We are accountable for the words we choose to use. As believers who have put off the old self and put on the new self, we have to make a conscious effort to move from using corrupting words to using encouraging words. Although we have lots of words and scriptures to...
Hope Floats
Most of us are desperate for hope—especially words of hope spoken to us by others. Hearing the right words can completely change our course in difficult or terrible circumstances. And here’s the thing about words of hope; they’re contagious. What if our eyes and...
The Abundant Church
Despite our romanticism about the early church, they had their fair share of problems - favoritism, theological arguments, and divisions (to name a few). Yet there remained a vision of an abundant church - full of energy, unity, and life. While the church today...
Builders
“Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Proverbs 16:24 “But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire.” James 3:5-6 OBSERVE Imagine a crane at a construction...
Our Finest Hour
It’s possible to experience “our finest hour” in the most challenging of situations. That’s true, in part, because God uses hardships and difficulties to reveal what’s inside of us. Then, we can change and become better with His help. It’s ambitious to envision our...
Live as One Approved by God
Approval is something we all long for, especially from the people who matter most to us. There is something deep inside of us that craves knowing that others are pleased with what we do and who we are. Approval gives us a sense of meaning and significance in the...
Becoming Unoffendable
Seems like there’s plenty to be upset about in our world. We can even get personally offended by the actions and comments of others around us. Here’s a radical, relational idea: What if you can become unoffendable? That’s right—unoffendable. It’s rare but possible....
Counterfeit Connection
Our relationships develop and grow through the stories we tell each other. We connect with people when we know the past they've come from, the present they live in, and the future they hope for. We feel connected when those people also know our stories. But when...