Audio Articles

It's easy to get carried away with youth sports, especially as a parent. In this article, author Caleb Mathis shares how God got his attention about his attitude and actions during Little League games, and four ways scripture pushed him to be better.Read the full length article here. Find more articles by Caleb Mathis here. Get our freshest and best articles sent right to your inbox every Monday. Sign up for The Weekly email newsletter here. 

Speed kills—in the car and in your soul. The frantic pace of existence is exacting a heavy toll on all of us. We’re physically stressed, emotionally disconnected, and spiritually listless. The answer? Pumping the brakes. Author Natalie Warrick found that God asked her to do something unexpected in order to better connect with him—actually drive the speed limit. God moves slowly, with purpose and intention. In order to hear from him, we just might have to slow ourselves down. Faster isn’t always better. Read the full length article here. Find more articles by Natalie Warrick here. Get our freshest and best articles sent right to your inbox every Monday. Sign up for The Weekly email newsletter here. 

Can a bad movie throw you into an existential spiral? Author Chris Pennington was in the theater on opening night for the latest Star Wars movie: The Mandalorian and Grogu. What he saw was underwhelming. After two hours, and nearly $40 for two tickets, not much actually happened: no storylines were advanced, no lightsabers were lit, no risks were taken. It served as a reminder that the best stories—and the best lives—involve real stakes, real meaning, and real risk. Thankfully, we’re all invited into a much better story, one with eternal ramifications, no theater pass required. Read the full length article here. Find more articles by Chris Pennington here. Get our freshest articles sent right to your inbox every Monday. Sign up for The Weekly email newsletter here. 

When Jesus describes himself as “the door” in John 10:9, what does He mean? In a culture when doors are consistently used to keep people out of spaces where they don’t belong, Jesus is saying something quite the opposite. He is the door that grants access, offers protection, and even goes after those who feel left out.  Read the full length article here. Watch the original teaching this article is based on here. Find the latest Crossroads articles here.

Anxiety about money might be the only thing rising faster than gas prices—but financial stress doesn’t have to win. In this article, author Tom Lange shares three unexpected ways he combats the ever-present stress of balancing the family budget: asking, giving, and remembering. Read the full length article here. Find more articles by Tom Lange here. Find the latest Crossroads articles here.

Hearing from God can feel like an impossible task. Do I have to sit in silence for hours, throw away my phone, and trade in my favorite t-shirt for some monk's robes? Author Donny Black used to think so, until he started devoting time every day learning to listen to God. In this article, Donny shares the simple five-minute formula he follows to help him hear, and stay connected, to God like never before.Read the full length article here. Find more articles by Donny Black here. Find the latest Crossroads articles here.

For many kids and teens, having a personal cell phone has become a right of passage—but that little device isn’t all fun and games. From Internet privacy to pornography, bullying to online gambling, cell phones can open our kids to a world of potential problems. How can a family navigate these issues, while maintaining the convenience of being able to text your kid about the updated start time for soccer practice? Author and pastor, Alli Patterson, stumbled upon the answer: the family phone. In this article, she unpacks how having a shared phone has allowed her kids to experience freedom while learning appropriate boundaries, all under the watchful care of their parents. If you're feeling pressured to get your kid a phone, try this first. Read the full length article here. Find more articles by Alli Patterson here. Find the latest Crossroads articles here. 

Decades into following Jesus, author Caleb Mathis struggled with prayer. It often felt forced, unnatural, even boring. It was a muscle that needed training, so he borrowed the perspective of some of the greatest athletes, artists, and influencers in history—copy, until you can do it on your own. In this helpful article, Caleb shares five prayers from other people—some from scripture, some from later heroes of the faith—that he routinely uses to work (and strengthen) his prayer muscles. If your prayer time could use a boost, this article is waiting for you. Read the full length article here. Find more articles by Caleb Mathis here. Find the latest Crossroads articles here. 

Early in her marriage, Alli Patterson had an affair. Looking back at that challenging time, she now recognizes seven red flags that she and her husband avoided, ignored, or swept under the rug. After the hard work of reconciliation, and with now 20+ years of marriage together, Alli shares those red flags, and what you can do to avoid those landmines and affair-proof your closest relationship. Read the full length article here. Find more articles by Alli Patterson here. Find the latest Crossroads articles here.

Ancient armor. A creed. A mission. That’s not just what sets the Mandalorian apart from other characters in the Star Wars universe, it’s actually true of every follower of Jesus. In this article, author Tommy Jewell unpacks how he found ancient spiritual truth in the world of Mando and Grogu, and how wrestling with it has set his life on a new trajectory. When you understand how God has designed you, it changes everything. Read the full length article here. Find more articles by Tommy Jewell here. Find the latest Crossroads articles here.  

