Have you ever asked yourself why you go to church? There are plenty of scriptures about meeting together, so, maybe it's out of obedience. Or maybe it's tradition, or maybe it's the fear of being accused of not being a good Christian. Maybe you go to church because it's something to do or it feels like a good thing to have some sort of faith-based support. Maybe you've formed good friendships, or you enjoy the programs churches have to offer. Maybe you like being part of a community of like-minded people. Maybe you've just always gone and so you continue to go out of habit or routine.? Everyone has their opinions about church, but does God have an opinion?Today, when churches almost everywhere are broadcasting online, does it really matter if you actually get dressed and head out on a Sunday morning or a Wednesday night? What about a Bible study, does that count? You can read the Bible alone and grow in your faith and you can pray alone and grow in your faith, and you can worship alone and grow in your faith. Yet each one of these faith actions has two sides: personal and inter-personal.? Most people are comfortable with reading the Bible and praying together, but worship is different. Why is that? People are sometimes less comfortable expressing themselves in worship when others are around than they are worshipping alone. But is one “better” or more spiritually beneficial than the other? Photo Credit:©GettyImages/CreativaImages

The U.S. -- and the world -- has been wrestling with issues of racial equality for centuries. In America in recent times, the issues of racism and equality have been particularly at the forefront of our national discourse, with many Christian leaders speaking out against racism and for reconciliation. Ultimately, many Christian leaders have acknowledged that there is much injustice to face and much work to be done, but that the Gospel is essential to true and lasting reconciliation. Here are 10 quotes from Christian leaders on the issues of racism, equality, and what the Church can do to work for justice and unity.Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/ktsimage

Sirens? rang in Jerusalem as air defense systems shot down missiles over the city early yesterday morning after Iran? launched more than three hundred missiles and drones at Israel.

Often in the quest towards marriage and finding “the one,” something happens. It's easy to overlook things that may not seem that big of a deal while dating, but these things could be destructive patterns once married. But love doesn't have to be blind. There's no reason to settle for unhealthy or harmful relationships, simply to pursue being married.We all have sin issues that we deal with on a daily basis. We've all made mistakes that we often wish we could do-over. We all need the grace and freedom that only Christ Himself can offer. But our marriages are healthier when we recognize red flags in our dating relationships, instead of choosing not to see problems at all.God cares about the decisions we make. He cares about who we marry. And we can trust He will give guidance, and help us see some red flags to be aware of along the way.Photo credit: ©GettyImages/dragana991

Today's category: ChristmasDesparate Measures? ? ? ? ? ? Little Johnny went to his mother demanding a new bicycle. His mother decided that he should take a look at himself and the way he acts. She said, "Well Johnny, it isn't Christmas and we don't have the money to just go out and buy you anything you want. So why don't you write a letter to Jesus and pray for one instead." After his temper tantrum his mother sent him to his room. He finally sat down to write a letter to Jesus.? ? ? ? ? ? Dear Jesus,? ? ? ? ? ? I've been a good boy this year and would appreciate a new bicycle.? ? ? ? ? ? Your Friend,? ? ? ? ? ? Little Johnny? ? ? ? ? ? Now Little Johnny knew that Jesus really knew what kind of boy he was (Brat).? ? ? ? ? ? So, he ripped up the letter and decided to give it another try.? ? ? ? ? ? Dear Jesus,? ? ? ? ? ? I've been an OK boy this year and I want a new bicycle.? ? ? ? ? ? Yours Truly,? ? ? ? ? ? Little Johnny? ? ? ? ? ? Well, Little Johnny knew this wasn't totally honest so he tore it up and tried again.? ? ? ? ? ? Dear Jesus,? ? ? ? ? ? I've thought about being a good boy this year and can I have a new bicycle?? ? ? ? ? ? Signed,? ? ? ? ? ? Little Johnny? ? ? ? ? ? Well, Little Johnny looked deep down in his heart, which by the way was what his mother was really wanting. He crumpled up the letter and threw it in the trash can and went running outside.? ? ? ? ? ? He aimlessly wandered about; depressed because of the way he treated his parents and really considering his actions. He finally found himself in front of a Catholic Church.? ? ? ? ? ? Little Johnny went inside and knelt down, looking around not knowing what he should really do. Little Johnny finally got up and began to walk out the door and was looking at all the statues. All of a sudden he grabbed a small one and ran out the door. He went home hid it under his bed and wrote this letter.? ? ? ? ? ? Jesus,? ? ? ? ? ? I've broken most of the Ten Commandments; shot spit wads in school, tore up my sister's Barbie doll and lots more. I'm desperate. I've got your mama. If you ever want to see her again, give me a bike.? ? ? ? ? ? Signed,? ? ? ? ? ? You know whoView hundreds more jokes online.Email this joke to a friend

