November 12, 2006
A Tale of Two Brothers
Dave Smith recounts the conviction that followed years of mistreating his brother and the freedom found in asking forgiveness. Drawing from Matthew 18, he urges believers to forgive as God has forgiven.
Discipleship & Spiritual Formation
Discipleship & Spiritual Formation focuses on becoming more like Jesus through lifelong growth in faith, character, and obedience. Explore Bible-based articles on following Christ, spiritual disciplines, prayer, Scripture reading, community, and the habits that shape a mature disciple. You’ll find practical guidance for mentoring, accountability, repentance, perseverance, and cultivating a gospel-centered life in every season. Whether you’re learning the basics of discipleship or helping others grow, these resources equip you to form disciples who love God, love people, and live on mission.
From Chaos to Art
As Standard Publishing prepares to relocate, Mark A. Taylor reflects on how office order mirrors spiritual order. Real growth requires discipline and inconvenient change—and confession of sin, though never fun, leads to a more beautiful life.
Something in Addition to Work
A reflection on work, rest, and the “rule of the clenched fist,” urging Sabbath-minded living. Especially on Labor Day, it reminds readers that doing nothing can make space for what truly matters.
Discerning God’s Guidance
A Quaker “clearness committee” helps Parker Palmer face his motives, leading into practical ways to discern God’s guidance through prayer, silence, steps of faith, and trusted teachers when the path ahead feels unclear.
July 30, 2006
Personal Attention: The Missing Link in Spiritual Growth
Personal, one-on-one discipleship is a biblical, reproducible way to develop workers for the harvest. This article explains why shared life and intentional mentoring help believers mature—and how that process equips disciples to make disciples.
July 30, 2006
Passing the Baton
A personal reflection on Titus 2 mentoring and why older and younger women need each other. Recognize shared struggles, listen across generations, and pass along faith-shaped wisdom through real relationships.
Cease and Desist
Busyness in ministry can quietly drain a leader’s spirit. Rick Grover points to Jesus’ pattern of solitude and prayer and offers practical applications for rest, accountability, and returning to ministry with a healthier rhythm.
Seriously Seeking God (Part 2)
How do we seek God in everyday life? Steven F. Sturm explores contemplative awareness, richer prayer (including the Psalms), Scripture meditation, and the role of spiritual community in pursuing fellowship with God.
June 18, 2006
Five Books About Spiritual Formation
Tony Twist recommends five trusted classics on prayer and spiritual formation—guides to inner renewal, friendship with Jesus, and a deeper peace shaped by Christ.
Practice God’s Presence While You Walk
A workout walk on a lonely canyon road becomes an unexpected spiritual discipline—learning to notice God, release burdens, love others well, and cling to him in ordinary, gritty moments.
June 14, 2006
Quantity, Quality, and Presentation
Mark A. Taylor reflects on spiritual formation and asks whether packed church calendars can mask empty souls. Spiritual progress is a process, not a program—moving beyond busyness toward being formed to please God.
June 11, 2006
Seriously Seeking God (Part 1)
By Steven F. Sturm Throughout Scripture believers are encouraged to seek God. Jesus called people to “seek first his (God”s) kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). James wrote “come near to God and he will come near to you” (James 4:8). Isaiah told his readers to “seek the Lord while he may be found” (Isaiah 55:6). David said “I seek you with all my heart” (Psalm 119:10). He charged his son Solomon with the words, “If you seek him, he will be found by you” (1 Chronicles 28:9). What does it mean to seek for God? In the divine
May 21, 2006
The Mark
Dave Smith reflects on how Christians can be known by the mark of love—formed through surrender, trust, and knowing God, then demonstrated in generosity, unity, and pursuing outsiders with the heart of Jesus.
March 1, 2006
Interview with Steve Wyatt
Steve Wyatt discusses his book Trading Places and what it means to experience true internal change. He explains the “great exchange,” renewing the mind, and staying connected to Jesus for lasting transformation.
Overcoming Busyness
Busyness can rob Christians of joy and intimacy with Christ. Dave Butts points to Jesus’ “one thing” and shows how learning from Martha—and from Jesus—reorders priorities for peace, rest, and effective service.
Whatever Happened to Stillness and Silence?
In a world full of noise and nonstop activity, silence can feel uncomfortable—but Scripture calls God’s people to stillness. Knofel Staton explores how quiet restores focus, strength, patience, and intimacy with God.
December 18, 2005
The First Christmas Song
Mary’s Magnificat reveals a heart shaped by Scripture. Learn how studying, meditating, praying, and (eventually) memorizing God’s Word can weave biblical language into everyday rhythms and form our responses to life.
Readers Tell How They Spend Time With God (published)
Christian Standard readers share practical, lived-in habits for reading Scripture and praying—using plans, journaling, hymn singing, prayer lists, and prayer walks to build consistent time with God.
Readers Tell How They Spend Time With God (unpublished)
Nine readers share practical ways they spend time with God—through prayer, Bible reading plans, journaling, and accountability. Their habits range from structured notebooks to simple daily rhythms that encourage consistency and reflection.
December 18, 2005
A Labyrinth Leading to God
By Naomi Kouns On the last leg of a flight from Ethiopia to the United States last year, the airline confused a seat assignment and 7-year-old Addison Fehl was seated not with his parents, but next to a stranger. During the boarding activities Addison read aloud from his book, while the man sitting next to him looked on, smiling. You can imagine the man”s surprise when the plane began to taxi and Addison closed his book, clasped the man”s hand and said, “It”s time to pray.” Addison is right, it is time to pray. Not corporately or as a church,
