Dig Deep

The Way We Were

Newton Fairweather
8 Sep 2022
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were

Finally, it’s time to board the airplane. After waiting in the airport for about 2 hours, we were ready to board the flight so we could get a few hours of sleep. About 30 minutes into the flight the captain came on the intercom and said that we would be cruising about 34,000 feet, and there were good and clear skies ahead of us in our journey to Fort Lauderdale. My wife and I had just finished our second week of back-to-back trips to take two of our young adult children back to school. As I settled into my seat, […]

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The Gift of Work and Rest

Tommy Boland
7 Sep 2022
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Because we celebrate Labor Day this month, I wanted to write a word of encouragement regarding God’s gift of work to mankind. Work is not, as many mistakenly believe, a result of the curse. Before Adam and Eve sinned and rebelled against God, they were given the great gift of work. As image-bearers of God, they were called to co-labor with the Lord to expand the cause of His Kingdom, for His glory, and for the flourishing of all mankind. Sadly, as a result of their sin, work was cursed with thorns and thistles and became much harder to perform […]

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Trials and Tribulations

Omar Aleman
10 Aug 2022
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trial

As someone who today enjoys the limelight, it is interesting how anonymity was my greatest ally during my formative years. Sitting in the middle of the classroom and utilizing the student in front of me as a shield allowed some protection from total disaster…the teacher calling on me!! The mere thought of being singled out and asked to speak was more than I could bear. It made no difference if the correct answer was available; fear took over. The Trial Begins That all came to an abrupt end when I became a federal agent. There were so many exciting aspects […]

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We All Live in Four Different Worlds

Dr. O.S. Hawkins
9 Aug 2022
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“So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him” (Daniel 6:4 NKJV). We will begin finding our way through a culture that has lost its way when we begin to realize that each of us lives simultaneously in four very distinct spheres of life and therefore influence.   Private You live in a private world. There is a part of your existence that no one else ever enters. Not even those closest […]

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Down, But Not Out

Tommy Boland
3 Aug 2022
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down

“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life” (2 Corinthians 1:8). Did you know that Christian believers get down and depressed? Some people mistakenly believe that Christians should not experience any kind of deep sadness after conversion, as if we have been made immune to depression, despair and despondency. If a Christian does lapse into depression, this thinking goes, he or she is in sin. This is an entirely faulty understanding […]

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Build Your Church, Build It from the Ground Up

Newton Fairweather
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What do you listen for when you hear a gospel song? Some of the greatest hymns were inspired by personal experiences. Most song writers and singers tell their story through their songs. Just listen to the lyrics in your favorite song, and you’ll hear a message. One of the most powerful songs that I have heard recently and have listened to several times, is titled Build Your Church, by Maverick City & Elevation Worship. How to build a church How does God build His church from the ground up? One of the cornerstones He uses to build His church is […]

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Why We Worship

Ryan Galloway
11 Jul 2022
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worship

About five years ago I found myself deeply challenged by some questions that a friend raised about the way we did church. “Why do we have to have a sermon? And why does there have to be music? Why are we doing church like this and is there a better way to do it?” I had been leading worship for almost ten years at that point and found this question both disturbing and exciting. Why were we doing congregational worship the way we were doing it? Do we even need music in our gatherings? Are we just giving people a […]

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Stress: Five Fascinating Facts

Dr. O.S. Hawkins
7 Jul 2022
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(Scroll down to leave a comment on stress.) “James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the 12 tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings” (James 1:1 NKJV). Stress! Perhaps no other word is used as much to describe the culprit, the scapegoat, the excuse of modern man. Many of the problems in our homes and with our health seem to relate to this stress factor. But stress has been around through the ages.  Note, for instance, that James addressed his epistle “to the 12 tribes which are scattered abroad,” to those early Christians who had fled […]

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stress

The Dreaded D Word

Dr. Tracy Timberlake
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d word

*Gasp!* Not the D word! Deconstruction is a big buzzword in the Evangelical world.  We can dance around it, pretend it doesn’t exist, throw stones at it or curse it to obscurity, but it is here. It is present. And it must be addressed. Somewhere between believing that deconstruction is a badge of honor for some great awakening or the big bad wolf in Christian circles, perhaps there is a resolute place of truth and understanding that allows us to see it for what it is.    First, what is it? Within the Christian context and in evangelical circles — […]

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Hiking with Tequila

Stephan Tchividjian
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I love to hike. I could truly say that it’s one of my favorite pastimes. I could honestly do it everyday. I have had some incredible adventures throughout the years hiking. I have hiked alone. I have hiked with my wife, Lisa. I have hiked with friends, and I have hiked with strangers. My hikes have been beautiful. My hikes have been frightening. My hikes have caused injury. My hikes have been long. My hikes have been short. My hikes have been hot, and my hikes have been cold. My hikes have been…oh, you get the idea…my hikes have simply […]

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