Saying you live in Sodom would be about like saying you named your kid Judas. Sodom is known most by its immorality. There has been considerable discussion about the nature of the sin which caused Sodom to be destroyed. But do we know anything about the city itself? Have there been any artifacts from this city?? Where Is Sodom in the Bible?? The city of Sodom is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, particularly chapters 18 and 19. It is often paired with Gomorrah, as both were destroyed as an act of God's judgment. In Genesis 18, God reveals to Abraham his plan to focus upon the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham attempts to negotiate with God—asking if it can be preserved if even a handful of godly people are present. God agrees, but the problem is that no righteous individuals are found there. Genesis 19 is an explanation in story form of their wickedness. As that chapter closes, we read this:? The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar. Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven. And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But Lot's wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.? And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord. And he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of the valley, and he looked and, behold, the smoke of the land went up like the smoke of a furnace.Sodom continues to appear throughout the Bible but not as a standing city. Instead, it is mentioned only as a reference point for Israel. Israel's wickedness is often compared to that of Sodom—invoking a memory of God's judgment upon that place. Jesus even mentions it to highlight the wickedness of Capernaum. Jesus says, “If the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today.”? Sodom, then, is known for its wickedness throughout the Bible. But what do we know of the city itself?Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Apisit Suwannaka?

Occasionally I find myself in a conversation with a non-Christian friend. Sometimes, I have to pay close attention to the language I use if the talk turns to things related to God and ultimate reality. I want to be understood, but the normal Christian terms are a foreign language to many people, Christians included. The terms are difficult to use when they don't communicate.No longer are Christian terms and biblical concepts commonplace. Most people are not familiar with the story of Job, or Peter's triple denial of Jesus. Things have changed; meanings that once were common in the culture have become rare in the minds of many people.Certainly we must continue to use large words that carry theological weight: propitiation, justification, atonement, righteousness, regeneration, trinity, incarnation, and redemption (among others). Each of these stands for a definite doctrinal teaching of the Bible that must be explained, grasped, and repeated using special terminology. I don't think that other terms will do for describing these realities of salvation and God.The terms that are distinctly religious but don't seem to communicate any longer are a distinct category that causes me concern. I ask students what they mean when they say, for example, “It's for God's glory.” I reply, “What do you mean by glory?” They don't have a clue. They really mean that that the event or decision in question somehow serves God's purposes. If so, then let's just say that. My concern is that we have settled for using as jargon the Christian terminology because it seems rightly religious, not because we understand or intend the actual meanings these terms stand for.Here is my list of seven troublesome words and brief explanations.Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstock

Saying you live in Sodom would be about like saying you named your kid Judas. Sodom is known most by its immorality. There has been considerable discussion about the nature of the sin which caused Sodom to be destroyed. But do we know anything about the city itself? Have there been any artifacts from this city?? Where Is Sodom in the Bible?? The city of Sodom is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, particularly chapters 18 and 19. It is often paired with Gomorrah, as both were destroyed as an act of God's judgment. In Genesis 18, God reveals to Abraham his plan to focus upon the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham attempts to negotiate with God—asking if it can be preserved if even a handful of godly people are present. God agrees, but the problem is that no righteous individuals are found there. Genesis 19 is an explanation in story form of their wickedness. As that chapter closes, we read this:? The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar. Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven. And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But Lot's wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.? And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord. And he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of the valley, and he looked and, behold, the smoke of the land went up like the smoke of a furnace.Sodom continues to appear throughout the Bible but not as a standing city. Instead, it is mentioned only as a reference point for Israel. Israel's wickedness is often compared to that of Sodom—invoking a memory of God's judgment upon that place. Jesus even mentions it to highlight the wickedness of Capernaum. Jesus says, “If the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today.”? Sodom, then, is known for its wickedness throughout the Bible. But what do we know of the city itself?Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Apisit Suwannaka?

