February 7, 2022
Feb. 13 | Application
Has life disappointed you? Have others disappointed you? How about the church . . . or God?
Articles for tag: Journaling
June 28, 2015
Best Practices for Elders Discipling Younger Men
By Michael C. Mack QUESTION: We, as elders, are looking at discipling some of the younger men. Can you suggest some of the best programs or curriculum? ANSWERS: “Start an authentic personal relationship with them. If this doesn”t happen, nothing else will. I work in corporate America, in addition to my roles in the church. I have seen in both entities efforts to “˜assign” mentors, and this just doesn”t work. You have to have a relationship with someone before you can mentor them.” “”Michael Fountain, elder, Minerva (Ohio) First Christian Church “My most fruitful times of discipleship have been very
December 31, 2013
A Spiritual Checkup
By Mark A. Taylor “What a difference a day makes.” We”ve all experienced the truth of that proverb, but when you substitute “year” for “day,” the changes can seem even more dramatic. Think about the year we”re finishing. In just those 12 months: Someone close was diagnosed with disease or cured from one. Romances blossomed or marriages dissolved. Neighbors came and went. Job layoffs or promotions changed a family”s lifestyle. Babies were born, and a loved one died. Year”s end can be a wonderful time to reflect on the rhythm of life. “We”re used to seeing the doctor for an
February 14, 2011
Breathing Space in the Spiritual Journey
By Jan Johnson I felt the pressure building as I griped at my son for breaking his lunch box. A few days before, my husband, Greg, had been laid off for the third time, and every time something broke or wore out I felt my tightly bound panic cut loose. I needed to quiet myself before I heaped more shaming, unfeeling words on my family. I felt drawn toward my bedroom, so I finished preparing lunch and slipped on to my bed””not to sleep, but to pull out an untidy spiral notebook and spread my grief before God. God, I”m
February 3, 2011
Nancy Meets God in Isaiah
By Nancy Karpenske It”s just a purple spiral notebook, well-worn and nondescript. But it contains my personal history with the book of Isaiah. All I really knew about Isaiah was that it held precious prophecies””a virgin shall conceive, unto us a child is born, despised and rejected, a man of sorrows. And the famous vision of God”s throne room that resulted in Isaiah crying out, “Here am I, Lord, send me!” I set my sights on becoming more familiar with Isaiah””not the facts and time lines and interpretations; I intended to look for God in the pages. I decided to
January 14, 2011
Challenge: Spend Less than $2 per Day for Food
This week, Community Christian Church (Naperville, IL) challenged all attendees to spend less than $2 a day per person on food; the $2 a Day Challenge is designed to raise awareness and compassion for the 20 percent of the world living in poverty and the almost 50 percent of the world”s population living on less than $2 a day. Participants are encouraged to journal throughout the experience and share questions and thoughts with their small group at the end of the week.
