Sharing the Easter StoryThe Easter story is troubling and thrilling. Jesus willingly submitted himself to betrayal and beatings, accusations and arrest, contempt and crucifixion and ultimately death. He could have stopped it, but He did not. Why? Because God himself,...
Grief, Guilt and God's GoodnessDiscovering God's comfort through a lifetime of griefBy Bethany Lockett - BSF Editorial AssistantAfter decades of grief and pain, Sandy Stubbs finally felt ready to share her story. During last year’s BSF Share Day, Sandy walked to the...
The Power of HumilityHow Jesus transforms our view of status in Matthew 18 By Karen McNary - BSF Director of Global Cultural Engagement and Community I was about 10 years old when I had my eyes examined for the first time. I was able to function in school and sports...
Bearing Persecution with JoyHow to Pray for Christians in NigeriaBy Bennett Rolan - BSF Editorial ManagerHalfway through his morning commute, Luka’s senses are on alert. As he walks through the streets of Jos, Nigeria, Luka scans his surroundings for subtle changes....
Our Greatest WorkExploring Jesus' Mission in Matthew 14By Joy Dahl - Guest ContributorAs we emerge from a long season of uncertainty and isolation, many of us still struggle with ongoing challenges and lingering questions: How do you feel about the future? How do we...
Sharing Faith with FamilyBy Bennett Rolan - BSF Editorial ManagerErin Levine’s heart broke for her husband, Tony. Raised in a Jewish home, Tony believed in God and prayed during important events, but exploring Christianity wasn’t a priority. As a successful college...
God’s Word is a ‘Lifeline’ for COVID ChaplainBy Bethany Peterson - BSF Editorial Assistant“I don’t know if I could do another year of what I just did,” longtime BSF member Kevin Deegan said. “I feel like, especially one year later, we need new words to describe how we...
Responding to the WildernessBy Nate Thoreson - Regional DirectorI strained to hear any sounds through the phone. Nothing. I told my son I loved him, but he didn’t respond. He was 3,000 miles away in the Critical Care Unit, and my wife was on a flight to be with him....
A Place to BelongBy Hollie Roberts - BSF Executive DirectorI was just another face in the crowd, one of 150 women gathered to study God’s Word in a BSF class. Nothing about me said “BSFer for life.” I was six weeks away from having our first child, and I walked into...
Being Available to ChristBy Susie Rowan - Outgoing BSF Executive Director When I was a young believer, a man handed me a small card at a church potluck (when we still had those). All it said was, "Ask simply to be used." The man was a mattress salesman. There was...
God's Meaning in Life's MeanwhilesBy Pamela Bunn - BSF Board MemberRecently, a dear friend sat in an emergency room while doctors treated her husband, who had experienced multiple seizures earlier in the day. As the minutes and silence stretched on, my...
Enduring the Unexpected By Susie Rowan - Former BSF Executive Director Unexpected. Perhaps that’s one way to describe the events and realities of our world today. Of course, there are other words. The events of 2020 and 2021 have been described...
New Life on Death RowBy Bennett Rolan, Editorial ManagerMark’s voice echoed off the stark concrete walls as he repeated the simple confession of faith. Kneeling between two rows of locked cells, Mark surrendered his life to Christ. Witnessed by guards and fellow...
Building An Authentic FaithBy Bennett Rolan - Editorial ManagerDavid Swafford was out of answers. His wife, Susan, was pregnant with their first child, and as a graduate student, David wondered how he would provide for his growing family. Without a clear path forward,...
Redeeming failed expectationsBy Sherry Thomas - Guest ContributorToward the end of our first year of marriage, my husband and I made an agreement that forever changed our relationship. We decided that no matter how angry we felt, we would never again suggest we had...
Finding Life After The Death Of A DreamBY BENNETT ROLAN, BSF DIGITAL EDITORAt a glance, Hoa Luu recognized the doctor’s office phone number. For a moment she paused, suppressing the familiar longing and excitement. But minutes into the call, she knew the truth. Her...
Belief Beyond All BoundariesBY BENNETT ROLAN, BSF DIGITAL EDITORFaisal doesn't take a single BSF meeting for granted. For decades, Faisal and his family lived in a country where churches are scarce, prayer is hidden and Bibles are rare. Though they've been gone for...
Where is God when your world is shattered?By Bennett Rolan - BSF Editorial ManagerCatherine Barker can still picture 7-year-old Samuel’s “jaunty run.” With arms outstretched, jacket flying and rain boots splashing through the field behind their South Wales...
Resisting Temptation When Willpower Won't WorkBy Bennett Rolan - Digital EditorI am not typically an angry person. I even received the Gentle in Spirit Award as a young Christian camp counselor. But if you scan my browser history, you will find a recently read article...
Borrowing JoyHow One Family Found God's Joy in Struggle and SacrificeBy Bennett Rolan - BSF Editorial ManagerAs a veteran teaching leader, Adele Funk knew how to balance work, family and ministry. But last fall, as she prepared her opening lecture for the Acts and...