category
Search by topic, scripture, category etc..
102 Results in 861ms
Display
Sorted By
-
illustration
A Christmas Surprise
There was a woman who was baking her Christmas cookies and she heard a knock at the door. She opened the door to find a man who was dressed in pretty tattered clothes, and he was obviously poor. And h... -
liturgy
Lord Jesus–You’ve come, are coming and
Lord Jesus–You’ve come, are coming and will come again. Whether we know it or not, we live on the edge of Your advent every moment of every day either with anticipation or with anxiety. As if stumblin... -
illustration
So he took the paint brush and went out
So he took the paint brush and went out back. She forgot about it until sometime later when there was another knock at the door. It was him. He obviously had been painting because there was paint spla... -
illustration
Flourishing Faith in Persecuted Places
On Christmas Eve in Tehran, house-church pastor Farshid Fatah and his family were awakened to the frightening sounds of the Iranian security police pounding at their door. After the police searched hi... -
illustration
A Perfect Retirement?
In his book Thrive in Retirement, Eric Thurman shares the story of close friends preparing for their golden years: My husband was a lawyer who joked that after “the big case” came across his desk, h... -
illustration
The Dart-Board
The Benedictine nun Joan Chittister recounts a story she once heard by a communications professor, which she said fundamentally changed the way she thought about success and failure: A young boy was... -
liturgy
A General Thanksgiving
Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life, and for the mystery ... -
illustration
Defining Epiphany: A Manifestation
Epiphaneia in New Testament Greek means manifestation. An effective method of teaching the content of the faith, not often enough used, is to instruct congregations in the texts of the seasonal hym... -
liturgy
Leader: Come, let us be about our
Leader: Come, let us be about our preparations for a new advent of love among us. people: The wastelands of life around us cannot shut out the promise of life-giving water. leader: Hatred and warf... -
Quote
Sabbath is the most precious present humankind has received from the treasure house of God. -
liturgy
Prayer for the Festival of Harvest
Almighty and most merciful Father, giver of every good and perfect gift, we give you thanks for blessing us so richly with your good Word and the holy Sacraments, and supplying so abundantly all our d... -
liturgy
O God, Giver of all good, and Fountain
O God, Giver of all good, and Fountain of all mercies, in whom are all the springs of our life; all glory, thanks and praise be unto thee for thine unfailing goodness; for thy faithfulness which is fr... -
liturgy
Prayer for the Harvest of Lands and Waters
O gracious Father, who opens your hand and fills all living things with abundance: Bless the lands and waters, and multiply the harvests of the world; send your Spirit into the world, that it may rene... -
liturgy
God of grace and glory, compassion and
God of grace and glory, compassion and power—Father, Son and Holy Spirit: You meet us right where we are at—not asking us to put on any masks, false fronts or airs. You love us just as we are while a... -
illustration
Jesus' Arms Opened to Us
When Albert Berte Thorwaldsen, the renowned Dutch sculptor, finished the clay model of his statue of Christ with arms raised in blessing, he left it to harden overnight in his studio. The next morni... -
Quote
This Sabbath day has been designated as a day of thanksgiving, a day of gratitude-even a day of prayer. We pause, we ponder, we reflect on the blessings an all-wise Heavenly Father has bestowed upon u... -
