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Articles by Joël Malm
How to Stop Overthinking and Move Forward in Faith
My wife and I were discussing an opportunity she had been presented with recently, and we kept going back and forth on it because it was an amazing opportunity. Still, it would require some major sacrifice for the family, and we were trying to determine if it was worth it. She joked, and she said, I wish I could just Google. Is this the right thing for me? We live in a unique age and time when we can search for almost anything. You can Google pretty much anything and find what you're looking for.
7 Ways to Get Your Dream Going
Ten years ago on a mountain in Russia, in a blizzard, I had an idea. I wanted to start taking people on outdoor adventures around the world with a spiritual focus. I had no idea how to start. Over the next few years I learned that starting something is a marathon, not a sprint. I also learned that there is no formula for success. God works differently in each person. I think He does that to make sure we stay focused on Him throughout the process—not our skills, or smoothness or our platform.
How Ecclesiastes 3:5 Can Change How You Face Challenges
A few years ago, my family bought some land in the Texas Hill Country with plans to build there. What I didn’t realize then was how challenging it would be—the entire top of the hill was solid rock. We had to use a rock saw to grind through the stone to install plumbing and electrical systems. Not only was there rock on the surface, but it was coming up from underground, too. I quickly realized I had an overwhelming amount of rock to deal with, far too much to simply haul away.
Is it Really Okay to Have Sad Days?
A few years ago, my grandpa called and asked if I could take him to the funeral of one of his family members. So, I got a few days off work, and we drove over 8 hours to the funeral. But when we got there, he told me to park right at the entrance in a space that wasn't even for parking. So, I asked him why. He said he would sit in the car and greet everyone as they entered the church. I said, "Why don't you just greet them inside?
The Secret to Surviving Life's Toughest Seasons
Right out of high school, I got a job working for an airline at the airport. It was my first real job, so I went in with lots of energy and excitement. But those first few years literally punched me in the gut. I was at the bottom of the seniority list, so if there was extra work or someone called in sick, I was required to take the shift. Sometimes, I'd work a 16-hour day and leave about 10 p.m., and as I was walking out the door, I'd be told I needed to be back for a 6 a.m. shift.
Laws Can Change When God’s People Step In
By Wanda Alger Published on October 22, 2024 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! (Psalms 110:1-2 ESV) For those who understand the greater authority we carry from an unseen Kingdom, the issue isn’t about whether or not we get involved in governmental affairs or an electoral process.
How God’s Presence Guides Us through Difficult Endings and New Beginnings
Last year, I ended a project I had been building and working on for 12 years. It wasn't because the project had failed or been unsuccessful—in fact, it had been hugely successful. But I realized that to get to the next level in my life, I'd need to let that go so I'd be freed up to give all of me to something new I was working on. It was all about doing something new, so I had to let the old thing die, and I ended it.
What Is the Cure for Worry?
Have you ever spent hours, days, or even months worrying about something that, in the end, never happened? The philosopher Montaigne said, "My life has been filled with terrible misfortune, most of which never happened." We can all relate to that statement because we are prone to worrying about things that never actually happen. A study was done where participants were asked to write down all the things they were worried about, and in the end, 85% of what they wrote down never happened.
Why Every Generation Thinks the Next Is Doomed
What is wrong with kids these days? They just don't get it. Have you ever heard someone say something like that? Or maybe you even thought it yourself? Honestly, people used to say it about me when I was a young punk. And the funny thing is, now, I find myself thinking that about the kids. It seems like we all tend to look down on the next generation as lazy, ungrateful, or not as enlightened as us. And maybe with good reason.
Do You Feel Like Life Is Moving on without You?
A few years ago, I was working at a church when a new pastor came in, and I was moved out of the way to make room for new staff. I hadn't done anything wrong, and I'd actually been pretty successful in my area of ministry. But I got removed, and they put in a new guy with way less experience. I remember thinking, "They're never going to survive without me there." I expected the church to really struggle, and I thought people would call and beg me to come back.
Is Getting What You Want Leaving You Empty?
Some friends wanted a house in an up-and-coming neighborhood in our city. It had amazing schools, great shopping areas, and was super safe. So they searched and worked, and they finally got a place there. But once they got there, they started to realize some downsides. Everyone wanted to live there. So traffic was a nightmare. The cost of living had surged. It was super expensive. The shopping areas were so good that they were constantly crowded.
Is Getting What You Want Leaving You Empty?
Some friends wanted a house in an up-and-coming neighborhood in our city. It had amazing schools, great shopping areas, and was super safe. So they searched and worked, and they finally got a place there. But once they got there, they started to realize some downsides. Everyone wanted to live there. So traffic was a nightmare. The cost of living had surged. It was super expensive. The shopping areas were so good that they were constantly crowded.
How to Protect Yourself from Foolish People
An Italian economist named Carlo Cipolla wrote a book called "The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity." I know the word "stupid" can be offensive and harsh but stick with me because he makes an important point in the book. He says there are four types of people: 1. Helpless people who benefit others but bring a loss to themselves. 2. Intelligent people who benefit others while benefiting themselves as well. 3. Bandits who benefit themselves while bringing loss to others. 4.
