Articles

I’m not good with breakups. I don’t like endings, but sometimes they’re necessary to move forward – not only with people but also with activities that distract from the abundant life God has created for us. As Pastor Aaron Brockett said in his sermon titled, Breaking Up with Bad Habits, “Sometimes you need to have a breakup in order to have a breakthrough.” But it’s often easier said than done, especially when it comes to bad habits. Habits, whether good or bad, are comfortab

How do we love people well with whom we disagree? Exes who skip out on child support, a co-worker who betrays you, a friend who abandons you after the divorce, a rebellious child who continues to ignore your advice and spirals out of control. Some people are difficult to love – especially those you don’t even like. But this week’s sermon gave us guidance in navigating these difficult situations. We were reminded that, “God loves the people that I don’t like,” pastor and autho

Just look around. It’s the state of our world and, at times, the state of our lives. Broken hearts, broken homes, broken relationships. Death and divorce have destroyed our dreams and wreaked havoc on our families. Sometimes we hold it in and forge on. Other times we cry out, “Why, God?” Pain and suffering. Why is it necessary? And why would a loving God allow it? Some people can’t reconcile these questions and leave their faith behind. In fact, the struggle of pain and suffe

Questions. We all have them. And we want answers. Sometimes a quick Google search will do the trick, but most often, answers to life’s more difficult questions are not easily found at our fingertips. As Christians, however, the Bible can provide clarity and guidance to help navigate our path – especially as singles. One question that continues to surface when seeking a mate is, “Should a believer date/marry an unbeliever?” Some may be quick to point out that leading people to

She hung her head in shame as we sat in the pew. Each week – for years – it was the same. When others would rise to go to the altar to receive communion, she would remain, often having to stand to allow others to file by. As she sat back down alone, feelings of unworthiness settled in until they became a part of who she was – an embarrassed, divorced mother. We have all made mistakes – in our marriages, child-rearing, relationships, and careers. And at times guilt rests upon

Secret betrayals, custody disputes, escalating attorney bills, emotional roller coasters, broken families – the dream of happily ever after shattered. There is a lot to be angry about. Sometimes it’s not only with a former spouse or loved one. When our beloved is taken from us, our anger may be directed toward God. Feeling alone, we cry out, “Why me?” As we question and grieve, anger can simmer and sink in. It’s OK to be angry. In fact, anger is a natural emotion and often it

Sometimes it feels like a pit. And it’s often not an easy one to escape. Whether ushered in by unforeseen circumstances or the result of a clinical diagnosis, depression, and anxiety have touched us all. But this week’s message reminds us that this pit is only a chapter, not a conclusion. As singles, we have each experienced loss – through death, divorce, or our unfulfilled dreams of happily ever after. For many of us, life has not turned out as planned. It didn’t for the pro

Alone. That’s how I feel at times. With kids gone and no spouse, emptiness can creep into my home. But, as the sermon reminded me, even though I feel alone the reality is that I’m not. God is always with me – and you, too. As we learned in our lesson this week, Gideon also had his lonely moments. When we meet him in the book of Judges he is alone in a deep pit, a wine press, hiding from the enemy as he prepared wheat for his family. When an angel of the Lord appeared to Gideo

Sometimes it seems wherever I turn, happy couples abound — exotic vacation shots on Facebook, glowing smiles in Christmas cards, New Year’s Eve galas complete with midnight kisses. On those quiet nights alone at home, it’s difficult to not dream of my own happily ever after. It’s even more of a challenge to not become envious. But, as we learned in this week’s sermon, envy can create a tangled web of discontent. As TPCC Pastor Aaron Brockett said, “If envy is the web, then co