Although "peace" is a common word in English, it means different things to different people. It’s also a very important word in the Bible. It refers not only to the absence of conflict but also to the presence of something else…someone else.

The word "love" is one of the sloppiest words in our language; it primarily refers to a feeling that happens to a person. In the New Testament, "love" refers to a way of treating people, defined by Jesus himself.

God's people are called to a very unique type of joy. It's more than a happy mood, but rather a choice to trust that God will fulfill his promises.

In the Bible people who have hope are very different from optimists! Biblical hope looks to God's character alone as a basis for trusting that the future will be better than the present.

If God is first in our life, everything can come into order - if God is not first, nothing can come into order.

The things of this world will never satisfy us like God can.

We've been taught-n-trained how to receive and give; and we're not very good at either.

Justice is a felt need in our world today, and a controversial topic. But what is justice, exactly, and who gets to define it? Justice is deeply rooted in the storyline of the Bible that leads us to Jesus.

So many people allow negative experiences and broken dreams to stop them. Yet God has the power to propel you beyond your disappointments.

The lifestyle of loyal subversion is difficult; we’re living in two kingdoms simultaneously.

Learning to trust and submit our current situation to God is how we can live freely, even in the midst of captivity. Leaning into—rather than running away from—our troubles brings true liberty.

Learning to lead and overcome opposition from outsiders as well as internal turmoil.

Following Jesus in the 21st century means learning the way of the exile. Seeing the experiences of Daniel and his friends in Babylonian exile offers wisdom for navigating this tension.

One thing is consistent throughout the Biblical narrative, people recognizing their current status, and requiring change.

Original sin exiled us from the garden and grace will take us home again.

How can we position ourselves to not just survive but THRIVE as temporary residents in this life? The answers are found by looking and learning from the history of God’s people in exiled captivity.