“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” [Philippians 4:6-7, ESV]

It’s the time of year when kids return to school. For any parent, it’s natural to worry about your child’s wellbeing. Childhood is a pivotal time for learning, growing, and establishing important socialization skills—and much of this is accomplished through their schooling.

When your child goes back to school, remember that we have an all-powerful God who loves and cares for our children far beyond what we can even imagine. It’s important to connect with God and bring our praises, worries, and requests to Him—to provide us with much-needed peace and to equip our children with what they need to prosper.

Here’s a prayer to pray over your children for the upcoming school year:

God, I’m so grateful to you for the gift of my child(ren). It’s such a joy to be their parent, and it’s a blessing to see them flourish into who You’ve created them to be. Please protect them as they face inevitable hardships, that they would lean on You when they encounter stress and anxiety. I pray that they would keep Your word in their heart and that it would serve as a shield from anything that would do them harm.

Please reveal to them ways that they can love and uplift their fellow students; help them be the voice of Jesus to their peers. And if they see others behaving in an unloving way, I pray that they will stand up for truth, that they would not give into peer pressure, and that they would display the love of Christ in each moment. Amen.

As summer winds down and the rhythms of school, work, and extracurricular activities ramp up, many of us find our schedules stretched thin. The sun rises later, sets earlier, and our free moments seem to shrink with the daylight. Yet, amid the hustle, Scripture reminds us that “your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19), and we are stewards of the health God has entrusted to us—not just spiritually, but physically as well.

So how can we stay healthy and active when time is short and energy is low?

Why movement matters

The science is clear: regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week—ideally spread out over most days of the week. That’s just 30 minutes a day, five times a week. Exercise improves heart health, boosts mood, reduces the risk of chronic disease, strengthens bones and muscles, and helps regulate weight. For busy parents, students, and professionals alike, it also boosts energy and focus—making you more productive, not less.

But what if 30 uninterrupted minutes feels impossible?

The power of “bite-size” exercise

Good news: research increasingly supports the benefits of breaking your daily movement into shorter sessions. Studies show that three 10-minute periods of moderate exercise (like brisk walking, stair climbing, or bodyweight strength work) can offer similar cardiovascular and metabolic benefits as one 30-minute session. Consistency and intentionality matter most.

Here are a few easy ways to fit meaningful movement into your daily life:

• Morning warm-up: Start your day with five to 10 minutes of stretching, jumping jacks, or a quick walk around the block. It wakes up your body and mind.
• Active breaks at work or school: Stand up once an hour. Do a few squats, wall push-ups, or pace during phone calls. Even a 10-minute walk on your lunch break adds up.
• Family fitness: Instead of sitting on the couch after dinner, take a family walk, or if you have kids (or, like me, grandkids), run around with a game of tag.
• Weekend reset: Use part of Saturday or Sunday for a longer activity—bike rides, hikes, or a visit to a local park. Our family has a new favorite, enjoyed by young and old alike: pickleball!

These micro-movements benefit your body and refresh your spirit. Moving your body can be a form of prayerful reflection or an opportunity to listen to Scripture, a worship playlist, or a devotional podcast. Most of my book ‘reading’ is accomplished during outdoor runs.

A balanced view of health

As followers of Christ, our motivation for health should be different from the world’s. We don’t exercise to impress others or earn self-worth, but to honor God with our bodies, increase our capacity to serve others, and live joyfully in the calling He’s given us. A healthy body helps fuel a healthy heart, mind, and spirit.

Health isn’t only physical movement. Adequate sleep, proper hydration, and nourishing food are vital, especially when life gets busy. Making small, consistent choices—like drinking water instead of soda, packing a fruit and protein-rich snack, or turning off screens 30 minutes before bed—can also go a long way towards staying healthy.

Stewardship, not perfection

Perfection isn’t the goal—faithfulness is. There will be days when plans change, workouts get skipped, or the to-do list wins. That’s okay. Give yourself a break. Just don’t let those moments derail your efforts entirely. Progress over time, anchored in purpose, is what leads to lasting health.

We’re reminded in Galatians 6:6, that we “reap what we sow,” and verse nine tells us to “not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Staying healthy amid a busy life is doing good. It’s part of loving God with all your strength [Mark 12:30] and being ready for the work He’s prepared for you.

So this season, remember: you don’t need a gym membership or a free hour to stay active. You need a willing heart, a pinch of creativity, and a faithful perspective.

