As we desire to be faithful we can walk without fear of failure. If we go through periods of failure as we unscramble, we can claim the truth: “if we are faithless, He will remain faithful. 2 Timothy 2:13
Author, Kevin DeYoung offers seven diagnoses to help you identify the areas of your life that are contributing to your special brand of “crazy busy” and the one thing necessary for lasting change.
“Love envies not; love vaunts not itself, is not puffed up” 1 Corinthians 13:4.
Today on Woman to Woman, Janie and Sharon continue to share what Agape Love looks like by breaking down the “love chapter” 1 Corinthians 13. This discussion has come from their topic of unconditional love being used in place of Agape love to describe how God loves us and how we should love each other. Unconditional is defined as unrestricted but no one wants a relationship without restrictions so the word “unconditional” may not be the best word choice to describe love.
Weak beliefs about the importance of caring for your body produces weak commitments. The highest authority gives us some motivation. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 are words that need to be taken to heart, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” We were purchased with a high price to be redeemed and given eternal life in the Son, Jesus Christ.
Every Body Matters doesn’t focus on fad diets, and extreme practices for the body, however, since the body is the dwelling place for His Spirit in ministry for us and others, we need to evaluate the importance we give to the body as we are stewards of what has been given to us. 1 Corinthians 4:2, “Moreover, it is required in a steward to be found faithful.”
Love suffers long, and is kind; love envies not; love vaunts not itself, is not puffed up” 1 Cor. 13:4.
Today on Woman to Woman, Janie and Sharon discuss what agape love looks like in the verb form of agapao. Agape love is a choice from our will and not from our feelings. Our feelings can be deceptive to make us think that we are not choosing agape love simply because we may not be feeling love. Love in action (agapao) is a choice of attitude. Every attitude will have a corresponding action.
Today on The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green discusses the book Waiting on the Lord by James Smith
During the days of demands and deadlines, the need to wait on God many times “feels” like just one more demand of our precious time. However, taking the time to maintain the atmosphere in quietness of heart to wait is a mandate, so we can meet those demands and deadlines.
Faith says I will trust God. Experience confirms the benefits of this attitude and action. God nowhere promises that faith will receive all its desires immediately but waiting on Him daily will provide the patience, wisdom, assurance, guidance, hope that He is sufficient for all things, moment by moment.
Take a few moments now to renew your desire and commitment to Wait on the Lord.
“Why behold you the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but consider not the beam that is in your own eye?” Matthew 7:3.
Today, Ginger Green explores Authentic Christianity by Ray Stedman. Jesus died for us that He might live in us. Christ in you, the hope of glory. Our goal is to move beyond religion, doctrines, rules, rituals, into that life-changing experience of being intimately connected with Christ at the very core of your being-for that is authentic Christianity. This is our only hope to finishing well!
This “read” outlines the phony from the genuine with illustrations of practical experiences confirmed through the Scriptures.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” Psalm 19:14.
Today on Woman to Woman, Janie and Sharon talk about the way words have changed over the years and how we may be using some words wrong without malicious intent. Being misunderstood can be one of the most difficult communication problems that may never be rectified. It is painful and stings deeply. Words matter; how we use words matter; to bring life or death. “Death an dlife are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof” Proverbs 18:21.Today on The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green explores The Courage To Be Protestant by David Wells. Whatever your choice, Courage to be Protestant will give you the facts and consequences in world of cultural change. Read and then decide which camp you belong to and why. Great book for all believers from 18-80 years.
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” Luke 6:45.
Today on Woman to Woman, Janie and Sharon discuss the struggle to stand in the truth of God’s word. How have we gotten in such a mess? What have we used our tongue to promote? We are living in a day where sin is celebrated. Moral decay is taking over our hearts, spilling over into our families, and we take it to church. It is easier to fall in a roll with the flow because sometimes the current is so strong it is a fight to stand. There is a time to speak and a time to get quiet. It is a caution to weigh the thoughts through a filter of God’s word.
The old saying “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” The idea that words never hurt is a false myth and we know from experience that words can devastate, destroy, and may have lingering consequences for years to come.
Jesus never spoke with a “double tongue.” What He said He will do and fulfill. Knowing the Scriptures is to know the authentic, real, and true words, not some counterfeit and fake as Psalms 55: 21: describes: “The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.” From the mouth the heart speaks.
