The Mirror of Modesty

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV). As Moses descended from Mount Sinai carrying the Ten Commandments, his face was veiled because the glory of God was so bright it frightened people. Forty days in the presence of…

Dave Says: Being Hounded Isn’t the Issue

Dear Dave, I lost my job a couple of years ago. As a result, I ended up in about $25,000 of debt through credit cards and a consolidation loan. Now I have a great job making more than I’ve ever made before, plus a car loan for about $13,000. The older debts went to collections, but I’m not being hounded by collectors at this point. I want to get control of my money and do things the right way,…

‘Breakthrough’ Movie’s Joyce and John Smith Tell Their Tale

Craig: Joyce, this was a situation where suddenly all you believed in was challenged. Yet, on the other hand, people are telling you that you are in denial. Tell me about the struggle between your strong faith and that pressure from people saying you are in denial in the midst of this crisis. Joyce Smith: I don’t think people understand who have never encountered this – but to be challenged…

Your Ticket to Joy

In this crazy world, we find ourselves living in, the prospect of experiencing joy often seems out of reach. To have joy in the midst of sorrow can feel impossible when your never-ending news feed is packed with photos of happy, smiling people enjoying their date night or vacation. But joy is meant to be ours, and it’s a joy that stands defiant in the face of this broken world. In every…

The Sweet By and By

"In My Father’s house are many mansions … I go to prepare a place for you … if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."—John 14:2–3 Joseph Webster had a peculiar temperament. Although a committed Christian, he could be subject to depression. One day he seemed particularly moody when he visited Stewart Bennett’s…

Clear Vision for Your Double Portion

If you’re seeking a double portion of blessings, sometimes you need a second touch from the Master. However, too often, believers settle for far less than what the Lord wants to do for them. Mark 8:22-26 tells the story of a blind man in Bethsaida who begged Jesus to touch him and restore his sight. Jesus had healed countless other people during His ministry, so this certainly wasn’t a…

Honoring D-Day: What Makes a Hero?

They’re called the Greatest Generation – and in 1944, over 11.5 million of them served in the United States military. Today, we honor the heroes of D-Day. Who are they? How can we best honor their memory? Remembering their sacrifice, the horrors they faced, and why they did so is a good first step. But it must not stop there – honor can only be effectively shown by living out the principles…

Lori Wildenberg: Navigating Parenting When the Going Gets Tough (Part 2)

John Farrell: I’ve read Messy Journey and was intrigued by the overall story. Could you tell me the story about your own prodigal child and how that shaped you as both a mother and a Christian? Lori Wildenberg: I have to say, when you have a young person — a child who has wandered off the path — suddenly you start to realize that empathy for other people is hugely grown in you. To know that…

Pulling Up Everything, Roots and All

As I write, fall has officially arrived in Kentucky, with brisk mornings, and leaves as big as basketballs riding the cool breeze to the goal at the end of our driveway. Hard to believe we were just three short days from the high 80’s, and humidity more typical of August, than October. Just like Kentucky weather, where seasons can dramatically turn in a few short hours, my plans change abruptly…

A Greater Story

Book Excerpt from A Greater Story: My Rescue, Your Purpose, and Our Place in God’s Plan by Sam Collier   What did God mean that night when he said, “If you can lose, then you can also win”? Looking back on that day when I sat on my mother’s couch drowning in sorrow, I remember doing some real wrestling with God. I thought a lot about winning. I thought a lot about losing. And…