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.
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.
‘Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints’: Reverent Look At Christian Heroes
Martin Scorsese’s “The Saints” offers a reverent portrayal of Christian heroes, blending dramatized storytelling with the director’s signature grit and grace. Through lives like Joan of Arc and Maximillian Kolbe, the series invites viewers to reflect on sacrifice, flaws and faith. While the docudrama doesn’t dive as deeply as some might hope, it’s a compelling introduction to saints who shaped history and whose legacies still inspire.
John Stott: A Quiet Giant of Faith
Discover how John Stott, a quiet yet towering figure in modern Christianity, shaped faith and culture through profound theological insight and unwavering commitment. Known for blending intellectual rigor with accessible wisdom, Stott’s works emphasize living out faith with integrity, compassion and a call to social action. His legacy, from pioneering the Lausanne Covenant to mentoring future leaders, continues to inspire those seeking a deeply rooted, actionable faith.
How We Embody Joy
Joy blooms uniquely in each life — quiet and subtle in some, exuberant and radiant in others. Like an invasive seed, joy resists control, spreading beyond our expectations and into the lives of those around us. Whether shaped by culture, personality or faith, joy stirs a longing for something eternal, reminding us that her laughter of the heart is not ours to tame but to share.
Tony Campolo: Evangelist to the evangelicals
Tony Campolo’s life was a sermon — one that proclaimed “good news to the poor” in both word and deed. A fiery preacher and sharp sociologist, he bridged the divide between evangelical faith and social justice, reminding countless audiences of Jesus’ call to liberate the oppressed. From his iconic “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming” message to co-founding Red Letter Christians, Tony’s legacy is a gospel lived boldly, for the least of these.
A Word To America: Peace And Be Still
In the wake of an election deepening national divides, the call to trust God grows clearer. Political storms may rage, but God never panics. He wasn’t surprised by the results, and his peace remains unshaken. As citizens of heaven, we’re invited to anchor our faith in him, knowing his kingdom will outlast every earthly trouble.
What’s It Like Inside a Trappist Monastery?
What does life inside a Trappist monastery offer to those of us on the outside? In “A Matter of the Heart,” Brother Paul Quenon shares over 50 years of journal entries from his quiet life of prayer and contemplation. With a poet’s touch, he reflects on life’s mysteries and a spiritual calling shaped by solitude, stillness and the pursuit of inner peace — insights that resonate well beyond the cloister.
Creation, Fall, Redemption — And Your Money
How do creation, fall and redemption shape our view of money? For Christians, money isn’t just a tool; it’s a sacred trust and a test of faith. 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, calling us to steward resources wisely and generously for a greater good.
Who Are Your Enemies?
Who’s the hardest person for you to pray for? Jesus’ command to love our enemies calls us to face those who’ve hurt or frustrated us with kindness and mercy. Moving beyond resentment isn’t easy, but every choice to forgive and show love brings us closer to living as God intended. This path transforms not just others, but also ourselves, inviting us into a deeper, faith-filled life.
Will ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ be a Christian crossover miracle?
Dallas Jenkins’ latest film, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” lands amid political tension but aims for something deeper than headlines. With backing from Christian media giants and Hollywood talent, Jenkins hopes to craft a crossover Christmas classic. Based on Barbara Robinson’s beloved novel, the film brings to life a message of unity, kindness and fresh perspectives on faith — timely reminders in an era of division. Will it bridge audiences this season?
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.
Augustine Can Offer Wisdom on Our Political and Cultural Division
As we face deepening political and cultural divides, Augustine of Hippo’s ancient wisdom offers a surprising path forward. Drawing on his experiences in a fragmented Roman Empire, Augustine sought peace through shared values, civic harmony and mutual respect. Today, his insights on building common ground — while acknowledging differences — remind us that, even in times of conflict, unity is possible when we focus on our common good.