The Greatest Words Even Spoken teach us the words of Jesus that have changed the course of history by changing, millions of lives, one life at a time.
“A lie believed as truth will affect your life as if it were true even though it is a lie”
(“I Will Choose Christ” by Kathy Troccolli can be found at Kathy’s Website)
School Day Devotions mentioned in the broadcast are available here
Today on Woman to Woman, Janie and Sharon discuss the way a lie can affect our life. They touch on topics of lies that our society has convinced us are true and on lies that we have believed about ourselves. Each lie affects our life differently but they are all still lies which affect our lives in a negative way. We reject the truth for a lie and Jesus is truth.
A Christian Manifesto is not an easy book to assimilate into the fabric of one’s daily walk. It is a book that is worth making a commitment to read and understand the erosion in our world culture.
Come join Fireside Bookshelf with Ginger Green for another chapter in learning what it is to know the True and Living God in a practical way; opening our minds, strengthening our convictions and consciences to impact ourselves and those around us.
“According to the grace of God which is given to me, as a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” 1 Corinthians 3:10-11.
(“I Will Choose Christ” by Kathy Troccolli can be found at Kathy’s Website)
Today on Woman to Woman, Janie and Sharon discuss how to build upon the solid foundation of Jesus Christ. The daily struggles of life can take its toll on our Christian walk in applying the scriptures that will help us stand in our faith in the heat of the battle. Finding truth; which is the person Jesus Christ, will give us the right perspective in thinking to overcome many adversities. Jesus is preparing a home for us in heaven and the home He is preparing has to do with how we are living here and now. What are you sending up; gold, silver, and precious stones or wood, hay, and stubble?
Psycho Babble directs us how to find the straight and narrow path to Truth that transforms.
“For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” Romans 1:20.
(“I Will Choose Christ” by Kathy Troccolli can be found at Kathy’s Website)
Janie and Sharon discuss the evidence of God seen in creation. God is the creator of all things. Education and Government are setting the bar for all society to accept evolution over creation. The US Government took over all public school curriculums in the 1990’s before that each school was local. Believing a lie as truth will never make the lie true, it will only cause us to live our life on the unstable foundation of lies. God intricate design of all creation has consistency and continuity that explains why an oak tree produces an oak tree and why the seasons rotate in order.
Intelligent Design is a term declaring we DID NOT evolve from a glob of goop. It has been debated for centuries by those that want to do away with a need of God in Creation. For years we have been told the Scriptures requires blind faith because there is really no science to back up the word of God; since science is supposed to be the final authority in understanding.
Charles Darwin introduced his theory of evolution to argue that blind nature had produced all the species of plants and animals around us and a Creator could not be found in nature. This thinking entered our educational systems over 100 years ago and has been eroding the thinking of professors and students alike. The scientific community has been divided in this area.
For those that will study the evolution theory they will find it has more holes than a sieve, however most people will not take the time to know how to DEFEND THE FACTS OF THE TRUTH. This book lays the foundation for understanding the “logic of the lie” and explains the evidence, from both science and Scripture, that confirms Intelligent Design in creation. A vital read that parents should digest and instruct our youth in a counterattack, because a world without God is a world without hope.
“For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” Romans 1:20.
(“I Will Choose Christ” by Kathy Troccolli can be found at Kathy’s Website)
Today on Woman to Woman, Janie and Sharon discuss God in Creation. It is of the greatest importance for the Lord’s children to recognize fully that, above all other things, His object is that we KNOW HIM. Through the Word, trials and testing, we learn of Him. We also need to be aware that He speaks to us through His creation. The stars, clouds, trees, moon, sky, plants, weather, mountains, the sea, the animals that He give us all tell of His care, concern of us; His sovereignty over all of life. If you are going through a time of difficulty, then stop, look, and listen to the sights and sounds of His creation all around us. He can comfort, teach, give and guide as we still our minds and hearts in seeing Him through His creation. Our five senses can help OR hinder knowing Him. Learn the difference in today’s discussion.
There is a belief that self-esteem, a good self-image, provides the necessary foundation for a wholesome personality and successful behavior. This theory is accepted in secular and evangelical society, no longer as theory, but as established truth.
