Advice From an Atheist:
Be More Christian, Not Less
Several years ago, I wrote a book about how I’m tired of taking sides. But sometimes taking sides is unavoidable. When faced with Jesus’ claim that He is “the way, the truth, and the life” and that no one comes to God the Father except through Him, we have to choose. Do we believe Him […]
What God Wants You To Forget
We are never far from reminding God of our credentials, of providing him with a curriculum vitae that lays out all we are, all we have been through, and all we have accomplished for his sake. We are never far from making the subtle turn from grace to merit, from what is freely given to […]
PERSEVERANCE:
Wins the Prize in Stepfamilies
In the early years of our marriage, I wondered if we would make it to our next anniversary.Blending four children, grappling with our stepparent roles while learning to parent together, combating ex-spouses, and trying to stay afloat with job, church and community obligations seemed impossible. As we celebrated 21 years of marriage recently, I’m thankful […]
Who Do You Think That I Am?
With that brief question Jesus Christ confronted his followers with the most important issue they would ever face. He had spent much time with them and made some bold claims about His identity and authority, Now the time had come for them either to believe or deny His teachings. Who do you say Jesus is? […]
Four Marks of a Godly Husband’s Love
“Husbands, love your wives” (Ephesians 5:25a). On the one hand it is such a simple statement, a simple command. Simply love. On the other hand there is not a husband in the world who would say that he has mastered it. Behind the simple command is a lifetime of effort, a lifetime of growth. How […]
When Resolutions
We move through life setting goals to become better versions of ourselves. But what if you don’t need to be better to be loved? I stood there, face to face with the decision I had made. A few weeks ago my calendar page was clean and the only thing I had written was in bright […]
Christmas Hope for the Broken-Hearted
The tree is trimmed and decorated and glowing with lights. The gifts are wrapped and tied with bows and arranged carefully beneath. The stockings are hung by the fire and bulging with trinkets and surprises and sweet delicacies. The table is set and waiting for a great feast to be laid out upon it. Christmas […]
When You Long to Know the “Why” Behind Your Sorrow
We have a natural longing to know why. It is the question a child first asks her parents. It is the question an inquisitive toddler asks at every turn. It is the question that has spurred a world of exploration, invention, and innovation. Why? It is no surprise, then, that when we encounter troubles, when […]
If Satan Took Up Marriage Counseling
Every now and again I just can’t help myself—I respond to a clickbait headline and find myself reading an advice column. The question this time was from a woman who had become disillusioned with her husband and enamored with someone else. And as I read the columnist’s response I thought, “I’m pretty sure that’s exactly […]
Let God Prove Himself
One of the great challenges of the Christian life is to become a giver—and not just a giver, but a cheerful giver.The Bible commends generosity, but generosity that is free fromcompunction or coercion, for “each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful […]