Blog

The Inner and Outer Fruit of Prayer

Recently I was standing in line at Heart Coffee. Portland, Oregon is home for me, and while our city’s most broadly read press clippings haven’t been particularly favorable these last ...

A triumphant story of new life birthed out of tragedy - Granger Smith

When we lost our son, I thought the pain would never end. Some nights were so long and so dark that I began to wonder if the sun would ever rise – if a new day would ever come. Through the grace of God, though, it did. Today I’m in a different and much better place.

Rest for Today, Hope for Tomorrow

This is God’s message to us? “I’m offering rest. Partner with me, and you’ll find it.”

Jesus offers rest because the way of living that Jesus gives us is deeply restful.

We all live for something. This “yoke” talk is about taking the burden of whatever it is I’m living for, and trading it in. His yoke is lighter, He says.

I can confirm this. I sometimes feel the pressure to have a Big Vision and accomplish some Big Thing or be More Significant and you know what? It’s a lot of stress. Our culture loves Big Visions and Plans and Statements and so forth. But our culture is also acutely anxious and exhausted and angry.

Engaging the Cross This Easter

So why take this pilgrimage?

Because, while “It is finished,” He is not. His work on the Cross was perfect. Complete. Absolute. And because of it and through it, He continues working in and through us. The Cross is the singular basis of Christ’s total defeat of satan and his kingdom. satan had no response then and has none now. There’s nothing he can do about it. his defeat was complete, everlasting, and irrevocable. And while satan can’t change what happened on that Friday, he has been working ever since to hide what happened there. To obscure the work of the Cross. To avert our eyes. This is why Paul told the Galatians they’d been “bewitched.” Even though they were Spirit-filled eyewitnesses to the death and resurrection of Jesus, and God was actively doing miracles in their church, they’d taken their eyes off the Cross. Some power of darkness obscured the work of the Cross and they were focused on something else.

Embracing Radical Kindness - A Church Leader's Guide

In an era marked by polarization and societal divisions, Terry Crist’s Loving Samaritans emerges as a beacon of hope, challenging Christians to embody the radical kindness Jesus exemplified. Through a tapestry of personal anecdotes, biblical insights, and practical wisdom, Crist invites readers to reconsider the essence of their faith - love and compassion for all, especially those marginalized or perceived as different.

Talking Politics and Spiritual Formation: A Conversation with Author Michael Wear

We talked with the author of The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life, Michael Wear, president of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, about the book and the constructive, faithful vision and practical advice it offers to pastors, leaders, and all Christians.

Renovating Love: A Journey of Endurance and Renewal in Marriage

Our hope in sharing these experiences and principles in “New Marriage, Same Couple” is to provide a roadmap for couples undergoing similar struggles. A roadmap that leads not just to resolution but to a reinvigorated, thriving marriage. Because even amidst the ruins, there’s immense potential for a beautiful reconstruction—a union stronger, deeper, and more vibrant than ever before.

One of These Things is Not Like the Other

Hidden with Christ but not hiding Gideon hid when the terror came. When the fear digested him from the inside out, he ran and hid. He hated being occupied in an ...

How to Pick A Bible In Two Easy Steps

Step 1: Do you know what Bible translation you are looking for? If you know what Bible translation you are looking for—great! Feel free to skip this step and go ...

Finding the Happy You Chase

Happiness is found when your unity with Christ leads you to unity with others Recently, I was in Romania where I was working with Ukrainian refugees. We travelled to a ...

Experiencing God’s Unexpected Manifestations in your Life

Life in abundance refers not only to eternal life in heaven but also to our life here and now. All over the world where I have had the opportunity to travel, it is evident that the deceiver is busy with his business of killing, stealing, and destroying. Deception tells us that it is God’s will that we suffer. The idea that the promises of Jesus for our abundant life are only in our eternal heavenly state steals the destiny of our earthly lives and creates a powerless gospel. Nothing kills hope more quickly than assuming that we have no supernatural ability to create change here on earth and are simply biding our time waiting for heaven.

Top 6 Bible Studies on Revelation and the Hope of Heaven

Our approach to the book of Revelation falls into one of two extremes: either we ignore it, or we get so embroiled in it we get sucked into conspiracy theories, controversy, or just plain confusion. But, Revelation is the grand finale of our Bibles for a reason, and even those of us tempted to ignore it should sit up and take notice. In Revelation we find the final answer to the problem that occupies the other 65 books of the Bible

Rediscover the rhythm of Advent and finding joy in waiting

I don't know about you, but if you're not careful, Thanksgiving comes, and the Christmas crush is on. And it does just that. It crushes us with the busyness and ...

Your Ultimate Bible Buying Guide

Buying a new Bible can be an intimidating process. There are many things you need to consider to ensure you buy the perfect Bible for you. A few things, including: ...

3 Essential Truths About the Holy Spirit

The more people I talk to about the doctrine of the Holy Spirit the more I am reminded how much confusion there is regarding His work. Perhaps worse than mere ...

7 Apologetics Bible Studies Defend Faith Non-Traditionally

This collection on apologetics departs from the traditional objection-handling approach to defending our faith. Whether we’re journeying with a former Muslim, or looking through the lens of a filmmaker, or talking about a classic Christian book, or watching a discussion amongst avowed nonbelievers, these studies deliver intriguing perspectives, compelling arguments, and inspiration to improve upon our traditional approach to defending our faith.

Free Resources

Using How (not) to Save the World with your church or small group?

Using How (not) to Save the World with your church or small group?

Here are some tools to help: 

The Small Group Tool Kit includes two mobile-friendly invitation cards, reflection cards to enhance your small  group experience, and a worship song playlist curated by Hosanna Wong that can beplayed during small group meetings or personal Bible study time. 

The Church Tool Kit includes a downloadable poster, bulletininsert, invitation card, and Power Point slide.

Is your church talking about anxiety, depression and mental health issues? You should be.

Is your church talking about anxiety, depression and mental health issues? You should be.

Shawn Johnson, lead pastor of Red Rocks Church, gives a
searingly honest portrait of anxiety and depression and shows readers how to fight back and live free. He also has put together three free tools pastors can use to help their congregation have a productive conversation around mental health, including a discussion guide, sermon notes and key Scripture verses.