What’s So Amazing About God’s Grace?
How often do you sing the words of the famous hymn “Amazing Grace” without even considering the words? It’s easy to do! Yet, if you stop to reflect on what God's grace really is, you’d probably be writing your own version of “Amazing Grace.”
You may not have been a slave trader like John Newton, the composer of “Amazing Grace,” but in God’s eyes, ALL sin is just sin. Gossiping — even under the…
Called by His Name
Born prematurely as a result of a botched abortion, Patricia continued to experience tragedy and trauma as the years passed. She was physically and sexually abused as a child, married to abusive, unfaithful men; raped; and repeatedly forsaken.
After moving to America on a visa, Patricia was unjustly jailed because of her husband’s activities. Weary of struggling, she cried out, “If there is a…
Victory Keys
The Bible tells the stories of dozens of people who seemed unlikely to ever do anything great. Many were fearful, others were failures, yet God enabled them to do the miraculous and triumph over their enemies.
One of these Biblical characters is Gideon, an unlikely hero for sure. When God called him, he was hiding in a wine press and threshing wheat, getting ready for an attack by the…
Don’t Take Advantage
"This is the will of God…abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust…no one should take advantage of…his brother in this matter."—1 Thessalonians 4:3–6
In the world, we see people trying to take advantage of others every day. We may even see Christians taking advantage of others—even fellow…
Cristina Baker and Hope in 60 Seconds (Part 1)
John Farrell: Your book, Hope in 60 Seconds, is obviously about hope. Why do you think hope is one of the most important things we can have?
Cristina Baker: People hear hope and wonder what does hope mean? People can say things like it’s hope for a better day and all of that, but hope is a person. I talked a lot about this in my book.
When we find and meet Jesus, He embodies the hope. He…
How to Navigate Large and Small Losses in Life
From the authors of I Used to Be ___: How to Navigate Large and Small Losses in Life and Find Your Path Forward by Chuck and Ashley Elliott.
Do you ever feel like your head and heart are slightly misaligned?
We may “know” that God’s way is perfect (Psalm 18:30), but sometimes it may feel difficult to really believe it in our hearts. We’ve been hurt, burned by people we trusted. We’ve lost…
The Dandelion of Spring
But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
Matthew 6:15 (NASB)
You know it is spring in Kentucky when the bright yellow dandelions begin peeking through the moist soil. For many, they see this announcement as the dandelions only redeeming quality. They stand the obstacle which separates our yards from a perfect semi-natural green lawn. Many a…
Healing Out Loud: How to Embrace God’s Love When You Don’t Like Yourself
Excerpt from Healing Out Loud: How to Embrace God’s Love When You Don’t Life Yourself by Sandi Brown and Michelle Caulk
Like a thousand-piece puzzle scattered across the table. With hundreds of missing pieces. That is how I felt throughout the first several months of counseling. I was putting my life on the table, full disclosure, but it wasn’t all fitting together like I thought it would or…
What Is Your Favorite Book of the Bible?
The Bible, God’s living word to us, is a complex, beautiful, and transformative collection of chapters. Each one, nestling within a broader story of God’s rescue and redemption of His people. Every book carries tremendous value, making it hard to pick just one favorite. That being said, Luke is currently my best-loved book of the bible.
Luke is a fantastic book in the Bible because of how we…
Pure Motives
"We had … been treated outrageously … but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel … the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives … We are not trying to please people but God."—1 Thessalonians 2:2–4 NIV
When Paul visited Thessalonica (Acts 17), he faced strong opposition. He was forced to leave the city in conditions that continued to trouble him. From his…