grasp, but one truth stands firm: God’s love is real and reaches everyone. Miracles, those inexplicable interruptions of the ordinary, remind us that God cares deeply — even when the answers we long for don’t come. Faith doesn’t demand certainty, but it invites us to trust in a divine love that holds us steady through every moment.
Come Pray for the Persecuted
Christians around the world are pausing this November to pray for those suffering persecution for their beliefs. At a gathering in Dallas, prayers went beyond Christian communities to include Uyghur Muslims, Yazidis, and Baha’is facing oppression. Rooted in Jesus’ call to love our neighbors, this movement is sparking bold advocacy across faith lines, lifting up the persecuted with prayer and action wherever their struggles are found.