What exactly does it mean to be like Christ? To grow in Christlikeness? Who causes it and how does it happen? What exactly is it we turn into if we are transformed? Jesus didn't set up an impossible life we have to live. He invited us into his life so we could share in his righteousness, holiness, and his trust in the Father - the one thing we resemble the least about Christ. It's God's work!

Transformation can be a tricky subject for the Church. It often shows up not as the blessed aftermath of getting wrecked by grace, but as the strategy instead. If you've ever felt like you're supposed to prove that you've received grace by demonstrating transformation, this short piece is for you. Consider how striving for transformation actually derails the one thing Christians are called to: proclamation. When proclamation of good news is eclipsed by demands for transformation, people lose sight of life, grace and freedom even though they use Jesus to back up their position. Listen in to consider a different way.

The doubts and questions we all come by honestly are all too often dismissed or demonized by other people. Unfortunately, belonging is also often intimately connected with whether or not you agree with everyone else's answers to your questions. Looking deeper, we see that insecurity, or the frenetic search for security, is closer to the root of division and strife wherever you go. What if doubts and questions aren't keeping you out of God's favor, but are actually the pathway to peace? Jump into this episode to explore how God's scandalous grace doesn't require us to have all the answers, but accomplishes the restoration we're desperate for by exposing the false god's we no longer need to bow to.

More than any other moment in history, today independence is hailed as the ultimate goal of humanity. Independence is seen as the epitome of freedom. But in light of what Jesus said and did, we learn freedom is actually in dependence. We can't not be dependent. To live as if we can ever actually be independent is to choose frustration, bondage, and separation (independence) from life itself. Check out this episode as we briefly unpack this idea.

Discouragement, depression, despair, and even despondence plague people everywhere in a myriad of ways. Although the difficulties of life never seem to end, the Good News of Jesus has something to say. If you're feeling the darkness, listen in here for some encouragement.

Who God turns out to be surprises us and catches us off guard every time we think about it. His coming to dwell with and in his creation turns our idea of hospitality on its head. We just about never expect to find him in and with us, and this is why we seem intent on searching for our home elsewhere and otherwise.

Stories and explanations of grace are as vast as there are books on the topic. Contrary to many of those versions, grace isn't about second chances or limited to the forgiveness of sins. It's about something so absurd that we tend to balk at it. Grace really is amazing. Check out Jameson's explanation of what really makes grace amazing and even beyond belief. We could all use a little bit of encouragement in a time where so many people are at odds with one another. This post is truly good news for the weary and the hopeful alike. www.larksite.com/blog/what-the-grace-of-god-is-all-about Join the conversation with Lark: www.larksite.com/get-connected

Redefining faith in terms of sitting down helps us see that faith is not understanding. A life of faith is learning to trust, not to strive. Russ unpacks this idea in this piece and helps us reimagine faith in light of ordinary life instead of fear and confusion.

The idea that we can and should "live out the gospel" is one I think may actually be causing a great deal of confusion and anxiety. Consider the thought that there's a better way. Listen in and see what you think.

It is easy to assume we know what we think we already know about the Gospel. But when pressed, we may be surprised to find that our assumptions aren't actually rooted in what Jesus actually said and did. We need safe places to wrestle with questions like this, like this blog.