All Articles 2009 Archives

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SpiritFire: Ask!

Why do we not ask for something God longs to give?

Phil Ware begins a four week challenge that coordinates with the SpiritFire daily devotional challenging us to invite the Holy Spirit into our daily lives.

Life, at Best, Is Transitory

This world is not our home

We are supposed to be in the world but not of the world. As followers of the Messiah, we are to be different, with our focus on heaven.

Fan the Flame!

Why do we present our children such a passionless discipleship?

Phil Ware challenges us to a life of passionate discipleship and challenge our children to follow with boldness, using the life of Paul.

Breath of Heaven

Has God's wind blown through you this season?

Phil Ware talks about the Holy Spirit and the importance of the Spirit in Jesus' conception, birth, and all that is tied to it.

Finding Peace

In the midst of the holiday maelstrom, there's hope for peace

In the maelstrom of emotion during this holiday season, let God surround you with his peace. Cast all of your worries on him and focus on the things that will truly bring you peace.

A Quarter of Remembrance

More than the decorations and gifts, this quarter makes Christmas special!

Mike Cope shares a beautiful story about a family tradition of dropping a quarter into the stockings of everyone in the family at Christmas, this includes a video update.

The Joy of the Party

Will you show the joy this season?

Larry Davies reflects on a group of school teachers and their party and reminds us that we need to be people of joy.

Let There Be Peace!

Don't let anyone rob you of your peace this season!

Tom Norvell reminds us to not let anyone steal the peace we have in Jesus or in the season and offers some insights on keeping our peace.

Traveling Mercies: You've Got to Be Kidding Me!

I've bet you have had a bunch of these moments at Christmas!

Phil Ware writes about Christmas, Joseph and Mary, and the "You've got to be kidding me!" moments in the life of Jesus.

It's the People, Not the Presents ...

The best Christmas memories have nothing to do with what you get.

The best part of Christmas is not the presents, but the people.

Let There Be Joy

How do we keep people from robbing us of our joy in the Lord?

Tom Norvell uses the song "Joy to the World" to remind us that we need to nurture and protect our joy in Jesus.

Bureaucratic Encumbrance

What happens when process becomes more important than mission?

Rubel Shelly uses General Motors before reorganization and the New York Times article to help remind us that we can be full of so many processes, procedures, rules, and traditions that we lose the main objective -- if everything is important, then nothing

Traveling Mercies: Never Leave These Behind

Can love and faithfulness be more than a slogan?

Phil Ware writes about Ruth and her love and faithfulness and how God used this to bring the Messiah, bless broken-hearted Naomi, and bless his people.

Switching the Tags

Jesus says the world's values are all upside down

Jesus looks at a poor church in Revelation 2 and declares them rich. True riches aren't measured with dollar signs; they are found in the relationships that we build.

Don't Forget to Wish for the Best

When was the last time you sat down with the

Rick Brown finds a Black Friday experience that pushes him back to the real meaning of Christmas and the old Sears Wish Book.

That Didn't Hurt!

Why do we dread what we don't know?

Larry Davies shares a childhood experience and reminds us that we don't have to fear the unexpected or unexplained; we can pray and avoid a whole lot of sleepless nights.

Losing My Mind?

Is this where you are right now?

Russ Lawson reminds us that with so many things going on, we need to remember just the one important thing.

Traveling Mercies: Broken Dreams?

Are those old broken dreams really gone?

Phil Ware continues a series of messages called Traveling Mercies focusing on Moses and his journey from broken dreams to having those dreams realized in his life.

I'm Afraid I Can't Live Up To It ...

God knows you need help to remain committed.

God provides the Holy Spirit and a community of believers to help us fulfill our commitment to Him.

Creative Christmas Letters?

Can anything be done to make these special?

Janet Colbrunn tackles the hard task of helping us write creative Christmas letters that do more than inform our friends: they tell our story for generations to come.

A Small Step?

When's the last time you stepped out to begin, even if the step was small?

Tom Norvell reminds us not to discount the small steps we make in our lives because out of them come the big ones!

When a Church Stops Being a Church

When does Jesus close a church's doors?

When a church forgets about love and focuses on rules and regulation, it ceases to be a church. The church of Jesus is an organism, not an organization.

The Other Nine

Wonder what all those other guys did?

Patrick Odum talks about the the 10 lepers who were healed and only one came back to thank Jesus and puts the other nine into modern context and describes what they did instead of thanking Jesus.

Which Holiday Is This?

It's easy to get confused this time of year!

Rubel Shelly reminds us of the importance of remembering the real meaning of Thanksgiving.

The Measure of Success

How do we define what is so easily distorted?

Bill Sherrill reminds us that the measure of success in Jesus' eyes is whether or not we helped those in need who are around us.