Special Features 2023 Archives

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Looking for Jesus at Christmas

Whatever happened to the reason for the season?

Rick Brown talks about Jesus not just missing from the nativity, but also from Christmas and from our lives and yet we can use this time to restore him to his rightful place in our lives.

When Endings Are Complicated, God Is Still Gracious

What do you do when the endings are not always happy ones?

Ron Rose reminds us that not all faith stories have happy endings and that sometimes we have to wade on through tragedy with faith.

Communion: Passion, Pain, and Promise

Communion was intended to be an I-can't-believe-it's-me-pinch-me-I'm-dreaming invitation to sit at God's table and be served by the King himself.

Max Lucado tells about sharing communion as a boy and what it means to us now -- more than symbol, it's sacrament, a holy time of anticipation.

In His Image

My friend Kathy introduced us, and from that point on, I was dazzled.

Ron Rose shares a heart-wrenching story of a lost friend and a forgiving friend who lost friends because she dared to love as God loves.

The Hand of Hope

To see the despair without the grace is suicidal. To see the grace without the despair is upper room futility But to see them both is conversion.

Max Lucado reminds us that God's grace shows up for us daily in the nail-scarred hands that Jesus uses to rescue us and work with us through his presence in our lives.

Chasing Rabbits

Instead of responding to my requests, Abba whispers, 'Let's chase rabbits!'

Ron Rose shares how God has taught him that the real answers are not in the smooth, seamless, well-thought-out passages, but in the journey chasing His rabbits!

Geshem: The Water of Heaven

When God chose a land for his people, he didn't choose a place where they could have security because of their own efforts, he chose a land where they would be far more dependent on him!

Dr. Lois Tverberg talks about 'geshem' or water, and how God set up Israel to need God to supply their water and make them strong, not their location or their efforts or their wisdom!

The Narrow Way Is Not About Narrow Thinking!

These followers are not what they used to be and not yet what they are going to be... they are learners.

Ron Rose is back at Black Rifle Coffee, and God is in the room inviting people to walk with Jesus in the narrows!

Eternity: Beyond Separation to Hope

When this life-altering grief and separation invade our worlds, we are left with many challenges, some seem insurmountable.

Gene Vance shares insights from his book, 'Transition to Eternity' to help us find great hope and anticipation of Eternity with Jesus!

The Secrets God Keeps

The biblical account is unique among the creation stories of its time. Spare in detail, Genesis speaks with understated elegance and lofty grandeur.

Lois Tverberg reminds us how the Bible begins and that in Hebrew, this very first sentence of the Scriptures reminds us that mysteries will remain for us about God, the One Who Is more.

Seasons

What season do you find yourself in today?

The seasons, in life and in nature, are reminders of God's power to bring life and warmth out of death and decay.

The Pentecost Challenge

We long for the day when we know fully, even as we are fully known!

Ron Rose is back at Black Rifle Coffee Company and visiting with friends about Pentecost Sunday and knowing each other's names.

Wake-Up Call

Are we awake or have we chosen to fall asleep?

Russ Lawson talks about events that shocked us and awakened us from our lethargy, but reminds us that we often just sink back into our old habits.

Help Is Here!

No more carrying weight you were not intended to bear.

Max Lucado's reminder, and new book, that because of God, and the work of the HOly Spirit, we are not alone and our help is here!

I'm a Watcher

I may not say much, but I see everything.

Ron Rose is back with his Beyond Black coffee collecting stories and meeting new people who introduce him to new things.

Questions

What big things — have you learned in life? How do you know that the big things are big things?

Ron Rose wants us all to ask ourselves some important questions at this stage in our lives to be ready to instruct those who are younger and also ourselves.

A Special Corsage for Easter

Betty was sent by God, whether she realized it or not, to encourage a young mother struggling to be the best she could be.

Ron Rose reminds us that the resurrection happens again and again when we let precious memories bubble to the service and rejoice in God's tender power and grace.

Don't Settle for a Small Destiny

What do we let define us, call or catastrophe?

Max Lucado from his book "You'll Get Through This" encourages us to not let our disappointments define us but instead let God's destiny for us define us.

Trust God in Your Struggle!

Let God train you. He watches the way we handle the little jobs.

Max Lucado reminds us that we can get through whatever we are facing right now because God is at work in us and will be with us until we are fashioned into a person of character.

Raindrops and Crucibles

In every crucible, God longs for us to see Him, to trust Him, to lean in on Him.

Ron Rose is back with his coffee, friends, and insights into life, faith, crucibles, and raindrops.

The Spirit Opens Our Eyes to Truth

"I remember when that knowledge really hit me for the first time... that to get the whole truth, you have to have the Holy Spirit.'

Ron Rose reminds us that without the Holy Spirit alive in us, we have no guide to help us understand the Scriptures, much less God or Jesus or the holy plans and promises for us!