We often view Jesus as an abstract idea, wanting nothing more from us than for us to be loving and forgiving. But if this is how we view Him, we’re missing the real Jesus. The real, concrete, embodied Jesus threatens our way of life. He asks us to change in profound ways so that we can … Continue reading “Four Simple Ways to Invite Someone to Church”
How do you build a community you can rely on? Everyone wants (and needs) a strong network of support, but actually finding the people who will stick by your side through the best of times and the worst can be hard. These deep and lasting relationships can only be built with focus and intentionality. Unfortunately, … Continue reading “Building a Community You Can Rely On”
“I love God, but I don’t always love the Church.” You’ve probably heard someone say some variation of this, or maybe these words have been true for you. Church is made up of people–and people are notorious for being hypocritical, judgmental, and imperfect. Fellowship with other Christians is essential for spiritual growth. A healthy … Continue reading “I Love God, But I Don’t Always Love the Church”
Finding genuine connection with others can be hard. Everyone wants a supportive community, but life often bombards us with what can feel like imposing obstacles to that community. It’s easier to self-isolate than ever. In fact, technology often encourages this isolation, using algorithms to push us further into a content bubble; not to mention the … Continue reading “Obstacles to Community”
Does prayer even work? If you have ever wondered about this existential question, you’re not alone. So often we view prayer like a request box that God labeled, “What can I do for you?” We write down our heart’s deepest desire on a little slip of paper, slip it in the box, and impatiently wait … Continue reading “Does Prayer Even Work?”
Have you ever been lonely? If you’re a human being, then the answer is more than likely yes. Loneliness is an epidemic. The Beatles once wondered of lonely people, “where do they all come from?” And we’ve wondered that too. Loneliness is isolating and all-encompassing. It can come as a tide, pushing in and just … Continue reading “All the Lonely People”
As people, we have mixed motives. Often our deepest desires and strongest desires contradict each other. For example, the strong desire to eat that king-sized candy bar may not line up with your deepest desire to feed your body well. Even the Apostle Paul struggled with this dichotomy of human motivation in Romans 7:15: “I … Continue reading “Mixed Motives : “Search me, O God . . . !””
We can so quickly judge and reject people we don’t understand. This week, Jamie completed her homework assignment (well, mostly), so Jamie and Heather talk about the book Everything Sad is Untrue.
The book opened their eyes to consider how many times we overlook people and revealed a universal truth: We all just want to be seen and heard.
When a school year ends there is always transition, and with transition there is always some loss. So how do we make space for feelings of loss and sadness while teaching our kids to embrace life open-handedly?
Raising teens can sometimes feel like a battle of wills. In this episode, Jamie seeks parenting advice from Heather after a blowup with her son about dirty dishes.
