category
Search by topic, scripture, category etc..
118 Results in 867ms
Display
Sorted By
-
illustration
Struggling to Rest
Rest has never been one of America’s greatest strengths. According to one study, only one in seven adults (14%) have set aside an entire day for the purpose of rest. For those who do set aside an enti... -
Quote
The blunt fact is that America's grand promotion of debt-leveraged consumerism has stood Max Weber's famous thesis about the rise of capitalism on its head. It has scorned the early-American s... -
illustration
Calling on God, not Bank of America
The comedian Richard Pryor, who was critically injured in a severe accident, once shared on Johnny Carson’s show that when faced with life-threatening situations, worldly concerns lose their significa... -
illustration
Kingdom-Based Coffee
Brandon and Faith Lee, who started Bird and Branch Coffee, are what faithful witnesses look like. When they sat down across from my wife and me, they had a dream to start a coffee shop that would serv... -
illustration
Just Charge It!
I recently attended an event sponsored by Compassion International, the International Child Sponsorship Organization. The event was called “Stepping into My Shoes”. The purpose being to show children ... -
blog
The Redemptive Landlord
Not everyone living in a distressed neighborhood is associated with gang members, parole officers, employers, social workers, or pastors. But nearly all of them have a landlord. —Matthew Desmond, E... -
Quote
About 2 out of 3 American adults who regularly attend church or other religious services say they go for their kids. -
liturgy
Gracious God of love–Father, Son and
Gracious God of love–Father, Son and Holy Spirit: We are grateful that You’ve revealed yourself to us, telling us that each of us are loved by You as children, each precious in Your sight, each a refl... -
illustration
“Hello, I’m Busy”
I read an anecdote once about a woman from another culture who came to the United States and began to introduce herself as “Busy.” It was, after all, the first thing she heard when meeting any America... -
illustration
The CEO of Gallup on The Next Center of Major Innovation
Jim Clifton, CEO and Chairman of Gallup, points to the shrunken GDP (gross domestic product) of the United States and the vast shortfall in new job creation. What is the solution? He writes, If you w... -
illustration
Knowing the Result in Advance
On several occasions I have known the name of the victor before the end of the contest. Being a pastor, I’m often unable to watch the Sunday football games. While I am preaching, the teams are playing... -
illustration
A Sin to Play Football
A number of years ago, when sabbath laws were still a contentious issue, a church group was picketing a stadium just before a Sunday game. When Tampa Bay Bucs coach John McKay arrived, the minister co... -
illustration
Just another Consumer Product?
One of the many technological transformations of the twentieth century took place right on our dinner plates. Because of its cheapness and convenience, most Americans quickly accepted new ways of eati... -
Quote
It is a sad but true saying that our biggest problems are ignorance and apathy. It is certainly true of agriculture. With the bulk of the American population two or more generations removed from farmi... -
illustration
True Rest
True rest seems elusive for most Americans. Only one in seven adults (14%) set aside a day a week for rest. And on that one day a week, what do they do? Mostly, they work. More than four in ten say th... -
illustration
The Debt Clock
If you are ever in the mood to feel overwhelmed, discouraged, and downright depressed, hail a cab to the corner of Avenue of the Americas and West 44th Street in New York City. There, you’ll find the ... -
illustration
Thomas Aquinas on Peter’s Wealth
An old joke can sum up the failure nicely: It’s said that Thomas Aquinas was once brought into a great city where he was to meet the pope. He saw huge churches, clerics in ornate garb, and great armie... -
illustration
The Difference Between You and Bill Gates
Financially speaking, the difference between you and Bill Gates is smaller than the difference between you and the average person living outside the U.S. To most people, your bank accounts look virtua... -
Quote
First and foremost, work is not about economic exchange, financial remuneration, or a pathway to the American Dream, but about God-honoring human creativity and contribution. Our work, whatever it is,... -
illustration
The Two Types of Procrastination
Social scientists define procrastination as “delaying a task for a maladaptively long time,” and it bedevils almost all of us. One study found that more than 70 percent of university students procrast... -
illustration
Turning off the Warning System
In his book “Where Is God When It Hurts?”, author Philip Yancey shares an unfortunate, yet central dynamic related to how Americans respond to pain: we do everything possible to avoid it. That means p... -
illustration
Divine Do-Overs: God's Renewable Compassion
Hope remains possible even amid our failures—whether we disappoint God, let down our families, or fall short of our own expectations—because divine compassion operates like an inexhaustible well. Each... -
illustration
Gratitude: It Makes Everything Taste Better
Charles Fulton Oursler Sr. (1893–1952) was an American journalist, playwright, editor, and writer. Like many Southerners of means, he was cared for as a boy by a nurse who had been born into slavery. ... -
illustration
The Village Atheist
You may remember the old “village atheist” trick of putting a watch on the podium and saying, “Now, if there is a God, in five minutes he must strike me dead.” Not a single person who has given that c... -
blog
Acknowledging the Pain: Thoughts From the Founders Desk
This past week I have been at a reunion with college friends (this is the main reason I missed last week's update). It's been significant for a number of reasons. I hope to unpack a few other ... -
Quote
Sunday observance of the Sabbath was the subject of forty-seven acts of Parliament and often debated by American legislators in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. -
illustration
What I am Supposed to Do?
