Articles Tagged 'Kin' (Page 14)

The Best Gifts

Are you still trying to buy love at Christmas?

Priceless memories that you make with those you love are far more valuable and enduring gifts than anything you can purchase with money.

'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.

Giving Back to God What Is His

Are we just renters of the blessings we have?

Using something for free almost every weekend of the year for a parking lot reminds a church that they don't own what they use; we need to learn that same thing as God's children.

The Value of a Thank You!

Could you ever imagine that 80 cents could mean so much?

Sending thank you cards or notes can be such a powerful and special blessing to those who receive them and are just the kind of thing the Lord would have us do!

Seeking God

What god are you seeking?

Idolatry in India leads to a false notion that their gods are drinking milk, but the true and living God knows us and cares about us.

I Need You Every Hour

Are you this desperate for God?

The words of an old song remind us of our deep need for God and longing for him.

Horrifying Halloween

What could make Halloween any more horrifying than it already is?

An awful Halloween ten years ago reminds us how important it is to value children for who they are!

Simple Dignity

Sometimes the most profound grace is based on simple action.

The Amish are an example of simple piety that cares to honor God above getting even: it is their character and not their dress or agrarian culture we need to imitate.

Family Messes

How are we to handle the messes of life in the family of God?

Christian people can be ugly and ungrateful, but we must be like Jesus in both the way we use our speech and the way we forgive others who are hateful and ungrateful.

A Little Lower, Please

How good are you at your communication skills?

A humorous story about a date is a reminder of how hard it can be to communicate well.

Always Golden!

You mean we are supposed to do this everywhere!

After reading the passage again, have you seen anything new, like maybe it should apply in everything you do -- the Golden Rule!

This Time, Giving Up is Winning

Can you ever think of when giving up is ever good?

Jesus gave up his spirit, but he did not give up his mission, his mercy, his grace.

The Ultimate Cop-out

How can you explain this away so nonchalantly?

A mother's lame explanation for child abuse makes us realize how easy and horrible it is to explain away our own responsibility.

It Is Finished

How can we complete all that we were meant to accomplish?

Jesus accomplished all he was sent to do because he put God's kingdom and his righteousness first.

Wisdom and Consequences

Why do we fool ourselves into thinking our actions and choices don't matter that much?

Our descisions have consequences and these choices are not inconsequential to our children and grandchildren.

Now is the Time

How long do you really think you have?

Paul has a scare while tending his goats and it makes him realize the urgency of now, of doing the things today that need to be done and saying the things that need to be said 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.

Beyond the Tummy Tuck

Now how much do you REALLY like it?

We like a person with kindness much more than a person who has had a bunch of cosmetic surgery or plastic surgery.

No Jobs in Heaven?

You going to join me at the heavenly beach hut?

A lighthearted look at heaven and the joy that awaits us there: it's like a beach and not really a job.

Ministering to Our Friends

How do we make life among our friends more enjoyable?

Friends can help friends if they love them and minister to them.

Expanding Your Circle of Friends

How big is your circle?

We all need more friends, but the way to have them is to invest the time and offer others our friendship

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.

No Strings Attached

Will we help others in the same way that Jesus did?

Will we help those who need it simply because we follow Jesus and because they need it with no strings attached?

Expanding Your Circle of Friends

Are you connected an expanding circle of friends?

We all need friends, but in America, people have fewer and few friends, but the best way to have friends is to be a friend.

Little Things, Done Faithfully

Are you willing to do all those tedious, little things of love?

Little things, done faithfully, like taking out the garbage, are the glue, the grace, of ongoing and lasting relationships and marriages.