Let’s move forward—one step, one stretch, one flight of stairs at a time.

References

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd Edition. 2018. https://health.gov/paguidelines
• Rebar, A. L., et al. (2015). A meta-meta-analysis of the effect of physical activity on depression and anxiety in non-clinical adult populations. Health Psychology Review, 9(3), 366–378. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2015.1022901
• Murphy, M. H., et al. (2009). Accumulated versus continuous exercise for health benefit: A review of empirical studies. Sports Medicine, 39(1), 29–43. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200939010-00003
• Oja, P., et al. (2015). Effectiveness of physical activity promotion interventions in primary care: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMJ, 350, h759. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h759 The Scope of the Problem

Health insurance is expensive. Rising premiums and deductibles are a problem for countless families and singles. It also restricts the choice of doctors and hospitals available. Trying to understand the complicated rules of a policy adds even more stress to the mix. 

Most people don’t realize they have other options for healthcare. If insurance is a burden on you, self-pay could be a viable solution. 

Self-pay is when patients pay for medical charges without the help of insurance. This includes routine doctor visits, lab tests, and outpatient procedures. Instead of dealing with networks and approvals, self-pay patients work directly with healthcare providers—often at a reduced cost! More U.S. citizens are choosing self-pay than ever before.  

If you’re a long-time insurance user, this might make you uncomfortable. Going to the doctor without coverage feels like an unnecessary gamble. Before dismissing it, you should understand the clear advantages self-pay can offer. Read more to see why it could be a good pick for your healthcare! 

How Self-Pay Can Save You Thousands in Medical Costs 

Choosing self-pay can save you a lot of money. It seems counterintuitive, but many healthcare providers upcharge insurance companies. Patients then end up with hefty medical bills they struggle to pay. This is because of a few complicated reasons we’ll get into later.  

With self-pay, providers can offer substantial discounts when you don’t have health insurance. That discount can be the difference between owing hundreds or thousands of dollars!  

By not having insurance, you have no monthly premiums or deductibles to meet. You only pay for the care you need, and that’s it! You also don’t get hit with fees for seeing doctors outside a provider network. 

Get Clear, Upfront Pricing on Healthcare with Self-Pay

Because a patient isn’t using insurance, it encourages providers to be more transparent. Many insurance users deal with huge medical bills without understanding why. Healthcare providers charge insurance companies extra for a few reasons, including:

The remaining charges are then passed down to the patient. So, it can be much more expensive than if they hadn’t even used insurance in the first place. Self-pay patients can get lower rates because they’re seen as less risky. Providers are also more willing to give a sizeable discount if prompt payment is guaranteed.  

Patients who self-pay also have peace of mind by knowing where their money is going. Receiving an itemized bill with all the charges gives them a sense of control. They can dispute anything they don’t understand right away. Unlike insurance, they know exactly what they’re paying for. Having an extra layer of bureaucracy removed makes everything more understandable. Their payments go straight to medical bills with no strings attached. 

Choose Your Doctors with Self-Pay Flexibility 

Health insurance is restrictive by nature. Insurance companies have a provider network of specific doctors and hospitals. This can limit patients from being able to see the provider they trust. If you were to go with a doctor out-of-network, you’d get hit with fees from your insurance. 

Self-pay offers far greater freedom and control. Without a network to limit you, you can choose the doctor you prefer. You’re no longer restricted to a small pool of private practices and hospitals. That means you can search anywhere for a provider you trust, at a price you can afford. It’s like shopping and cost-comparing for any other good or service.  

There’s no need for pre-approvals or referrals either! Self-pay patients go to the doctor they need without any red tape. It gives you the authority to manage your healthcare decisions based on your needs.

Simplify Your Healthcare Experience by Paying Out of Pocket 

Another great benefit of self-pay is how streamlined the healthcare process is. Insurance works the exact opposite way. Are you ever confused about the summary of your charges vs. the actual bill? Or why something wasn’t covered when it should have been? Health insurance often leaves you on hold when issues arise.  

Disputing a charge is another major hassle. It makes users navigate complex systems and rules while advocating for themselves. This needless frustration happens all the time during the insurance claims process. 

Self-pay patients avoid this system altogether. They work with their doctors without any middlemen involved. There are no claims, approvals, negotiations, or finding a doctor in-network. Patients can search for healthcare providers and compare prices on their terms. Choosing self-pay bypasses the miscommunication between insurance companies and billing departments. There are no surprise bills, forms to fill out, or denials to fuss over. 

