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    An Amazing Love

    The final major historic acts of the Old Testament are described in Ezra and Nehemiah as God allowed the people of Israel to return from exile and resettle in Jerusalem. The City of David was repopulated with Hebrew families, a new temple was built, and the wall was repaired.

    And that brings us to Malachi. This prophet, who was most likely a contemporary of Nehemiah, brings the written portion of the Old Testament to a close. Notice the first thing he said to the people of Israel: “ ‘I have loved you,’ says the Lord.” And look at their response: “How…

    Embrace God’s original vision for His sons

    How do we shed cultural definitions of masculinity and instead embrace God’s original vision for His sons? Well, today on “Discover the Word,” the group along with author Carolyn Custis James conclude their study called “Malestrom.” It’s a hopeful discussion you won’t want to miss. That’s today on “Discover the Word”!

    April Fool

    April Fool’s Day began in the late 16th century when the Gregorian calendar moved New Year’s Day from April 1 to January 1. Those who kept the old tradition were called fools, which began a new tradition of pulling pranks.A recent prank I’m aware of was the releasing of three pigs into a school building (but not before numbering them 1, 2, and 4). What a surprise for those looking for pig number 3!

    How I Dealt With The Loss of a Loved One

    How do you remember a loved one who has passed away? For some, it could be through their daily conversations as they recall fond memories, while for others, it could be through mementos such as photographs.

    Editor’s Picks: Top 3 Articles | Heaven & Hell

    It’s time to remember the greatest act in history. It’s the day God stretched out his hands to show His unconditional love for us. It’s a truth that has lifted our spirits in our deepest grief, darkest moments and everyday living.

    Best Prom Ever

    When Tom Carlisle told his parents he didn’t wantto attend his high school’s prom (formal dance), they understood. Tom is a young man with special needs, and he knew he wouldn’t be comfortable in that social setting.

    After you say “I do…”

    The idea of “cutting your losses and moving on” may work in the business world but it’s
    an unhealthy mindset in a marriage. Shane and Tricia were on the brink of divorce when
    they changed their minds, deciding to give their marriage another try. Then, after their
    second child was born, an even bigger decision would change Shane’s life forever and
    soon after, Tricia’s life as well. Discover the power of God to transform lives and a marriage.

    Singing Through Sadness

    Our young daughter has developed the habit of singing whenever I cut her toenails. Her musical expression seems to shift her focus from the instinct to pull her foot away to the joy of happy melodies. Research has proven the physiological, neurological, and emotional benefits of singing. So belting out your favorite tune will help elevate your mood, boost your immune system, and benefit your brain.

    Shine Brightly

    Shane (name changed to protect his identity) took a big job at a well-known company. Within a few months of overseeing its operations, he discovered some dark financial secrets. Doing his job, he delved into a morass of monetary fraud. As he exposed the impropriety, an unexpected thing happened. He was brought before the board of the company and threatened. Shane, a believer in Jesus, stood his ground. His integrity shone brightly even though he was released by the company’s board under false pretenses.

    The Factory of Sadness

    As a lifelong Cleveland Browns football fan, I grew up knowing my share of disappointment. Despite being one of only four teams to have never appeared in a Super Bowl championship game, the Browns have a loyal fan base that sticks with the team year in and year out. But because the fans usually end up disappointed, many of them now refer to the home stadium as the “Factory of Sadness.”

    The broken world we live in can be a “factory of sadness” too. There seems to be an endless supply of heartache and disappointment, whether from our own choices or…

    Hope through the Scriptures

    Paul tells us in Romans that the Bible was written for our instruction, that “through perseverance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” But what does that mean exactly? How does “persevering” in our understanding of the Bible help us with our present-day struggles and temptations? Don’t miss this important conversation today on “Discover the Word”!

    Genuine Life

    During a conversation with friends, several in the circle took turns recounting their early experiences with certain words in the Christian vocabulary. One person said, “Whenever I heard the word life mentioned by a Christian or in the Bible, I always thought it was only talking about heaven. I never thought it had much to do with me right now.” Most everyone nodded in agreement. “Yeah, it was difficult to know what there really was to be excited about,” another confessed. “I imagined playing harps somewhere in the clouds, and I felt guilty when the whole idea just didn’t excite me…

    Can I know for certain I’ll go to heaven?

    For Lavonne and Joe, the sudden death of their daughter caused them to reexamine what they had been taught about heaven. Do believers need to keep getting saved or is it a once-and-for-all proposition? For Jack and Leann, being heaven-bound was tied to being a faithful churchgoer. But was that enough to satisfy God? How to have the assurance of salvation and the hope of heaven.

    Joy to the World

    For two of my friends, this yuletide season will be a difficult one. They’ve both lost loved ones during this period, and the festive season reminds them of the painful absence. Sometimes it’s hard to feel joyous during Christmas.

    Where’s the Joy This Christmas?

    The weather has turned chilly. The sky is mostly overcast. Raindrops splatter the ground, as though someone forgot to turn off the sprinkler. December feels sorrowful.

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