“What are you giving up for Lent?” This is a typical question for this time of year.  Some give up sweets; others give up fast food. Some give up soft drinks; others give up social media. Some give up online shopping; others give up meat. We naturally drift toward giving things up for Lent, as […]

These are difficult times for all of us. At no time in many of our memories has a single event touched every person on Earth. And let’s be honest: the gravity of this current crisis can feel overwhelming—especially when even our worship gatherings are canceled. But no matter what circumstances we’re facing, and even if […]

Are you really growing? These are the 8 ways to find out. Throughout Scripture, one word is consistently used to describe the advancing Christian life. That word is “walk.” It is a concept that appears in Scripture many times and speaks to many aspects of Christian life. Odds are you’ve read several of these yourself: […]

IN YOUR PRESENCE by Tara-Leigh Cobble GET TO KNOW THE CAPTIVATING GOD OF THE TRINITY. IF YOU HAD TO DESCRIBE God’s personality, what would you say? Not what He does, but His demeanor. Not what He’s capable of, but what He’s like. Here’s how King David described Him: You “made him glad with the joy […]

Spiritual Springtime When God’s Word digs deeply into the human heart, His Spirit awakens us to new life. by ELLEN VAUGHN EACH SPRING the miracle happens. After the gray winter months and the cold, short days, the sun warms the frosty earth. Green shoots emerge from the dead soil, and our hearts renew as the […]

Woven The Word of God is a beautifully crafted storyline. by Angie Smith TRUST ME. If you had told me 20 years ago that I would be teaching the Bible, I would have told you I was more likely to become a pilot. And since I’m terrified of flying, that’s a very big stretch. With […]

This Place Called Heaven What we know makes us want to know more. by BILL PATTERSON BEFORE MY GRANDBABY learned to talk, she learned some signs. Claire often used the sign for “more,” usually when she wanted additional milk or cereal. I would scoop her up in my arms and take her onto my screened-in […]

Myth or Reality? The truth of the resurrection of Jesus is life-changing. by BILL PATTERSON CONVINCED ATHEIST, Lee Strobel faced disruption when his wife became a Christian. Her changed life convinced Lee to study the resurrection. This investigative journalist for the Chicago Tribune tried to prove Jesus did not rise from the dead. Strobel failed. […]

Resting in the Risen Lord May the wonder and the promise of the resurrection be fulfilled in you. by Christy Nockels LOVE HOW THE BEAUTY OF CELEBRATING Easter gets ushered in with the blooming of the daffodils and the mama birds building their nests inside the wreaths on our front doors. I’ve got to admit […]

FOLLOW JESUS Chase the dream God has for you. by Trevin Wax Be true to yourself. You do you. Follow your heart. These slogans capture the widespread view in our day that the purpose of life is to look deep inside yourself, get in touch with your desires, and figure out exactly who you want […]

Easy to Love An Astonishing Story of Living with One’s Enemies by Ellen Vaughn MANY OF US know a bit of Elisabeth Elliot’s story. Ah, yes, the courageous missionary to Ecuador back in the 1950s. The widow whose husband, Jim Elliot, was killed by the Waodani, a violent, unreached people group. The courageous woman who […]

Promises Given Embrace the abundant life God wants you to live. by Carlos Whittaker JOHN 10:10 SAYS THAT Jesus came so we may have life and have it in abundance. But most of the past twelve months didn’t seem to care what John 10:10 says. You know what I mean? The year had the Australian […]