All (Page 4) Articles

Escaping the Monotony of Low Expectations

Advent is rooted in the work of God in history, through real people, to do the miraculous in the most human of things, through the birth of a child.

Phil Ware reminds us to celebrate Advent and not simply settle for Christmas, especially in a hard year like this one.

It's the Little Moments

He grasps those little moments so well. Pulls the kids close, chooses to go play frisbee or a game of Uno, just because.

Melissa Troyer writes insightfully about her husband, Daniel, and his way of seizing small moments to be there for his family despite being in a very stressful time in grad school.

ADVENT brings us HOPE

Advent is the celebration of Jesus' coming to earth as the Son of God and our Savior. Inextinguishable hope is just one of the blessings of ADVENT!

Phil Ware shares Scriptures and James Nored shares an inspirational video regarding the blessings and significance of Advent, Jesus' coming to earth as God in human flesh as our Savior and Lord.

'... and thankful!'

Give thanks for this?

Phil Ware finishes his November series of giving thanks and focuses on our mission or call from God.

When Endings Are Complicated, God Is Still Gracious

What do you do when the endings are not always happy ones?

Ron Rose reminds us that not all faith stories have happy endings and that sometimes we have to wade on through tragedy with faith.

'...and thankful!'

That passion to pursue Jesus must never die!

Phil Ware continues his series tied to Thanksgiving called "...and thankful" and this week he is thankful for the longing to move toward Jesus and pursue the things of God.

In Everything Give Thanks... in EVERYTHING!

And there I began hunting out places of worship through tears of joy in pain.

Melissa Troyer reminds us that giving thanks -- and finding reasons to give thanks -- is a decision we make every day in all circumstances, especially when it is hard to be thankful!

'...and thankful!'

So we are supposed to give thanks for this?

Phil Ware continues his 4 part series on Thanksgiving and how important it is for churches to leverage change and growth in in their church families.

Living vs. Life

What's the difference between making a living and making a life?

Life is more than making a living, it's making a life.

'...and thankful!'

What happens the other 51 weeks of the year?

Phil Ware begins a 4 part November series on giving thanks just in time for the Thanksgiving season.

Apples in Autumn

So many good things in fall!

Katha Winther talks about the good gifts of autumn and the signs of the fall season.

Please, Help Me Learn to Pray

I feel like I am launching my prayers upward, as if I was shooting bbs toward heaven, only to have them hit a metal ceiling and fall at my feet, mocking me with their ineffectiveness!

Phil Ware provides a host of resources on prayer and how to grow our prayer lives.

Spirits, Demons, and the One Greater than Them All

Do spooky things scare you?

There are scary things in this world, but we need not fear any of them. The one who is in us is greater than the powers of this world.

What is CORE: Finishing

I remain convicted that these passages give us the CORE of what we must believe and practice as Jesus' disciples.

Phil Ware brings his series on 'What is CORE!' to a close, giving us a short summary to help us remember these three CORE passages and what they teach and call on us to do.

Biblical Marriage

Not an archaic form of subjugation but a divine and brilliant system for harmony, mutual enrichment, and voluntary submission!

Lee Wilson goes back to the beginning of Scripture and as an experienced relationship coach, invites people to look at God's plan to make marriages thrive.

What is Core: Worshiping

Why do we put so much emphasis on worship in the box and not in our everyday lives?

Phil Ware finishes his series on What is Core by talking about worship and the importance of meeting together in big and small groups, but also living out the life God has called us to lead, being a reflection of the righteous character and gracious compa

The Mystery of the Fall Season

God is inviting us to grow, to let Him cultivate deep and unseen yet intimate connection through those 'barren

Melissa Troyer reminds us that fall beckons us to grasp the last beauty and color of the season before winter overtakes us and to celebrate God's goodness in the changing of the season.

What is Core: Communing

When we gather in Jesus' name, something transcendent happens: the Lord is present with us!

Phil Ware talks about what is core to our faith and then ties it to everyday meals as well as our celebration of the Lord's Supper and the things of first importance in 1 Corinthians 15:1-7.

Communion: Passion, Pain, and Promise

Communion was intended to be an I-can't-believe-it's-me-pinch-me-I'm-dreaming invitation to sit at God's table and be served by the King himself.

Max Lucado tells about sharing communion as a boy and what it means to us now -- more than symbol, it's sacrament, a holy time of anticipation.

What Is Core: Loving

Core to following Jesus is becoming like God in offering love, first.

Phil Ware continues his series on what is core and focuses on love and what it is and how Jesus and God demonstrate it.

Tough Times Toughen

Wow, tough times can be hard, but is there a payoff to them?

Tough times, even when they are filled with temptation can help us grow and better appreciate good times when they come.

What is CORE: Training

Our practice of omitting from the Lord's Great Commission is more likely based on our preference for the attractional model of doing church.

Phil Ware continues his series on What is CORE focusing on the training -- teaching to obey -- element of the Great Commission.

In His Image

My friend Kathy introduced us, and from that point on, I was dazzled.

Ron Rose shares a heart-wrenching story of a lost friend and a forgiving friend who lost friends because she dared to love as God loves.

What is CORE: Baptizing

God has given us a way to experience the saving work Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.

Phil Ware continues his series on "What is CORE" by talking about baptism and why it is important.