Opting out of insurance removes most of the friction we’ve grown so used to. It’s simple, direct care with no hoops to jump through. 

Is Self-Pay Right for Your Healthcare? Here’s Who It Helps the Most 

While self-pay isn’t right for everyone, it’s a great option for many Americans frustrated by the traditional system. Not dealing with bureaucracy and high premiums is an exciting prospect! Below are some groups that may find self-pay to be a good solution: 

If you’re one of the groups listed here, it could be time to drop your insurance. Before you do, ensure you have enough savings for a sudden medical emergency. Whether you have insurance or not, it’s wise to have money set aside for any health needs.

How CHM Supports Christians Who Choose Self-Pay for Their Healthcare 

More Americans are opting out of insurance—and for good reason. Self-pay frees you from the hang-ups that are now commonplace. Let’s do a quick recap of all the advantages we’ve covered: 

Self-pay can help you save money, expand your options, and take control of your healthcare. If you’re a Christian interested in this alternative, CHM is a great solution. We’re a cost-sharing ministry—not insurance! That means you get all the perks of self-pay, plus having unexpected medical bills satisfied by other believers. Join CHM today and see for yourself! 

For more than three decades, I’ve walked alongside countless individuals and families through one of the most feared diagnoses in modern medicine: cancer. It’s often called the “C word”—a term whispered rather than spoken—because of the fear, uncertainty, and profound disruption it brings to every life it touches.

The scope of the problem

Cancer isn’t a rare affliction. According to the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, approximately two million new cancer cases were diagnosed in the United States in 2024 alone. Nearly 40% of Americans will receive a cancer diagnosis at some point during their lives (SEER, 2024). Few families remain untouched.

Cancer’s danger lies not only in its prevalence but in its diversity and unpredictability. With over 100 distinct types—each varying in aggressiveness, treatability, and long-term outcomes—the disease defies simple solutions. While advances in detection and treatment have improved survival rates for many cancers, others remain devastatingly lethal. For example, pancreatic and glioblastoma cancers still carry five-year survival rates below 10% despite medical progress (American Cancer Society, 2024).

Complexity of cancer treatment: A maze of decisions

Beyond the immediate fear of diagnosis, the treatment journey itself often becomes a daunting maze. Cancer care typically involves a team of specialists: medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, hematologists, radiologists, and pathologists. Each plays a vital role in formulating a treatment plan that may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, targeted therapy—or a combination of these.

However, this multidisciplinary approach often requires patients to coordinate care across multiple providers and even multiple facilities. Navigating this web of appointments, tests, and treatment sessions can be exhausting. For families already burdened by fear and uncertainty, the fragmented nature of cancer care can feel overwhelming.

Moreover, treatment decisions are rarely straightforward. Options must be weighed against potential side effects, quality of life considerations, and the likelihood of success—often without clear answers. It’s not unusual for patients to seek second or third opinions, further complicating the care pathway and leading to delays or conflicting advice.

Cancer’s financial and emotional toll

The challenges of cancer aren’t confined to only physical and logistical realms. Financial toxicity—a term increasingly used in oncology literature—reflects the severe economic burden that cancer care can impose. According to a 2023 study published in JAMA Oncology, 42% of cancer patients deplete their entire life savings within two years of diagnosis.

Alongside the financial stress is the emotional toll. Patients often wrestle with anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation. Family members, too, face the strain of caregiving, fear of loss, and uncertainty about the future. The spiritual challenges are equally profound, as individuals grapple with questions of mortality, purpose, and God’s presence in suffering.

CHM’s commitment to supporting our members

At CHM, we recognize that cancer is not just a medical condition—it is a life-altering journey that affects the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. Cancer remains one of the greatest health challenges of our time, but together, as a community of believers committed to bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), we can provide hope, guidance, and practical help. It’s my prayer that, through these upcoming months, CHM members will feel empowered, supported, and spiritually strengthened—no matter where the cancer journey leads.

When Jesus walked into the temple and saw tables full of money changers, He did what any self-respecting, perfect, holy Son of God would do: Drove them out with his handcrafted whip snapping over their heads as He was flipping tables.

“And making a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables” John 2:15 [ESV].

We often think of Jesus as peaceful. Loving. Kind. A healer. A transformer. We think of Him with the Samaritan woman, we see Him protecting the woman about to be stoned or healing the blind and the crippled. We think of Him surrounded by children. We remember Him bearing our sins to the cross.

