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Real change in the new year

January 1, 2021 By Mark McCormick

Question: I want to develop healthier habits in the new year, including setting aside time for the Lord and getting more sleep. How should I get started and avoid flaming out in a few weeks? Answer: Godly life changes should be encouraged no matter what time of year we choose to make them. Unfortunately, recent […]

Helping a teen navigate spiritual doubt

November 18, 2020 By Mark McCormick

Question: Our daughter professed faith in Christ as a child, but now she’s having doubts about whether God even exists. The doubts have caused major upheaval in her life, and in our life as a family. What can we do? Answer: The situation you describe is common with teenagers. It is all too easy to […]

How does counseling work?

October 8, 2020 By Mark McCormick

Question: I’ve been thinking about going to a counselor to work on some things I’ve been going through, but I have no idea what to expect. Can you give me an idea of how this works? Will I be judged? Answer: I’m not surprised at your confusion. Your exposure to counseling may be limited to […]

Climbing the walls

September 7, 2020 By Mark McCormick

Question: Our family has been stuck at home for most of the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve enjoyed the extra time together, but lately I’ve noticed our nerves are fraying. Lots of bickering and rolled eyes, and not just from the children. Any ideas for teaching our kids how to be gracious and forgiving toward each other, […]

Painful perfection

August 3, 2020 By Mark McCormick

Question: I’m a perfectionist. This causes problems with my wife and children who say I am “controlling.” As a Christian I want things to be better, but the harder I try, the worse things get. Answer: Here’s a cautionary tale by a recovering perfectionist. The pursuit of absolute perfection is a false noble cause. The […]

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Tuesday Briefing

Briefing

March for Life goes online

Featured Columns

Praying to satisfy a deeper hunger

Doug Munton

Editor’s note: Pastor Doug Munton posted this column on his website just as the first COVID-19 restrictions were implemented. Now, many months later, it seems an even more vital word as we contemplate life after the pandemic. Personal revival is a challenge in isolation; now our churches—and we ourselves—need a fresh wind of the Spirit […]

‘Sanctity’ beyond the unborn

Eric Reed

Ahead of each January issue, our editorial team asks, “How will we report on ‘sanctity’ this year?” The Sunday before the anniversary of the 1973 decision legalizing abortion in the United States is observed as Sanctity of Human Life on the SBC calendar. This year it falls on January 17. For many Southern Baptists, that […]

Start fresh with family worship

John Yi

Before my wife, Gloria, and I even married, we vowed to establish a rock-solid family tradition of daily devotions together. But after almost 25 years of marriage and building a family, we could count on a single hand the longest streak of consecutive days when every member had come together for family worship or devotions […]

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2021 Forecast: Start the new year by rebuilding discipleship patterns

Illinois Baptist Staff

Editor’s note: For the January 1 issue of the Illinois Baptist, pastors and leaders from IBSA shared their thoughts on the challenges and opportunities facing the church in 2021. You’ll see them here every Wednesday this month. Scott Foshie, IBSA director of revitalization In 1920, Arthur Flake came to the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board […]

News

AL pastor to be nominated for SBC president

Illinois Baptist Staff

Ed Litton, pastor of Redemption Church in Saraland, Ala., is the third announced candidate for SBC president. Former SBC president Fred Luter announced his intention to nominate Litton at the denomination’s annual meeting in June. “With Ed’s commitment to the Great Commandment and the Great Commission, he is what our convention needs to help us […]

Baptists and a new, ‘blue’ White House

Anne Graham Lotz to speak at Priority Women’s Conference

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Mission

2021 Forecast: Hope for the year ahead

Illinois Baptist Staff

Editor’s note: For the January 1 issue of the Illinois Baptist, pastors and leaders from IBSA shared their thoughts on the challenges and opportunities facing the church in 2021. You’ll see them here every Wednesday this month. Rayden Hollis, pastor, Red Hill Church, Edwardsville A recent “Thanksgiving Song” by musician Ben Rector sums up 2020 […]

Food giveaways launch holiday season for Illinois Disaster Relief

Teens celebrate AWSOM in an unusual year

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