Articles Tagged 'Harsh'

Your Support Matters!

Your donations are vital to help us keep the light shining.

Donate Now

Until We Find Our Dream

What an incredible story of transformation from an atheist to a Christian missionary in primitive Papua, New Guinea, and it is the real

James Nored and Phil Ware share in video and words the wonder of Jesus’ birth and how it changed the world with the Sound of Music and tie this to the New Year with New Hope prayer hour.

Donny, Marie, and LeBron: Real People, Real Words

We actually exchanged real words with both of them. It was amazing. Would you believe that they are both real living, breathing human beings?

Michael DeCamp shares a chapter out of his new book, "Loving Out Loud," and challenges us to use our words to bless and not hurt, to give life and not steal it from someone.

Not Molded by Our Circumstances!

We can change our world for the better rather than having our values eroded by our circumstances!

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of Joseph's story and how God works in our lives to bless people if we are faithful, have character, and share compassion no matter our circumstance.

Peace: Until We Find Our Dream

What an incredible story. It's a story of transformation from an atheist to a Christian missionary in primitive Papua, New Guinea!

James Nored and Phil Ware share in video and words the wonder of Jesus’ birth and how it changed the world with the Sound of Music.

A Caution about Criticism

Some criticism isn't helpful, it is withering, so how do we deal with it?

Rubel Shelly reminds us that unfair criticism is a part of life so we need to rely on our relationship with God to overcome it and we need to not ever become one of those kinds of criticizers.

Saved From... Saved For!

We don't want to be swimming with Jonah on the shoreline!

Phil Ware continues with his series on Saved at Sea from the great Bible stories of sea rescues and this time examines Jonah and that he was saved from death for God's great purposes.

Delete! Delete! Delete!

What can you do after the message is sent?

Rubel Shelly reminds us that we have to choose our words carefully because we don't have an unsend button for our mouth or a delete button to use after the words are spoken.

Can Jesus Survive Religion's Failures?

How has Jesus survived the messes his followers have made over the centuries?

Jesus and the gospel message about Jesus continues to be more resilient than the failures, foibles, and fractures among his people.

Holding Jesus' Miracles in My Hands

Sometimes we get to touch what Jesus has done and it is breathtaking!

Phil Ware writes about Compassion international and seeing the incredible things God is doing through the projects in Fortaleza, Brazil using the help of sponsors and ground personnel to free children from poverty in Jesus' name.

Letting Hatred Go...

Why do we hold onto the things that poison us the most?

Stacy Voss reminds us that we can let our bitterness and un-forgiveness poison us and steal our lives from us.

Civil Discourse

While we're railing at the candidates, how about we take a look in the mirror?

Rubel Shelly reminds us that it isn't just the politicians who use harsh and unfair speech.

Let's DO It!

What's got you stuck in neutral?

Phil Ware looks at the last chapter of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 7, and emphasizes Jesus' call to us to obey, put into practice, bear fruit, and do what he says.

Joy to the World!

With the birth of Jesus, we enter a gritty world that we know is our own.

Phil Ware continues his series called When Spirit Becomes Flesh and he focuses on the grit and real world feel of the birth stories and also the joy that comes from Jesus' birth.

Take a Closer Look

What are you seeing as you go to church this morning?

Tom Norvell reminds us that we must take a closer look and not judge on mere appearances as Jesus said.

Sawdust and Two-by-Fours

What are we overlooking in ourselves to criticize others?

Patrick Odum writes about firefighters burning down their own station, hypocrites, criticism, and our desire to run others down.

Beyond the Call of Duty

Are you above the law?

Rubel Shelly reminds us of another way to be like Jesus and be above the law in a good way.

Penchant for Perfection

Maturity means admitting we haven't arrived!

Rubel Shelly reminds us that we are not perfect yet, and admitting our failures and imperfections is not an excuse, but an opportunity to meet God and have his grace help us grow.

Bent Out of Shape

How bent are you?

Patrick Odum reminds us that there are all sorts of ways to be bent and only Jesus can unshackle us from our position.

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.

Become a Builder

Why tear down when you can build others up?

Paul Faulkner reminds us that we are put here to be a blessing to others and inspire, encourage, and build up, not tear down and criticize because the church, Jesus' community, is God's holy temple.

Something Better Than a Critic

Isn't there anything nice to say?

Rubel Reminds us that there are nearly always good things to say about others if we will look and most folks need something kind and encouraging said to them.