A noted psychologist speaking to a group at a well known company was asked what impact the self-esteem movement had in todays world. The answer was “it was a complete disaster.” Paul Brownback has provided us with a explanation and solution to this problem that has misguided so many in our society.
Ginger Green eloquently shares the TRUTH of self-esteem and the author Paul Brownback, graciously provides an analysis of an alternative that may be found in our TEACHING HANDOUTS.
Click hear for your Study Suppliment
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father , but is of the world” 1 John 2:15-16.
(“I Will Choose Christ” by Kathy Troccolli can be found at Kathy’s Website)
Today on Woman to Woman, Janie and Sharon discuss the benefits that a storm brings. Avoiding a storm may seem comfortable and safe, but we are missing out on the benefits that come in the end. Friendships formed, relationships healed, and character built. Even the forgotten dark clouds that hang over our heads with sudden lightning strikes can cause a jolt of nutrients right to the heart.
Today on Fireside Bookshelf Ginger Green reviews The Truth About Money Lies By Russ Crosson. Listen for the money lies you may have believed.
“For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hidden myself from him. But it was you, a man my equal, my guide, and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walk to the house of God in company” Psalm 55:12-14
(“I Will Choose Christ” by Kathy Troccolli can be found at Kathy’s Website)
Today, on Woman to Woman, Janie and Sharon discuss the storms of life that we face, not just as Christians, but for every human being. The storms in our lives are promised to come. We can have confidence in Christ as we go through these storms that we will make it through. Many times we think we have to see clearly in the storm, but we don’t; we just need to trust the Lord in it. Every storm of life that has a temporal impact on us is there for a spiritual learning and increase. Storms are promised, so we might as well learn the spiritual and increase in the Lord.
And they sang a new song, saying:“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” Revulations 5: 9-10
This book, DESTINED FOR THE THRONE, challenges us to see the Church in all her glory, where we have originated, where we are going in God’s eternal purposes. It ties intercession into the why of our existence. Where do you fit into this program? If you want to taste the fullness of knowing who you are IN CHRIST, open your ears and heart to this message by Paul Billheimer.
“The simple believes every word: but the prudent man looks well to his going” Proverbs 14:15.
(“I Will Choose Christ” by Kathy Troccolli can be found at Kathy’s Website)
How does judgment differ from discerment? Janie and Sharon discuss the difference between judgment and discernment. Each of these definitions come from the same root word. Judgment (krino) to give a verdict with no personal involvement. Much like a judge gives a verdict. Discernment (anakrino) to distinguish or (diakrino) to investigate a situation or action and help find a solution and bring restoration.
We continue to explore the life of David and encourage you to spend some time in the book of Psalms. What a treasure for our hearts to be given a picture of the grace and love given David just as we are called to live a life of holiness and trust in our Father God. Oh, what a sad picture when we choose to go our own way, even if just for a “season”.
Click hear for David’s Spiritual Secret by Dr. John Barnett
We continue to explore the life of David and encourage you to spend some time in the book of Psalms. There you will read the songs David wrote to express his personality and disposition as he was used by God to give us wonderful examples on how to keep our eyes toward heaven. We learn how to see God in the dark times, as well in the times of praise and rejoicing as a guide. Many Psalms written by David start out in the “pits” of discouragement and despair, but David reaches deep down into his inner being and always finds God there; waiting on David to find hope, security, and reason for going on: IN HIM, his Great Shepherd and friend.
“And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked word, yet now has He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in His sight” Colossians 1:21-22.
(“I Will Choose Christ” by Kathy Troccolli can be found at Kathy’s Website)
Today on Woman to Woman, Janie and Sharon discuss the thoughts that cause us work for God’s approval. We are reconciled – past tense; now let’s grow in grace and knowledge by studying the scriptures to be a learner that has a testimony. Learning to go from “trying” to “trusting”. God declares that He loves us so much that He does not want to do without us.
If you want to see “raw” emotions and how they play out in life, David is a man to study. If you want a guide to see how to stay focused throughout your life, David is an excellent example.