Is Getting What You Want Leaving You Empty? Original
Some friends wanted a house in an up-and-coming neighborhood in our city. It had amazing schools, great shopping areas, and was super safe. So they searched and worked, and they finally got a place there. But once they got there, they started to realize some downsides. Everyone wanted to live there. So traffic was a nightmare. The cost of living had surged. It was super expensive. The shopping areas were so good that they were constantly crowded.
Finding Contentment in a World Full of Achievement
In our fast-paced, achievement-oriented society, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the pressures of daily life. We often find ourselves comparing our own accomplishments to the seemingly perfect lives of others. A conversation I recently had with a friend highlighted this struggle. She was feeling overwhelmed by everything she had to accomplish, and I tried to reassure her by saying, "It's okay to not get some things done.
Wisdom for When You Want to Check Out
Hey, I have a question for you. Do you ever wish you could shut your mind off or check out? You know, our mind is a powerful gift from God, but sometimes, I just wish I could get it to calm down and be quiet. Whether it's stress from work or worries about relationships that keep us awake at night, we all have endless thoughts in our heads, and our minds can overwhelm us. And often, what's going on in our minds is worse than what's actually happening to us in real life.
How to Find Peace in a World Obsessed with Information
For several years, I lived in a town that won an award from some magazine for being the happiest city in America. But that same magazine also voted it the dumbest city in America based on something about the number of universities and how many people had college degrees. This is ridiculous because there are lots of people who are educated beyond their intelligence, and education and intelligence aren't necessarily connected. But that survey played into the idea that ignorance is bliss.
How to Accept What You Can't Change
In life, it's common to obsess over things that are beyond our control, whether it's past mistakes or the actions of others. King Solomon, in Ecclesiastes, highlights the futility of trying to change what cannot be changed, emphasizing that some things are simply unalterable. The past, for example, cannot be undone, and while making amends is important, dwelling on past decisions only leads to unnecessary guilt.
The Surprising Power of Old Truths in Today’s World
In a world that’s constantly pushing the next big thing, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the pace of change. Yet, as King Solomon wisely observed, “There is nothing new under the sun.” This ancient truth reminds us that while the tools and technologies may evolve, the core challenges and experiences of life remain unchanged. From the struggles we face to the victories we celebrate, humanity has walked these paths before. This perspective is both comforting and empowering.
What Is the Key to Living a Meaningful Life?
Imagine God offered you anything you wanted—money, power, health. What would you choose? This actually happened to Solomon, the son of King David, in the Bible. Surprisingly, Solomon asked for wisdom, the ability to apply knowledge beneficially in our lives. God granted his request, leading Solomon to great success and fulfillment. Solomon later wrote Ecclesiastes, starting with "Everything is meaningless." At first, this seems discouraging, but Solomon's point is deeper.
What Are We Searching for on Social Media?
There's this phenomenon called the knowledge doubling curve, which was created by Buckminster Fuller. After much research, he concluded that for much of recent history, knowledge doubled about every hundred years. After World War II, it changed every 25 years. But now, in the digital age, it's doubling every 12 months. So talk about knowledge overwhelm. God made our minds incredibly powerful, but I'm not sure that processing that much is a good thing. And honestly, it can be really exhausting.
3 Keys to Being an Instrument of Peace This Election Season
There’s a famous prayer of Francis of Assisi that starts with this line: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace… As the tension grows in our country during this heated election season, other than the Lord’s Prayer, I can’t imagine a prayer more applicable to our current climate. It’s far too easy to get swept up in the excitement (and sometimes frustration and anger) of politics and forget that, above all else, we are citizens of God’s kingdom first—a kingdom ruled by the Prince of Peace.
How to Find Meaning in Life's Monotony
I got my first full-time job when I was 18, and after the initial excitement wore off, I found myself waking up and thinking, "I have to do this again?" Life quickly felt monotonous, and I realized that much of it is just maintenance. King Solomon talked about this in Ecclesiastes 1:4-7, noting that generations come and go, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises and sets, the wind blows, and streams flow into the sea—repeating processes that seem endless.
What Is the Key to Living a Meaningful Life?
Imagine God offered you anything you wanted—money, power, health. What would you choose? This actually happened to Solomon, the son of King David, in the Bible. Surprisingly, Solomon asked for wisdom, the ability to apply knowledge beneficially in our lives. God granted his request, leading Solomon to great success and fulfillment. Solomon later wrote Ecclesiastes, starting with "Everything is meaningless." At first, this seems discouraging, but Solomon's point is deeper.
What Are the Hidden Dangers of Wealth According to the Bible?
Why was Jesus often so blunt in speaking about the dangers of money with wealthy people—even those who seemed sincere? Author Updated Jul 17, 2024 Christianity / Life / Christian Life / What Are the Hidden Dangers of Wealth According to the Bible?
