Faith & Purpose
The Freedom of Discipline: A Reflection
A reflection on how faithful discipline through the Holy Spirit can be liberating rather than restricting from childhood to adulthood.
When God is honored
There are seasons in our lives when God sends people who have the ability to change our lives completely by their influence, authority and endorsement.
What do students’ beliefs about God have to do with grades and going to college?
The U.S. is the most devout wealthy Western democracy. Does a religious upbringing influence teens’ academic outcomes?
Lent and the Least of These
During this season of private devotion, it’s also important to ask ourselves, ‘What kind of Christian is God calling us to be in public?’
When Captivity has an end date
Captivity has an end date, and the trial you are facing today, has a season that God has called “End”
Prayers work
Job 8:5-8 reveals the power of prayer while seeking God in those difficult life seasons. What does seeking God look like? How do you seek God in a time of trouble?
Black History month is a time for special celebration
Carter G. Woodson started Black history week in 1926, to celebrate contributions of African Americans to U.S. history.
Devotion: The Healing power of redemption and restoration
How did Job move from a place of such agony and frustration to a place of a divine turnaround?
Wrong Lanes Have Right Turns: An Interview with Michael Phillips
Michael Philips’ book Wrong Lanes Have Right Turns details his journey, his context, and his perspective on one of the most important topics for us everyday: how to educate our children and dismantle the school to prison pipeline.
Devotional: The favor that pushes purpose to fruition
When you understand and know your purpose, it becomes easy to know what direction you need to take to manifest and walk in it.
A God with a heart for the marginalized
A lot of times, in the midst of trial and tribulation, one can feel as though no one sees or understands the plight they are going through. However, in Deuteronomy 24 we see the thoughtfulness of God.
Our God believes in Justice
In a world where everyone has an opinion of what justice is, and what is wrong seems to be appealing and receiving the most media attention, as believers, it is very encouraging to know God’s pure intention and desire for what true justice is.
Don’t Drop The Mic: An Interview With Bishop T.D. Jakes
UrbanFaith sat down with Bishop T.D. Jakes to talk about his new book Don’t Drop the Mic which in which he seized the opportunity to share his insight and experience on how to remain faithful to our purpose as we communicate in our dynamic context.
Ready to Raise Your GPA: An Interview with Jonathan Banks
UrbanFaith interviewed Jonathan Banks, author of Raise Your GPA about we can have success this year and beyond. The full interview is above.
African Americans celebrate Watch Night.
Don't see the audio player? Click here. During the last days of 1862, rumors circulated that Abraham Lincoln might free the slaves on January 1, 1863. While some slaves doubted, most prayed all night December 31 that Lincoln would sign the Proclamation....
The Curious Origins of Christmas
Christmas has pagan roots, but that isn’t a reason not to celebrate it, instead it gives us reason to believe all the more in the season’s power.
Talking About Race: An Interview with Bishop Kenneth Ulmer
UrbanFaith sat down with Bishop Kenneth Ulmer to discuss his most recent work to confront racism and bring people together.
“Type Faith”
A Poem: A brown man taught me how to love and He taught me about faith, too
Joyous Advent: Family Christmas Devotional Q&A
Advent is a wonderful time for reflection and devotion as believers look forward to Christmas and its significance for our faith. UrbanFaith had the opportunity to have a Q & A session with Katara Washington Patton, the author of Joyous Advent: Family Christmas...
Hospitality: What the First Century Church Teaches Us About Welcoming the Stranger
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2, NIV). Have you ever known someone who never meets a stranger? Folks who live their lives in such a way that nearly everyone they meet...
The Silver Lining of Long Goodbyes
I know that staying safely nestled in my comfort zone isn’t the goal God has for my life.
What is Worship?
Why does God prize this quality so highly and what exactly qualifies as worship?
Podcast Short: A Vietnam War survivor promotes peace
Individuals and groups all across the world need to see models of peace and harmony among God’s people—especially in families, in churches, and between ethnic groups.
What to do when Jesus sleeps while the boat is rocking
Matthew 8:23-27 KJV 23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him,...
3 Ways Going Vegan has Helped my Walk with God
Switching has made me feel like I’m treating my body as a temple for the first time in a long time.
Like Father, Like Son
What Can the Parable of the Prodigal Son teach us about forgiveness?
Why Should We Give?
Is your relationship with God a transaction? I would be lying if I didn’t say that I find myself praying more when my wallet becomes conspicuously light. Altogether, this reliance on God for support is a positive experience. This level of intimacy with our creator...
God Knows the Plans
Sometimes God places a verse of Scripture in front of us again and again — until we believe it.
How to Avoid the Box of Limitation
You have to begin investing in self-affirmation ministry to yourself and build up the confidence muscles that may be feeble in you.