Click here to order David’s Spiritual Secret
One of the most talked about people in the Bible is David. The Bible does not hold back on the strengths and weakness in his life. From peace and tranquility to chaos and crisis David moved in and out of perplexing circumstances. He experienced every possible emotion. From joyous “highs” to lonely “lows” with anger, discouragement, depression, and rejection in between ( and many a result of his own choices); David nevertheless, was a man after God’s own heart. What comfort can be found in seeing the faithfulness of God as David lived out his life in open communication with his Great Shepherd.
“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was notin vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” 1 Corinthians 15:10.
(“I Will Choose Christ” by Kathy Troccolli can be found at Kathy’s Website)
This week on Woman to Woman, Janie and Sharon dive into the three areas of hinderences that can keep us from allowing the Riches of God’s Grace to flow in our lives; law, legalism, and standards. We find out how to use Jesus as the “plum line” rather than the law as the “plum line” even though the law reveals our sin.
“Big things come in small packages.” My Heart – Christ’s Home by Robert Boyd Munger first published in 1951.
“I know your works, and your labor, and your patience, and how you can not bear them which are evil;…Nevertheless I have something against your because you have left your first love” Revelation 2:2 and 2:4.
(“I Will Choose Christ” by Kathy Troccolli can be found at Kathy’s Website)
This week on Woman to Woman, Janie and Sharon talk about the material that we use to build a dam and stop the flow of the Riches of God’s grace. Looking into the difference between law, legalism and standards, we find that these things can stop the flow of God’s grace into our lives and even the lives of others around us.
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” 2 Corinthians 10:5.
“According to ht working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places” Ephesians 1:19b-20.
(“I Will Choose Christ” by Kathy Troccolli can be found at Kathy’s Website)
This week on Woman to Woman Sharon and Janie continue to look at Ephesians Chapter One verse by verse and discuss the “Riches of His Grace.” Some words in these scriptures are difficult to understand, so Janie and Sharon spend a little time talking about the meaning of these words. Starting in verse 11 this week, they complete the chapter with the ultimate riches, “He has put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him that fills all in all” Ephesians 1:22-23.
“And it came to pass, that, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, one of His disciples said to Him, Lord, teach us to pray” Luke 11:1.
“In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” Ephesians 1:7
(“I Will Choose Christ” by Kathy Troccolli can be found at Kathy’s Website)
This week on Woman to Woman Sharon and Janie take a look at Ephesians 1 as the focus this month in awakening us to the “Riches of His Grace.” We move from the foundation of salvation which is of Grace to the wonders that we discover when deepening our understanding of the spiritual blessing in heavenly places. Join us as we look at one of the most uplifting chapters in the whole of Scripture.
Wounded by God’s People by Anne Graham Lotz is pulled from the Fireside Bookshelf to have a look inside.
“Almost everyone I know has been wounded to one degree or another. It doesn’t matter if a person is young or old, rich or poor, intelligent or ignorant, healthy or infirm, educated or illiterate. We’ve all experienced wounds.”
“In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” Ephesians 1:7
(“I Will Choose Christ” by Kathy Troccolli can be found at Kathy’s Website)
This week on Woman to Woman, Janie Ratzlaff and Sharon Hoskins discuss how grace freely given by God goes unnoticed when we get busy in the doing of Christianity. Grace begins to flow more freely in our lives as we allow God to mature us through His word. It is important that we learn to eat spiritually mature instead of staying comfortable with the basic spiritual eating habits. Take a bite of something new and challenging from His word.
100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart By Robert Morgan is pulled from the Fireside Bookshelf to have a look inside.
“Study to show yourself a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Why? 1 Peter tells us “that we have been given great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world.”
Here we have the purpose, the power, and the plan for discovering what the mind of God is for His children in knowing Him. There is nothing that can still our hearts and mind, giving a quiet confidence and drawing us into His presence as hiding the promises of God within our soul.
As a child of God we want to grow up and become disciples (learners) that desire to sit at His feet and learn of Him. In memorizing the promises we can be pleasing to His heart and His Word brings life, comfort and hope to us. Take some time to focus on the promises of God and in communion with Him, ask that they be made real in your life.
Grace fulfills the plans and purpose for our life.
