What is the role of sorrow in life? We all know it is unpleasant, and we want to avoid it at all costs. But, we need sorrow! Marilyn Elliott shares the benefits of sorrow and how it can open us up to real, authentic life which later leads to joy.
Christians are allowed to experience and express sorrow, but they are often prevented from doing so. Marilyn Elliott shares some thoughts on the role of sorrow and lament in the Christian life.
Self-harm and suicidal tendencies are destructive forces that touch many lives. But, for the average person, it can be hard to understand, especially for the loved ones of those affected by such difficult problems. Patricia Taylor gives a rare inside look into the thoughts of someone who has struggled with self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
Typically, we shout Hosanna in a celebratory way while our sweet children wave palm branches on Palm Sunday. But, Hosanna is not always a joyful cry. Keith Turner shares the meaning of the word Hosanna and what it means as a cry of desperation: “Lord, save now!”
Stop. Breathe. Be. It doesn’t matter what state you find yourself in; God still desires to draw near. Why not meet Him with honesty? Today’s Weekly Breather offers an exercise in being honest with God in lament.
We often pretend that we know what is going on in the life of the church, but somewhere deep inside, we are wondering what in the world Lent is anyway! Patricia Taylor explains what this season of the church is, and why our souls desperately need what Lent has to offer.
As soon as your children become adults and leave home, you stand there thinking, “What now?” Heather Butler shares her transition into having an adult child leave for college, and how grace helps her walk through that transition.
October is infant and pregnancy loss awareness month. Our prayers are with all those who are grieving the loss of a child at any stage. Rachel Paddock shares an intimate look into the life and loss of her unborn child, Micah.
What about when I am a good person, do all the right things, serve God with all my heart…and things don’t turn out the way they are supposed to turn out? Ben Arnold shares what he learned about bad things happening to good people from a game of chutes and ladders.
Stop. Breathe. Be. When we are grieving the loss of someone or something that is precious to us, it can become easy to hold onto that pain and let it color our whole lives. The practice of meeting Jesus at the garden can help us to grieve hand-in-hand with the one whose stripes heal our deepest hurts.
What does a person really need when they are walking through a dark time? Duke Walker shares wisdom that faith-filled depression is better than pseudo-holy hope. Christian faith in the midst of depression is a faith that is grounded in the unchanging nature of God. This is the faith that walks through the valley with the knowledge that God goes with us. To hope for anything else is idolatry and contributes to the depth of despair rather than lifting one out of it.
What can we learn by physical health and exercise? Randy Hardman shares his thoughts on loving God with all our strength, and how that translated into wholeness for him.
