God Who Grows the Story
How can we recognize God’s presence? To what extent is God involved in the weather ? Why? How concerned should we be for what sinners and unbelievers might do to us? Bring your heavenly presence down from above, Lord. Touch the mountains, and the peaks will smoke. Send lightning from the clouds like arrows. Scatter […]
The God Who Grows the Story: Why God’s Unchanging Goodness Includes New Adventures of Love and Rescue
The assumption is that the main character must undergo a transformation. But in truth, some of the greatest heroes in storytelling don’t change who they are. They double down. — Zena Dell Lowe, founder and creative director at The Storyteller’s Mission Every storyteller knows that the greatest heroes aren’t the ones who stay still. They’re […]
Making the Truth Come to Life
Why do people sometimes have trouble accepting the truth? We have rejected all forms of pretense and deception, unwilling to manipulate the word of God for a self-serving purpose. As God sees what we say and do, we always follow his direction. So you should be confident that he certifies the truth of our plain […]
The Gift of Creativity: Our Divine Resource
We must accept that this creative pulse within us is God’s creative pulse itself. — Joseph Chilton Pearce Creativity is a fascinating and complex part of our human experience. Where does it come from? What drives it? How can we grow in it? And how does our faith influence its expression? Let’s look at the […]
The Heart of Readiness: Prepared for Every Season
What are the differences and the similarities between the wise and foolish bridesmaids? The Kingdom of Heaven is like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the groom. Five were wise, and five were foolish. The foolish took only their lamps, but the wise also carried flasks of oil. — Matthew 25:1–4 […]
Lifechanging Truth
People frequently believe the creative life is grounded in fantasy. The more difficult truth is that creativity is grounded in reality, in the particular, the focused, the well observed or specifically imagined. — Julia Cameron Communicating truth is more than simply delivering facts. It’s about making those facts matter. If you want your message to […]
Invitations: More Than Just Fancy Paper
Why would people make excuses, not wanting to attend a banquet that Jesus was serving? A man once planned a huge banquet,” Jesus said, “and invited many guests. … One after another, they made excuses. … The host was furious. ‘Quick,’ he told the servant. ‘Go into the city streets and alleys and bring in […]
The Power of Story: Writing Tales Too True to Deny
When you tell a story the way Jesus told stories, you’re not arguing your philosophy. You’re telling the truth in a way that breaks into life. — Randall Wallace Stories have a unique way of reaching hearts. When our stories feel so real that they must be true, yet so wondrous that we can’t help […]
The Art of Meaningful Discussion: A Path to Discovery and Transformation
What makes you feel safe or unsafe when sharing your honest thoughts in a group discussion? Therefore, fellow believers, listen carefully, speak cautiously, and don’t be controlled by your emotions, for anger will never lead to actions that please God. — James 1:19–20 For some people, discussion is invigorating. It’s a way for them to […]
Glowing in the Dark
Well, here we go again—another PET scan, a round of doctor visits, and something called a “CT Simulation,” which sounds more like a Marvel movie audition than a medical procedure. The stomach cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are in the rearview mirror, at least for now. The prostate cancer? Still loitering like a party guest who […]
The Joy of Writing: Finding Purpose, Truth, and Delight in Your Words
Let not it be imagined that the life of a good Christian must be a life of melancholy and gloominess. For he only resigns some pleasures to enjoy others infinitely better. — Blaise Pascal It’s so enticing to chase after clever words, polished sentences, and public applause. But true joy in writing comes from knowing […]
When Life Surprises Us: Finding God in the Unexpected
Why might the world’s success formula to “plan your work and work your plan” be flawed? If you think your plan is important, think again. You say, “Maybe today but tomorrow for sure we’ll go to the city and stay for a year, doing big business and making lots of money.” You don’t know what […]