in Forgiveness
Forgiveness: Part 4 – What It Is
Extended with grace: God demonstrated the ultimate grace-giving act when he initiated the forgiveness and reconciliation process with us (Romans 5:6; Ephesians 2:4-5). Forgiveness is what one person gives to another. Those that need to be forgiven don’t necessarily “deserve” forgiveness. We certainly didn’t “deserve” forgiveness from God. We extend
Our Negative Thinking Versus God’s Promises To Us
Proverbs 23:7a points out the connection between our thinking and the way we feel and act, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…”. For example, anxious thinking will lead to anxious emotions and a focus on failures and setbacks will lead us to feel defeated and blue.
in Forgiveness
Forgiveness: Part 5 – Justice
The previous sections have laid out what forgiveness is and is not. So how does forgiveness relate to justice? Some people may conclude that forgiveness is unjust or may believe that getting vengeance is simply just and right. Our desire for vengeance should not be confused with a desire for
True Guilt vs. False Guilt
“I know it in my head, but I don’t feel it in my heart” is an old adage that often rings true when considering the emotion of guilt. There are situations where emotions and logic work together, and there are times when they are in opposition. One emotion where this
in Forgiveness
Forgiveness: Part 6 – Steps to Reconciliation
As stated in the prior forgiveness articles, forgiveness is not the same thing as reconciliation. Reconciliation testifies of God’s power and of the power of unity in the Body of Christ. It strengthens the individuals involved to resist the attacks of the enemy. And while reconciliation is preferable, it is
Scriptural Meditation
Psalm 1:1-3 “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
in Elders
Elders’ Wife Resources
How to be a People Helper Author: Gary R Collins Everyone faces problems, and it is likely that we can help people more than we realize. This book helps people to 1) become more sensitive to the feelings of others. 2) learn how to deal with “people problems” 3) learn
in Adoption
Smart Stepparenting
“Parenting in stepfamilies is a two, three, or four-person (sometimes more!) dance. Parent-stepparent harmony is the crux of successful parenting within your home. The two most critical relationships in any stepfamily home are the marriage and the stepparent-stepchildren relationships. “Many people assume incorrectly that stepparenting is the sole responsibility of
in Adoption
Empowered To Connect
Isaiah 58:9a “Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.” The longing of the human heart is to connect and belong. We long to connect with our Creator, in whose image we have been made, and by God’s grace
in Adoption
God’s Heart For The Fatherless
James 1:27, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” Throughout the Bible, God is clear that he loves and cares for the orphaned, oppressed, and needy. As members of