Marriage is declining in America. According to a 2019 study by the Pew Research Center, the percentage of Americans who have cohabited was larger than that of those who have been married. This is not surprising, considering that “most Americans find it acceptable for unmarried couples to live together, even for those who don't plan to get married.”? ? Since Western societies are becoming more secularized, we should expect the rejection of religiously grounded practices like marriage. People have tried to redefine marriage, wanting to abandon the biblical practice and definition of it. For example, in 2015, the American Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision. This expanded “marriage” to include same-sex couples, granting them legal rights and privileges.? Those who practice consensual non-monogamy (also called ethical non-monogamy) argue that dating or being in a sexual relationship with another person outside of their spouse is not adultery if all individuals involved give their consent. According to an? article? by Psych? Central,? this? arrangement? in which? husband and wife are willing for their spouse? to have? additional partners is seen as a? healthy way to cope with being “attracted to multiple people at once.”? Amid this whirlwind of ideas and changes to the definition of marriage, where should Christians stand? Do we give in to the whims of an ever-changing culture so that we are relevant? Are we supposed to ignore or reinterpret the verses in Scripture that define marriage and discuss sexual relationships just to appease the world?? Even though the culture will continually shift, the Bible does not change. We should follow God's Word and remain steadfast to its truth. This includes being faithful to what Scripture teaches about marriage.? ? Although society increasingly wants to move beyond it, marriage is still important. Here's why:? Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Nadtochiy

"The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays." - Søren KierkegaardAll throughout history, people have turned to prayer to deal with tests and hardships. Men and women from all walks of life have found comfort, strength and guidance by lifting up their concerns to God.Here is a collection of 10 prayers that reach for something more. Each reflects a deep desire to not only receive God's blessings, but to become a blessing to others. And every one of them reminds us that God will make us able and ready to do that.? Let's allow these prayers to inspire us to grow in our faith and to live more like Christ.Photo credit: ©Getty Images/FotoDuets

"The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays." - Søren KierkegaardAll throughout history, people have turned to prayer to deal with tests and hardships. Men and women from all walks of life have found comfort, strength and guidance by lifting up their concerns to God.Here is a collection of 10 prayers that reach for something more. Each reflects a deep desire to not only receive God's blessings, but to become a blessing to others. And every one of them reminds us that God will make us able and ready to do that.? Let's allow these prayers to inspire us to grow in our faith and to live more like Christ.Photo credit: ©Getty Images/FotoDuets

Editor's Note: This article was originally published in 2017, but is being found by readers in advance of the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse, such that it has made it into our Most Popular articles on CrosswalkHeadlines.On August 21, a total solar eclipse will be visible across the U.S. Hundreds of viewing parties for this amazing and rare astronomical phenomenon have been scheduled from coast to coast, but many Christian leaders believe this event is more than an incredible scientific occurrence. Many believe it is a prophetic sign that we are living in the end times and that Christ's return is imminent. Many of these leaders point to Scripture passages, particularly in Revelation, which talk about the end of the age and the signs to look out for. Here is what 10 Christian leaders had to say about this total solar eclipse. What do you think? Is this event truly a sign of the end times? Are you planning on viewing it?Photo courtesy: ©Jongsun Lee/Unsplash

Some shout from the rooftops that they are in marriage counseling and, because of their good experience, encourage all married couples to follow suit. Others take a more private approach and prefer to keep their season of counseling to themselves. Wherever you fall on that spectrum, please be assured that seeking and receiving biblical marriage counseling is nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about.In heaven, we will perfectly live out our role as the bride of Christ. But sadly, on earth, our marriages are tainted by sin and are undoubtedly imperfect. Seeking help to make your marriage as strong and God-honoring as possible is a sign of strength, not weakness.No two marriages look the same, even within the church. Therefore, the signs pointing to a need for marriage counseling might look different for different couples. However, some basic signs apply to everyone. Let's look at some of these together.Photo credit: ©GettyImages/monkeybusinessimages

Parenting teens in today's world can feel beyond overwhelming - kind of like trying to stay cool when you're a piece of dry wood tossed into a dumpster fire. Many of us elder Millennials and Gen X'ers have parented teens through the evolution of smartphones, Snap Chat, and X-box Live. We have no earthly idea what we're doing. Yet, we're meant to serve as master-class-level digital police, culture war moderators, and spiritual warfare ninjas in an increasingly ludicrous world. Deep. Breaths.It's so difficult to keep the faith and remain optimistic while dealing with teenage mood swings, unforeseen drama, evolving personalities, and all the other magic that keeps our therapists equally horrified and entertained on the regular. However, just today, I had a God thought. It happened while spacing out at the kitchen sink, listening to my 14 and 16-year-old boys roam through the house, chattering away on their Air pods, leaving a trail of snack wrappers in their wake. The voice simply said, "They're both amazing. and they're both going to be okay." Admittedly, I was pretty caffeinated and high off a fresh Maverick City worship set, but my mind was heavily flooded with some assurances and truths I wanted to share with every mom of teens because, frankly, we never (ever) hear enough edification or comfort. We probably need to remind ourselves of these truths daily, but I hope this helps, even for today.Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Galina Zhigalova

