Beware the Black Hole of Time
Austin Brown This is that period of time following the service when the visitor is standing around awkwardly, knowing not a soul. As the church bustles about, clumped together in their familiar groups, the new family nervously gathers their stuff, looks about the room and waits. They’re hoping to be included.
May I Split My Giving Between My Church and Another Ministry?
John Piper My guess is that some of our listeners, as soon as they hear that question would ask: Do I even share the assumption that Christians have to tithe? So let me start there. No, the tithe, ten percent of your income, is not a “have to” in the New Testament...
The Most Neglected Spiritual Discipline
Thomas Christianson If you’re new to the idea of fasting, allow me to share some thoughts with you about how this Lent season can be a helpful, beneficial opportunity for you rather than simply an unpleasant experience.
Love the Life You Never Wanted
Marshall Segal The reality is that all of us can imagine something better for ourselves than our circumstances today. The greater reality is that, if you love and follow Jesus, God always writes a better story for you than you would write for yourself.
How to Be as Bold as the Disciples
Jordan Standridge Peter, John and the rest were arguably the most motivated people in history. They were bold, courageous and literally turning the world upside down. So what motivated these guys? Here are four powerful truths that made the disciples the boldest individuals in history.
Lean in on Sunday Morning: Come to Worship, Not Critique
David Mathis Do you lean in on Sunday mornings? Or does a critical spirit or unchecked cynicism have you leaning out, ready to size up and dress down the slips and inadequacies of the leaders up front?
What’s So Special About Singing on Sundays?
Bob Kauflin People sing. Everywhere. In their cars. In the shower. In choirs. At football games. At birthdays. But when the church gathers on Sunday morning (or Saturday night, etc.), our earthly voices join the choirs of heaven and the singing is like no other.
The One Ingredient Essential to Biblical Manhood
Thabiti Anyabwile Self-control (or its absence) lies at the root of so many other things we recognize as problems in the thoughts, feelings, and decisions of men.
Don’t Waste Your Awkwardness
Sammy Rhodes I probably should define awkwardness. What I mean is there’s a gap between what you are and what you should be, a disconnect between the real you and the ideal you. One of the saddest realities of life is the things we need to talk about the most we tend to talk about the least.
Your 7 Job Responsibilities as a Church Member
Jonathan Leeman Did you know, ordinary church member, that Jesus has given you a job? Your elders have a special office, to be sure, but so do you. So if Jesus’s discipleship program gives every single member a job, what responsibilities come with this job? There are at least seven.
7 Ways to Fight Distraction During Prayer
Gavin Ortlund I’ve been trying to pray more this year. But prayer does not always come easily to me. I often find (can you relate?) that I sit down to pray with the best of intentions, only to suddenly catch myself, a few moments later, daydreaming about yesterday’s conversation, tomorrow’s meeting, or next week’s vacation.
William Wilberforce's Relentless Battle to End Slavery
Vance Christie Sometimes carrying out a particular ministry that the Lord would have us to fulfill requires not just weeks or months of effort. Sometimes it demands many years or even several decades of unrelenting, determined endeavor.
On “Stranger Things” and Being a Big Prude
Tim Challies Why am I such a prude? It isn’t because I don’t like to watch movies and shows—I really do. It isn’t because I try to be holier than thou—at least I hope not. I am a prude because when I am exposed to sex and nudity on the screen my conscience immediately sends out signals.
Seven Things to Do After You Look at Pornography
Paul Maxwell A lot of Christian advice about porn addicts is unhelpful — meaning, it doesn’t contribute to real progress in repentance, healing, restoration, and recovery. Often, Christian advice either has its head in the clouds of theology and biblical references, or is a list of superficial how-tos. How is the gospel relevant to failing and trying again?
The First 15 Bible Verses a Christian Needs to Memorize
Scott Slayton If you are a new Christian, young Christian, or have never memorized Scripture, these are the first 15 verses and short passages I would commit to memory.
You Could've Been Something
Andrea Burke You have a great voice. You could've been something!" Gulp. That one goes down hard. I'm nearly 33 and for some reason, those four words seem to stick into my heart a little like gritty dirt and sour lemon...Here’s the problem: when I tried to become significant, my world became about me and my hungry ego.