Leading in Hope 2008 Archives

What Christmas Teaches

Can you escape the traps?

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

A Time of w00t

Can you find the joy right now?

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

Lord and Christ

Jesus must be more than just a Savior!

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

How Do We Measure Success?

What is your unit of measurement?

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

Fast for the President

Let's pray for our leaders!

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

Still Not Enough

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

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.

Which Side?

Are we asking the wrong question?

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

People Like Me!

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

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

Penchant for Perfection

Maturity means admitting we haven't arrived!

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.

Sharing Her Grandpa

Now this is what it means to care like family!

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.

Growing to Your Space

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

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

Pessimism: Its Mistaken Perspective

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

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

Steering through the Storms

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

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.

Faith in the Dry Seasons

Can faith actually grow when it feels lifeless and dry?

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

Dwell on These Things

So what occupies your thoughts and memories?

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.

Ten Commandments of Human Relations

How are you doing living up to these commandments?

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

The Sin of Living too Cautiously

Are you willing to risk to honor God?

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.

More to Celebrate ...

Is that person really so bad?

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

But Can She Sing?

What's more important, style or substance?

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

Getting Close to God

Are you righteous enough to get 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.

Misplaced Apology?

Is an apology offered before the fact really an apology?

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

Where to Place the Blame

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

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

Don't Sit Around Waiting

What are you waiting for?

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

Hard Times Good for You?

Can they really be a blessing?

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.

The Church of Me

WHo are we really worshiping?

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