We all wrestle with anxiety. For some, it's obvious; for others, it's hidden well. At times, it's a mild uneasiness; at other times, it's a debilitating fear. However it manifests itself, experiencing anxiety is part of the human experience. An
In the Beatitudes, Jesus declares, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." In the first of two sermons on this Beatitude, we consider the connection between mercy and Jesus' declaration that He came not to call the righteous b
The Declaration of Independence includes "the pursuit of happiness" among the unalienable rights granted to every human being. And we are a people who relentlessly pursue happiness. Yet, study after study shows that we're not a particularly hap
Many of us wonder whether Jesus' teachings actually "work" in real life or whether they're just pie-in-sky, wishful thinking. And in our world where things like aggression and self-promotion are seen as keys to success, perhaps no teaching of H
We like to picture the journey of faith as a smooth upward progression of ever-increasing trust in God. But our journeys are more like roller coasters of faith and doubt. But the good news is that God meets us and walks with us through every up
In the Beatitudes, Jesus gives us a very unexpected, countercultural, and counterintuitive description of a blessed person. The first characteristic of such a person is that they're "poor in Spirit." What does that mean, and why is it the found
If someone were to ask us for our goals, how many of them would focus on what we're trying to achieve and how many, if any, would focus on who we're trying to be? And how does our answer to this question affect our happiness?
If someone were to ask us for our goals, how many of them would focus on what we're trying to achieve and how many, if any, would focus on who we're trying to be? And how does our answer to this question affect our happiness?
Genesis 2:25 tells us that when God created Adam and Eve, they were "both naked and were not ashamed." They were both known and vulnerable without shame or fear. But once they sinned, they experienced shame in their nakedness, which led to fear
Genesis 2:25 tells us that when God created Adam and Eve, they were "both naked and were not ashamed." They were both known and vulnerable without shame or fear. But once they sinned, they experienced shame in their nakedness, which led to fear
In John 5, Jesus approaches a man who's been immobilized for 38 years and asks him, "Do you want to be healed?" This seems like a silly question. Isn't the answer obviously "yes?" After all, who wouldn't want to be healed? But perhaps the answe
We would all agree that we want our world to be marked by justice. Yet, how do we define justice? What is it, and what does it require? How do we pursue it in this broken world? And how do we stay involved for the long haul?
We would all agree that we want our world to be marked by justice. Yet, how do we define justice? What is it, and what does it require? How do we pursue it in this broken world? And how do we stay involved for the long haul?
According to a former U.S. Surgeon General, loneliness is a "growing health epidemic." In a recent survey, 2 in 5 Americans said that they sometimes or always feel that their relationships aren't meaningful (43%) and that they are isolated from
If asked to write it down, what would your life's mission statement be? Just as, or even more, importantly, how did you go about answering that question? Underneath these questions are two of the central questions of life: What is our purpose,
What picture would come to mind if you heard someone described as "holy?" Would you picture someone who, at best, is austere and who, at worst, is self-righteous and judgmental? That would probably be a pretty common reaction. But what if holin
God's heart is for every nation and every people group on earth. His redemptive love is offered to all peoples. And in His grace, He also grants us the privilege to play a role in the great story of salvation that He's writing. To hear more abo
God's heart is for every nation and every people group on earth. His redemptive love is offered to all peoples. And in His grace, He also grants us the privilege to play a role in the great story of salvation that He's writing. To hear more abo
Disappointment is an unavoidable part of life. Throughout our lives, we suffer disappointments, ranging from the minor to the life-altering. How does the Resurrection of Jesus speak to this reality, including disappointment with Jesus Himself?
Where do you draw life from? In John 15, Jesus uses the imagery of a Vine (Himself) and Branches (us) to highlight the fact that He alone is the True source of life and that it's only by staying intimately connected to Him that we can bear frui