Leading in Hope (Page 13)

Merry Christmas!

We pray the Lord blesses you with the grace of Jesus' presence this Christmas!

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Jockeying To Be Shocking

Aren't we way past too far?

Shock jocks have tried to out do each other in shocking, crude, and obscene remarks on radio, TV, and interviews and they have crossed the line and we are the only ones who can do something about it.

The Quiet Kingdom

Can you hear the Kingdom advancing?

Rubel Shelly talks about the kinds of ways the Kingdom of God grows and spreads, quietly, gently, in the faithful, every day actions of real people.

Healing and the New Way

There is more to salvation than forgiveness!

Conversion is more than just a one time forgiveness, it is about learning a new way of life.

Cutting Corners

Most important things require us to hang in and hang touch to get to our destination!

So often we look for short cuts or ways to cut corners to get to a goal that can only be reached by hard work, perserverance, and a willingness to keep on working over time.

Is This Really Depression?

Is this really depression?

Depression is more than not getting what we want, but unfortunately we get it confused, but let's admit its character flaws that leads us to be desirious of more than we need.

Kooks

Who really wants these folks in church? Jesus, of course!

When a mega-pastor says he wants to get rid of the kooks that weigh his church down, Vann is not only shocked, but prays that God sends the kooks to his church.

Procrastination

Why put off to next week that which can be put off till ...?

Procrastination costs us so very much because of the time we waste doing nothing and never completing things.

George and the Dragon

Are we a dragon to those in need?

A hard-hearted person to someone in need reminds Alan of how important it is that we be kind and compassionate to others in our actions as well as in our thoughts.

What Do You Think?

Sometimes, don't you think you ought to find the answer for yourself?

While spiritual leaders have wisdom and knowledge, they are not always right and we should seek to answer many of our own questions ourselves using the Bible as our guide.

Exercising the Spirit: Rule of Life

Are you ready to set out on your own with God?

The Rule of Life is our own commitment to live out the spiritual disciplines, exercising the Spirit and doing what God longs to see us doing.

Turning our Hearts Back to Egypt?

Are you looking back or straining to what's ahead?

Sometimes we find ourselves unhappy with where we are and look back to the good ol' days just like Israel did in turning their hearts back to Egypt.

The Leadership Issue

Why being boss won't solve your problems!

Leadership is not about being boss or bullying, but about motivating, serving, and equipping others to their full potential.

Leaders Create Culture

How much influence and power does a leader really have?

Leaders build confidence, encourage others, and equip to serve and thus change the culture of an organization.

More than a Resolution to Jog

Are you ready to push toward the finish?

Philippians 3:12-16 and Philippians 1:6

Cutting Loose the Dead Weight

Why do we hang on to it when it weighs us down?

Light a stuck anchor prevents a boat from advancing or moving, so we often get stuck in our pasts and can't go forward until we get rid of the dead weight that weighs us down and holds us back.

What Is It You See in Christmas?

Why do we fuss and fight over such a wonderful time?

Christmas has unfortunately gotten so caught up in conflict that we lose sight of loving folks the way Jesus came to do.

I Hate War

Will they ever cease? Will we ever have relief?

A trip around the Mall in Washington, D.C., leads Tom to reflect on how much he hates war and how he longs for the peace of Christ.

'Tis the Season

So what are you going to focus on this season?

Rubel reminds us that Christmas is the season for many things depending on who we are. So let's use this season to be a blessing and not to stir trouble and let's do it responsibly and with grace.

Two Hours a Week

How much time are you willing to invest in the life of a child?

Mentoring kids offers a great chance for Christians to honor the call of Jesus to care for orphans.

Stretching for Our Gods

What are you willing to sacrifice to achieve or find?

Patrick Odum reminds us that to grow we have to stretch, reach, and sacrifice but that is more than worth the effort because Jesus gives us back far more than we can ever give.

Exercising the Spirit: Witnessing

Don't let this title turn you off!

One of the key spiritual disciplines is witnessing to others, because sharing our faith in Jesus is crucial to others finding God!

How Fragile Is Your Ego?

Can your ego handle the call of Jesus to humility?

Our egos are fragile and important but also dangerous, but we must learn humility.

Vulnerably Successful

Why is it so hard to let folks minister to us?

So often, ministers and pastors won't let others minister to them, but we need to minister and be ministered to, we need to bless and be vulnerable so we can be blessed.

Exercise Gives Energy

Why in the world would anyone want to go to such an effort?

Serving may be hard work, but like good exercise, it develops us into a healthier people.

Exercising the Spirit: Fasting

Are you really hungry for God?

Fasting is a way to draw closer to God.