Joy That Sticks:Lessons from Philippians Part 1
When my children were little, I used to tell them, “Joy is like jam—the more you spread it, the more it sticks to you.”
The apostle Paul understood this kind of sticky joy. Writing from a dark prison cell, he mentioned joy or rejoicing more than sixteen times in his short letter to the Philippians. How could he rejoice while chained and awaiting possible execution?
Kirk’s Advice
Here is some advice he gave on X shortly before his death: “Get married. Have children. Build a legacy. Pass down your values. Pursue the eternal. Seek true joy.”
If this statement has you nodding in agreement while simultaneously throwing your hands up in a sort of jaded frustration, I can relate.
Bridging the Gap Between Generations in the Body of Christ
The body of Christ is a beautiful mix of people from all walks of life, different cultures, backgrounds, and generations, old and young alike. However, churches often tend to categorize people based on their age, just like the world does. I believe the Bible shows us a more extraordinary and beautiful perspective on life and age.
Early Motherhood Can Provide a Unique Window to the Cross– If We Let It
There’s a large group of people at church but not in church– Sunday after Sunday, for as long as church has been held, all across the globe.
These are the mothers.
Moms of little ones sneak out of sermons and slink out of sanctuaries to feed, comfort, and rock their restless babies. Moms haunt the hallways cradling overtired six-month-olds and guiding toddlers to the potty for the third time since service started.
Overwhelmed, Exhausted, and Always Behind: Could Your Phone Be the Problem?
Could our phones be subtly robbing us of focus, peace, contentment, and joy? They’re snatching away precious time. Are you a phone addict?
Peace in the Panic: How God Carried Us Through a Stroke
Have you ever felt alone in a situation—like God has hit the mute button on your life and isn’t paying attention to what you’re going through or what you’re asking of Him? If we’re being honest, most of us would have to admit that we’ve felt that way at some point during difficult times.
The Day I Saw Real Joy
If someone watched your life for a week, would they know you're a Christian—without you saying a word?
Back in 1989, I was a 21-year-old lost young woman. Having lived a very ungodly life as a teen model and actress in Japan, I was desperate for change—desperate to find something that would lift me out of the cycle of sin I was in, and the darkness that surrounded me.