• Topic > Christian Living > Trust in God >

    Humbly accepting the “tension of mystery”

    Being finite beings, we’re limited in how much we can understand. And that’s why some Bible passages really challenge us. Today on Discover the Word, the team will discuss 1 Peter 3:18–20 where Peter talks about Christ’s spirit “preaching to the spirits in prison.” It’s another one of those strange texts that remind us that sometimes […]

    Poem: Song of Praise

    Oh Lord my God,
    Who will comfort me?
    If not You,
    Who shall I turn to?

    Should Christians be Optimistic or Cynical?

    In my earlier years, I constantly swung between being optimistic and cynical. Whenever I wanted something desperately, I would fix my mind on it and pour my 110 percent into it, along with a few prayers.

    Skywatcher

    Unsettled by issues at work and at home, Matt decided to take a walk. The evening spring air beckoned. As the infinite sky deepened from blue to black, a thickening fog spilled slowly over the marsh. Stars began to glimmer, heralding the full moon rising in the east. The moment, for Matt, was deeply spiritual. He’s there, he thought. God is there, and He’s got this.

    Some people look at the night sky and see nothing but nature. Others see a god as distant and cold as Jupiter. But the same God who “sits enthroned above the circle of the earth” also…

    Run to Me

    Stressed? Disillusioned? Exhausted? When life is too much, lay your crushed spirit before the Lord. He is strong. He will protect and renew you. Run to Him . . . He is waiting for you.

    Be still and know that I am God

    Are you fidgety and restless, unable to sit still? Today on Discover the Word, the team will discuss a challenge we all face, learning to “be still and know He is God.” In a sense, it takes work to rest. “Nesting in God’s Presence” . . . be part of the conclusion to the study […]

    Learning to abide in God’s presence

    It’s easy to feel like God hasn’t come through when we’re in the midst of pain and trouble. But is that really the case? Today on Discover the Word, we will bring a sense of perspective to our journey of faith. Discover how each experience adds another layer of learning, bringing meaning and depth to […]

    Living an integrated life

    Do you ever feel like two different people, acting one way at work and another way at home? Well, it’s possible to live an integrated life conscious of God’s presence wherever you are and whatever you do! Today on Discover the Word, we will address the tendency we all have to compartmentalize our faith. Listen to […]

    Building a “nest of rest” in God’s presence

    Some people think bird watching is, well, for the birds! But there’s a lot we can learn from our fine-feathered friends. And one of the most important lessons is found in Psalm 84 where the psalmist talks about a sparrow that builds its nest near God’s altar. Today on Discover the Word, we will reveal […]

    Are you flying solo?

    Running on empty? Fainting from exhaustion? Welcome to the “new normal”—where everybody’s always stressed! Today on Discover the Word, we will discuss what to do when we find ourselves depleted—spirit, soul, and body. Chances are good that it’s because we’re flying solo when God calls us to live in relationship. De-stress your life with a […]

    Editor’s Picks: Top 3 Articles | Idealism

    “If only we had this or that.” How many times does that thought cross our minds every day?

    The Day I Got Hit By A Truck

    It was fall 2012. Like many millennials, I was over-committed to a variety of service and extracurricular pursuits—none of which I was willing to subtract from my life, but the sum of which left me completely drained.

    Run to Me

    During a walk at a local park, my children and I encountered a couple of unleashed dogs. Their owner didn’t seem to notice that one of them had begun to intimidate my son. My son tried to shoo the dog away, but the animal only became more intent on bothering him.

    Eventually, my son panicked. He bolted several yards into the distance, but the dog pursued him. The chase continued until I yelled, “Run to me!” My son doubled back, calmed down, and the dog finally decided to make mischief somewhere else.

    There are moments in our lives when God calls to…

    Naomi or Ruth?

    The central character in the Old Testament Book of Ruth is . . . Ruth. Or is it? Today on Discover the Word, the group and guest Torrey Robinson weigh in on why they think this famous book of the Bible is actually more about Naomi than Ruth. Wrap up the week with longtime Discover […]

    Is God at work in your mess?

    Naomi’s story begins with a mess, but ends with a blessing. Today on Discover the Word,  guest Torrey Robinson and the group assess the character of Boaz, Naomi, and Ruth. They weren’t perfect, but they were virtuous, notable standouts in a culture that had largely forgotten God. Is God at work in your mess? Listen […]