Mar

22

Christian Contours: How a Biblical Worldview Shapes the Mind and Heart

March 22, 2012 | 2 Comments

As a small group or church leader, do you ever run across a person with a mixed worldview? A Christian who can’t articulate the fundamentals of their faith? A Christian whose values and beliefs are blended with beliefs of other faiths or worldviews? Or perhaps you are discipling a person who holds onto lies and [...]

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Feb

16

Pursue Peace with Doves and Dragons – 1 Peter 3:8-12

February 16, 2012 | Comments Off

  This week in our Sue Edwards’ study on 1 Peter, we’re studying how to remain at peace with our brothers and sisters, as well as those who persecute us. I have to tell you that I’m not great at peacemaking. Sure it’s my intention, but when I’m crossed or offended, pride and self-protection rise [...]

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Feb

9

Strengthen the Sacred Mix–1 Peter 3: 1-7

February 9, 2012 | 1 Comment

Did you watch the Superbowl last weekend? I’m not much of a football fan, and certainly wasn’t excited about the teams after the local 49ers lost to the Giants in the playoffs. But like so many Americans, I watched the Superbowl for the commercials. Now I know that Superbowl commercials are always a little edgy, [...]

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Feb

2

1 Peter 2:11-25 — Submitting Like the Servant

February 2, 2012 | 2 Comments

In this fourth lesson of Sue Edwards’ study on 1 Peter, we come to what I consider to be some of the most difficult verses in the Bible. I am, by nature and heritage, a fighter. I feel justice deeply within my soul and spirit. Even as a child, I would get in trouble for [...]

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Jan

10

What’s in it for God?

January 10, 2012 | 2 Comments

As I always try to do the first week or so of January, I’ve been praying a lot about my year. I’ve evaluated last year, rejoicing in the things that worked and critiquing the things that didn’t. What do I want to repeat in 2012? What do I want to avoid like the plague in [...]

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Oct

23

Zombie Church: Breathing Life Back into the Body of Christ

October 23, 2011 | 5 Comments

Tyler Edwards, pastor of Cornerstone Christian Church in Joplin, MO, says there is something missing in the church today. Stuck in a rut of routines and rituals, he claims the church is caught up in doing what it is “supposed to do” but is lacking the true essence of what it is supposed to provide: [...]

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Oct

6

Let’s Take Another Look at Halloween

October 6, 2011 | 1 Comment

Fall is in the air. In fact, this week in northern California actually feels like winter with rain, wind, and frigid temperatures. With autumn comes the second most popular holiday in the US – Halloween. What is your opinion about Halloween? And what is that opinion based on? I was pretty ambivalent until I started [...]

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Sep

16

Becoming a Stress-Free Believer

September 16, 2011 | 5 Comments

Do you have people in your life who seem to live under a cloud of stress and anxiety? I do, both in my family and among many in my ministry sphere. And have you noticed that stress and anxiety seem to multiply, growing before your very eyes? People aren’t just stressed about one thing. Before [...]

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May

14

Pray for North Korea

May 14, 2011 | Comments Off

I must confess that I don’t spend enough time praying for other nations and almost never write about them. Yes, I read Voice of the Martyrs magazine every month and pray as I read those articles. But the reality is, I’m generally consumed with issues much closer to home. But when I saw this video [...]

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Mar

25

How Do You Identify and Define Your Lay MInisters?

March 25, 2011 | 4 Comments

Dan Lentz has a great article on Small Group Dynamics called “Why ‘Lay’ Small-Group Leaders Should Carry ‘Clergy’ Business Cards.” He makes the point that the distinctions between “lay” and “clergy” are counter-productive. Amen, Dan! This has been one of my soapboxes for most of my Christian career. In every church that I’ve been a [...]

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