Eighteen. That number haunted author Sean Boyce—the number of summers he’d get to spend with his son before adulthood changed the dynamic. Like every overstretched, but well-meaning father, Sean was doing his best, but worried that time was slipping away. So he made a bold choice, carving out time every summer to spend with his son, and hundreds of other dads and their sons, building into each other. Father + Son Camp is a revitalizing weekend that gives your son exactly what he needs to become a man: time with his dad. Find out more about Father + Son Camp here. Read the full length article here. Find the latest Crossroads articles here. 

For kids, summer means fun, freedom, and ice cream. For moms… not so much. Whether you work, stay-at-home, or anything in between, summer means changing all the family rhythms you’ve been leaning on for the past year. No wonder it feels so stressful. In this article, working mom of four and pastor, Alli Patterson, shares some hacks she’s picked up over the years that help her not only survive, but thrive, during the summer months. Read the full length article here. Find more articles by Alli Patterson here. Find the latest Crossroads articles here.

Does God actually care if I recycle? Author Natalie Warrick thinks so. In this article, Natalie shares how the Bible caused her to reconsider her own environmental impact, and she shares incredibly practical steps anyone can take today to help take better care of God’s creation. Environmental problems can seem daunting, but when everyone works together, real change is possible. Read the full length article here. Find more articles by Natalie Warrick here. Find the latest Crossroads articles here.

Prayer seems simple enough, but building a life-giving habit isn’t easy. Author Caleb Mathis noticed that his prayers had become last minute acts of desperation, much like a Hail Mary pass in football. Knowing it could—and should—be better, he went to work finding ways to build his prayer muscles. Along the way, he uncovered five hacks to turn prayer into a powerful habit instead of an afterthought. Read the full length article here.Find more articles by Caleb Mathis here. Find the latest Crossroads articles here.

Earth Day only comes around once a year, but author Caleb Mathis believes the call to care for God’s creation extends just as much to the other 364 days. In this practical article, Caleb explains seven ways you can lessen your impact on the planet—from recycling, to controlling your food purchases, to spending time outside. These simple steps aren’t just a way to save the planet, they might help you serve the LORD as well. Read the full length article here.Find more articles by Caleb Mathis here. Find the latest Crossroads articles here.

After his time as a reconnaissance Marine ended, Mike “Croz” Crossley struggled with the loss of brotherhood and mission that had defined much of his life. Realizing many veterans feel the same, he started Veteran Camp, an off-the-grid weekend designed to help veterans reset their direction, restore their purpose, and reconnect to their true mission. In this article, Croz shares four ways Veteran Camp has helped push his life forward. Veteran Camp happens each year in April. Find more information and claim your spot at veterancamp.usRead the full length article here. Find the latest Crossroads articles here.

When Jesus died, some remarkable things took place—there was an earthquake, a veil torn at the temple, and the return of some long-dead heroes of faith. Wait, what? As strange as it sounds, these moments point back to promises God made in the Old Testament, and they point forward to what his power can still do in our lives today. At the death of Jesus, the whole order of things was shaken up, the barrier separating us from God removed, and the promise of new life was inaugurated. What happened when Jesus died? Some of the most important moments in all of history. Read the full length article here. Find more articles by Caleb Mathis here. Find the latest Crossroads articles here.

Just before his betrayal and arrest, Jesus had a final meal with his disciples. This Last Supper contains some of the most profound teaching in all of scripture. In this article, author Caleb Mathis unpacks five key moments from this pivotal scene, and explains why they hold just as much power today as they did on that original night 2,000 years ago. Read the full length article here. Find more articles by Caleb Mathis here. Find the latest Crossroads articles here.

Nowhere else in scripture is Jesus’ humanity in such brilliant display than in the Garden of Gethsemane. Mere hours before his arrest, trial, and crucifixion, Jesus wrestles with the pain of the future, asks God hard questions, and even sweats blood. Author Chris Pennington explains that there is something here for everyone—ever been scared of the future? Jesus was. Ever felt like God said “no” to a request? Jesus felt the same. Ever relied on others only to find they’ve let you down? Jesus too. In the garden, Jesus shows that he understands our pain, and then models a raw honesty with God that is key to a life that works. Read the full length article here. Find more articles by Chris Pennington here. Find the latest Crossroads articles here. 

