Leading in Hope 2004 Archives

Baby Worship

Why make such a long and costly trip to see a baby?

Why would anyone want to seek Jesus? Just to worship him!

With Power

Is it more than just mere words?

The gospel is about a lot more than words -- without the power of a transformed life it means little.

Morning Glory

Do you know some late bloomers?

Sometimes it takes some people many years to truly bloom, but we must be patient because when they do it is senstational!

In the Middle

Where are you stuck?

We will never make it trying to live in the middle: it is the place of collisions and disasters.

Audience of One

Who are you performing to please?

So often we judge how important an event is by how many are expected to show up and base our efforts accordingly -- but this is wrong, because our real audience is God.

Do We Really Believe What He Said?

When does every nation begin next door?

Why is it so hard for us to reach out and share the Gospel with those nearby, much less with the whole world?

Pencils in an Age of Computers

What's your mode of communication?

While many changes are for the better, some things remain the same to our advantage and blessing.

No Responsibilities?

Is there ever a time we are not responsible for these things?

Even when we are away from our normal responsibilities, we are still responsible for these things!

The Value of Sermons

What's good about sermons?

Sermons are great and sorry, exciting and boring,

Aunt Vera

What difference does a distant aunt really make?

An aunt doesn't appear on the surface to make that much difference, but when you look a little more closely, she can make a world of difference.

Elbow Grease

Are you clean enough to leave a message?

God's people are best noticed when they leave a trail of kind deeds and acts of grace behind, cleaning up a dingy world gone bad.

The Least of These?

Who does Jesus value most?

We will be judged by how we cared for the least, the left out, and the lonely.

The Gipper on Good Intentions

Do good intentions let you off the hook for bad actions?

Having good intentions doesn't offset bad decisions, actions, or words.

God's Word is Not Dead

Is the Word of God alive in your life?

We need to be more diligent in reading the Word of God.

Secure In My Insecurities

Can we really be honest about our weaknesses?

God not only makes us strong in our weakness, but he uses our weaknesses to do his work.

Good Surgeons Try to Minimize Blood Loss

What kind of heart enjoys destroying another?

Righteous hearts do not enjoy ripping apart another even when they other is wrong.

New Windows

What would you see if you had new windows in your church?

We must view the world outside our churches in new ways, especially through the eyes of compassion like Jesus did.

1 + 1 = Many

How much does one conversion actually mean?

One soul makes a huge difference in the world and we must not slack up in the work of making disciples.

Suffering for the Lord

Are you willing to suffer if it spreads the Gospel?

We must be ready to suffer; our brothers and sisters all around the world are and have!

Scratching in Favorite Places

So how do you overcome a conflict with your dog and other friends?

Sometimes words fail and kind actions have to rule the day!

Are You Listening to Me?

Is anybody listening?

We need to learn to listen better if we ever hope to connect with other people.

Our Hearts are Alive with the Sound of Music

What would life be like without it?

Music is indispensable to us and our lives would be much deprived without it!

Me or Him?

Who are you really living for?

We are called to be Christ-centered, not self-centered.

Bobby

I will miss him!

Some people make an indelible memory on your heart because they are servants.

Pneumatic Tools

What does faith have in common with a wrench?

Just as a pneumatic wrench gives us more power to remove bolts, the power of God's Spirit, the pneuma, gives us power to live.