But we rarely think of Him as angry: flipping tables, scattering animals, and chasing people out with a whip.

Jesus and the Pharisees

From the moment Jesus started His ministry, He ruffled feathers. Mostly, the feathers of the religious leaders who thought they spoke for God. With their rules, they gave themselves more and more power, determining what was holy and what was not; what was acceptable and what was a sin.

They had taken God’s word and twisted it.

Even the money changers in the temple were there originally as help. It was meant so that people coming in from long distances could purchase animals and supplies for sacrifices and change their foreign money into local currency.

But rather than be a service, they exorbitantly overcharged for the convenience. They would inspect animals for sacrifices and falsely find blemishes so that people would be forced to pay more for a different animal. They’d charge intense interest rates to exchange currencies.

In short—they made profit off of people’s faith.

Culturally, it was known and accepted. Per the Pharisees, they were doing the right thing.

But Jesus would not stand for it. He disobeyed His culture—and stood instead for what was right.

Commands of Jesus

Following Jesus often requires us to “disobey” modern culture. By following Jesus, we’re often swimming upstream. Think of some of His examples and commands:

• Denying yourself to follow God [Matthew 16:12]
• Removing the plank from your own eye before taking a splinter from someone else’s eye [John 7:1-5].
• Tearing out your eye if it causes you to sin [Matthew 18:9]
• Loving your enemy [Matthew 5:44]
• Eating with tax collectors and sinners [Luke 15:1-2]
• Redeeming a shamed Samaritan woman [John 4]
• Disobeying Sabbath traditions to heal people [Matthew 12:9-14]

In each of these commands, Jesus saw the culture as it is—the Jewish culture, the religious rules and traditions, and even our own American and church culture here today—and called His disciples to do better.

Following Jesus

Running counter-cultural and rocking the boat does not always guarantee smooth sailing. Jesus understood this well.

“And the chief priests and the scribes […] were seeking a way to destroy Him, for they feared Him” [Mark 11:18].

The Jewish leaders saw Jesus’ act as a challenge to their authority in their most sacred space. Jesus flipping tables is our example—when we break cultural norms to love people and display God, we’re also flipping tables.

However, even when we experience pushback for living unashamedly and counter-culturally, we don’t have to fear. “Take heart,” Jesus said. “I have overcome the world” [John 16:33 NIV]. We know who we’re following, we know His example, and we know that we’re running our race well.

Jesus flipping tables

Disobedience is a big word, with a lot of meaning behind it. Often we think of it as negative and disruptive. It isn’t always though. So when you ask yourself what would Jesus do?, flipping a table is an option.

Here is your calling: disobey culture, disobey norms, disobey yourself. Instead, run fully towards Jesus, following His example of perfect obedience to God and shining a light of love, compassion, and healing to a broken world.

Disobey like Jesus did—and change the world.

Manhood—especially biblical manhood need not be confusing or complicated. What does it mean to be a man, specifically a man of faith who is interested in pleasing God and living for Him?

The unique, God-designed differences between men and women are to be celebrated. For men, biblical manhood’s characteristics are worthy of praise, appreciation, and admiration. We’ll look at several such characteristics and the men of the Bible who embodied them.

Men of faith

Faith is a defining characteristic of our relationship with God—and therefore is a core characteristic of a biblical man. Hebrews 11:6 [NIV] says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” A man who loves God and desires to please Him and lives by  faith (trust in God and His character).

Abraham is the “father of our faith” [Galatians 3:7] for a good reason: He demonstrated trust in God by leaving his home, traveling to a new country, and believing God’s promise of a child when he and Sarah were old. His faith in God extended to willingness to sacrifice (though not required to be carried out) that same child—his only son [Genesis 22:1-19]. Paul, in Romans 4, writes about Abraham: “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God” [Romans 4:20]. Abraham is a true example of a biblical man who lived by faith in God.

Leadership

Leadership is another characteristic of biblical manhood. Husbands are the spiritual leaders of their homes [Ephesians 5:23], and often have opportunities to lead in the church, in their jobs, in their communities, and most importantly, to lead themselves.

Jesus, our ultimate example of leadership, modeled servant leadership. In Matthew 20:26, Jesus told his disciples, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”  Jesus demonstrated serving for His disciples by washing their feet. He said: “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet” [John 13:1-17]. Jesus did the lowliest task to demonstrate leading by serving others, ultimately laying down His life for us.

