Category: Featured Posts

Death at Christmas

Hope in the Face of Darkness Back in 2012, a friend of mine who was a pastor in Hartford, Connecticut, asked me to preach at his church. I was preparing to go on a five-week mission trip to Asia, and this would give his congregation a chance to

4 Factors in Preparing for Holiday Conflict

Unavoidable Conflict The notion that the holidays serve as little more than emblems of family dysfunction is now a cliche, fodder for countless jokes, movies, and television shows. From National Lampoon’s A Christmas Vacation to The Ref, the modern take on the holiday season is decidedly cynical.  These

Image four advent candles, one lit.

Joy of Expectation

The season of Advent is a time of joy and expectation. During this time, remember to reflect on the true reason for joy.

Does Christmas have Pagan roots?

Is it true the celebration of Christmas has pagan origins? What about the various traditions and symbols associated with Christmas such as Christmas trees and Yule logs? Historical investigation decidedly answers the question. No, Christmas is not pagan.

Image of "The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth" (1914) By Jennie A. Brownscombe

A Thanksgiving Precedent: What Really Happened in Plymouth?

As with so many of our national holidays, Thanksgiving is now a contentious subject. Formerly a time of celebration and gratitude, many critics today maintain that it stands as little more than an emblem of our nation’s racist past. But is this an accurate reading of the first Thanksgiving? What actually transpired at Plymouth in the fall of 1621? In this article, Dr. Glenn Sunshine helps to restore a proper historical perspective on Thanksgiving.

Eco-anxiety and Hope

Current environmental commentators have contributed to the modern psychological phenomenon of “eco-anxiety,” having you believe humanity is on the verge of extinction due to environmental destruction. While this claim is exaggerated, as God’s stewards, we can look to Him for hope, knowing that He will someday restore all things.

Agape Love in English and Greek Bibles

The Five Loves—and the Highest of These Is Agape Love?

This 2-part article by Ken Boa and Michael Stewart explores the nature of agape love. In Part 1, Ken argues for agape as the highest form of love, a divine love that help us to love others well, especially in marriage. In Part 2, Michael considers the nature of language and raises the question of whether we understand agape correctly.

prays a mature man with pornography addiction is there hope

Pornography Addiction: Is There Hope?

Want to escape a pornography addiction but feel like you’re losing the battle of self-control? There’s hope for new habits, help if you want it, and freedom from addiction. This article explores the underlying reasons for porn’s strong draw and what those reasons teach us about our hopes and pleasures.