Ray and Lyndie McCauley, pastors of the 24,000-member Rhema Church, ended their marriage in July. McCauley founded Rhema in 1980.
Ray and Lyndie McCauley’s Divorce Shakes Churches in South Africa Read More »
In this fiercely secular nation, Christians on both sides of the English Channel are putting old hurts behind them
British and French Unite as ‘Spiritual Allies’ to Evangelize France Read More »
Domestic abuse occurs among Christians and non-Christians at nearly the same rate. How can we make the church a place of refuge for battered women? Five years into her second abusive marriage, Maggie* and her new husband surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. Their spiritual commitment gave Maggie hope that her tumultuous marriage could be
How Misinterpreting Scripture Can Fuel Abuse Against Women Read More »
IT IS GOD’S HOUR FOR THE RELEASE OF WOMEN IN EVERY ASPECT OF MINISTRY. BUT HOW DO WE PREVENT AGE-OLD GENDER BIASES FROM HOLDING US BACK?
Several years ago I sat in a meeting of pastors and leaders, waiting for my turn to speak. During the introductory message, one of the most influential pastors of the city shared on the topic of unity as a foundation for change in the city. What he had to say was very good, except for one thing–all his comments referred to men.
“We men need to love our city,” he said. Another time he made the statement that “‘the guys’ need to step up to the plate and start reaching out to the lost.”
Responding to the Patriarchal Spirit Read More »
FROM THE TIME SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL, MOTHER BLANCHE BELL WEAVER HAS OPENED HER HEART AND HER HOME TO THOSE LESS FORTUNATE THAN HERSELF.
Open Heart Open Door Read More »
ABRAHAM FACED HIS ULTIMATE CHALLENGE OF OBEDIENCE ON MOUNT MORIAH. HE TRUSTED GOD AND SURRENDERED. UNAWARE OF WHAT THE OUTCOME WOULD BE.
As the sun rose in the east, elusive early morning shadows played about the rugged crown of Mount Moriah. It was now just a day’s journey away.
Abraham searched its dim outline for understanding as sand shifted beneath his feet. The words of Jehovah echoed again and again through his mind. They caused the old man’s heart to pound.
Unconditional Trust Read More »
Evidently, my 4-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn, was influenced by something she heard from my good-humored parents who had recently stayed with us. Shortly after their visit, I knocked on her door while she was changing clothes and asked if she needed help.
“No, and don’t look,” she sighed, “’cause it’s not a pretty sight.” –Lynette Kittle
My hungry young son spied a pan of brownies I had just baked that was sitting on the table, cooling, and decided to help himself. He was just preparing to cut a piece when I saw him and cried, “Wait! I want to frost them first!”
Oppression in many different forms can attempt to overtake the life of the Christian. Whether it’s sickness, emotional struggles or family concerns, at those times, the tendency is to search for a place of safety–a stronghold.
However, finding security anywhere other than in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will eventually lead to bondage. A stronghold will ultimately become a prison. But God’s objective for us is the freedom to walk in the Spirit and be conformed to the image of Christ in every way.
CHOSEN BY GOD
It was a son the Burgesses had been earnestly praying for–a son who would become a minister of the gospel. But in spite of their prayers a fifth daughter, Marie, was given to them on a blustery October day in 1880.
At age 10, Marie moved with her family to the city of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where she was stricken with tuberculosis. Once when she was near death the Lord gave her a vision of a bottomless pit and told her she was going there.
Marie Burgess Brown Read More »
IF YOUR HOUSE IS LIKE OURS, GETTING READY FOR CHURCH CAN BE A REAL ADVENTURE. HOW DO YOU SURVIVE IT ALL AND REMAIN IN THE SPIRIT?
Most days I am a Spirit-led woman, though I sometimes possess an exceedingly great capacity for distraction–and chocolate. I have great intentions always, but my willpower is often weaker than my want to. At no time is this demonstrated in a more dramatic way than on the first day of the week.
A typical Sunday morning will find our family preparing for church. Our goal to leave the house at 8:30 sharp is once again thwarted. A quick glance at the clock on the microwave reveals it’s already 9:05.
Sunday Morning Circus Read More »
I believe every child of God is called to absolute surrender—a state in which she is completely yielded to her heavenly Father in every area of her life. We have heard it before, but we need to hear it very definitely—the condition of God’s blessing is absolute surrender of all into His hands. If our
When I was 18 years old, I surrendered to God’s call to vocational ministry. But I really had no idea what I was surrendering to. Some years later, God gave me a mandate: “I sent my Son to set the captives free. You will go forth and ring the liberty bell.” This mandate sounded evangelistic
Teaching children to worship helps them develop a relationship with God. But it also prepares them to live a life of victory in the spiritual realm.
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants You have ordained praise because of Your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger (Ps. 8:1-2, NIV).
“FROM THE LIPS OF CHILDREN AND INFANTS” Jesus is very comfortable with children. In the book of Mark, we read of a day when Jesus was completely happy to have a bunch of wiggly kids in His lap, kissing Him and telling Him secrets. Mark 10:16 tells us that “He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.” It was the adults around Jesus who were bothered by their noisy, unashamed, nonreligious enthusiasm.
No Thanks
