Youth
Youth
“I’m only 11 years old and I love to read Our Daily Bread. I read it before I go to bed at night and my grandma sometimes reads it to me when I stay at her house. I think Our Daily Bread encourages many people to make smart choices. I even take it to school sometimes and read it!”
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Looking at your “bucket list” in a whole new way
Today on Discover the Word, we welcome special guest and bestselling author Ann Voskamp to the table for a second week of a series of conversations based on Ann’s new book, called “The Broken Way.” Discover a new way of looking at your “bucket list” today on Discover the Word!
Transformed by Beholding
The greatest characteristic a Christian can exhibit is this completely unveiled openness before God, which allows that person’s life to become a mirror for others. When the Spirit fills us, we are transformed, and by beholding God we become mirrors. You can always tell when someone has been beholding the glory of the Lord, because your inner spirit senses that he mirrors the Lord’s own character. Beware of anything that would spot or tarnish that mirror in you. It is almost always something good that will stain it— something good, but not what is best.
God’s Face
Much of my career as a writer has revolved around the problem of pain. I return again and again to the same questions, as if fingering an old wound that never quite heals. I hear from readers of my books, and their anguished stories give human faces to my doubts. I remember a youth pastor calling me after he had learned that his wife and baby daughter were dying of AIDS because of a tainted blood transfusion. “How can I talk to my youth group about a loving God?” he asked.
I have learned to not even attempt an answer to…
God’s Face
Much of my career as a writer has revolved around the problem of pain. I return again and again to the same questions, as if fingering an old wound that never quite heals. I hear from readers of my books, and their anguished stories give human faces to my doubts. I remember a youth pastor calling me after he had learned that his wife and baby daughter were dying of AIDS because of a tainted blood transfusion. “How can I talk to my youth group about a loving God?” he asked.
I have learned to not even attempt an answer to…
God’s Face
Much of my career as a writer has revolved around the problem of pain. I return again and again to the same questions, as if fingering an old wound that never quite heals. I hear from readers of my books, and their anguished stories give human faces to my doubts. I remember a youth pastor calling me after he had learned that his wife and baby daughter were dying of AIDS because of a tainted blood transfusion. “How can I talk to my youth group about a loving God?” he asked.
I have learned to not even attempt an answer to…
Abandon It All
When I played college basketball, I made a conscious decision at the beginning of each season to walk into that gym and dedicate myself totally to my coach—doing whatever he might ask me to do.
It would not have benefited my team for me to announce, “Hey, Coach! Here I am. I want to shoot baskets and dribble the ball, but don’t ask me to run laps, play defense, and get all sweaty!”
Every successful athlete has to trust the coach enough to do whatever the coach asks them to do for the good of the team.
In Christ, we are to become…
Abandon It All
When I played college basketball, I made a conscious decision at the beginning of each season to walk into that gym and dedicate myself totally to my coach—doing whatever he might ask me to do.
It would not have benefited my team for me to announce, “Hey, Coach! Here I am. I want to shoot baskets and dribble the ball, but don’t ask me to run laps, play defense, and get all sweaty!”
Every successful athlete has to trust the coach enough to do whatever the coach asks them to do for the good of the team.
In Christ, we are to become…
Abandon It All
When I played college basketball, I made a conscious decision at the beginning of each season to walk into that gym and dedicate myself totally to my coach—doing whatever he might ask me to do.
It would not have benefited my team for me to announce, “Hey, Coach! Here I am. I want to shoot baskets and dribble the ball, but don’t ask me to run laps, play defense, and get all sweaty!”
Every successful athlete has to trust the coach enough to do whatever the coach asks them to do for the good of the team.
In Christ, we are to become…
“Broken and given”
Today on Discover the Word, Ann Voskamp tells the group about a life-changing trip she made recently to Iran to share the compassion of Jesus. Join them as they discuss how we all can use whatever position we’re in to be “broken and given” for those around us. Discover what that means when you tune […]
Give, Save & Spend: Finance’s God’s Way
This six-week study is designed for those interested in a biblical approach to finances. Students will explore God’s perspective on managing money and possessions, engaging in many practical applications for handling finances that are at the heart of a variety of financial matters.
