" Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." That verse, Hebrews 13:2, inspired Lee Allen 30 years ago to write a Christmas story for his children entitled, "The Special Guest." This cherished book has now been re-released in a 30th anniversary edition, highlighting once again its central theme of forgiveness. Lee wrote the words, and Donna Allen provided the illustrations. Together, they j

When you throw confetti, you're not sure exactly where it's going to go, except that it seemingly goes everywhere and gets into everything. Ideally, sprinkling our kindness like confetti should have the same effect. We don't know exactly where it will go, but we're hoping it will cover a lot of area. Kirsten Telan focuses on kindness and understanding with her Confetti Effect blog and with her new children's book, "A Tale of Two Dogs." A former teacher, Telan knows how to com

Amy Joob’s ministry has led her to be an author, life coach (particularly for women), empowerment speaker, and prayer warrior. She recently published her third book, “Arise from Grief and Flourish Again,” informed by her wrestling with the passing of two family members and other life trials. On this episode, Joob shares ideas for dealing with grief, how to build resilience, and how to embed the Holy Trinity into your life each day. She’s an energetic advocate for Christ and f

Some people go out into nature to find God. For Pasquale Mingarelli, he went to nature to take pictures but found God along the way. Not that Mingarelli didn't know God before, but he made new discoveries about God as he pursued his passion of photography. Pasquale Mingarelli is a photographer who also serves as an author and speaker. His offering is a free daily devotion combining a nature photograph, a Bible passage, and a couple of paragraphs of devotional text. He also as

A military chaplain can find themselves embedded with troops near a war's front lines. In the midst of life-and-death situations, the chaplain brings light, comfort, and faith. Retired Army chaplain Rachel Coggins played this role for 25 years. In her book, "Gateway to Iraq," she shares stories of serving soldiers headed to and from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. On this episode of the Practical Faith Academy podcast, Coggins discusses what it’s like to be a military chaplain

Many of us Christians wonder where we have gone wrong and where the church has gone wrong. As we look at our divided society, we understand that division goes against the Bible's vision for the church (for example, Ephesians 4:2-6). But we tend to look outward and blame others for division. How can we look inward and realize our own contribution to division? Even more importantly, where is the way back to unity? Jake Doberenz sought to be a Christian in all things. He gained

Tanya Prince had seemingly done everything by the rules all her life. She was a faithful Christian who led small groups and volunteered...

When life doesn't go our way, we often fight against it. But even in the midst of stressful times, God is working. The question is, are...

What is belief? Is it a theological practice that affirms who God is and what God has done? Or is it a way of living that exhibits trust...

We are clay pots, vessels created by God the potter. But what do the pots hold? According to author Dawn Stephens, God plants the Fruits...

Jesus told us to not worry about food, clothing, possessions, and money, but we do so anyway. What if we realized that we don't own such...

I remember a sports talk host who would respond to rude comments by saying, "Where is the love?" I think we all wonder at times, "Where...

The life of a Christian is ideally a pilgrim's journey, striving to reach a destination, seeking higher levels of goodness and...

Rarely do I reflect on an episode as much as I have reflected on this one. My guest, Cathy Colver Garland, has a way of taking deep...

Leaning on her fifteen-year caregiving experience, Amy Chastain has written a book on caregiving and has plenty of thoughts on the topic....

Imagine being impoverished and only wanting the opposite - wealth and possessions. But then when you actually work and achieve those...

Almost everyone can point to an influential teacher in their lives. Teachers have educated us so much. They can still educate us today on...

Through difficulties and tragedies, Karen Dittman learned to live the principles of Thriving Grace before writing a book about it.

Constance Hastings has personal insight into the thinking of non-believers because she was one. Raised without a close tie to a church...

Courtney Dailey inspires us with her God Stories of how God has moved through the helpers in the hurricane relief effort in east Tennessee.