In the beginning was the Word; and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it.
- John 1:1-5
Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Fellowship Church in Riverside and founder of the Harvest Crusades, recently released Lost Boy: My Story. Anyone interested in not only how Laurie came to be one of the most prolific evangelicals of our time, but a peak at how Calvary Chapel founder Chuck Smith's preaching affected many during the "Jesus movement," will want to read this book.
"JMC LIVE" is the husband and wife team of Jeremy and Miranda Caverley. They bring to you the hot topics that affect all of us from a biblical perspective.
JMC LIVE show for Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009, at 8 pm EST
New friend Jay Kranda posted this video recently and I want to help him out! What kind of job is the church doing with social media? How much emphasis should we put in learning about stuff like let's say Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube? And if we already know how to use these social media sites, how much time should we spend using them? And for what?
You can also vote in the poll, "What grade is the church getting in the usage of Social Media?" posted in Jay's The Church & Social Media? post. Thank you!
You are overwhelmed. You realize you are behind schedule. You are past deadline. Your assignment was due yesterday.
You wake up in the morning and already feel like you are barely treading water.
Then you remember... go to God. He is our King. He is the one. He is Jesus. Start with Him.
So, you go to His word. You grab the Bible and realize you've been given the tools. You've been given the armor ... you are encouraged once again ... and it's time to attack the day!
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. -- Ephesians 6:11-13
Thank you, Big Daddy Jesus Freak, over at Tangle.com for posting this on your page. Your music video selection made my morning!
Need to get your message out? Visit Outreach New Media ... we'll help you soar!
For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light. -- Proverbs 6:23
I don't like struggle. Yet, I find myself struggling much more than I think is fair. However, this week I found an antidote to struggle ... getting into the Word!
Charles Stanley makes it so clear in one of his devotions from God's Way this week:
Time With the Word
If you want to know what the Holy Spirit thinks about something, read the Bible. The Scripture is His thoughts on paper. It doesn't get any clearer than that. You and I are not left to discern the mind of the Spirit through the presence or absence of peace and the voice of conscience alone. We have His thoughts written on paper!
The most balanced Christians I know are those who spend time in God's Word on a daily basis. The most unbalanced Christians I know are those who do not. It is that simple.
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Internationally-acclaimed author and preacher Charles Stanley adds to his impressive legacy with a year's worth of devotionals drawn from his previous writings including best-sellers Success God's Way, Seeking His Face, and Enter His Gates. This best-selling devotional is loaded with life-changing thoughts and beautiful four-color illustrations. Divided into twelve months but not dated for a specific year, this book promises to become a perennial favorite. - Amazon.com
Get a copy of God's Way Day by Day now!
Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants. - Ephesians 5:17 (Msg)
Are you looking for a vision for your life? I am. I've taken this summer to try and really focus on what God would have me do with my life.
Earlier in the summer, I took a couple of days retreat in the mountains ... and despite being teased about eating at a restaurant a couple times and not really "communing with nature" it was nevertheless an attempt at trying to get direction from God.
Also, this summer, I've had a 40-day focus on trying to discover my purpose. I combined reading Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life again, Bible reading, note-taking, and prayer.
Do I have a vision or goal for my life right now? Well, in some aspects I do, in others I don't. However, these things are true ... my joy is in the Lord, and my focus on Him directly relates to how well I am able to see Him working around me and even through me.
Please know that I'm still looking for answers. My words here are for me as much as they are for you. It's not about preaching!
Warren writes:
There is nothing quite as potent as a focused life, one lived on purpose. The men and women who have made the greatest difference in history were the most focused. For instance, the apostle Paul almost single-handedly spread Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. His secret was a focused life. He said, "I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead." - Philippians 3:13 (NLT)
