Beginning April 20, Willow Creek Community Church embarked on their annual “Celebration of Hope“, a three-week series dedicated to celebrating the local church both here in Chicago and in Willow Creek partner churches in Latin America and Africa. The Celebration kicked off with a 5K Run for Shoes that raised money to provide shoes for… Continue reading Willow Creek Celebration of Hope: Compassion, Justice, and Prayer Make a Difference
Category: Christian Life 101
10 Reasons Why Christians (and everybody else) Should Love Earth Day
by Amy Jackson On a recent road trip through central Illinois, I noticed all the new wind turbines that have gone up over the past year. In one field alone, I counted over a hundred. Seeing those giant pinwheels spinning in the wind brought loads of joy to my heart because I knew God loved… Continue reading 10 Reasons Why Christians (and everybody else) Should Love Earth Day
Free Music Friday: Kari Jobe on American Idol and Human Trafficking
Wednesday night, Top 6 American Idol contestant Angie Miller sang chart-topping CCM artist Kari Jobe’s song “Love Came Down” and received a standing ovation from both the crowd and the judges. Her performance evoked responses from Keith Urban and Mariah Carey, and garnered a heartfelt response from Jobe as well (watch the performance at this… Continue reading Free Music Friday: Kari Jobe on American Idol and Human Trafficking
Six Tips for Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
I don’t want what I think I want. At least that’s what marriage expert Gary Thomas told me and over 50 others tonight in a room full of expectant 20-somethings during a lecture at Wheaton College, one of the most conservative Christian colleges in the nation. “Ring-by-spring” season is in full swing on Christian campuses… Continue reading Six Tips for Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
Let’s Talk About Homosexuality: it’s only awkward if you make it awkward
Last Saturday afternoon, I hosted a conversation about homosexuality with the Navigators’ 20s Mission: Chicago in downtown Chicago. Fourteen of us met at Big Bricks Chicago on N. Lincoln Ave. to talk about potentially awkward questions including, “Is homosexuality a sin?” “Can someone be both gay and Christian?” and “How can the church love gay… Continue reading Let’s Talk About Homosexuality: it’s only awkward if you make it awkward
Introducing Kevin Marble: What Are You Afraid Of?
With the evolution of YouTube, Facebook fan pages, and autotune, it seems like anyone can become a recording artist these days, but it’s hard to do it right. 22-year-old singer/songwriter Kevin Marble took the production of his debut album seriously, and it shows in the quality of this folk-meets-alternative compilation, “What Are You Afraid Of?,” released… Continue reading Introducing Kevin Marble: What Are You Afraid Of?
Top 3 Easter Tweets from My Peeps
Easter weekend has ended, but the spirit of the season remains. Christ is risen INDEED!, and that’s reason to celebrate. As I was perusing Facebook statuses and Tweets over Easter weekend, a few Easter e-cards made me chuckle. 1) The first, a depressing reality for many American Christians – who do you know who had… Continue reading Top 3 Easter Tweets from My Peeps
Good Friday: Jesus’ Crucifixion & Josh French’s Funeral
What’s so good about Good Friday? For me, warm fuzzy feelings don’t accompany the gruesome reminder of Christ being beaten, flogged, and crucified for my sin. I know there are lessons to be learned from the cross, but the sole reason I’m able to make it through the dark nights that follow Jesus’ crucifixion is… Continue reading Good Friday: Jesus’ Crucifixion & Josh French’s Funeral
Tribute to Josh French: All Day I Dream About Soccer
My friend Josh French, who was on my “brother floor” during our freshman year at Wheaton (2007-2008), died in a tragic car accident last Saturday, while he was on his way to visit his wife in Kansas City, Missouri. Josh inspired me every day with the passion he had for life. Whenever I saw him,… Continue reading Tribute to Josh French: All Day I Dream About Soccer
25 Ways to Prevent a Panic Attack
You know the feeling: work is piling up, and you thought everything was manageable until, for whatever reason, it isn’t anymore. You’ve probably experienced that moment when the stress moves in, your throat and chest get tight, your breathing gets shallow, and you realize you may not be able to handle whatever is coming your… Continue reading 25 Ways to Prevent a Panic Attack