Heart wounds flow like a river through this world.  Despair rises when hope for healing feels foolish.   Slashing words, lies, even physical violence cut into our souls and sometimes pierce our spirit.  Every day there is a sad truth revealed:  hurt people hurt people.  Every Christian possesses the power to stop ...

We sing the song.  We want to believe it.  “Faith is the victory that overcomes the world.”  Sometimes, though, darkness overwhelms us.  Fear and hurt choke us.  We doubt whether faith works and our hearts cry out, ‘What good is faith?’  That cry is our hope—for digging deep into our ...

“You’re grounded!”  Angry voices, hardened hearts and slammed doors often punctuate the punishment.  How effective is grounding a teen?  A better question focuses on the goal of the grounding:  punishment or discipline.  Is the grounding a reactive response to undesirable behavior?  Or is it a forewarned consequence with proactive aspects?  ...

Are you thinking of moving…looking for adventure or the Promised Land?  Sub-zero temperatures, mounds of snow, frozen water…and all the hassles that abound in winter prompts many to dream of moving away.  Retirement and illusions of oceanfront relaxation inspire some moves.  Career opportunities fuel our mobile society too.  For others, ...

There is much to learn from Ryan Bell, former pastor, and current “Speaker, Author, Teacher, Activist at the Intersection of Faith, Justice and the Common Good” – as he describes himself.  A passion for learning and doing well emanates from every effort of this forty-plus ‘religious nomad.’  Seemingly that longing ...