September 4, 2025
Rest for the Rest of Us
Once you get a true taste of the rhythms of rest, you will long for more. Stopping our relentless schedules creates a break from our culture of consumerism and productivity.
Articles for tag: Rest
September 4, 2025
Is It Time for a Rest? Four Experts Weigh in on Chief Questions about Your Sabbatical
We interviewed four experts about how to plan for a sabbatical—from how to have those early conversations with your church leaders to exactly what you ought to do during your time away.
September 4, 2025
Rhythm of Rest
In Genesis 1, God created more than earth and the expansive universe. He created measured time, and a vital element of measured time is the rhythm of rest.
October 31, 2024
The Laws of Giving and Receiving
John 4 tells the story of a divine appointment that began with a woman far from God, but ended with many coming to know Jesus as the Savior of the world.
October 7, 2024
October 13 Application | The Road to Stubbornville
Are there areas of your life where you tend to be stubborn, self-willed, and rebellious toward the Lord? Confess your sin to God and say a prayer of surrender that says, “Not my will, but yours be done.”
August 5, 2024
August 11 Study | Thoughtful Hearts
The prophets Zechariah and Malachi warn God's people to turn their hearts toward God and repentance.
July 29, 2024
August 4 Study | Give Careful Thought to Your Ways; Obey the Voice of the Lord
When God’s people do not care, they endanger God’s vision in the world. Such was the problem for the post-exilic prophet Haggai.
July 8, 2024
July 14 | Discovery Questions
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “She Found Courage” (Esther 4:1-17), by Mark Scott.
February 19, 2024
Helping a Brother
As Christians, we have a responsibility to care for each other. . . .
January 15, 2024
Jan. 21 Application | ‘Untroubled Hearts’
On the very troubling night before the crucifixion, Jesus promised to give his disciples peace. “Do not let your hearts be troubled,” he said (John 14:1). Yet, that same evening he predicted, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). . . .
December 19, 2023
The Wish Book
Over the next several days, Christian leaders will be sharing favorite Christmas memories with readers. Today we hear from retired Christian educator Dan Schantz about "The Holy Grail of Christmas" his mother would bring home during the last week of August. . . .
August 7, 2023
August 13 | Where Is the Justice?
God revealed to Habakkuk that he was going to bring justice to Judah via the nation of Babylon. This confused Habakkuk, for he struggled with God’s sense of justice. . . .
December 2, 2022
Let’s Talk About . . . ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’
It’s been two years since Black Panther fans were stunned by the sudden loss of lead actor Chadwick Boseman to cancer. "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" is an extended tribute to his character, King T’Challa, and a passing of the torch to a new generation as Wakanda faces unprecedented global threats.
July 11, 2022
July 17 | Application (‘So What?’)
Ask Christians if they believe in Jesus’ second coming, and most will say yes. But if we believe in the return of Christ, we must dare to ask, “So what?” The second coming deserves more than a passing nod. In practical terms, how does our expectation of Christ’s return shape our lives?
May 25, 2022
Lessons I Learned from Louise
After 55 years of marriage, pastor Andy Pryor reflects on what his late wife Louise taught him about life, ministry, and faithfulness.
April 26, 2022
Cycling Group Raises $1 Million for Global Youth Ministry
Ends of the Earth Cycling, a ministry that has hosted multiday cycling rides in 35 states, reached a goal of raising $1 million for youth ministries around the world earlier this month. The 10-year-old ministry, part of New International, . . .
March 1, 2022
The Most Important Thing
By Chris Philbeck My wife and I recently attended a pastors and wives retreat just outside of Phoenix. It was a great experience for both of us. While we’ve been married for almost 40 years, it’s always good to get away from the busyness of life to reconnect. The retreat also included some times when the pastors and wives split to focus on separate topics. One session for the pastors began with the question: What do you think is the most important thing in good preaching? Hearing the various answers—such as connection, engagement, relevance, vulnerability, etc.—was interesting. At one point
May 31, 2021
June 6 | House of David Established
The Jerusalem temple was just one part of God establishing his kingdom. The temple would not last forever, but what God was establishing through David’s family would be eternal.
September 22, 2020
The Financial Impact of COVID-19 on Christian Churches
By Kent E. Fillinger As I write this in late June, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to morph daily as it impacts the world, economy, and church in innumerable ways. During the week of June 7, I conducted a COVID-19 Church Impact Survey to take a “snapshot” of how churches fared during the initial three months of quarantine (March to May) and what they anticipated would be happening over the next three months (June to August) as many started to regather for in-person worship services. A total of 334 church leaders from 39 states responded, providing a balanced cross-section of all-sized
September 22, 2020
Beyond the Pandemic: How the Church Can Respond to Three Urgent Needs in Their Communities
By Kent E. Fillinger The full impact of COVID-19 goes well beyond the number of confirmed cases, the death toll, and the unemployment rate that many are tracking. The pandemic has exacerbated several preexisting problems like anxiety, depression, suicide, child abuse, drug abuse, and others. These often overlooked “killers” are affecting scores of Americans today, and some experts say these conditions have reached epidemic proportions. Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz, assistant U.S. secretary for mental health and substance use, said in late May, “The increase in the number of suicides, fatal drug overdoses and instances of domestic abuse will be broad, deep
