Category Archives: Renew in ’22

February 7, 2022 · 2:07 am

Word of the Week: Togetherness

Over 8 decades of research by Harvard University reveals a direct corollary between strong relationships and longevity of life.

One study of 7,000 people concluded that those most isolated were 3 times more likely to die than those with meaningful relationships.

Regarding the study, author John Ortberg wrote that “people who had bad health habits (such as smoking, poor eating habits, or alcohol use) but strong social ties lived significantly longer than people who had great health habits but were isolated.

In other words, Ortberg quipped, “It is better to eat Twinkies with good friends than to eat broccoli alone.” Continue reading →

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January 31, 2022 · 8:10 am

Word of the Week: Passion

Yesterday, Norma Jean and I boarded a flight out of Orlando for Cincinnati, Ohio. While waiting at our gate I went to get us something to eat. As I approached the food court, I could hear raucous cheers echoing down the concourse.

“What’s going on?” I wondered. Continue reading →

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January 24, 2022 · 6:40 am

Word of the Week: Purpose

“I have no peace. All life is at the end of the tether,“ wrote the English writer and philosopher, H.G. Wells at age 61.

The poet Lord Byron admitted, “My days are in yellow leaf, the flowers and fruits of life are gone, the worm and the canker, and the grief are mine alone.”

The literary genius Thoreau opined “Most men live lives of quiet desperation.” Continue reading →

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January 17, 2022 · 7:20 am

Word of the Week: Commitment

The Scottish minister, David Livingstone was one of the most popular national heroes of 19th century Britain. He was known as an explorer. Scientific investigator. Anti-slavery crusader. And Protestant missionary martyr.

The story is told that Livingstone once received a letter from the London Missionary Society inquiring about his work in Africa. They asked the explorer, “Have you found a good road to where you are? If so, we want to know how to send other men to join you? Continue reading →

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January 10, 2022 · 7:25 am

Word of the Week: Attitude

There’s an exercise, which I borrowed from John Maxwell, that I’ve used through the years in Bible classes. In fact, why don’t you try it right now?

Write down the name of a friend who you greatly admire.

_______________________________________

Now write down one thing you admire most about your friend.

________________________________________

Continue reading →

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January 7, 2022 · 1:07 am

Friday’s List To Live By #68

“Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day,” opined speaker and author Jim Rohn. The same is true for spiritual renewal.

By now, our readers know that our preaching and writing theme this year is “Let’s Renew in ‘22.” This week we’ve introduced, defined, and explained the concept of renewal.

Today, on Friday’s List, we offer some suggestions for renewal that are simple and succinct, yet powerful.

13 Ways To Renew Yourself Spiritually Continue reading →

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January 6, 2022 · 6:20 am

The Paradox of Renewal

By definition, a paradox is “a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality, expresses a possible truth.”

Jesus often spoke truths that contained a paradox. Here are three examples.

“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matt 10:38).

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14).

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Matt 20:26) Continue reading →

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January 5, 2022 · 6:00 am

A Passage To Ponder: Isaiah 40:28-31

Jeff Strite relates an interesting story about a woman who came to a preacher for counseling.

The woman said her husband had become distant. Her children were rebellious. They were deep in debt. Now she was experiencing medical problems.

The preacher said the more she talked the more depressed HE became. He wasn’t sure how to advise her. He admitted that he thought, “Your case is hopeless. There is no way out.” Of course, he couldn’t tell her that. So as many good counselors do, he asked her a question. Continue reading →

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January 4, 2022 · 7:06 am

Three Beginning Steps to Renewal

“None of us has enough inner strength to last a lifetime. We simply can’t make it,” wrote my friend and preaching colleague Gary Henry in his Daybook Enthusiastic Ideas.

“If we are to keep going, we must be ‘renewed’ fairly often. And this process must take place deep inside of us,” Gary opined.

Our preaching and writing theme this year speaks to the issue of renewal, which we want to introduce and define in each blog post this week.

If we are to make renewal real, if it is to become more than just a catchy slogan, then we must get deep inside ourselves. We must begin with three very important, fundamental steps. Continue reading →

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January 3, 2022 · 7:53 am

Word of the Week: Renew

Kenneth Cober was a 20th-century hymnist who wrote a hymn in 1960 entitled, “Renew Thy Church,” In recent years, some songbooks have adapted the hymn. The first verse goes like this.

Renew your church, our ministries restore:
both to serve and adore.
Make us again as salt throughout the land,
and as light from a stand.
‘Mid somber shadows of the night,
where greed and hatreds spread their blight,
O send us forth with power endued,
help us, Lord, be renewed.

Our word of the week, “renew,” will serve as our preaching and writing theme for 2022. Continue reading →

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