Saint Patrick’s Day is an annual excuse to get decked out in green, pinch people, and swim in a sea of Guinness. Unsurprisingly, none of that has anything to do with the life that gives its name to the holiday. In this article, author Caleb Mathis shares the incredible true story of Patrick—from runaway slave to missionary who would actually return to the place that had once enslaved him. Patrick’s life is full of miracles and moves that still inspire 1,500 years after his death. Before you raise a pint on his holiday, press play on this podcast. Read the full length article here. Find more articles by Caleb Mathis here. Find the latest Crossroads articles here.

Being a parent is hard. How much screen time is appropriate? Are they eating enough vegetables? What time is baseball practice this week? Did they actually finish their homework? What about that playdate? It’s easy for quality time, and spiritual growth, to fall by the wayside. But one weekend a year, all those things come together on 800+ acres along the Ohio River. It’s Family Camp! In this article, author Chris Stewart shares his experience at Family Camp last year, and why this low-structure/high-purpose weekend is exactly what your family needs. Find out more about Family Camp here. Read the full length article here. Find more articles by Chris Stewart here.Find the latest Crossroads articles here.

If God is eternal, does He have an age? How does He intersect with time? Does it even matter? In this straight-forward and accessible article, author Caleb Mathis tackles all those questions and more. While the age of God might seem at first glance like an unanswerable riddle, it is actually a powerful opportunity to revisit core aspects of God’s nature and character: his omnipotence, omniscience, and omni-presence. Buckle up, people, we’re going for a ride. Read the full length article here. Find more articles by Caleb Mathis here. Find the latest Crossroads articles here.

When author Natalie Warrick discovered she had ataxia, a rare and progressive genetic disease, she made the intentional choice to let it push her toward—instead of away from—God. In this powerful piece, she shares her journey of coming to terms with suffering, and finding the faith to ask for healing—for herself, and for her mother who also suffers with the same disease. And God has been moving. Both Natalie and her mother have experienced degrees of partial healing! If you’re struggling with a diagnosis, or finding the faith to ask God for a breakthrough, this piece can be a push in the right direction. Read the full length article here. Find more articles by Natalie Warrick here.Find the latest Crossroads articles here.

Though his day has become synonymous with chocolate hearts, flowers, and romantic gestures, Valentine’s life was anything but a bed of roses. An Italian clergyman who found himself in the crosshairs of the Roman Empire, Valentine preached love in a time when hate was powerful. His impact, and his legend, has only grown. In this segment of The Holy Behind the Holiday, a series of articles looking at the Christian roots of some of our most popular holidays, author Caleb Mathis unveils the life of Saint Valentine—and how his story can impact how we live today. Read the full length article here. Find more articles from Crossroads here.Find more articles by Caleb Mathis here.

2,800 miles in 40 days? Author Tamara Brooks signed up for the RELENTLESS 2800 team challenge alongside some good friends, but it didn’t take long for the excitement to wear off and the muscle cramps to begin. What had she gotten herself into? Doubt tried to convince her that she wasn’t fit enough, committed enough, or tough enough to finish. Then one morning, while clocking in some miles, God spoke, reminding her that because He is always moving, she can too. With her eyes on the finish line, she kept going, one mile at a time. Read the full length article here. Find more original Crossroads articles here. Learn more about RELENTLESS 2800 here.

Life is supposed to be easy, right? Not so fast. Author and pastor, Andy Reider, offers a wake-up call for the cultural narrative that everything in our life should always be up-and-to-the-right. The reality is that life is hard, and it takes twists and turns. A better goal than an easy life, is learning to develop resilience. And that, as it turns out, is only learned the hard way. Read the full length article here. Find more articles by Andy Reider here.

Suffering, difficulty, and hardship is, unfortunately, a regular part of the human experience. When things go bad, does it mean something spiritually? Author Rachel Reider gives an eye-opening deep-dive into what the Bible says (and also doesn’t say) about what hardship means in our lives. She maps out a hopeful path forward, pointing our focus off our difficulty and back onto a God that has an uncanny ability to turn bad things around. If things are going sideways in your life, and you’re asking “why,” this is the article for you. Read the full length article here. Find more articles by Rachel Reider here.

Sabbath—an intentional day, each week, set aside for rest, worship and fun—sounds like a great idea on paper. Actually making it happen, though, can feel dang-near-impossible. In this article, author Caleb Mathis conducts short interviews with three people, in completely different stages of life, about how (and why) they practice the Biblical concept of Sabbath. Your mission? Borrow an idea from one of them and try it on for size. You might be surprised to find the seeds of Sabbath starting to grow in your own life as well. Read the full length article here. Find more articles by Caleb Mathis here.

