One of the defining characteristics of true southern culture is hospitality. As a southern native myself, I understand the importance of such cultural hospitality. I can’t re... read more
Thankfulness in all circumstances can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, our inclination can be to think we just need a slight refocus, and then we can start taking ground towar... read more
Thankfulness, when posited as discipline to improve in, seems easily attainable and almost like something we can just re-initiate in our lives. Maybe you just forgot to be aware of... read more
What does thankfulness in all circumstances mean to you? Up until now, we’ve covered the idea that we are oftentimes lulled away from a life of thankfulness, just like we can... read more
When looking at how thankfulness is portrayed in the Bible, no two books are as instrumental as Job and Psalm. These two books are real, unabashed outpourings of two men venturing ... read more
This week, we are digging into thankfulness as a lifestyle. At the surface level, if you’re anything like me, you receive this command as a good reminder to be grateful. You&... read more
I once heard a wise person say “prayer is rarely the ONLY thing that we do, but it should always be the FIRST thing that we do. ” In our culture now, it’s not unco... read more
Do you remember answering machines? I remember getting off of the bus as a middle schooler and coming inside to check the answering machine and see who’d called that day to l... read more
If you’ve ever struggled to know how to pray, you’re not alone. My husband and I led a small group of young adults last year, and many of them were brand new to church ... read more
My nephew just turned four years old a couple of weeks ago. He is cute and precocious, and is fully in the stage of development where he asks about a million questions a day. Most ... read more
There are many Bible stories and scriptures that have become so familiar to me over time that I can’t really recall the first time I ever heard or read them. But there is one... read more
The final threat to our joy is Circumstances.
Not our circumstances themselves, as Paul reminds us in Philippians 4. “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances... read more
What would you say is the opposite of joy?
There’s a lot that comes to mind: gloomy, unhappy, despondent, miserable, but near the top of my list. . . Cynicism.
The... read more
The second thief to our joy is Commotion.
By commotion I simply mean the hurry and busyness and noisiness of life. It’s partly the fast pace and partly the sheer amount of v... read more
One of the primary thiefs to our joy is, and always will be, Comparison.
“I wish I was as fit as her. ” “I wish I made as much money as him. ” “Everyon... read more
Over the next three weeks our teaching series is looking at 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God&rsqu... read more
I usually get to the office early. I like the peace and quiet of the morning to start my day. I can get into the building using our security badge system, but my office door has a ... read more
Impulsivity often costs us dearly. The words that cut. The drink that distorts. The debt that accrues. Why is eating carrots not impulsive but eating cookies is? Why is saving $100... read more
I am never more hungry than after a long day at the beach. A perfect day at the beach for me consists of setting up our family’s “spot,” a place with blankets, ch... read more
There is a common and excellent teaching in many circles today called H. A. L. T. It’s true that we should “halt” when we are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. I&rsqu... read more
I’m not sure who coined the phrase, “the simple life” but it sure sounds appealing. I don’t know what comes to your mind when you think of the simple life, ... read more
Max Lucado’s Anxious For Nothing gives a framework for dealing with anxiety. The perspective he offers is as profound today as ever, even though the book was written just pri... read more
The acronym CALM gives us a way to respond to anxious moments. Max Lucado in Anxious For Nothing says the C stands for Celebrate God’s goodness. A stands for Ask God for help... read more
Our current teaching series at Southland is called War. Jesus has already gone to battle and won for us and He wants us to live in freedom. But it doesn’t mean the adversary ... read more
In his book, Anxious For Nothing, Max Lucado provides a pathway that can lead to some freedom from worry. It uses the power of God’s Word to counter a moment of anxiety. And ... read more
I generally leave my phone on silent. But back in early January, my father became very sick, so I knew I would need to receive calls even in the middle of the night. Each time my p... read more
If I can be completely candid, I had a rough week last week. I can’t precisely pinpoint exactly one thing that made it such a rough week, but I can sure point to a few things... read more
A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to travel to Uganda and help lead a camp for students in high school. This trip began like any normal trip. We go on a few long plane r... read more
“. . . A continual looking forward to the eternal world is not (as some modern people think) a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant t... read more
Imagine the weight Judas must have felt. The weight of the world was undoubtedly upon his shoulders because he knew he’d made a tremendous mistake. I think C. S. Lewis articul... read more
Our verse today will forever be a verse that provides me immense comfort and hope. I was in my third year at Campbellsville University getting a degree in pastoral ministry when I ... read more
I told a friend a couple of weeks ago that I liked her sweater, and she responded with, “Thanks! I recently bought it at Target!” I jokingly told her I might need to go... read more
In the classic Children’s novel, Charlotte’s Web, Wilbur the pig escapes his pen to find a taste of freedom. His barnyard buddies cheer him on and coach him on how to d... read more
Even if you’ve never been in an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting before, you’ve probably seen in movies the familiar opening line of, “Hi I’m _______ and I... read more
I had a friend once tell me that she had an addictive personality. I’m not sure if she told me this as an excuse for some of her behavior or if she was just being raw and hon... read more
My husband’s favorite ice cream shop is Coldstone Creamery. His favorite ice cream there is the “Cookie Doughn’t You Want Some” with vanilla ice cream, choc... read more
We have peace with God because of what Jesus did for us. If you believe in Jesus, that’s your birthright. It’s the truth, it’s the reality in your world right now... read more
It’s true: He will keep in perfect peace all who trust in Him. In other words, trusting in the Lord leads to peace. Every time. A common prayer for me in recent years has bee... read more
When God is working in someone’s heart to shape them more and more into His image, one result we’ll see often is that the person becomes a person of peace. They’r... read more
Peacemakers truly are blessed people, aren't they? Those who bring peace into the places they live, work, study… they are just refreshing to be with. Because peace is o... read more
Have you ever noticed the number of times in the Bible that people interact with God Himself, their Creator, the Almighty. . . and don’t realize it at first? Sometimes not even... read more
I’m glad for Psalm 34:18, aren’t you? I mean, if it’s not true, we may as well all line up for the high windows. I’ve discovered it to be true; how about yo... read more
There’s a divine mystery to suffering that we must discover on our own… a mystery that enables us to both endure and smile at it. It feels odd to include “smile&... read more
Have you ever prayed for, then received a miracle? I have, many times. Often they’re “small” miracles; other times, they’re huge. Some involve physical heal... read more
Yesterday, I pointed out that having deep faith in God doesn’t guarantee a pain-free life. For every “health, wealth, and happiness” verse people quote, I can thi... read more
Years ago, I heard about a guy named Kurt who ran into one difficulty after another. On the way to work one morning, a garbage truck slammed into his car. A week later, he lost $20... read more
I’m a word geek. I’m probably a geek in other ways as well. I can quote lines from movies like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, and I read the books, all 1,178 pages of... read more
Maybe you’re like me. When something’s on my mind, no amount of melatonin is going to bring sleep. I toss and turn, sigh and stew… all night long. My response to... read more
YHWH-Yireh (The Lord Will Provide) appears early in Scripture. In a powerful moment, Abraham is once again asked to go somewhere. We first met Abraham as God asked him to gather up... read more
David, it seems, never forgot the kindness of his friend, Jonathan. Years after Jonathan risked life and limb to protect him from Saul’s schemes, the tables have turned. Davi... read more