Quote
The is an invitation to enter delight. The , when experienced as God intended, is the best day of our lives. Without question or thought, it is the best day of the week. It is the day we anticipate on... -
Quote
The Sabbath is a gift we do not know how to receive. In a world of doing, going, and producing, we have no use for a gift that invites us to stop. But that is the original gift: a gift of rest. -
Quote
arrives in the world, scattering a song in the silence of the night: eternity utters a day. -
liturgy
Good and Gracious God, Father, Son, and
Good and Gracious God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: we come to You as an impatient people filled with a multitude of desires and needs. We yearn for simple things--the arrival of warm weather, enough... -
illustration
No More Long Sermons
One Sunday morning in a more traditional worship service, a rather verbose minister stepped up to the pulpit and announced to the congregation, "I've been told that I'll be moving on to l... -
liturgy
Eternal Father, we come to you at the
Eternal Father, we come to you at the close of day (change as applicable) , when from long ago men and women have always turned aside to seek your face. Wearied by the conflict of life, worn by the b... -
illustration
Divine Do-Overs: God's Renewable Compassion
Hope remains possible even amid our failures—whether we disappoint God, let down our families, or fall short of our own expectations—because divine compassion operates like an inexhaustible well. Each... -
liturgy
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, and his mercy and truth endure forever. Thank the God of heaven, because his goodness endures forever. Let Israel now say that his mercy endures forever. ... -
illustration
Settling Accounts
The story is told of a farmer in a Midwestern state who had a strong disdain for “religious” things. As he plowed his field on Sunday morning, he would shake his fist at the church people who passed b... -
liturgy
Lord of the Harvest, We give you great
Lord of the Harvest, We give you great thanks for all the work that has been done to make our lives possible. For those who work the fields of the earth to provide us with food, for those who work in... -
Quote
[A time comes] when we yearn for more of God than our schedules will allow. -
illustration
All the Succession of Time
All the succession of time, all the changes in nature, all the varieties of light and darkness, the thousand thousands of accidents in the world, and every contingency to every one, preaches our funer... -
liturgy
Spirit of the Living God—Fall afresh on
Spirit of the Living God—Fall afresh on us this day. Spirit of God present and powerful, Spirit of God fruitful and faithful, Spirit of God filling and fulfilling us as children of the Father and foll... -
illustration
Dostoyevsky and the Last Judgment
At the last Judgment Christ will say to us, "Come, you also! Come, drunkards! Come, weaklings! Come, children of shame!" And He will say to us: "Vile beings, you who are in the image of...
![[A time comes] when we yearn for more](https://a-us.storyblok.com/f/1016915/1200x960/e408320482/retreat.jpg/m/200x200/smart)
Page 1 of 4
Top Level Categories by Topic
A
- A Fresh Start
- A Meaningful Life
- Abiding in Christ
- Ability
- Abolition of Slavery
- Abraham
- Abundance
- Acceptance
- Accidents
- Achievement
- Actions
- Activities
- Adaptability
- Addiction
- Advent
- Adventure
- Adversity
- Advice
- Advocate
- Agnosticism
- Agriculture
- Aim
- Alcohol
- Ambassadors
- Ambition
