Ditch the Resolutions; Ask These Three Questions Instead
At the start of a new year there’s always talk of resolutions, SMART goals, turning over a new leaf, making…
Bible Teaching
What to Do About the Three Kinds of Suffering
You are suffering. Surprise! Welcome to the human race. And of course that’s not at all reassuring. Our culture trains…
Three Characteristics of Toxic Religion
Do you ever get a queasy feeling when thinking about your church or ministry experiences? OK, you’re “supposed” to connect…
3 Steps to Loving Others When They Don’t Love You
Every human being needs love. And sometimes we get love from others, and sometimes we don’t. In spite of that,…
When God Feels Distant: Nurturing Faith in the Absence of Answers
This world is messy and often confusing. How do you handle things when life is difficult? Sometimes you’re not seeing…
Does Sexual Sin Make You Disqualified? What’s Next?
The thief is always out to “steal, kill, and destroy,” (John 10:10), and sin is destructive. But sexual sin seems…
Throwing Down the Idols of Marriage, Singleness, or Parenthood
Relationships are usually complicated. And the church has usually idolized one particular relationship status to the detriment of another. It’s…
Being the Family of God Whether or Not You Have Earthly Family
Family. Love it, hate it. Want it, can’t stand it. Family is messy because family is made up of, well,…
Looking at Your Story Around Sex and Intimacy with Honesty and Compassion
Whenever I begin a relationship with a new coaching client I ask, “How did we get here? What’s your story?”…
What You Can and Can’t Expect Church to Do for You
Church was Jesus’ idea. I pray your experience of church has been, is now, and will continue to be wonderful.…
The Lifeline You Need to Grow and Thrive
You are not the source. You can’t be; you’re a creature, a created being. You cannot generate life from within…
Practical Ways to Pursue Intimacy with God
God wants to be wanted. Isn’t that like you? Don’t you want to be wanted? What if your desire for…
The One Most Important Goal to Pursue This Year
Goals, resolutions, commitments, decisions, turning over a new leaf, a blank page – you may have a love-hate relationship with…
Good News of Great Joy for All People
That’s what the angel said: “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that…
How to Celebrate Christmas When Life is Hard – Anyway
You have problems, and it might seem impossible to truly celebrate Christmas when things are this hard. But I’m quite…
How to Navigate the Power Dynamics in Your Marriage
Who’s got the power in your marriage? Where does that power come from? Can you find more power? What if…
Why You’re Frustrated with One Encounter with Jesus
Most of us want the pill, not the journey. We want the magic formula to comfort and success, three easy…
How to Experience Getting Your Validation From God
From very soon after you were born you have been looking for validation. Do you see me? Am I OK?…
How to Experience God in Your Tomorrow: a Theology of Hope
Consider what you’re anxious about. Your logical left brain may say, “I’m not anxious! I just want to be prudent.”…
Why God Created You for Intimacy
There’s something in the human heart that craves connection. We sense, perhaps unconsciously, that we are created for intimacy. That…
From Genesis to Revelation: The Greatest Love Story Ever
Don’t you love a great love story? There’s always a hero, a heroine, and a villain. The questions keep us…
To Know Your Spouse and Be Known by Them
The intimacy God experiences within Himself–Father, Son, and Spirit–is what He designed husband and wife to experience in marriage. The…
How Being Faithful to Your Spouse is More than Sex
You rightfully expect your spouse to be faithful to your marriage vows and you probably hold yourself to the same…
3 Paradoxes We Experience in the Kingdom of God
Things are not always as they appear, especially in the kingdom of God. The carpenter’s son is truthfully the Son…
What if You Could Look Forward to Reading the Bible?
I sometimes ask people, “What things are you supposed to do as a Christian?” And “read the Bible” is always…
The Most Overlooked Obstacle to Maturity and Wholeness
We are an impatient people. Our contemporary culture has fueled our natural human tendency to go for instant gratification. We…
What Jesus Cares About More Than You Doing the Right Thing
What Jesus cares about most is not people doing the right thing. Does that surprise you? Certainly every human being…
10 Scriptures for Overcoming Fear and Anxiety
You know the Bible says “Don’t be afraid.” But sometimes anxious thoughts and feelings seem to overtake your heart and…
Your Brain CAN Change
When I went through medical school back in the “dark ages” we were told that 50% of what we learned…
How Can You Trust God When His People Let You Down
On a good day the best part of your intellect may agree that God can be trusted. But consider your…
The Baby Who Changed Everything
It’s almost Christmas. Children are eying presents under the tree. Adults are perhaps both tired and expectant. Church volunteers are…
Experience God Being With You This Advent Season
The season of Advent is here. For some this season brings joy, busyness, and countless activities connecting with family and…
When You Need an Attitude Adjustment
A couple days ago I could feel the tension rising in my body. My mind was ruminating on all the…
Have You Counted the Cost of Following Jesus?
When Jesus called people to follow Him, what did they understand they were saying Yes to? And if we are…
What Has God Given You Executive Authority Over?
God is in control. How many times have you heard that? Said that? And of course it’s true! But the…
Why “Too Old, Too Young or Too Hard” are Bad Excuses
Excuses, excuses. They sure sound good! How could I ever do that? I don’t have the training or money or…
What is the Measure of Success for a Christian?
You’re committed to following Jesus. How’s it going? If your life continued on the trajectory it’s on now, would you…
9 Questions Jesus is Asking You
Have you ever noticed how often God asks questions? We often think of ourselves as asking questions of Him. But…
What to do When Frustrated that Your Prayer Isn’t Working
As a Christian your head believes prayer works, and you might even try to “defend” God if someone tries to…
Why Your Mental Image of God Matters So Much
What is it you love about your best friend? Why did you pick your spouse? That may be complicated, but…
Three Things To Do Between Mountaintop Experiences
Yesterday God showed up. Perhaps you experienced the power of God like Elijah did, calling down fire from heaven. Perhaps…
How to Have an Encounter with God
A few years ago I was privileged to travel to Bangalore, India. Hundreds of thousands of Christians from all over…
How Christ and the Church Form the Model for Marriage and Sex
Intimacy in marriage. The one-flesh experience most Jesus-followers are looking for when they say “I do.” OK, you have physical…
How Identity Leads To Behavior: Who You Are to What You Do
Why do you do what you do? Why do you work out, or keep a clean house, or go on…
Is It Gossip, Loyalty, Cover-up, or Getting Help?
Should you tell? Does keeping it hidden mean you’re being loyal – to the family? To the church? Does telling…
How to Deal with Doubt and Make the Choice to Believe
Is God real? Can He be trusted? Is He good? Is He for me? Where is God when it hurts?…
How Authentic Christianity Moves From Religious Activity to Following Jesus
Imagine you’re a marketer for Christianity. What does being a Christian involve? OK, here we go. You get up early…
Uncovering the Heart of a Christian Woman
It’s never been easy to be a woman. Ever since the Garden of Eden the serpent has come against Eve…
Submission in Christian Marriage
Hear the word “submission” and “marriage” in the same sentence and you may be gripped by the sudden urge to…
How to “Forget the Past” When it Haunts You
You’ve messed up. Perhaps you’ve messed up a lot over a long period of time. You’d like things to be…
