How Leo Tolstoy Grappled With God And Meaning
Leo Tolstoy lived like a man at the summit, yet spent decades staring into a bottomless pit. He had everything — wealth, reputation, genius stamped onto novels that reshaped literature. And still, he couldn’t escape the fact that all of it would vanish. Death haunted him. Success mocked him. He tried distraction, denial, even despair. Nothing worked. Until the Gospels. Their words stripped him down and demanded he begin again.
Hearing God’s Call in a Noisy World
Hearing God’s voice isn’t easy in a world filled with distractions, but his call has always been disruptive, personal and life-altering.
Our Search for Meaning: Viktor Frankl
Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning” continues to resonate decades after its publication, exploring how purpose can transform suffering into strength. Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, observed that hope and meaning were lifelines for those enduring unimaginable hardship. His reflections not only illuminate human resilience but also echo truths central to the Christian faith: that our lives are part of a larger story, and even in suffering, purpose and redemption can be found.
Wellness: Caring for the Whole Person
When we think of wellness, it’s easy to separate physical, emotional and spiritual health into different boxes. But we’re created as whole beings, designed to thrive when all aspects of our lives work together. Prioritizing your well-being isn’t selfish — it’s necessary. When you’re rooted in God’s love and caring for your body and soul, you’re better equipped to love others, live fully and step into the purpose God has for you.
Creation, Fall, Redemption — And Your Money
From recognizing God’s ownership to navigating the pitfalls of greed and embracing the joy of giving, finances become a means to serve God’s purposes.
T. S. Eliot: A Poet’s Quest for Faith in a Disillusioned World
Step into T. S. Eliot’s world, where poetry meets the profound struggles of faith in a fractured society. Eliot’s works, from “The Waste Land” to “Four Quartets,” wrestle with spiritual crises and enduring questions of belief, redemption and meaning. For readers seeking wisdom in a disillusioned age, his verses resonate deeply, offering both solace and a challenge to view faith through a new, introspective lens.
The Beloveds and a Conversation
Sitting at my son’s old desk, I reflect on life’s deep questions and find myself asking God about the purpose of love and existence. In the quiet, I feels an answer beyond words — an understanding that love is at the core, immeasurable and constant. It is in these moments of connection that I find rest, knowing I am cherished, held by a love that chooses me, always.
The Voice in the Alley
Listening to God’s voice can transform everything. Israel, once an orphan on the streets of Tijuana, found his life’s purpose through an unexpected encounter. His story reveals how hearing God shapes our identity and leads us toward a life of meaning and fulfillment. Are you open to hearing him? God’s voice invites us into the fullness of life we were made for — if we’re willing to listen.
The Surprising Power of Identity
What if the name God calls you could reshape your entire life? In the stillness of a mountainside, you hear him speak a new identity over you — one that invites you into deeper trust, adventure and surrender. It’s a reminder that knowing who you are in his eyes can transform everything, guiding you into a life of purpose and connection like never before.
How Religion Influenced Some Of The World’s Greatest Writers
From Tolkien’s reflections on redemption in "The Lord of the Rings" to Dostoevsky’s deep dive into sin and salvation in "Crime and Punishment," faith is at the core of some of the greatest stories ever told. These writers invite us to wrestle with big questions about life, faith and purpose — reminding us that there’s always something deeper at work, even in our own lives.
Anxiety Can Lead You to God ... Or Away
Anxiety can be the very thing that cripples us and forces us to try to lean on our own understanding of whatever we’re anxious about. But God also has purpose in it. I wonder whether our problem is less about anxiety and more about what we do with it. Let’s consider anxiety as a doorway into intimacy with the Father.
How to Guard Your Heart
The heart is the wellspring of life. What a great word: “wellspring.” I get this image of a fresh, gurgling spring bubbling up with a continual supply of clean, refreshing water, giving life to everything around it! The author of Proverbs, King Solomon, recognized 3,000 years ago that this was a metaphor of our spiritual heart. Everything else we do is impacted by the condition of our heart. So, what exactly does it mean to “guard” this heart of ours?
Discerning and Using Spiritual Gifts
The Holy Spirit gives each one of us a particular spiritual gift or set of gifts, which can be used in a range of ministries that serve others in the Christian community and beyond. Do you know yours?
Vocation: Discerning Your Calling
Your life is not a series of random events. Your family background, education, and life experiences—even the most painful ones—all equip you to do some work that no one else can do.
Are You Living Your God-Given Dreams?
Our role model for living the Christian life shouldn’t be found on the stage or screen. Our ultimate role model is found in the pages of the Bible—Jesus.
How We Do Things
What makes work meaningful? When we love and serve by the power of the Spirit and for God’s eternal purpose of restoring and redeeming the entire world through love and kindness.