- Angels
- Angry with God
- Anxiety
- Appreciation
- Apprehension
- Approval
- Arrogance
- Arts
- Assumptions about God
- Assurance
- Atheism
- Atonement
- Attacks
- Attention
- Authentic Faith
- Authority
- Avoidance
- Awareness of Sin
B
- Balance
- Baptism
- Baseball
- Bearing Fruit
- Beginnings
- Behavior
- Behavior Modification
- Being a Good Neighbor
- Being Enslaved To Sin
- Being Heard
- Being Humbled
- Being Known
- Being Lost
- Being vs. Doing
- Beliefs
- Believing in God
- Believing in Jesus
- Belonging
- Benefit of the Doubt
- Biblical Faithfulness
- Blameless
- Blessing
- Blessings
- Bold Prayers
- Bossing Others Around
- Bread
- Breakthrough
- Broken Families
- Brokenness
- Brothers and Sisters
- Brothers and Sisters in Christ
- Building
- Burdens
- Burning Bush
- Burnout
- Business
- Busyness
- The Bible
- The Body
- The Body of Christ
- The Bread of Life
C
- Cain and Abel
- Called by God
- Calling
- Calling On God
- Capitalism
- Captives
- Captivity
- Career
- Caregivers
- Cars
- Causes
- Celebrations
- Cemeteries
- Challenges
- Change
- Changing Ourselves
- Character
- Character Development
- Character Formation
- Character Transformation
- Cheating
- Child Development
- Childlike Faith
- Children
- Children of God
- Choices
- Christ and Culture
- Christ's Death
- Christ's Resurrection
- Christian Character
- Christian Community
- Christian Identity
- Christian Leadership
- Christian Liberty
- Christian Service
- Christian Values
- Christians
- Christmas
- Christmas Eve
- Chronic Illness
- Church and Power
- Church Attendance
- Church Conflict
- Church Health
- Church is the People
- Church Leaders
- Church Leadership
- Church Tradition
- Church Unity
- Churches
- Civility
- Clean Water
- Cleansing
- Climbing the Ladder of Success
- Coffee
- Coldness of Heart
- College
- College/Universities
- Comfort
- Comfort Zone
- Comforter
- Coming of the Kingdom
- Commandments
- Commerce
- Common Good
- Communication
- Communion
- Communion of Saints
- Community
- Community Development
- Compassion
- Compassion Fatigue
- Competence
- Competition
- Complaining
- Completion
- Complexity of Life
- Compromise
- Confession of Sin
- Confidence
- Conflict
- Congregation
- Connection
- Conscience
- Consequences
- Conservation
- Construction
- Consumerism
- Contemplation
- Contentment
- Contributions
- Controlling God
- Controversy
- Conversational Prayer
- Conversion
- Conviction of Sin
- Convictions
- Cookie-Cutter
- Core Beliefs
- Cost of Discipleship
- Courage
- Covenant
- Covenant Community
- Covid Pandemic
- Craftsmanship
- Created World
- Creation
- Creation (Human)
- Creation Care/The Environment
- Creativity
- Crises
- Criticism
- Crying Out To God
- Cultivation
- Culture
- The Christian Faith
- The Cross
D
- Danger
- Dangers of Religion
- Dangers of Success
- Dangers of Technology
- Dead In Christ
- Deadlines
- Death
- Death Has No Power
- Death of a Loved One
- Debt
- Debt of Sin
- Deception
- Dedication
- Deliverance
- Dependence
- Dependence on God
- Dependence on Others
- Depression
- Desire
- Desire for God
- Desires
- Despair
- Destructive Behavior
- Determination
- Development Work
- Devil
- Devotion
- Difficult People
- Digital Age
- Dignity
- Disability
- Discernment
- Discipleship
- Discipline
- Discovery
- Dishonesty
- Dissent
- Distortion
- Distraction
- Divine Intervention
- Divine Love
- Division
- Divisions
- Doubt
- Doubts
- Dreams
- Drive
- Dust
- Dysfunction
E
- Earthiness
- Economics
- Education
- Elderly People
- Emotions
- Encouragement
- Endurance
- Enemies
- Enemy
- Enjoyment
- Entrepreneurship
- Equality
- Eternal Life
- Ethics
- Evangelicalism
