happy new year!
Happy New Year!” “Have a joyous New Year!” We will hear a lot of these greetings today. And you’ll find yourself saying them to others too. Undoubtedly, we hope that 2014 will be a blessed and joyous year for us. The psalmist articulated his desire for happy days ahead with this confident affirmation: “Joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the LORD their God” (Psalm 146:5).
Never Beyond Connection
I often use the software Skype to speak with my loved ones overseas. Hence, not being able to talk to them due to bad Internet connectivity is extremely unsettling. On days like these, technology can be quite a pain. Although this was not the first time that we had to deal […]
For Future Generations
When a team of Christians visited Stavropol, Russia, in 1994 to hand out Bibles, a local citizen said he recalled seeing Bibles in an old warehouse. They had been confiscated in the 1930s when Stalin was sending believers to the gulags. Amazingly, the Bibles were still there.
Among those who showed up to load them into trucks was a young agnostic student just wanting to earn a day’s wage.
Why They Are Grand
Grandparents are great bridge-builders. My grandparents, farmers on both sides of the family, were children of the 19th century and relayed an important heritage of both history and faith through the years.
Today, my children benefit from their grandparents’ faith because they can see that my wife and I have personally accepted the faith modeled for us. And our children have seen and heard their grandparents’ testimonies of faith for themselves.
Did you know that the Creator of the universe wants to adopt you to be His very own?–Judy’s Story
Ephesians chapter one, verse five, says that God “predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ.” After being adopted at a young age by a loving family, it wasn’t hard for Judy to understand that truth. Discover how you too can be a part of God’s family, no matter what your background holds.
Holding on to your joy in the midst of unemployment–Jeff and Jenny’s Story
A job loss can deliver a crushing blow both emotionally and financially. Discover how God and the love of His people made provision for Jeff and Jenny’s family in the midst of unemployment.
Loss, Family
Already in their forties, an unexpected pregnancy interrupted the plans Jon and Barb had for their lives. One couple’s story about how life can abruptly change—and a merciful God who never changes.
Finding forgiveness and love from an unplanned pregnancy–Christina’s Story
At age twenty, an unplanned pregnancy changed Christina’s life forever. Having grown up in a Christian home, it was especially difficult to share this big news with her parents. Don’t miss this dramatic story of grace and forgiveness.
Addictions–Miguel’s Story
Miguel’s answer to the emptiness he felt only left him with bigger problems. When his gambling addiction left him homeless, he found hope and a future in an unexpected place
Finding truth following a life of deception–Betty and Scott’s story
Financial stability isn’t handed to us free and clear. It’s a lot of work! When Betty and Scott came to terms with mishandling their finances, they found freedom from the debt trap by trusting God!
Making positive changes, both in your life and in your family–Bob’s Story
Involved in drugs and alcohol from a young age, Bob turned his back on God. But when he saw his children following in his footsteps, he knew it was time to turn to God for some serious changes in his life.
Experiencing the grace of God and overcoming a powerful addiction–Phil and Kathy’s Story
Perhaps you need a second chance today. Phil had a good life, but when an injury forced him into early retirement from police work, he found himself going down a path he never expected. See how God brought Phil through the dark days of addiction and homelessness, and how He can give you the second chance you may need.
When it seems there’s nowhere left to turn, turn to God–Jeff’s Story
As a teen, Jeff desperately wanted to fit in and found that drugs were an easy way to be accepted by his peers. As the years passed, Jeff repeatedly tried to escape his addiction on his own but found it was impossible outside of God’s intervention.
Yesterday
You shall not go out with haste, . . . for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard —Isaiah 52:12
Security from Yesterday. “. . . God requires an account of what is past” (Ecclesiastes 3:15). At the end of the year we turn with eagerness…
In His Grip
When we cross a busy street with small children in tow, we put out our hand and say, “Hold on tight,” and our little ones grasp our hand as tightly as they can. But we would never depend on their grasp. It is our grip on their hand that holds them and keeps them secure. So Paul insists, “Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Phil. 3:12). Or more exactly, “Christ has a grip on me!”
