Matthew 5:13

Is there a place to start making the world a better place? To start making things better, begin with yourself!

With the genuine seeker, the struggling follower longing to be more godly, and those broken by life, the Lord used tender language filled with grace and mercy. Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to call us to be salt to a world of decay, flavorlessness, and bland hope.

Is the interconnectedness of our world really such bad news? The interconnectedness of our world isn't bad, but really an opportunity to do good and bring redemptive influence.

Can anything change our decaying culture for the better? Paul Faulkner cites a recent Wallstreet Journal report on domestic violence and observes that change happens one man and one family at a time.

So who really made Bill Clinton President? Who has the greatest influence, you on the world or the world on you?

I'm not sure I'm that trusting: are you? Patrick Odum talks about a strange occurrence involving trust, a New York ad agency worker, a homeless man, and an American Express Card, which reminds us that God trusts us.

Is there still time? We must use all the time we have and not waste it because we can make a difference in the time we are given.

A simple reminder of grace from one in a difficult place. Phil Ware shares the sweet prayer request from one of the translators in a predominantly Muslim nation wracked with violence and bloodshed: "Please pray for the terrorists that they know Jesus Christ like Saul who became Paul :)"

Are you a situation complainer or an environment changer? We can be situation complainers -- thermostats -- or situation changers -- thermometers; Jesus' will, however, is that we be salt, light, and examples who display the fruit of the Spirit.

What would happen if your church were on Larry Davies had a dream about being on Shark Tank and being offered 1 million dollars to invest in a church.

I was taught to appreciate the beauty of the world and to see in that beauty glimpses of its Creator. Patrick Odum challenges us to look at sin, community involvement, engagement in the problems of our world, and what it means to be a citizen of the world in which we live.

Surely Jesus is talking about something other than evangelism? Phil Ware continues his LifeWORDS series and shares Jesus' Great Commission as a call to incarnational ministry and not just evangelism.

Is there any message we can take from our dark night of the human soul? Phil Ware adds some beginning thoughts and Phillip Morrison writes beautifully about a messenger to mankind and The Messenger to humankind.

Give thanks for this? Phil Ware finishes his November series of giving thanks and focuses on our mission or call from God.

God promises us a sacred blessing and a sacred delight in these words of Jesus! Max Lucado reminds us that while the Beatitudes are demanding, they are also life-giving and a privilege to live as an answer to God's call in our lives.

Prayer becomes a tuning fork that helps us sing the song of God's magnificence with both holy praise as well as genuine concern for the people in our world. Phil Ware continues his series of thoughts on living as a disciple that is JesuShaped and focuses on how the Lord's Prayer tunes our hearts to living the JesuShaped life.

Are you lucky or just blessed? We don't like being passive, so we have a hard time recognizing that we have what we have because we are blessed.