Saturday Lagniappe: Recognizing Spiritual Abuse and More

5 Signs of Spiritual Abuse

Though this article is not exhaustive, it is a helpful checklist to help you quickly detect spiritual abuse so that you can make the wisest decision in response to it — flee or fight back. These are signs of spiritual abuse that I have witnessed in my own experience, and I pray that this may be helpful for others. Read More

Child Marriage: Cultural Norm or Distortion of God’s Purposes?

Following the fall of man into sin, the entire range of creation has been distorted. And this applies no less to marriage. Child marriage is an example of this distortion. As predicted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF), between 2011 and 2020, more than 140 million girls will be forced into marriage. Although widely sanctioned by diverse cultures, the light of Scripture helps us discern how the practice negates God’s plan for human flourishing. Read More

What Does the Bible Say About Giving?

What does it mean to give? How does it look? You may know intuitively that you should give but not know much beyond that. The good news is that the Bible tells us what our giving should look like. Our generous God reveals to us four giving principles throughout Scripture. Read More

3 Bad Reasons to Read the Bible This Year...And 3 Good Ones

Here are three reasons why you shouldn’t put “read my Bible more” on your resolutions list this year, followed by three reasons why you should.... Read More

How Holiday Family Traditions Help Teach Our Children

Traditions can be simply light-hearted and fun, like our Polar Express shenanigans, but most traditions have a meaningful purpose behind them as they require thoughtfulness, planning, and repetition. Through traditions, we pass on our greatest treasures. We pass on family heirlooms or family recipes to be enjoyed and valued by the next generation. And if we treasure Christ, we will establish traditions that will instill biblical truths in our families through thoughtful planning and practice. Read More

Among my family's Christmas holiday traditions were decorating the Christmas tree on Christmas eve and leaving the tree up until Twelfth Night; going carol singing with other members of our church; baking mincemeat pies, jam tarts, and sausage rolls; making vinegar toffee;  going to the late night service on Christmas Eve; and serving a flaming Christmas pudding at the conclusion of Christmas dinner. On Christmas morning each child received a stocking stuffed with oranges, nuts, chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil, pink sugar mice, pencil boxes, and other small gifts .