Articles
Marriage is under attack. Marriage has always been under attack. The world, the flesh and the devil are all adamantly opposed to marriage, and especially to marriages that are distinctly Christian. Marriage, after all, is given by God to strengthen his people and to glorify himself; little wonder, then, that it is constantly a great battleground.
Sharing Advice for Before and After Your Wedding Day
In my line of work, I spend a great amount of time preparing brides for their upcoming wedding day. It is in fact, the main purpose of my job, to be sure everything is planned to perfection, to make sure each bride has everything she needs to be ready for her wedding day. Over the last year, the Lord really started speaking to me about that very thing… “preparing the bride”…and what that really means beyond a wedding day. What does it mean for us as believers to be the prepared Bride of Christ, ready for His return? What can we, Jesus’ Bride, do to be ready for that glorious day?
Weddings in 2017 are going back to a more classic, elegant overall feel. In the last few years we have seen a strong presence of rustic inspiration influencing brides and weddings alike. Moving into the New Year, you will really see weddings move away from that rustic look and embrace a more opulent, refined style. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular trends you are going to see in 2017.
Eggs frying in the pan, praise and worship music playing in the background, dozens of tiny mouths on sleepy faces telling of their dreams and the happenings of the day before. This is a typical morning scene for Angie Spackman, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Monday, 05 December 2016 07:51
Jesus' Answer for Holiday Loneliness and Cynicism
Written by Scott Sauls
While being “the most wonderful time of the year” for some, the holidays tend to be a lonely, alienating and isolating time for others. Loneliness, alienation, and isolation often come from struggles related to the nuclear family. As I wrote about last week, many of us have at least one “Cousin Eddie” situation that confronts us during the holidays, and that tempts us to look at nuclear and extended family with cynicism, anger, and even despair.
Monday, 07 November 2016 08:02
The Blessing Basket: A Family Tradition for Thanksgiving and All Year
Written by Karen O’Connor
“Daddy, I know what I wanna put in our blessing basket,” said six-year-old Dena as her father walked in from the office. “I got to be line leader at school. Can we thank God for that?”
This scene occurred at Pastor Mike’s home. He and his family had begun keeping track of their daily blessings by writing them down on slips of paper and accumulating them in a large basket placed on the dining room table.
When my father was young, my grandfather lost his business and their home when our country experienced an economic crisis. My grandfather was forced to move his family of eleven to a tiny rental house on the edge of town and grow vegetables in the backyard to feed them. While he eventually managed to rebuild his business and another house, this experience of loss reminded them that while things can disappear, certain qualities remain. As a result of their losses, my grandfather told his children, “Your name is all you’ve got. Don’t do anything to tarnish our name.”
Wednesday, 05 October 2016 13:11
Life on Wheels Alabama: Shining Light on Life
Written by Laura Bell
Fourteen years ago a family walked into the office of Dr. Matt Phillips with the look of panic, fear and anger on their faces. A mother, father, teenaged daughter, and a nervous boyfriend entered into his exam room. The father looked at Dr. Phillips and said, “Our daughter took a positive pregnancy test today. I want you to make the final call that she’s pregnant so we can get ourselves to the clinic and “take care of it.”
Wednesday, 05 October 2016 12:57
What to Do When You Don't Celebrate Halloween
Written by Gayla Grace
“We haven’t celebrated Halloween for years but as my kids get older, they seem disgruntled as October 31st draws near. I don’t know how to manage the holiday anymore.” The comment from my friend, Lois, didn’t surprise me. As kids move through elementary school and hear about the fun their friends have on Halloween, they naturally question why they can’t take part in the celebration.
Thursday, 01 September 2016 08:36
Medical Outreach Ministries: Ministering to the Physcial, Spiritual and Emotional Needs of the Medically Under Served
Written by Laura Bell
It began in the heart of local doctor Tom Goodman...a man who witnessed all the “solutions” to healthcare for lower income communities, yet saw how far too many were slipping through the cracks with no healthcare at all. So, he decided to do something about it.
In a very real sense, the work of Jesus is complete. When it comes to our standing as beloved, forgiven, delighted-in sons and daughters of God, “It is finished,” just as he said. His sinless life secured for us a new and irrevocable status—holy and blameless in God’s sight. His death fulfilled the requirements of God’s justice toward our sins. We are summoned by Scripture to make much of Jesus. It is stunning that Jesus makes much of us, too.
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Monday, 08 August 2016 13:19
Canaan Land Ministries: Helping Lost and Broken Men Develop Productive and Fruitful Lives
Written by Laura Bell
Shortly after the end of the United States’ involvement with the Vietnam War, Mac Gober returned home to the U.S. to try to move on and recover. After serving in a horrific war, he came back to what seemed like a nation of people who were bitter that he even fought in the first place. Mac’s anger and bitterness led him down a road of drug and alcohol addiction to try to remove the feelings of hostility. But God had a bigger idea for Mac. His life was about to take a major turn and he didn’t even know it. In 1974 in San Diego, California, Mac found Jesus Christ.
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