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Be a Reflection

October 1, 2012

In the Bible, James said that our actions, not our words, are the proof of our faith. He wrote in James 2:18, “Now someone may argue, ‘Some people have faith; others have good deeds.’ But I say, ‘How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.’ ” I’ve heard it said that our actions are to our faith and beliefs as our bodies are to our spirits. Your body is the housing of your spirit, the evidence of its existence. In the same way, your actions are the evidence of your faith and beliefs. You have no doubt heard the term “walking the talk.” Your family, friends, teachers, bosses, coworkers, customers, and clients all expect you to act and live in alignment with the beliefs and [ … ]

Got Laughter?

September 28, 2012

Hattie covered her mouth, but the giggle escaped anyway. Boney Hughes lay under her kitchen sink, his upper body concealed by the cupboard. His legs sprawled over her linoleum flooring.
Boney scooted out from under the sink and peered up at her. ‘You think me rappin’ my old knuckles on these leaky pipes is funny?’
Unable to stifle her amusement, Hattie nodded. ‘You look like a . . .’ She fanned herself, trying to regain her composure while he stood. ‘Like a fish out of water.’
Boney’s winter-white eyebrows arched. ‘A big old river catfish?’
Giggling, she studied him from his wiry beard to his worn boots. ‘A smaller fish perhaps, but surely one with a big heart.’”

The proprietor of Miss Hattie’s boardinghouse and Mr. Boney understand the gift of a merry heart.
[ … ]

Called

September 27, 2012

“During peacetime, pre-9/11, it wasn’t a popular decision to join the military to protect your country,” says Mark Kramer, “so my decision was sort of validated that day. Adam and I were going around trying to find coverage to call home, and he was right with me, saying, ‘Get us out there—let’s get some payback.’ Adam had this intense love for his hometown and state, which is really what patriotism is. We had both been competitive in sports, talked about the frustration of watching a game from the sideline, so we were hoping and praying that the powers that be would let us go out and do what we were trained to do.”

Kelley, just back from an early morning trip to Wal-Mart for diapers, was holding Nathan tight and watching the news when Adam finally got through.
“It’s [ … ]

Right Relationships

September 26, 2012

What does God want from you and me? Does God want us to think the right thoughts or to do the right things? Of course. But above all God wants us to be involved in right relationships. When the Bible says, “God is love,” it is saying that God is a relationship. Love has no value or meaning in a vacuum. Right relationships are not produced by right thoughts or right actions. Just the opposite. Right thoughts and right actions are produced by right relationships.

Excerpted from Real Church in a Social Network World by Leonard Sweet

Daily Reflection:
What changes do you need to make in your relationships (with others and with God) to create relationships that foster the right actions and thoughts?

SNEAK PEEK: The Radical Question and A Radical Idea by David Platt

September 25, 2012

Challenge the Status Quo

Read the first chapter of The Radical Question and A Radical Idea two-in-one book.

The Radical Question offers a compelling introduction to Radical’s challenge to the contemporary church. In this concise message, Platt asks, “What is Jesus worth to you?” Then he explores what a commitment to Jesus would actually look like in action. [ … ]

God Wants to Use You

September 25, 2012

There was the Philippian jailer in Acts 16:27–34. God could have reached him without human help. Instead, He allowed Paul and Silas to be incarcerated in his jail. From these two prisoners, the jailer heard the gospel, and he and his family came to faith. I think also of Cornelius in Acts 10, a centurion searching for God. An angel told him he needed to meet someone named Simon Peter, and the angel explained where to find him. Interesting. The angel could have given him the gospel. Instead God chose to use Simon Peter. And what about Saul (later the apostle Paul) in Acts 9? While it’s true he was converted through an encounter with Christ Himself on the Damascus Road, God sent Ananias to confirm this with Saul and to pray for him to receive the power of the [ … ]

PODCAST: Goals for One Glorious Ambition by Jane Kirkpatrick

September 24, 2012

PODCAST: Goals for One Glorious Ambition by Jane Kirkpatrick

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Jane Kirkpatrick shares her goals and motivations behind her upcoming Spring 2013 historical fiction title, One Glorious Ambition. The fictionalized story of Dorothea Dix’s compassionate crusade to improve the conditions of the mentally ill.