Category: Christian
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Do We Really Love the Poor, or Just the Idea of Helping Them?
I love a good memoir. I’ve always been an avid reader, and my bookshelf is diverse– almost confusingly so. But hand me someone’s carefully crafted life story laid out in pages, and I’ll have it finished within days, barely stopping to come up for air. One of the best I’ve read in a long time…
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The Church Needs Introverts, Too.
Fellow introverts: do you ever feel like the church worships extroverts? I’ve been an introvert for as long as I can remember. It’s not that I don’t like people or enjoy their company; I do. But I am energized by my alone time. I have a finite social battery, and once it runs out, it’s…
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We Need More Songs Like “Worn” on Christian Radio
I remember my first introduction to contemporary Christian music and CCM radio. I don’t remember where I was or who I listened to, but I remember my mind being blown. Having until then only heard hymns or southern gospel in the church, I had no idea that Christian music could sound like what I listened…
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We Need to Talk About “The Talk”
It’s every parent’s least favorite conversation and every youth minister’s most awkward lesson. For the kids, it ranges from excruciating to titillating. It’s got cutesy euphemisms out the wazoo, like “the birds and the bees” or “the facts of life,” signaling our collective discomfort with the topic. It’s the sex talk. Because the Bible talks…
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Christian Parents: Talk to your kids about their mental health.
Chrisitan parents, the kids are not alright. And they haven’t been for awhile. In 2012, I was 16 years old, and just beginning to deal with severe anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. At the time, I thought I was the only one because no one else was talking about it. Now, 10 years later, I…
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7 Things Christians with Mental Illnesses are Tired of Hearing
The mental health conversation has come a long way, even in the 10 years or so since I was diagnosed. There’s now a strong community of voices speaking out about their experiences who refuse to be silenced by stigma. Yet the stigma persists, especially, unfortunately, within the church. There’s a unique set of questions and…
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Where Do I Find My Worth?
I have a dear friend with whom I met for coffee at Purdy’s on a weekly basis before all the shutdowns. It’s hard at this phase of life to make time to get together, but our talks about life, faith, and becoming adults leave me encouraged and refreshed. One of the things I appreciate most…
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Presence Over Presents
Now that we’re past Thanksgiving, the Christmas season is in full swing. While Christmas festivities can make our lives merry and bright from December 1 to 25, they can also bring about undue stress. One of the biggest stressors I’ve encountered is also one of the season’s oldest and fondest traditions: giving gifts. Now, I…
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When Thankfulness is Hard
Thanksgiving is upon us. Tomorrow, we will gather around a table with family and friends. We will help our mothers or grandmothers in the kitchen with the turkey, stuffing, or mashed potatoes. We’ll wear our nice clothes just to sit in the living room. We’ll stuff our faces, and thank God for all He has…
Madison J. Caplinger 