"Cultivate your own capabilities, your own style. Appreciate the members of your family for who they are, even though their outlook or style may be miles different from yours. Rabbits don't fly. Eagles don't swim. Ducks look funny trying to climb. Squirrels don't have feathers. Stomp comparing! There's plenty of room in the forest." - Dr. Charles Swindoll
Family
"I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving. To reach the port of Heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it, but we must sail and not drift nor lie at anchor." - Oliver Wendell Holmes
Direction
The Connected Generation
The generation of Americans between the ages of 18 and 34 has a new name thanks to its members’ proclivity for digital interaction and connection. The Nielsen Company, which specializes in media research, calls this group “Generation C”–as in “connected.” Nielsen’s data suggest that Americans in this age group make up a disproportionately higher percentage
John 3:16
68% of Americans can identify that the 3 in John 3:16 refers to the third chapter of John. 103,923 Wikipedia searches for John 3:16 the day after Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow threw for 316 yards in a playoff game. 18,327 Wikipedia searches for John 3:16 the day after Focus on the Family aired a
Bullying
28% of students between the ages of 12 and 18 reported being bullied during the 2009 school year.National Center for Education Statistics 2ProphetU2ProphetU is an online magazine/website, started by Warren Wiersbe and Michael Catt, to build up the church, seek revival, and encourage pastors.
Bible Reading
Ninety percent of American Protestant churchgoers say they desire to honor Christ with their lives and even profess to think on biblical truths, but few actually engage in personal reading and study of the Scriptures. In this survey by LifeWay Research, 2900 Protestants were asked, “How often do you read the Bible?” 19% Every day26%
Telling the Gospel Through Story
Evangelism that Keeps Hearers Wanting More – Christine Dillon. IVP Books. “After ministry in both Wester and non-Western contexts, church planter Christine Dillon has discovered that Bible storying is far more effective than most other forms of apologetics or evangelistic presentations. In fact, non-Christians actually enjoyed storying and kept coming back for more. Storying provides
Discovering Lectio Divina
Bringing Scripture into Ordinary Life – James C. Wilhoit & Evan B. Howard. Formatio. “[The authors] teach readers what lectio divina means and how it becomes a bridge between the inspired text of Scripture, the Christian reader and the Holy Spirit. Throughout their delightful book, Wilhoit and Howard address basic questions surrounding this art of
If You Want to Be a Leader
Written by: Bill Elliff It is in the heart of many of us to lead. There is something inside of us that longs to help people around us move forward. If our motivations are right and this is not just for selfish gain or human recognition, it is usually a desire that is placed there
Sermons on Target (Part 2)
by E. M. Bounds Life-giving preaching costs the preacher much–death to self, crucifixion to the world, the travail of his own soul. Crucified preaching only can give life. Crucified preaching can come only from a crucified man. Preaching which kills is prayerless and no spiritual preaching. Without prayer the preacher creates death, and not life.
"When we wonder about the next big thing, we look for that answer to come from somewhere else. We're outsourcing the future…
- storytelling to Hollywood
- Innovation to Apple
- Care of the poor to the government
- Relationships to Facebook
I believe the church has the talent and resources to once again become influencers of culture and agents of change. Instead of waiting for the future, we can create the future. But we're going to have to change the way we think." - Bobby Gruenewald
Culture
"With cultural Christianity in a free fall, I see a rise in robust believers and healthy churches." - Ed Stetzer
Cultural Christianity