We deeply appreciate the provision of these course materials from Compass—Finances God’s Way. If you have an interest in their ministry please visit compass1.org.
Why Am I Afraid of Sharing My Faith?
Have you ever been afraid of sharing your faith with others? I have. When I was in fourth grade, my family and I were the only Christians in our neighborhood.
Breath of Life
On a cold and frosty morning, as my daughter and I walked to school, we enjoyed seeing our breath turn to vapor. We giggled at the various steamy clouds we could each produce. I received the moment as a gift, reveling in being with her and being alive.
Our breath, which is usually invisible, was seen in the cold air, and it made me think about the Source of our breath and life‑the Lord our Creator. For He who formed Adam out of the dust of the ground, giving him the breath of life, also gives life to us and to…
Holy Spirit Calling
I love that I have learned to listen to the Holy Spirit and to follow it’s leading. I also love to recognize how God set us up to use us like this experience with my broken iPhone.
Right before Thanksgiving the screen on my iPhone shattered. My wonderful friends the Drakes surprised me with an early birthday/Christmas present and gave me the money to have it fixed.
The Tuesday before Thanksgiving I called to make an appointment to have it fixed at the Knox Street Apple store. I was informed the soonest I could get an appointment would be at the North Park Mall store at 3:25 pm on Sunday. The Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend at North Park Mall. Holy cow, I am pretty darn sure that would be like one of Dante's nine levels of hell, but I accepted it. The Apple operator also told me I could walk in off the street and chance getting an appointment. That oh so familiar “still small voice” said “go now.”
Off I went to the Knox Street Apple store with high hopes. I patiently stood in line and was told I could come back in three and a half hours and have it fixed. BINGO! That was perfect. I could go do my Thanksgiving grocery shopping as well as some other errands and get my phone fixed all in the same day.
Upon my return to the Apple Store I was guided to a communal table where the Apple tech would be helping me and a young lady. A beautiful young lady, a brunet in her late twenties, with a pixie haircut, two full sleeves of tattoos and a pierced nose.
As the tech expertly simultaneously handled both of our phone issues I noticed the young lady was really discombobulated. I noticed she was in tears and said “Honey, what is wrong?” She proceeded pour her heart out to me and tell me she never thought she’d be getting herself out of an abusive situation. I am guessing her broken phone had something to do with the abusive man. I asked her if she talked to God and told if she didn’t this would be a good time to start and that He would protect her.
Her name was Laura and she told me she was trying to be a writer to which I responded “Me, too!” She said also wrote poetry and I responded “ Me, too!” She then said she had been chaste before this relationship to which I laughed and said “Me, too, I still am.” I asked her if she would like to go have coffee and talk while our phones were being fixed. She replied “ Yes!” and the Apple tech quietly said under his breath “This is cool.”
For an hour and a half she talked about her life and I talked to her about God and how He would see her through all of this. I told her my own experiences and how God took care of me. Laura asked me where I went to church and although she wasn’t Catholic she had always wanted a rosary. She asked me if there was a Mass on Thanksgiving and would I go with her? I told her “Honey, if you show up I will go with you.”
As we exchanged contact information her mother called and she said “Mom, I met a lady and we’ve been talking about God. I’ll be home soon” We hugged goodbye and she was on her way. I texted her later to make sure she got home to Ft.Worth in time to pick up her little boy. She texted that she was stuck in traffic and “Thank you for walking into that store today.” God sure knew what He was doing when my iPhone screen shattered.
I didn’t hear from Laura on Thanksgiving but I sent her a rosary, a booklet on how to say it, a copy of Jesus Calling, a journal for her poetry and told her to keep in touch. I hope she does. I’m also glad I keep in touch with the Holy Spirit and follow its promptings. You never know where God is going to lead you.
