A Second Secret to Finding Meaning
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.
Road Map Toward a Meaningful Life
We're built to love. We're created by God to love the precious family, friends, and acquaintances he's put in our lives. And if we're not doing well this thing we're created to do, we violate our nature.
Why Do We Take Time To Worship God?
I've struggled with worship. For much of my life, it was the part of any church service when my mind was most apt to wander. But then, finally, some friends taught me how to worship.
The God of the Universe Sings over you — and me
In the seventh century BC, Zephaniah told us about God’s nature; to paraphrase the ancient prophet, God is so crazy in love with his children that he sings over us and dances because of us.
Launching into 2024 with Confidence
God is inviting you into something bigger, better, and longer-lasting in 2024 than any diet, gym membership, or list of resolutions.
Finding Our Winding Way Toward Forgiveness
Forgiveness doesn’t mean denying or minimizing harm. It means releasing feelings of resentment or vengeance toward the person who did the harm. And doing that sets us free as much as we set free the other person.
Offering Kindness In The Face of Misinformation
How do we make decisions that are good for ourselves and for our communities when conspiracy theories, doctored images, and false claims pervade the news and information we consume?
Why Don’t We Talk More About Loneliness?
Loneliness is not necessarily a state of depravity that requires a cure. Loneliness is not a sin or a weakness, even if the surgeon general calls it a disease. The eradication of loneliness is not always necessary or possible — or even desirable. Indeed, there is much to be learned from loneliness: companionship, prophecy, solidarity, fun and freedom — even creativity.
‘The Book Of Clarence’ A Satisfying Remix Of Familiar Formulas
‘The Book of Clarence,’ an irreverent biblical comedy produced by the rap star Jay-Z, shines as an example of how to do a faith-based Christian film well—with a clever twist on a Biblical story while shamelessly proclaiming Jesus as Lord.
New Year’s Resolution: Reconciliation
Reconciliation is when two people come together to understand a past conflict or hurt. It matters to God, and he has given us the ministry of reconciliation.
Inner Peace, Like Happiness, Is An Inside Job
“I can’t legislate world peace. I can’t press peace on my neighbors or parishioners. But if I can become peaceable enough within myself, maybe that will both help me and others, too.”
Five Great Bible Reading Plans For 2024
The Bible is more than just a nice book with good advice. It provides the beginning, middle, and end of the story of redemption that God is working out among us.
The Best Faith-Based Films of 2023
Faith-based films are everywhere, making it easier than ever to find films that celebrate religious worldviews with truth and beauty. Here are the best of 2023.
Seven Questions About Jon Fosse’s Fame & Faith
Norwegian writer Jon Fosse won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Literature. A convert to Christianity, his change in attitude and outlook comes through in much of his writing in recent years.
What’s the Point of Giving Gifts? An Anthropologist’s Perspective
A university researcher got curious about the culturally ubiquitous practice of giving things away. Why would people simply hand over something precious or valuable when they could use it themselves?
The Five Best Books by Nobel Prize Winner Jon Fosse
Nobel Prize-winning Norwegian writer Jon Fosse, one of Europe’s best, quit Norway’s official Lutheran Church as a teen but returned to faith while struggling with alcoholism.
Bible App in 2023: We Searched for Hope
Bobby Gruenewald may know more than anyone about how we read the Bible. He runs the YouVersion Bible app—downloaded more than 700 million times globally.
Being Compassionate, Even When It's Hard
We should give everybody the benefit of the doubt until all the facts are in. And then, when the facts are in, even if the facts are damning, we should offer some benefit of the doubt anyhow.
Fix America’s woes? Know your neighbors
Seth Kaplan, researcher at Johns Hopkins who studies fragile states around the world, argues that rebuilding social capital—including faith congregations—can address social problems.
I Believe The Bible Today More Than Ever
Having our faith deconstructed—or even blown to smithereens—can be the best thing for us. Until you’re forced to release your past assumptions, it’s really hard to learn anything better.