The American Golfer George Archer had a relatively successful career on the PGA tour, winning thirteen PGA tournaments, including the 1969 Masters. As he drew closer to retiring from the sport, he was... -
illustration
The Story of Eric Liddell
Eric Liddell, the “Flying Scotsman” was made famous by the 1981 movie Chariots of Fire . He was born to missionary parents in China in 1902 and educated in the United Kingdom. Though he made the Bri... -
illustration
Religious Faith in the Workplace? The Resistance May Not Be What You Think
More often than not, park-it-at-the-door thinking [about religious faith] has less to do with hostility to faith than with the avoidance of risk, for many employer’s fear that any hint of religion is ... -
illustration
A Coca-Cola Philosophy & Empty Calories
Studies reveal that 37 percent of Americans take fewer than seven days of vacation a year. In fact, only 14 percent take vacations that last longer than two weeks. Americans take the shortest paid vac...
Page 1 of 4
Top Level Categories by Topic
A
- A Fresh Start
- A Meaningful Life
- Abiding in Christ
- Ability
- Abolition of Slavery
- Abraham
- Abundance
- Acceptance
- Accidents
- Achievement
- Actions
- Activities
- Adaptability
- Addiction
- Advent
- Adventure
- Adversity
- Advice
- Advocate
- Agnosticism
- Agriculture
- Aim
- Alcohol
- Ambassadors
- Ambition
- Angels
- Angry with God
- Anxiety
- Appreciation
- Apprehension
- Approval
- Arrogance
- Arts
- Assumptions about God
- Assurance
- Atheism
- Atonement
- Attacks
- Attention
- Authentic Faith
- Authority
- Avoidance
- Awareness of Sin
B
- Balance
- Baptism
- Baseball
- Bearing Fruit
- Beginnings
- Behavior
- Behavior Modification
- Being a Good Neighbor
- Being Enslaved To Sin
- Being Heard
- Being Humbled
- Being Known
- Being Lost
- Being vs. Doing
- Beliefs
- Believing in God
- Believing in Jesus
- Belonging
- Benefit of the Doubt
- Biblical Faithfulness
- Blameless
- Blessing
- Blessings
- Bold Prayers
- Bossing Others Around
- Bread
- Breakthrough
- Broken Families
- Brokenness
- Brothers and Sisters
- Brothers and Sisters in Christ
- Building
- Burdens
- Burning Bush
- Burnout
- Business
- Busyness
- The Bible
- The Body
- The Body of Christ
- The Bread of Life
C
- Cain and Abel
- Called by God
- Calling
- Calling On God
- Capitalism
- Captives
- Captivity
- Career
- Caregivers
- Cars
- Causes
- Celebrations
- Cemeteries
- Challenges
- Change
- Changing Ourselves
- Character
- Character Development
- Character Formation
- Character Transformation
- Cheating
- Child Development
- Childlike Faith
- Children
- Children of God
- Choices
- Christ and Culture
- Christ's Death
- Christ's Resurrection
- Christian Character
- Christian Community
- Christian Identity
- Christian Leadership
- Christian Liberty
- Christian Service
- Christian Values
- Christians
- Christmas
- Christmas Eve
- Chronic Illness
- Church and Power
- Church Attendance
- Church Conflict
- Church Health
- Church is the People
- Church Leaders
- Church Leadership
- Church Tradition
- Church Unity
- Churches
- Civility
- Clean Water
- Cleansing
- Climbing the Ladder of Success
- Coffee
- Coldness of Heart
- College
