Audio Articles

After God miraculously healed his debilitating back pain, author Donny Black thought he’d reached the end of that story. He was wrong. Months later, as the pain threatened to return, Donny had to face the reality that he might have been healed, but he hadn’t learned how to own it. In this article, Donny shares four important lessons God taught him about owning healing after it happens.  Read the f...

If you’re on the lookout, you can encounter God in some unlikely places—like the bottom of a coffee cup. That’s a common occurrence for full-time roaster and barista, David Warrick. Working in the coffee industry for over a decade, David shares how each fresh cup of coffee is another opportunity to encounter God, stop injustice, learn to focus on what matters most, and practice hospitality.  Read...

Suicide is a tragedy for everyone involved—those lost and those left behind. In this article, pastor Chuck Mingo genuinely and empathetically answers some of the most common questions he gets asked about suicide, like (1) What does the Bible say about it?, (2) Is it a sin?, and (3) Is it forgivable? Chuck’s answers bring a level of peace, and a reminder that even in the darkest moments, hope exist...

The Old Testament Law is expansive and challenging. Covering nearly 50% of the first five books of Scripture, it mandates everything from how God’s people worshiped him, to how they lived with each other, to the food they ate. It can leave modern readers scratching their heads—do these ancient rules still apply to use today? In this deep-dive, author Caleb Mathis sheds light on the Law, covering e...

Asking for help can be hard—so hard, that many people avoid it at all costs. But there is a hidden price we pay when we keep a death grip on our independence. In this vulnerable and compelling article, author Natalie Warrick uncovers why asking for help can unlock something new in your life, why humility is a requirement, and how God got her attention about her not-asking-for-help habit through a...

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is capturing audiences and imaginations worldwide. While it features incredible storytelling, amazing cinematography, and a top-notch score, this isn’t what gripped author Chris Pennington. In the story of Odysseus, Chris saw the power of shame to derail your life painted in painfully vibrant strokes. In this vulnerable and compelling piece, Chris shares his own sto...

Getting closer to God doesn’t have to feel like a mystery. You grow your relationship with Him the same way you do with friends, family members, and coworkers—you spend time together. In this article, author Peter Everett gives three helpful, actionable, and surprisingly simple ways to do just that. You don’t have to climb a mountain or construct a temple to get closer to God. He has already pulle...

Imposter syndrome in the workplace is as common as forgotten leftovers in the breakroom fridge. But it doesn’t have to be. When author Caleb Mathis found himself struggling to believe he belonged, he turned to the scriptures for help—and found wisdom he could act on. In this article, he shares three things he did to slay the imposter at work: (1) talk to someone, (2) listen well, and (3) recalibra...

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is shattering box office records, but underneath the action is a simple truth—you weren't made to do life alone. In this article, author Chris Pennington shares his own story of isolation, how the only thing God called bad in his original creation was loneliness, and simple tips you can put into place to kick-start your own friendships.  Read the full length article here...

Despite three hours of nonstop action, Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" is actually a story about waiting. At the heart of it all is Argos, a dog whose faithfulness can teach us something that the heroes of scripture all had to learn the hard way—faithful waiting means getting your hands dirty. In this article, author Donny Black explains how waiting grows us, and what to do while you’re waiting...

It's easy to get carried away with youth sports, especially as a parent. In this article, author Caleb Mathis shares how God got his attention about his attitude and actions during Little League games, and four ways scripture pushed him to be better. Read the full length article here .  Find more articles by Caleb Mathis here .  Get our freshest and best articles sent right to your inbox every Mon...

Speed kills—in the car and in your soul. The frantic pace of existence is exacting a heavy toll on all of us. We’re physically stressed, emotionally disconnected, and spiritually listless. The answer? Pumping the brakes. Author Natalie Warrick found that God asked her to do something unexpected in order to better connect with him—actually drive the speed limit. God moves slowly, with purpose and i...

