Leading in Hope 2008 Archives

For over 30 years, Heartlight has shared articles to help people live for Jesus in everyday life. While we are no longer publishing new articles, this enduring collection features relevant pieces throughout the year to encourage faith, offer biblical perspective, and speak to real-world joys and struggles.

What Christmas Teaches

Rubel Shelly reminds us that Christmas can be a time where we escape the realities of the world and rejoice.

Can you escape the traps?

A Time of w00t

Ron Rose shares a new word, w00t, that means joy in gamer language, that has entered our common communication language.

Can you find the joy right now?

Lord and Christ

Mike Barres rejoices in the birth of Jesus as our Savior, but also reminds us that He must also be our Lord!

Jesus must be more than just a Savior!

How Do We Measure Success?

Bill Sherrill challenges us to judge our success based on our hearts and our service.

What is your unit of measurement?

Fast for the President

Bob Sjogren reminds us the importance of fasting and praying for the president.

Let's pray for our leaders!

Still Not Enough

Tom Norvell reminds us that in the middle of giving thanks and offering gratitude for God, we should still have a holy discontent and recognize that we need more of Jesus.

When all is said and done, do you really have what you want?

Which Side?

Lee Wilson challenges us to determine what God wants and be on His side.

Are we asking the wrong question?

People Like Me!

Patrick Odum describes a city wide gathering of people who are different in many ways but find their unity in one thing -- Jesus!

When's the last time you celebrated someone different from you?

Penchant for Perfection

Rubel Shelly reminds us that we are not perfect yet, and admitting our failures and imperfections is not an excuse, but an opportunity to meet God and have his grace help us grow.

Maturity means admitting we haven't arrived!

Sharing Her Grandpa

Rubel Shelly tells a story about a granddaughter named Avery who shared her grandpa with a little boy alone on grandparents' day at her school.

Now this is what it means to care like family!

Growing to Your Space

Rubel Shelly reminds us to not settle for cramped spaces, especially cramped spaces in our minds!

Are you allowing life to shape you into it's mold?

Pessimism: Its Mistaken Perspective

Rubel Shelly deals with the seemingly unending pessimism in human ways.

What is there to gain by pessimism in any of its disguises?

Steering through the Storms

Rubel Shelly talks about how we can navigate through the economic and political storms and also reminds us that adversity is the opportunity for new beginnings.

How are you going to find your way through the mess?

Faith in the Dry Seasons

Rubel Shelly talks about faith during the dry cycles of life and how we can endure these dry times to follow God more vibrantly.

Can faith actually grow when it feels lifeless and dry?

Dwell on These Things

Russ Lawson had his share of tough things and hard roads growing up, but he chooses NOT to dwell on those things, but the positive ones.

So what occupies your thoughts and memories?

Ten Commandments of Human Relations

Rubel Shelly shares some insight on the golden rule applied to office relationships.

How are you doing living up to these commandments?

The Sin of Living too Cautiously

Rubel Shelly reminds us that caution rooted in the fear of God can be a bad thing when we are trying to serve him with the gifts he has given us to be used for his glory.

Are you willing to risk to honor God?

More to Celebrate ...

Rubel Shelly reminds us of the incredible importance of how we view people.

Is that person really so bad?

But Can She Sing?

Rubel Shelly talks about the shallowness of the Chinese to place appearance above all things and then pass it off as something else.

What's more important, style or substance?

Getting Close to God

Bill Denton reminds us that the Pharisees' problem wasn't their love for Scripture, but their willingness to condemn others and justify themselves.

Are you righteous enough to get close to God?

Misplaced Apology?

Joey Cope describes his difficulty in dealing with someone who is critical and negative and who begins his statements with an apology.

Is an apology offered before the fact really an apology?

Where to Place the Blame

Russ Lawson talks about unloading the blame and guilt of our sin by admitting it and trusting God to handle it, completely.

Where do you unload the baggage and guilt of our mistakes?

Don't Sit Around Waiting

Ron Rose challenges us to get up and get going and quit waiting for your dreams to unfold.

What are you waiting for?

Hard Times Good for You?

Rubel Shelly reminds us of how hard times can actually shape us for the better and help us see our role in making the world a better place.

Can they really be a blessing?

The Church of Me

Patrick Odum talks about the church of me, the selfish style we have in our modern church world.

WHo are we really worshiping?