There are some voices you trust immediately—and Julie Barclay is one of them. I’ve had the privilege of knowing Julie personally from our time serving together at The Chapel in New Jersey, and I can tell you firsthand: what she shares comes from a place of deep authenticity, hard-won faith, and lived experience. Julie has … Read more
If we’re being honest, there are moments when prayer feels like a waste of time. Not because we don’t believe in it. Not because we don’t care. But because life is full, our minds are busy, and sitting quietly with God can feel like the least productive thing we could be doing. And if you’ve … Read more
The Bible is filled with calls to courage. In fact, the command “Be strong and courageous” appears multiple times throughout Scripture, most famously in Joshua 1:9, but echoed again and again whenever God calls ordinary people to trust Him in uncertain circumstances. When we think about courage in the Bible, we often picture the dramatic … Read more
Even if you are not someone who struggles with fear or anxiety, there are moments when world events can feel deeply unsettling. News headlines change quickly. Conflicts rise and fall. Political tensions grow. It can feel like the ground beneath us is constantly shifting. Yet the Bible reminds us that this kind of uncertainty is … Read more
Comparison doesn’t usually show up as a loud declaration. For many believers, comparison and identity in Christ become quietly entangled before we even realize it. It’s quieter than that. It slips in while you’re scrolling, watching, observing—sometimes admiring—and before you realize it, something inside you shifts. Contentment fades. Confidence wavers. And questions you thought you … Read more
If you know me at all, you know I love Jesus—and I love His Word, the Bible. I’ve spent decades studying this great book, and still, every time I open it, I learn something new. Recently, I joined a Bible study on Ezekiel called An Unexpected Revival: Experiencing God’s Goodness Through Disappointment and Doubt. Yikes. … Read more
There are seasons in life when even good things feel heavy. When you’ve done your best to simplify, slow down, and seek balance—but your soul still feels unsettled. I’ve been walking through one of those seasons lately. For the past year and a half, I’ve carried a quiet heaviness that’s hard to describe. It’s not … Read more
When I read about the church of the New Testament, I often think, “Wow, that must have been amazing!” Believers selling their possessions to help one another. Sharing meals in each other’s homes. Studying the Scriptures together. Serving the poor. A community marked by generosity, unity, and love. But even in the New Testament, we … Read more
Prayer. Not a formula. Not a checklist. Not just for mealtime or emergencies. For me, prayer is communication with God — and it has changed my life. Recently I was flipping through an old prayer journal — over 20 years old 😲 — and I couldn’t believe how desperate some of those entries were. I … Read more
No Compromise. What does that mean? A compromise (noun) is defined as “a settlement of differences by mutual concessions” according to dictionary.com. The verb form is defined as “to make a compromise” or “to make a dishonorable or shameful concession.” There are some places in life where compromise is not only a good thing, but … Read more