Systems and Processes Planters usually begin their planting journey with great intentions. Their strengths tend to be relationships and their passion is often looking toward weekend church gatherings. Starting a church is not easy, but it is often when the church has the most receptivity in the community. With certain exceptions churches will not maintain […]

Reversal Theory of Atonement Guest Theologian: William Higgins! My presentation is a modified version of the classic Christus Victor understanding of the atonement – the idea that Jesus conquers the powers that hold us captive, thus setting us free. My theory emphasizes the concept of reversal as this is articulated by Jesus as the way […]

The Best Devotional Books of All Time (Part 1 of 2) Christian Reader contributors name their top ten It was a daunting task that we put before 15 of Christian Reader’s contributing authors: to identify the best devotional books of all time. But the panel of judges made their selections, we compiled the votes, and […]

Irenaeus, The Proof of the Apostolic Preaching (1920) pp. 69-151. THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE APOSTOLIC PREACHING ——— 1. Knowing, my beloved Marcianus, your desire to walk in godliness, which alone leads man to life eternal, I rejoice with you and make my prayer that you may preserve your faith entire and so be pleasing to […]

Foreword Acknowledgements Introduction Chapter 1 – Hope for the family Part 1:  Three Healing Words Chapter 2 – Word#1 – Forgiveness Chapter 3 – Word#2 – Blessing Chapter 4 – Word#3 – Honor Part 2:  Three Building Words Chapter 5 – Word#4 – Truth Chapter 6 – Word#5 – Church Chapter 7 – Word#6 – […]

Devotional Commentary of Ephesians by F.B. Meyer Studying the Book of Ephesians by certain recurring key words and phrases… Key Words #4: "Created In Him" CREATE is one of the great words of the Bible. It is its peculiar possession. Other religious books have their cosmogonies, and attempt to explain how all things came to […]

NR By Dr. John C. Maxwell At what age did you stop growing taller? The average age when the human body stops getting taller is debatable, but it’s generally between the ages of 16 and 21. I often wonder at what age most leaders stop growing. Unfortunately, in my experience, most people settle into average […]

By Dr. John C. Maxwell NR After World War II, a general and his young lieutenant were traveling by train in England. When they boarded, the only seats left were across from a beautiful young lady and her grandmother. The soldiers sat facing the ladies. As the train pulled out it went through a long […]

By Dr. John C. Maxwell NR Oprah Winfrey and Anderson Cooper are two of the most popular media personalities in America. Yet, their backgrounds hardly could be more dissimilar. Oprah was born to unmarried teenage parents in rural Mississippi. Anderson’s mother was fashionable railroad heiress, Gloria Vanderbilt, and his father was a successful writer/editor in […]

People Pleasing “Find out what pleases the Lord.” Ephesians 5:10 Some of the greatest pain I’ve known in life I have brought on myself through attempting the impossible: pleasing other people. Just think of the effort and angst we extend every day trying to get others to like or approve or affirm us. Don’t be […]

Ask Your Father in Heaven December 31, 2006 By John Piper Matthew 7:7-12 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be […]