Topic > Christianity & Culture
My Brothers and Sisters
Several years ago when the Southern California economy took a downturn, Pastor Bob Johnson saw not only difficulty but also opportunity. So he scheduled a meeting with the mayor of his city and asked, “What can our church do to help you?” The mayor was astonished. People usually came to him for help. Here was a minister offering him the services of an entire congregation.
Together the mayor and pastor came up with a plan to address several pressing needs. In their county alone, more than 20,000 seniors had gone the previous year without a single visitor. Hundreds of foster children…
Am I Giving Enough For God?
Living a faithful, godly life in the area of finances is something I am desperately trying to do. I give generously, but I still feel like I am doing it all wrong. About five times a year, I decide I am going to give away all of my money to the poor.
It wasn’t just excessive spending, it was more.
Ask any good Christian where their comfort comes from and their answer would be Christ. My source of comfort starts with C too, but I’m afraid it’s something else: Clothes.
Blessed to Bless Others
Three months ago, I took a nervous step off a plane onto Australian soil (or rather, concrete pavements), after an incredible nine months in another country. This re-entry to my home country marked the end of a life-changing journey of working in a developing country.
Where Can We Find Safety in the Midst of Suicide Attacks?
Some weeks ago, in my hometown Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia, a would-be suicide bomber charged into a church while it was holding a Sunday service and tried to detonate his vest. By God’s grace, the bomb failed to detonate, and the congregation was able to restrain him and subsequently hand him over to the police.
When the invisible becomes visible
It’s exciting when the invisible, something we long to see, becomes visible. Well, today on Discover the Word, the group will help open our eyes to see Jesus, who is the exact representation of God. We can’t touch Jesus with our physical senses, but we can know Him through those who did . . . […]
God reveals Himself through His Son, Jesus
Who is Jesus? It’s a question people always ask. But is it really that much of a mystery? This week on Discover the Word, we discuss how in the past God revealed Himself in many ways, but the most complete and radical way is through His only Son, Jesus. Be part of the group as they […]
God wants to be known
God has always been involved in the affairs of people, but He hasn’t always been recognized. Today on Discover the Word, we will talk about how throughout history, God has revealed Himself at various times and in various ways. God wants to be known. But do we seem to have the same level of interest […]
How God reveals Himself to us
Watch any home makeover TV show and you’ll see that “the reveal” is the big deal. Today on Discover the Word, join the group as they discuss God’s “Big Reveal.” Since the time of Adam, the Creator has been revealing Himself through nature, his prophets, His chosen people, and in the fullness of time through His […]
Why We Never Get What We Want
As a child, I was a huge fan of the Donald Duck series. I enjoyed watching the silly antics of the main characters, like the greedy miser Uncle Scrooge, his rival Flintheart Glomgold, the lazy Donald Duck, and his three clever nephews.
Shaping Your Thoughts
When Marshall McLuhan coined the phrase “the medium is the message” in 1964, personal computers were unknown, mobile phones were science fiction, and the Internet didn’t exist. Today we understand what great foresight he had in predicting how our thinking is influenced in this digital age. In Nicholas Carr’s book The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains, he writes, “[The media] supply the stuff of thought, but they also shape the process of thought. And what the Net seems to be doing is chipping away my capacity for concentration and contemplation. Whether I’m online or not, my mind…
An Open Hand
In 1891, Biddy Mason was laid to rest in an unmarked grave in Los Angeles. That wasn’t unusual for a woman born into slavery, but it was remarkable for someone as accomplished as Biddy. After winning her freedom in a court battle in 1856, she combined her nursing skills with wise business decisions to make a small fortune. As she observed the plight of immigrants and prisoners, she reached out to them, investing in charity so frequently that people began lining up at her house for help. In 1872, just sixteen years out of slavery, she and her son-in-law financed…
Our prayers are powerful
Do you sometimes feel like your prayers hit the ceiling and stop there? Or do you think because God is sovereign and will do what He wants, there’s no point in even trying to pray? Today on “Discover the Word,” the group explores why our prayers are powerful, even though exactly how that works remains a mystery. Join us today on” Discover the Word”!
“Our sufficiency is from God”
On July 4, the U.S. will celebrate Independence Day. But today on “Discover the Word,” the group will talk about how, as individual believers in Christ, we can celebrate Dependence Day. And that’s every day when we sincerely say, “Our sufficiency is from God.” Today on “Discover the Word,” we will discuss the essence of prayer, complete dependence on God. Tune in today to “Discover the Word”!
“The Essence of Prayer”
What drives you to your knees in prayer? For many of us, it’s worry. This week on “Discover the Word,” we are going to talk about “The Essence of Prayer.” When we’re desperate for relief from our anxieties, we often treat God like Mr. Fix It. But is a quick solution what God promises to give us? Join the group today on “Discover the Word”!