If you want this year to be better than the last, you’re going to have to deal with your calendar. After finding her margins thin, her creativity zapped, and her joy for life diminished, author Rachel Reider made a desperate move—she started saying no. The freedom of intentionally reclaiming space on her calendar was the gateway to rediscovering the kind of life she wanted. In this article, Rachel shares the life-changing wisdom for anyone feeling crushed by their calendar.Read the full length article here. Find more articles by Rachel Reider here.

In this best-of episode, Chris Pennington, the editor of Crossroads Articles, shares his five favorite audio article episodes of the past year, including pieces of friendship, the afterlife for pets, and how to overcome lies. Read the full length articles at the links below: “Do Dogs Go To Heaven?” by Brent Suer “I Read 10 Books on Prayer So You Don’t Have To” by Donny Black “How to be Friends with A-Holes” by Craig Dockery “Does God Care About Me? Finding a Risky Answer” by Caleb Mathis“Quit Believing the Lie That Holds You Back” by Catie Castleman 

The presents are piling up under the tree—or, you’re frantically tracking shipping progress on Amazon. But what about the birthday boy? Do you have anything to bring to Jesus this holiday season? Better than a drum solo for a newborn baby, scripture unpacks four things Jesus would love this Christmas. The good news? They’re all within arms reach. Your praise, tears, prayers, and action are gifts that He treasures. Read the full length article here. Find more articles by Caleb Mathis here.

What’s the last adventure you went on? Like a real adventure. Trying a new restaurant or switching up your laundry detergent doesn’t count. Been longer than you thought? In this article, author and pastor Andy Reider shares how riding his motorcycle from the northern tip of the world to the southern changed his perspective on adventure, and helped him realize the most important adventures are the ones right in front of us. Read the full length article here. Find more articles by Andy Reider here.

Decision-making can be stressful, especially when there is a lot on the line. In this article, author Kirk Marshall outlines the two mistakes most people trip over when making big decisions—entering stress mode or escape mode. Instead of being derailed or distracted, Kirk offers a third choice, the one made by heroes of the faith: wrestling mode. His five simple steps for engaging wrestling mode might be just what you need for a new breakthrough and easier decision-making. Read the full-length article here. Find more original Crossroads articles here.

It’s a conversation most parents dread, but it doesn’t have to be. In this article, author and father of three, Caleb Mathis, explains how his family handled the truth about Santa Claus. By walking their kids through three intentional phases—belief, trust, and generosity—Caleb and his wife were able to do Santa in a way that built their kids’ faith. If you’re looking for wisdom on how to tackle this conversation in your own family, this article is for you. Read the full-length article here. Read Caleb's article on the true Saint Nicholas here.Find more articles by Caleb Mathis here. 

Gratitude isn’t reserved for times when everything is up and to the right. In this classic article, first published in 2018, author Caleb Mathis gets honest about the difficulties he faced that year—and why the antidote was, and always has been, gratitude. If your life isn’t trending the way you want it to this holiday season, there’s hope in the fact that gratitude can still grow, even when it feels like everything else is falling apart. It’s an attitude that changes everything, especially us.Read the full-length article here. Find more articles by Caleb Mathis here. 

A miscarriage is one of the hardest things couples go through—and not just for the mother. In this powerful and vulnerable article, author Chris Stewart shares how he began to acknowledge and work through the pain he felt as a father experiencing miscarriage. In the midst of it, he found an unlikely source of hope that led him on a path to healing. Read the full-length article here. Find more articles by Chris Stewart here. 

While the Bible isn’t necessarily the easiest book to pick up, there are things parents can do to help their kids learn to engage and love the Bible—no matter their age. Author and father of two Chris Stewart shares how the simple power of making the Bible visible, casual, meaningful, and creative can help build lifelong bridges between the good book and your children. Whether your kids are teens or toddlers, there’s something in here you can put into practice to help your kids learn to love God’s word. Read the full-length article here. Find more articles by Chris Stewart here. 

Even after growing up in church, author Donny Black never really felt comfortable during times of corporate worship. Was he supposed to raise his hands or lower them, sing loud or softly, try to memorize the words or really listen to what they meant? He began to find answers in an unlikely place: a Shakespearean acting class in London, England. If you’re confused about how to engage when the church stands to sing, this practical article just might be the nudge you need. Read the full-length article here. Find more articles by Donny Black here.

Something spiritual is stirring around the world. When revival hits, will you be ready? In this practical article, author Caleb Mathis unpacks four ways we can prepare ourselves for revival—whether personal or corporately alongside other believers— taken straight from scripture. Read the full-length article here.Find more articles by Caleb Mathis here.

