Active Faith

Followership vs. Leadership

Edwin Copeland
5 Dec 2019
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followership

We live in a day and age that is obsessed with leadership development. We are constantly inundated with books, blogs, articles and podcasts bosting 7 secrets, 6 principles and 3 steps on how to become a better leader. We attend seminars, workshops and leadership programs looking for the latest and greatest guru in hopes that they will unlock something within us and set us on the path to greatness. However, in spite of all our efforts – reading books, listening to podcasts and attending seminars – we’re mentally and spiritually tired. The quest of chasing leadership development in hopes that […]

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Listen to Linus

Dr. Tommy Boland
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“That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.” – A Charlie Brown Christmas As a little boy growing up, and still to this day as a husband and father of four, of all the television specials that have aired during the Christmas season, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is my favorite. When I was a boy, my mom and I would search the TV Guide (younger readers may be surprised to learn that one actually had to consult a magazine or newspaper to see what would be on TV) to see when the Christmas special would air so we would not […]

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Are You in Reactive or Proactive Mode?

Dr. Gary Hewins
27 Nov 2019
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New Year’s resolutions can often last into early February, but intentional planning can make a huge difference. Here are some tips for you to be a more effective person and leader in 2020. Next year is going to be so great, in part, because you took some time to think through a simple personal plan for yourself and your family. Spontaneity is great, but so too, is having some sort of relationship/family plan. Good leaders make good plans that give others a real sense of purpose and accomplishment. If you asked a son, daughter or spouse what the family wants […]

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Is Gratitude Essential?

Lisa May
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The season of Thanksgiving is rooted in both religious and harvest celebrations. The Pilgrims and Indians of America celebrated in the 1600s, and George Washington declared it a national holiday in 1779. Several countries celebrate the bounty of the harvest season with a day of thanks, but setting aside periods of thanks and acknowledgment is well documented in both the Old and New Testament. Probably the most quoted verse is Psalm 100:4, “Enter his gates with Thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.” I’ve often wondered why there are so many verses telling […]

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gratitude

Peter

Stephan Tchividjian
6 Nov 2019
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peter

I find it easy to ignore people, and I am good at rationalizing it. I am busy doing “important” work. Many times the filter used is whether it’s convenient for me or not. Sometimes even worse, I subconsciously ask myself, “How does this person benefit me and my goals?” I know, it’s embarrassing. However, God is too gracious to leave us so selfish and will often provide us opportunities to be His voice, hands and feet….and when we do, we get just a small taste of what it means to be in God’s world. Let me tell you a story. […]

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The Credibility of Christianity

Dr. Tommy Boland
23 Oct 2019
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My intent in writing this monthly article is to provide you with a reasonable response to the many objections others throw up as reasons for rejecting the Christian faith. This, of course, comes under the heading of Christian apologetics (using evidence and reasons to express why someone should believe the truth claims of Christianity), which is rooted in 1 Peter 3:15 — “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” This month I would like to share a few […]

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christianity

This Calling It A Day For Christians

Brad Schmidt
16 Oct 2019
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This Calling It A Day For Christians This Calling for TGIF. Everybody’s working for the weekend. If you really loved what you do, it won’t feel like work. Ever hear these words or utter them yourself? Is there anything wrong with them?  A very common cultural view of work is that our work is really a means to end.  The modern view is that you work to make enough money so you don’t have to work. It echoes a common religious view of work, which says that you work to make enough money so you can give it to the […]

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Worshipful

Dr. Gary Hewins
8 Oct 2019
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There is a place where you can go-a great expansive, yet intimate “room.” Expectantly and cautiously climbing the stairs upward through an open door, one can enter an ongoing celebration. At the epicenter of all things is a throne. From that throne emanates flashes of lightning and peals of thunder. The color is so very brilliant and intense, but not as beautiful as He on the throne. The area around the throne cannot contain the visual splendor. The colors and brilliance are reflected as in a failed attempt to diminish their intensity. There before the throne is sea of glass, […]

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Unsinkable

Robey Barnes
17 Sep 2019
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I wish I could say that I took it in stride. But the honest truth is, I was shocked. I was sitting at lunch across from a young couple. They were both sharp professionals. They had asked me to officiate their wedding, and the purpose of the lunch was to find out where they were at spiritually. Over the course of the conversation, I said something like, “…that is why the resurrection of Jesus is so important.” I continued, but they interrupted. The groom-to-be said, “Wait, what did you just say?” I said, “You know, the fact that Jesus rose […]

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You Are Bountiful

Dr. Gary Hewins
9 Sep 2019
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In Christ, you have a grasp of the far-reaching implications of generosity. You know that you are never more like your Lord than when you give. “For God so loved the world that He gave…” (John 3:16). For you, faith, generosity and love are inseparable. Your faith is fully alive and fully energized by Spirit-led biblical generosity. While others think they own what they have, they can actually be owned by what they have. You are aware of the truth that the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. You own nothing. God owns everything. You steward all that […]

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