The liturgy: Patterns of praise
Our patterns of worship praise our gracious Lord and build up one another for life’s journey. It’s Sunday morning. What are we going to do? Most of us will say,…
Please explain: How does God’s kingdom grow?
God's kingdom comes when he rescues captives with the truth of his redeeming love and frees them. God’s kingdom grows when he demonstrates amazing grace, when he dispenses free forgiveness,…
A most unusual prayer
A New Testament prayer demonstrates both a confession of faith and an urgent cry for help. It is undoubtedly one of the most unusual prayers spoken in all the Bible,…
Give to Caesar and to God
As Christians, our first allegiance is to God, but we also owe the government obedience, honor, and respect. A few weeks before last fall’s election, a homemade sign on a…
Q&A: Do I need to read the Bible to have a relationship with God?
I always hear that I should be reading my Bible. I pray every night. Do I really need to read the Bible to have a relationship with God? The natural…
Parent conversations: What are ways to foster a rich prayer life in children?
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). It’s a familiar passage, and it’s also my…
A thought: Our Father
“Our Father in heaven.” So Jesus taught us his prayer. It’s actually our prayer. It begins, “Our Father.” Yet we say it so often it might have become only words…
My Christian life: A teacher retires full of memories
A teacher retires full of memories—including monarch butterflies, baby chicks, and Jesus—after 43 years Do you have a favorite teacher? One who really understood or motivated you? One who made…
Now I lay me down to sleep
One veteran Christian adds the certainty of heaven to a familiar prayer. Many of us have tucked our children to bed with the words of a familiar prayer: Now I…