Life

Invest Wisely – Life is Short

Cory Nickols
6 Nov 2012
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Have there ever been times in your life that you felt like you were in complete control – like you were almost invincible or that nothing bad could ever happen to you? Those thoughts and feelings have entered my mind before. We can almost become proud in a way. Of course, we would never say it out loud but, in the quietness of our heart, we almost believe that we’re in charge and untouchable. Then something happens to us from out of left field that gives us a little reality check and causes our egos to come back to planet […]

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Cracked Pots

Cory Nickols
6 Oct 2012
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What do Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Rahab, King David, the Apostle Matthew, the Apostle Peter, the woman at the well, the woman caught in adultery and the Apostle Paul all have in common? They all made big mistakes in the eyes of the world, but God went on to use them to do extraordinary things for Him – they were all cracked pots that God displayed His power through. Abraham took his wife’s maidservant as a second wife, because he and his wife doubted that God was capable of providing a child by natural means in their old age. He also […]

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Best Friends Forever?

Lori Harding
5 Oct 2012
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Lean On Me What comes to mind when you think about friends? Do you quickly run through images of the faces you have welcomed into your life over the years? Does it warm your heart to think about the one friend you can always count on? You know, the one you could spend hours talking to? I have had those people in my life. My best friend from middle school is still a friend of mine to this day. We don’t talk very often, but when we do, we pick up right where we left off. We have shared hopes, […]

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Natural Health Remedies

Dr. Jeff Hazim
4 Oct 2012
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When it comes to illness, you cannot make a wise choice about treatment options unless you first know the cause of your problem. Despite this fact, the most common approach to healthcare for Christians, as well as the general population, is modern medicine; also known as the allopathic model. Allopathic medicine is popular because it emphasizes quick fixes and symptom relief, even though it typically neglects the real underlying cause. Biblically speaking, we should always look for solutions on the road less traveled which leads to life, as opposed to the easy road which often leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). […]

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Harvest Treats

Crystal Durham
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October is upon us and the year 2012 seems to be flying by. Fall will be settling in soon, which means longer evenings and cooler days. Here are some October themed dishes for the young at heart. Harvest Soup 1 Tbsp olive oil 4 chicken breasts (skinned, deboned, chopped) 1 large onion, large dice 3 carrots, large dice 3 celery stalks, large dice 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 (14 oz) cans chicken broth 1 Tbsp chicken bouillon 1 tsp ground cumin ¼ tsp ground red pepper 2 (16 oz) cans green beans (drained) 1 (4.5 oz) can chopped green chiles […]

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Are You Financially Protected?

Jeff Masters
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Whenever I have the opportunity to speak to groups or individuals on the subject of finance, I share two key scriptures of financial warning so that I can bring safeguards to those who will hear. These two scriptures call us not to be naïve, and to avoid financial mistakes that can cripple. The first scripture is: “A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences” (Proverbs 22:3). In the Middle Ages, before people would build a castle or a community, they would first build the moat or wall to protect them. In […]

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Guide to Imperfect Parenting

Keri Williams
3 Oct 2012
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Parenting, for me, is complicated by two races, two cultures, one step kid, two adopted foster kids, two birth kids…and a partridge in a pear tree. Modern blended and mixed families like mine know that all too often conventional parenting wisdom just doesn’t apply to our complicated real-world situations. Honestly, I’ve found that that most “Parenting 101” adages fit just about as well as my pre-pregnancy jeans. You see, as a white mom with a black husband, raising four bi-racial children and one black child, I’ve been misunderstood and gotten some downright dirty looks. Adopting foster children has had unexpected challenges […]

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The Gospel of Grace

Justin Young
7 Sep 2012
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On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his “Ninety-five Theses” to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. Risking ostracism and excommunication, and later narrowly avoiding execution as a heretic, Luther took a stand against the rampant abuses taking place at the hands of the church of his day; villainous actions based upon a vast departure from the unchanging truths of God’s written Word. At the time, Luther could have no indication of the world-changing implications his single act of public protest would have. The Ninety-five Theses were the spark that ignited the raging fire we now know […]

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2012 World Changers

Justin Young
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To date, 2012 has been a year of triumph, tragedy, growth and change.  2012 has seen the Trayvon Martin shooting, the Kony 2012 campaign, the London Summer Olympics, the Aurora massacre, and will soon see a U.S. presidential election. In the midst of the fray, a few have stood out as true catalysts; those who have made an undeniable impact this year. Sarah Blakely spanx.com In her younger years, Sarah Blakely worked as a door-to-door fax machine saleswoman, failed the LSAT, and was hardly the poster child for success.  However, earlier this year, 41-year-old Blakely became the world’s youngest female […]

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Anger Games

Lori Harding
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Anger – just the word itself invokes a vision of red, an increased heartbeat,  sweaty palms and a racing mind. One medical website describes anger this way: “Anger is a very powerful emotion that can stem from feelings of frustration, hurt, annoyance or disappointment. It is a normal human emotion that can range from slight irritation to strong rage.” As I contemplate the word, I am rehearsing various conversations and situations from my past. I have been angry at a chair as I walked by and stubbed my toe.  I have cursed cars that cut me off in traffic. I […]

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