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Charlene Hios, executive director of Bridging the Gaps Ministries says, “ . . .I do believe a person can be in Christ and identify as gay, though one must eventually realize that homosexual behavior is inconsistent with a faithful relationship with Christ. . .It takes time to recognize parts of your…

Three weeks into the 2013 New Year, 33% of Americans admitted they’ve already broken or cheated on their New Year’s resolutions. This demonstrates the near impossibility of turning over a new leaf. Making a life change that puts one on a heavenward path is especially tough. In fact, it is impossible.…

Sgt. Dennis Weichel was herding a group of Afghan children off the road out of the way of a military convoy when one boy darted back into the road. Weichel, a Rhode Island National Guardsman, pushed the boy out of the way before the vehicle struck him. Instead, it hit Sgt. Weichel who died from his injuries.…

Josh Hamilton, centerfielder for the Texas Rangers, has an opportunity to win the American League Triple Crown. He is leading the league in Home Runs, Runs Batted In, and Batting Average. Just a few years ago this seemed very improbable. Josh was always a baseball talent, but he was also a drug and alcohol…

Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao is a tremendous boxer but he was a lousy person and a worse husband. He drank too much, he gambled, and perhaps worst of all, he cheated on his wife. Just a few months ago his personal life was in shambles. “He was immersed in the vices of celebrity—the drinking, the gambling,…

In the Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg writes, “Scientists have studied the brains of alcoholics, smokers, and overeaters and have measured how their neurology—the structures of their brains and the flow of neurochemicals inside their skulls—changes as their cravings became ingrained. Particularly strong…

In the motion picture “Tooth Fairy,” Derek Thompson is a dream killer. Derek’s own dreams faded long ago. Though he was drafted to play in the National Hockey League, Derek was injured and assigned to a minor league team. He was never able to get back to the NHL, and acquired the nickname, “Tooth Fairy”…

For 100 days in 1994 Rwanda was a killing field. Saveri Nemeye was one of the aggressors. With a machete he brutally killed Rosaria Bankundiye’s husband and their four children. Released from prison in 2004, Saveri went to Rosaria and begged for forgiveness. Rosaria considered his request and then granted…

In Forgotten God: Reversing our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit, Francis Chan writes, “If it’s true that the spirit of God dwells in us and that our bodies are the Holy Spirit’s temple, then shouldn’t there be a huge difference between the person who has the Spirit of God living inside of him or her…

Sociologist Robert Woodson, President of the Center for Neighborhood Enterprise and author of a new book, The Triumph of Joseph: How Community Healers Are Reviving our Streets and Neighborhoods, speaks to need for transformation. “If I’m killing myself, I do not need to be rehabilitated. I need to be…

FORGIVENESS A Grinch of sorts was busy in South Florida this past holiday season. On Christmas Eve, Ron and Helen Meijer found a ransom note in their front-lawn nativity scene. The plastic baby Jesus had been kidnapped. The kidnappers did not demand money. Instead, they made a demand the Meijers refused…

SALVATION "Actions," the saying goes, "speak louder than words." Ungodly actions can muffle the sounds of righteous words. That's what happened in Stephanie's home. Stephanie grew up in church and regularly heard the claims of the gospel, but never experienced a life transformation until she was eighteen.…

The Obvious A recent article in Reader's Digest poked fun at some labels that manufactures put on their products that state the obvious. Here's some of the labels they cited: On a portable stroller: "Caution: Remove infant before folding for storage." On a package of fireplace longs: "Caution risk of…

SPIRIT-FILLED LIVING In his book, Confronting Jezebel, Steve Sampson writes about a lesson he learned watching the family cat. Steve writes, “One afternoon, as I was sitting on our deck, my attention was drawn to our cat. As always, it would spend time in the back of the house, stalking birds. I watched…

Hearing Steve had a Catholic background and really didn't want to go to the Baptist Church with his new bride, but it was the family's church and he felt obligated to keep their Sunday tradition. He merely tolerated their religious talk, but sincerely enjoyed the Sunday dinners with his in-laws. Week…

Prayer How important is your prayer life? How would you describe prayer to a new believer? Personal Prayer is Personal. Hallmark can express our sentiments with their well written cards, but no gesture is as personal as prayer. When you care enough to send the very best, send your prayers. Refreshing…

PORNOGRAPHY Steve Fetrow, a respected spiritual leader, resigned his position as a youth pastor in 1997 due in part to his use of pornography. Fetrow isn't alone. According to a recent study commissioned by Focus on the Family, there is no statistical difference between the number of Christians and the…

REDEMPTION A judge in Miami Florida recently issued a ruling granting the United States Government the right to reclaim a piece of the moon returned to Earth by the crew of Apollo 17, and later stolen from the government of Honduras. The moon rock, about the size of a grape and encased in plastic was…

Degrees of Sin I would rather someone be angry with me than murder me, but that doesn't mean that anger isn't a sin. It is. Jesus did not teach that there are any unimportant sins. On the contrary. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus went to the heart of overt sin-He showed that it began with an attitude…

CONVERSION In the 1970s, Khmer Rouge soldiers forced residents to dig their own graves before they were executed. As villagers called in desperation to various gods, one woman prayed to "the god who hung on a cross." As she cowered on the ground, waiting to be shot, a vision of a cross came, with a voice…

JOHN Who could that be at this hour? William thought as he slipped on his house shoes. William flipped on the light in the living room and walked to the front door. With his hand on the deadbolt, he looked through the peep hole. When he recognized the man outside, he turned the deadbolt counterclockwise,…

John Murray There must be a constant and increasing appreciation that though sin still remains it does not have the mastery. There is a total difference between surviving sin and reigning sin, the regenerate in conflict with sin and the unregenerate complacent to sin. It is one thing for sin to live…

William S. Plummer Regeneration is an act of God’s Spirit. Sanctification is a work of God’s Spirit, consequent upon that act… In regeneration we become “newborn babes;” in sanctification we attain the stature of full grown men in Christ Jesus.

William S. Plummer Justification is an act of God complete at once and forever. Sanctification is a work of God begun in regeneration, conducted through life and completed at death. The former is equal and perfect in all; the latter is not equal in all, nor perfect in any till they lay aside the flesh.…

D. L Moody Said about the changes that take place at salvation: Justification: a change in standing – before God. Regeneration: a change in nature – from God. Repentance: a change of mind – about God. Conversion: a change of life – for God. Adoption: a change of family – in God. Sanctification: a change…