Feb 28, 2025 | Devotion, Family, Inspiration, Pastor's Life, Perspectives
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering round to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable. —Luke 15:1–3 The Elder Brother and the Two Lost Sons...
Feb 27, 2025 | Family, Inspiration, Pastor's Life
Over the last decade, the two of us (Emily and Laura) have embarked on our own journeys to understand what a good mom really is. If you’re familiar with our ministry, Risen Motherhood, then you might know that as sisters-in-law and friends, we talked regularly in the...
Feb 25, 2025 | Devotion, Family, Inspiration, Pastor's Life, Perspectives
The Early Church’s View of Biblical Family When I was a kid growing up down South, my mom always referred to her in-laws as “Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard.” My parents both grew up in the small town of Talladega, Alabama, where every adult was a “Mr.” or “Mrs.” to anyone...
Feb 21, 2025 | Devotion, Inspiration, Pastor's Life, Perspectives
You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. —Psalm 77:14 The Power of Biblical Miracles Miracles are hard to believe in, and they should be. In Matthew 28 we are told that the apostles met the risen Jesus on a mountainside in...
Feb 18, 2025 | Devotion, Inspiration, Pastor's Life
Imagine that you are sitting in a chair in front of God the Father, and all his glory is blazing in unapproachable light, and Jesus, in his blood-soaked robe, is sitting in a chair next to you. An angel asks God the Father, “Who is more righteous, Jesus or this image...
Feb 14, 2025 | Devotion, Pastor's Life
I can’t fix my family. I can’t keep my job. I can’t salvage my reputation. I can’t protect those I love. I can’t stand the pain. I can’t stop drinking. Can’t stop binge-eating, binge-watching, binge-spending, binge-working. Can’t stop looking at porn. I can’t find a...
Feb 7, 2025 | Church Matters, Inspiration, Leadership, Leadership, Pastor's Life, Personal Development
While burnout in general is definitely concerning—leading to depression, anxiety, increased sick days, relational conflict, a kind of psychological paralysis, and an overriding sense of shame—burnout from a calling is more than that; it can be devastating to the core....