Election 2024: A Time for Fear and Trembling
By Joël Malm Published on July 17, 2024 Last Saturday, I was putting the finishing touches on a message I’d be preaching from Philippians when a family member sent me a text: “If the win wasn’t guaranteed before, it’s guaranteed now.” I hadn’t heard the news about the assassination attempt against Donald Trump, so I was confused for a second. But then the iconic picture loaded on my phone of him raising his fist defiantly, blood on his face.
Three People You Should Remove From Your Life
I hate confrontation. I’d rather just ignore problems and hope they go away. The problem is, they rarely do. One of the hardest things to acknowledge and confront is unhealthy relationships in your life. Jim Rohn once said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Look at your five closest friends’ strengths, weaknesses, successes and failures—you are right in the middle of them. That’s fine if you are content with that.
Absolute Surrender
It took a third cancer diagnosis to force me to let go of my life. Not that I had much choice in the matter, but for the year before, I’d been tirelessly attempting to control my fate. I changed my diet, eating less sugar and more cruciferous vegetables. I ran daily, finally completing my second half-marathon.
Free to Serve - The Stream
By Katie Davis Majors Published on July 16, 2023 “Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” (1 Thessalonians 2:8) This verse — written by Paul, Silas, and Timothy regarding their time with the Thessalonians — hung on the wall for years in my home in Uganda as a reminder of how we wanted to live, how we actually did get to live: inviting people into our home, into our lives, serving and being served by our beloved...
You'll Have It When You Need It
By Joël Malm Published on July 9, 2023 If you’re like me, the truth that challenges and struggles are an inevitable part of every season of life isn’t exactly comforting. I’m just not to the point where I can say I rejoice in suffering. In fact, most of my biggest worries and fears are related to how to avoid future suffering. When things are going fairly well, I’ve ruined many a peaceful night wondering when it’s going to get bad again. Just how bad is it going to get?
Four Things We Need to Do Less in 2021
It’s a new year, and if you are like most people you are probably coming up with a whole list of new things you need to start doing this year: Get more serious about your health. Start saving more. Get out of debt. You really should do all of that. Do whatever it takes. But there’s only so much time in a day. So here are some things we should give up this year to make way for what we are taking on. Sharing Our Opinions We’ve all got a right to our opinion.
4 Keys to Loving Someone When They Get Angry
Joël Malm Author 2020 2 Oct Anger seems to be everywhere right now. Dealing with your own frustration and anger is one challenge. But, how do you love someone who is angry? Whether it’s our kids, our spouse, or co-workers, we all come face to face with angry people in life. Their anger can lead to all sorts of fear and uncertainty inside us. But all hope is not lost.
4 Keys to Loving Someone When They Get Angry
Joël Malm Author Anger seems to be everywhere right now. Dealing with your own frustration and anger is one challenge. But, how do you love someone who is angry? Whether it’s our kids, our spouse, or co-workers, we all come face to face with angry people in life. Their anger can lead to all sorts of fear and uncertainty inside us. But all hope is not lost.
Why we must fight against forces out to corrupt our children
By Joel Malm, Op-ed Contributor | Saturday, September 19, 2020 Is it just me, or is it nearly impossible to find a TV show or movie that isn’t riddled with some subtle (or not so subtle) propaganda regarding sexuality, identity, or politics? Courtesy of Joel Malm I’m not looking for movies with perfect endings, no profanity, or no conflict. I just want something that isn’t trying to propagandize me.
Why we get so angry during election season (and what to do about it)
By Joel Malm, Op-ed Contributor | Saturday, September 05, 2020 As if 2020 wasn’t stressful enough, we’ve entered into another heated election season and it’s causing lots of anger, anxiety, and outright rage. Even the calmest of us are prone to getting sucked into an online debate with people we don’t know (or do) and feeling the adrenaline pulsing through us as we fight to get our point made. How can a Christian think that?! Courtesy of Joel Malm So, why do we get so angry around election time?
How to Manage Your Anxiety in a World Gone Mad
By Joël Malm, Crosswalk.com A time is coming when men will go mad, and when they see someone who is not mad, they will attack him, saying, 'You are mad; you are not like us. – St. Anthony the Great When I was in elementary school, I read a book about the end of the world that was not age-appropriate. For weeks, I was terrified of what impending doom was surely headed our way. That sense of impending doom has been with me for years.
How I Learned to Embrace My Grief
Several years ago, a pastor who was a longtime mentor and friend of mine did some things that caused havoc in my family. Overnight we lost our church community. We felt totally betrayed. For weeks I was angry, then sad, then just depressed. I avoided interaction withpeople. I didn’t want to hear any Christian platitudes that just made me feel worse. I finally met with a counselor and she talked with me about grief and forgiveness.
3 People You Should Remove From Your Life
I hate confrontation. I’d rather just ignore problems and hope they go away. The problem is, they rarely do. One of the hardest things to acknowledge and confront is unhealthy relationships in your life. Jim Rohn once said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Look at your five closest friends’ strengths, weaknesses, successes and failures—you are right in the middle of them. That’s fine if you are content with that.
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