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Richard Byrd was a polar explorer who spent five months alone in a shack in the Antarctic in 1934. During a brutal storm where temperatures hit -80°F , Byrd was nearly killed by carbon monoxide poisoning from a faulty stove. He was weak, freezing, and completely cut off from the world. He spent days obsessing over the weather, the equipment, and his chances of survival. He realized that his frantic worry was actually draining the physical energy he needed to survive. He wrot

Jesus and His parents went to Jerusalem every year for the Feast of the Passover (Luke 2:41-50). Luke tells us of the family’s experience when Jesus was twelve years old. After the Feast had ended, Mary and Joseph joined the caravan of people traveling back to their homes in Galilee. Typically, the women and children walked in the front, and the men walked in the back. Because Jesus was twelve years old, He was eligible to walk with the men, but He was also allowed to walk...

Christmas is often described as the season of joy. We sing about it, decorate for it, and greet one another with it. Yet for many, joy at Christmas can feel elusive. The pressures of family expectations, financial strain, grief, or loneliness can make joy seem more like a command than a reality. The good news of Christmas, however, reminds us that true joy is not something we manufacture—it is something we receive.

I started pastoring in Montgomery, Alabama, in August 1993, overseeing two churches. It was in December of that year that there was no mistaking I was definitely in the South when the head elder of the church announced the hymn for the opening song. Instead of saying, "Our opening song today is 'O Come, All Ye Faithful,'" he said, "'O Come Y'all Faithful.'" Not one person in the church seemed to notice the mistake. They just stood up and began to sing. It is a Christmas memor

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be an animal? If you could be an animal, what would you be? I often think of two possibilities: a squirrel or an otter. Squirrels are cool because they seem so carefree. It must be fun to have their quick moves and climbing skills.

As autumn settles in and Thanksgiving approaches, many of us find ourselves gathering around tables filled with food, family, and familiar traditions. Yet for Christians, Thanksgiving is far more than a national holiday

One of my greatest passions is for people to connect with God in meaningful ways through the study, meditation, and application of the Bible. I have consistently seen that two powerful tools are available for each of us to use to deepen our connection with God through the study of His Word.

I have a friend from college who endured a nightmare scenario. She and her husband were raising a healthy, vibrant two-year-old son who was the light of their lives. Then, in a single heartbreaking instant, everything changed. The husband was backing out of the driveway, unaware that his little boy had wandered into the front yard. In a tragic accident, he struck the child, ending a life that had only just begun. That split-second accident cost the boy his life and plunged th

Veteran's Day is observed annually on November 11th, regardless of the day of the week, in honor of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the armistice was signed, ending World War I.

In my 20s, I was certain that my theological ideas were correct. I was baptized and joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church at seventeen, and within two years, I was studying to become a pastor. The conviction that I had “the truth” and that I belonged to God’s “true people” gave me a sense of purpose and identity.

In this moment, Alexander—undefeated by all the armies of the world—showed himself to be a slave to his own anger and drunkenness. He deeply regretted what he had done and lived with remorse for the rest of his life.

Every church has a statement or motto that captures its heart and vision. For us, those three simple words— “Growing with God” —sum up...

There are moments and situations in the national and global spheres that capture our hearts and minds. One such moment has been the killing of political activist Charlie Kirk and the aftermath of how we as a nation have responded to it. It is something that many Christians are thinking and talking about. Opinions and views on this event range broadly. Some are annoyed that this event is getting so much attention while others feel a loss. Some are afraid of the repercussions w

In the 1960s, a Stanford professor named Walter Mischel conducted a series of psychological studies on children around the ages of four...

One of my favorite books is entitled "100 Bible Verses that Made America". Written by Robert J. Morgan. It is a book that chronicles...

In a world filled with constant distractions, stress, and uncertainty, the quest for peace can feel elusive. Yet, for Christians, the...

Years ago there was a quail hunter who was very successful catching quail by throwing a net over a flock when they gathered together on the ground. A wise old quail told the quails that this wouldn't happen if they worked together.

I began working at a restaurant called Jimmy’s Egg in Oklahoma when I was 14. Waiting on tables was new to me, so there was a little bit...

Dear Church Family, This summer, our family had the gift of a 10-week sabbatical—a time for rest, reconnection, and renewal. I am deeply...

“Character development is more important than keeping doctrine.” At first glance, that sentence might make some Christians uneasy. Isn’t...