Audio Articles

Prayer isn’t easy. Even if you manage to slow down and find a quiet spot, what do you even say? Author and pastor, Scott Dill, has been there himself. He’s seen the power of borrowing someone else’s prayers and making them your own. In this article, that’s exactly what he’s asking you to do. Including 14 prayer prompts for all moments of life—joy, sadness, anger, and everything in between—this art...

Most people know that Jesus died on a cross, but what they might not realize is just how brutal that form of capital punishment actually was. Diving into research by historians and scientists, author Chris Pennington unpacks what happened to Jesus’ body as he hung on the cross, before tackling an even deeper question: why was it so brutal? Though it might be uncomfortable, the more we understand a...

Just days before he would be arrested and killed, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. Crowds gathered around him, singing praises, waving palm branches, and dropping their cloaks in the road. From our modern perspective, it all seems a bit odd. Why a donkey instead of a horse? Why palm branches, specifically? What’s with the stripping? In this article, author Caleb Mathis dives deep...

On the night Jesus was betrayed, all of his closest friends ran—including Peter, who claimed he’d never leave Jesus’ side, and Judas, the man who betrayed him. Both men had made colossal mistakes, but it was what they did afterward that set the course for the rest of their lives. Judas gave up hope, while Peter ran back to Jesus as quickly as possible. In return for his denial, Jesus did something...

Among world faiths, Christianity stands out. It claims that God—despite being eternal and all-powerful—actually died. How is that even possible? And what does it mean? Author, Scott Dill, tackles these questions with his trademark wit and care, explaining how Jesus, even though he was God, could die, and why His resurrection still holds power for us today.  Read the full-length article here . Find...

The Bible describes the devil as a “roaring lion, seeking someone to destroy.” This got author Caleb Mathis thinking—what are you supposed to do if you encounter a lion in the wild? The answer to that question, it turns out, also serves as great spiritual advice as well. In this article, Caleb unpacks the three steps to take whenever you face any lion, physical or spiritual: (1) Stand your ground,...

When author Catie Castleman felt like God was prompting her to fast—going without food for a period of time to focus on prayer and spiritual growth—she ignored it. It sounded too hard, too exhausting, and too complicated. But God was persistent, and when she finally jumped in with both feet, she discovered this ancient practice added much more to her life than it took away. In this practical and a...

During Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter, many Christian traditions choose to abstain from meat on Fridays. Where did this tradition come from—and more importantly, does the Bible command it? In this article, author Chris Pennington provides historical context and perspective on that question… and other pressing ones, like “Does Taco Bell really count as meat?”  Read the full-length article h...

Kristie wasn’t sure what she was getting into when she signed up for her first GO Trip in 2015—but on the ground in South Africa, something inside her changed. She has since participated in two more mission trips alongside her family, traveling to Nicaragua and Puerto Rico to engage the local culture, lend a helping hand, and experience God in new and profound ways. From her own experience, Kristi...

Let’s be honest, fasting—abstaining from food (or anything else)—isn’t fun. But it can be a huge shot in the arm to personal growth, dependence on God, and spiritual breakthrough. After trying fasting for the first time, author Vanessa Parsons experienced such intimacy with God that she has made it a regular spiritual practice in her life. In her article, Vanessa explores what the Bible teaches ab...

When you’re caught in the cycle of pornography, it can feel impossible to find freedom—but there is hope. In this article, author Caleb Mathis sits down to interview his friend, Sean, who at the time of writing was about 6 months clean from porn addiction. Sean shares his wins, losses, and the practical decisions he made to find freedom. Getting out of the grip of porn is a battle, but it’s one yo...

A traumatic and challenging childhood built a wall between Chris and his biological mother. There was a time when he couldn’t stand the sight of her. But as he came to experience the love and forgiveness of Jesus, the dividing wall of hate began to crack. In this article, Chris tells the story of how his inner healing began to influence everyone around him, including his mother.  Read the full len...

Author, Chris Courts, had suffered anxiety and panic attacks earlier in life. Not having had one in years, he thought that chapter was behind that—that was, until an episode of his favorite TV show, Ted Lasso , sent him spiraling. After conversations with friends and family, professional help, and spiritual investment, he is in a much healthier place than ever before. In this article, Chris lays o...

