Inspiration
The End of Estrangement

The End of Estrangement

Thoughts on ḥesed Recently, I was very kindly invited to join a group of writers commenting on current events from a Christian perspective. Reluctantly, I declined, feeling that were I to write about the procession of evils that our society experiences and the...

The Gift of Humor

The Gift of Humor

What is humor? Humor is defined as the capacity to express or perceive what is funny. This capacity begins to develop at an early age. Infants form a sense of humor by watching how others respond to their different behaviors. We are hardwired with the ability to...

Holy Spirit’s Power

Holy Spirit’s Power

The Power of the Spirit in Our Weakness A former acquaintance, whom I will call Jim, left his lucrative career to enroll in a graduate program in Bible. He became quite legendary as a man of prayer. Later, while visiting me, Jim seemed obviously discouraged. He shared...

Discovering ḥesed

Discovering ḥesed

II. The Great Gift Thoughts on ḥesed In my childhood years, people told me many times, “God loves you.” I was hardly in a position to disagree, but mentally I often added, “and He has a long list of improvements He wants you to make.” I am afraid that sounded to me...

Embracing Advent: A Season of Yearning and Anticipation

Embracing Advent: A Season of Yearning and Anticipation

As the calendar year winds down, as the days darken and grow short, as Christmas songs spill from crowded stores and children set about making wish lists for Santa, the church’s year dawns. On the fourth Sunday before Christmas, Advent begins. The first day of Advent...

Don’t Wait Until You “Have Time” to Develop Healthy Habits

Don’t Wait Until You “Have Time” to Develop Healthy Habits

It’s easy to believe that once you graduate, get married, get a better job, settle down, or [insert whatever other milestone you’re hoping to reach next], you will have more time to focus on Bible study, prayer, and other spiritual disciplines. Quite the opposite is...

Engaging God through All Things

Engaging God through All Things

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made. John 1:1–3 I’ve never been much of an empirical thinker. While I was growing up, the languages of physics, chemistry,...

What Does Christian Meditation Look Like?

What Does Christian Meditation Look Like?

What does the word meditation mean to you? Some see it as spiritually dangerous or discount it as simply not for them. In reality, meditation has deep roots in the Christian faith. Psalm 1 sets a precedent for Christians regarding meditation. Originally written as an...

A Way of Life Developed in God’s Freedom

A Way of Life Developed in God’s Freedom

There are moments when a single truth seems to cry out for focused proclamation. For me one of these moments came in the early 1980s; freedom in Christ seemed the truth in need of focus. When I looked at the people I was living with as pastor—fairly affluent, well...

Discovering Your Inherent Worth

Discovering Your Inherent Worth

As I’ve wrestled with understanding my own worth, I’ve heard a lot of self-positivity messages reminding me no matter my body type, job, parenting style, or social status, I’m valuable and “worth it.” In many ways, it’s refreshing. We see posts on social media or even...

The End of Estrangement

The End of Estrangement

Thoughts on ḥesed Recently, I was very kindly invited to join a group of writers commenting on current events from a Christian perspective. Reluctantly, I declined, feeling that were I to write about the procession of evils that our society experiences and the...

The Gift of Humor

The Gift of Humor

What is humor? Humor is defined as the capacity to express or perceive what is funny. This capacity begins to develop at an early age. Infants form a sense of humor by watching how others respond to their different behaviors. We are hardwired with the ability to...

Holy Spirit’s Power

Holy Spirit’s Power

The Power of the Spirit in Our Weakness A former acquaintance, whom I will call Jim, left his lucrative career to enroll in a graduate program in Bible. He became quite legendary as a man of prayer. Later, while visiting me, Jim seemed obviously discouraged. He shared...

Discovering ḥesed

Discovering ḥesed

II. The Great Gift Thoughts on ḥesed In my childhood years, people told me many times, “God loves you.” I was hardly in a position to disagree, but mentally I often added, “and He has a long list of improvements He wants you to make.” I am afraid that sounded to me...

Embracing Advent: A Season of Yearning and Anticipation

Embracing Advent: A Season of Yearning and Anticipation

As the calendar year winds down, as the days darken and grow short, as Christmas songs spill from crowded stores and children set about making wish lists for Santa, the church’s year dawns. On the fourth Sunday before Christmas, Advent begins. The first day of Advent...

Don’t Wait Until You “Have Time” to Develop Healthy Habits

Don’t Wait Until You “Have Time” to Develop Healthy Habits

It’s easy to believe that once you graduate, get married, get a better job, settle down, or [insert whatever other milestone you’re hoping to reach next], you will have more time to focus on Bible study, prayer, and other spiritual disciplines. Quite the opposite is...

Engaging God through All Things

Engaging God through All Things

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made. John 1:1–3 I’ve never been much of an empirical thinker. While I was growing up, the languages of physics, chemistry,...

What Does Christian Meditation Look Like?

What Does Christian Meditation Look Like?

What does the word meditation mean to you? Some see it as spiritually dangerous or discount it as simply not for them. In reality, meditation has deep roots in the Christian faith. Psalm 1 sets a precedent for Christians regarding meditation. Originally written as an...

A Way of Life Developed in God’s Freedom

A Way of Life Developed in God’s Freedom

There are moments when a single truth seems to cry out for focused proclamation. For me one of these moments came in the early 1980s; freedom in Christ seemed the truth in need of focus. When I looked at the people I was living with as pastor—fairly affluent, well...

Discovering Your Inherent Worth

Discovering Your Inherent Worth

As I’ve wrestled with understanding my own worth, I’ve heard a lot of self-positivity messages reminding me no matter my body type, job, parenting style, or social status, I’m valuable and “worth it.” In many ways, it’s refreshing. We see posts on social media or even...

Helping Your Small Group Thrive

*By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from HarperCollins Christian Publishing (501 Nelson Place, Nashville, TN 37214 USA) providing information about products and services of HCCP and its affiliates. You may unsubscribe from these email communications at any time. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at yourprivacy@harpercollins.com.