Toggle navigation

VIDEO: Christmas at the Farm with Ann Voskamp and Liz Curtis Higgs

November 15, 2013

Prepare your heart for the holy season to come with New York Times bestselling authors and Women of Faith speakers, Ann Voskamp and Liz Curtis Higgs. During their FREE special webcast, “Christmas at the Farm: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas,” Liz and Ann will be sharing soul-reviving family traditions, some easy yet wildly memorable recipes from the kitchen, and some practical ways for your own sane and sacred Christmas—some soul-nourishment, much warmth and a lot of laughter!

Kick the season off with what your soul really needs—Christmas like you’ve never quite experienced it before… and more like the Christmas you’ve always yearned for.

AnnVoskamp.com – or – LizCurtisHiggs.com

Memories Make Who You Are

November 15, 2013

I am more than my name, more than my occupation, more than my degrees, more than my dreams, more than my family. I am who I was. It’s my footprints, where I’ve been and what I’ve done, that reveal my soulprint. It’s my unique combination of memories that makes me who I am spiritually, emotionally, relationally, and motivationally. It’s also that unique combination of memories that enables me to worship God in a way that no one else can. Why? Because when we sing the classic hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” it’s more than generic praise for a static character
trait. God’s faithfulness is as unique as every moment of your life. Every memory is a testament to His dynamic faithfulness that is simultaneously the same and different for anyone and everyone else. So when our congregation sings that [ … ]

Letting vs Making

November 14, 2013

The potential pitfall for those of us who want to let our lives count comes when we shift gears from simply letting to frantically trying to make our lives count. Your life can count when you forget trying to make something happen and simply let your life be available to God.

Excerpted from Let Your Life Count by Donna Partow

Daily Reflection: What can you do to simply let your life be available to God?

SNEAK PEEK: A GODWARD HEART by John Piper

November 13, 2013

Read the first chapter of A Godward Heart.

To Satisfy Your Soul — with God

John Piper invites you to experience deeper intimacy with God through these thought-provoking and soul-enriching meditations. Whether you are just discovering the divine richness of Scripture or have long been a passionate student, you’ll find a deeper understanding of God and renewed insight for your journey.

Your Makeover

November 13, 2013

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new
creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
—2 CORINTHIANS 5:17

Makeovers have been all the rage on television lately. Whether it’s your face, figure, or fashion sense, there’s some so-called expert who promises a “new you.” Of course these external changes can’t change your heart, but that’s precisely what God promises to do.

In Christ, we’re told, anyone can become a whole new creation. Old habits, old attitudes, old allegiances get made over into a sparkling new life.

Excerpted from 99 Bible Promises for Tough Times by Randy Petersen

Daily Reflection: Have you asked God to “makeover” your heart?

Spiritual Stagnation

November 12, 2013

Saying no to God, no matter how small the task, is a sure way to suspend the growth process. Of course, rather than a straight-out no, some people simply procrastinate—which isn’t as abrupt but is equally defiant. Or some merely give lip service to obedience, affirming the rightness of what God requires, yet staying put. Others make excuses about how inadequate they are to obey what God is telling them. However it’s packaged, when you say no to God, you cease to mature spiritually.

Excerpted from Unlimiting God by Richard Blackaby

Daily Reflection: In what ways are you saying ‘no’ to the task God has for you?

SNEAK PEEK: ECHOES OF MERCY by Kim Vogel Sawyer

November 10, 2013

Sometimes a secret must be kept for the truth to be revealed.

When a suspicious accident occurs at the famous Dinsmore Chocolate Factory in Sinclair, Kansas, Caroline Lang goes undercover as a factory worker to investigate the circumstances surrounding the event and how the factory treats its youngest employees—the child workers. Caroline’s fervent faith, her difficult childhood, and compassionate heart drove her to her job as an investigator for the Labor Commission and she is compelled to see children freed from such heavy adult responsibilities, to allow them to pursue an education.

NEWS: Focus on the Family to Rebroadcast “Preparing Him for the Other Woman” Author in Best of 2013 Series

November 8, 2013

Focus on the Family is re-broadcasting their top radio segments in a Best of 2013 series. We’re proud to announce that FIVE of our authors have made it into the Best of series, including Sheri Rose Shepherd!

  On December 12-13th, Sheri’s original broadcasts will be aired one more time on the Focus on the Family radio. (If you’d like to tune in live, check your local station for times).  

You can listen to the original broadcasts here:

Preparing Sons to Be Great Husbands and Fathers 1

Preparing Sons to Be Great Husbands and Fathers 2

God redeems our past experiences

November 7, 2013

Every past experience is preparation for some future opportunity. God doesn’t just redeem our souls. He also redeems our experiences. And not just the good ones. He redeems the bad ones too—especially the bad ones. How? By cultivating character, developing gifts, and teaching lessons that cannot be learned any other way. The most important lessons in life are rarely learned in a school classroom via secondhand knowledge. Relying on secondhand knowledge results in a vicarious life. You become an extra in your own story instead of taking the lead role. The expectations of others become your script. And you live off their experiences instead of creating your own. The most important lessons are learned in the classroom of life via firsthand experience. The tests are tough, but no curriculum is more effective. And the way you pass the test is [ … ]