Sex is like fire. When it resides in the proper boundaries it gives light and heat, but unrestrained it causes great harm. Teenagers are receiving messages about sexuality every day—from the latest Netflix series, from social media, from their conversations with friends. Parents and youth workers must not overlook the value of having their own ongoing conversations with students about biblical...
Right now you are here: panic disorder, depression, anorexia, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, trauma, substance abuse, bipolar disorder. You are carrying a heavy burden—you or someone you love has a psychiatric diagnosis. You want to find your way to here: What does God say? How does the Bible speak in ways that can help you find wisdom, rest...
The story of Ezra and Nehemiah plays out against a backdrop of ruins. There’s a ruined city, a ruined house of worship, ruined homes—and a ruined life with God. As is often the case in our own lives, the wreckage in this story largely the Israelites’ own fault. The returning Israelites and their ancestors acted foolishly, unfaithfully, and godlessly. Their path to rebuilding, at its core, was a...
“JJ’s making fun of my face!” “Averi’s laughing at my drawing, and it’s not supposed to be funny!” “MOM! Tell Gracen to stop teasing me!” Sound familiar? Teasing can manifest in many ways between children: mocking (imitating someone for the purpose of making them appear and feel stupid, silly, or ridiculous) or insulting (verbally ridiculing or belittling someone for the purpose of...
The beginning of Isaiah is like the whole book in miniature. On its surface, the book is a tale of one city, Jerusalem. The first half is about Jerusalem in her rebellious stage, and the second half is about Jerusalem in her redeemed stage. But the people of Jerusalem are a picture of all God’s people. And what transforms the city is the gospel—the good news of how God saves his people, through...
