During the time preceding the recent election many Christians realized just how far away from its Christian foundations our culture has strayed. Though we can't single-handedly reverse the ungodly trends, believers can have an impact by living according to God's principles and carrying Christ to a lost world, one person at a time.

Jesus said that we are "'the salt of the earth'" (Matt. 5:13, NIV). In New Testament days, salt was used primarily as a preservative rather than simply a flavor enhancer. Preserving our nation's Christian heritage won't be easy, but we will succeed if we all do our part.

How can you make a difference? Start with the circle of family and friends right around you. read more

7:00PM EST 11/30/2004

WHETHER YOU'RE WANTING TO FIND A ROLE MODEL OR BECOME ONE, THESE SUGGESTIONS WILL HELP YOU MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE.

When I was growing up in Australia, my parents' record collection included a few albums by a smiling, petite singer named Evie. I'll never forget some of her song lyrics: "I'm only 4'11", but I'm going to heaven" and "Come on ring those bells, light the Christmas tree." I didn't know that 20 years later, God would cause this little lady to have a profound impact on my life.

My parents became acquainted with Evie when she was on tour in Australia. Because of the relationship they developed, she and her husband, Pelle, came to our shows whenever we were in Florida, close to where they live. read more

8:00PM EDT 9/30/2004

LIKE RUTH AND NAOMI, WOMEN OF DIFFERENT AGES AND CULTURES CAN COME TOGETHER BECAUSE OF THEIR COMMON NEED FOR A REDEEMER.

Clearly, the modern church is in crisis. Regardless of denominational affiliation (or none at all), there are warring factions threatening to tear the church, as we know it, apart.

These factions most often appear in the form of two generations struggling to find enough common ground to keep meeting together under one roof. This battle has led to numerous church splits, restructured programming, frustrated church leaders and wounded sheep. read more

8:00PM EDT 9/30/2003

IF YOU ARE TRYING TO PROVE YOUR WORTH BY PLEASING PEOPLE, IT'S TIME TO CHANGE YOUR FOCUS.

People-pleasers are everywhere. They can parade as successful pastors or as top-of-the-corporate-ladder executives. The most easily identified are the passive, co-dependent types.

All pleasers are out to prove they are valuable people--trying to quiet the voice within that says they aren't. People-pleasers play a tape that says, "People will love and accept me if I please them." Their myth says, "You are somebody when you please others." read more

8:00PM EDT 7/31/2003

BEING UNDULY CRITICAL OF OTHERS IS A BEHAVIOR PATTERN THAT NOT ONLY DESTROYS OUR RELATIONSHIPS BUT ALSO BLINDS US TO OUR OWN WEAKNESSES.

---

Much torment comes to people's lives because of judgmental attitudes, criticism and suspicion. Multitudes of relationships are destroyed by these enemies.

In the area of judgment, the mind is the battlefield. Thoughts--just "I think"--can be the tool the devil uses to keep a person lonely. People do not enjoy being around someone who needs to voice an opinion about everything. read more

8:00PM EDT 7/31/2000

THERE'S NOTHING SILLY ABOUT IT. GEESE COOPERATE WITH ONE ANOTHER IN A WAY THAT OFTEN PUTS HUMANS TO SHAME.

---

We in the body of Christ like to use metaphors. A metaphor is a comparison that enhances our understanding of a subject. Lately, for example, we've heard a lot of talk in the church about bees. The cooperation and exchange between different streams in the body of Christ has been compared to the cross-pollination produced by bees, resulting in greater fruitfulness and harvest.

Years ago we went through a sheep phase, when it seemed as if everyone was talking about the church's likeness to a herd of sheep. We learned a great deal about sheep--and about the church--in those days. And we found out that when Jesus likened us to sheep, it was not necessarily a compliment! read more

7:00PM EST 3/31/2000

When a woman is planning to be married, she generally spends months preparing for the wedding ceremony. She shops for a wedding dress, chooses outfits for her attendants, orders flowers, addresses and mails out invitations, secures a location for the reception, engages a photographer and musicians, schedules a church and a clergyman, and does scores of other related, time-consuming tasks, all to ensure that the service itself will be a memorable occasion and a fit beginning for her new life--a life she has yearned for and dreamed about for a long time.

What some of us don't realize is that whether we have ever planned, or will ever plan, a wedding in the natural, we are preparing for a marriage in eternity with the Lamb of God.

God's plan for us is that we become the bride of Christ. According to Anna Rountree, author of The Heavens Opened (Creation House), this plan is much like an arranged marriage. At the point of our new birth, our future spiritual marriage is set up in heaven somewhat as arranged marriages are here on Earth. It is essential that we keep this vision before us throughout our lives so that every decision we make will serve the end of preparing us for our destined role. read more

8:00PM EDT 7/31/2000