As Christians, we are to leave vengeance to God, but He made us inclined toward action. To say a prayer for justice can feel like inaction, but what if we were granted an audience with the most powerful leader in the community, state, or nation in the face of wrongdoing? ? We would go and make our appeal, and it would not feel as if we'd done nothing. When we pray for justice to our Creator God, we are making our case before the Highest Power in the universe.God calls us to enact justice when it is within our power (Micah 6:8), but the greater injustices are too often outside our human influence to redress. The people of God have suffered injustice throughout their existence. Many Christians around the world are treated unjustly even today because of the name of Jesus. We sometimes suffer daily injustices based on things about us we can't change or because we encounter others who are largely out for only themselves. ? People all around us suffer injustice, whether they follow Jesus or not, and as we witness their pain, we may feel helpless and small, but God has given us an avenue to appeal on their behalf.Now, it's true that justice can get confusing on this side of Glory. Our prayers can be muddled in a world with much deception and where people imagine themselves victims with sometimes very little evidence or cause. This is all the more reason to bring these cases before God, as He is perfect, knows all truth, and judges rightly.Psalm 89:14 says, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you” (ESV).Deuteronomy 32:4 reads, “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he” (ESV).So, how do we go about praying for justice? What can the Bible tell us about this process?Photo Credit:©GettyImages/olegbreslavtsev

A pic of Christian singer Jeremy Camp in the hospital, shared by his loving wife Adrienne, serves as a testament to God's grace and healing hands at work. The photo thanks all those who covered Jeremy in prayer as he underwent surgery to treat a serious heart condition.

Headlines bombard us with news about the devastation in Gaza—the staggering death toll, the increasing war and bloodshed, the innocent lives lost. People on both sides cry for an end to the violence and the pain. ? As Christians, we hear the news, and our hearts fill with compassion and anguish. Why is this happening? Why are people so eager to fight—and die—over this one small section of land?Gaza, also called the Gaza Strip, is a thin piece of land of about 140 square miles located between Israel and Egypt. Roughly 2.3 million Palestinians live there, and it is a Palestinian territory. It is situated on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, with Egypt on its southwest and Israel on its east and north.However, there is longtime animosity between Israel and Palestine. In 1947, the United Nations divided Palestine into an Arab and a Jewish state. This was to accommodate a post-World War Two desire for a Jewish homeland, but it came against the will of the local Arab population.On October 7, 2023, the Islamic militant group Hamas killed more than a thousand people, mostly civilians, and took 250 others hostage in the deadliest attack in Israel's history. Israel immediately declared war on Hamas, and as of this writing, more than 30,000 people have been killed.Beyond a territory for present-day Palestine, the land is much desired by both groups. But there is also much biblical importance and history surrounding Gaza. Here are five biblical reasons by Gaza is important.Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/pawel.gaul

Although the Bible warns us of attitudes and activities to stay away from, how seriously do most Christians follow biblical counsel?God’s cautions are for our good, and ignoring His guidance and commands opens us up to being misled. To help us keep our feet on the path that leads to life, below are 10 biblical warnings Christ’s followers should take more seriously.? Photo Credit:? Unsplash/Tom Morel

What do you picture when you think of church?Do you think of the rows of wooden pews or the intricate stained-glass windows in the sanctuary? Stacks of Bibles and hymnals? What about a stage or pulpit? Maybe you think of a large auditorium setting if you attend a mega church.? All these details tell us what we see when we look at a building, but they tell us nothing about what a church should biblically look like. Scripture does not give directions about the format of seating or the use of a stage. We find no mention of a required carpet color or use of stained-glass windows. During the early days of the church, there were no chapels or cathedrals with steeples. That is because the Church is not a building.? Believers make up the body of Christ, the Church (1 Corinthians 12:27).? As members of the body of Christ, what we look like stems from our relationship to Jesus and the mission He gave us. He has called us to be a multiplying people, a community that grows and reaches into the lives of others. It is a group of individuals who increasingly look like Him.? C.S. Lewis wrote about the purpose of the church in Mere Christianity. As he explained, “[T]he church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time” (HarperOne, 2001, p. 199).At first, Lewis' statement might surprise us. Constructing buildings, doing missions, and studying the Bible are wastes of time? They are if people are not growing in Christ and making disciples. The body of believers is meant to look increasingly like Jesus and help others become reflections of Christ too. If the church is not doing that, then it is not accomplishing its purpose. It will not look like a biblical church. ? ? But what are the indications that a group of believers are accomplishing this purpose of growing to become more like Christ? ? ? ? Scripture does not have directions about what a church building should look like, but it does have a wealth of information about what it looks like to live as individuals belonging to the Church.Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Will & Deni McIntyre

