blog

We might feel like we have no impact on the world at large or even the people and events around us, but we must never underestimate what God may be doing through us, if we’re following his lead.

Perhaps one of the greatest influences on Martin Luther’s life was a man named Johannes von Staupitz, the vicar-general of the Augustinian order and Luther’s confessor.

We often talk about and praise mountaintop experiences, but what if we prized walking through the valleys just as much?

In 1 Kings, Israel had just won a monumental victory against their enemies. God had promised them that he would hand these attacking nations over to them, but that might’ve been easy to forget in the wake of the battle. This wasn’t the end of their troubles, though.

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day, and we wanted to recognize the struggle of many believers who deal with depression and suicidal ideation or have a loved one who does.

Charles Spurgeon, the great evangelist and preacher, was a peculiar study in contradictions. For one, he took great delight in jokes. Victorian England was not the most amenable place for humor, particularly in the hallowed halls of church. In that case, Spurgeon was a most egregious offender.

We all want to do our best in conflict or crisis, but what do we do when we fall short or mess up at the critical moment?

Leo Tolstoy’s novel Anna Karenina is famous for its titular character, but it also follows a young man named Levin as he builds a marriage with a young woman named Kitty. Only two months after their wedding, Levin receives news that his brother is dying of tuberculosis.

While we all may admire people who demonstrate courage, we may find that we fall pretty far short ourselves, but are some people just made to be more courageous than others?

Jo Saxton and Steph O’Brien talked on the Lead Stories Podcast about situations that require courage, likening them to standing outside someone’s door, knowing that you have to go in and tackle a hard or painful topic with them.

If we have been wounded, frightened or affronted by others, how do we obey the Bible’s commands to forgive and build community across these chasms of pain and offense?

At Mission ConneXion Northwest, Michael Ramsden was invited to be a plenary speaker, and he shared this illustration at the beginning of his talk.

Christians are not always fans of fiction, so should we avoid the fantastical or is there some value to be had in made-up stories?

Most people are at least passingly familiar with Ray Bradbury’s book Fahrenheit 451. It’s required reading in at least some schools, though how many students actually read it is still a matter of debate. Still, most people know the general ins and outs of the plot.

Some Christians are claiming that if you don’t have certain spiritual gifts or all of them, something is wrong; but is that mentality biblical?

The question of harassment for religious beliefs balanced against free speech is a tricky one, but the answers are becoming increasingly important.

“Persecution has an allure for many evangelicals,” Alan Noble, writer for The Atlantic, boldly stated.

A humble person draws others to them, but that’s in part because true humility is so rare, so how do we cultivate it in ourselves?

Dave Anderson, author of Becoming a Leader of Character, wrote about one defining moment for some friends of a famous politician.