When I am wrestling with hard things in my life, I am thankful that I know just who to call. My phone holds more than one number of a mentor or other kind of accountability partner who I know will have my back. Accountability can come from multiple people and these people can serve inContinue reading “The Value of Accountability”
Category Archives: Spiritual Growth
The Whole Armor of God
Paul makes very clear the truth that only part of God’s armor won’t do. In order to be fully protected against the enemy, we need to be fully covered. Every part of the armor has a purpose in this battle, or we become vulnerable to the devil’s schemes.
Pursing Patience
I found God encouraging me to be patient while he works through my circumstances. He impressed upon me strongly that I needed to actively pursue patience in order to get through the hard things I am going through.
How Disunity Among American Christians is Harming the Gospel
America is a divided nation and the enemy is having fun stirring the pot of dissension. Are we headed for another civil war? One would think that Christians would be united in this fight, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Rather than uniting in biblically sound positions, Christians are leading the charge toContinue reading “How Disunity Among American Christians is Harming the Gospel”
Are You Really A Christian?
I grew up calling myself a Christian because I went to church and prayed sometimes. I knew about Jesus, but I didn’t really know Jesus. I wasn’t a true Christian. I felt distant from God and didn’t understand his great love for me. I’m not alone. According to the 2023-2024 Pew Research study on religionContinue reading “Are You Really A Christian?”
The Lie of “I Am Enough”
The phrase, “You are enough,” is found on mugs and t-shirts and floats around in memes all over the internet. It sounds positive, warm, fuzzy, and encouraging. Afterall, don’t you want your life to be worth something? The problem is, saying “You are enough,” isn’t biblical and it rejects the gospel of Jesus Christ. TheContinue reading “The Lie of “I Am Enough””
God’s Call to Discipleship
God calls us to disciple others in different ways in different seasons of life.
How Can I Help? Living Out Prayer
In my experience, the times when I have most needed practical help, all I got was a lot of, “I’m sorry you are going through that, I’ll pray for you.” Hearing this response over and over really stings when no one tacks on an additional, “How else can I help?”
What is a Truly Repentant Heart?
Do you have a truly repentant heart? What are the dangers of being unrepentant?
Finding Fruit in Patience and Surrender
Patience and surrender, when done right, will bear fruit in all areas of life.
Is Self-Love Biblical?
Today’s American culture promotes “self-love” as something we need to embrace in our everyday life. However, this way of thinking ignores what Jesus did for us on the cross and his purpose for our lives.
For When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong
Suffering has been a natural part of life since Adam and Eve. We’ve all experienced suffering. Each person’s suffering is unique and affects everyone differently. We can learn from Paul through his letter we call the book of 2 Corinthians.
Running the Race of Faith
Steadfastness, or patience, in the original Greek is an active verb, meaning that we don’t wait on the Lord by sitting idly by. Steadfastness is acted upon by working hard through whatever lays in our path, much like one would train for a marathon.
Finding Joy in Life’s Trials
Joy is not a feeling, but rather a gift from God, given to us through the Holy Spirit. We must become intimate with God to learn how to utilize this gift, even when our life looks bleak.
The Christian Response to Controversy
How do we become a light for Christ in a world of sin? This is an especially difficult question when that sin is parading as light. I believe there are a few things Christian need to consider and hold closely to our hearts when interacting with non-Christians.
God’s Gift of Perseverance
Perseverance is a gift from God. We just have to have the right perspective. Let’s take a look into Biblical examples of perseverance, and then think about how God directs us to persevere.
The Disobedience of the American Church
Lately I’ve been feeling convicted about my obedience to the Lord. It’s not that I’m being intentionally disobedient, but I am not being intentionally obedient either. I’m not stopping throughout my day to touch base with God to see if I’m on the track of righteousness. So, as I’ve started to make it a habitContinue reading “The Disobedience of the American Church”
How to Be Joyful When You Don’t Feel Joy
There have been many firsts of January when I couldn’t wait to say goodby to the previous year in hopes of a better tomorrow. For many, January first is a promise of a fresh start. We make resolutions and set goals. The problem is, just because we buy a new calendar doesn’t mean our problemsContinue reading “How to Be Joyful When You Don’t Feel Joy”
How to “Be of Good Cheer” in the Darkest Days
How would you like it, if in one of your darkest moments, someone sat next to you and said, “Be of good cheer!” Yeah, me too. I think I would give them a look that said, “You’ve got to be kidding me.” I’m having a really hard time and you’re telling me, “Be of goodContinue reading “How to “Be of Good Cheer” in the Darkest Days”
What is the Best Church for Me?
Breaking up with a church and finding a new one is a process that can be painful. Maybe you’re looking for a new church because you’ve moved. Maybe you just don’t feel connected to the church you are going to and feel led to move on. Or maybe, like me, you’ve been hurt and you need a place to lick your wounds and learn to trust again. How do you start over? What do you look for in a church?
Surrendering Dreams
When I got married, like most people, I had a lot of dreams about what my life would look like. In many ways my expectations went beyond just dreams; they were plans. Like many of life’s plans, mine have not worked out.
Watching “The Chosen” with Discernment
The impact of The Chosen is amazing! However, I think it’s imperative that we all watch this series with caution.
How to Find Forgiveness
Forgiveness is not a feeling…God commands us to forgive. It’s not an option. God takes forgiveness very seriously.
Check Your Heart: A Call to Repentance
Lord, forgive me, my first thought was a sarcastic, “Oh, those poor rich people lost their toys.” Ouch! That was harsh. Conviction immediately put a weight on my heart.
When Speaking Truth, Don’t Forget the Love
What happens when we speak the truth but forget the love? We miss the chance to glorify God. Believers are drawn away from him and nonbelievers turn their backs completely.