- Evangelism
- Example
- Excellence
- Exclusion
- Exhaustion
- Existence
- Existence of God
- Expectations of Children
- Experience
- Experiencing God
- Expressing Emotions
- The Earth
- The Epiphany
- The Exodus
F
- Failure
- Faith
- Faith and Doubt
- Faith and Prayer
- Faith in Action
- Faith in Christ
- Faith of the Church
- Faith Seeking Understanding
- Faith vs. Works
- Faithfulness
- Fallacies
- Fame
- Family
- Famine
- Farming
- Fathers
- Fatigue
- Favor of God
- Fear
- Feedback
- Financial Resources
- Financial Struggles
- Firm Belief
- Five Senses
- Fixing a Mistake
- Flourishing
- Focus
- Food
- Foolishness
- Football (American)
- Foreigners
- Forgiveness
- Forgiveness of Sin
- Formation
- Foundations
- Fragility of Life
- Free Will
- Freedom
- Freedom in Christ
- Friend of Sinners
- Fruit
- Fruit of the Spirit
- Fruitfulness
- Fulfillment
- Fullness of Life
- Fun
- Funerals
- Future
G
- Games
- Garden of Eden
- Gardening
- Gardens
- Gathering
- Generosity
- Genesis
- Genetics
- Getting Fired
- Gifts
- Giving
- Giving and Receiving
- Giving Freely
- Giving God the Glory
- Giving to the Poor
- Gladness
- Glory
- Goals
- God
- God Cares For You
- God the Creator
- God's Abundance
- God's Acceptance
- God's Anger
- God's Creation
- God's Design
- God's Forgiveness
- God's Gifts
- God's Goodness
- God's Hands
- God's Incomprehensibility
- God's Invitations
- God's Judgment
- God's Law
- God's Love
- God's Majesty
- God's Name
- God's Nearness
- God's Plans
- God's Power (Omnipotence)
- God's Presence
- God’s Presence
- God's Promises
- God's Protection
- God's Provision
- God's Pursuit
- God's Righteousness
- God's Truth
- God's Unfailing Love
- God's Voice
- God's Will
- God's Word
- God's Work
- God's Works
- Going to Church
- Golf
- Good Life
- Good Works
- Goodness of God
- Government
- Grace
- Grace vs. Works
- Graduation
- Gratitude
- Great Exchange
- Greatness
- Greatness of God
- Grief
- Growth
- Grumbling
- Guidance
- Guilt
- Guilty
- The Glory of God
- The Golden Rule
H
- Habits
- Hands
- Happiness
- Hard Work
- Hard-Heartedness
- Hardship
- Harmony
- Harvest
- Healing
- Healing the Past
- Healing Wounds
- Health
- Healthcare
- Hearing God
- Hearing our Prayers
- Hearing What We Want to Hear
- Heart
- Heart Change
- Hearts
- Heaven
- Help
- Helping the Poor
- Hiding Our Sin
- HIV/AIDS
- Holiness
- Holiness of God
- Holy Fire
- Homelessness
- Homogeneity
- Hope
- Hostility to God
- House
- Human Condition
- Human Creation
- Human Development
- Human Judgment
- Human Judgments
- Human Life
- Human Nature
- Human Qualities
- Humanity
- Humankind
- Humble Leadership
- Humble Living
- Humble Prayer
- Humble Service
- Humility
- Hunger
- Hurry
- Hustle
- The Holy Spirit
I
- Ideas
- Identity
- Idolatry
- Ignorance
- Ignoring God
- Illness
- Image Bearers
- Immigrants
- Impact
- Improvisation
- Inadequacy
- Infants
- Inheritance
- Initiative
- Injury
- Innovation
- Insecurity
- Inspiration
- Intercession
- Intercession of Jesus
- Intercessory Prayer
- Interdependence
- Interviews
- Intimacy
- Investments
- Invitation
- Israel
- The Image of God
- The Incarnation
- The Internet
J
L
- Labor
- Labor Day
- Lack of Control
- Lack of Forgiveness
- Lack of Leadership
- Law (Torah)
- Laziness
- Leaders
- Leadership
- Leadership Challenges
- Leadership Development
- Leadership Integrity
- Learning
- Learning from Your Mistakes
- Legacy
- Legalism
- Leisure
- Lent
- Liberation
- Lies
- Life
- Life after Death
- Life of Faith
- Life of Purpose
- Life Story
- Limitations
- Listening
- Listening to God
- Living
- Living for Christ
- Living Humbly
- Living Life
- Living Sacrifice
- Loans
- Loneliness
