Love your neighbor as yourself. — Jesus in Mark 12:31 NIV My best ideas come to me in the shower. That’s a weird sentence to write, but admit it: All of our best ideas come in the bathroom, right? One day in 2008, I was taking my morning shower, and my mind was wandering, making loose connections. I thought about a viral video making the rounds, a video made by three pastors asking folks to conspire against the commercialism of Christmas. Buy less, they said. Give more. Give something valuable, like time or something made by hand. Take the money you’ve saved and give it to those in need. Arms against the wall,…

While cleaning the kitchen, I had to stop and acknowledge all the screaming and arguing surrounding me. “Madison,” I said, “those people on TV sure are screaming loud at each other. They’re so angry!” My 6-year old daughter looked over at me and said, “I know, Mommy, it’s in the hands of God — but, they’re trying to figure it out.” It’s like they are trying to take it right out of God’s hands — to handle it with their mind. That’s funny. But, I wonder, how much are we just like these people — “figuring-out” what God’s already working out? Screaming-it-out, worrying, agonizing, figuring, postulating, regurgitating? Tirelessly and endlessly…

School Days! Prayers for Teachers At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of Heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of Heaven.” — Matthew 18:1-3 Father God, You have created so many gifts in this world. Praise Your precious name! Daily give me wisdom to know how to love the young children in my class, even in the tough moments. Give me patience to deal with unexpected classroom situations. Fill…

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends  all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:6 Have you ever experienced such intense grief that you didn’t think you were ever going to experience the joy you once had, in the same way again? Has there ever been a time in your life where you were so depleted of strength because all you did was worry which caused you to not want to get out of bed? Or, have you ever been in a place, after you…

Sigh. I reread the quote again for the third time that morning: If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. — Romans 12:18 Sigh. To be honest, on that particular morning, I didn’t feel like living at peace with a certain individual. This quote is one I had memorized as a college student, back when I was still an atheist but curious about spiritual things. Since then, these words have had a profound influence on my relational decisions. But even if you’re not that interested in spiritual things, this quote, found in Romans 12:18 in the Bible, holds as much wisdom for you as it does for…

Editor’s Note: Matthew 3:2 says, “The Kingdom of God has come near”, meaning it’s closer than we think, but we must choose to see it. Some of the best representations of the Kingdom are when differing cultures, nations, skin colors, occupations, walks of life, etc. come together in the most unlikely of circumstances. Our God is the Master of the unexpected. Can we get an Amen? The Yada Yada Prayer Group book series does and excellent job of painting a literary picture of what it looks like when God weaves life paths together by His divine and perfect plan. A group of women, who would never have chosen each other as friends…

It is rightly said that God wants an honest, authentic, sincere relationship with us. Paul goes so far as to say that this is one of the major, if not the major, goals of his discipleship ministry and teaching: The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a goodconscience and a sincere faith. — 1 Timothy 1:5, emphasis mine And the author of Hebrews reminds us that when we approach God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart. — Hebrews 10:22 This only makes sense because we can’t fake God out. After all, the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. — 1 Chronicles 28:9 This means that if…

Nashville, TN (August 9, 2019) International Christian music and worship group sensation Planetshakers has released Rain Part 3 on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Google Play and wherever you buy or stream music. The four songs on the new EP were recorded during the annual Planetshakers Conference at Melbourne Arena in Melbourne, AU this past April and broadcast-premiered live around the world via Daystar Television Network to millions in over 180 countries. All of the new songs were produced, written (or co-written) and mixed by Planetshakers’ Joth Hunt during a season in which he was battling cancer. Longing for a “refreshing touch of God’s presence” with the song “Fall On Me,”…

What He says He will do, He does. What He promises, He makes come true. — Numbers 23:19 NCV We need to learn to take God at His word. Sounds easy enough, especially when it’s smooth sailing. But in the midst of a storm, even the disciples of Jesus needed a reminder. On one occasion He told them, Let us go over to the other side. — Mark 4:35 NIV They did. En route to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, however, their boat encountered “a furious squall” (Mark 4:37 NIV). The sky opened, and buckets of water fell, and waves threatened to upend the boat. The disciples turned to Jesus and found Him sound…

Welcome!  Welcome to Session 1 of It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way. Opening Discussion How would you define disappointment? Watch Session One: The Birthplace of Disappointment The Birthplace of Disappointment (28 minutes) This Week’s Statement to Hold Onto: What would happen in our lives if we really lived in the absolute assurance of God’s love in the midst of our disappointments? Genesis 2:5–9 7: Then the lord God formed a man 9: … trees that were pleasing to the eye Genesis 2:15–18 16: And the lord God commanded the man, “You are free…” 18: “… I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:23–25 25: Adam and his wife were…