Dr. Wilt from The Joyful Noise Letter Dec. 2003 edition stated: "What is joy? It is one of the most important things in the whole universe. C.S. Lewis called it 'The serious business of Heaven.' Joy marks the difference between existence and life. Its presence
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Evangelical/Non-Denominational
based on 5 ratings
| 2,453 views
Dennis Prager, author of the shrewd and perceptive "Happiness is a Serious Problem."
He states: "There is a 'secret to happiness, and it is gratitude. All happy people are grateful, and ungrateful people cannot be happy. We tend to think that it is being unhappy that leads people to complain, but
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Evangelical/Non-Denominational
based on 1 rating
| 2,416 views
A few years ago Dr. Nick Stinnett of the University of Nebraska conducted a group of studies called the "Family Strengths Research Project": Stinnett and his researchers identified six qualities that make for strong families. The first quality and one of the most important to be found in strong
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Evangelical/Non-Denominational
Holy Father, We gather together to ask your blessing this Thanksgiving Day;
God bless America, land that I love;
You stand beside us in times of need, as of September 11, giving Peace and Love to all;
Stand beside her and guide her,
through the night with the Light from above;
Your
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Evangelical/Non-Denominational
based on 1 rating
| 2,046 views
I am hearing a new phrase repeated throughout our nation today, they are saying we are no longer “One Nation, Under God!” but “One Nation, Under Stress!” I talk to a lot of people on a regular basis and hear them say, “I am exhausted,” You can look at their eyes and see that they are overwhelmed.
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Evangelical/Non-Denominational
Dr. Colbert says, “The body’s stress response involves more that fourteen hundred known physical and chemical reactions involving more than thirty different hormones and neurotransmitters. Excessive release of ‘stress hormones’ damages cells, tissues, and organs. For
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Evangelical/Non-Denominational
d. Dr. Colbert states, “Your perceptions determine how you see the world. The mind is similar to a computer –the brain is the hard drive, and the perceptions are the ‘software.’ It is the perception of people, demands, issues, and circumstances-not the actual people, demands, issues,
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Evangelical/Non-Denominational
Illustration:
Pour water on the sponge and the duck. Which one soaks up the water? The sponge or the hard shelled duck?
One is open to receive the water and other has a hard shell that reflects the water away.
What are you like a sponge, or a
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Evangelical/Non-Denominational
Illustration: “Turnaround”
Gordon Macdonald states, “Repentance is not basically a religious word. It comes from a culture where people were essentially nomadic and lived in a world with no maps or street signs. It’s easy to get lost walking through the desert. You become aware that the countryside
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Evangelical/Non-Denominational
based on 2 ratings
| 1,803 views
ILLUSTRATION POINT:
(Hand each audience member a puzzle piece.) His specific plan involves you – look at your puzzle piece which was handed to you when you came in this morning! Here this word from the Lord, "You are an important piece to the vision and to the mission of Christian Hills." God’s
...read more
Denomination:
Evangelical/Non-Denominational
Blackaby notes (Experiencing God, Page 157):
In many ways, obedience is your moment of truth. What you do will:
1. Reveal what you believe about God.
a. Do you believe God does what He says He will do!
2. Determine whether you will experience His mighty work in you and through you.
3. Determine
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Evangelical/Non-Denominational
based on 1 rating
| 2,217 views
ii. C Peter Wagner in his book ,"Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow." States on page 23, "Who needs to know about spiritual gifts? (He states) - You need to know about spiritual gifts if:
1. You are a Christian.
2. You believe that Jesus is your Lord and you want to love Him and follow
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Evangelical/Non-Denominational
based on 1 rating
| 1,867 views
Grace is a force a power that we all need to experience and to tap because it has power:
Grace has the power to transform a life filled with sorrow to a life filled with joy.
Grace has the power to deliver one from them self.
Grace has the power to bring love into a loveless life.
Grace has the
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Evangelical/Non-Denominational
Charles Swindoll has this to say about this gift called grace that came from Jesus: "To show grace is to extend favor or kindness to one who doesn’t deserve it and can never earn it. Receiving God’s acceptance by grace always stands in sharp contrast to earning it on the basis of works. Every time
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Evangelical/Non-Denominational
Max Lucado explains grace this way in his book In The Grip of Grace pages xii-xiii:
Surely God is impressed with my garments, I often thought. Occasionally I strutted into his presence so he could compliment the self-tailored wear. He never spoke. His silence must mean admiration, I convinced
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Evangelical/Non-Denominational
Illustration: "Dangerous Sacrifice": What it means to go above what is required of us.
Interview with Rick and Kay Warren – They communicate the message about being a doer of the Word of God and being willing to sacrifice for others
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Evangelical/Non-Denominational
GOING THE SECOND MILE
A salesman called his wife from a coin-operated phone in a distant city, finished the conversation, said good-bye, and replaced the receiver. As he was walking away, the phone rang. He went back and answered it, expecting to be informed of extra charges. But the
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Evangelical/Non-Denominational
based on 2 ratings
| 2,409 views
The story of Rick Warren and his best-selling book the "The Purpose Driven Life."
What is he doing with all the money?
USA Today article: June 4th 2006 edition:
A uniter, not a divider
Warren is no liberal. He backed President Bush in the 2004 election and opposes abortion and stem cell
...read more
Tags:
Denomination:
Evangelical/Non-Denominational