Do you like sitcoms? Do you know every episode of “Seinfeld”? Do you know the last name of all the characters from “Friends”? Can you still sing the theme song from “Cheers”? Have you identified people from your workplace with characters from “The Office”? If so, not only do you like sitcoms, but you also know them. You know how they work. There is a pattern. There’s some humor, a good story here and there, a minor conflict, and some kind of happy conclusion that wraps it all up. … [Read more...]
Celebrating Freedom
The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. I love the pageantry that comes along with it—the fireworks, the parades, the cookouts, and the time at the lake. It can't be beat. And it's appropriate. As an American, this is the day when I, along with millions of others, celebrate my national freedom. This day is my chance to express externally the internal pride I have in my country. Of course, I'm not limited to celebrating freedom only on this day, but there's no doubt that the Fourth of July marks my fullest expression … [Read more...]
Creation Unraveled iMix
Need an easy way to find all of the songs for the Creation Unraveled playlist? Visit the iTunes Store and view the Creation Unraveled iMix—a one-stop place to find all of the recommended music for Creation Unraveled! Find more information on the artists/albums/songs, listen to samples, pick and choose which of the songs (or all of them) that you’d like to purchase, and then click to buy! … [Read more...]
Finding Contentment
Paul wrote in Philippians 4:13: “I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Throughout my life, these words have taken on different meanings. In high school, I had that verse in my football locker, reminding me to knock my opponent on his rear—because he may be huge, but I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. In college, that verse would come to mind when I'd enter a class and see everyone frantically pouring over their notes. Oh no. A test. But hey, good news! I can do all things … [Read more...]
Walk With God
Now that we have an idea of what our fears and hang-ups are in regards to leadership, and what godly leadership looks like in our own lives, we’re going to look at what Ezra can teach us about the lifelong process of honing our leadership skills as we walk with God. This includes aligning the desires of your heart with God’s desires for you, building and maintaining a reputation of integrity, and fostering genuine relationships with the people you’re called to lead. As with every other aspect of our Christian faith, … [Read more...]
College Leaders--How to make the most out of your summer Sabbath
Even though it has been a long time since I served on a college campus as a campus minister, I still feel like taking a deep sigh of relief as the summer approaches! I guess that routine of looking forward to the summer and a little bit slower pace just carries over all the rest of your life once you have lived it as a minister to college students. The Scriptures teach us to “remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.” In addition to Sundays, I think the Bible is reminding us we need some special down time. What I don’t … [Read more...]
3 Steps to a Healthier Prayer Life
Tell me if this scenario sounds familiar: You decide it's time to pray, so you close your eyes. Fifteen seconds in, out of nowhere, tomorrow's to-do list pops up and your thoughts are off on a tangent. Before long, you realize what's happening, and by sheer force of the will, you get back to business. Before you know it, it has happened again. Now you're definitely not praying, but doing a confused mix of worrying and problem solving. Then the guilt sets in. What's wrong with me? you think. I can't even sit down and pray for five … [Read more...]
Wear Out Your Welcome
My husband and I have officially worn out our welcome. The “welcome” word on our doormat, that is. A few weeks ago, Ryan noted that the welcome mat at our front door was faded and shredded. You couldn’t even read any of the various multi-lingual “welcomes” that once covered it. As usual, our perspectives on this mundane domestic development were about as distant as the loyalties of Red Sox and Yankees fans or the political views of Mary Matalin and James Carville. My immediate reaction: That’s … [Read more...]
Spiritual Growth: A Fresh Start with God
If you're like me, it often takes the start of spring to motivate me toward new routines or healthier habits. The lax lifestyle of Christmas vacation gives way to the blahs of winter, and then Easter rolls around (at which point I realize I've not even thought about my New Year's resolutions). And because I'm slightly OCD, I like to begin something new at an official starting point. For instance, I'll start diets only on Mondays. Once I've missed that starting point, my self-justifying logic kicks in, convincing me to wait until the … [Read more...]
Leadership: More about availability than ability
Editor’s Note: This article is adapted from Repurposed: The Memoirs of Nehemiah, a Threads short-term Bible study from pastor and author Mike Hurt. Click HERE for more information. Church historians consider Nehemiah among the greatest leaders in the Bible. What is the pedigree for a man with such a reputation? What was the background of one who could rebuild a city in 52 days? Nehemiah was a nobody before he was somebody. Look at how he was introduced in Nehemiah 1:1: “The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah.” His … [Read more...]
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