Can a bad movie throw you into an existential spiral? Author Chris Pennington was in the theater on opening night for the latest Star Wars movie: The Mandalorian and Grogu. What he saw was underwhelming. After two hours, and nearly $40 for two tickets, not much actually happened: no storylines were advanced, no lightsabers were lit, no risks were taken. It served as a reminder that the best storie...

When Jesus describes himself as “the door” in John 10:9, what does He mean? In a culture when doors are consistently used to keep people out of spaces where they don’t belong, Jesus is saying something quite the opposite. He is the door that grants access, offers protection, and even goes after those who feel left out.   Read the full length article here .  Watch the original teaching this article...

Anxiety about money might be the only thing rising faster than gas prices—but financial stress doesn’t have to win. In this article, author Tom Lange shares three unexpected ways he combats the ever-present stress of balancing the family budget: asking, giving, and remembering.  Read the full length article here .  Find more articles by Tom Lange here .  Find the latest Crossroads articles here .

Hearing from God can feel like an impossible task. Do I have to sit in silence for hours, throw away my phone, and trade in my favorite t-shirt for some monk's robes? Author Donny Black used to think so, until he started devoting time every day learning to listen to God. In this article, Donny shares the simple five-minute formula he follows to help him hear, and stay connected, to God like never...

For many kids and teens, having a personal cell phone has become a right of passage—but that little device isn’t all fun and games. From Internet privacy to pornography, bullying to online gambling, cell phones can open our kids to a world of potential problems. How can a family navigate these issues, while maintaining the convenience of being able to text your kid about the updated start time for...

Decades into following Jesus, author Caleb Mathis struggled with prayer. It often felt forced, unnatural, even boring. It was a muscle that needed training, so he borrowed the perspective of some of the greatest athletes, artists, and influencers in history—copy, until you can do it on your own. In this helpful article, Caleb shares five prayers from other people—some from scripture, some from lat...

Early in her marriage, Alli Patterson had an affair. Looking back at that challenging time, she now recognizes seven red flags that she and her husband avoided, ignored, or swept under the rug. After the hard work of reconciliation, and with now 20+ years of marriage together, Alli shares those red flags, and what you can do to avoid those landmines and affair-proof your closest relationship.  Rea...

Ancient armor. A creed. A mission. That’s not just what sets the Mandalorian apart from other characters in the Star Wars universe, it’s actually true of every follower of Jesus. In this article, author Tommy Jewell unpacks how he found ancient spiritual truth in the world of Mando and Grogu, and how wrestling with it has set his life on a new trajectory. When you understand how God has designed y...

Eighteen. That number haunted author Sean Boyce—the number of summers he’d get to spend with his son before adulthood changed the dynamic. Like every overstretched, but well-meaning father, Sean was doing his best, but worried that time was slipping away. So he made a bold choice, carving out time every summer to spend with his son, and hundreds of other dads and their sons, building into each oth...

For kids, summer means fun, freedom, and ice cream. For moms… not so much. Whether you work, stay-at-home, or anything in between, summer means changing all the family rhythms you’ve been leaning on for the past year. No wonder it feels so stressful. In this article, working mom of four and pastor, Alli Patterson, shares some hacks she’s picked up over the years that help her not only survive, but...

Does God actually care if I recycle? Author Natalie Warrick thinks so. In this article, Natalie shares how the Bible caused her to reconsider her own environmental impact, and she shares incredibly practical steps anyone can take today to help take better care of God’s creation. Environmental problems can seem daunting, but when everyone works together, real change is possible.  Read the full leng...

Prayer seems simple enough, but building a life-giving habit isn’t easy. Author Caleb Mathis noticed that his prayers had become last minute acts of desperation, much like a Hail Mary pass in football. Knowing it could—and should—be better, he went to work finding ways to build his prayer muscles. Along the way, he uncovered five hacks to turn prayer into a powerful habit instead of an afterthough...

Earth Day only comes around once a year, but author Caleb Mathis believes the call to care for God’s creation extends just as much to the other 364 days. In this practical article, Caleb explains seven ways you can lessen your impact on the planet—from recycling, to controlling your food purchases, to spending time outside. These simple steps aren’t just a way to save the planet, they might help y...