For Mary, Piercing Words Lead to God’s Blessings

I think the old man’s words are some of the fiercest to be found in the Scripture, if you are a parent, that is, and especially if you are a mother. That he says them to Mary, Jesus’ mother, at what you think should have been a celebrative time, the day of...

What Young Children Can Teach You About Faith

Our twin grandchildren, Aiden and Hannah, recently stayed over for a weekend while Mom Carissa and big sister Lily were away on retreat with the middle school church youth group. I had almost forgotten how verbal 2-year-olds can be, though you do have to do a little...

Why Funerals Matter in Youth-Obsessed Culture

Funerals may sound like a strange topic in our youth-obsessed, death-avoiding North American culture. Every day the barons of media and marketing seduce the American public out of millions of dollars by playing to the fear of aging and the greater fear that one day...

Too Often, Christians Rely on Their Own Strength

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” (Mark 1:14-15) Following Jesus is tough, especially for...