Need theories can thrive only in a context where the emphasis is on the individual rather than the community and where consumption is a way of life.
Life in the kingdom isn’t easy, at least not when we want to share the throne. But
I have a new philosophy. I only dread one day at a time. —Charlie Brown
Depressed people avoid people and church commitments, but they can also complain about abject isolation. The answer is to humbly accept your purpose. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are i...
First we saw only our own shame. Now we see that Jesus’ shame was deeper than our own, and we were among the scorners. First we saw only our own alienation and rejection. Now we see that Jes...
In view of God’s sovereign control, God will accomplish his purposes in our lives even when we make decisions we later regret.
You barely realize what just happened. It is called faith. You just turned in Jesus’ direction and you are listening. You want what he offers.
Yet weakness—or neediness—is a valuable asset in God’s community. Jesus introduced a new era in which weakness is the new strength. Anything that reminds us that we are dependent on God and other peop...
Watch them as they sit in the filth of their daily lives. Watch them as they hear rumors of someone who cares and has power. Watch them stand up when they receive news that Jesus is approaching. Watch...
To deeply understand fear we must also look at ourselves and the way we interpret our situations. Those scary objects can reveal what we cherish. They point out our insatiable quest for control, our s...
This was Paul’s joy in suffering and shame: that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain...
This is good news: you don’t have to know the exact cause of suffering in order to find hope and comfort.
They are God’s liturgy, prepared for you in advance. How
The thing or person you trust in is actually the object of your worship. Look
The massive interest in self-esteem and self-worth exists because it is trying to help us with a real problem. The problem is that we really are not okay. There is no reason why we should feel great a...
The love of God can be a profound answer to just about any human struggle, but sometimes we can use it in such a way that it becomes a watered down version of profoundly rich truth. For example, somet...
Since ancient times, people have bowed down to idols in the appearance of humility and contrition. But their goal wasn’t to be mastered by the idol. People worship to get things. We choose idols in pa...
Side by side is most suitable for helping. We
Regarding other people, our problem is that we need them (for ourselves) more than we love them (for the glory of God). The task God sets for us is to need them less and love them more. Instead of loo...
Joy is not the opposite of suffering. If it were, a person practiced in joy could crowd out pain because one couldn’t exist with the other. Instead, joy can actually be a companion to suffering.