Do you know someone who is difficult to love? The nosy neighbor. The grouchy grocery store clerk. Your child’s teacher who never cracks a smile. The hot-tempered boss. The church curmudgeon. Here are some things to keep in mind as you try to share the love with them. PRAY. PRAY. AND THEN PRAY SOME MORE.…
Finding Your Big “Why?”
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven. — Matthew 5:16 Video: Finding Your Big “Why?” Play the video teaching segment for session one. As you watch, record any thoughts or concepts that stand out to you in the outline…
Incomprehensible Love
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. – Ephesians 3:17-18 A child asked Jesus how much He loved her. He answered, “This much,” and then He stretched…
4 Ways to Honor God on Valentine’s Day
I love loving the people who are special to me. I love all things sweet and sappy and sentimental. I love red puffy hearts and pink shiny bows and glittery Valentine cards. I love heart-shaped pancakes in the morning, heart-shaped sandwiches at lunch and heart-shaped pizzas for dinner. I love presents covered in heart wrapping paper…
Learning to Love… Sacrificially, Passionately, and Crazily!
Dr. John Barger gave an extraordinary address to a gathering of men on December 12, 1987. The address included his testimony of how he had walked the road from being a domineering husband to a serving one. The crux of the message, however, wasn’t just that husbands can do better. We all know that. What…
The Light Shines
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. — John 1:5 In 2005, my father, Dennis Rader, was arrested for murder. In the weeks that followed, I learned he was the BTK serial killer who terrorized my hometown of Wichita, Kansas, for three decades. As he confessed on national television…
Only Love Today: My Vow to Soften
By being softer you can hear more, learn more, feel more, and love more. I’ve had enough of my hard edges. I’m tired of straining my voice. I’d like to loosen up and laugh a little more, be positive rather than negative. I’d like to feel the upward curve of my lips. I’d like to…
All Things New: The Hope of Renewal
Picture a treasure chest. Not a small box that might hold jewelry on a girl’s nightstand — a large treasure chest, larger than any suitcase you own, larger than any suitcase you’ve ever seen. Picture a massive oak treasure chest, like pirates might have used, with large iron hinges and a huge clasp. The size…
Ask for Prayer and Pray for Others
Don’t Forget Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me. — Romans 15:30 The apostle Paul was traveling from Corinth to Jerusalem with money for the Jerusalem church. Knowing the Jews in Jerusalem would…
Hannah’s Request
Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the LORD… I rejoice in Your salvation.” — 1 Samuel 2:1 When have you really wanted something? We all know what it feels like to long for something desperately, for something, such as a life-giving job, a significant other, a repaired relationship, a sense of purpose, or…