"Long suffering”—one of the fruits of the spirit—is a phrase that strikes the modern ear as more than a little odd. Today in North America, “to suffer” calls for immediate intervention: a financial stimulus, a pill, a new job, a new relationship. Anything to relieve our pain (however great or small). In fact, most of us wonder how suffering could ever be good, especially over a long period of time. Yet in Scripture, things happen on a different timetable, and terms take on new meanings. With God, a rapid response might take decades … [Read more...]
Advent: How Do We Live In the Balance of the “Now” and the “Not Yet”?
In a moment of almost divine inspiration, musician John Lennon once said: “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” I’ve always been struck by the truth of that statement, and especially so during Advent—a paradoxical season in which the “now” and the “not yet” link arms in an odd union of time and tenses. Through the angel’s announcement to Mary, we know that Christ is coming, but we don’t know what to do in the meantime. We have neither the wherewithal, nor the ability, to fashion a gift befitting the … [Read more...]
3 Ways to Connect with College Students Home for Christmas Break
A few days ago I was exiting an airport and saw a large group of people holding signs and balloons that said “Welcome Home!” Obviously, the person that they were waiting on had been away and they were all excited to welcome them back home. There are stories to be told. There are meals to be eaten. There are lessons to be learned. As we celebrate the Christmas season, let’s not forget to “Welcome Home” our college students in our churches. They have just finished semester finals, have moved out of their dorm or apartment, and are … [Read more...]
Wrapped With Love: 5 Gifts That Matter
The idea of Christmas as the “season of giving” is so ingrained in us that it’s practically a cliché. Yet most of our giving takes place among friends and family. What if you gave to people you don’t know ... and who can’t give anything back? Whether you’re back home for the holidays or celebrating your first Christmas in a new city, there are plenty of ways to give grace-filled gifts: Operation Christmas Child. Fill a shoebox with school supplies and toys, wrap it up, then ship it to Samaritan’s Purse (an organization led by … [Read more...]
Advent: Expectation
When I think of the season of Advent, the four-week part of the church calendar that immediately precedes Christmas, the word that comes to mind is “expectation.” Indeed, Advent is a season in which we wait hopefully for that which is promised but is not yet fully formed. It is during this time of year that those of us who are Christians receive the startling news that Christ is being formed in us; that Christ is being born. The question is this: What will we do with such strange, wonderful news? Will we receive it as if for the … [Read more...]
Lord, Have Mercy!
Éleos is Greek for “mercy” as it is defined by loyalty to God’s covenant; pity; compassion. God’s éleos is stunning, and the Book of Nehemiah highlights it along with our need for a Savior and the lengths He goes to prove His love and mercy to us. In Nehemiah 9:6, the people begin praising the Lord, rehearsing all the wonderful things He did from Abram to the present, beautifully recounting the mercy of the Lord. Then in verse 16, their prayer takes a turn. “But our ancestors acted arrogantly; they became stiff-necked and did … [Read more...]
The Top 10 Creative Gift Ideas
It's Christmastime! We all know it's better to give than to receive. These 10 gift ideas will help you show your appreciation to your family without leaving you broke. 1. The Perfect Date - Give the family your quality time with a date to a coffee shop, a museum, or a day of shameless (and free) touring in your hometown. 2. Family Tradition - Whether you annually don matching sweaters or watch Christmas movie marathons, change it up with a new tradition. Pitch in a few dollars to help a needy family or donate to a charity such … [Read more...]
Do You Have Confidence In Your Purpose?
I survived, like we all do, against the odds. I should be dead. I should be a statistic. I shouldn’t be scribbling all over this page trying to describe the indescribable. So what happened? Was it chance, an accident, or dumb fate that I’m here now, a thirtysomething rock-and-roll mom looking back and collecting pieces of hope to give you? I don’t believe in fate or accidents. I believe in cause and effect. Behind everything lies a cause, a reason. Why does the sun rise? Because the earth revolves once every twenty-four hours. Why … [Read more...]
Why Fast and Easy Isn’t Always Effective
Fast, easy, and effective. It’s the ongoing chant of our culture that feeds the monster of “your way, right away.” Essentially, credit cards have become the ultimate “fast pass” of our generation. But rather than moving us ahead on life’s great adventure ride, credit cards often put us on the fast track to debt, delinquency, and destruction. So before you swipe and go, consider these four reasons credit cards are a bad idea. Whose Money Is It, Anyway? Spending money is easy — especially when it’s not yours. Before submitting to … [Read more...]
Why Physical Insecurity Isn’t Just A Female Thing
Even though we are taught that both men and women suffer from eating disorders and body image problems, those weight and body image issues often seem like solely women’s issues. Research has proven, time and time again, that they are not. According to National Eating Disorders Association, 10% of the people who report dealing with eating disorders are male. It might seem like a relatively small number (even after you find out that the number means there are ten million men out there who have or are currently suffering), but that … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 49
- 50
- 51
- 52
- 53
- …
- 86
- Next Page »