St. Patrick lived his years as a great example for us today. But he didn't live it out simply by "the luck of the Irish," as some may say, for one theme shines through it all: God’s Presence and Sovereignty are powerful.

He was an unlikely saint with an extraordinary story (involving pirates-- read on!) yet the Lord became real to him early in his adulthood and changed his life and legacy forever.

St. Patrick shares in writings that he prayed many prayers through the day, and even into the night. He shared these words of his time in captivity, "and the faith grew in me, and the spirit was roused, so that, in a single day, I have said as many as a hundred prayers, and in the night nearly the same, so that whilst in the woods and on the mountain, even before the dawn, I was roused to prayer..."

St. Patrick went on to write prayers many Christians still echo today, and his influence on the world is worth remembering and celebrating.

We can learn much from studying this amazing man's life. It wasn't about leprechauns, 4 leaf clovers, wearing green, or about luck.His life was simply about the amazing Sovereignty and blessing of God, about obedience to His call, about prayer and faithfulness.

May the example of this godly man from years ago, spur us onward even today.

Photo credit: Flickr-ThadZajdowicz

If there is one perfect source for information about love and how to love, it is the Bible! Scripture tells us that God is love and loved the world so much that He sent His Son to save us from death! Furthermore, the greatest commandments given by Christ are to love God and our neighbor. The entire message of the Gospel is centered on the act of love, Jesus giving His life on earth for ours in heaven.

You have found a perfect resource for what the Scriptures tell us about love. We have compiled our favorite Bible verses about love in relation to marriage, loving one another, and God's love for us. 

In 1 Corinthians, Scripture describes the attributes of love: "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth." 

May the following 30 Bible quotes about love rejuvenate your heart in gratitude and joy!

To me, is what Lent is all about: Being surprised by joy. Sacrificing our selves as we focus on greater intimacy and unity with Christ. Finding our truest joy in Jesus alone. This is my prayer for this season.

Sing to the LORD, All the Earth! This EarthDay, we are thankful for the beautiful creation God has given us!

What Is Christmas and When Did it Start?

Christmas, the cherished annual Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, is a time-honored tradition observed on December 25th in the Western Church. The origins of this date trace back to ancient times, with its association dating as far back as A.D. 273. Interestingly, the historical significance of December 25th intersects with two pagan festivals that honored the sun. Some historical accounts suggest that the choice of December 25th for Christmas was deliberate, aiming to counteract the influence of these pagan celebrations.

Nevertheless, even today, a lingering unease about Christmas persists among certain individuals who worry that its historical connection to pagan festivals might somehow taint its Christian significance. However, at the heart of the Christian faith lies the belief that the gospel not only transcends cultural influences but also has the power to transform them. In the early 4th century, around A.D. 320, a theologian responded to these concerns by offering a profound perspective, stating, "We hold this day holy, not like the pagans because of the birth of the sun, but because of Him who made it." This eloquent assertion underscores the essence of Christmas—honoring the birth of Jesus Christ as the true source of light and hope, transcending any historical associations and reaffirming the profound spiritual significance of this sacred holiday.

Photo credit: Unsplash/AaronBurden

This Sunday, Christians around the world will mourn the innocent lives lost since Roe v. Wade was decided. It’s Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, and it’s an opportunity for us to act on our beliefs in new and bold ways.

Here are 5 great verses to read and remember if you've ever wondered, "Could Jesus still save a sinner like me?"

We had such a good time putting together this video to let all our momma friends know just how LOVED they are by us, and our Lord! The second verse is our favorite. :)

Do we want women to be weak? The answer must forever be, on the basis of Scripture, "May it never be."

You can always tell that Christmas is coming, even before it’s close. Radio stations start playing Christmas carols before we’ve even eaten all the Halloween candy, and commercials beckon us to start our shopping before we’ve even bought our Thanksgiving turkeys. Our nativity scenes are set up for weeks, and our advent calendars keep us counting down to the day baby Jesus entered our world. Christmas isn’t celebrated on just one day-- it gets a whole, long season.

Easter on the other hand? Usually, Christians dress up for one fancy Sunday service and forget about it all days later.

“Why do we spend an entire season of the year thinking about and celebrating Christmas, but just a weekend thinking about and celebrating the impact of the resurrection,” Trevin Wax asks.

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/artplus

There have been many Christian books published in recent decades that have left a lasting impact on believers and non-believers alike. (The Bible takes the top spot, for sure!) They are books that teach us something new about who God is, books that tell incredible stories, books that are poignant and meaningful, or books that both inspire and challenge us in our own walks of faith. They are often on the bestseller lists, continuing to garner new readers and a wider audience year after year.

For many readers though, reading a great book isn’t the end of the journey—it’s just the beginning. I personally agree! When I read a book I love, I often rush to find others like it so I can continue learning, growing, and expanding on the ideas I’ve just read about. There are so many new voices sharing their stories and wisdom with us through books, and often, threads of those enduring classics can be found among them. If you have read and loved these 13 selected classic works of Christian literature, theology, and memoir, I hope you will also check out and come to love some of these newer works as well. Start by reading a classic you haven’t picked up yet, or browse for your favorite classic to get some new book ideas—there is so much more we can learn and enjoy from authors of all kinds, new and old.

Here are 13 popular Christian classics and 59 great recommendations for what to read next: