The kingdom of heaven is not a kingdom of sour self-sacrifice, long-faced long-suffering, or dour duty. The kingdom of heaven is a kingdom where people do backwards things, things like giving up everything they have, and they do it out of pure, overflowing, unstoppable joy (Matthew 13:44)! Why? Because everything you have is nothing compared to the untold riches of heaven. Because giving everything in service to God and the bigger story he is writing is no loss if you’re already secure in your identity.... continue reading
Jesus came to save small people, because that’s the only size people come in. The fact that he came to the lowest and smallest of humanity is stunning, but not as stunning as the fact that he came to humanity in the first place. The biggest step down for Jesus was leaving heaven. After that giant leap, the steps between human social classes were tiny. The best of our palaces wouldn’t be that impressive to a man who is at home on heaven’s throne. Nothing we have on our tiny speck of dust in the stars could compare to where he came from.... continue reading
What will heaven be like? What’s so exciting about spending forever in heaven? Why is Jesus the best part of eternity? Answering questions like these for kids can be challenging, especially as it’s hard to get past common myths. ... continue reading
Some of us have a lot of questions about prayer—maybe so many that we feel nervous when we pray. What should we say? What about any other people listening? Do we have to wait until we’re somewhere quiet?... continue reading
When Esther hesitated to speak to King Ahasuerus about Haman’s plot against the Jews, Mordecai’s response was, to quote Iain M. Duguid in Esther and Ruth, Reformed Expository Commentary, “grounded in the reality and necessity of God’s intervention.”... continue reading
Many of us want to disciple our children, but feel we don’t have the time or knowledge to do so. Chris and Melissa Swain created Write It On Their Hearts to help Christian parents use the time they already have to pour into their children, utilising the six key elements Jesus used to lead his own disciples.... continue reading
For the first time in ministry, I was genuinely tempted to close up my heart. I told myself I would love the church, counsel the church, pray for the church, and preach the gospel to the church as best as I could, but I would no longer befriend the church. Friends would be found elsewhere.... continue reading
During an unusually tense time in our church, a small group of progressively-minded people began critiquing my sermons. I received passive-aggressive texts, lengthy, impassioned emails, and often heard “what so and so thought” about last Sunday’s message. Gossip is, perhaps, the most hurtful. It’s painful and awkward to know a person disapproves of you enough to talk about you to others, but is unwilling to talk with you in person to move towards resolution in Christ.... continue reading
Everyone who was friends with Chris knew he lived purposefully. Everything he did was intentional. Whether it was learning a new hobby, researching a leadership development tool, finding a new fishing lure that worked, or perfecting a card trick—all things we both loved—he was fully invested, which is why we got along so well.... continue reading
Interpreting Scripture can be a challenge, especially in the wake of the past two years. How can we differentiate right from wrong in today’s hostile climate? How can we rest in Jesus when we’re experiencing burnout?... continue reading