(“I Will Choose Christ” by Kathy Troccolli can be found at Kathy’s Website)
Today on Woman to Woman Janie and Sharon discuss the importance of understanding God’s grace. The first three chapters of Ephesians give the position of who we are; the last three chapters give instruction on how to walk in who we are. Looking at the first six verses of Ephesians chapter one, Janie gives us much to think about as we hear how God chose us before the foundations of the world. In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
The phrase “Failure is the back door to success” certainly has merit. Do words like fearfulness, selfishness, unbelief, failure, pride, laziness, ignorance, immaturity ever cross your mind as you stop and have conversations with yourself about how you wish you did not have to do battle with these patterns in your thought life? You know the Word says to bring every thought captive, but when swimming with strokes of repetitive thinking, these words have developed into lifestyles of living. So, really what is the harm if you are just coping?
The Old Testament examples are given to help us see and understand the New Testament principles and how they can be applied.
Limiting God is an analysis of Christian failure with the sure answer for success in Christ.
This week on Woman to Woman Sharon and Janie continue to discuss the gift of amazing grace. Grace is flowing but there are ways that we stop the flow of it. Not dying to our flesh daily hinders us from resurrected life that God has planned for us. Christ came for us to have life with grace and the cross is the center of that life He has given.
(“I Will Choose Christ” by Kathy Troccolli can be found at Kathy’s Website)
The New Translation in Everyday English expresses 11 Timothy 3:16 as follows: All Scripture is breathed out by God and useful for teaching, for conviction, for correction and for disciplined training in righteousness, in order to make the man of God adequate, and fully to equip him for every good task. This is the heavenly solution for our earthly problems. However, to be able to use this precious resource we need to be in the Word and a student of discipline study to glean all that is available to us, NOW.
What joyful exhortations we are given to make our center of reading and study the Word of God. Chuck Missler has combined decades of personal living in the good times and not so good times to provide us with a tool that short cuts years of random searching into a detailed outline giving us a foundation to move forward with knowledge of what is taking place from Genesis to Revelation.
Today’s recap from Ginger Green will draw the hungry heart and seeking soul into an expanding world often gone unnoticed by most. Learn the Bible in 24 hours has a study guide, workbook and videos to start a home study or study within your church. If we claim ignorance or indifference to digging into the Bible, we will find that we are the loser and our lack of discipline may impact ours and others destiny. That should never be the case when such a great resource as this is available to us. Thank you Chuck, for a life that fought the good fight, finished the race, and shares in the Eternal Glory of our Triune God for all Eternity!!!
Grace According to our Need: Salvation
Grace According to God’s Plan and Purpose: Eternal Family
(“I Will Choose Christ” by Kathy Troccolli can be found at Kathy’s Website)
Janie and Sharon discuss the joy of understanding the full benefits of living under Grace. For those that choose to accept salvation without finding out the beauty of Romans 6, they will miss living the life that was freely given at the Cross. Let’s uncover the promise of Christ taking care of all at the Cross when He said “It is finished.”
As we celebrate the 4th of July this year it is a good time to reflect on our roots. There is a saying in Christian circles that history broken down spells his-story. How God reveals His means and methods in time, as to how He wants to bring all things back to the original plan before the fall.
America was never a “perfect” nation but a light and testimony to the world that she honors God and His people (Israel).
A slow, but sure, erosion over time has been eating away at her values and roots. As she has prospered her people have changed their character and choices in how they want to live and be governed. Now many educators are changing how history is being re-written and remembered. Many of today’s citizens have never been to war, except maybe in riots on our own streets and campuses . They have never had to go through loss and a valley of tears or had a spirit of strength to fight for what they really believe is best for the nation based on our original values. We are a nation that has gone selfish and soft.
Let’s travel with Peter Marshall back in time as he traces the decline of the American Dream and see what happens when a nation compromises its beginnings and blessings.
The one purpose which our Father has in view, in all His ways, is to conform us to the image of His Son. This may explain our perplexities as to the past, it will govern our behavior in the present; it is to be our guidance in the future.
Written almost 100 years ago when our Christianity was centered in the Cross and the fear of the Lord was preached in the pulpits, a call to awaken us that the Truth of Christ never changes and what was needed then, is still needed today more than ever. The Cross in Faith and Conduct gives practical counsel in making this one purpose applicable.
“I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing” John 15:5.
