Discipleship

Learn to Linger in Grief

Imagine a church where grief isn’t ignored, but it also isn’t hopeless. Where lament isn’t a sign of weak faith, but an act of worship.

An Invitation to Pray

Praying specific can become an exciting adventure and partnership with God– truly seeking to pray the heart, mind and will of the Father!

Expect to Be Different

Avoiding interaction with the world will ensure not only that the world dies but that your church will too. This is the way salt works: it is either used proactively or it becomes destructive to the one who has it.

Where Did I See the Gospel in 2022?

I was able to be a good friend to those close to me. My best friend, for thirty years, went through a tough season being accused of something he didn’t do. I was able to support him, encourage him, remind him who he was, and pray for him. He came through his trial by fire, and I’m so happy for him.

How to Avoid Unintentionally Hurting Others

Across multiple languages we even use words to describe social pain that we typically use to describe physical pain like, “she broke my heart,” or he “hurt my feelings.” Disapproving facial expressions can even create social pain, especially those most prone to feeling hurt from rejection.

Can Cancer Be God’s Servant? What I Saw in My Wife’s Last Four Years

As one of our grandsons sat beside her, listening to her struggling to speak and to me reading powerful words from her journals, he said, “Grams, if you can trust God in this, I know I can trust Him in whatever I’ll go through.” Another grandson told her, “I will never forget what you said to us today.”

Isolation: The Loss of Social Capital

Regardless of how people themselves may feel about their housing situation, the research has been deemed unequivocal: people aging alone experience worse physical and mental health outcomes and shorter life spans.

Heaven’s Welcoming Party

Take a look at the send-off of the very first Christian martyr, a precious witness for Christ named Stephen. And notice, if you will, the glimpses we are given into the reception he is about to receive in Heaven…

The Messy Beauty of the First Christmas Tree

Throughout the Scriptures we find attempt after attempt to stop the Messiah’s arrival.

Why I Must Share My Troubles With Other Christians

Sometimes it just seems easier to fight alone than it is to invite others into my struggles. I’ve also learned that some folks simply aren’t trustworthy.

12 of My Favorite Christmas Quotes

These quotes from pastors and theologians capture the weight and beauty of the Incarnation for me.