Reading the Bible when life is hard
Longer pieces on the passages people reach for when they are worn out, grieving, anxious or afraid, and on what those passages actually say in context.
What to Say to Someone Who Lost a Child: Their Child's Name, the Years After, and the People Who Came
Messages to send today, a verse for the card, what bereaved parents say helped and hurt, and saying their child's name for years to come.
Bible Verses for a Prodigal Child: Luke 15 From the Father's Side, for the Parent Still Waiting
Praying for a grown son or daughter? Psalm 13 for the same prayer year after year, Luke 15 read from the father's side, and parents in Scripture who asked.
Bible Verses for Teachers: For Sunday Night Marking, the Last Week of Term, and the Card
Exodus 18 for a teacher carrying too much alone, the teachers Scripture names for the end of term, and words for a thank-you card.
Who in the Bible Was Lonely: Jeremiah, Joseph, Job, Anna, the People Put Outside the Camp, and Jesus
People in Scripture who were alone, grouped by where it came from, with a prayer to read beside them.
Is Anxiety a Sin? What Churches Mean by Sin, a Feeling Nobody Chose, and Jesus Troubled in Spirit
How Catholic, Orthodox and Reformed teaching define sin, Matthew 11:28-30 for tonight, Jesus troubled in spirit, and confession, medication and scrupulosity.
Bible Verses for Tragedy: When a Whole Town Is Grieving, the Laments of a City, and Words for the Gathering
After a tragedy that struck many at once: Psalm 34:17-19 for tonight, Lamentations for a grieving town, and readings for a vigil.
Bible Verses for Financial Hardship, When the Money Will Not Stretch
Matthew 11:28-30 to read at the table, a widow in debt in 2 Kings 4, prayers for daily bread, and free debt help by country.
Bible Verses for Times of War: For Fear After the News, Families Apart, Veterans, and Prayers for Peace
Psalm 56:3-4 for fear after the news, and passages and prayers for military families, veterans, parents and pastors.
What Does the Bible Say About Doubt? Peter, John in Prison, and the Words for Doubting
James 1:5 on asking God without reproach, Peter on the water, John the Baptist's question from prison, the Greek words for doubt, and what churches teach.