WaterBrook Multnomah

VIDEO/NEWS: Adam Brown, Fearless Navy Seal (NBC)

csigfrids — Tue, 22 May 2012 12:18:28 +0000

Legacy

rgingrich — Tue, 22 May 2012 07:00:10 +0000

Despite the impact and magnitude of the bin Laden mission, Adam’s story stands on its own. Throughout his life he inspired scores of people, and his story has continued to change the lives of many—including mine. He’s reminded me to appreciate every moment with my family, to be goofy rather than grumpy, to get back up no matter how hard I might get slapped down, to sometimes buy my children a cupcake when I pick up coffee in the morning but to call it a muffin “because,” as Adam would tell Savannah, “as long as you call them muffins, they’re okay to eat for breakfast.” And though I hadn’t opened a Bible in more than twenty-five years, his faith encouraged me to question my own questioning about religion.

Excerpted from Fearless by Eric Blehm

Daily Reflection:

This and more is the legacy of Adam Brown. What will your legacy be?

SNEAK PEEK: To Heaven and Back by Mary Neal

jinwood — Mon, 21 May 2012 10:00:05 +0000

Click here to read the first chapter of To Heaven and Back.

A kayak accident during a South American adventure takes one woman to heaven — where she experienced God’s peace, joy, and angels — and back to life again. Read a sneak peek of her powerful story here now.

The Most Important Question

rgingrich — Mon, 21 May 2012 07:00:00 +0000

What’s the first question you were asked when you graduated from high school? We’ll bet money it wasn’t, “So, who are you going to become?” Are you kidding? It was, “So, what are you going to do now?” Although it’s a fine question, performance immediately becomes the topic of conversation, reinforcing our behavior to please externally rather than be aware of our internal self. As a result of this mind-set, a lot of people in their twenties have no idea of their gifts and abilities, spiritual or otherwise. They might have a well-documented résumé but not be able to answer questions such as, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”

While we may have an innate desire to know who we are, we may sense a

lack of true identity in a world consumed with titles, positions, and stereotypes…

Our twenties should not be as much about finding a job as about finding ourselves. Thus, the most important question to ask is not What do I do? but Who am I? This question can be difficult to answer because we may not know where to begin, but it is the key to understanding who God has made us and why—two important questions we need to answer in our twenties.

Excerpted from TwentySomeone by Craig Dunham and Doug Serven

Daily Reflection:

Whether you’re in your twenties or have already left them far behind, can you answer “Who am I?”?

VIDEO: Dr. Mary Neal shares her story on Dr. Oz

jinwood — Sun, 20 May 2012 12:00:07 +0000

Listening to Your Life

rgingrich — Fri, 18 May 2012 07:00:29 +0000

Listening to your life involves connecting with God, yourself, and the people you encounter to get directions for finding and staying on your path. It is about being curious enough and honest enough to answer the important questions that will enable you to grow. It is about using what you hear to create a vision that pulls you forward and opening your mind to the creativity that will unlock doors and create experiences at a higher level than you have ever experienced. Listening to your life gives you both the confidence to keep walking your path even when it seems nothing is coming together the way you hoped and the tenacity to flow smoothly through the twists and turns that threaten to knock you off course. It also opens you to the rich and abundant rewards of living generously and with purpose and passion.

On the path to extraordinary success, failures along the way offer lessons that lead you to victories. The heartaches and pain cultivate the drive, compassion, and understanding you need to live at your highest potential. The mistakes, when you learn from them, give you insight that propels you forward on your journey.

Excerpted From Listen to Your Life by Valorie Burton

Daily Reflection:

How can you start listening to your life today?

NEWS: Pastor brought to tears by The Fourth Fisherman

cbrovsky — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:41:25 +0000

“It’s been a while since I read something so inspirational that it brought tears to my eyes. But that’s exactly what happened as I was finishing The Fourth Fisherman, by Joe Kissack.” Read the rest of Pastor Jeff Randleman’s book review.

Need-to-Know

rgingrich — Thu, 17 May 2012 07:00:52 +0000

Sometimes our curiosity can lead us where we don’t really want to go. But it doesn’t have to, especially if we remember that peace and happiness don’t come from knowing everything, as God does, but from simply obeying God and trusting Him to reveal information on a need-to-know basis. His goal is not to keep things from us, but to hold certain information for us so it doesn’t cause unnecessary pain and suffering in our lives.

Excerpted from Completely Forgiven by Shannon Ethridge

Daily Reflection:

Do you trust God to reveal information as necessary?

Depth, Not Length

rgingrich — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:13:20 +0000

God invites each of us to spend time with Him and to get to know Him. But He doesn’t force Himself upon us. His Word promises, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” ( James 4:8). God’s invitation stands: we’re welcome to draw as near to Him as we desire. God sets no limit to how closely we can come to know Him. He doesn’t restrict us to learning doctrines about Him or to voicing formal, rigid prayers to Him. His invitation is open ended. The limit to how close we draw to God lies with us.

Excerpted from Unlimiting God by Richard Blackaby

CONTEST: Family Friendly Monthly Giveaway

rgingrich — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:19:32 +0000

Join the fun each month as we give away the stuff you need to start to get your house & maybe your kids in order. Then share the road with author Kay Wyma as she reveals her trials and triumphs of raising responsible kids, one eye-roll at a time.

Enter at the MOATblog Facebook Page!