Totally Consumed: My Identity Crisis. By Meyah Doyle.

Note from Tony: I had the opportunity to meet Meyah at the Mississippi Baptist State Speakers Tournament. The tourney is open to high school students, who are tasked with sharing a speech with judges. Winners of the tournament are awarded literally thousands of dollars in scholarships. Meyah is a 12th grader from Petal, Mississippi. I […]

man struggling with his faith and hope

Faith. Where’s yours?

I’ll admit that I woke up this morning and took a look at one of my aggregate news sites before getting in any Jesus time. That little exercise might have just skewed my whole day. Instead of basking in the love of Jesus, I saw – as if I didn’t know – just how awful this temporal world is. 

negative self-talk

Negative self-talk and other perils of life.

As Christians, we believe that we are created in the image of God and that God loves us unconditionally. However, sometimes we forget this truth and allow negative self-talk to take over our minds. This is a pretty nasty deal.

the meaning of life

Embracing self-pity.

If you’re going to embrace self-pity, you might as well embrace misery. It’s a funny thing. Some people simply seem to enjoy feeling bad for themselves. Respectfully, if that’s true of you, I have a simple question: How has self-pity helped you improve your life? I get it. I do. This is one of those […]

in awe of a starry night in the style of Thomas Kinkaid

10 resolutions for mental and spiritual flourishing

Sometimes I run across something that is so meaningful, so provocative, and so timely that I simply stand back in awe. This is from a gentleman named Clyde S. Kilby, and it’s sublime.

kid thinks he's an idiot

He called me an idiot.

So. How does one move on past failure – specifically, how can you not be so hard on yourself?

broken heart healed

Helping broken Christians feel better.

These days, I’m fixated on helping broken Christians feel better.

It’s tempting to talk about “in this season of life,” or “my calling,” or other noble-sounding catch phrases. These can become cliche real fast.

Seriously, though, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to what I’m supposed to be when I grow up. Helping broken Christians feel better might be part of that equation.

Settle down. 5 thoughts.

There is an absolute necessity of rest. Relax. Settle down. Through this you gain strength, your mind is clearer, and you can face all of life’s crazy challenges supernaturally ready.

being brokenhearted

Brokenhearted: A biblical meditation.

Look. I don’t know of anyone who would willingly choose to experience a broken heart. The jaw-dropping reality, and what all my ponderings today hinge on, is that Jesus willingly suffered and died in our place so that He could reign as high priest in heaven.
He knows just exactly what it’s like to be brokenhearted. He’s been there. Isn’t that something?

friends are friends forever

Friends are friends forever (or do they need to be?)

When it comes to friends, even forever friends, my stomach for uncomfortable social situations is a lot worse than it used to be. Are friends friends forever? Do they even need to be? The pandemic has done a job on us, so it’s time for some dispassionate analysis.

Finding rest

Finding rest.

If finding rest from the worry and the bustle of the world is something you seek, then I have some amazing thoughts for you.