Uncompromised

Can We Talk About This? Why is it that believers can sometimes be so harsh with one another? Have you noticed that when a believer makes a mistake, it often feels like a little gang of “perfect” people comes after them with vengeance? This self-righteous response reveals a heart issue. Instead of being quick to extend grace, we become fixated on the faults of others while ignoring our own. Yet Scripture reminds us: “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other” (Romans 12:9-10). Many unchurched people I’ve spoken with have shared stories of being hurt or disappointed—often by fellow Christians. That pain is real, and I don’t dismiss it. At the same time, we know our ultimate hope isn’t in people but in Christ alone. You’ve probably seen the phrase, “If you left the church because of people, you were never there for Jesus.” While there’s some truth ...

  The best friends we can have are those who pray for you without needing to be asked. They defend you when you’re not around, and with them, gossip comes to a dead stop. I always remind my son that God sends us different types of friends. Some are seasonal—friends who enter your life for a time, sharing laughter, love, and memories. As seasons change, so do our lives, and sometimes these friends are led down a different path. Though life may take us in separate directions, they will always hold a piece of your heart. These friends are special, and we often wish they could stay forever. Then there are lifelong friends. Even if years pass without seeing each other, when you reconnect, it’s as if no time has passed at all! As I grow older, I realize one of the most precious gifts God has given me is my "God-connected" friends—those who sense when you need prayer, even when you haven’t spoken a word. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve prayed for someone, only to receive a me...