One Body, Many Parts: What Is a Church?
Somehow God builds a church out of people who’d never choose each other on their own. Corinth was proof of that — sailors and scholars, the devout and the jaded, all learning to live as one body. Paul’s image still holds. A church is less a polished institution than a family gathered around a table, each person wanted, each part needed, every difference woven into something unexpectedly whole.
Anchored in the Eternal: How God Becomes Our Safe Harbor
Peace doesn’t rise from our efforts, or from searching our own hearts for something solid. It comes from knowing the God who has already moved toward us in love. At the cross, we see his heart laid bare — holiness without harshness, sovereignty without distance, justice wrapped in mercy. Let that glimpse of God steady you. Anchor yourself there, where his character becomes your calm.
Everything is Spiritual
There is no part of life untouched by the Spirit of God. Work and worship, rest and recreation, labor and laughter — it’s all his domain. The sacred doesn’t start when the music does on Sunday morning; it starts when you wake up, when you breathe, when you create, when you serve. You’re not living in two worlds, one holy and one not. You’re living in one — and it’s charged with the presence of God. Everything is spiritual.
Storytelling: The Power of Our Testimonies
Every one of us carries a story that only makes sense when seen through God’s eyes. The heartbreaks, failures and long detours — He’s been in all of it, redeeming, reworking, rebuilding. When we tell our stories truthfully, the light gets in. Others see him, not just us. And somehow, our scars start to heal. Because with God, every story turns toward glory.
Church: The Case for & Against Community
We crave freedom from others — until isolation exposes our need for them. The myth of independence tells us we’ll find truth alone, but our souls were made for relationship.
What’s ‘Good’? And How Do We Know It?
What makes something “good”? We say things like “sex is dangerous” and “marijuana is evil” — but we rarely stop to ask, What does God call good?
The Cracks That Let In The Light Of God
Some weekends just catch you off guard — not with fireworks, but with God showing up in quiet, unexpected ways. A biker rally. A conversation about grace. A priest who met God on mushrooms. The Spirit moves how he wants, through whoever he wants. None of us sees the whole picture, but sometimes, through the cracks in this world, the light gets in. And that’s enough.
Why Do Our Bibles Keep Changing?
Bible translations don’t change because the message shifts, but because language does — and so does scholarship. New discoveries and evolving usage lead to periodic updates. That’s not a threat to Scripture; it’s part of its careful preservation. Even Crossway’s English Standard Version, once declared “final,” is now being updated again. These changes remind us how God’s Word is both rooted in history and actively stewarded in the present.
How Come Some Catch the Spark of Faith and Others Do Not?
Some people get knocked sideways by hardship and walk away from faith. Others get hit harder and lean in. Their trust deepens. They hold fast. It’s always made me wonder — why them? Why does the spark catch for one person and not another? Maybe grace has a mind of its own. Maybe some just catch a glimpse of God so real, they never forget what they saw.
Some Churches Are Driven By Fear, Others By Love
Some churches teach us to fear — fear the world, fear sin, fear those who are different. But Jesus taught something else entirely. “They will know you by your love.” Real faith means loving our neighbors, not condemning them. Fear breeds fury. Love brings healing. As David French writes, we need churches that act as a balm, not a blowtorch.
Small Things & Great Love
In a world obsessed with applause, two men have stayed faithful where few were watching. Maybe that’s what the kingdom of God mostly is: quiet faithfulness for the glory of the One who never forgets.
Where True Joy Comes From
We chase joy like it’s something to catch, but maybe it’s something to release. The more we try to fill ourselves up, the emptier we get. The more we give ourselves away, the more God fills in.
What is Your ‘Christian Witness’?
Your life speaks louder than your words. Your Christian witness is about living with Christ so clearly that your kindness, humility and Spirit-shaped character actually point people to him.
Lent In America
Lent is here, but for most Americans, it’s barely a blip on the radar. Around a quarter observe the 40-day season of fasting and preparation before Easter, while most do not. Those who participate often fast from food, habits or activities — but for many, Lent isn’t about rules. It’s a time to refocus their hearts on Christ through prayer, generosity and devotion.
Reviving Mission: Jesus’ Holistic Approach
Jesus didn’t just have a mission — he was the mission. Sentness shaped his identity, his actions and his authority. He washed feet, healed the broken and called the forgotten — not just to do good, but to live from a place of divine sending. That same calling is ours. To follow Jesus means stepping into his mission, letting his Spirit move through us, shaping how we live, love and lead.
Gut-Wrenching Love: The ‘Good Samaritan’
The Good Samaritan isn’t just a feel-good story — it’s a radical challenge. Jesus describes a love so gut-wrenching it demands action, a love that sees, stops and sacrifices. It’s not about efficiency or obligation. It’s about breaking past barriers and loving beyond convenience. In a world obsessed with self-interest, what does this kind of love look like? And are we willing to live it?
We Are Way Too Trusting
We trust lies too easily. “You’re not enough.” And we believe it. But God says something different — something truer. You’re his child, loved and seen. Created with care. Walked with daily. Maybe it’s time we stop agreeing with everything else and believe him instead. Real freedom begins when we trade the whispers of doubt for the steady voice of truth.
Our Neighbor Galaxies Suggest a Creator’s Mind
When Edwin Hubble revealed the vastness of our universe nearly a century ago, he forever changed how we view the cosmos — and our place within it. From his discovery of distant galaxies to the awe-inspiring images from modern telescopes like Hubble and Webb, our expanding understanding of the universe reveals intricate order, fine-tuning and an origin point. Could such vast complexity arise by chance, or does it suggest the hand of a Creator?
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.