Today on Woman to Woman Sharon Hoskins and Janie Ratzlaff discuss how the conscience is trained by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit teaches and brings to our remembrance all that Jesus has said. When we spend time with God, we will learn His character, statutes, precepts, and His word will fill our heart. Staying connected to the vine will give us the strength to bear the pressures of trials we face and increase a good conscience.
“Prayer” changes things” is a phrase we use a lot. Oswald Chambers would change that phrase to “prayer changes me,” and then I change things. Sometimes we pray but God does not answer in the way we want and His silences troubles our senses. If that is the case, our understanding of grace is very elementary.
We may faithfully pray for others only to hear the silence on Heaven. He never promised that He would answer in “your time”, but in His time, and in the meantime redeem the time for the days are evil.
Ephesians 6 gives us a glimpse into the purpose of prayer; the role of a warrior. We are called to stand against the enemy and putting on the armor to wage warfare is where victories are seen. Persevering supplications and intercessions should be a part of our daily walk. What stop the flow by our busyness. Busy people do not have time to pray and we all suffer loss. Learning how the Lord asks us to pray, according to His mind should be a privilege and priority. We are called to be overcomers and so there must be some conflict to overcome. IF YOU WILL ASK lends instruction, hope, and comfort for a life of change.
Integrity is living your convictions from the Word of God WITH DISCIPLINE. Character is integrity applied in WISDOM.
We must in the Word to know the Word so we can apply the Word when facing any challenges that bring us in conflict with the mind of Christ and living in unity with one another.
As we have talked about friendship and the vital need for such relationships, we find some “bullet points” in Scripture that help us focus on our foundation of having a clean heart and conscience to guide us; keeping us from falling into the trap of the wiles of the enemy.
Today, we gain understanding about relationships of friendships and see what is necessary for enjoying “friends of character.”
The Seven Checkpoints by Andy Stanley and Stuart Hall cover the critical beliefs that our youth question within their belief system. It exposes the world’s point of view that compromise their thinking resulting in actions and lifestyle which set them up for disappointments, confusion, and just plain trouble.
From learning how to establish moral boundaries (how and when sex is a part of their lives) to choosing friends and the consequences, whether good or bad, Seven Checkpoints sets a foundation they can see and accept with clarity.
Having a copy of this book at your fingertips will have you ready to offer solid solutions that are obtainable and supplies a path of guidance for parents and youth leaders wanting to fulfill their role God has given to them.
We search for relief from our problems, instead of searching for a cure. Anything that will achieve temporary rest from anger, fear, frustration, unforgiveness and bitterness. It is a repetitive cycle of survival and we become addicted to the short-term escape.
There is a long-term cure and the first step of “cure” is to SEE your need in the problem, call it what it truly is and ACCEPT the need as your wake-up call for change. The word for this process is repentance; to turn from the old thinking, emotions, and actions. Repentance consist of confession of sin and submission to the authority of Jesus Christ. Because of God’s cleansing grace, healing comes. Learning to see the need and not excusing with some popular modality is a big part of the challenge. Follow Dr. Brandt through the maze of not treating the symptoms, but finding the real cure.
Waiting on God is an important part of worship. It is becoming a lost art in our daily lives as our culture tells us we must always be busy; whether in earing a living, serving in a ministry, raising a family to the dictates of our society. Quietness, in today’s pop thinking is mainly for the sick, elderly, or seeking solitude just long enough to recharge our batteries to be on the go at break neck speed. People complain about being emotionally exhausted, overwhelmed, overworked, overloaded, overstressed, but continue the rat race instead of the stable quiet pace for true rest and renewal. It is our choice no matter how we deny it.
Tragic end of life news blares at us each day about the famous, desperate youth, leaders from every walk of life, saying they have lost purpose and hope for anything more and life is empty.
This is in direct opposition for why we were created. Yes, we were told from the Creator, Himself, through His Word, that we would see hard times, tribulations, and even some persecutions; even unto death. However, there is a bigger picture that requires us to see life from God’s perspective and that includes NOW and ALL of eternity.
When we take the time to stop our busyness and experience what it is to relax in conversation and mediation with our Lord, our Great Shepherd, and the Holy Spirit, our guide and comforter, we enter a whole new realm of understanding and wisdom, that gives way to joy, peace, security, and living in a strength other than our own.
