Occasionally you will read or hear something that is able to change your worldview and the way you live. Stories of… Animal Cruelty Child Abuse Genetically Modified Foods Food Processing Product Testing Climate Change or _____________ You read books, talk to your friends, listen to teachers and “experts,” search the internet and form opinions. Opinions that ultimately become your beliefs…
And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. Ezekiel 36:26 Jesus lived to teach us the truth of God’s love. Jesus died to take our punishment and remove our sins. Jesus rose…
Then He [Jesus] called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. Mark…
[Tweet “”A baby is born with a need to be loved . . . and never outgrows it.” ~Frank A. Clark, The Country Parson”] Everyone is born with an inherent need to be loved . . . this complex feeling that’s hard to explain. From first inhale to final exhale and beyond you and I were created for love….
He waits and watches from the porch of a small cottage. I don’t know why I don’t picture Him in front of a grand majestic palace. I just don’t. He smiles and runs toward me with arms open wide as I approach. This prodigal God greeting His prodigal daughter. And I’m home. The word prodigal means:…
We know God’s love is perfect, unfailing, and forever. We know He loves people. All people. God our Savior, wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For . . . there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone. 1 Timothy 2:4–6…
To be known is to be loved. To be loved is to be known. If you missed the video . . . To Be Known is To Be Loved take a minute and watch it here. You are known and loved.The last two days we’ve rested in the truth that God knows us and loves us….
Just look at a group of teen girls. They are probably all dressed alike, with similar hairstyles, and the same brand of purses thrown over their shoulders. Because we want to fit in. We want to be liked. Everyone knows popular is better than unpopular. Stop. What if you were made to be different? You were….
In 2011, the United Nations declared July 30th, International Friendship Day; although most countries celebrate on the first Sunday in August. I think we should celebrate all week! At least, that’s what we’re going to do here at CMB. Celebrate Friendship – 12 Qualities of a True Friend 1. Patient – A true friend understands you’re…
Have you ever watched an episode of Hoarders? I used to have a dream that I lived in a huge house full of doors, many of which were locked. I often wondered what it meant. The Lord whispered that the doors represented rooms of my heart that I kept locked from Him. Those secret hidden…
It’s Weed Out Hate Day – How Will You Celebrate? I hate hate. It’s defined as extreme aversion or hostility toward someone or something. Like love, hate is described as a feeling. Like love, hate is a choice. April 3rd is the day to “weed out hate, ” and sow seeds of peace and kindness. The Weed…
You want to give them a boot in the behind, but you know that’s probably not the answer. So, how do you deal with a church bully? 8 Ways to Deal with a Church Bully: 1. Ignore Them – I know of a leader who responds to bullying comments with, “Thank you, you might be…
In 1993, the United States Congress requested the first proclamation: Resolved by the Senate and House of Repre- sentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That January 16, 1993, is designated as “Religious Freedom Day,” and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclama- tion calling on the people of…
Jesus life was an example of humility and love. We are called to follow His example not just His teachings. It’s easy to misunderstand the truth about humility and love, because it’s too easy to make everything about us. So as we prepare for our Savior’s humble birth, let’s look at some quotes and verses…
Waiting for an answer to prayer is hard. Waiting a long time for an answer to prayer is harder. Waiting a long time by yourself for an answer to prayer is hardest. Sometimes it seems like no one keeps anything private anymore. Between Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram it’s easy to feel like everyone shares everything. But…
Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me. Psalm 41:9 Have you ever trusted someone who later betrayed you? It hurts. It really hurts. Down deep at your core it hurts. And the closer the relationship – the greater the pain. Relationships need trust! They…
As you organize, prep, and purchase for the new school nothing you do is more important than adding a covering of prayer. For many praying for their children and grandchildren is second nature, but praying for teachers and friends is equally important. As is praying for God-given wisdom for ourselves as we guide our kiddos through…
“The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another’s desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that…
Our kiddos are grown and we’re now enjoying the grandparenting stage. Wow! It’s fun! As I look back on our years of parenting there is really only one thing I would change. I would pray more! Lots more! I prayed for my children regularly, but oh, I would pray more specifically and intentionally. You may…
Whether it’s a pipe organ or praise band, chanting liturgies or repeated choruses . . . everyone has an opinion of the “right” way to do “church.” And we don’t just bark at and bite each other over service styles, we get hot with our different understanding of points of theology and condemn those who…
The purpose of life is a life of purpose. ~Robert Byrne Blessed is the people of whom this is true; blessed is the people whose God is the Lord. Psalm 144:14 Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live. ~ Oscar Wilde
