This is a tale for readers like me who have tried to seize every good opportunity and worn themselves out in the process. The week before I started college, my mom rented a beach house in Gulf Shores, Alabama. With unimaginable greatness only a few days away, I slipped out for a moon-lit stroll to pray about the exciting unknown. I walked for a while before pausing to consider all the other footprints lining the beach. Thousands of steps surrounded me. Overwhelmed by the multitude of steps, I lost sight of my own. The foreboding … [Read more...]
A Letter to Yourself
If you've ever attempted to watch television in another country, beware. Granted, the world beyond our shining seashores has adopted much of our American pop culture over the last few decades, so it's not entirely impossible to find something on the telly in English. But channel surfing takes on a whole new meaning across the pond. Still, having a friend who has years of experience riding these electronic waves of confusion and babble is beneficial, so I turn to him to be my “TV guide,” if you will. Just the other night, … [Read more...]
Let’s Talk About Sex
Sex is powerful and personal, emotional, and even spiritual. And did we mention how complicated it is? Join author Gregg Matte as he unpacks 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 to help us better understand God’s purpose and design for sex and sexuality – whether you’re single, dating, or married. In Birds and Bees: A conversation about God, sex, and sexuality, you can lead your group in discussing hot-button cultural issues, including homosexuality, lust, singleness, and divorce. You can also address the wounds we all have related to … [Read more...]
When Change Happens
About four months ago my good friend Sarah was offered her dream job with a reputable company. Not only would she be raking in a larger paycheck, but she would be doing something she absolutely loved, all the while putting her college degree to work for the first time since graduation. She called me one night to talk about the decision to leave her job at the time for this new position. "It's such an amazing opportunity," she said, her voice bubbling over with excitement. "But in all honesty, I'm scared to try something new. I've … [Read more...]
3 Ways to Keep the Passion Alive
You can’t teach passion. But you can catch it. In fact, it’s quite contagious. And like an infectious disease, it will sneak up on you from out of nowhere when you least expect it. It can slay giants, knock down walls, and open doors of opportunity. Passion can transform a person and change the world. However, unlike a real contagious disease, passion can be quickly dissolved. In leadership, we see it happen too often. Without a constant feeding of passion, we lose momentum, focus, and love for the game (career). Without … [Read more...]
3 Tips for Starting a College Ministry
by Brad Baker, College Pastor–Saddleback Church 1 in 4 Millennials report not having a specific religious affiliation. What a perfect time to launch a ministry to reach and develop 18-25 year olds. If you’re wondering where to begin, allow me to share some ideas (most of which come from my mistakes and what I wish I would’ve done when I began 12 years ago). #1. Think of yourself as a cross-cultural missionary. Today's access to technology (on average, Millennials own 2.4 Internet-connected devices) has fragmented this … [Read more...]
GIVEAWAY--Enter Today || 20 copies of Creation Restored
The Synopsis Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph. As the main characters in the Book of Genesis, many of us have been hearing stories about these men since we were children. The problem is, such stories are usually broken up into isolated fragments: Abraham on Mount Moriah, Jacob wrestling with God, Joseph and his multi-colored coat. When we dig deeper, we see that these men are part of a single, seamless story-one that stretches from the first page of the Bible to the last. Join authors Matt Carter and Halim Suh as they examine Genesis … [Read more...]
Summer break is finally here! Now what?
by Gus Hernandez, Jr. Summer break! Two words that almost immediately bring some form of excitement upon every college student. These two words even become a motivational phrase helping students persevere through the last few weeks of the semester. So now that summer break is finally here, what should you do during this time? I want to offer three simple suggestions for maximizing your summer break: relax, reflect, and re-establish. Relax This one may seem obvious, but I believe you should purposefully take some time to just unwind … [Read more...]
Along-The-Way Discipleship
by Kevin Hall I've grown up going to Sunday School, "big church," small group Bible studies, retreats, and mission trips. Like most Christians, I learned how important it is to read the Bible and pray. I heard many Bible stories and even learned great applications for my Christian life. But, like most churches, my church didn't teach me how to read the Bible or how to pray. Sure, I learned the order of the books of the Bible, and of course, I heard many prayers. But the discipleship component was missing. Through the years, I learned … [Read more...]
Make Mom Proud
She stayed by your side through chicken pox and teenage tantrums. Mothers deserve their holiday. But you don't have to spend a lot; just invest some thoughtfulness. Calendar Girl For about $20, create a custom calendar with photos of the whole family. Imagine Mom's surprise as she flips through each month to find funny and sweet remembrances. Chef for a Day OK. You're not Emeril Lagasse, but you can still kick this Mother's Day up a notch by preparing a meal just for Mom. Plan a simple menu and prepare a few dishes the day before. … [Read more...]
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