What does it actually look like to cling to the promises of God?

We all know what it's like to cling to something. A child clings to a parent in a crowded place. A rock climber clings to a handhold hundreds of feet above the ground. In a storm, you instinctively grab whatever feels secure. But what does it mean to cling to God's promises?

Few stories in the Bible are as unsettling as 2 Samuel 6. King David is bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem when the oxen stumble. Uzzah instinctively reaches out to steady the Ark and is struck dead. If you're honest, your first reaction is probably the same as many readers (including mine) throughout history: "That seems harsh."

If I had to describe our cultural moment in one word, it would be disappointment.

We've been disappointed by leaders who failed us. Disappointed by promises that were never kept. Disappointed by politics, institutions, churches, relationships, and even ourselves. We keep hoping that the next leader, the next success, the next season, or the next breakthrough will finally bring the peace and security we're looking for.

What if one of the greatest gifts you can give your child isn't another activity, lesson, or achievement...but the ability to build meaningful friendships?

Over the past two weeks at Port City Church we've talked about parenting and friendship. The more I've reflected on it, the more convinced I've become that the two are deeply connected.

In this week's blog, we explore what Jonathan Haidt's research on childhood play can teach us about friendship, discipleship, and raising kids who know how to love others well.

Two years ago, an article appeared in the New Yorker exploring the growing phenomenon of adult children going "no contact" with their parents. The term refers to intentionally cutting off communication with a parent or family member, often because of unresolved conflict, emotional wounds, abuse, or deeply fractured relationships. What was once considered rare has become increasingly common, especially among younger generations.