Six Truths for Dating Someone with a Sexual History
Paul Maxwell The one who has his or her own sexual history faces their own challenges. The twin emotions of dating someone with a sexual history, though, are insecurity and obsession. Insecurity, because you feel exposed and already judged when you feel the weight of your partner’s regret and struggle to process what their sins mean for you.
Do Christian Parents Flirt with the Idol of Education?
Chelsea Kingston Somewhere along the way, though, I had bought the lie that my diplomas define me.
Meet the god of academic achievement. This beloved idol is subtle...
To Your Daughter, Speak the Truth
Jen Wilkin I grew up with a dad who told me I was beautiful—a lot—thereby defying the conventional wisdom that daughters who are told this will define their worth by their appearance. I don’t. That’s probably because he also told me I was smart and capable and fun to be around.
Developing Our Second Bests: Freedom and Encouragement for Homemakers
Abigail Dodds G.K. Chesterton says in his Emancipation of Domesticity that a woman who has made the home her domain “may develop all her second bests.” In a world that runs on specialization, this is an enigma, to be sure.
Do Christian Parents Flirt with the Idol of Safety?
Cameron Cole Most families—rich, poor, or middle class—have an image, maybe even a dream, of what their child’s life will look like once they reach adulthood. If pressed to describe it, the image might include impressive academic credentials, a high-paying job, good medical benefits, a solid retirement package, a house in the suburbs...
A Plea for Poets, Plumbers, Philosophers, and Physicians
Nathan Eshelman The church needs to encourage our young people to become painters and plumbers and physicians and poets and pastry chefs and programmers and plough boys who know the Scriptures. Our worldview and our theology ought to affect the way we do work not merely what work we do.
The Most Important Ingredient to Improve Your Marriage
Tim Lane What fuels a strong, resilient, enjoyable marriage? Most people would immediately answer with suggestions like better communication and the ability to resolve conflicts. As important as those skills are, it is actually much more simple than that...
Finding "The One"
Matt Chandler Chandler answers one of the most common questions he receives as a pastor:
Does God have one person that we are supposed to marry?
How Can You Get a Mentor?
Russell Moore I often hear from Christians who want to find a mentor, but aren’t sure how to go about that. Often these believers know they would benefit from this kind of relationship, but they don’t know how it starts or what they should be doing. Here is some guidance on finding a mentor...
Why Scruffy Hospitality Creates Space for Friendship
Jack King ‘We should have the __________s over sometime.’ And then we delay or postpone the invitation. Why? Because the to-do list is always there, the gap between our day-to-day home and the presentable, acceptable-for-hospitality version of our home...
Living Intentionally Together As a Married Couple
Erik Raymond Is it important for married couples to spend intentional time together each day? Few would argue with the wisdom of the practice but many would balk at its practicality. For many today the practice is simply not happening...
The Most Important Thing My Dad Taught Me
Ray Ortlund I think about my dad a lot. I miss him so much it aches. But the most important thing he taught me was this. There is only one way to live: all-out, go-for-broke, risk-taking enthusiasm for Christ...
22 Ideas to Help Your Children Study And Love the Bible
Michelle Brock The first time I became aware of my mom’s love for God’s Word, my brother and I were racing around the living room playing hockey. Today I laugh with understanding, thinking of my mama reading the Bible with noisy children running around, and I have a strong desire to pass on the love of God’s Word that she shared with me that day...
Going to the Concert Alone
John Butler One of the world’s great fingerstyle guitar players came to town recently. He excites audiences with energetic and precise playing, his right thumb providing the bass line and fingers articulating the melodies from the breadth of the musical spectrum. It was great. The only problem was, I went alone...
10 Resolutions for Christian Parents
Greg and Grace Gibson Parenting is war. There is, and we can’t say this with enough emphasis, nothing more war-like in the spiritual realm than parenting. If you are a parent, than you understand this fierce posture that you live with daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly. And as the years go by, we learn to parent from...
The Greatest Gift You Can Give Your Child
Susan A. Yates I grew up with a Dad who was both physically and verbally affectionate. A quiet man by nature, he was in my child’s eyes a rock of security. Firm with discipline yet generous in love. I was the eldest of four strong-willed kids and I was tough to raise-bossy, opinionated, sassy, and frequently in trouble...