CATEGORY: Christian Living in the Trenches
The Scandalous Grace of Forgiveness
Have you ever thought, "Christ couldn't possibly forgive what I've done!"? Do you still feel guilty over a sin you repented of years ago? Is it difficult to forgive yourself, even though you acknowledge Christ's forgiveness? As a Christ-follower, do you engage in...
Is It the Spirit’s Conviction or Self-condemnation?
When you're hurting, how should awareness of Jesus' suffering affect you? Why can't you experience complete or perfect satisfaction in this life? Why is rest never found in a quest to understand why trials come? How does marriage cultivate one's character? What...
Seasons of Sorrow: The Pain of Loss and the Comfort of God
Nick Challies attended Boyce College in Kentucky to begin his training for vocational Christian ministry. On November 3, 2020, while playing a game with his sister, fiancee and other students, he suddenly collapsed and never regained consciousness. His dad,...
Encouragement and Resiliency Offered by God’s Promises
"But you promised!! Most of us have said that to someone who disappointed us: a parent, a child, a spouse, a supervisor or friend. Yes, even people we love, and who have loved us well, sometimes fail to follow-though on a promise they made. How do you feel when...
WISE CHRISTIANS CLIP OBITUARIES
Wise shoppers clip coupons. My wife, Dolly, is a persistent coupon clipper. She saves us hundreds of dollars a year with this discipline. She only uses the coupons for what she plans to purchase, anyway. She knows what day specific supermarket flyers come with the...
What Does It Look Like to Live Strong and Finish Well?
What attitudes and behaviors impede your spiritual growth as a Christ-follower? How do these particular mindsets and behaviors show as you get older? In your walk with Christ, what attitude is a prerequisite for living and serving well? Why is this same attitude...
How and When Do You Handle Your Storms?
Is a storm assailing you? Figuratively speaking, a storm is anything that threatens your sense of security. It's an alarming situation that instills uncertainty, fear and anxiety. Are you facing any of these storms? An estranged relationship with a loved one, who...
Are You Putting Too Much Faith in Your Faith?
He knew the ice! Allow me to back up and describe the context for that remark. Fear Sabotaged Fun A church asked me to speak at a winter retreat for the youth group, held at a camp in northern Wisconsin. As my wife and I arrived, I thought we were entering...
Do You Listen With Your Heart?
In 2013, as I wrote the first draft of the final chapter of a book titled Serve Strong: Biblical Encouragement to Sustain God's Servants, despair overwhelmed me. That week, a severe depressive episode enveloped me. My soul ached, and I couldn't identify an...
Is That A Thermometer In Your Mouth?
How To Tell When There's An Infection In Your Heart When a young child acts cranky or listless, his or her mom normally pops a thermometer into the kid's mouth or scans the child’s forehead with a device that reveals the body’s temperature. If the temp is...
Is The Cross of Christ Comforting You?
Nothing is more comforting than the gospel of Jesus Christ. According to several respected authors, the key to enjoying and celebrating that gospel is preaching it to ourselves. Preaching the gospel to ourselves is a spiritual discipline that is both proactive and...
How Long Should Love Last?
Why is the proliferation of divorce in our culture a threat to marriage commitment between a new bride and groom? I answer that question in today's post. From Terry Years ago, I posted the poem I wrote for my son's wedding on my blog, but I didn't add commentary...
