Christian Living

Five Guidelines for Doing Good and Feeling Good Every Day

By Victor M. Parachin Several years ago, Collin Perry was living the American dream. He had a thriving construction business, a comfortable home, two new cars, a sailboat, and was happily married. Then the business climate soured, eroding his savings. He lay awake at night knowing he couldn”t make ends meet. Just when he thought things couldn”t get worse, his wife declared she wanted a divorce. With no idea what to do next, he boarded his sailboat and literally began to “sail off into the sunset.” He started by following the coastline from Connecticut toward Florida, but somewhere off the

September 28, 2008

Let”s Bring Back Kindness

By Victor M. Parachin A woman wrote an advice columnist to share how a simple act of kindness prompted her to seriously change her lifestyle. Signing herself as “Slimming Fast in Florida,” the woman explained she is one of those “oversized” people who more than fills an airline seat. While on an airplane that was filled nearly to capacity, a “good looking gentleman” sat down in the seat beside her and greeted her with a friendly, “Good morning.” As he buckled his seat belt, he said to the woman, “I always feel cramped in these seats. Would you mind if

July 20, 2008

Andy Hansen

A Simple Response With Incredible Impact

Andy Hansen urges Christians to resist cultural cynicism through simple, faithful acts of encouragement—especially handwritten notes that build up students, families, leaders, and neighbors.

June 29, 2008

H. Lynn Gardner

Wholehearted Christians

H. Lynn Gardner calls Christians to wholehearted transformation, showing how life in Christ should shape work, words, decisions, character, and every ordinary part of daily living.

May 25, 2008

Victor M. Parachin

Reclaiming Joy in Daily Life

Victor M. Parachin reflects on reclaiming joy after sorrow through Scripture, enthusiasm, and simple acts of blessing that bring healing to others and ourselves.

March 23, 2008

How to Maximize Your Power of Love

By Victor M. Parachin One day in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a car was stolen. As the thieves began stripping the vehicle they came across papers identifying the owner as Fred Rogers, host of the children”s television program Mr. Rogers” Neighborhood. They quickly reassembled the car, cleaned and vacuumed it, and returned it with this handwritten note of apology under the wiper: “We”re sorry. We didn”t know it was your car.” Who else could have had such an effect on a group of thieves? What was it about Fred Rogers that could make criminals reconsider their actions? What did those thieves see

December 2, 2007

Older and Wiser: Strutting or Striving7

By Gary Weedman Let”s face it. We live in a culture that exalts youth. Just look at the ads on TV. The only time you see an old person is when he or she is advertising another colored pill that will actually help you “feel young again.” Or, if you use this product, you”ll “look years younger.” Yet, there”s a certain irony, because the population in our nation is aging. The number of Americans 65 and older will double in the next 25 years. By the year 2030 there will be 71 million of us “senior citizens.” That”s one out

September 23, 2007

Doyle Roth

Answered Prayer in the Holy Land

Doyle Roth reflects on a Holy Land trip filled with biblical sites, worship, answered prayer, and unexpected reminders of God’s care for the lost.

August 1, 2007

Brad Dupray

Interview with Pat Gelsinger

Intel executive Pat Gelsinger shares how Christians can serve employers with integrity, reflect faith at work without forcing it, and keep God, family, and work in the right order.

July 22, 2007

Greg Allen

More Than Singing

Misplaced significance and vocational identity Misplaced significance can quietly tie your worth to your role. After repeated voice surgeries sidelined a worship minister from singing, he wrestled with self-pity and discovered how deeply he had tied his significance to his job. Vocational identity can quietly replace deeper spiritual identity. Seasons of limitation can expose what we believe about our worth. God’s love and calling are not dependent on our ability to perform. By Greg Allen I really tried not to write this story, but I realize I must. The major reason I do not want to write it is because

June 20, 2007

Mark A. Taylor

Are You Wonderful?

Mark A. Taylor reflects on empty praise, biblical heroes, and the quiet faithfulness of ordinary Christians who serve God without needing the spotlight.

June 6, 2007

Brad Dupray

Interview with Mike Schisler

Chick-fil-A consultant and church elder Mike Schisler explains the company’s operator model, “second-mile service,” and how Truett Cathy’s corporate purpose reflects Christian principles without turning the business into a church.

May 30, 2007

Mark A. Taylor

Physical Bodies, Spiritual Decisions

A reflection on fitness and faith, urging Christians to view diet and exercise through the lens of worship—honoring God with the body—and considering how personal habits and church example shape spiritual seriousness about health.

April 22, 2007

Lisa Jernigan

Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson

The Simplest of Things

A small act—like buying coffee for the car behind you—can spark a ripple of generosity. Lisa Jernigan urges readers to stop waiting, step into the arena, and let God multiply simple, faithful beginnings.

December 12, 2006

Finding Your Sweet Spot

Your “sweet spot” is where your God-designed passions intersect with the good works God prepared for you. Discover your strengths, step into service, and contribute with confidence—starting now.

December 10, 2006

The ‘Easy’ Button

By Arron Chambers If I had an “easy” button, I would have pressed it and . . . “¢ Assembled my son”s bike on Christmas morning in just seconds””instead of spending all day on it in an episode that almost ended my marriage. “¢ I wouldn”t have dated that girl, because she would have worn a label that read, “Warning: High Maintenance!” “¢ My teeth would be straight. “¢ My wife would not have endured long months of pregnancy; instead, our four kids would have been delivered to the front door about an hour after breakfast on a Saturday morning.

October 25, 2006

Brad Dupray

Work & Vocation Christian Living

Interview with Dave Pasch

Dave Pasch, radio voice of the Arizona Cardinals and an ESPN broadcaster, shares how he entered sports broadcasting, prepares for games, and came to faith in Christ—plus why Christian professionals need mutual encouragement.

July 12, 2006

Mark A. Taylor

To Read and Remember

Mark A. Taylor connects insights from Michael Pollan and Gordon MacDonald to a simple spiritual practice: relax, slow down, and savor life—because God may be in the wait and the interruptions.

July 9, 2006

Phil LeMaster

Stop Running in Church!

Paul calls the body “a temple of the Holy Spirit.” Drawing on the “Seven Habits of Health,” Phil LeMaster urges Christians to practice wise “temple care” that can strengthen longevity and effectiveness in serving the Lord.

June 11, 2006