While everyone may seem jolly and happy as they anticipate Christmas, others may feel sad and depressed instead. Why is that? They may be plagued with feelings of regret, failure and self-condemnation.

The world tells us that if we cannot have tangible wealth (e.g. cars, houses, money in the bank, etc.), we will not be happy. But the truth is, we can, and we should, find our joy in intangibles (e.g. God's presence, salvation, fellowship, grace, etc.).

Relationships are important. Some people think that work is more important, and that in the end it will bring about true happiness for themselves and for their loved ones. Some people even justify their busyness at work by saying, "It's all for my family (or loved ones)!"

It is not true that God and happiness do not go together. In fact, you cannot experience true happiness without God. But what about money? How do you experience true happiness with less or no money? Is it possible?

There's one place that most people do not see as a place of grace and yet it is. That place is the no other than the place of service to others. When we serve others, in the right way, we grow and we are strengthened in our faith. The key, of course, is to serve in the right way.

Sometimes we experience burnout. But we don't have to. There are disciplines that we can practice to overcome it.

We want to help people experience real life in Christ together with others. We cannot accomplish that without leadership.

There is a place where all our spiritual disciplines find its proper context. This is no other than the place of authentic community.

Simply put, prayer is just talking with God. But, as simple as it is, we often struggle in the area of prayer. Our lives are so hurried, and we seldom have the time to pray. Yet fervent prayer is the key to deepening our experience of God each day.

We need grace in our lives. There are places where we can experience more of God's grace. But we need to know how that can happen in each place. One such place is a place of true worship.