- Longing
- Longings
- Losing Control
- Losing Yourself
- Loss
- Love
- Love of Money
- Loving Kindness
- Loving Other Christians
- The Law
- The Lord's Prayer
- The Lord's Supper
- The Lordship of Christ
M
- Making a Difference
- Mammon
- Management
- Manna
- Marital Problems
- Marriage
- Martyrdom
- Mercy
- Message of the Bible
- Messages
- Mind
- Mind and Body
- Ministry
- Miracles
- Mission
- Missionaries
- Mistaken Identity
- Mistakes
- Misunderstanding
- Modern Life
- Modernity
- Monasticism
- Money
- Moral Choices
- Moral Failures
- Moses
- Motivations
- Motives
- Music
- Mystery of Life
- The Meaning of Life
- The Military
- The Mind of Christ
- The Morning
N
O
P
- Pain
- Palm Sunday
- Parenting
- Parents
- Passion
- Pastors
- Paths
- Patience
- Peace
- Peacemaking
- Penalty of Sin
- Perfection
- Perfectionism
- Performance
- Persecuted Church
- Persecution
- Perseverance
- Perseverance of the Saints
- Persistence
- Personal Agendas
- Perspective
- Persuasion
- Pharisaism
- Philosphy of Life
- Place
- Plans
- Play
- Pleasing God
- Pleasure
- Politics
- Poor
- Poor in Spirit
- Poverty
- Power
- Power and Weakness
- Power of Prayer
- Power of Sin
- Praise
- Praise Music
- Prayer
- Prayer Life
- Prayers for Funerals
- Preaching
- Preaching Christ
- Preparation
- Presence
- Preservation
- Presidents
- Price
- Pride
- Priesthood of All Believers
- Priorities
- Prisoners
- Private Faith
- Problem Solving
- Problems
- Procrastination
- Productivity
- Products
- Professionalism
- Progress
- Promises
- Prosperity
- Protection
- Proving the Existence of God
- Provision
- Pruning
- Psychology
- Public Faith
- Public Witness
- Punishment
- Punishment for Sin
- Purity
- Purpose
- Putting God in a Box
- The Passing of Time
- The People of God
R
- Rain
- Reading the Bible
- Real Estate
- Reality
- Reason
- Rebellion
- Receiving
- Receiving Forgiveness
- Receiving Gifts
- Receiving God
- Receiving Grace
- Receiving Love
- Receiving Thanks
- Receiving the Gospel
- Receiving the Word
- Recognizing our Sin
- Reconciliation
- Redeemer
- Redemption
- Reflection
- Refugees
- Rejection
- Relationships
- Reliance on Others
- Religion
- Religion and Public Life
- Religions
- Religious Conflict
- Religious Liberty
- Religious Persecution
- Religious Practices
- Renewal
- Renewing our Minds
- Renouncing Faith
- Repentance
- Rescue
- Resilience
- Resistance
- Resisting Temptation
- Responsibility
- Rest
- Rest in God
- Restoration
- Resurrection
- Resurrection from Sin
- Resurrection of the Dead
- Retirement
- Retreat
- Returning to God
- Revelation
- Rewards
- Rhythms
- Rhythms of Rest
- Right and Wrong
- Right Relationships
- Righteous Indignation
- Righteousness
- Rock of Ages
- Role Models
- Roles
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Routines
- Rule of Life
- Running from Your Problems
- Running to God
- Rural Areas
- Ruthlessness
- The Resurrection and the Life
- The Rich
- The Risen Lord
S
- Sabbath
- Sacred vs. Secular
- Sacrifice
- Sacrificial Giving
- Salt and Light
- Salvation
- Salvation History
- Sanctification
- Satan
- Satan's Lies
- Saved by Grace
- Saving Faith
- Savior
- Schedules
- School
- Science
- Science and Religion
- Screens
- Scripture
- Search
- Searching for the Truth
- Seasons
- Secularism
- Security
- Seeds
- Seeking God
- Seeking Happiness
- Self-Acceptance
- Self-Achievement
- Self-Centeredness
- Self-Deception
- Self-Discovery
- Self-Expression
- Self-Glory
- Self-Importance
- Self-Improvement
- Self-Indulgence
- Self-Justification
- Self-Knowledge
- Self-Love
- Self-Promotion
- Self-Reliance
- Self-Worth
- Selfishness
- Sending
- Sense of Humor
