Special Features 2009 Archives

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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!

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.

Drafting Your Thanksgiving Fantasy Team

This is a team we can all be thankful for!

Ron Rose reminds us that Thanksgiving is about those who have blessed us and our being a blessing back by letting them know and thanking them.

Grace?

How can we receive grace and still be so ungracious?

Danny Sims uses a cartoon and touch of humor to remind us that we did not discover grace!

Beyond the Clouds

Can you see beyond the storm clouds in your life

Tom Norvell talks about taking off in the pea soup of bad rainy weather and lifting up through the clouds and finding the sun and tying this all to our need to look beyond the clouds.

Good without God?

So who do you need to be good?

Patrick Odum sees a billboard by an atheistic and agnostic group that says many are good without God and he decides he is barely tolerable with God, so there's no hope for him without God!

Living Abundantly

Have you found it?

Tom Norvell talks about living life abundantly, with urgency, a recognition that life is short, and that we may only have the opportunity to do some things once.

The Ig Nobel Awards

If it's not Nobel, is it ignoble?

Patrick Odum tells us about the Ig Nobel awards and reminds us that God uses ordinary folks, ignoble folks, to do great things for His glory.

All Who Are Weary

Is there any place to get some rest?

Tom Norvell prays for the weary and the heavy burdened and tired, based on Jesus' promise to give us rest.

Well Done!

Don't you just love to hear the words said to you!

Tom Norvell reminds of how beautiful it will be to hear "Well done!" from the Lord and how important it is for us to say it to each other until his coming.

Can You See It?

Are you looking beyond the ugliness of the age to find something more?

Ron Rose challenges us to look beyond the ugliness and pettiness of the age and find real beauty and loveliness in our worlds.

Playing Second Fiddle?

Why is it so hard to not be the one recognized?

Russ Lawson describes why it is hard and important to be willing to play second fiddle in the Lord's orchestra.

Gratitude that Costs Us Something

How can we be thankful without doing something significant?

Patrick Odum talks about gratitude and thankfulness for the grace we have received and all the blessings we have in Christ and in life.

Wait in Expectation

How are you at your wait?

Tom Norvell challenges us to wait in expectation and reminds us that the expectation part is often easier than the waiting part.

Beyond that Helpless Feeling

What do you do when you can't do what needs to be done?

Tom Norvell looks at times that are too difficult for us to handle well and challenges us to realize that there are many things we can do to help folks in desperate situations.

Have You Heard these Words?

Just a few words and our presence can make all the difference in the world!

Ron Rose reminds us that a few words and our physical presence can make all the difference in the life of someone else, just like Al Ware made a difference in Ron's life.

Action!

Does faith really show itself with actions?

Patrick Odum shares his experience on a backlot production center and compares a practical set with a facade and applies it to our spiritual life.

Lord, Please Hear Our Prayers

When's the last time you waited on the Lord in prayer?

Tom Norvell reminds us of the importance of praying honestly to God about all the challenging times in our lives.

Cancelled Debt

It's not just forgiven, it's cancelled!

Patrick Odum talks about an amazing overcharge on cigarettes and reminds us of another huge debt that has gone up in smoke.

Dead Wood Burning

Are you dead enough to catch on fire?

Mike Barres challenges us to die to self so we can catch fire with the Spirit of the Lord.

Do People Hear What Your Life Is Saying?

What is the major message of your life?

Russ Lawson reminds us of the importance of our letting our light shine in such a way that allows others to see God in your life.

Are You Weary?

Why do we begin so many weeks so tired?

Tom Norvell reminds us of God's promises for those who are weary and tired: the Lord will renew us and restore us and cause us to ride on the wings of eagles and Jesus will give us rest.

His Strength in My Weakness

How can weakness be our moment of greatest strength?

Tom Norvell talks about the overwhelming challenges of trying to minister to people when it is beyond his power or ability and he hears the words of the apostle Paul about God's grace is sufficient and God's power is made perfect in weakness so that when

Addicted to Legalism

Are you addicted to the religious games we play?

Ron Rose talks about his own struggle with legalism and challenges us to the liberating that comes from the good news of Jesus, the challenge to live a life of faith outside the walls of church.

What the Dying Reveal to Us about the Trinity

How can we see movement in stillness?

Scott Owings shares how his work in hospice chaplaincy has helped him appreciate the things that the dying can teach us, especially about the difficult concept of the Trinity.