Special Features 2006 Archives

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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.

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!

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.

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.

Walk!

Can you walk this walk from now on?

It's not how many days we have, but how we use those days for God that matter -- or to say it differently, it is not how far we walk, but how we walk in the miles we cover that matter most.

What Do You Expect?

How in the world are we supposed to know what God expects of us?

How do we know what God expects of us or what it takes to please him? By listening to what he tells us to do in Micah 6:8.

Curing the Sin Virus

Where in the world did those horrible computer viruses come from anyway?

Sin is like a virus Satan has designed to appear harmless, infect us, spread, and render everything useless and destroy everything.

I Owe You the Truth

Is there ever a time not to tell the truth?

No matter if it is the corporate world, school, church, or friendships we owe each other the truth and should not lie or withhold the truth.

Will the Hurt Never End?

How long will all this mess last, anyway?

In the times of hardship and trial, it is hard to wait on the Lord because it seems so long before his deliverance, promised and sure as it is, comes to free us from our pain and suffering.

Is Faith a Form of Pretending?

Is our faith merely wishful thinking and make believe?

We need to visualize who we are in Christ before it becomes a real part of our daily go to work world, and so we need to pretend we are children of God and the presence of Jesus Christ.

Clay or Collectible

Can we ever be more than a lump of clay or a collection of dust?

Article on the transformation God can do in our lives changing us from a lump of clay into an object of beauty and usefulness.

Working on Your Soul

What in the world does Ray Romano have to do with soulwork?

Ray Romano said he is off to do soul work remembering a note he received from his brother about something that Jesus said about losing ones soul.

I Need You Every Hour

Are you this desperate for God?

The words of an old song remind us of our deep need for God and longing for him.

Straight Lines with Crooked Sticks

How in the world can you make something straight out of something crooked?

God can take broken, weak, and unfaithful people and make something meaningful and important out of their lives.

HALT

What do you do when you are emotionally on fire?

A recovery saying, HALT, reminds us to be careful when we are hungry, angry, lonely, and tired because then we are vulernable to temptation, sin, and weakness as well as addictions.

Simple Dignity

Sometimes the most profound grace is based on simple action.

The Amish are an example of simple piety that cares to honor God above getting even: it is their character and not their dress or agrarian culture we need to imitate.

The Cool of the Day

Have you been refreshed in the presence of the Lord lately?

Our love for the cool of the day after the hot day of work is a reminder of our need to be close to God and his desire to have us close.

Hey, Clark Kent!

Why in the world would someone want to be an umpire?

If you want something bad enough, you go for it and do whatever it takes to do it, even if no one understands you.

I'm Full!

Are you still hungry or have you found a way to be full?

God wants us to be full of Him, his grace, His mercy, His Spirit, His Love.

A Little Lower, Please

How good are you at your communication skills?

A humorous story about a date is a reminder of how hard it can be to communicate well.

Feeling Good about Feeling Bad?

Can you actually feel good about your sorrow for sin?

This is an honest look at repentance and sorrow and life change, and reminds us that God's goal isn't our sorrow, but our reformed life.

I Need More Stuff

How much is enough for you?

When do we have enough stuff and can we say no to acquiring more?

Hear the Echo?

What will people hear from you?

We create echoes by our life, so what kind of echo will you hear from the people around you?

Useful

Do you sometimes feel useless?

No matter what others say or do to make you feel useless, Jesus loves you and has demonstrated again and again that you are useful to him!