This is a compilation of essays where in each chapter you will encounter the creativity and craft of those involved in various aspects of the performing arts. The work encourages the reader to see their art from a biblical, Christ-centered perspective.
Ned Bustard, a graphic designer and printmaker, has written and illustrated many children’s books, a historical fiction, and has edited the It Was Good art and faith anthology series, including volumes on Art and Music.
Millions of youth devote a substantial amount of their childhood to sports. Undoubtedly, spending this much time in any activity will impact their lives. The common adage “sports produces character” captures the prominent reason children, teenagers, and young adults are encouraged to participate in sports: an assumption that the lessons learned in sports will equate to success in life. However, research on the impact of sports participation is mixed, with some showing negative effects on youth development. Although sports can shape the lives of teenagers in powerful ways, these findings challenge the notion that sports automatically lead to positive youth outcomes, particularly a healthy identity and emotional development. Given that youth are spending so much time in sports and parents are spending so much effort and money to have their kids in sports, why not have young people’s experiences in sports be as formative as possible? This article discusses important developmental processes during adolescence that are relevant to sports and highlights some research-informed approaches to help parents and caring adults engage with youth playing sports.
Benjamin J. Houltberg is Associate Professor of Human Development at Fuller Seminary. Recently, he has focused on emotional health of elite athletes in high-pressure contexts. This research has led to national and international research presentations and service. He is actively involved in the Sports Chaplaincy Program to International Sporting Events and served as a chaplain to the 2009 World Track and Field Championships in Berlin, Germany. Houltberg also presented his research at the International Convention on Science, Education and Medicine in Sport in Glasgow, United Kingdom, in conjunction with the 2012 Olympic Games. He continues to work with coaches and athletes from around the world to promote spiritual and emotional health in dealing with pressures to perform.
What is prayer, and how should we approach it? In this first teaching in our series on the Lord’s Prayer, Pastor Tim Chaddick preaches from Matthew 6:5-9 on the access we have to God as a loving Father because of the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Are spiritual disciplines meant to be burdensome practices that we use to boost our status with God? Absolutely not! Pastor Tim Chaddick teaches from Matthew 6:1-8 and 16-18, in which Jesus shows us how to rightly view spiritual disciplines.
What does sex signify? Pastor Tim Chaddick teaches from Matthew 5:27-37, in which Jesus warns of the damage that consumeristic sexuality has on our relationships with people and with God.
We tend to be like bottomless pits when it comes to receiving love, never quite satisfied with the love we get from others. Pastor Tim Chaddick unpacks the depth, power, and generosity of God’s love as shown to Israel in Hosea 11:1-11.
How do you know when love becomes a fraud? Pastor Tim Chaddick explains God’s response to Israel’s failure to follow-through on their promise to repent in Hosea 6:4-6.