Do you know which sin is the subtle enemy of simple faith? Materialism and greed? Anger? Lust? Hypocrisy? No. All of these sins are certainly our enemies, but none of them qualify as subtle enemies. Stop and think. Once you decide to trust God in simple faith and allow Him complete freedom to carry out […]
Read MoreCategory Archives: Encouragement & Healing
For the Sake of the Children
Ripples of shock and outrage course through the hearts of readers who can’t put down Wess Stafford’s book, Too Small to Ignore: Why the Least of These Matters Most. In addition to championing the cause of children worldwide, the book includes his story of childhood abuse and deliverance in a West Africa boarding school. How […]
Read MoreWhen the Unimaginable Happens
An Interview with Chuck Swindoll and Dave Carder Sexual abuse is an extremely difficult and damaging experience. In the vast majority of child sexual abuse cases, the child not only knows but trusts the person who committed the abuse. This is why children often don’t tell anyone about it. At other times, children remain silent […]
Read MoreThe Dos and Don’ts of Dealing with Sexual Abuse of a Loved One
Sexual abuse probably comes closer to your life than you might think. Even if you were not a victim yourself (though many certainly have been), there is a good chance that a sibling, a child, or a good friend of yours has experienced the horrors of sexual abuse. No one expects to discover that anyone, […]
Read More“Believe”: Sometimes Found in Stars over the Porch
My close friend just found out her son was sexually assaulted. In the last 10 years, her son has been diagnosed with the following: intellectual disability; developmental disorders; severe Tourette’s syndrome; learning, behavior, and life skill disorders; and the accompanying challenges related to anxiety and emotions. Believing in God’s goodness was tough for her. Adding […]
Read MoreUnquenchable Hope
One of the first weddings I performed as a young pastor had all the promise you could hope for in a marriage. Both in their mid-twenties, both believers, he was a medical student, she was a nurse. It should have been a model marriage filled with peace and joy. Struggles would come, of course, but […]
Read MoreWhen God Says “No”. . .Pray
When nobody is around and when we’re able to be absolutely honest with ourselves before God, we entertain certain dreams and hopes. We want very much by the end of our days to have _________________________ (fill in the blank). However, it may well be that we will die with that desire unfulfilled. Should that occur, […]
Read MoreIt Takes Courage
Deep within, we imagine ourselves as a mixture of Patrick Henry, Davy Crockett, John Wayne, and the prophet Daniel! But the truth of the matter is that most of us would do anything to keep from being different. We’d much rather blend into the woodwork. One of our greatest fears is being ostracised, rejected by […]
Read MoreNeeded Today: A Ministry of Encouragement
Henry Drummond’s remark haunts me at times: . . . how many prodigals are kept out of the Kingdom of God by the unlovely character of those who profess to be inside?1 Will you allow me, in this private chat with you, to pick out one “unlovely characteristic” frequently found in Christian circles . . […]
Read MoreWhat Does “Trusting God” Mean?
Trust is not one of my strong suits. I could try to blame my struggle on not knowing enough trustworthy people, but I know the problem is rooted in me . . . in my desire to protect myself and in my fear of getting hurt or let down. I know that not trusting others […]
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