Help And Hope For Haiti: An Interview with Fr. Joseph Philippe
In spite of the negative images, there is long term hope and help for Haiti. One of the people doing tremendous work not only in the aftermath of natural disasters, but daily, is Father Joseph Philippe.
A Divine Connection: A Devotional
It seems almost ironic how a technology that was supposed to connect people more effectively has, in some respect, begun tearing them apart. The bible offers keen advice for fostering not just connection, but true community.
Where is Yom Kippur In Scripture? A Devotional for Christians
Yom Kippur is a Jewish holiday that is also known as the Day of Atonement. But many Christians have no idea what Yom Kippur is or where it is from in the Bible.
The Miracle Mentality
Acclaimed author and motivational speaker Tim Storey explains how miracles can help you get out of a bad situation and get you into a better place.
What are the Jewish High Holy Days? A look at Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and a month of celebrating renewal and moral responsibility
Over the next few weeks, members of the Jewish faith will observe the High Holy Days in the month of Tishrei in the Jewish calendar, usually in September and October. These holidays commemorate concepts such as renewal, forgiveness, freedom and joy.
7 Ways to Survive Seminary for Students of Color
Feel like an oddball or invisible because your experience is different from a lot of the other students? Here are 7 ways to survive seminary for students of color.
Breaking the Myth of Generational Curses
We must reject the myth of generational curses as believers. Ezekiel and Jeremiah make that clear. Jesus breaks every curse. We can put our faith in God knowing we are not being punished for the sins of our parents.
Is Your Sunday School Attendance Declining?
Some surveys in some communities suggest that Sunday school attendance is falling. In other communities, Sunday school attendance is steady and growing.
Overcomer: An Interview with Tamela Mann
UrbanFaith contributor sat down with Tamela Mann to discuss her most recent album, her career, and how her faith has led her to be an overcomer through every trial she has faced.
Seller of Purple
In her new book, Seller of Purple, Dr. Tasha M. Brown lays out a solid framework for newbie women entrepreneurs.
How Can Policy Help Us Create a Society that Reflects God’s Heart?
How can policy help us create a society that reflects God’s heart? This is a critical question that Christians from all backgrounds and denominations should be asking ourselves today. To begin answering this question, I’d like to first take a look at a passage from...
He Saw That It Was Good: An Interview with Sho Baraka
How can we hear and follow God in the midst of our fractured reality in ways that are faithful and life-giving? UrbanFaith sat down with the artist, activist, and creative Sho Baraka to talk about his new book He Saw That It Was Good, which helps us think through some of the most pressing questions in our world.
Why is Revelation Scary? (It shouldn’t be for believers!)
Why is Revelation Scary? (It shouldn’t be for believers!) There are a ton of misconceptions, misinterpretations, and misreadings of Revelation that are extremely popular, which makes it even more difficult for believers to understand what the book means and why it is...
3 Ways Comparison To Other People Robs Us
Comparison is one of those acts that can steal our own joy and appreciation for what God has done for us. Here are 3 major ways that comparison robs us
Just Pray: An Interview with Pastor John Hannah
Many of us want to pray and grow in our prayer life, but struggle to figure out how to pray. Pastor John Hannah has insight to share. UrbanFaith interviewed Pastor Hannah about his new book Just Pray: How A Life Of Prayer Grows Unshakeable Faith.
Dr. Carl Henry left a good word about social justice
Love is not some sentimental emotional feeling as the media tries to portray it. Love is an act of our will—a commitment to do no harm to other people.
Why Should Christians Have Churchwide Conferences?
We all look forward to summer vacations, summer hours, and summer…denominational general conferences? Many Christians ask, why are we having these conferences? Why are these issues being debated? Why aren’t we just doing what the Bible says?
On Solid Rock
Pastor Alvin Love III takes over as senior pastor of a church he planted with his parents, Alvin Love II and CeCe Winans.
Here are 4 Amazingly Simple Steps To Making Godly Decisions
Whether it’s the college we attend, the person we marry, the first home or car we purchase, or the city we move to, decisions are a part of our lives. And to some degree, we always feel like we have to make the right decision. But how do we know what the right decision is?
Honoring Our Heavenly And Earthly Fathers on Father’s Day
Why is it that we may struggle so much to honor fathers? The answers are unclear and varied. But if we start with figuring out how to honor God as our heavenly Father, it may help us get better at honoring our earthly fathers.
Will You Worry, Or Will You Remember?
As you lay in your bed at night, maybe you feel a sharp, persistent pain in your chest that will not leave. Or perhaps it is a sunken feeling in your stomach that feels like you swallowed a golf ball. For another person, it might be an inability to click the...