Leading in Hope (Page 17)

The Rub of New Shoes

How long will you wear yours?

A new pair of shoes helps Mike figure out why we need some traditions.

Cozying Up to a Holy God

When is it wrong to try to portray God as our friend?

Displaying our faith is laudable if it is backed up by a life committed to living what we say; otherwise, it's dangerous!

Broken by Sin?

What do we do with sinners?

We must be tough on sin but offer mercy and forgiveness for those who are truly repentant.

Unbending Realities

Does anything really matter if morals don't matter?

Morals and values, right and wrong, matter or nothing really matters anymore in society.

In Whose Image?

Into whose image are we trying to make new Christians conform?

So often we force new Christians into the mold of something or someone who isn't really Jesus.

A Cry for Excellence

Is this the best we can do?

While we can get frustrated with a lack of excellence in service in the world, we can never justify doing just enough and stopping short of giving God the best.

Seeing or Believing

What comes first, seeing or believing?

Some things we have to believe before we can see them!

Burden, Vision, and Passion

What are you living for this next year?

We must live our burden, passion, and vision if we are to honor God.

Maybe You Need to Unplug?

Will you turn it off for a few days?

Sometimes we have to take a break from all the information overload!

Those Less Welcome?

How are we doing at welcoming in those not everyone else likes?

We must welcome those other reject and leave out because that is what Jesus did.

Baby Worship

Why make such a long and costly trip to see a baby?

Why would anyone want to seek Jesus? Just to worship him!

With Power

Is it more than just mere words?

The gospel is about a lot more than words -- without the power of a transformed life it means little.

Morning Glory

Do you know some late bloomers?

Sometimes it takes some people many years to truly bloom, but we must be patient because when they do it is senstational!

In the Middle

Where are you stuck?

We will never make it trying to live in the middle: it is the place of collisions and disasters.

Audience of One

Who are you performing to please?

So often we judge how important an event is by how many are expected to show up and base our efforts accordingly -- but this is wrong, because our real audience is God.

Do We Really Believe What He Said?

When does every nation begin next door?

Why is it so hard for us to reach out and share the Gospel with those nearby, much less with the whole world?

Pencils in an Age of Computers

What's your mode of communication?

While many changes are for the better, some things remain the same to our advantage and blessing.

No Responsibilities?

Is there ever a time we are not responsible for these things?

Even when we are away from our normal responsibilities, we are still responsible for these things!

The Value of Sermons

What's good about sermons?

Sermons are great and sorry, exciting and boring,

Aunt Vera

What difference does a distant aunt really make?

An aunt doesn't appear on the surface to make that much difference, but when you look a little more closely, she can make a world of difference.

Elbow Grease

Are you clean enough to leave a message?

God's people are best noticed when they leave a trail of kind deeds and acts of grace behind, cleaning up a dingy world gone bad.

The Least of These?

Who does Jesus value most?

We will be judged by how we cared for the least, the left out, and the lonely.

The Gipper on Good Intentions

Do good intentions let you off the hook for bad actions?

Having good intentions doesn't offset bad decisions, actions, or words.

God's Word is Not Dead

Is the Word of God alive in your life?

We need to be more diligent in reading the Word of God.

Secure In My Insecurities

Can we really be honest about our weaknesses?

God not only makes us strong in our weakness, but he uses our weaknesses to do his work.