- College/Universities
- Comfort
- Comfort Zone
- Comforter
- Coming of the Kingdom
- Commandments
- Commerce
- Common Good
- Communication
- Communion
- Communion of Saints
- Community
- Community Development
- Compassion
- Compassion Fatigue
- Competence
- Competition
- Complaining
- Completion
- Complexity of Life
- Compromise
- Confession of Sin
- Confidence
- Conflict
- Congregation
- Connection
- Conscience
- Consequences
- Conservation
- Construction
- Consumerism
- Contemplation
- Contentment
- Contributions
- Controlling God
- Controversy
- Conversational Prayer
- Conversion
- Conviction of Sin
- Convictions
- Cookie-Cutter
- Core Beliefs
- Cost of Discipleship
- Courage
- Covenant
- Covenant Community
- Covid Pandemic
- Craftsmanship
- Created World
- Creation
- Creation (Human)
- Creation Care/The Environment
- Creativity
- Crises
- Criticism
- Crying Out To God
- Cultivation
- Culture
- The Christian Faith
- The Cross
D
- Danger
- Dangers of Religion
- Dangers of Success
- Dangers of Technology
- Dead In Christ
- Deadlines
- Death
- Death Has No Power
- Death of a Loved One
- Debt
- Debt of Sin
- Deception
- Dedication
- Deliverance
- Dependence
- Dependence on God
- Dependence on Others
- Depression
- Desire
- Desire for God
- Desires
- Despair
- Destructive Behavior
- Determination
- Development Work
- Devil
- Devotion
- Difficult People
- Digital Age
- Dignity
- Disability
- Discernment
- Discipleship
- Discipline
- Discovery
- Dishonesty
- Dissent
- Distortion
- Distraction
- Divine Intervention
- Divine Love
- Division
- Divisions
- Doubt
- Doubts
- Dreams
- Drive
- Dust
- Dysfunction
E
- Earthiness
- Economics
- Education
- Elderly People
- Emotions
- Encouragement
- Endurance
- Enemies
- Enemy
- Enjoyment
- Entrepreneurship
- Equality
- Eternal Life
- Ethics
- Evangelicalism
- Evangelism
- Example
- Excellence
- Exclusion
- Exhaustion
- Existence
- Existence of God
- Expectations of Children
- Experience
- Experiencing God
- Expressing Emotions
- The Earth
- The Epiphany
- The Exodus
F
- Failure
- Faith
- Faith and Doubt
- Faith and Prayer
- Faith in Action
- Faith in Christ
- Faith of the Church
- Faith Seeking Understanding
- Faith vs. Works
- Faithfulness
- Fallacies
- Fame
- Family
- Famine
- Farming
- Fathers
- Fatigue
- Favor of God
- Fear
- Feedback
- Financial Resources
- Financial Struggles
- Firm Belief
- Five Senses
- Fixing a Mistake
- Flourishing
- Focus
- Food
- Foolishness
- Football (American)
- Foreigners
- Forgiveness
- Forgiveness of Sin
- Formation
- Foundations
- Fragility of Life
- Free Will
- Freedom
- Freedom in Christ
- Friend of Sinners
- Fruit
- Fruit of the Spirit
- Fruitfulness
- Fulfillment
- Fullness of Life
- Fun
- Funerals
- Future
G
- Games
- Garden of Eden
- Gardening
- Gardens
- Gathering
- Generosity
- Genesis
- Genetics
- Getting Fired
- Gifts
- Giving
- Giving and Receiving
- Giving Freely
- Giving God the Glory
- Giving to the Poor
- Gladness
- Glory
- Goals
- God
- God Cares For You
- God the Creator
- God's Abundance
- God's Acceptance
- God's Anger
- God's Creation
- God's Design
- God's Forgiveness
- God's Gifts
- God's Goodness
- God's Hands
- God's Incomprehensibility
- God's Invitations
