Articles Tagged 'Not'

What Happens When You Die — a Post Easter Meditation

He silently slipped out. Exited. Departed. He passed, not away, but on. Yet, on to where?

Max Lucado reminds us that Easter, Jesus' Resurrection Sunday, is not just about Jesus being raised, but our life beyond death!

Looking for Jesus at Christmas

Whatever happened to the reason for the season?

Rick Brown talks about Jesus not just missing from the nativity, but also from Christmas and from our lives and yet we can use this time to restore him to his rightful place in our lives.

'...and thankful!'

That passion to pursue Jesus must never die!

Phil Ware continues his series tied to Thanksgiving called "...and thankful" and this week he is thankful for the longing to move toward Jesus and pursue the things of God.

Where the Lines Blur

But here in the place where lines blur, between land and sky, that small fold between day and night, the very place where great danger lies, it is here where we experience God's presence like never before.

Melissa Troyer is on the road with her family visiting West Texas where she was raised and she and her family encounter God in an old rest stop where earth and sky meet in a glorious gold, pink, and orange reminder of God's presence.

Until...

I dreamed of traveling the world, getting married, and sailing off into the horizon. And I am, only it's a whole lot nittier and grittier than I imagined.

Melissa Troyer looks at her life, the gray in hair, the wrinkles around her eyes, and reflects that things are not quite what she dreamed, but then, in a way, they are better and God is not through with her yet.

We'll Never Be Happy Here (And That's Okay)

We love glorious moments, but they don't last that long... until, with Jesus, they last forever.

Michele Howe reminds of that glorious moments are precious and fleeting, until they last forever with Jesus in glory.

ToGather: Sharing Our Cup of Gratitude (November 27, 2022)

We want to be a people who sing to God out of hearts full of gratitude because of our riches in Christ Jesus!

Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in online worship through words and music, using YouTube videos to lead us to sing with hearts full of gratitude for all that God has done for us in Jesus.

The Paraclete

The Spirit is a person. And Jesus calls him the Paraclete.

Max Lucado reminds us of the Holy Spirit living in us based on Jesus' promise and Jesus' special name for the Spirit, the Paraclete

On the Life and Passing of Anthony Bourdain

I am more grateful than ever for my comparably simple station, one that allows me both quiet time at home and the opportunity to travel — to enjoy both friends and strangers.

Grant Rampy talks about once coveting the fame, fast life, riches, travel, experiences, and accomplishments of Anthony Bordain until realizing what he chased ended up empty and alone.

ToGather: Doing the Work of God (August 28, 2022)

Because of our faith in Jesus and what he has done to save us, we can endure, stand fast, hold on, and let nothing deter us as we live fully for Jesus.

Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in an online, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to truly believe that Jesus is the Holy One Whom God sent for us.

Sky, Dirt, and Dreams Unfolding

Buried deep in the earth of our hearts, God has buried dreams and hopes. While they lie under the surface, they ARE there.

Melissa Troyer shares her insightful, home-loving momma whose meditations about life, family, and faith help us grab what is most important in life.

Be an Agent of Happiness

The people in our world can be moody, fickle, and stubborn and Jesus wants us to bring joy to them!

Max Lucado reminds us that we are God's agents of joy in our lonely planet full of discouraged people.

You Will Get Through This!

Life is hard, but God is great at helping us get THROUGH life's toughest challenges and will never abandone us!

Max Lucado shares the encouragement that we can get through our tough times just like Joseph did his.

Jesus Comes in the Storms

Do you feel too far from the shore, too long in the struggle, and too small against the waves, with Jesus is nowhere to be seen.

Max Lucado reminds us that we are not alone in our storms, but Jesus comes to us in the storms before he stills the storms.

ToGather: Reflecting Jesus' Love to Each Other (January 30, 2022)

Everyone in God's family is flawed just as we are, which makes loving each other hard at times. However, our love generously shared with each other is proof we are God's children in whom the Holy Spirit lives.

Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to challenge us to love one another and put other's need above our own.

ToGather: The Wisdom God Longs to Give Us! (January 23, 2022)

We know that our God showers his grace upon us. One of his greatest gifts is heavenly wisdom, given when we ask for it in faith.

Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in virtual worship through words and music using YouTube videos encouraging us to recognize that God is our Father who longs to share His heavenly wisdom with His people.

Rest and Power for the Weary

Our resources run low, our spirits grow tired, our bodies shut down, we can’t handle another thing, then Satan throws in a storm or two. What do we do?

Phil Ware continues his reflections on what it means to be a JesuShaped disciple, this week focusing on our need for rest and time alone with God.

What Do We Do About Leadership Abuse?

The description of the Good Shepherd in John 10 aligns beautifully with Jesus' definition of serving and giving himself to bless us in Mark 10.

Phil Ware continues his thoughts on becoming JesuShaped disciples, this week focusing on the horrors of the litany of spiritual abuse cases in the news and how different they are from Jesus’ definition of a JesuShaped leader and godly shepherd.

ToGather: The LORD Is Close! (October 17, 2021)

We can do great ministry in the name of Jesus and can survive all the tough challenges in life because our LORD is always close to us!

Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to call us to recognize God's promise to be close to the broken-hearted and crushed, lonely and abandoned, discarded and forgotten.

ToGather: Lack No Good Thing (October 10,2021)

Our ToGather time today focuses on God's great promises to bless us, but also challenges each of us to ask: What is the true source of my delight?

Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to call us to recognize God's greatness and his desire to bless us with every good thing we need.

ToGather: One-Anothering, Together (August 22, 2021)

When our hearts look beyond our walls, our nations, our skin tones, and our languages, we can hear our Savior welcome all of us as his family.

Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to challenge us to love one another and put other's need above our own.

There in the Deep End

Yesterday, in practice, she was the only one who did it. Why was she so afraid today?

Ron Rose writes about his daughter Julie from long ago and how she didn't want to swim in the deep end of the pool if her teacher wasn't there.

Through the Keyhole of Grace

What can we learn about God by looking at Jesus?

Phil Ware compares Jesus to a keyhole through which we look at God and the closer we get to Jesus the more clearly we see God and gives us a reading plan to discover more!

ToGather: Every Time! (February 14, 2021)

God is full of goodness and mercy. He has faithfully poured his love upon us and now asks us to share this blessing with others.

Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to remind us of the importance of affirming people we love through note-prayers of thanksgiving as we seek to be a blessing to other as Jesus h

Overcoming the Greater Pandemic: From Lonely to Connected

Let's move from talking about the problem to providing each other ways to address the loneliness and isolation!

Phil Ware and James Nored speak to the isolation pandemic that is accompanying COVID-19 and share ways and invite us to share ways to battle the loneliness and isolation.