Leading in Hope (Page 2) 2008 Archives

Cleaning Up Our Act

Are we using cleaning agents that are toxic to others and their faith?

Rubel Shelly reminds us that we need to allow new Christians and inquirers to have time to grow and mature and not subject them to over scrutiny to the point of killing them with caustic cleanliness.

How Money Buys Happiness

Money can buy happiness?

Rubel Shelly helps us see how money buys happiness, by using it to help others who are in need!

Moving Stumps

How do you reach the tipping point?

Mike Barres gets stumped on moving a stump but keeps on going and reaches the tipping point and comes through because he doesn't give up.

People First

Would you reach the mountaintop or help the wounded?

Mike Barres challenges us with a powerful example of climbing Mt. Everest and compares it with having a great church experience but not being concerned with people.

Shout for Joy!

Why should I rejoice when things are not going well?

Rubel Shelly reminds us that we've got to look past our own failures and low view of our own importance and learn to rejoice because we are each a child of the King.

God Gets Mad

If it makes God mad, shouldn't we get angry, too?

Rubel Shelly reminds that God hates and gets angry at evil and calls us to be stirred to anger and action.

Forgiveness?

What are you going to do?

Ron Rose reminds us of Reginald Denny and the vicious attack he suffered in the riots of LA and yet forgave.

Ruts

How can we get out of those hard and fast ruts?

Mike Barres talks about his gravel driveway and how it gets full of ruts and how he goes about avoiding them and then he challenges us to avoid living in the ruts we have made in our churches and our lives.

The Comma Makes All the Difference

How do you punctuate your life and walk with God?

Ron Rose talks about where we find our significance and comfort in life, God or false substitutes.

Shout for Joy!

Whatever is bad, remember the great!

Rubel Shelly reminds us that we still have a lot to be celebrate even if things are bad with our lives, because God is at work in us and has done great things.

Coaches Invest in People

Have you ever thought about being a coach?

Ron Rose talks about one of his personal mentoring heroes and emphasizes how we must all step up and start coaching someone.

What Difference Would It Make?

What can one woman do in a life so hard?

Rubel Shelly shares a story about a little boy who was powerfully impacted for good by a neighbor lady.

Some Who Has Been There

Who is more super than Superman and yet doesn't possess his powers?

Rubel Shelly reminds us that Superman isn't really a model of a hero because he didn't have to worry about anything, but those of us who are mortal need heroes like Jesus and you!

More than One Way to Hit a Homerun

When is a homerun not quite a homerun without some help?

Steve Higginbotham reminds us of a great home run story from D II women's softball and how the opposing team helped an injured competitor.

The Little Church That Could

Do you think you can?

Larry Davies takes the story of "The Little Engine that Could" and applies it to church.

Restored to Sanity

How do we get our minds in the right place?

Rubel Shelly reminds us that God's redemption isn't just about the future, but about living fully human lives now!

A Christian Nation?

Would we really want it if we could have it?

Rubel Shelly challenges us to think through our thinking on the upcoming election

Prayer out of Compassion

What can you do?

Ron Rose tells us about a movement that swept the US nation many years ago and how God used it to change everyone.

A Tact Attack

What do you mean my dog is on the roof?

Rubel Shelly shares his insights on tact, telling the truth, kindness, sophistry, avoidance, and sugar coating the truth.

Treating Symptoms

Can we get past the symptoms and really treat what is going on underneath?

Rubel Shelly reminds us to not settle for merely treating the symptoms, but get to the root causes of our problems.

A Step in the Right Direction?

What ever happened to restitution?

Rubel Shelly talks about the Old Testament concept of restitution instead of punishment for folks who have committed crimes.

Collecting the Fingerprints of God

So what are you collecting?

Ron Rose reminds us to collect stories about God's fingerpints.

Worship in the Microsoft Age

What does worship really entail?

Patrick Odum reminds us of the importance of church and how it may not be efficient, but is sure necessary.

The Lord's Prayer

Do you really know the difference between the disciples' prayer and the Lord's prayer?

Bill Sherrill reminds us that the Lord's prayer on the night he was betrayed was for unity and he prayed this three times, it was so important to him.

Root of the Problem

What really is behind all of this financial mess?

Rubel Shelly talks about the financial crisis, or better, crises, that are afflicting our economy and housing markets and foreclosure problems and points to one age old problem -- greed.