- Sense of Smell
- Sermon on the Mount
- Servant Leadership
- Servanthood
- Service
- Sexual Immorality
- Sexual License
- Shalom
- Shame
- Sharing the Gospel
- Sickness
- Signs
- Sin Management
- Sin Nature
- Sinfulness
- Sinners
- Sinners and Saints
- Sins
- Sins of the Church
- Slavery
- Sleeping In
- Sloth
- Slowing Down
- Social Justice
- Societal Problems
- Society
- Soil
- Soldiers
- Solitude
- Solutions
- Solving Problems
- Sorrow
- Sounds
- Sowing and Reaping
- Sowing Seeds
- Speech
- Spiritual Disciplines
- Spiritual Formation
- Spiritual Growth
- Spiritual Leadership
- Spiritual Nurture
- Spiritual Practices
- Spiritual Problems
- Spiritual Transformation
- Spirituality
- Sports
- Spring (Season)
- Staying Humble
- Steadfast
- Steadfast Love
- Stewardship
- Stillness
- Storms
- Stranger
- Strength
- Stretching Experiences
- Stronghold
- Structures
- Struggles
- Struggles with Prayer
- Stuck
- Success
- Suffering
- Summer
- Sunday
- Surgery
- Surrender
- Sustainer
- The Saints
- The Sick
- The Soul
- The Spiritual Life
T
- Tabernacle
- Taking God for Granted
- Taking Stock
- Taking Up the Cross
- Targets
- Tasks
- Taste
- Taxes
- Teachers
- Teaching
- Team
- Teamwork
- Technology
- Temptation
- Ten Commandments
- Tenderness
- Terrorism
- Thankfulness
- Thanksgiving (General)
- Thanksgiving (Holiday)
- Theological Division
- Theology
- Theology of Work
- Thinking
- Thirst
- Thoughtfulness
- Thoughtlesness
- Throne of Grace
- Time
- TIme Management
- Timekeeping
- Tired
- Tithing
- Tongue
- Town
- Tradition
- Training
- Transformation
- Transgressions
- Transitions
- Translation
- Treasure
- Trees
- True Worship
- Trust
- Trust in God
- Truth
- Turning a Blind Eye
- Turning People Away from Jesus
U
W
- The Weak
- The Work of the Holy Spirit
- Wages of Sin
- Walls
- Wandering
- War
- Warning Signs
- Warnings
- Waste
- Wasting Time
- Weakness
- Weakness of Will
- Wealth
- Weariness
- Weather
- Weekend
- Weeping
- Welcoming
- Western Culture
- Wholeness
- Wickedness
- Wilderness
- Wine
- Wisdom
- Witnesses
- Wittiness
- Women
- Words
- Work
- Work and Rest
- Work-Life Balance
- Workaholism
- Workmanship
- Works-Righteousness
- World
- World Leaders
- World Peace
- Worldliness
- Worship
- Wrath
Y
Top_level_categories by Reference
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Deuteronomy
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Esther
Psalm
- Ps 1 (3)
- Ps 2 (3)
- Ps 8 (1)
- Ps 9 (2)
- Ps 13 (1)
- Ps 15 (4)
- Ps 16 (2)
- Ps 18 (1)
- Ps 19 (2)
- Ps 23 (5)
- Ps 25 (1)
- Ps 27 (4)
- Ps 30 (1)
- Ps 31 (1)
- Ps 32 (2)
- Ps 33 (1)
- Ps 34 (9)
- Ps 37 (4)
- Ps 41 (4)
- Ps 42 (5)
- Ps 46 (9)
- Ps 49 (2)
- Ps 51 (12)
- Ps 56 (1)
- Ps 60 (1)
- Ps 62 (2)
- Ps 63 (1)
- Ps 65 (2)
- Ps 67 (1)
- Ps 68 (1)
- Ps 72 (2)
- Ps 73 (5)
- Ps 78 (4)
- Ps 82 (2)
- Ps 85 (3)
- Ps 90 (11)
- Ps 91 (3)
- Ps 92 (1)
- Ps 95 (2)
- Ps 100 (5)
- Ps 103 (7)
- Ps 104 (3)
- Ps 106 (1)
- Ps 110 (1)
- Ps 115 (4)
- Ps 116 (2)
- Ps 118 (3)
- Ps 119 (12)
- Ps 121 (1)
- Ps 122 (2)
- Ps 126 (3)
- Ps 127 (9)
- Ps 128 (2)
- Ps 130 (2)
- Ps 131 (2)
- Ps 133 (4)
- Ps 136 (3)
- Ps 139 (16)
- Ps 141 (2)
- Ps 145 (1)
- Ps 146 (1)
- Ps 147 (2)
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Ezekiel
Joel
Amos
Zephaniah
Zechariah
Matthew
- Matt 1 (1)
- Matt 2 (2)
- Matt 3 (1)
- Matt 4 (10)
- Matt 5 (19)
- Matt 6 (20)
- Matt 7 (7)
- Matt 8 (2)
- Matt 9 (3)
- Matt 10 (2)
- Matt 11 (2)
- Matt 12 (3)
- Matt 13 (5)
- Matt 14 (4)
- Matt 15 (1)
- Matt 16 (8)
- Matt 17 (2)
- Matt 18 (5)
- Matt 19 (5)
- Matt 20 (1)
- Matt 21 (2)
- Matt 22 (2)
- Matt 23 (7)
- Matt 24 (1)
- Matt 25 (18)
- Matt 26 (1)
- Matt 27 (1)
- Matt 28 (2)