November 4, 2009 – 11:02 am
Have you ever felt awkward about talking with a friend who has lost a loved one? We all probably have. The good news for us as Christians is that Jesus is the master when it comes to directing our steps. He encourages us to get ourselves out of the way and reach out to the [...]
November 2, 2009 – 8:13 am
Yes, we need courage. We face many struggles—in the economy, in raising children, in creating a spiritual home environment, in relating to others as good husbands or wives, brothers or sisters, daughters or sons, friends, employee, or employers. Many days, it takes a good deal of courage just to get out of bed in the [...]
September 16, 2009 – 10:26 pm
After church on Sunday I was part of the giveaway team. A group of us handed out a special remembrance to everyone as they passed by. People loved them! Many will hold on to their meaningful gifts for years to come. (Then again, some will sell them on eBay to make a [...]
September 14, 2009 – 10:49 am
Two of my friends–both agnostics–express deep frustration when Christians claim morality cannot exist apart from religion, particularly, the Judeo-Christian ethic. Both see themselves as moral people, and I’m sure they do try to do the “right” thing. The devil, of course, is in the details of how one defines “right” and who gets to decide on that [...]
It is hard to believe that another summer is slipping away. July is gone and August is rapidly approaching. As August arrives, we begin to think about the end of summer and the beginning of the school year.
But before summer is truly gone, take some time to yourself to reflect and recharge for another busy [...]
When is the last time God woke you up to teach you a lesson? It happened to me on a recent Sunday morning, when I was uncharacteristically wide-eyed at 5 o’clock.
I slipped downstairs, knowing my family would sleep for another three hours before beginning the weekly, pre-church bathroom battle. (The only male in my household [...]
Here’s a sample devotion from Serving in His Steps, CTA’s newest gift book designed to express appreciation to volunteers and staff in your church. Pastors, children’s ministers, youth workers, deacons boards, elders, women’s/men’s ministry leaders–whoever you want to encourage or thank for stepping up to serve–will, I hope, find these devotions encouraging! Visit the CTA [...]
Most of the time, TV commercials are dull. Sometimes, you see something witty or clever that catches your attention, but not normally.
However, one recent TV ad has stuck with me. I think it about it when I consider the blessings of fatherhood. The catch phrase of the commercial was, “It takes a man to be [...]
Graduation is one of the highlights on our church calendar. Typically, we recognize all our church’s graduates on the lst Sunday in May. But if you haven’t done it yet, you’re not too late! Here are some ideas you may be able to incorporate.
1. Have a small, Christ-centered gift for each graduate. Check here for great graduate [...]
Graduation is barely over. VBS is about to begin. Everyone on your ministry team is scrambling to implement the great ideas you’ve been collecting for Summer Sunday school or the youth mission trip in July.
I know you’re not ready to think about Fall just yet or about welcoming new workers to the paid staff or [...]
Not Sure What to Say to a Grieving Friend? Here’s Help!
Have you ever felt awkward about talking with a friend who has lost a loved one? We all probably have. The good news for us as Christians is that Jesus is the master when it comes to directing our steps. He encourages us to get ourselves out of the way and reach out to the [...]