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After a period of intense ministry and mountain top experience, Elijah found himself running for cover. This servant, told of in the Old Testament, felt alone, exhausted, and depressed and looking for a place of safety. God found him the place, provided food and rest, and spoke to him in a still small voice and…
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What if your next preacher was already a part of your congregation? Across America, thousands of small and rural churches are on the brink of closing their doors, often because congregations are unable to find a minister. What if the next minister at your was not a ‘professional’ that you would find in a pulpit…
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I was visiting with an old friend the other day and we talked about all things ministry. The good and the bad. During our discussion my friend brought up something I really hadn’t thought of. Dale’s thought was this; “Ministers generally know of other ministers by name. But they don’t know them. Their likes, dislikes,…
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THE STORY A few years ago, a commercial on television began with a white and black clip of Lou Gehrig being honored by Yankee fans on his last day of play. His career was shortened by ALS, which is now called Lou Gehrig’s disease, a debilitating disease that eventually stops the heart. What would you…
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Over the past two weeks I’ve been watching like millions of others what’s occurring with Israel and the Middle East. I will admit I’m not the best student on the different factions and the politics of it all. But I do know enough. One thing that has captured my attention is how the Jewish people…
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One of England’s finest preachers was C.H. Spurgeon. Frequently during his ministry, he was plunged into severe depression, due in part to gout but also for other reasons. In a biography of the “Prince of Preachers”, Arnold Dallimore wrote, “What he (Spurgeon) suffered in those times of darkness we may not know…even his desperate calling…
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In the fall of 2013, Pastor Teddy Parker Jr.’s wife found him in the driveway of their Warner Robins home in Georgia with a “self-inflicted gunshot wound.” Many were stunned. Parker never believed in suicide and often admonished his parishioners against it. “I’m very surprised because he didn’t preach that. He preached totally against it.…
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Raise your hand if you’ve ever had a hero. I have two that I can mention. Muhammed Ali and Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics. Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics won a NCAA Championship, Olympic Gold Medal, and 11 NBA Championships. Muhammed Ali according to most boxing experts was the greatest boxer of all…
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Whether you’re a social butterfly, or a shy wallflower, you’re human and therefore wired for connection with others. After the pandemic many people found themselves feeling more alone than ever. And that isn’t good –a lack of personal connection can lead to emotional and physical problems like; *Sleep issues *Feeling stressed out *Altered brain function…
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In the past couple of years there has been an awakening when it comes to mental health and the adverse affects of those who struggle with mental illnesses. It dawned on me that after four years at Nebraska Christian College there was never a class on mental health and its issues. Maybe the school administration…
