Articles Tagged 'Ritual'

Spirits, Demons, and the One Greater than Them All

Do spooky things scare you?

There are scary things in this world, but we need not fear any of them. The one who is in us is greater than the powers of this world.

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.

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.

Aging Superheroes?

They're sure hard to find, but when you do...

Phil Ware reminds us of Anna and Simeon, two aging super heroes from the birth stories of Jesus reminding us that getting older can mean getting better.

Harmony!

We need each other just like a band needs a tuba... and a flute... and a drum beat!

Max Lucado reminds us of our need to be part of a band to make beautiful music no matter what part we play.

Staking God's Claim on Our Lives

God's Word is powerful in our lives when we go public with our faith and commitment to Him!

Steve Hemphill reminds us of the great power for those of us who believe God is still the Great I AM and who intervenes to bless and empower his people today.

Simple Words, Great Grace

Where would this woman be without a risk-taking faith that moved her to bold action?

Phil Ware reminds us that faith always involves action that demonstrates its reality and Jesus saves in more than the miraculous; he saves us in every way a person can be saved.

A Spiritual MRI

Can I let go of my regrets, guilt, and shame?

Max Lucado reminds us that we can ask God to both examine us and cleanse us; such is the grace of grace!

The Right Stuff

When considering your expectations for your spouse, have you ever thought to do an honest assessment of yourself first?

Byron Ware writes about getting ourselves ready for being marriage material!

Spirits, Demons, and the One Greater than Them All

Do spooky things scare you?

There are scary things in this world, but we need not fear any of them. The one who is in us is greater than the powers of this world.

A Forgotten, but Necessary, Grace of Jesus

Should we be surprised that so many call themselves Christians but never live for Jesus?

Phil Ware shares a passion on his heart about the way we have privatized and personalize conversion and salvation that eliminates the necessary grace of Jesus' community, family, and spiritual community.

A Key Tool in the Master's SIGnature Toolset

You mean I am an important tool in God's ministry toolset?

Phil Ware reminds us that God longs to fashion us into a vital tool in The Master's SIGnature Toolset to be used for Kingdom and church ministry.

Finding True Center

All anyone wants to talk about is Jesus!

Phil Ware concludes his series on Inviting Jesus back to church with this message on Jesus being our center.

Examen: Thinking through my Years

How can we move forward and not just repeat the same old things?

Jackie Halstead shares with us the process of Examen as she reviews 2013 and looks ahead to 2014 and dedicates her life to God.

Gifts and Mission

How do our spiritual gifts help us determine our mission?

Tim Woodroof continues the series on a church finding or calling a new preaching minister or senior pastor, especially during interim ministry, and the key point is that a church needs to know who it is and what God has called them to do before they try t

People in the Process of Mission

How do we hear from God about our mission?

Greg Anderson continues the series from Interim Ministry Partners about helping a church discover its mission by focusing on the people in the process.

Giving Thanks for Work?

Have you ever thought as your job as your primary place of worship?

Ron Rose reminds us that work is sacred and we should not divide our lives into sacred and secular boxes.

Pool of Mercy

Have you offered sight to the blind?

Cathy Messecar draws us into the story of the man born blind that was healed by Jesus in John 9 and reminds us that we are here to continue Jesus' ministry of healing and mercy.

Staring into the Face of Jesus

When was the last time you stared in the face of the Lord?

Phil Ware continues his five part series on yearning for the presence of God and shares with us ways to experience Immanuel, Jesus as God with us.

You Were Born to be You!

Why are you here? What is your purpose? Can you know?

Tom Norvell reminds us that God made us uniquely to be us and the best thing we can be is to be who we were born and re-born to be.

Don't Rush God

Can we really become all God has made us to be if we rush ourselves to God's goal?

Rubel Shelly reminds us that rushing around to get where we think God wants us to be is seldom God's plan and seldom accomplishes what God wants to do in us.

Pray without Ceasing?

How can we really do this?

David Bratton shares with us some important ideas about praying without ceasing and obeying, honoring, blessing, and working for the justice that blesses God.

What Would You Say?

What in the world is love at last sight?

Phil Ware shares the four ways two are made into one in marriage: socially, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

One Measure

What have you done with all those gifts?

Phil Ware continues his just one series and focuses on using our spiritual gift and the principles involved.

SBNR: Spiritual But Not Religious

Can you really be this in the real world?

Rubel Shelly tackles the myth that you can be spiritual without being a part of a religious community, at least as a Christian.