God

The Heart of God?

Jeremy McKeen
30 Dec 2014
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What is God really like? It’s easy to think that God is like a divine drill sergeant, just waiting for people to mess up so that he can make them pay. However, that is not the picture of God that the Bible presents. Jesus cleared up any misconceptions of God’s heart in his famous parable of the prodigal son. It’s the classic story about the son who rebelliously walked away from his father and the father who gladly welcomed him back. Jesus used the father in the parable to reveal God’s heart of compassion for the lost and his celebration […]

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Resolve of the Redeemed

Dr. Tommy Boland
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If you are like most of us, you have prayerfully considered some things you would like to be different about 2015 compared to last year. This may have led you down “The Road of Resolve.” Perhaps you resolve to. . . The Road of Resolve – get in better shape – earn better grades – spend more wisely – be more organized – be more patient – serve more – save more – give more – forgive quickly – love unconditionally – pray unceasingly Did I miss one of your resolutions?   Biblical resolutions The Scriptures make it crystal clear […]

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resolve

The Call to Mentor Others

Terry Morrow
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Mentor Others

Most of us can think of someone who served as a formal or informal mentor in our lives. Some examples include parents, coaches, teachers, Bible study teachers, colleagues, supervisors or neighbors. While you may not even know where your mentor lives anymore, his or her legacy likely still lives on within you. God calls us to serve one another as mentors and provides us numerous stories, proverbs, and admonishments to help us understand how to do it well. If you are willing to step up to the plate, here are a few items you will to take with you on […]

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Praising Allah at the National Cathedral

Jerry Newcombe
9 Dec 2014
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Recently, I had the privilege to visit the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Someone asked me, “What were you doing there?” My response: “Worshiping Jesus Christ.” Before and after the beautiful service, it was a delight to walk around and see what’s there such as the stone sarcophagus of Woodrow Wilson, with just his name and the years of his birth and death. He died in 1924. The cathedral was built in 1907. This was the only presidential grave I saw there in my abridged, unofficial tour. The National Cathedral is part of the Episcopal Church. It is not officially […]

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The Cradle and The Cross

Jeremy McKeen
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cradle and cross

How do you know that God really loves you? What makes you so sure of it? The first thought may be to count up all the blessings in your life, to consider all the good things that are happening around you. However, if that were the only basis for an assurance of God’s love, then people would doubt his love every time something was lost or seemed to go wrong. God’s love would be called into question every time a job was lost, a loved one died or a terminally ill disease was discovered. So how do you live with […]

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What Jesus Understood About Hanukkah

Dr. Susan Michael
6 Dec 2014
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A common understanding of the December holiday season is that Christmas is the holiday for Christians and Hanukkah is the holiday for Jews. Few Christians relate to Hanukkah since it is not one of the biblical feasts of Israel. But, the fact that Jesus celebrated Hanukkah should make Christians curious enough to investigate the possible importance of the festival to their faith.  It is no exaggeration to say that had it not been for Hanukkah, there could have very well not been a Christmas. Hanukkah prepared the way for the birth and ministry of Jesus. Therefore, Christians may want to […]

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The Message of a Manger

Dr. Tommy Boland
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manger

Have you ever considered why our Lord was born in a manger and not a magnificent palace? Well, this month I would like you to consider, actually marinate if you will, in the message of a manger, and see if God does not meet you in your place of deepest need and shower upon you glad tidings of great joy! Away in a Manger “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7 KJV). As pastor of The […]

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Come, Lord Jesus: An Advent Devotional

Jonathan Linebaugh
4 Dec 2014
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The Advent season focuses on expectation and serves as an anticipation of Christ’s birth in the season leading up to Christmas. As you look forward to Christmas day, take a few moments to meditate on this Advent Devotional. Advent Week 1—Know Thyself “Know thyself.” This Socratic call is the fountainhead of the Western philosophic tradition. But it is a call without a compass. How, in other words, do we come to know ourselves? Socrates’ answer is contained in his other famous maxim: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” But again, how do you examine your life and, more urgently, […]

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Reaching the Other Side of the Island

Howard Scott
1 Dec 2014
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other side of the island

When you mention the Caribbean, Jamaica, Bonaire or any other resort destination, most people think of sun, sea and sand.They visualize relaxing on soft sandy beaches, swimming in the crystal clear sea and bathing in the sensual soothing sun, an experience one will remember for years to come. This may be true, but on the other side of the island, life isn’t glamorous at all. In fact, a large number of natives struggle to obtain bare necessities: clean drinking water, wholesome food, clothing and in many cases a safe place to call home. Tourists rarely get to see the depression, devastation […]

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The Cradle and the Cross

Jeremy McKeen
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How do you know that God really loves you? What makes you so sure of it? The first thought may be to count up all the blessings in your life, to consider all the good things that are happening around you. However, if that were the only basis for an assurance of God’s love, then people would doubt his love every time something was lost or seemed to go wrong. God’s love would be called into question every time a job was lost, a loved one died or a terminally ill disease was discovered. So how do you live with […]

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