Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Advent Resources for the 2016 Christmas Season


Book Recommendations

Recommended Articles on Advent
What is Advent? by Justin Holcomb

The History of Advent by Ryan Reeves PH.D

The Advent of Humility by Timothy Keller

Why Celebrate Advent? by Timothy Jones PH.D


Recommended Advent Sermons and Lectures


Recommended Advent Devotional Guides
The Village Church Advent Guide

Jesus Storybook Bible Printable Advent Calendar for families  

Desiring God Advent Devotional

Desiring God Good News of Great Joy Advent Devotional


Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast - Leading Up, Part 2

Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast - Sharpening Your Communication Skill...

God's Infinity - Dr. Carl R. Trueman

The Holy Spirit and Organic Inspiration

Half-Hearted Surrender

Jesus Did Not Insist on His Rights

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Learn How To Do Apologetics in the Twenty-First Century with Ravi Zacharias

Happy Thanksgiving 2016 from the Van Tine Family

On behalf of my family and I, we hope you had a very happy Thanksgiving holiday. There was simply so much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving that I found myself overwhelmed with a deep sense of thankfulness and gratitude. I had a chance throughout the Thanksgiving Holiday to write down a few thoughts on Thanksgiving and gratitude which I would like to share with you here. 

Worshiping over your Thanksgiving Table
This Thanksgiving drink good drink, eat rich food, laugh deeply and love well and do it all as worship!
When we receive everything we have as gifts from God, we worship. We can drink without getting drunk and we can eat without being gluttons because we don’t enjoy things as an end in themselves but as a platform for worship.
So worship over your thanksgiving table, worship with your family, worship with your food, your drink and your friends. Let your praise fill your heart with deep gratitude.

Giving Thanks to Whom? 
To whom should we give thanks?
The universe "itself" isn't a person, nature doesn't function with divine agency, and even people have limited impact on our lives? Deep thankfulness requires recognizing supreme governance and sovereign agency.The good news this Thanksgiving is that we don't live in a random universe spiraling out of control but there is a gracious, sovereign, almighty God! He is a limitless source of energy, vitality, power, and blessing. He never wearies, He is never surprised and He is never out of control. He gives us all things richly to be enjoyed. We can know this God objectively, historically and personally in creation, in providence and foremost in the person of Jesus. The true depth of Thanksgiving joy is found in the worship of God through the gifts he has given us.

Choosing Contentment for Thanksgiving 2016
"Contentment is a choice. You will never find true contentment in your circumstances because your circumstances will always be changing. Lets choose contentment and gratitude this Thanksgiving!
Listen to this special Thanksgiving message on your commute or workout to prepare your heart for Thanksgiving. https://t.co/1stMnrIvEY

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

6 Good Questions to Ask Your Family/Friends Around the Dinner Table this Thanksgiving.


6 Good Questions to Ask Your Family/Friends Around the Dinner Table this Thanksgiving. 
Let's Cultivate Hearts of Gratitude in 2016!
1. What’s the one experience for which you are most thankful this year?
2. What’s the one book, article, or blog post for which you are most thankful this year?
3. What’s the one thing you’ve learned this year for which you are most thankful?
4. If you could thank one person today—near or far, living or dead—for their influence on your life, who would that person be?
5. Who’s one person you’ve never thanked for their contribution to your life, but would like to?
6. For what do you feel most grateful to God today?