Last spring I had the privilege of speaking at a conference for NFL players put on by Pro Athletes Outreach (PAO), a group which exists to unite a community of pro athletes and couples to grow as disciples of Jesus and positively impact their spheres of influence. They have a fantastic outreach to professional football and baseball athletes and their wives. I’ve seen firsthand the amazing difference they’re making. In the off-season I exchanged emails and texts with dozens of NFL players and cha..Continue reading→
Home
Thoughts
Motherhood Is a Marathon
I wanted to do great things for God. In the spring of my senior year of college, on the brink of embarking upon my own journey into adulthood, my future was undecided and that was simultaneously terrifying and thrilling. As a philosophy major, my path was narrower than I had realized, but I was sure it would take me on some grand and glorious adventure. I knew the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. “Glorify” sounds like such a grand term. It evokes images of battlefie..Continue reading→
1 Peter 5:7–8: How Not to Battle Anxiety
Anxieties attack our faith and torment our peace. The question with anxiety is not whether it will come, but rather, how can I fight it when it does? Watch NowContinue reading→
Is Love of Money Really the Root of All Evils?
Is the love of money the “root of all evils” or only the “root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10)? “All evils” is the formal English equivalent of the original Greek (pantōn tōn kakōn). It is remarkable that all older versions of the Bible translate 1 Timothy 6:10 in the more literal way: “The love of money is the root of all evils” (or all evil). This includes the Wycliffe Bible, Luther Bibel, Geneva Bible, King James Version, Douay-Rheims, Darby Bible, and Revised Standard Version. Bu..Continue reading→
Hot Topics
I’m Glad Paul Used This Word
When we’re perplexed, we think, “How did this happen?” or “Why is this happening?” and we have no answer. Things don’t seem to line up with our expectations. I thought if I did this, God would do this. If I sowed, I’d reap. Well, you will reap, but before the harvest comes you might have to fight off a few crows. Before you see the sunshine, you might have to walk through a dark valley. The perplexing valley. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair…2..Continue reading→
When You Are Tempted to Despair
So when we get sick, I am tempted to despair. I feel helpless, weak, and useless. Questions swirl around my mind all day and night, “Should I switch doctors?” “What’s the long-term effect of this medication?” “When will we get better?” “How long can I go without sleep?” I find myself irritable and impatient. Stressed and anxious. Reactionary. All my thoughts and energies are focused on what’s happening, it becomes consuming. I just want God to intervene, fix it all, and return things back to nor..Continue reading→
The Relative Value of Temporal Things (Wilberforce)
“This disposition alone must constitute a vast difference between the habitual temper of the real Christian and that of the mass of nominal Christians. The concerns of the present world dominate them almost entirely. They know indeed that they are mortal, but they do not feel it. For the truth finds its way only into their minds but cannot gain admission to their hearts. This understanding of the mind is altogether different from that strong practical impression of the infinite importance of ete..Continue reading→
Children Are People Too
Our children are born with inherent worth and individual traits. We should remember that in raising them. It’s amazing to watch our children grow up and become the men and women God has planned for them to be. Each one is unique and has unique challenges and unique gifts. They may not fit our “mold,” but they were made to fit the place God designed them for. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Eph. 6:4 ESV In the last ..Continue reading→
Music
Phil Wickham Unveils ‘Children Of God Acoustic Sessions’
With his spring release of Children Of God called "Phil Wickham at his best" (Worship Leader) and "a welcome truth for all of us" (CCM) by critics, Phil Wickham is releasing Children Of God Acoustic Sessions today. In response to a high demand from fans, Wickham has created a stripped down version of Children Of God, including three additional bonus tracks "Foot Of The Cross," "Here With Me" and "Divine/Sailing/Time/Hymn" that showcase the power of his voice and the heart of the songs. Continue reading→
