When a friend, family member, or co-worker in our life is struggling with depression (or a similar struggle), it can be hard to know how to come alongside them. In our efforts to be helpful, we may say things that are not helpful. Or, if we don’t know what to say, we may withdraw completely.… Read More When someone in my life is struggling, how can I help?
Carrie Nieuwhof, in Parenting Beyond Your Capacity, writes: “Every family has a rhythm. You don’t have to intend to have one. You don’t have to plan one. We all end up with one. As we go from day to day, we establish and shape a rhythm that in turn shapes our kids.” My kids are… Read More How to Invite God Into Our Family Rhythms
My first job that produced a flow of money into my pocket was a paper route in 8th grade. At the end of each month I had a wad of cash that I quickly spent on whatever shiny object caught my attention. It took years before I established any disciplines of saving or giving. As… Read More Next Steps Toward Financial Peace
We first met Cedric in 2015 when he came to perform a spoken-word piece at the Madison & Race Forum. We’re so thankful he was willing to come back to share a new piece for The Struggle is Real series. We had the opportunity to sit down with Cedric and ask him a few questions… Read More Interview with Cedric Dale Hoard
My first real journey down the path of grief was when my mother died. My mom passed away 10 years ago this past December. It came after her six-year battle with cancer. In many ways it was neither tragic nor sudden. But I never expected to lose my mom this way. If I’m honest, I… Read More Surprised by Grief
I remember the first time someone asked me to mentor them. My initial reaction was a mixture of honor and inadequacy. I wasn’t sure I would be able to live up to their expectations. Over the years, I’ve learned that my response is not uncommon. Unfortunately, I’ve watched great potential mentors decline the request because… Read More 3 Tips for Becoming a Better Mentor
We recently sat down with artist Marissa Recker to discuss the piece she created for Worship Where You Are. For Marissa, art has been an outlet to process feelings of stress and anxiety. Q: Marissa, tell us a little bit about this piece and how it came to be. A: The piece started as a way… Read More Processing Anxiety Through Art
In the span of 18 days this summer, two of my mentors died, and it caused me to do some serious reflection about their roles in my life. Mentor #1: Roger Counsil Roger Counsil died on August 8. Counsil was my gymnastics coach at Indiana State University (ISU) from 1974 to 1978. After I won… Read More How to Find a Mentor
During Worship Where You Are, we were encouraged by Chris to take some time to remember what God has done in our lives. One of the ways we see “remembering” in the Bible is when, after a difficult battle with the Philistines, Samuel marked the Israelite victory with a stack of stones. He named… Read More Series Introduction: The Struggle Is Real