What Does the Bible Say About Grief?
Let’s start with a little bit of Bible trivia. Do you know what the shortest verse is in the Bible? It’s John 11:35: “Jesus wept.” I’m willing to bet you already knew that one. Now, do you know why Jesus wept? The answer: grief. Jesus’ friend Lazarus had died, and Jesus was grieving the loss […]
The Scoop on Happiness in Church
I believe summer nights should end with ice cream. And I don’t just mean frozen desserts; I mean ice cream. Frozen custard counts. Same for gelato. In a tight spot, exceptions can be made for frozen yogurt. Please don’t bother me with sorbets, sherbet, popsicles, Italian ice, or snow cones–all sophisticated ways of smuggling frozen […]
No Laughing Matters: Why We Ought to Laugh
Hopefully we can agree that we’re anxious, worried, and preoccupied with worst-case scenarios that are unlikely to materialize. We are told we are in an existential crisis, journeying in uncharted territory, and voting in the most consequential election of our lifetime. It all feels heavy and dark. We’ve become apoplectic about the apocalyptic. It might […]
How to Experience Joy
Bono once said, “Joy is an act of defiance.” I like the way he put it. A joy-filled disposition by a disciple of Jesus is an act of defiance against Satan, sin, disappointment, and especially death. Christmas is an ideal time to remember and embrace the joy proclaimed to the shepherds at the birth of […]
Joy in Tough Times? 3 Reasons to Choose Joy from James 1:1-8
We all want what the Bible calls “joy.” We want that gladness that keeps going no matter what life throws our way. But in order to have joy in your life, it is important to get real about what it really means to trust God when life gets hard. Let’s admit it. Even if we […]
My Cup Overflows
“My cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5c, NIV). These three simple words come from one of the most popular psalms in the Bible, Psalm 23. These words have given me so much life and encouragement during my first full-time ministry experience this past summer. On the days when I was exhausted, these were the words I came […]
