It’s All a Gift!
London’s Café Rendezvous has nice lighting, comfortable couches, and the smell of coffee in the air. What it doesn’t have are prices. Originally started as a business by a local church, the café was transformed a year after it started. The managers felt that God was calling them to do something radical—make everything on the menu free. Today you can order a coffee, cake, or sandwich without cost. There isn’t even a donation jar. It’s all a gift.
I asked the manager why they were so generous. “We’re just trying to treat people the way God treats us,” he said. “God…
When You’re Forced to Give Control to God
Written By Chelsie Washington, USA Control has always been something I’ve struggled with in a very subtle way. I may not always show that I want to control a situation, but I can sometimes make myself physically sick when things don’t go my way. Whenever thoughts of a situation going awry arise, my heart begins […]
Restored Failures
A guest band was leading praise and worship at our church, and their passion for the Lord was moving. We could see—and feel—their enthusiasm.
Then the musicians revealed that they were all ex-prisoners. Suddenly, their songs took on special meaning, and I saw why their words of praise meant so much to them. Their worship was a testimony of lives broken and restored.
The world may embrace success. But stories of failure offer people hope too. They assure us that God loves us no matter how many times we have failed. In his book Hearts of Iron, Feet of Clay, pastor Gary Inrig…
Outside In?
“Change: From the Inside Out or the Outside In?” the headline read, reflecting a popular trend today—the idea that outward changes like a makeover or better posture can be an easy way to change how we feel on the inside—and even change our lives.
It’s an appealing concept—who wouldn’t want improving our lives to be as easy as a new look? Many of us have learned the hard way that changing deep-rooted habits can seem nearly impossible. Focusing on simple external changes offers hope that there is a quicker path toward improving our lives.
But although such changes can improve our lives,…
Removing cultural blinders
Have you ever tried reading something upside down? Doesn’t usually work too well does it? But, flip it over and that change in perspective is all you need to see clearly! Well, today on Discover the Word, we wrap up a two-week discussion with authors Brandon O’Brien and Randy Richards. They’ve been helping us to […]
Unexpected Grace
It was an early Saturday morning in my sophomore year of high school, and I was eager to get to my job at the local bowling lanes. The evening before, I had stayed late to mop the muddy tile floors because the janitor called in sick. I hadn’t bothered to tell the boss about the janitor so I could surprise him. After all, what could go wrong? I thought.
Plenty, as it turns out.
Stepping in the door, I saw inches of standing water, with bowling pins, rolls of toilet paper and boxes of paper score-sheets bobbing on top. Then I realized…
How we miss the main point by reading Scripture out of context
We know that reading a verse out of context can lead to some wacky interpretations, but what if we’ve been doing that without even realizing it? Today on Discover the Word, authors Randy Richards and Brandon O’Brien look at a story in the Bible where we likely have missed the main point! Find out how […]
A Letter To My Future Self in 2027
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you from the tail end of 2017, a perfect time in which I find myself reflecting on my achievements and failures and reviewing what the year has meant to me.
First Things First
When you travel by air, before the flight takes off an airline employee presents a safety briefing, which explains what to do if there is a loss of cabin pressure. Passengers are told that oxygen masks will drop from the compartment above and they are to put one on themselves before helping others. Why? Because before you can help anyone else, you need to be physically alert yourself.
When Paul wrote to Timothy, he stressed the importance of maintaining his own spiritual health before helping and serving others. He reminded Timothy of his many responsibilities as a pastor: There were false…
A Letter to My Past Brokenhearted Self
Dear Agnes, I know it feels like it’s the worst night of your life. Your boyfriend of two years just broke up with you. You’re crying and you’re lonely.
Handling tragedy – a challenging and freeing discussion
We’ve all experienced loss. But have you ever felt like you’re just supposed to soldier on, denying your grief? Today on Discover the Word, we will tackle the subject of handling tragedy. It’s a challenging and freeing discussion—part of a series about “Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes” with special guests Brandon O’Brien and Randy Richards. […]
Trusting God Even If
Due to an injury that occurred in 1992, I suffer from chronic pain in my upper back, shoulders, and neck. During the most excruciating and disheartening moments, it’s not always easy to trust or praise the Lord. But when my situation feels unbearable, God’s constant presence comforts me. He strengthens me and reassures me of His unchanging goodness, limitless power, and sustaining grace. And when I’m tempted to doubt my Lord, I’m encouraged by the determined faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They worshipped God and trusted He was with them, even when their situation seemed hopeless.
When King Nebuchadnezzar threatened…
A Letter to My Past Brokenhearted Self
Dear Agnes, I know it feels like it’s the worst night of your life. Your boyfriend of two years just broke up with you. You’re crying and you’re lonely.
Open Day 2017
We're having an Open Day! Come and join us for a time of fellowship. Click here for more details.
