Articles Tagged 'Lit'

Reflecting the Servant Heart of Jesus

How do you honor a servant who is not trying to be noticed but simply trying to do good things for others?

Phil Ware talks about a university honoring students for their acts of service and it leads him to wonder how we honor God's servants today.

God Put His SIGnature on You!

Can you see God's signature on his masterpiece?

Phil Ware reminds us that we are all God's gifted children and that God has put his signature on each of us in three different ways.

Geshem: The Water of Heaven

When God chose a land for his people, he didn't choose a place where they could have security because of their own efforts, he chose a land where they would be far more dependent on him!

Dr. Lois Tverberg talks about 'geshem' or water, and how God set up Israel to need God to supply their water and make them strong, not their location or their efforts or their wisdom!

The Secrets God Keeps

The biblical account is unique among the creation stories of its time. Spare in detail, Genesis speaks with understated elegance and lofty grandeur.

Lois Tverberg reminds us how the Bible begins and that in Hebrew, this very first sentence of the Scriptures reminds us that mysteries will remain for us about God, the One Who Is more.

I Doubt it: Stepping Out of the Boat

Jesus didn't give up on Peter and his 'little faith' and he won't give up on us!

Phil Ware reminds us that it is not the storm or our "little faith" that is the problem: it's losing sight of Jesus!

What Jesus Can't Do!

Why did Mark include it in his gospel? After all, his gospel is the shortest and most compact story of Jesus among the four gospels!

Phil Ware looks at Mark 6:1-6 and reminds us that this story is for us because we are Jesus' family, relatives, and hometown!

The Spirit Opens Our Eyes to Truth

"I remember when that knowledge really hit me for the first time... that to get the whole truth, you have to have the Holy Spirit.'

Ron Rose reminds us that without the Holy Spirit alive in us, we have no guide to help us understand the Scriptures, much less God or Jesus or the holy plans and promises for us!

Something Simple, Something Glorious

Don't be fooled by the simplicity of this meal, but be reminded that Jesus makes simple things glorious!

Phil Ware reminds us that though the bread and wine of this meal are simple, so were Jesus' words to Jairus' daughter, and those words changed everything.

Houses for Healing!

This example of bringing together a coalition of people, organizations, churches, and businesses to bless others in the name of Jesus is a powerful example of what Kingdom life could be!

Phil Ware shares the work of Houses for Healing (H4H) in Abilene, Texas, which serves people of that region of Texas with a place to stay while they (or their family with them) are receiving medical care in Abilene.

ToGather: Generous Like Our Father (July 24, 2022)

'Keep on helping the poor...' was a core commitment that came out of this history-changing moment in Jesus' church!

Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in an online, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to celebrate our blessings in Christ and our need to reflect our Father's values by being generous and gracious ourselves.

Peace in This World?

We were not created for war, fighting, and death. No wonder our souls gasp for justice and a peaceful community.

Melissa Troyer reminds us that our world is broken and full of chaos, but we can find peace in this world in Jesus.

A Touch of Grace in Horrific Moments

If we are willing to get our hands dirty to show loving respect, God will use us to be his touch of grace in times of horror.

Phil Ware shares a Holy Spirit given insight into the horrific deaths of Jonath, Saul, and Jesus, and how good people did kind things to mitigate the pain and evil of those deaths.

Finding Jesus' Heart for Ministry: Raised

In the healing of a man with leprosy, we see the touch of Jesus and new life promised to us through the Spirit's resurrection power.

Phil Ware continues his series on Jesus touching a man with leprosy and focuses on how Jesus' touch and word of command made clean and redeemed this man who was left alone to die, abandoned by everyone and everything in his world, revealing Jesus' heart f

Reflecting the Servant Heart of Jesus

How do you honor a servant who is not trying to be noticed but simply trying to do good things for others?

Phil Ware talks about a university honoring students for their acts of service and it leads him to wonder how we honor God's servants today.

Run Away Like Jonah Days

Perhaps the biggest gift of

Melissa Troyer is having one of those days where you want to run away and hide and yet has a young child that demands attention, driving Melissa back into the strength of God!

I Remember Mimi as the Fireflies Dance

I still remember the feeling of holding my mouth perfectly still while she put lipstick on my lips, the smell of the old wig on my head making me want to sneeze.

Melissa Troyer shares her memories of her grandmother, Mimi Margaret, and tells her children about the safest place of her childhood.

ToGather: Look to El Shaddai (April 25, 2021)

We can have hope for the future because of our eternal and faithful Father, the LORD God, El Shaddai, even when everything we think is lasting crumbles into dust.

Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to glorify God as El Shaddai, our Abba Father, and God Almighty.

ToGather: Made To Be More! (April 18, 2021)

We will exchange our mortal bodies for immortal bodies that are made for eternal glory!

Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to glorify God as we remember the encouraging future and forever-change we have in Jesus at his return in glory.

To the Least of These, Like Jesus

Largely, in the days when Jesus came, children were only valued if they were wanted. I wonder what history will say in the future about us?

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us that we not only must become like children but as Jesus' followers, we must value children.

Living My MUSD #4: Shared Prayer through Empowering Missionally

I get done only what I pray for!

Phil Ware shares some practical ideas on how to stay on mission even while practicing social distancing.

Living My MUSD #3: Shared Prayer through Communicating Purposefully

My prayers for others mean much more to them when they know what I have prayed for them!

Phil Ware shares some practical ideas on how to stay on mission even while practicing social distancing.

What Jesus Can't Do!

Why did Mark include it in his gospel? After all, his gospel is the shortest and most compact story of Jesus among the four gospels!

Phil Ware looks at Mark 6:1-6 and reminds us that this story is for us because we are Jesus' family, relatives, and hometown!

Dry Pine Needles and Cold, Dusty Attics

Jesus' real-to-life circumstances, along with his dangerous predicaments caused by his divine reality, are comforting to me.

Phil Ware reminds us that as we clean up from Christmas and New Year, the mess left after the holidays should remind us of the hard times Jesus and his family faced after his birth.

To the Least, Like Jesus

Largely, in the days when Jesus came, children were only valued if they were wanted.

James Nored and Phil Ware remind us that we not only must become like children, but as Jesus' followers, we must value children.

Cruciformed #5: The Power of Small

Jesus’ disciples were clueless. Even worse, they were unwilling to accept that the role of exaltation for Jesus and his followers involved the cross of Golgotha!

Phil Ware continues his series on the Cruciformed disciple, focusing this week on the power of the small.