One Saturday I tuned the radio station to ESPN, hoping to hear some talk about a game to be played later in the day. That morning the host of the program was irate over an email from a listener offended by the show’s affiliation with a liquor company. “Don’t write us again,” the host snarled.…

Daily life in the church reminds us that suffering touches one family after another. Some families are struggling with serious health problems – cancer, injuries, chronic pain, age-related disabilities. Others feel overwhelmed by emotional pain. They have lost a spouse or child. They are broken by a divorce. Or they grieve over a defiant child’s…

Carolyn and I ate dinner at Cracker Barrel one winter night some years ago. One of the other diners, a 10-year-old boy, was unusually dressed. He was wearing pajamas, a bathrobe, and a heavy coat. Imagining the conversation before the family left home for dinner was entertaining: “Charlie, put on some pants. We’re going to…

By Jerrie Barber Do you know a toxic elder, preacher, deacon, or Bible teacher (male or female)? Toxic leaders exhibit attitudes and behaviors such as these: They know everything, refuse to listen, gossip, betray confidences, criticize constantly, label everyone who disagrees with them a false prophet, attend church activities irregularly, act independently even though they…

In 1992, Gary Chapman published his popular book “The Five Love Languages.” He wanted couples to understand that people express and interpret love in different ways. One woman feels cherished when her husband buys roses, but another wife prefers help with the dishes. One husband feels most loved when his wife pays him compliments, but…