Special Features (Page 5)

Little Miracles

by Dennis Downing · Psalm 77

Dennis Downing writes about Church on the Streets and a special morning worship service when the minister receives the ministry of the people he came to serve.

How a bunch of poor, but precious homeless people minister to their minister in Brazil.

Lead with Gentleness

by Tom Norvell · Philippians 4:5

Tom Norvell reminds us that gentleness is essential in today's divided world because we know that Jesus is near.

In a society where parents are overwhelmed, overbooked, overworked, and overstressed, I can be a voice of gentleness!

A Time for Giving Thanks!

by Phil Ware · 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Phil Ware reminds us to give thanks for all of our blessings!

On this day when many pause with their families to give thanks to God, let’s remember what the LORD God has done to bless us!

Your Part Is to Trust

by Max Lucado · John 3:16

Max Lucado reminds us that we can believe in Jesus and that Jesus can handle whatever we bring Him.

Don’t believe the voice in your head that says that it’s up to you to do it or to overcome it.

Living Simply?

by Tom Norvell · 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Tom Norvell encourages us not to grow weary in our battle to live simply so we can find true contentment.

The call to live simply and with contentment is not easy. I am not there, but I’m trying.

God Is Not Surprised!

by Tom Norvell · Psalm 139

Tom Norvell reminds us of the truth of David's famous Psalm 139 about God's presence in every twist, turn, and chapter of our lives.

No matter where I go or what happens, God is not surprised, and He will not abandon His own!

His Words, Your Community

by Tom Norvell · 2 Timothy 3:14-18

Tom Norvel reminisces about the days our personal copy of the Bible and our visits to church were something precious and asks us to think through how important they are to us today.

It always brought tears to her eyes when she thought of the first part of Genesis.

God's Providence? Perhaps!

by Steve Higginbotham · Romans 8:28 · Providence

Steve Higginbotham connects us with God's amazing work at getting people together and helping them live as brothers in Christ both in Bible times and today!

Is this any less amazing than Paul’s unlikely meeting with Onesimus?

A Tabulated List of Grace

by Max Lucado · Ephesians 2:1-10 · Forgiveness

Max Lucado shares a short anecdote on forgiveness and grace.

Registered forgiveness! No humiliation! No shame!

Creation Speaks

by Jackie Halstead, Ph.D. · Psalm 148 · Creation

Jackie Halstead reminds us to listen for God's voice in creation.

If we are willing, and if we allow ourselves the space to listen, God’s voice surrounds us.

I Will Cling to the Old Rugged Cross

by Phillip Morrison · John 19 · Homebound · Holy Week

Phillip Morrison reminds us where the journey of Holy Week ends and our new life in Christ begins, the cross and the empty tomb.

Like him, and because of him, we live and die to live again.

More Deadly than Cancer

by Bill Sherrill · 2 Timothy 2:22

Bill Sherrill has a visit with a surgeon about removing malignant tissue and this experience opens his eyes about how we must treat sin in our lives.

We fool ourselves into discounting the malignant threat of sin to our souls.

Breaking Through the Clouds

by Tom Norvell · 2 Corinthians 5:7 · Anxiety

Tom Norvell reminds us that our Pilot can land us even though we are surrounded by dark and ominous clouds.

If you find that you are surrounded by dark clouds and wonder if you will ever break through, keep believing.

Life Happens!

by Brian McCutchen · Psalm 73 · Assurance

Brian McCutchen uses the journey of Asaph in Psalm 73 to remind us that life happens to everyone, but God is with those who love him.

No one is exempt from life’s challenges.

Every Heart a Manger

by Max Lucado · Revelation 3:20 · Christmas

Max Lucado reminds us to make our heart a manger and every day Christmas.

Have you invited him in?

The Story of Our Savior's Birth

by Scripture · Matthew 1

Jesus' birth stories from Matthew and Luke are shared in straight Scripture from The Voice Bible.

Sometimes we just need to hear the familiar story told simply with fresh words.

The Perfect Tree

by Max Lucado · 1 Corinthians 6:20 · Christmas

Max Lucado reminds us that just as we carefully pick out the perfect Christmas tree, God has carefully chosen and placed us.

The search is on for the perfect Christmas tree!

A Thanksgiving Conversation

by Tom Norvell · 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 · Thankful

Tom Norvell shares an imaginary but important conversation between himself and God.

What would a frank conversation between us and God about thankfulness look like?

I Have Found the Answer!

by Tom Norvell · Galatians 5:22 · Kindness

Tom Norvell reminds us of the needed virtue in today's harsh world.

Here's what seems to be most needed in our harsh and cruel world.

On Getting What We Deserve

by Patrick D. Odum · Psalm 103:10 · Grace

Patrick Odum shares an insightful take on the target of Cubs' fans wrath for the past years for interfering with a foul ball trying to be caught by Moises Alou.

Fans sitting around him (some who had tried to make the catch themselves) berated him, threw beer and food at him, and threatened him.

Another Perspective

by Byron Ware · John 16:33 · New Year

Byron Ware reminds us that even after a very hard year in 2016, we have good news to carry with us in 2017!

Was 2016 a hard year? So how are you going to face 2017?

A Christmas Invitation You Don't Want to Miss!

by Rick Brown · Luke 2 · Christmas

Rick Brown reminds us that we can tell the story of Jesus' birth just as well as the shepherds did!

Hold on to your Christmas hat, because you've received the same invitation as the shepherds!

A Baby Changes...

by Rick Brown · Luke 1 · Christmas

Rick Brown challenges us to look at some of the words that surround Jesus' birth and take seriously what they can mean to us.

When a child enters the world, that baby changes everything for everyone involved!

Something Greater to Come

by Phillip Morrison · 1 John 4 · Christmas

Phillip Morrison reminds us that waiting and Christmas and Advent involve waiting and the wait is worth the effort when the desire of our hearts comes and fills us with his love.

Waiting for the Lord to come and realizing that his coming is clothed in love.

Christmas Can Bring Out the Best in Us!

by Brian McCutchen · Romans 5:6-8 · Christmas

Brian McCutchen shares with us about the need for Christmas to continue year round.