If you are reading this on Friday, April 2, 2021, today is Good Friday. And if your raising was anything like my own, you may be thinking, “What exactly is Good Friday all about?” For many years, Protestants have shied away from recognizing days such as Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, for fear of seeming too Catholic, but …
Towards the end of 2020, I was struggling with my prayer life. Many days I felt direction-less, unsure what to even pray for, just…blank. Even though I have followed Jesus for years, I shared in the sentiment of the disciples when they asked, “Lord, teach us to pray.“ (Luke 11:1) At the same time, I often felt overwhelmed by the many things …
It’s been a well-known fact for decades. Young adults are leaving the church in droves. The retention rate is abysmal–according to a Barna study, 59% of youth will leave the church either permanently or for an extended period after age 15. And that study is ten years old now; the problem is likely worse today, especially …
The feeling hit the day after Thanksgiving—that rush of Christmas urgency. I quickly formulated the to-do list in my head: put the decorations up, order the Christmas cards, start buying presents. The deadline of December 25 waits for no man, after all. It all must be done, and it all must be perfect. How else will I be …
Don’t Let Jesus Be an Afterthought This Christmas Read More »
Thanksgiving is always one of my favorite days of the year. I’d say it’s in my top five—maybe even my top three. There is something so nourishing to the soul about sharing a warm, comforting meal with the ones you love most and reflecting on the things you’re grateful for. However, cultivating an attitude of …
We are all familiar with the feeling. The secret envy of the friend with the job you wish you had. The bitter jealousy of someone more well-dressed, prettier, or in better shape. The resentment harbored over a family member with a larger, more luxurious home. Sometimes it seems like everyone around you is getting what …
