All Articles 2017 Archives

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Do Not Let Baby Jesus Become Baby Lite

Do you like to keep Jesus in the manger? Sort of a Jesus lite. Don't

Jesus did not stay a baby. He grew up and died on a cross for you. Do not leave him in the manger.

Every Heart a Manger

Have you invited him in?

Max Lucado reminds us to make our heart a manger and every day Christmas.

The Story of Our Savior's Birth

Sometimes we just need to hear the familiar story told simply with fresh words.

Jesus' birth stories from Matthew and Luke are shared in straight Scripture from The Voice Bible.

Jesus or Religion?

Am I more like the wise men who passionately sought to find Jesus or the religious leaders who chose their traditions, positions, and power over Jesus?

Phil Ware reminds us that in the familiar story of the wise men is a challenging and life-changing question we must all answer with our choices and with our lives.

The Perfect Tree

The search is on for the perfect Christmas tree!

Max Lucado reminds us that just as we carefully pick out the perfect Christmas tree, God has carefully chosen and placed us.

The Weather When Jesus Came

What will your weather be this Christmas?

Phil Ware recalls a refreshing winter morning that reminds him of the weather when Jesus came.

Jesus, Be Born in Me

Like Mary, we don't know fully what we are committing to do, but we know that our ultimate destination is Jesus.

Phil Ware reminds us of the gritty reality of Jesus' birth and Mary choosing to accept the challenge of being Jesus' mother and reminds us of our need to commit to have Jesus born in our lives.

Christ our Hope!

You offer the invitation, and Jesus brings the blessing!

Max Lucado reminds us that Christ is our hope and that we can invite him into our lives anew, and to stay, this Christmas.

All in the Family

When God chose to come into our world through a child, he chose a family line that was every bit as messed up as our world.

Phil Ware is using December to remind us how to welcome Jesus during this special time and what Jesus' coming means for each of us.

One Defining Note!

Do we realize the grace of getting to tune our lives to Jesus?

Phil Ware and James Nored remind us that the core of our faith is Jesus, that Christ is our defining note around whom all of us must tune our lives and recognize the grace of being called and transformed to be like him.

Indescribable

Wow! What a precious addition to our Christmas with these boys. We hope to do something like this every year.

Phil Ware shares a quick thank you for all who have donated and then focuses on establishing a new tradition of teaching his grandchildren to share what they have with others.

We've Got to Listen Before We Speak

Don't focus on what you're going to say!

I've come to believe that's the wrong focus. Instead of thinking of what we're going to say, we need to focus on listening. What will we hear? How will we get the other person to open up? Can we learn enough about them to help them draw closer to God

A Thanksgiving Conversation

What would a frank conversation between us and God about thankfulness look like?

Tom Norvell shares an imaginary but important conversation between himself and God.

Future Safe

How secure to feel about your safety as we move into what seems to be an increasingly uncertain future?

Phil Ware reminds us that true thanksgiving is rooted in our future being safe in Jesus and sharing in his glory when he comes for us.

God Has a Plan

Be assured, God has a pattern and plan for you!

Max Lucado reminds us that despite the work we have to do in the darkness, God is doing something special in us and with us.

Finish!

As long as there is life, we have a mission and purpose to complete.

Phil Ware reminds us that we are called to accomplish the mission God has called us to do so that when our days on earth are over we can say we have finished the work he has given us to do.

In the Footsteps of Jesus

Jesus said this was the right thing for him to do!

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of an important reason to be baptized: Jesus was and said it was the right thing to do.

Beyond Description

The beloved disciple wants us to know and love Jesus like he does!

Phil Ware looks at the gospel of John chapter 1 and reflects on all the titles, names, and descriptions given to Jesus in this one chapter and what it really means for us.

Making the Profound, Simple

Our LORD God Almighty is the master at making the profound feel the simple.

Phil Ware reminds us that Communion is a powerful example of Jesus taking something profound and making it simple enough for us to understand and do together.

When the Cost Is too High!

Greed is not defined by what something costs; it is measured by what it costs you.

Max Lucado reminds us the real price tag for greed.

Forever Friends!

As followers of Jesus, we are blessed to have forever friends from all over the world!

Phil Ware reminds us that in Jesus, we are friends, and our friendships reach around the world, across cultures, and unite us in one family.

Knowing the People Makes the Difference

It's all about who you know

Who do you know that needs your prayers and your help? What else can you do to help them because knowing the people makes the difference!

Waiting to Be Ready

Can any good thing come from having to wait?

Phil Ware turns to some key principles Jesus' lead apostle Peter shared with people in his day to help them be ready for both opportunity and trial.

Family

Where can we go to know we are loved and safe from the storm?

Brian McCutchen reminds us of the importance of family

Simple, Complex, and Awesome

Are we really letting our love light shine in a world filled with so much darkness?

Byron Ware reminds us that in our world of darkness, now more than ever, we need to be a people who do put love into practice every day.