Special Features (Page 36)

The Destruction Behind Remodeling

Could God be behind the destruction in your life?

Sometimes things have to be destroyed, pealed away, torn apart, and ripped out before they can be rebuilt by God.

Do You Shine?

If someone were to see you, would you match with Jesus?

Christians should be recognizable because their behavior and conduct match that of Jesus.

He Really Is In Control

What can we learn from the storm of the decade?

A horrible storm in the United States Pacific Northwest helps slow things down enough for folks to remember some key truths from God.

He is "I Am"

How do we really help people with low self-esteem?

We are given remarkable freedom in Jesus; we can become like him.

This Won't Surpise You

Who influeces what others do?

The greatest tone setter for ethics in the market place is the boss!

The Value of Vision

Have you begun to dream of what lies ahead?

If you don't take the time to dream it, it probably won't happen.

Puppies and First Snows

What can we learn from a puppy in the snow?

I'm convinced that God must know how to smile -- maybe even laugh right out loud. I think that's one of the reasons he gave us puppies.

I've Not Been "This Way" Before

What does your calender for next year look like?

While we don't know where the New Year will take us, God will be leading the way and will equip us to face all that we will face both good and bad.

Did We Miss It Again?

Did we miss our chance to make a difference?

The start of the New Year offers us a new start to do it better.

Heaven Torn Open

Can we hope for the prophet's vision coming true?

Some of the prophets dreamed big dreams that only later people would get to see.

Bethlehem

Come on and let's go!

Let's find a fresh joy in going back to Bethlehem for the birth of our Lord!

In Honor of the Lord

What ever happened to Merry Christmas?

We have let the world take Jesus out of Christmas and just make it a secular holiday; let's remember to make sure any holiday we celebrate is to the Lord and put Jesus back into our Christmas celebrations.

Our Small Town Parade

Will it all end in a parade?

A small town parade and a funeral stir up memories of the past and hope for the future.

Mom

Are you making the most of your moments?

During the holidays, we really miss loved ones lost to death, but we should let that be a reminder to seize each moment and fill it with love and joy.

Bless You

Being a joyful person with friends is a great blessing indeed!

Being a joyful person, being involved with friends, and being active in life is the best medicine to prevent disease.

Warfare

Are you putting off a confrontation with the enemy?

We often try to deny or feel sorry about the attacks of Satan in our lives rather than resisting and fighting him with the spiritual power God has given us.

Where I Am Going

Can you face the prospect of really bad news and tough times with faith?

In the face of battling mental health challenges, could you take on the prospect of dying with faith, character, and hope?

Pixelated Perfection

Is there someone out there who is really digitally perfect?

Let's not make our ideal, our goal, into a bludgeoning stick -- but instead, let's keep working for God's goals in our lives.

Do The Right Thing?

Does peer pressure have you doing the wrong thing?

Don't let peer pressure make you do what is wrong; just do the right thing.

Thermostat or Thermometer?

Are you a situation complainer or an environment changer?

We can be situation complainers -- thermostats -- or situation changers -- thermometers; Jesus' will, however, is that we be salt, light, and examples who display the fruit of the Spirit.

Our True Citizenship

We're only strangers here; our homeland is heaven!

Our citizenship is in heaven, so let's live like heaven is our home!

Eaten Away from the Inside

Don't let him eat away at your life!

Satan likes to sneak in and set up shop and begin his destructive work in our lives when we are unsuspecting.

Haunting Words

Grace for the times an eraser can't undo what we say.

We all say things we truly mean, but we prove ourselves unfaithful to our commitments and can't follow through with our promises; it's then that Jesus' words and Peter's reply become doubly important.

Be Still and Give Thanks to God

Can we be still and give thanks in our times of chaos?

God cares for us and beckons us to the quiet stillness to know he is in control and give us a chance to give him our thanksgiving.

How Are You Spending Your Life?

How are you spending the capital of your moments?

Every day is a gift to spent wisely, but once it is gone, it can't be spent again.