It’s January, and in the classic western tradition, most of us are thinking about things we can change to make this year better than the last. Whether it’s eating healthier, going to bed earlier, or hitting the gym… New Year’s is the time to commit to healthier habits. But for Christ-followers, it’s also a time to consider what spiritual habits should be cultivated in our lives so that our faith can grow and make a powerful, eternal impact.

Something we’ve wrestled with in this season is the words Jesus spoke in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you… for my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” In the face of difficulty, hardship, the unknown, and the unexpected – how do we trade in our burdens and find rest? How do we carry on WELL both as people and as leaders?

With Christmas just a few days away, the holidays' chaos, busyness, and stress are at peak intensity. Between finishing up work, decorating, cooking, cleaning, traveling, shopping, and family… most people feel burnt out and exhausted before they even reach December 25th! But isn't it interesting that when the heavenly hosts announced Jesus' birth to the shepherds, they said, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests"?

Matthew 1:23 says, “…they shall call his name Immanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” I love this name for Jesus because it encapsulates the idea that God (GOD!) came down and became one of us. He chose to partner with humanity, to become a part of it, in order to bring about the salvation of the world. Similarly, throughout Jesus’ life, we see examples of him serving others and inviting others to serve with him. His life was characterized by relationship and care, and ours should be too!

The gift we are focusing on today is one that I have been giving away for about 15 years. That’s right. We’re talking about the gift of PRAYER. So why is prayer a gift, and why is it so special to give? One of the main reasons is because prayer gives to God, others, AND ourselves. Three birds, one stone - talk about a gift that keeps giving!

So, if you’ve ever struggled to find the perfect present for someone, this series is for you! And in the first week of Advent, I’m sharing the secret gift that can be given to every single person in your life, including your spouse, parents, children, grandchildren, neighbors, and coworkers… any guesses?

It can be hard to be thankful when it seems like there are so many challenging things going on in the world today. Perhaps you were negatively impacted by COVID-19 either in your health or your bank account. Maybe you are missing a loved one this holiday season, or you are frustrated with your family, or simply exhausted by the holiday bustle. The Bible doesn't tell us that we have to be thankful FOR difficult circumstances, just amid them. But how do we do this?

What if you could focus everything in your life — your marriage, your family, your career, and your pleasures — through a single unifying lens? Would having such a lens order the fragmented pieces of your world?

In Chapter 18 of iWork4Him, author, producer, and speaker Rich Marshall writes about a conversation he had over 25 years ago with a man named Dennis who was looking to sell his business to go into full-time ministry. Dennis sought out Rich, a local pastor at the time, to encourage him in his decision to leave the marketplace and go into ministry. But what happened next was surprising to BOTH men.

Do you have control issues? Where do they show their ugly faces in your life? Does it come out in your relationships or your attitude towards others? Or maybe it comes out in your work? Wherever it shows itself, being a control freak is NOT a fruit of the Spirit. In fact, it's precisely the opposite! To truly live in the Spirit, we have to give up control.