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When we ask for “your kingdom come” in the Lord’s prayer, what are we asking? Yes, God has promised his chosen a kingdom. But how are you preparing yourself to enter it? Transform us oh Lord, so we might be prepared to enter into it, along with a multitude of nations.

Your Kingdom Come And The Multitude Of Nations Who Shall Enter It

In modeling the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to seek “Your Kingdom Come.” This is probably viewed by most as a bringing of Heaven to earth. In other words, it’s something we long for in a future tense. What is forgotten or ignored, though, is the present perspective...

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Ben Feder’s book, Take Off Your Shoes, is a story of self-rediscovery. He details his journeying from revelation that his soul had been subtly taken over to the new normal he gains from a year-long career sabbatical. Along the way, he shares observations about brain science and growth, leading readers into wondering if Feder is knowingly or perhaps unwittingly finding an answer to the question: “Can you think yourself happy?”

Self-Rediscovery: A Review of Take Off Your Shoes by Ben Feder

I think we all need to sometimes spend time doing self-rediscovery. That’s one thing that really compelled me to read Take Off Your Shoes: One Man's Journey from the Boardroom to Bali and Back by Ben Feder when given the opportunity to review it. My initial reaction...

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Theology is one of those church words that scares people off. It implies things that are both true and perceived. But the bottom line, it’s about knowing more about God. And, even though you may not realize it, you’re a theologian.

Can We Forget About Theology And Just Learn About God?

This will hurt (and perhaps offend) some people, but I’ll get right to the point: I hate the word “theology.” It’s a super churchy word that probably keeps more people from God rather than drawing them closer to him. The very moment I hear the word, I get visions of...

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Baseball great, Roberto Clemente, had a saying about wasting time, and it rings true in light of Jonathan Edwards’ fifth resolution. He used to say “Anytime you have an opportunity to make things better and you don't, then you are wasting your time on this Earth.”

Are You Okay Wasting Time When You Can Be a Part of Something Bigger?

He feared he was wasting time. It was New Year’s Eve in 1972 and Roberto Clemente boarded a plane intended to bring aid to Nicaragua following a terrible earthquake. It was overloaded, but was determined to get supplies to the quarter-million lives that were now...

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In life and business, we're memorable and more valuable when we create awesome connecting experiences. That’s the big theme of Stop Selling and Start Leading: How to Make Extraordinary Sales Happen. It's a relevant read and one showing that leadership is a matter of self-development. Of refining life, on purpose.

Creating Awesome Connecting Experiences: A Review of Stop Selling and Start Leading

In life and business, we're memorable and valuable when creating awesome connecting experiences. That’s the overarching theme and key take-a-way of Stop Selling and Start Leading: How to Make Extraordinary Sales Happen by Deb Calvert, James M. Kouzes, and Barry Z....

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Your words are powerful words. Let that power be used for good, and not malicious self-interests. The tongue is double-edged and has a mighty power to enrich and build. That’s precisely the manner in which God intends for us to use it, and probably why Edwards made resolution 16.

Your Powerful Words and the Way They Impact Others

Whether you realize it or not, your words are powerful words. And the power of those words have the potential to hinder or nurture your inner self and others. Truth be told, we probably don’t think enough about that. I know that was made clear to me, at least, as I...

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In the pursuit of revenge, even in the achievement of it, we are visible to a watching world. God has commanded us to build up one another rather than seeking vengeance. But why should we serve those we would rather make pay?

The Sweetest Revenge is Actually No Revenge at All

Revenge would surely be mine. I didn’t care if it was served cold or otherwise. I certainly would have my revenge. In fact, it was now THE thing most present on my mind. Just a few moments longer and a little bit of maneuvering. And then I would have it. My sweet,...

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Communion with God is a personal moment that’s vital to your being. It impacts your heart and mind as well as how you come into communion with the world he’s trusted us with serving.

Your Heart State in Communion with God and the World

Holy Communion is sort of my personal New Year or rebirth. That may sound ironically selfish, but stick with me. You see, when I have the opportunity to join with fellow believers in Holy Communion, I view it as a cleaning of the slate. A moment when I come into the...

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Resolutions get more attention for our failures to keep them than they do for the opportunity they present to make powerful and lasting change in our lives. Here's a look at how we can do better at them not just on New Year's Day, but every day.

Real Change – Lasting Change – from Resolutions Done Right

We fool ourselves into thinking real change can come from New Year's Resolutions. But, the thing about resolutions that goes forgotten is the fact that you don’t have to wait until New Year’s Day to start them. Instead, more attention is given to people’s inability to...

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