BLOOD AND HAPPINESS

The incredible human machine has an approximately 10-ounce heart that pumps blood through the entire body. Can you imagine every 24 hours our arteries, veins, and capillaries deliver blood the same distance as Seattle to New York and back? A miracle machine!...

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Words of Hope: The Cost of Love 

One of my favorite things to do is go to a beautiful church and pray. If Shann and I are together and we are the only ones in the church, we will sing together. I love the house of...

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Words of Hope: The Right Path

I recently met a man who is wrestling with his faith. He is skeptical yet wants to believe. He is reading a variety of religious texts because he fears making a wrong decision. He fears whether he is following...

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CUP OF JOY OVERFLOWING, Part III

“Fred, why do so few people have joy?” Elegant question! To answer, I let my mind wander, do some speculation.  In today’s world, we seem to base our lives on Feeling, Fact, and then Faith. I conclude emotions make horrible masters but could...

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Words of Hope: Answered Prayer 

My husband Shann wrote the libretto for an opera about the life of Zechariah and Elizabeth highlighting the human suffering of barrenness. It is easy to romanticize scripture by labeling difficult emotions such as sorrow, fear, and doubt as...

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Words of Hope: Pondering Schism 

I find myself reflecting on a troubling trend emerging within church communities. This issue revolves around the contrasting doctrinal narratives concerning God's love and His wrath. Recently, a theological speaker at a prominent Christian university delivered a chapel message...

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LOVE-what is it? Why is it important?

For reasons I cannot explain the whole idea and notion of love has been gripping my mind and heart. The easy thing to do is ask SIRI to give me a definition of love. Paul’s famous chapter 13 of I...

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Words of Hope: Relational Errors 

As human beings, we all make mistakes. Often, we unintentionally hurt those around us. While saying, “I didn’t mean to hurt you,” may provide some comfort, it doesn’t truly fix the situation.   Mistakes happen frequently, especially during tough times....

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Words of Hope: Closet Prayer

I love C.S. Lewis. I just read a book about his friendship and struggles with J.R.R. Tolkien. They lost some of their joy for one another toward the end of their lives. Tolkien was very critical of Lewis, which...

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Words of Hope: Co-Creativity

The NBC Team is exploring one of our core missional words - creativity.  We discuss how quickly people claim they are not creative. Yet creativity is imparted to every person from God. We are creative because we are created...

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