The media often use “right-wing” as an adjective inseparably connected with evangelicals. James Davison Hunter says, “It is possible to argue that at the same time the Christian Right acquired and exercised its greatest power — culminating in the 2004 presidential election — this movement also generated greater hostility toward the Christian faith than ever…
Jesus Would Hire Who You Haven’t
If you take some time to study the Scriptures and stop to consider the people chosen by God to change history, it’s a bit surprising. Noah, though a righteous man in his day, struggled with a bit too much drinking in his older years, yet he was used by God to save humankind. Jonah was…
Messy Beautiful Love Is Christ-Centered
It wasn’t your usual Saturday afternoon. We had a lot of talking to do. Money talk. You know – the uncomfortable, I-want-to-avoid-this-topic discussion, where we chat about our finances to see where our money’s being spent. We desperately try to avoid pointing fingers, but the temptation is strong nonetheless. Michael likes to spend on gifts. Whatever the occasion, I can…
Reclaiming the Good News
When I was in high school my church youth group watched a movie about a boy who knew he should tell his best friend about his faith. He kept putting off the conversation until suddenly it was too late: the friend died in a fiery auto accident, its flames a preview of what awaited him…
Teen Read Week 2014
Teen Read Week (http://teenreadweek.ning.com/) — October 12-18 — is a literacy initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). Libraries across the United States will be celebrating Teen Read Week with a variety of events aimed at encouraging teens to read for pleasure. Teens have so many options for entertainment, so why not…
What Is the Mercy Prayer?
What if the mercy prayer, “Lord, have mercy,” was not only the most prayed prayer in the Bible but in your life as well? Many Christians through the ages believed that this should be the case. We have so much to learn from Christians who are different than us. I grew up as a Southern…
Experiencing the Power of the Holy Spirit
When is the last time you experienced the reality of God’s presence? Our days are often so hectic that I’m afraid we don’t much find time to seek after the Lord’s presence. After hitting the snooze button too many times, we crawl out of bed, and we’re late before we even get started. The rest…
You Are Fully Understood and Unconditionally Loved
Bask in the luxury of being fully understood and unconditionally loved. Dare to see yourself as I see you: radiant in My righteousness, cleansed by My blood. I view you as the one I created you to be, the one you will be in actuality when heaven becomes your home. It is My Life within you that is changing you from…
Who Is Satan?
The Bible says that there are three sources of our sin: the flesh, the world, and the devil. In other words: you, where you live, and who runs the place. I want to focus on the devil because he is such a neglected aspect in the teaching of many churches today. Outside of horror film…
Lord, I Need Help
Life is a gift, albeit unassembled. It comes in pieces, and sometimes it falls to pieces. Part A doesn’t always fit with part B. The struggle is too great for the strength. Inevitably, something seems to be missing. The pieces of life don’t fit. When they don’t, take your problem to Jesus. Mary, the mother of Jesus, did. On the…