I remember the first time I heard the music of Andrew Peterson. Ben and I were newlyweds, sitting around a table in a one-bedroom apartment, talking about life and ministry with our new friends.

God made us to sleep. But when rest evades us for one reason or another, he will use even our sleeplessness to draw us nearer to him.

As Christians, we’re to be beacons of light and hope. We’re to offer peace to a hurting world by pointing them to the sacrificial love of Christ. We’re to love our neighbor as we love our own body, caring for and nourishing it. But our biting words begin to consume our thoughts and affections, leading to animosity toward those sitting in the church pew next to us with different views. It’s a slippery slope that leads to division in the body of Christ and an ugly witness to the world.

Have you been hurt or mistreated by someone? In our fallen world, relationships with others can be hard. Strong words are spoken, jealousy creates division, even our closest family relationships can be wrought with pain.

The prayer of faith in James 5:13–20 is a powerful, and often misunderstood, passage. Are we really promised healing if we just have enough faith to believe? Or could God be talking about healing in eternity, when we’re finally free of all sin, disease, and sadness? What is God trying to tell us through this important passage on prayer? Here are a few questions and main points we can understand about prayer from this passage.

Jen’s book spurred me on to live a life of faith, to trust God in the difficult seasons of life. I’m reminded that the Christian life is not meant to be easy and comfortable, but one that causes us to lift our eyes to the Lord. He is our hope. And following Him will lead to the greatest joy possible.

A pandemic can breed selfishness in all of us. We run to the store to stock up on essentials: toilet paper, bread, meat, milk. We go to great measures to protect and provide for our loved ones. But how much of this falls into the realm of survival of the fittest? Are we only thinking of ourselves or do we consider the needs of others? I’ve struggled with the balance between protection and sacrifice.

Unfussy hospitality focuses on people, not preparations, on loving others well instead of worrying what others think of us.

It seems unreal that one week ago life was normal. Kids had school, musical practice, sports and playdates. I went to the grocery and found plenty of toilet paper. But in a matter of days, everything came to a screeching halt.

Parenting is a series of letting go, a series of trusting God with the children he has given us.

Food is a good gift from God, as long as we are not consumed with our diet and menu plans.

A lot has changed since those lovesick young kids got married, but our love is stronger after walking through the mountains and valleys together. Here are 20 things I’ve learned in 20 years of marriage…

Our churches and homes need to be a safe place for believers and non-believers alike to express their uncertainties and doubts. We create a culture of grace when we welcome these questions instead of run from them and display the same mercy our Father has shown to us (Luke 6:36).

Watching this documentary was good for my soul. It helped me try to put myself in Kara’s shoes. How would I spend the last two years of my life on earth if I knew the end was near? Why am I acting like I have an infinite amount of time when I don’t know what the future holds? Sometimes we need to be reminded of our mortality.

A week away without the demands of life causes me to reevaluate my priorities. It makes me see the need for rest, the need to quit scrolling and have my full attention on the precious people God has given me to do life with.

Our fast-paced American lives tell us to work harder, do more, enroll our kids in one more activity, and say “yes” to one more volunteer request. We’re often running on autopilot, without leaving time to process how we’re actually living. Do we share long embraces and lingering kisses with our spouse, or are we just ships passing in the night?

Sometimes God provides friendship and mentors through the most unexpected ways.

As Christians, our motivation to steward our bodies well should run far deeper than wearing a smaller dress size.

When our children are wounded, we often want to pity our kids, criticize the wrongdoer, or harbor bitterness. Here are six better ways forward.