I learned something about idols a long time ago. Everything in your life has the potential to become an idol.We often equate idols with negative things or sinful pursuits, but an idol is anything that removes Christ from the number one position in your heart and life. There is only one throne in your heart; either Christ is sitting on it, or someone or something else is. When that happens, it becomes an idol.Idols don’t just affect us individually; they can sneak into your relationships. When they do, they can wreak havoc on those relationships. If you are married or considering marriage, pay ..read more

We never go into our marriages thinking, I better gather some verses for the times when we don’t see eye-to-eye and things get really hard. Yet, here you are, wading through a season in your marriage that is truly difficult, and you are struggling. As beautiful as marriage can be, it can also come with some emotional baggage and a pull at the heartstrings. Right? After all, it is joined together by two flawed human beings. Should we expect anything less than a lovingly wild adventure?Even still, God has a purposeful design for marriage, one in which He takes our sinful nature and the ..read more

It’s printed right there on our money: “In God We Trust.” But do we ..read more

The years of being a loving couple are rewarding, even if they sacrifice much of our time. Be sure to invest in your relationship in as many ways as possible while sacrificing time, money, and other resources. Spouses who emotionally invest in their relationship may find that as the kids grow up and move away, their relationship is stronger than ever ..read more

We have to choose kindness even when nobody else does. Be kind to all people, even those who have rejected you. Don’t hold grudges against the people who have rejected you. Holding grudges against people will only hurt us ..read more

Ultimately, rediscovering joy after the loss of a spouse is a journey—one that requires patience, resilience, and faith. It means allowing yourself to feel a wide range of emotions, including sadness and grief, while also remaining open to moments of joy and hope.  ..read more

Everyone’s journey that leads up to saying “I do” is different. Some of us meet and marry young, others experience relationship losses that eventually lead us to the one we commit to, and others spend much of their lives single before deciding to marry.Though each story may be different, there are some things anyone who is hoping to marry can do to ready their hearts for a relationship that was designed to last a lifetime.Marriage is a gift but it also holds up a mirror to your own character in a way that can be challenging. Being ready to lay down some of yourself to better love another is an ..read more

God’s answer will come, but only when we learn to turn off the noise and keep ourselves from creating more noise so we can refocus our attention on God, remembering that Jesus is our certainty.  ..read more

Jesus added weight to our understanding of what a true friend is when He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Isn’t that the ultimate love, and isn’t that what Jesus did for us ..read more

Most pastors will tell you of the importance of small groups. Speaking from personal experience, I know that if someone is connected in a small group, there is a greater likelihood that they'll be involved in a wider mission and more involved within the local church's life. They also have a built-in support system to help them grow in Christ. A recent LifeWay study found what I already knew through personal experience—small groups are important. Scott McConnell summarized the study with these words:"Small groups and Sunday School classes provide the relational glue that allows a local congrega ..read more