If you’ve spent any time in church, you’ve probably heard someone call the Bible “inspired.” But what exactly does that mean? Are we talking about the same kind of “inspiration” you get from a good TED Talk or a meaningful conversation with a close friend or mentor?...
Let’s talk about a word that makes a lot of people get all twitchy when it shows up in the Bible: fear. Like when Scripture says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 9:10) Or when it tells us to “walk in the fear of God.” Or...
If you've ever laid awake at night wondering, “Did I screw up too bad this time?”, you’re not alone. Maybe you drifted. Maybe you ghosted God for a season. Maybe you're carrying something heavy - shame, regret, a habit you can't shake - and deep down, there's a...
What are you resentful of or trying to control that God wants you to surrender to Him? What are you convinced is a bad thing that God might be using for good? Sometimes it will take years for you to figure it out. You may never know. But we should do our best to be thankful, even for the things we don’t understand, because we never know what God is using for good. Even in our pain, our agony, our misunderstanding, and our hurt, God is at work.
This question comes up a lot, especially when people start reading through the Old Testament and feel like they're suddenly supposed to grow a beard, stop eating bacon, and avoid polyester blends. Do Christians still need to obey the 10 Commandments? The answer is no…...
This is a question that comes up more often than you might think, especially at funerals or in moments of grief. Someone passes away, and well-meaning people say things like, “Heaven gained another angel,” or “God needed another...
Jimmy McLoud is the Lead Pastor of First Christian Church in Canton, Ohio. His passion – and the vision of First Christian – is to share the good news that Jesus is for all people by helping them find hope, purpose, and a place to belong. He serves on the Board of Directors for The Solomon Foundation and on the Advisory Team for The Unstuck Group. Jimmy and his wife, Ashley, live in North Canton with their four kids: Braylon, Carter, Ellie, and Grace.