Leading in Hope 2006 Archives

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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.

Hearing Problems

So how is your hearing these days?

We have a hard time understanding because we don't hear or listen to understand what Jesus is saying to us!

Desensitized

Have you seen your own values slipping a little lately?

The price of gasoline kicks off some creative questioning by Russ as he wrestles with the serious desensitization that has occurred in many lives.

Lift Up Your Eyes

Where are your eyes pointed these days?

Lift up your eyes is a call for vision, a call to not walk in fear of danger, but to look for the new, the glory, the things God is calling us to embrace.

To the Swift!

Is there any way you can make it on time?

A hard difficult trip and a close connection after a flight delay turns out to be a good chance for Joey Cope to learn a lesson about God's power to use us as we are.

Run and Don't Burn Out!

Can you keep running and not grow weary?

Burn out seems to happen more and more frequently, but when see why it happens, we realize that folks are losing sight of the goal and are often motivated for the wrong reasons.

Tenacious Persistence

Have you found the power of simply doing that right thing again and again?

Both God and satan use the principle of tenacity and persistence to shape and form things just like nature does, but how we use it is everything.

Right Now!

Why do we put it off and then forget?

Mike learns to not put off prayer, but when someone has a need, he says, "Let's pray right now!"

Exercising the Spirit: Hospitality

When was the last time you entertained angels?

Hospitality is the Christian virtue of entertaining strangers, outsiders, and guests and recognizing in them angels or even the presence of God in the Trinity.

The Fear of the Lord

Why should I excited about fearing the Lord?

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and worship, but it is not a terror of the Lord, but an enraptured love-filled walk with a holy God.

Change is Constant

How can change be a constant that ties us to the past and gives us hope for the future?

Change is a constant so how we deal with it is crucial and is part of our heritage as God's people.

I Will Bear Much Fruit

How productive are you going to be in your walk with the Lord?

We must remain connected to Jesus if we are going to bear fruit in the Lord.

Lost

When's the last time you helped a lost person?

What would happen in church, church folks, got serious about seeking lost people like Jesus did?

Exercising the Spirit: Generosity

How can being generous grow our spirits?

The spiritual discipline of generosity is crucial if we are going to grow in the spirit.

Change is Constant

Do you really want things to quit changing?

Change is inevitable and we should appreciate many of the changes, but we need to trust in God who does not change.