Imagine a children’s storybook filled with images of chaotic carnage, of bodies strewn across the damp hills and burning cities crumbling under the weight of molten brimstone. Imagine tucking a child into bed after recounting these gruesome stories and then simply telling them that God loves them. With no further explanation than moral directives, the […]
DOES GOD HELP THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES?
Enduring Bible misquotes
A long the busy streets of Burbank, comedian and talk show host Jay Leno, once approached random people on the sidewalk with a biblical question. People were asked to name one of the Ten Commandments. With no close second, the number one response was “God helps those who help themselves.” This is a strange response, […]
THE TEMPLE THAT IS MY BODY
Rethinking 1 Corinthians 3:16
As I write this, people are working on their New Year’s resolutions – promises we make to ourselves in order to change the way we do things, in hopes that our lives will improve somehow. However, if we are really honest with ourselves, by the time you are reading this, many of these promises have […]
HEARING FROM GOD FOR OTHERS
Understanding the spiritual gift of prophecy
I’m an equal-opportunity coffee drinker and pretty much enjoy all things coffee, so I’m often found working in coffee shops. I love the culture found in coffee shops. There always seems to be a nice buzz, and you can easily watch people if that happens to be one of your hobbies. And yes, that does […]
IDENTIFY: Advice On Life, Faith & Relationships
How can I tell others about Jesus in a world that seems so hostile toward Christianity?
Dear Lindsey, I recently started going to church regularly and now consider myself a Christian. I keep hearing how important it is to tell others about Jesus, but I’m wondering if I can do that in a world that seems so hostile toward Christianity? —Afraid to Come Out Dear Afraid, The fact that you even […]
IN PURSUIT OF INTIMACY: CORPORATE WORSHIP
Cultivating our relationship with God through worshipping together
Prior to having children, I had not considered that participating in a faith community could be an act of spiritual discipline. I have learned over the past three years that the 10 minutes, and sometimes 3 hours, before church on any given Sunday tend to be the most unholy minutes or hours of the week. […]
CHOOSING SPRING
Celebrating the gospel in light of the seasons
It was a sharp and cold yet bright winter day on my grandparents’ farm outside Salem, Oregon; a glorious Christmas morning. My grandpa’s dog Bo followed me as I walked down the driveway, past the barn, and turned onto the path leading to the orchard. My family had just said goodbye to my grandpa. His […]