Editor's Note: This article was originally published in 2017, but is being found by readers in advance of the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse, such that it has made it into our Most Popular articles on CrosswalkHeadlines.On August 21, a total solar eclipse will be visible across the U.S. Hundreds of viewing parties for this amazing and rare astronomical phenomenon have been scheduled from coast to coast, but many Christian leaders believe this event is more than an incredible scientific occurrence. Many believe it is a prophetic sign that we are living in the end times and that Christ's return is imminent. Many of these leaders point to Scripture passages, particularly in Revelation, which talk about the end of the age and the signs to look out for. Here is what 10 Christian leaders had to say about this total solar eclipse. What do you think? Is this event truly a sign of the end times? Are you planning on viewing it?Photo courtesy: ©Jongsun Lee/Unsplash

Headlines bombard us with news about the devastation in Gaza—the staggering death toll, the increasing war and bloodshed, the innocent lives lost. People on both sides cry for an end to the violence and the pain. ? As Christians, we hear the news, and our hearts fill with compassion and anguish. Why is this happening? Why are people so eager to fight—and die—over this one small section of land?Gaza, also called the Gaza Strip, is a thin piece of land of about 140 square miles located between Israel and Egypt. Roughly 2.3 million Palestinians live there, and it is a Palestinian territory. It is situated on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, with Egypt on its southwest and Israel on its east and north.However, there is longtime animosity between Israel and Palestine. In 1947, the United Nations divided Palestine into an Arab and a Jewish state. This was to accommodate a post-World War Two desire for a Jewish homeland, but it came against the will of the local Arab population.On October 7, 2023, the Islamic militant group Hamas killed more than a thousand people, mostly civilians, and took 250 others hostage in the deadliest attack in Israel's history. Israel immediately declared war on Hamas, and as of this writing, more than 30,000 people have been killed.Beyond a territory for present-day Palestine, the land is much desired by both groups. But there is also much biblical importance and history surrounding Gaza. Here are five biblical reasons by Gaza is important.Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/pawel.gaul

Often capturing public fascination, Mormonism can actually refer to several different groups. The most well-known group of Mormons is the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, which was founded in the early 1800s.Later, branches of the original Mormon church were started with each splitting over differences in theology or conflict over certain religious practices.Here are 10 things to know about Mormonism:Photo courtesy: © Getty Images/NikonShutterman

Some people walk away from religions because of bad experiences, emotional pain, or even severe abuse. This occurs in every faith on earth, including cults, polytheistic religions, and the Abrahamic religions. The Christian Church is certainly not immune from inflicting negative experience on people.While some bad encounters with faith can be shaken off, some are so severe it creates a trauma that can have lasting impacts that are disturbing to a person's life. While people who know the healing power of the love of Jesus want someone to just accept Him, people who experienced religious trauma – both in and out of the church – may be reluctant to see the appeal.Christians, and the church at large, should be cautious in how they approach someone coming from religious trauma. We must respect their experience. Jesus is the great Healer, and His example provides guidance for how to respond to religious trauma.Photo credit: ©Getty Images/max-kegfire

Headlines bombard us with news about the devastation in Gaza—the staggering death toll, the increasing war and bloodshed, the innocent lives lost. People on both sides cry for an end to the violence and the pain. ? As Christians, we hear the news, and our hearts fill with compassion and anguish. Why is this happening? Why are people so eager to fight—and die—over this one small section of land?Gaza, also called the Gaza Strip, is a thin piece of land of about 140 square miles located between Israel and Egypt. Roughly 2.3 million Palestinians live there, and it is a Palestinian territory. It is situated on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, with Egypt on its southwest and Israel on its east and north.However, there is longtime animosity between Israel and Palestine. In 1947, the United Nations divided Palestine into an Arab and a Jewish state. This was to accommodate a post-World War Two desire for a Jewish homeland, but it came against the will of the local Arab population.On October 7, 2023, the Islamic militant group Hamas killed more than a thousand people, mostly civilians, and took 250 others hostage in the deadliest attack in Israel's history. Israel immediately declared war on Hamas, and as of this writing, more than 30,000 people have been killed.Beyond a territory for present-day Palestine, the land is much desired by both groups. But there is also much biblical importance and history surrounding Gaza. Here are five biblical reasons by Gaza is important.Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/pawel.gaul