For over 30 years, Heartlight has shared articles to help people live for Jesus in everyday life. While we are no longer publishing new articles, this enduring collection features relevant pieces throughout the year to encourage faith, offer biblical perspective, and speak to real-world joys and struggles.
by Hal Runkel, LMFT · Genesis 3:8-12 · Parenting
Hal Runkel reminds us that we can issue an apology and actually use it to beat up someone else in the process by transferring the focus of the guilt from ourselves to someone else and this is fake and mean and bullying.
by Rubel Shelly · Romans 14:12 · Responsibility
Rubel Shelly reminds us that we are all unique and different and yet we must all take responsibility for our actions.
by Steve Ridgell · James 4:7-8 · Life
I have the greatest remote control anywhere. It is amazing what it can do with my television. If I miss something, I can replay it until I catch it, and then jump back into real time.
by Phil Ware · Ephesians 4:25-32 · Honesty
We live in a world of deception but God has called us to be Kingdom people, people who tell the truth and do not deceive, yet forgive those who confess their deceitfulness to us.
by Tim Archer · 1 John 1:7 · Forgiveness · Grace · Fresh Start
We’ve gotten better and better at correcting mistakes on our computer. God, through His son Jesus, let’s us correct life’s mistakes in an even more amazing way.
by Russ Lawson · Ephesians 2:5 · Jesus
Russ reminds us that we are to have the mind of Christ, our Jesus filter, through which we process the things in our lives and the way we look at people around us.
by Patrick D. Odum · Luke 15 · Salvation
A skunk caught far from home is ushered home by a couple of volunteers and this reminds Patrick of how much God did to bring us home when we were far away and stunk spiritually.
by Paul Faulkner · Matthew 6:14-15 · Forgiveness
Forgiveness is forgetting to remember the hurts you forgave and giving others, and yourself a fresh start on life.
by Larry Davies · Luke 17:1-7 · Forgiveness
Resentment kills us, but forgiveness allows us to exercise a growing faith like a mustard tree and let God do the impossible within us.
by Patrick D. Odum · 1 John 3:14-16 · Forgiveness
The old Gallows of the city of Chicago were left in the basement for years and years and this reminds Patrick of things that we allow to sit around in our hearts and fester and destroy us for years.
by Tammy Marcelain · 1 Corinthians 10:13 · Cancer
Sin, a form of spiritual cancer, can be defeated like physical cancer and this victory leaves us feeling excited and on top of the world, but we must work hard for the victory and God will help us.
by Patrick D. Odum · Matthew 16:24-25 · Growth
Patrick Odum reminds us that to grow we have to stretch, reach, and sacrifice but that is more than worth the effort because Jesus gives us back far more than we can ever give.
by Patrick D. Odum · Luke 4:4 · Generosity
Patrick Odum tells about a boy who shared his winnings with his father rather than spending it only on himself and the joy that this attitude brought the father and Patrick compares this to the joy we give our Father, God, when we share.
by Patrick D. Odum · John 6:8-9 · Men
Should we give up when things look hopeless? Of course not, because the point may not be in winning in the eyes of others, but having God accomplish in us what he wants.
by Rubel Shelly · Ephesians 4:31-32
The Amish are an example of simple piety that cares to honor God above getting even: it is their character and not their dress or agrarian culture we need to imitate.
by Phil Ware · Luke 23:34 · Forgiveness
Christian people can be ugly and ungrateful, but we must be like Jesus in both the way we use our speech and the way we forgive others who are hateful and ungrateful.
by Larry Davies · Luke 6:27-28 · Forgiveness
We create echoes by our life, so what kind of echo will you hear from the people around you?
by Paul Faulkner · John 10:10 · Selfishness
Some folks are takers, getting everything they can out of life and sucking it dry or leeches who suck the life out of everyone around them who have it.
by Phil Ware · John 19:30 · Jesus
Jesus gave up his spirit, but he did not give up his mission, his mercy, his grace.
by Patrick D. Odum · Luke 19:1-10 · Addiction
A return of money from a thief reminds us that we must seek to right the wrongs we've committed.
by Paul Faulkner · Psalm 51:1 · Forgiveness
God can forgive all of our mistakes, sins, and failiures.
by Tammy Marcelain · Ephesians 2:1-10 · Grace · Gracious
A dumpster with the word grace written on it reminds Tammy Marcelain of the great work that God can do in our lives to bring hope and joy and meaning when we receive His grace.
by Tom Norvell · 2 Corinthians 5:17 · Newness
The newness wears off and we get bored and we lose interest and we give up.
by Steve Higginbotham · Matthew 16:26 · Priorities
Selling a bike for $5 (five dollars) is a bad deal, but not nearly as bad as giving away our soul for something valueless.
by Rubel Shelly · Hebrews 13:7 · Mentoring
A surgeon who gives blood to his patient is a reminder of all those who have invested in us to make us what we are.