- God's Judgment
- God's Law
- God's Love
- God's Majesty
- God's Name
- God's Nearness
- God's Plans
- God's Power (Omnipotence)
- God's Presence
- God’s Presence
- God's Promises
- God's Protection
- God's Provision
- God's Pursuit
- God's Righteousness
- God's Truth
- God's Unfailing Love
- God's Voice
- God's Will
- God's Word
- God's Work
- God's Works
- Going to Church
- Golf
- Good Life
- Good Works
- Goodness of God
- Government
- Grace
- Grace vs. Works
- Graduation
- Gratitude
- Great Exchange
- Greatness
- Greatness of God
- Grief
- Growth
- Grumbling
- Guidance
- Guilt
- Guilty
- The Glory of God
- The Golden Rule
H
- Habits
- Hands
- Happiness
- Hard Work
- Hard-Heartedness
- Hardship
- Harmony
- Harvest
- Healing
- Healing the Past
- Healing Wounds
- Health
- Healthcare
- Hearing God
- Hearing our Prayers
- Hearing What We Want to Hear
- Heart
- Heart Change
- Hearts
- Heaven
- Help
- Helping the Poor
- Hiding Our Sin
- HIV/AIDS
- Holiness
- Holiness of God
- Holy Fire
- Homelessness
- Homogeneity
- Hope
- Hostility to God
- House
- Human Condition
- Human Creation
- Human Development
- Human Judgment
- Human Judgments
- Human Life
- Human Nature
- Human Qualities
- Humanity
- Humankind
- Humble Leadership
- Humble Living
- Humble Prayer
- Humble Service
- Humility
- Hunger
- Hurry
- Hustle
- The Holy Spirit
I
- Ideas
- Identity
- Idolatry
- Ignorance
- Ignoring God
- Illness
- Image Bearers
- Immigrants
- Impact
- Improvisation
- Inadequacy
- Infants
- Inheritance
- Initiative
- Injury
- Innovation
- Insecurity
- Inspiration
- Intercession
- Intercession of Jesus
- Intercessory Prayer
- Interdependence
- Interviews
- Intimacy
- Investments
- Invitation
- Israel
- The Image of God
- The Incarnation
- The Internet
J
L
- Labor
- Labor Day
- Lack of Control
- Lack of Forgiveness
- Lack of Leadership
- Law (Torah)
- Laziness
- Leaders
- Leadership
- Leadership Challenges
- Leadership Development
- Leadership Integrity
- Learning
- Learning from Your Mistakes
- Legacy
- Legalism
- Leisure
- Lent
- Liberation
- Lies
- Life
- Life after Death
- Life of Faith
- Life of Purpose
- Life Story
- Limitations
- Listening
- Listening to God
- Living
- Living for Christ
- Living Humbly
- Living Life
- Living Sacrifice
- Loans
- Loneliness
- Longing
- Longings
- Losing Control
- Losing Yourself
- Loss
- Love
- Love of Money
- Loving Kindness
- Loving Other Christians
- The Law
- The Lord's Prayer
- The Lord's Supper
- The Lordship of Christ
M
- Making a Difference
- Mammon
- Management
- Manna
- Marital Problems
- Marriage
- Martyrdom
- Mercy
- Message of the Bible
- Messages
- Mind
- Mind and Body
- Ministry
- Miracles
- Mission
- Missionaries
- Mistaken Identity
- Mistakes
- Misunderstanding
- Modern Life
- Modernity
- Monasticism
- Money
- Moral Choices
- Moral Failures
- Moses
- Motivations
- Motives
- Music
- Mystery of Life
- The Meaning of Life
- The Military
- The Mind of Christ
- The Morning
N
O
P
- Pain
- Palm Sunday
- Parenting
- Parents
- Passion
- Pastors
- Paths
- Patience
- Peace
- Peacemaking
- Penalty of Sin
- Perfection
- Perfectionism
- Performance
- Persecuted Church
- Persecution
- Perseverance
- Perseverance of the Saints