Disciple Releases ‘Long Live The Rebels’
After a massively successful Kickstarter campaign, DISCIPLE is releasing its13th studio album LONG LIVE THE REBELS today, October 14. In a partnership with Tooth & Nail BEC Recordings, LONG LIVE THE REBELS is already being lauded as the band's strongest album to date. Early reviews are all in agreement "Designed to be cranked to 11 and passionately sung along to, Long Live The Rebels is jam-packed with searing guitar licks, thou..Continue reading→
DeDe Wedekind Wins Album of the Year For Dream Of You At IMEA Awards
On Saturday, October 8th, singer-songwriter DeDe Wedekind took home her 3rd consecutive IMEA Award for "Adult Contemporary Album of the Year," this time for her latest album Dream Of You (Feb. 2016). The IMEA Awards (International Music and Entertainment Association) were held at the Tucker Theatre at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN, just outside of Nashville. In recent weeks, Wedekind has been receiving a tremendous amount of attention for her patriotic new single releas..Continue reading→
Stryper Kicks Off 30th Anniversary ‘To Hell with the Devil’ Tour
Multi-platinum rock band Stryper kicked off their 30th Anniversary To Hell with the Devil Tour in late September, with record crowds in attendance for the first eight shows. With 28 cities to go before the band takes an indefinite hiatus from the road, tickets and VIP Meet & Greet packages are selling out fast. "We're only eight shows in and it's incredible," said frontman Michael Sweet. "The fan response has been ..Continue reading→
Hip-Hop Veterans D.O.C. Return As Nimisilla Park
Twenty-six years ago after GRAMMY and Dove Award nominees D.O.C. (Disciples of Christ) first burst onto the Contemporary Christian Music scene, the hip-hop veterans are back with a new album and a new name. Rebranded as Nimisilla Park, D.O.C.'s founding members Alton Hood and Michael Brown have created a new sound that is bold, unapologetic and melodically infectious. Produced by David Oswald Cox (Nicole C. Mullen, Stacie Orrico, Pettidee), their new EP Welcome to Nimisilla Park (Coal Mine ..Continue reading→
Jordan Feliz Wins His First Dove Award for New Artist of the Year
It was an exciting night at the 47th annual Dove Awards for Jordan Feliz, as he was honored with the trophy for New Artist of the Year. The moment was made even more special when the audience erupted with applause and a standing ovation when his name was announced. It was also touching when Lauren Daigle, last year's New Artist of the Year winner, gave the award to her labelmate. Music fans will be able to view the entire Dove Awards program when it airs on the Trinity Broadcasting Network ..Continue reading→
Jonathan David & Melissa Helser Receive First Dove Award As ‘Beautiful Surrender’ Tops Retail Charts
Worship leaders, songwriters and husband/wife Jonathan David and Melissa Helser internationally released their eighth recording and first new album in four years, Beautiful Surrender, Sept. 30 from Bethel Music and through Provident Distribution. In its first week at retail, the acclaimed project went to No. 1 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart, held the No. 1 position on the iTunes® Christian & Gospel Albums chart all week and launched all the way to No. 2 for a time on the iTunes over..Continue reading→
Satellites & Sirens Releases ‘TANKS’ To Media Praise
Satellites & Sirens has released their sophomore release on DREAM Records, TANKS. Two years after the group's debut on DREAM, One Noise which included their smash hit, "Jump Start My Heart", the band comes back with a veracity of love, hope and joy in their new album. This 12 song album has a musical plethora of sounds and features one track with DREAM Records artist, Joel Vaughn. The theme of the album is "Love Is The New Fight".Continue reading→
Tenth Avenue North Releases ‘Followers’ Today
Tenth Avenue North releases their fifth studio project, Followers, today. This project has already produced the No. 1 song at CHR radio with the debut single "What You Want." Leading up to this album release, the group has posted multiple lyric videos, each accompanied by a video journal from lead singer Mike Donehey sharing the meaning behind the songs. Click here to check out the video journals. Media have already been tout..Continue reading→