Devotionals

  • Devotionals,  Relationships

    I Survived My 20s – Idols

    [Guest Post by Kimberly Davidson Campbell] – Although I enjoyed my 20s–and now definitely enjoy my 30s more–there was one problem: where I found my identity. Idols. The biggest heart struggle I had was not just about being single, but pleasing men. Not in the “dress cute so someone will ask you out” men pleasing way; but in something that was for me much more dangerous to my walk with God. I thought if I could be involved enough, cool enough, and popular enough, pretty enough, stylish enough, smart enough, relevant enough–someone would give me my dream ministry position on staff at a church. There was one church in particular…

  • Devotionals,  Faith

    What's Your Story — Mikey

    I just want to say that it’s totally God that He brought Mikey into my life and crossed our paths. He spoke at my first book launch for Faithbook of Jesus hosted at North Coast Church. Then I asked him if I could interview him on camera for a second book project I was doing. And then that project was canceled. When I resurfaced and the book got picked up again by a different publisher–I asked Mikey. And then nothing. All I heard was silence. I’m so glad Mikey’s story is far from over. On June 29, 2012 he wrote this on his Facebook page after being silent for many…

  • Devotionals

    I Survived My 20's – Death

    Looking back, I can’t believe I survived my 20s. I should have died. In a lot of ways, I never thought I would have a life, fall in love, or find purpose through all of my sufferings. Because of my skin. Because of my anxiety. Eczema stripped my face, feet, and hands of all their skin. It took collectively ten years for all of it to heal. From the ages of 15-25, I was mostly homeschooled, housebound, and desperately lonely. The truth is–we always believe the glamorous life is on the other side. I thought if I could be anyone other than who I was–I would be happy. And yet…

  • Devotionals

    Same Sex Friendships

    I bet I wasn’t like you growing up. I was taught not to become friends with boys. Boys had kudies and could get you pregnant just by looking at you. Gross. I developed an unhealthy fear of boys at a very young age that stuck with me until college. Even then I was always cautious. To this day, I can still hear my parents yelling “10 inch rule! 10 inch rule!” Don’t lead him on. So I didn’t. Don’t let him get too close. So I didn’t. But when it came to girls, no rules applied. I could have late night phone conversations, sleep overs, and hang out pretty much…

  • Devotionals,  Relationships

    True Friendship

    Sometimes the most holy and true act of friendship is to give up our rights. Everybody wants to be King David. Nobody wants to be Jonathan. David didn’t manipulate Jonathan for an easy way in or deceive him for the biggest seat in the house. Why? Jon was his friend. David endured shame, ran for his life, and stole scraps for food to survive. He never once took revenge on Saul or his friend Jon to become king. Everybody wants to be king. Nobody wants to suffer. Jon had it made. He was [already] royalty. He lived a life of luxury in the palace. Why did he give it all…

  • Devotionals

    What's Your Story – Ashleigh

    [Guest post by Ashleigh Slater] – My oldest daughter celebrated her eighth birthday two Saturdays ago. As she blew out the candles on her “Sew Cute” Lalaloopsy cake, I marveled that I’m “Mom” to a second-grader. Not to mention a first-grader, preschooler, and toddler. Let’s just say, over a decade ago it wasn’t where I’d expected to find myself at 33. Me, filling sippy cups up with pink milk throughout the day? No. Me, carrying snack-sized bags of Goldfish and Chex Mix in my purse? Nuh-uh. Me, making multiple trips to the grocery store for that bottle of ketchup that’s perpetually forgotten? I don’t think so. I wasn’t attending grad…

  • Devotionals,  Faith,  Relationships

    What's Your Story – Shannon

    [Guest Post by Shannon] Once upon a time, I desired so badly to have something meaningful in my life. And for me, that meaning was not found unless I was working toward something BIG. When I was a little girl, I remember telling my mom, “I’m bored, there is NOTHING to do, mom.” Those were small days. I hoped for big days to come when I could make something of myself. What I didn’t realize was that big days can also bring stress, pride and trials. Now, I yearn for those small days. So many days seem like big days…and the small days are spent worrying about the big days.…

  • Devotionals,  Relationships

    What's Your Story – Lisa & Kyle

    Kyle Bonenberger and his wife, Lisa Ramsland Bonenberger, are experts on love and forgiveness. A few years ago they planted City Church in Anaheim, CA. They speak, encourage, council, write, and give relational advice daily. Not to mention their credentials speak for themselves. Kyle is currently working towards his M.Div from Talbot Seminary and Lisa recently graduated from Talbot with a Master’s in Counseling. Lisa and I are both graduates of Biola University, and I had the pleasure of meeting them through Lisa’s mother, Marcia Ramsland, my mentor! Marcia is the one who named me the “Devotional Diva!” My first question to them, “What does love mean to you as…

  • Devotionals,  Faith

    What's Your Story – Bruce & Heather

    [Guest post by Bruce & Heather] – Life had been going along just fine until our Sunday afternoon drives to a Starbucks near downtown started messing with us. The trip was our way of ending a hectic Sunday of multiple church services with something fun. Our drives into the city started out as a way to relax, but over time, something significant happened. As we drove through the city, we began to notice that people’s needs were quite different from those of folks in the suburbs. We were confronted with homelessness, low- income housing, unemployment, and poorly rated schools. Often we would see groups of young adults sitting in parks…

  • Devotionals,  Relationships

    What's Your Story – Jenn

    Jenn is my first best friend. Jenn and I met at North Coast Church’s college group and became best friends. It’s funny how God uses certain people to remind us who we are, and who bring out the best. Jenn is that person to me. I felt bad that I couldn’t be there for her when her story started. Jenn became a single mom. She went through much criticism by her family, peers, the church—and worst of all herself. As a result of her choices she had a lot of questions to answer. My first question to Jenn was a heavy one, one that I’ve wrestled with myself. Why do…