Blog
Blog
I don’t always understand what I read in Scripture
The Bible wasn’t sinking into my heart. I could go about my day without time in the Word as long as I was cherry-picking verses out when I needed something from God. (Facebook is a good place to find inspirational verses, right?) I’d read a page or...
What Barre Class Taught Me About Loving God
I’m a newly converted Barre3 member, which means I’m in shape, but I can barely walk. And though I can now sit and eat comfortably in my jeans without unzipping them, I have trouble getting into a seated position. If you look up Barre3, the website...
Dear God: Let's Be Co-Rulers. Love, Me
Here’s what has to be one of the worst life plans ever hatched: “I know I don’t get to be in charge, but maybe God and I could co-reign. If we did, I’m sure I could be a huge help to him.” I mean, why not do the two-rulers-for-the-price-of-one...
Finding the Good in Others
“Hi, my name is Jessica. Are you calling to give a compliment or a complaint?” My husband gently responded, “I’d like to give a compliment for one of your drivers.” There was a long pause. “I’m sorry, I think I may have misheard you, did you say...
Why won't she come? 8 Ways to Engage the Woman on the Fringes of your Church and Community
The amazing truth is that you can engage women on the fringes. Think about who is underserved in your community. Pray. Don’t judge, love. Create a flyer. Choose an accessible study. Eliminate excuses. Make yourself available.
That Time I Asked the Unthinkable Question
I was thirty minutes into a forty-minute message I was giving at a large women’s conference, when I recognized that I needed to shift the conclusion. I’d planned on inviting women to respond to God and come to the altar, but what I sensed now was...
Experience God through His Names
SERVANT, SERVANT OF GOD, MAN OF SORROWS E BED P AIS TOU T HEOU I SH M AKOBOTH He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Isaiah 53:3 NKJV The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve. Matthew 20:28 NIV...
Four Easy Decluttering Projects That Will Transform Your Living Space
While unstuffing your living space might seem like a daunting (or downright impossible) task, many quick and relatively painless decluttering projects can be tackled in small bites that don’t take too much time. These small wins can help build...
Confessions of a Former Do-It-All Mom and Pastor’s Wife
Do you ever find yourself trying to do All. Of. The. Things. to make sure your holidays are Instagram-worthy and Pinterest-perfect? If so, you may be guilty of overfunctioning . This was Geri Scazzero’s problem; take the quiz to find out if it’s...
The Struggle is Real, But So is The Help of God
In the heart of all humans lives the desire to be fully, truly free. I well remember standing in my packed closet, staring at all my clothes, feeling like my shopping addiction owned me. It is a humbling feeling to be a Bible teacher with harmful...
Transformation. Better Together
Sometimes I wonder what the real problem is. I know the presenting problem is often a constant and subtle feeling that I don’t really belong, or that I don’t deserve things, or shouldn’t want things, or well, pretty consistent thoughts that I’m not...
Don’t Pet the Peeves
If only people would stop behaving like people. If only people would use mouthwash, close their mouths when they chew, quiet their screaming babies, and clean up their trashy lawns. There is a way the world should run. And when others behave in...
Help Your Church or Group Master the Basics of the Bible
In a Breakpoint Commentary titled, “Americans Fail Theology 101” * Eric Metaxas wrote, “Could you pass a basic theology quiz? Several thousand Americans just tried. Uh-oh! Too bad God doesn’t grade on the curve.” Then he commented on a LifeWay...
You've Got What It Takes
Do you ever feel like an imposter? Like someone else would be better suited to live your life? Like God accidentally drew the wrong name and it turns out you aren’t qualified enough, or smart enough, or strong enough or beautiful enough to do what...
Listening to the Right Voice
Sin, our choice not to trust God, will never change into a desire to trust him as long as we are listening to all of the other voices telling us who we should be, how we should live, or what we should do. Rules, rituals, religion, tradition, and...
Three Ways Pastors Can Help Parents Pass on Faith to Their Children
Some research suggests that 40 to 50 percent of students transitioning from the home to young adulthood are experiencing a faith that does not last.
So how can we as pastors, help parents “pastor” their own families? Let me offer three simple ways that we as pastoral leaders can help families pass on faith to the next generation.
Free Resources
Using How (not) to Save the World with your church or small group?
Here are some tools to help:
The Small Group Tool Kit includes two mobile-friendly invitation cards, reflection cards to enhance your small group experience, and a worship song playlist curated by Hosanna Wong that can beplayed during small group meetings or personal Bible study time.
The Church Tool Kit includes a downloadable poster, bulletininsert, invitation card, and Power Point slide.
Is your church talking about anxiety, depression and mental health issues? You should be.
Shawn Johnson, lead pastor of Red Rocks Church, gives a
searingly honest portrait of anxiety and depression and shows readers how to fight back and live free. He also has put together three free tools pastors can use to help their congregation have a productive conversation around mental health, including a discussion guide, sermon notes and key Scripture verses.