All Articles 2006 Archives

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Cutting Loose the Dead Weight

Why do we hang on to it when it weighs us down?

Light a stuck anchor prevents a boat from advancing or moving, so we often get stuck in our pasts and can't go forward until we get rid of the dead weight that weighs us down and holds us back.

Walk the Walk

How can we move from mere talking to getting out and doing the walking?

We need to move beyond merely getting folks saved to getting them to grow as followers, disciples of Jesus, who walk the walk and not just talk the talk.

The Freshness of Forgiveness

Can anything be this fresh?

Forgiveness is forgetting to remember the hurts you forgave and giving others, and yourself a fresh start on life.

Jerks and the Secret of Sturdy Faith

How in the world do we really overcome resentment?

Resentment kills us, but forgiveness allows us to exercise a growing faith like a mustard tree and let God do the impossible within us.

Gallows?

Why in the world would anyone keep this around in their basement?

The old Gallows of the city of Chicago were left in the basement for years and years and this reminds Patrick of things that we allow to sit around in our hearts and fester and destroy us for years.

Worst Analogy

These analogies are so bad, they're like ...

God's love exhausts all analogies and can only be defined by what he did in Jesus on the cross and in the manger.

On Tiptoe!

I wonder what it was like when the angel learned he would bring the news?

Whether Christmas comes on December 25 or not doesn't really matter, what does matter is that Jesus came and the angels declared it and that we celebrate it with great joy.

What Is It You See in Christmas?

Why do we fuss and fight over such a wonderful time?

Christmas has unfortunately gotten so caught up in conflict that we lose sight of loving folks the way Jesus came to do.

The Place of Christmas

Where does Christmas really occur?

The real place Christmas happens is in our hearts, where love, joy, peace, and kindness are found.

The Greatest Gift to Give

What could be greater than the gift you've already bought them?

The best gift that can be given is the gift of dedicated time to a family member.

Amazing Grace

Have you found out what is truly amazing this time of year?

Jesus is the reminder of God's unconditional love and willingness to search and sacrifice to find us and bring us home as our love-sick father.

More than the Wrapping Paper for Christmas

Can we move beyond the fluff to the focus of God's heart?

We get so caught up in the fluff we forget the focus of God, like justice and mercy.

Buy Your Own Gifts!

Anything in your Christmas envelope?

An older lady's mistake with Christmas envelopes reminds us that God never forgets to pay for our gifts!

A Free-for-All Christmas?

What goodness can be found in such awful things?

Family fights, shopping mall stampedes, world unrest and wars all will continue through the Christmas season, but we should not be surprised: Jesus came to save our fractured world.

Not Fair!

What do you and where do you go when life isn't fair?

Life is unfair and in the unfairness we need to learn to pray and keep after it and not relent, not praying those PC prayers, but gut check from the heart prayers that are real.

I Hate War

Will they ever cease? Will we ever have relief?

A trip around the Mall in Washington, D.C., leads Tom to reflect on how much he hates war and how he longs for the peace of Christ.

The Astonishing Christ

Everything about Jesus is astonishing!

Even Napoleon Bonaparte was awed by the astonishing Jesus who came to earth as a baby.

Fighting the Silent Disease

Can we really find a way of escape?

Sin, a form of spiritual cancer, can be defeated like physical cancer and this victory leaves us feeling excited and on top of the world, but we must work hard for the victory and God will help us.

The Best Gifts

Are you still trying to buy love at Christmas?

Priceless memories that you make with those you love are far more valuable and enduring gifts than anything you can purchase with money.

'Tis the Season

So what are you going to focus on this season?

Rubel reminds us that Christmas is the season for many things depending on who we are. So let's use this season to be a blessing and not to stir trouble and let's do it responsibly and with grace.

How Do You Grasp this Mystery?

Jesus longs to be born again into our world in me?

Jesus wasn't just born into our world in the womb of Mary, but he longs to be born into our world again in each individual Christian the Holy Spirit gives birth to in the world.

Two Hours a Week

How much time are you willing to invest in the life of a child?

Mentoring kids offers a great chance for Christians to honor the call of Jesus to care for orphans.

Make Their Journey Easier

What are you doing to help those around you?

Mike talks about a time when someone helped him on a hike and it reminded him of how we have to help those who come behind us.

No Rest, No Gain

Can you really get more fit by resting?

Without rest we cannot restore our bodies and our health, but this is not a new idea, it is God's fitness plan from long ago.

Wiggling All Over

What in the world are you talking about wiggling and squirming?

Russ finds out about a grandbaby because of a sonogram and the baby is wiggling around all over the place and reminds us that life begins in the mind of God.