It is easy for us to think that the Bible was written as theological thought-units. We might mistakenly read the Gospel of Mark as a series of micro-stories instead of one big story, or Romans as a series of devotional thoughts instead of a unified letter. Sometimes the impact of this challenge can be relatively inconsequential, but other times it can result in seemingly faith-filled choices that...
Why Romans 12 Without Romans 13 Endangers Those in Destructive Relationships
Battling Negative Body Image
Though it may not be a comfortable topic nor one that is normally addressed in Christian circles, battling a negative body image is a common struggle. If you’re like me, this struggle may have even shaped your life in significant ways. Very simply, body image is the way you picture your outer self. When that mental image is skewed, a battle results, even if the perception of your body doesn’t...
Reading Is Fundamental
Do you remember who sparked your love for reading? My journey began with my parents reading me a Flintstones children’s book based on my favorite Saturday morning cartoons. In school, the Scholastic Book Club flyer felt like Christmas every month. Though they were on a budget, my parents always allowed me to pick three books. I devoured stories about Indy 500 racer A.J. Foyt and anything related...
Guard Your Heart When Suffering
We do not live in a demilitarized zone. We carry out our daily lives within enemy territory. Although it will not always be this way, for now we dwell in the realm controlled by “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2). In an effort to pull us away from fellowship with the Lord and our effectiveness in the kingdom of God, Satan is always looking for weak spots to target his assaults...
An Unpopular Opinion About Stress: It’s Helpful.
In today’s fast-paced world, stress seems to be an unwelcome companion for many of us. It doesn’t take long after we wake to feel the stress of the day’s agenda and responsibilities move us from resting to rushing. It’s as easy for us to say we are stressed as it is to say we are busy. It has become normal to be stressed. But what exactly is stress and what is it doing to us? A Definition...