In 1997, the two-year-old son of Guo Gangtang was kidnapped. Gangtang is a resident of eastern China. Child abduction has long been a rampant problem in his country. Childless couples desire a son who could carry on the family name. In order to acquire one, they are willing to do the unthinkable: buy a boy…
What Happened at the Cross?
Through the death of Christ upon the cross, sin itself was crucified for those who believe in Him. From New York’s Fifth Avenue jewelry stores to the airport souvenir counters in Rome, Italy, one piece of jewelry is universally displayed — the cross. What does the cross of Jesus mean? If we stopped people on…
When Strivings Cease Session One — Favor You Cannot Earn
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. — Hebrews 4:16 There is a place where duty is replaced by delight, performance is replaced with presence, self-improvement is replaced by transformation, and fear is erased with…
Begin Again: Settle Down Deep in His Love
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. — Ephesians 3:19 NLT Pipín Ferreras wants to go deep, deeper than any person has ever gone. You and I are content with 10 or 20 feet of water. Certain risktakers descend 40, maybe 50. Not Pipín. This legendary…
Favor You Cannot Earn
OPENING Have a volunteer read the opening out loud for the group. It’s that panicked feeling… you know, the one that comes to the surface when you see a friend celebrated for an accomplishment, and you think, “Wait, what am I doing with my life?” Or, it’s that sinking feeling when you reach the end…
A Message Precisely for You
When was the last time you heard God speak to you in your spirit? I believe God desires to communicate with each of us on a daily basis — in fact, as often as we need to hear from Him, which may be several times in a day. He always has a message for…
The New Commandment
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. — John 13:34 My high school chemistry teacher used to always talk about the “acid test.” The acid test is a sure-fire way to identify a substance. The Bible reveals that the…
The Answer to Outrage
In 2014, Slate magazine released a series of essays collectively called “The Year of Outrage” and described, “From righteous fury to faux indignation, everything we got mad about… and how outrage has taken over our lives.” Essay titles included “The Outrage Project,” “The Life Cycle of Outrage,” “What ‘Outrage’ Means,” “Identity Outrage,” “The Cultural…
Rhythms of Renewal OBS Week 3 — Restore
God invites us a wholeness that isn’t just mind, isn’t just body, and isn’t just spirit. But, it’s the culmination of all those things coming under submission to what God intends for us. Physically, mentally, and emotionally. Restoration brings us back to life. ~ Rebekah Lyons I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest…
The Lies We Believe: “God’s Love Must be Earned.”
“Diane,” I said, “why do you think you’ve never found your faith in God to be a source of comfort or joy?” “Would you if you always felt you were trying to measure up and never making it?” she challenged me. “No, I wouldn’t. You know, what you are describing is something a lot…