In his book The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren states this about our past experiences: “It is the painful experiences that God uses the most to prepare you for ministry. God never wastes a hurt! In fact, your greatest ministry will most likely come out of your...
Why do we react the way we do? I’m sure you have “blown up” about something or seen someone “fall to pieces” over something, and asked yourself, “Now why was that such a big deal?” The person we are often determines what our attitude or “bent” will be towards...
In recent years, several friends have experienced tragedy and pain in the loss of a child. Our neighbors lost their son in a car accident. One of our adult and online students recently lost two family members as a result of a shooting. These friends know the...
THE LAST LAUGH “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:13) One of the greatest stories of faith is that of Abraham and the visitors who came to assure him of the...
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (Philippians 1:27) Does Paul really mean “WHATEVER HAPPENS?” Surely he doesn’t mean the most difficult twenty-first century problems I face. He knew nothing about compounding...
How many people are radically and permanently repelled from The Way by Christians who are unfeeling, stiff, unapproachable, boringly lifeless, obsessive, and dissatisfied? Yet such Christians are everywhere, and what they are missing is the wholesome liveliness...
Did you ever have a root canal? Does that question conjure up wonderful images of “delight” in your mind? Or, are you (like me) thinking of those molars that cause so much pain before and after? The hard part is trying to eat the day or two following a root...
I have struggled with continued spiritual transformation at many points in my life. I believe one of the greatest discoveries is that I am “in training” to be like Christ, rather than just “trying” to be like Christ. For many years I thought that if I tried...
In my devotions this morning, I read an excerpt from a book titled “From Pearl Harbor to Golgotha,” which was written by Mitsuo Fuchida, the lead pilot in the raid on Pearl Harbor seventy years ago. I thought it was worth sharing with you today: ---------------...
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