Ministry Updates

Stories.  That's what makes the Olympics so interesting. 

Michael Phelps becoming (arguably) the best Olympian in modern history.  Or Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor attempting their three-peat.  Bolt proved he is lightning fast as ever. 

A fifteen year old who takes gold in the 800-meter free.  How in the world can Katie Ledecky ever have a normal high school life?!  And a blind archer competing, much less winning?  That sounds like a joke!  So does a world-class runner with no legs.  You may not know the name of South Africa's "Blade Runner," Oscar Pistorius, but I bet ...

Standing against the tide.

There's no one who more consistently exemplifies that for me than Jim Garlow.

Just last Sunday, his congregation at Skyline Church heard a fascinating exchange between four individuals--a "conversation" that included Pittsburgh Theological Seminary professor, Robert Gagnon, and Jennifer Roback Morse (Ruth Institute Founder) who support traditional marriage... juxtaposed with two others who are advocates of "same sex marriage" ... John Corvino who is head of the Department of Philosophy at Wayne State University and Bishop Eugene Robinson, the first openly gay person ordained as bishop in the Episcopal Church.

Here's Jim's summation of ...

During this economic downturn, have you ever wondered, "If I just had a few more dollars each month, my worries would be over."  I hate to admit it, but that thought has crossed my mind a time or two in recent years.  But even if we had enough money to buy whatever we wanted, would it be enough?  Would it really free us from all the anxiety? 

On "Grace to You^®" in August, John MacArthur addresses those questions and looks at some basic principles for money management in his timely and practical study, Whose Money Is It, Anyway? (airing August ...

I'm sure you all know the Children's Sunday School song...

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Won't let Satan blow it out.

I'm gonna let it shine.

Won't let Satan blow it out.

I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

This is one of my favorites and was the image that came to mind last week when I had the pleasure of ...

Perhaps like me, you sometimes wonder why the lives of fellow Christians don't look any different than those of unbelievers.  Now, I realize that I am far from perfect, nor does God ask me to be, but we are commanded by God to "be holy."  And, not just for our own well-being, but so that others will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)

As Christians, we are called to be different or "set apart."  I think this is why I personally grappled so much with the recent popularity of the "Fifty Shades of Grey" book series and have been ...

"Usually we are slow to listen, quick to speak, and even quicker to become angry. Most of us don't need hearing aids--we just need aid in hearing." 

As I was reading FamilyLife's recent "Marriage Memo" about the art of listening, I was surprised by how each case study reminded me of past experiences in my own marriage.  Maybe you can relate too?

Case Study #1:  You are watching television and the score is tied late in a crucial game ... or Castle is solving a mystery ... or you're about to ...