February 14, 2026

Identity, Relationships

John Beeson

Who respects the body more? Christians or the world? I bet most Americans would answer that the world loves the body more than Christians do. After all, the world celebrates its sexuality and supports going after whatever our body desires. Many will judge their Valentine’s Day on whether it was a day they got what they desired.

Ours is an age of affirmation, and our bodies appear to be the object of that unquestioned affirmation.

But what if it isn’t true that our world truly values our bodies? What would it mean for issues such as gender and abortion if the Christian ethic is actually the worldview that honors the body most deeply?

February 12, 2026

Recommendations, Christian Living, Fear, Forgiveness, Relationships

John Beeson

This Week's Recommendations

The reality behind our culture’s favorite mantra: Matthew McCullough begins, “I don’t know where it came from, but now it seems to be everywhere. I hear it on podcasts and TV shows. I’ve seen it on T-shirts and social media graphics. A quick search for it on Amazon brings up hundreds of results, ranging from books for kids and adults to silver charm bracelets to hoodies of many colors to embroidered makeup cases to wall hangings and throw pillows and stickers to place on your rearview mirror. I’m talking about the simple, uplifting mantra for our times: ‘You Are Enough.’”

February 10, 2026

Culture, Prayer, Spiritual Growth, Suffering, Worship

John Beeson

A New Hope

Jesus wept (Jn. 11:35).

This is the shortest verse in the Bible.

It is profound as it applies to the heart of Our Lord, Jesus Christ; to those whom he came to save: You. Me. Us.

There is much pain and confusion in our world today. You don't need to look far to see it. Some of us have been brought to our knees in grief and in this moment cannot hardly see past it; the same can be said of those of us in the throes of financial woe; relational strife; physical affliction.

Hopelessness. Dread. Despair.

February 5, 2026

Recommendations, Christian Living, Culture, Relationships, Wisdom

John Beeson

This Week's Recommendations

When peace feels impossible: Christopher Cook says, “As such, when Paul says “do not be anxious,” he is not instructing believers to numb their emotions, detach from their circumstances, or pretend life doesn’t hurt. He’s inviting us to recalibrate the affections of our hearts. And that recalibration begins with a theological claim far deeper than a surface-level command. It begins with presence.”
When waiting draws us near: Bethany Broderick says, “Our world seems allergic to waiting. We pay hundreds of dollars for faster shipping

February 3, 2026

Church, Evangelism, Gratitude, Mission

John Beeson

Partners in the Gospel

“We won!” If you’re a sports fan, you might have bellowed those words when your favorite team emerged victorious from an epic showdown.

But of course, we know that we didn’t win at all. I sat on my couch and cheered for my Chiefs. But it was Andy Reid who drew up the play, Patrick Maholmes who threw the pass, and Travis Kelce who caught it.

They, not we, won.

Many of us have come to believe the opposite lie regarding the church. It’s easy to think they are doing the work of the gospel. In a celebrity culture, it’s easy to get sucked into thinking that pastors do ministry and preachers do gospel work.

Friendship

John Beeson

February 12, 2026

Recommendations, Christian Living, Fear, Forgiveness, Relationships

This Week's Recommendations

John Beeson

February 12, 2026

Recommendations, Christian Living, Fear, Forgiveness, Relationships

John Beeson

November 9, 2024

Culture, Generosity, Nature, Relationships

Marshmallows and Friends

John Beeson

November 9, 2024

Culture, Generosity, Nature, Relationships

Most have heard of the famous Stanford marshmallow experiment. In 1970, psychologist Walter Mischel invited kids into his lab. A child was offered a marshmallow that they could eat, or, if they waited until the researcher returned, they were given a second marshmallow. About one-third of the kids waited approximately fifteen minutes for the additional reward.

The study then tracked those children over time and found that children who waited for the second reward tended to have higher SAT scores and lower body mass indexes. Later tests have challenged those outcomes, but it hasn’t stopped parents everywhere from running the experiment on their kids, often with humorous results.