Month: April 2010

Agents Of Change

With 4 years of seminary under my belt, I walked into my first ministry with a long agenda. As a new pastor, I thought I was there to change that place. Instead, God used that place to change me.

The board members were supportive, but they relentlessly kept my feet to the fire in administrative details.

Unseen Workers

As I was giving myself a manicure, I started feeling sorry for my right hand. It does the most work, but my left hand gets the most attention. My right hand applies nail polish smoothly to my left-hand nails, but my left hand, lacking skill and coordination, does not return the favor. The polish on my right hand is always smeared and messy. One hand does the better work, but the other hand gets all the attention and honor.

He Never Sleeps

Giraffes have the shortest sleep cycle of any mammal. They sleep only between 10 minutes and 2 hours in a 24-hour period and average just 1.9 hours of sleep per day. Seemingly always awake, the giraffe has nothing much in common with most humans in that regard. If we had so little sleep, it would probably mean we had some form of insomnia.

Angels & Shepherds: Worshiping The Newborn King

Gain a fresh perspective on the miracle of Jesus' birth through the wonder and worship of angels and shepherds.

Baptism & The Lord’s Supper

Discover why these ordinances address the issues of commitment, devotion, and the gospel.

Are We Alone In The Cosmos?

Find out what the Bible has to say about extraterrestrial life and the challenges of the universe.

AIDS: Finding Hope And Compassion

Gain insight and knowledge to help you respond to this epidemic with the compassionate spirit of Christ.

Abigail & Leah: Living In A Difficult Marriage

Discover how you can experience God's joy and peace, even in a difficult marriage relationship.

Accepted By God: Our Justification Through Christ

Get a clear perspective on the biblical doctrine of justification, based on Paul's letters to the Romans.

The Wrong Stuff

It was a simple task, but I was in over my head. One of the items on the grocery list was soy. Problem was, I didn’t know what kind of soy my wife, Sue, had in mind when she made the list. After searching the aisles and asking the advice of a worker who was stacking soup cans, I grabbed a bottle of soy sauce, placed it in the cart, and went on my way.

How Can I Live With My Loss

When something dear or important to you is taken completely out of your life, the feelings of grief and loss can be overwhelming. Find out in the pages of this booklet how you can work through the pain and suffering of loss. Discover God’s peace and hope to help you move beyond your circumstance and continue on with purpose and meaning in life.

When Tragedy Strikes: Finding Security In A Vulnerable World

What do you do in the wake of devastation? Where do you turn for safety? How do you deal with the shock, pain, fear, and anger that overwhelm you? Find hope and a sense of security in the pages of this booklet, as counselor Tim Jackson shows you how to survive and even grow in the face of violence, disaster, and tragedy.

A Memorial

The Taj Mahal in India is a magnificent mausoleum. Built entirely of white marble, it was commissioned by the Emperor Shah Jehan in memory of his wife, who died suddenly. It took 22 years to complete. Millions of tourists visit this memorial annually in order to see this grand structure the emperor ordered to be built in memory of the woman he loved.

Gloating At The Enemy

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament. Yet hidden away in its brief record is a vital question that affects us all: How should we respond when we see an enemy experience misfortune?

The Fear Of Falling

Have you ever dreamed that you were falling out of bed or from some great height, and you awoke in fright? I remember that as a boy I would often be awakened by such a terrifying feeling.

I heard about a man who had this sensation as soon as he slipped into sleep. He was so rudely awakened by his sense of falling that he was afraid to go back to sleep. He feared he would die, and he imagined he was falling into a bottomless pit.