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Next Steps
“So what’s next for you?” It’s the question that I’ve been asked frequently this past year. I have family members and friends who are writing books, launching blogs, buying homes, starting their family, getting married, receiving promotions, starting new careers, moving across country, going on mission trips, founding ministries, beginning grad school, and starting their own businesses. Quite frankly, I’m not doing any of these things, and it’s tempting for me to think that I’m not accomplishing anything or actively working toward a goal. But if I were to sum it up, the past two years have been about settling and putting down roots. You see, in the span of…
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God’s Power Tools – #1
The Holy Spirit is our teacher and He is the one who opens our minds to the truth we will be teaching. He is the only one who can take our meager efforts and make something eternal out of them in the lives of our children. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (Net Bible) “He who calls you is trustworthy, and He will in fact do this.”Prayer is our communication with Him before, during, and after the teaching process. Our number one power tool is prayer! Children are the future generation of Christianity. We are commanded to teach our children the truths of God’s Holy Word in Deuteronomy 6:5-7. (Net Bible) “You must love the…
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Let’s Change the Conversation!
With the news of devastating earthquakes in Nepal and the horror of consistent atrocities by Isis and extreme Islamists against believers in the Middle East why is the primary conversation about faith here in the USA centered on conflict between bakers and photographers and same-sex marriage? Where’s the outrage and attendant action to relieve suffering and support our brothers and sisters in Christ facing death or displacement. Let’s change the conversation. I know we feel helpless and frustrated. What can we do? We can pray! For the weapons of our warfare are not those of the world. Instead, they have the power of God to demolish fortresses. We tear…
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The Lord’s Prayer: The Outline for Prayer Given to Us by Jesus
In response to the Apostles’ request to be taught how to pray (Luke 11:1,) Jesus gave them what has become known as the Lord’s Prayer when in reality it could be called the Disciples’ Prayer since it was given to them and us (Matthew 6:9-13. Luke 11:2-4). Some think it is a prayer we are supposed to religiously recite word for word. Some even treat the Lord’s Prayer as a mantra that will ensure God blesses us. However, realize God is far more interested in our hearts when we pray than He is in just our words (Matthew 6:6,7. Matthew 15:8. Philippians 4:6,7). I believe the Lord’s Prayer should be understood…
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Let God be your mentoring match-maker
One of the most frequently asked questions I get from women concerns mentoring. Young women crave a more experienced woman to walk with them through life and help them grow up as all-in Christ followers. But when older women set up mentoring "programs" that artificially match women, young women often describe these programs as "scary". What might work better than a tightly orchestrated mentoring "program"? Instead of leaders trying to micro-manage other people's mentoring relationships, why don't we all try to create a mentoring culture where women connect naturally. Why don't we all learn the ins and outs of mentoring today. What worked in 1990 won't work in 2015. In…
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God, What Do You Want Me to Do Today?
What would my schedule look like if God was in charge of it? Bill Hybels presents this probing question in his newest book Simplify. Somehow I haven’t been able to shake the idea from my mind. What if my day was ordered by, around, and for God? What if he was what I sought the most as I went throughout my day? We’re not the first people to resonate with such questions. Throughout scripture we meet brave men and women whose desire for God dictated how they lived—both in life-determining decisions and in daily to-dos. The writers of Psalms often penned their prayers and struggles with placing God before everything…
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Adios Summer!
Have you ever had a moment in time when you felt completely unworthy? Out of nowhere a season of wrestling, heartache and loneliness takes a hold of you and you don’t know what to do? You can barely breathe and everything you do just feels wrong? You feel disconnected from everyone and from God? Ever felt like this before? Let’s face it, feeling unworthy is for the birds! It’s not fun at all. Talk about a joy killer! I felt like this most of the summer and it brought me to my knees. I’m seriously thankful to say adios to a very difficult time in my life. Yes,…
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You Are Emotionally Contagious: How you can infect others for good
We are sitting at Turner Field in Atlanta, watching the Braves take on the Washington Nationals. A batter steps up to the plate, a lanky left-hander, tightly circling his bat. Two nights earlier he hit two home runs out of four times at the plate. Atlanta’s best pitcher eyes him over the rim of his glove, then winds up and throws. The batter pops it up impossibly, third-deck high. We let out a whoop. And everyone around us turns and stares. We are cheering for Adam LaRoche, son of one of my best friends and first baseman for Washington, surrounded by Brave fans who don’t take too kindly to…
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Why is Prayer so Hard? A Matter of the Heart
“Be constant in prayer” (Rom. 12:2c). I hate to admit it, but I don’t pray as much as I should even though I have led ministry as both a volunteer and paid staff member. Do you lead a ministry, have family, or influence friends and co-workers? How would you rate your prayer life? My guess is that you too wish that you prayed longer, more consistently, and more focused on God. Why is a lengthy daily time of prayer so rare for those who believe that God hears and acts in response? And what can we do about it? I don’t have all the answers, and I hope you’ll comment…
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The Plight of the Refugee
You may be troubled as I have been when you see pictures and read stories of the Syrian refugees. What can one person do especially if you are so far removed geographically? What should our Christian response be to the plight of the refugee? Susie Hawkins, who serves on the board of a global humanitarian aid organization, recently returned from visiting the Syrian refugees in the Middle East. Here are her observations and suggestions of what can be done. “ I sat uncomfortably, cross legged on a thin mattress, watching her intently. Her hijab was tightly in place framing her face, her robe flowing over her legs and feet. She…
