He is strong. Able. Creative. On time. Perfect. Powerful. Sustaining. Refreshing. Purposeful in all seasons. The darkness has just as much purpose as the light.

Tiredness is a symptom of a deeper reality; so it is with our spiritual fatigue. There is a distinction to be made between being tired from time to time and staying tired. That is when you need to take a more serious look, what are the symptoms revealing?

Having unmet desires is not a unique experience for some Christians, we all experience it. But each experience of it is unique. Here are a few thoughts to help guide us when this is our season.

There are Christian words that we hear often. If we are honest, though, we don’t really know their meaning, at least in full. If we slow down we may find that understanding the depth of simple words can be very impactful on our Christian life.

As you look back on 2019, you might find that what fills you is regret over your sins and mistakes. Here are six anchors that will hold you amidst the waves of regret.

The spiritual disciplines are not an end in themselves, but a means to know God better. I imagine God sitting in a coffee shop, off in the corner. I look over and I see two coffees. One’s for me and it’s still steaming. Will I go sit? Or will I look back down at my Netflix episode?

Do you want to read the Bible more meaningfully? Do you want the scriptures to shape the way you think, feel, and believe? Do you want to bridge the gap between what the head knows and what the heart feels and worships? If so, the key is meditation.

There are far more women out there who have sexual sin scars than people realize. We don’t tell anybody because we think it will cause people to see us differently. How should we think about these scars?

If I fall again, will He be there to pick me up? Can we find hope in the wake of committing the deepest and darkest sins of our lives? After the affair. After the adultery. After the murder. After the deception. When we are most disillusioned about our own salvation because of our depravity, this is when the doctrine of the atonement and mediation shine brightest.

We sin, we feel shame, that shame leads us to run away from God and others in isolation, then the isolation leaves us empty. Thus, turning to sin we begin the cycle again. Where do we go when we are trapped in this hell of a cycle?

God is near to you in your broken heart— No matter what the broken heart or crushed spirit came from. Beautiful.

A song for the discouraged soul. It is not your hold of Christ that saves, but His hold of you.

Nights full of lonely accusatory questions aimed at yourself. “Am I even a Christian, does God love me anymore?” Your sin, like a desert, drying up every bit of hopeful water you have. Where do we turn when this is where we find ourselves?

Your faithfulness in this season of waiting is just as powerful, meaningful, and precious to the Lord as what you do with the dreams, gifts, and platforms He gives you later. So prepare well.

We confess that our sins are actually mistrust in you. We believe we know better than you. Forgive us, Father, we do not know better than you.

His love for you was never given based on your goodness. He loved you, wanted you, and sent His son to die for you while you were rebellious. He’s not going to leave you now. There is massive hope for you. Keep going back to the cross. To the one who does not deal with us according to our sins, but abounds in steadfast (long suffering) love and mercy.

Most Christians know they should read their bible. But if we are honest, we struggle from time to time understanding how to get much out of it. People don’t usually give up their quiet times because they dislike God. They give them up because they feel unproductive or even bored.

About six months into my seminary career; however, the excitement started to fade. God became less real to me. The God who bled and died for me became the God whom I merely read and wrote about. I eventually began to question God entirely. I went  through seasons in which I questioned my salvation, questioned the goodness of God, and even questioned the very existence of God.

People often say things like “things will get better” or “God is still working.” If we are honest, when we hear these things, it can be hard to believe they are true. But luckily we don’t just have my grandmother’s wisdom of “just stay on the bus and one day the view will be beautiful again” but we have the Scriptures from our king to rest upon and take courage from. You are not as alone as you thought.

The great danger of western Christianity is that God is a dispensary of gifts for us, and nothing more.

The answer to killing sin and growing closer to God isn’t necessarily do more things, but look more. Gaze more. Sit more. Slow down more. Dwell more with God, and you will be changed.