While the experience of pregnancy might differ from one mother to the next, there’s at least one commonality: it’s freaking hard. The body changes and aches; the hormonal shifts and sleep deprivation; the nausea, nausea, and more nausea. For many women, every part of the process—from conception to delivery and beyond—is racked with pain and difficulty. Why is that? Author and mom, Lena Schuler, dives into what the Bible has to say about that question, and surprising hope she found along the way. Read the full-length article here.Find more articles by Lena Schuler here.

What started as a fun hobby—a way to connect with his own Asian-American heritage—for author Chris Stewart became a profound metaphor for the healing that Jesus provides. Kintsugi is a 500 year-old Japanese art form that repairs broken pottery using lacquer mixed with gold. Instead of ignoring the cracks, it is the brokenness that enhances the beauty of the final product. In this powerful piece, Chris unpacks how he got into practicing kintsugi, and the lessons it’s revealed about God, and healing, along the way. Read the full-length article here.Find more articles by Chris Stewart here. 

When facing a loss, the choice of burial options, among all the other decisions that need to be made, can feel overwhelming. Cremation can be an easy and cost-effective option, but does the Bible have anything to say about it? In this article, author Caleb Mathis shares the answer he found searching the scriptures, empowering readers with freedom to make decisions that honor both God and their loved ones. Read the full-length article here. Find more articles by Caleb Mathis here. 

Maternity leave is difficult, and not just for the people left behind at the office. In this article, author and mom Lena Schuler shares what she wishes she would have said to her managers before going on maternity leave—including handling emotions, texting etiquette, and what it’s really like to return to work after 12 weeks. Feel free to forward it on to your manager when you need it, or adapt it to make it your own. Read the full-length article here. Find more articles by Lena Schuler here.

Insecurity will count you out before you even try. That’s what happened to author Caleb Mathis when he signed up for his first MAN CAMP weekend. As the date grew nearer, so did his excuses for not attending. At the root, was fear that he wasn’t MAN CAMP material. But as soon as he sat foot on the land, that fear was silenced. Along the way, he learned that manliness isn’t a set of stereotypes, but a way of life. If you’re wondering if MAN CAMP is right for you, this article has the answer. Use the promo code MANLY at mancamp.us to get 15% off your ticket price. Read the full-length article here. Find more articles by Caleb Mathis here.

Looking forward to your next difficult conversation? Of course not. While nobody likes having them, when they are handled correctly, they can lead to breakthrough, forgiveness, and reconciliation. In this helpful and practical article, author Scott Dill outlines how a simple acronym—T.R.A.S.H.—can be the key to more success in your next hard conversation.Read the full-length article here. Find more articles by Scott Dill here.

Having a child walk away from the faith you raised them in can be one of life’s most difficult challenges—but as the parent, how you respond can either build bridges or barriers. In this vulnerable and helpful article, author Lori Murray walks us through three action steps she is taking in this season, and why it’s important to keep setting a place at the table for your kids. Read the full-length article here. Find more articles by Lori Murray here.

We can get pretty attached to our furry (or scaly, or slimy) friends. When a beloved pet dies, it’s natural to wonder what happens to them next. Do dogs (and other pets) go to heaven? In this article, author and pet-lover, Brent Suer, looks for an answer from scripture… and what he discovers just might surprise and give you hope. Read the full-length article here. Find more articles by Brent Suer here.

The final article in a series of three (find part one and part two at these links), author Caleb Mathis tackles what, for many, is the hardest “God question” to answer—does God care about me? In this article, he unpacks how the four filters can get us part of the way to a good answer, but that it takes risk to complete the journey. That’s because you can’t know if you’re loved until you’re truly known; you can’t be truly known until you're brutally honest; and you can’t be brutally honest without risk. But with the greatest risk, comes the greatest rewards. Read the full-length article here. Find more articles by Caleb Mathis here.

In part two of a three-part series of articles (find part one here), author Caleb Mathis tries to find an answer to the age-old question: is God actually good? In this article, he explains how our experiences can sometimes lie to us; why scripture makes for a great primary filter; and how overcoming his own traumas unexpectedly pointed him to the goodness of God. If you are wrestling with big questions of faith, this article will help point you forward. Read the full-length article here. Find more articles from Caleb Mathis here.

“Is God real?” is a question of massive significance, so much so that many people don’t even know where to begin. Instead, they let others—from pastors to professors—do the thinking for them. But what if there was a better way, a path to weigh the evidence and come to your own conclusions? In this article, author Caleb Mathis shares the four filters he uses for better discernment, and how they work together to influence his thinking about the existence of God. If you’re ready to think for yourself, and not just be told what to believe, this is the article for you. Read the full-length article here. Find more articles from Caleb Mathis here.