It is easy to lose your marriage in the hustle and bustle of parenting—the carpools, sporting events, scout meetings, and endless array of school activities. This is exactly where author Lori Murray found herself. After separating from her husband for a time, they decided to give it one more go, being sure to implement 7 strategies to help their marriage survive. Now, with kids out of the house, t...

We love watching the films in the Gladiator franchise… but living the reality of the Roman Games was something else entirely. While the bloody duels drew huge crowds to the Colosseum, the games rubbed up against the Church’s belief that all life was sacred because it was made in the image of God. Enter the ring, Telemachus. This ancient believer couldn’t stand the carnage, and took action. This is...

Bad things happen in life, but could there be a deeper cause behind it all—and does that explanation apply across all circumstances? Author, Craig Dockery, looks at the biblical idea of spiritual attack: what is it, why does it happen, and is there anything we can do about it?  Access Crossroad’s Guide to the Spirit Realm here . Read the full length article here . Read more articles by Craig Docke...

Ever felt like you didn’t have “it”—like you weren’t smart enough, creative enough, pretty enough, or skilled enough? Author, Catie Castleman, did too. And after an awful week, with those thoughts piling up, she reached a breaking point. It was then that God drew a line connecting her self image to a lie she’d believed since childhood—and, step by step, He began to unravel it. In this article, Cat...

A new year is just around the corner, and if Google is to be trusted, plenty of people are trying to figure out how to add more Bible-time to their lives. In this article, Caleb Mathis shares five Bible reading hacks that have helped him to ingest more scripture.  Read the full length article here .  Read more articles by Caleb Mathis here . Find the free Crossroads Anywhere Spiritual Fitness app...

To Santa… or not to Santa… for many parents, that is the question. In this article, lead pastor at Crossroads Church, Kyle Ranson, explains why his family includes Santa in their Christmas celebrations, and how they’ve used it to build their kids’ faith.   Read the full length article here . Find more articles by Kyle Ranson here .

What’s the deal with Emmanuel? The word gets tossed around a lot at Christmas time, but what does it mean—is it like a nickname for Jesus? Should I spell it with an I or an E? Does it have any bearing on the holiday season? In this article, author Scott Dill explains how the meaning of Christmas is tied up with this name, and how it has the power to change not only your holiday, but your entire li...

Even though your grandma’s nativity scene includes the three guys with camels and expensive gifts, most historians believe the wise men didn’t actually visit Jesus in the stable. In fact, we’re not even sure if there were three of them, or if they even rode camels. Author and editor, Chris Pennington, unravels fact from fiction as he dives into exactly what the Bible does (and doesn’t) say about t...

A recent study found that 62% of Americans believe giving gifts is the most stressful part of the holiday season—but it doesn’t have to be. Author, and recovering-bad-gift-giver, Caleb Mathis, looks at the story of the Magi for inspiration in giving gifts of impact this Christmas. Hint—every great gift involves effort, intentionality, and empathy. Read the full length article here . Find more arti...

For many of us, the holidays mean food, family, and fearing what that one uncle will bring up around the dinner table. Rather than just surviving holiday meals, author Chris Pennington believes we can thrive there. Examining the scriptures, and the life of Jesus for examples, he offers three strategies to bring more peace and joy to your holiday table setting, no matter the food, family, or friend...

“Do I Have To Like Worship Music?” by Jeff Wiesemann Jeff Wiesemann had been a music fanatic since high school, when he’d spend hours scouring bins at the used record store. But there was one genre he could never find himself enjoying: worship music. In this article, Jeff takes us into his deep dive to understand why worship matters, what the Bible says about it, and how he finally found something...

What is revival, and can I experience it too? Author Kristie Sheanshang went looking for answers after bumping into the Asbury Revival of February 2023, in the sleepy little college town of Wilmore, Kentucky. Kristie found that, while revivals can be historic outpourings of God’s Spirit, the real movement always starts in us first.  Read the full length article here . Find more articles by Kristie...