- Persistence
- Personal Agendas
- Perspective
- Persuasion
- Pharisaism
- Philosphy of Life
- Place
- Plans
- Play
- Pleasing God
- Pleasure
- Politics
- Poor
- Poor in Spirit
- Poverty
- Power
- Power and Weakness
- Power of Prayer
- Power of Sin
- Praise
- Praise Music
- Prayer
- Prayer Life
- Prayers for Funerals
- Preaching
- Preaching Christ
- Preparation
- Presence
- Preservation
- Presidents
- Price
- Pride
- Priesthood of All Believers
- Priorities
- Prisoners
- Private Faith
- Problem Solving
- Problems
- Procrastination
- Productivity
- Products
- Professionalism
- Progress
- Promises
- Prosperity
- Protection
- Proving the Existence of God
- Provision
- Pruning
- Psychology
- Public Faith
- Public Witness
- Punishment
- Punishment for Sin
- Purity
- Purpose
- Putting God in a Box
- The Passing of Time
- The People of God
R
- Rain
- Reading the Bible
- Real Estate
- Reality
- Reason
- Rebellion
- Receiving
- Receiving Forgiveness
- Receiving Gifts
- Receiving God
- Receiving Grace
- Receiving Love
- Receiving Thanks
- Receiving the Gospel
- Receiving the Word
- Recognizing our Sin
- Reconciliation
- Redeemer
- Redemption
- Reflection
- Refugees
- Rejection
- Relationships
- Reliance on Others
- Religion
- Religion and Public Life
- Religions
- Religious Conflict
- Religious Liberty
- Religious Persecution
- Religious Practices
- Renewal
- Renewing our Minds
- Renouncing Faith
- Repentance
- Rescue
- Resilience
- Resistance
- Resisting Temptation
- Responsibility
- Rest
- Rest in God
- Restoration
- Resurrection
- Resurrection from Sin
- Resurrection of the Dead
- Retirement
- Retreat
- Returning to God
- Revelation
- Rewards
- Rhythms
- Rhythms of Rest
- Right and Wrong
- Right Relationships
- Righteous Indignation
- Righteousness
- Rock of Ages
- Role Models
- Roles
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Routines
- Rule of Life
- Running from Your Problems
- Running to God
- Rural Areas
- Ruthlessness
- The Resurrection and the Life
- The Rich
- The Risen Lord
S
- Sabbath
- Sacred vs. Secular
- Sacrifice
- Sacrificial Giving
- Salt and Light
- Salvation
- Salvation History
- Sanctification
- Satan
- Satan's Lies
- Saved by Grace
- Saving Faith
- Savior
- Schedules
- School
- Science
- Science and Religion
- Screens
- Scripture
- Search
- Searching for the Truth
- Seasons
- Secularism
- Security
- Seeds
- Seeking God
- Seeking Happiness
- Self-Acceptance
- Self-Achievement
- Self-Centeredness
- Self-Deception
- Self-Discovery
- Self-Expression
- Self-Glory
- Self-Importance
- Self-Improvement
- Self-Indulgence
- Self-Justification
- Self-Knowledge
- Self-Love
- Self-Promotion
- Self-Reliance
- Self-Worth
- Selfishness
- Sending
- Sense of Humor
- Sense of Smell
- Sermon on the Mount
- Servant Leadership
- Servanthood
- Service
- Sexual Immorality
- Sexual License
- Shalom
- Shame
- Sharing the Gospel
- Sickness
- Signs
- Sin Management
- Sin Nature
- Sinfulness
- Sinners
- Sinners and Saints
- Sins
- Sins of the Church
- Slavery
- Sleeping In
- Sloth
- Slowing Down
- Social Justice
- Societal Problems
- Society
- Soil
- Soldiers
- Solitude
- Solutions
- Solving Problems
- Sorrow
- Sounds
- Sowing and Reaping
