The Double Portion: What Shame Is Really Pointing You Toward | Daily Bread

This morning someone very close to me said something that stopped me mid-morning and opened a conversation about one of the most misunderstood experiences in both human psychology and the Christian faith: shame. I considered what shame actually is, what it’s actually for, and why God never intended for us to make it our home.

If you are dealing with shame over your past behavior or choices, make no mistake. Shame is not meant to be wallowed in. It is meant to point us toward conviction and guide us forward into righteousness. It is a signal, not a sentence. A starting line, not a finish line.

God wants to restore you, just as He promises to do for Israel. The question is not whether He is willing. The question is whether you will allow Him to work in your life, or whether you will let shame block the blessing He is already holding out to you.

The Image of the Cross: Curse or Blessing, and What Are You Living? | Daily Bread

Someone told me recently that wearing a cross is a sin. “It’s a graven image, a violation of God’s law.” But a careful study of Scripture tells a very different story.

The second commandment was never a prohibition against every image or symbol. It was a command against worshiping created things as gods. God himself commanded images to be made, each one pointing toward His glory, His presence, and His provision… and ultimately toward the cross.

Christ broke every curse the law carried through His sacrifice, fulfilling what none of us ever could. The cross around the neck of a humble, spirit-filled believer is not an idol. It is a symbol of redemption, freedom, and the good news of salvation. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, and we are commanded to carry that truth into the world.

Science & Spirituality | Surrender Is Not Powerlessness: What Your Brain and Your Bible Both Know About Anger

Being pissed off feels powerful. But psychologically and spiritually, it’s a trap. Here’s what your brain and your Bible both know about anger, resentment, and why surrender is the most powerful thing you can do.

Science & Spirituality | The Song Glass Will Never Know: Why Crystal Costs More

Most people don’t know the difference between glass and crystal. They look similar, come from the same basic materials, and you could set them side by side and not immediately know which is which. But the difference in price? Significant. And the reason is not what most people would guess.

The same is true about people. I have been called too sensitive my whole life. Too deep. Too much. People were never wrong that I am sensitive. They were just wrong about what that means.

Neither Do I Condemn Thee: A Christian’s Response to Division and Vitriol

Over the weekend leading up to Inauguration Day, and especially this morning, I’ve observed a troubling surge of absolutely disgusting vitriol, condemnation, and divisiveness from both sides of the political and social spectrum. Since the inception of this blog, I have tried to remain as neutral and solution-focused as possible, sharing love and the experienceContinueContinue reading “Neither Do I Condemn Thee: A Christian’s Response to Division and Vitriol”