Strength

From a biblical standpoint, there’s an important component to strength that comes from depending and relying on God. Christian men who wish to demonstrate true strength will find the source is trust and reliance on God’s strength and ability, not their own.

When God sent him to free His people, Moses used excuses not to go, even asking God to send someone else. God answered him by saying, “I will be with you” [Exodus 3:12 NIV]. Later, in Numbers 12:3, Moses describes himself as the most humble man on earth. If humility is to depend on God, we can conclude that Moses learned to draw his strength from God.

Paul is another example of someone who relied on God for his strength through trials [2 Corinthians 11:23-29]. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul shares what God showed him: “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” Later Paul writes: “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength” [Philippians 4:13 NIV].

To display biblical manhood, walk your faith and trust in God by depending and relying on Him for His strength and ability, trusting that He’ll give you everything you need to live out your calling as men of God.

During 30 years with CHM, I’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand the challenges and victories our members experience navigating the healthcare system. A major gap is that many members don’t have a primary care doctor. True primary care—a trusted doctor who knows you, can manage most of your needs, and is available when you need them—is rare today.

Dr. Geoffrey Rutledge, the co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of HealthTap, understands this gap. He’s board certified in internal and emergency medicine, plus he’s served on the faculty at Harvard and has a Ph.D. from Stanford in Medical Informatics. He used that combination of knowledge and experience to build WebMD, “the most successful consumer health website,” as well as Epocrates, a highly successful mobile app that provides medical professionals access to entire libraries of clinical information.

Dr. Rutledge knows the indispensable value of primary care, which is the foundation on which HealthTap was built.

Understanding HealthTap’s mission

HealthTap was founded over 15 years ago with the goal to use mobile devices to bring personalized, relationship-based healthcare to people. HealthTap is designed to make it easier for people to choose their doctor, build a relationship, and stay connected through both video visits and direct messaging.

CHM members can choose a board-certified primary care physician (typically with at least 20 years of experience) and establish an ongoing relationship with that doctor. They can schedule appointments for common and chronic medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, respiratory infections, cold and flu symptoms, UTI, and more. (Any member with an emergency situation should go immediately to the Emergency Room or call 9-1-1.)

 After an extended first visit, members can message their doctor at any time between visits. This is all included as part of the CHM membership. 

That’s not only convenient—it’s transformative. 

Restoring the primary care relationship 

Many people don’t understand primary care. Even now, only one-of-three CHM members who engage with HealthTap do so on the primary care side of the service. Most only call when they need urgent care.

A friend of mine recently told me he didn’t have a primary care doctor. He just went to different specialists depending on the part of his body ailing him. His question: if I know what expert I need, why wouldn’t I go directly to the specialist? My answer: without a central, coordinating physician, your care becomes fragmented, expensive, and frankly, more dangerous. It’s like a football team without a quarterback or an orchestra without a conductor.

Ideally, your primary care doctor is independent from—but your first point of contact with—the healthcare system. Most of the time, primary care can handle 80-90% of your medical needs. If a referral is needed, they can guide you through it thoughtfully. 

Unfortunately, 70% of today’s primary care physicians are employed by hospital systems. Their schedules are overbooked, the time pressure is immense, and scheduling a visit can take weeks or even months.

With HealthTap, CHM members are often able to virtually see a doctor the same day, or within the week. And once the relationship is established, members can communicate with their doctor anytime.

A better way—for patients and physicians 

What excites me most about HealthTap is that it’s not only changing healthcare for patients—it’s renewing purpose for physicians. Doctors, especially experienced ones, quickly get burned out by the pressures of corporate medicine. Annual surveys have documented burnout rates as high as 63%, with many doctors considering leaving medicine altogether.

HealthTap offers them something different: flexibility, simplicity, meaningful relationships, and the ability to truly focus on patient care. And that matters. When a doctor knows you, practicing medicine becomes satisfying once again: they can make more accurate decisions, and avoid unnecessary testing and follow up. That’s what makes care personal and effective. 

Try HealthTap today 

If you are a CHM member and don’t have a primary care doctor—or are having trouble getting in to see your doctor when you need them—consider using the HealthTap app.

It’s time we brought relationship-based care back to the center of healthcare. I believe HealthTap is a vital part of making that dream a reality. 

Important: Telehealth consultations conducted outside CHM’s designated Virtual Care Solution—whether by telephone or other digital means—are not eligible for sharing (see Guideline V.E.9.g).