“Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-make you so that your whole attitude of mind is changed.” Romans 12:2 (Phillips) Gordon MacDonald’s book, Ordering Your Private World, is was one of the most helpful books I have ever read. I highly…
Please forgive me for being a little more personal than usual tonight. Three weeks ago my son left for basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. As expected, I did not hear from him at all during the last three weeks. At times, the desire to hear…
How’s your spiritual health? No, really — how is it? In his book, Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health, Donald Whitney helps the reader determine if he or she is spiritually healthy or simply spiritually busy. The two are not the same thing. As you will recall, no group was…
I just walked upstairs after watching American Idol. The last few seasons, my family and I have watched most episodes of the show. Being a musical family, we enjoy the time together listening to some excellent young musicians. Ultimately, the American viewers determine who will be the “American Idol” by…
“Jesus, the apostles, the Bible — all indicate by word or deed that our focus is to be on people, through meaningful relationships.” George Barna In How to Build Relationships, Part 1 we touched on three practical relationship-building tips. In addition to these three tips, here are some additional tips…
“We are a culture craving relationship. In the midst of our crowded existence, many of us are living lonely lives. We live and work in a sea of humanity, but we end up missing out on the benefits of regular, meaningful relationships.” Andy Stanley I emphasized the connection between relationship-building…
One day as Jesus and His disciples were walking along the road, a man boasted to Jesus, “I will follow You wherever You go!” In the answer Jesus gave to Him, I find the following three requirements of discipleship: 1. Mobility. A big part of discipleship is following Jesus. Bill…
Have you ever mentored a new believer? If not, plan to do so in the near future! It is one of the most exciting and inspiring assignments you will ever accept as a Christian. Here are some basic, fundamental steps a person might take during the first year as he/she mentors a…
One of these days, all of us who are Christians, will be welcomed home to Heaven. Our race will be complete. I imagine that God will pull out all the stops. No earthly event, regardless how spectacular, will compare to that moment when we first see Jesus! All that will…
Every racing fan knows that yesterday was the 50th running of the Daytona 500. Although I did not get to see the race live, I watched the race in its entirety on my DVR last night. Wow! What a spectacular pre-race extravaganza. The France family (owners of NASCAR) pulled out…
Two encounters are critical. First, the leader encounters God in His Word and is changed. Second, the leader guides the group to have a life-changing encounter.
In John 13:34-35, three times Jesus said, “Love one another.” Your group is the ideal place to practice and launch the kind of love for one another that shows the world that we are His disciples.