Ann Swindell

Dec 1, 2024 | thegospelcoalition.org | Ann Swindell

I’ve loved Christmas for as long as I can remember. Since becoming a mom, I’ve had grand expectations for what the holiday season could look like for our family. Finally, a couple of years ago, with both my children firmly out of diapers and able to focus for more than 10 minutes, I decided this would be the December when we’d fully embrace Christmas activities.

Sep 4, 2024 | relevantmagazine.com | Ann Swindell

To those of us who follow Jesus, discipleship should be a central aspect of our faith. This is because Jesus commanded His followers—in what is commonly referred to as “The Great Commission”—to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:18-20). It’s not a suggestion that Jesus makes here. It’s a command, a charge. What is discipleship?

May 20, 2024 | relevantmagazine.com | Ann Swindell

“Having a personal relationship with God”—it’s a phrase that gets tossed around in many Christian circles. But what does it actually mean to have a relationship with the Savior of the Universe? Knowing God is going to look different from any other relationship in our lives. We can’t see God. We can’t look across the table at our favorite coffee shop and talk with Jesus in bodily form. I used to get so frustrated with this dynamic.

Feb 14, 2024 | relevantmagazine.com | Ann Swindell

When it comes to our spiritual growth journey, it’s easy to get caught in the cycle of routine practices — prayer, meditation, scripture reading — while forgetting that growth often occurs outside the boundaries of what’s familiar. The quest for deeper spiritual connection and understanding doesn’t always follow a straight path. It’s filled with unexpected detours, unconventional methods and surprising revelations.

Feb 12, 2024 | relevantmagazine.com | Ann Swindell

In a Christian subculture that tends to talk about marriage as if it’s the pot of gold at the end of the proverbial rainbow, sometimes single Christians can feel like they’re being told that their life is on hold until they find a spouse. But while marriage and children are prized in the Bible, the truth is that celibate singleness is also upheld as a beautiful example of faithfulness in the body of Christ (See 1 Corinthians 7).