• Topic > When Life Hurts

    A personal story of loss, pain, and renewed faith from special guest, Carol Kent

    As a popular speaker, author, and Bible teacher, Carol’s faith was on fire. But then a trial came that threatened to extinguish her flame.

    A personal firestorm that ignited trust in the goodness of God

    Firestorms often come unexpectedly. And they leave ash, rubble, and devastation in their wake. But within the ruins, we find surprising signs of hope.

    Let’s look at the probing questions God asked Job, in order to reveal the truth of who God is!

    The ancient philosopher Socrates was known for using insightful questions to arrive at truth. But God was using this method long before Socrates showed up! Our study of the life of Job continues.

    Perception Or Reality?

    We often hear it said, “Perception is reality.” That idea for Americans may have dawned on September 26, 1960—the date of the first televised debate between two presidential candidates. In front of the cameras, John Kennedy appeared composed; Richard Nixon appeared nervous. The perception was that Kennedy would be a stronger leader. The debate not only turned that election, but it also changed the way politics is done in the US. Politics by perception became the rule of the day.

    Discover why suffering is not always the result of sin

    We often equate pain with punishment. When something goes wrong in our life, we often assume it’s because we did something wrong. Let’s study the example of Job, which challenges our thoughts about both justice and mercy.

    Does God Care?

    Minnie and George Lacy were faced with some questions: “Is Jesus enough? Is our relationship with Christ sufficient to sustain us? Will He be enough to help us want to go on living? Does He care?”

    When Fear Seems Overwhelming: Finding Courage & Hope

    In a world filled with danger and uncertainty, one thing is sure—you cannot escape fear. However, understanding where fear comes from can help you push your way through to the other side of challenges. Join counselor Tim Jackson as he takes you on a journey beyond your fear to discover courage and hope in God. Gain a better understanding of the source of fear, its affects on your life, and how you can overcome it.

    One woman’s pursuit of a meaningful relationship, and how she found it in Jesus!

    No one likes to be alone. And in order to make the loneliness go away, we can make some bad choices!

    One Who Understands

    My friend’s husband was in the last stages of dementia. In his first introduction to the nurse who was assigned to care for him, he reached out for her arm and stopped her. He said he wanted to introduce her to his best friend—one who loved him deeply.

    A War Of Words

    On July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia in response to the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie. Within 90 days, other European countries had taken sides to honor their military alliances and pursue their own ambitions. A single event escalated into World War I, one of the most destructive military conflicts of modern time.

    What Do You Expect?

    In C. S. Lewis’ book God in the Dock, he wrote: “Imagine a set of people all living in the same building. Half of them think it is a hotel, the other half think it is a prison. Those who think it a hotel might regard it as quite intolerable, and those who thought it was a prison might decide that it was really surprisingly comfortable.” Lewis cleverly used this contrast between a hotel and a prison to illustrate how we view life based on our expectations. He says, “If you think of this world as a place intended simply…

    An Emergency Of The Spirit

    In March 2011, a devastating tsunami struck Japan, taking nearly 16,000 lives as it obliterated towns and villages along the coast. Writer and poet Gretel Erlich visited Japan to witness and document the destruction. When she felt inadequate to report what she was seeing, she wrote a poem about it. In a PBS NewsHour interview she said, “My old friend William Stafford, a poet now gone, said, ‘A poem is an emergency of the spirit.’”

    A Possum’s Pose

    Possums are known for their ability to play dead. When this happens, the possum’s body wilts, its tongue flops out, and its heart rate declines. After about 15 minutes, the animal revives. Interestingly, animal experts do not believe that possums purposefully play dead to evade predators. They faint involuntarily when they become overwhelmed and anxious!

    Five Reasons to Rejoice in Suffering

    With the trials and sufferings that life throws at us, facing these hurdles often makes dealing with life itself wearisome. Whether they are bearable or devastating, each of the struggles has its lessons that are intended by God. So, instead of simply going through the motion or even seeking quick escape, […]

    Let’s discover the purpose behind trials of faith, and conclude our series in James chapter 1

    God doesn’t allow us to go through trials and temptations just to see us squirm. There’s a reason and goal behind every challenge we face. It’s an inspiring message to help us hang on and stay the course.