- Sowing Seeds
- Speech
- Spiritual Disciplines
- Spiritual Formation
- Spiritual Growth
- Spiritual Leadership
- Spiritual Nurture
- Spiritual Practices
- Spiritual Problems
- Spiritual Transformation
- Spirituality
- Sports
- Spring (Season)
- Staying Humble
- Steadfast
- Steadfast Love
- Stewardship
- Stillness
- Storms
- Stranger
- Strength
- Stretching Experiences
- Stronghold
- Structures
- Struggles
- Struggles with Prayer
- Stuck
- Success
- Suffering
- Summer
- Sunday
- Surgery
- Surrender
- Sustainer
- The Saints
- The Sick
- The Soul
- The Spiritual Life
T
- Tabernacle
- Taking God for Granted
- Taking Stock
- Taking Up the Cross
- Targets
- Tasks
- Taste
- Taxes
- Teachers
- Teaching
- Team
- Teamwork
- Technology
- Temptation
- Ten Commandments
- Tenderness
- Terrorism
- Thankfulness
- Thanksgiving (General)
- Thanksgiving (Holiday)
- Theological Division
- Theology
- Theology of Work
- Thinking
- Thirst
- Thoughtfulness
- Thoughtlesness
- Throne of Grace
- Time
- TIme Management
- Timekeeping
- Tired
- Tithing
- Tongue
- Town
- Tradition
- Training
- Transformation
- Transgressions
- Transitions
- Translation
- Treasure
- Trees
- True Worship
- Trust
- Trust in God
- Truth
- Turning a Blind Eye
- Turning People Away from Jesus
U
W
- The Weak
- The Work of the Holy Spirit
- Wages of Sin
- Walls
- Wandering
- War
- Warning Signs
- Warnings
- Waste
- Wasting Time
- Weakness
- Weakness of Will
- Wealth
- Weariness
- Weather
- Weekend
- Weeping
- Welcoming
- Western Culture
- Wholeness
- Wickedness
- Wilderness
- Wine
- Wisdom
- Witnesses
- Wittiness
- Women
- Words
- Work
- Work and Rest
- Work-Life Balance
- Workaholism
- Workmanship
- Works-Righteousness
- World
- World Leaders
- World Peace
- Worldliness
- Worship
- Wrath
Y
Top_level_categories by Reference
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Deuteronomy
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Esther
Psalm
- Ps 1 (3)
- Ps 2 (3)
- Ps 8 (1)
- Ps 9 (2)
- Ps 13 (1)
- Ps 15 (4)
- Ps 16 (2)
- Ps 18 (1)
- Ps 19 (2)
- Ps 23 (5)
- Ps 25 (1)
- Ps 27 (4)
- Ps 30 (1)
- Ps 31 (1)
- Ps 32 (2)
- Ps 33 (1)
- Ps 34 (9)
- Ps 37 (4)
- Ps 41 (4)
- Ps 42 (5)
- Ps 46 (9)
- Ps 49 (2)
- Ps 51 (12)
- Ps 56 (1)
- Ps 60 (1)
- Ps 62 (2)
- Ps 63 (1)
- Ps 65 (2)
- Ps 67 (1)
- Ps 68 (1)
- Ps 72 (2)
- Ps 73 (5)
- Ps 78 (4)
- Ps 82 (2)
- Ps 85 (3)
- Ps 90 (11)
- Ps 91 (3)
- Ps 92 (1)
- Ps 95 (2)
- Ps 100 (5)
- Ps 103 (7)
- Ps 104 (3)
- Ps 106 (1)
- Ps 110 (1)
- Ps 115 (4)
- Ps 116 (2)
- Ps 118 (3)
- Ps 119 (12)
- Ps 121 (1)
- Ps 122 (2)
- Ps 126 (3)
- Ps 127 (9)
- Ps 128 (2)
- Ps 130 (2)
- Ps 131 (2)
- Ps 133 (4)
- Ps 136 (3)
- Ps 139 (16)
- Ps 141 (2)
- Ps 145 (1)
- Ps 146 (1)
- Ps 147 (2)
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Ezekiel
Joel
Amos
Zephaniah
Zechariah
Matthew
- Matt 1 (1)
- Matt 2 (2)
- Matt 3 (1)
- Matt 4 (10)
- Matt 5 (19)
- Matt 6 (20)
- Matt 7 (7)
- Matt 8 (2)
- Matt 9 (3)
- Matt 10 (2)
- Matt 11 (2)
- Matt 12 (3)
- Matt 13 (5)
- Matt 14 (4)
- Matt 15 (1)
- Matt 16 (8)
- Matt 17 (2)
- Matt 18 (5)
- Matt 19 (5)
- Matt 20 (1)
- Matt 21 (2)
- Matt 22 (2)
- Matt 23 (7)
- Matt 24 (1)
- Matt 25 (18)
- Matt 26 (1)
- Matt 27 (1)
- Matt 28 (2)