Spiritual Growth

Focus

Publication: Pastoral Letter, August 2015 Dear Friend In Christ, I have long believed that I have attention deficit disorder, A.D.D. (among other issues). I am easily distracted. A.D.D. is a common problem that likely carries over into our spiritual lives. And I think that also is an epidemic in our. [...]

Unshakeable

Publication: Pastoral Letter, July 2015 Dear Friend in Christ: Our annual CSM leadership conference in Gatlinburg was outstanding. The attendance was one of our highest ever, and the times of worshipping the Lord were strong. I was honored for 60 years in ministry by many kind friends, but more importantly,. [...]

The Strength of Weakness

Publication: Pastoral Letter, June 2015 Dear Friend in Christ: An “upset” in sports is when the perceived weaker team or individual defeats the stronger.  When the U.S. Olympic Hockey team defeated the Soviet team in 1980 at Lake Placid, New York, it was called the “Miracle on Ice.”  The Soviets. [...]

A Treasure in the Ashes

Publication: Pastoral Letter, May 2015 Dear Friends, Last year a couple in California were walking property that they had purchased years before. They had walked their dog on the same path many times, but this time they noticed the rusty edge of a container sticking up above the surface and. [...]

The House of God

Publication: Pastoral Letter, April 2015 Dear Friend in Christ: I grew up thinking of the church building as the “House of God”. When I was young, it was the place that I often got into trouble and received numerous spankings for misbehavior. Often, I dreaded going to the House of. [...]

Lives Worth Celebrating

by Stephen Simpson Publication: One-to-One, Autumn 2014 ...How to Keep Jesus in the Center of Our Homes   On a Sunday night, more than one billion viewers worldwide huddled around their TV sets and computers to watch highly paid and meticulously pampered Hollywood stars throw their annual Oscar bash to. [...]

Priceless Foresight

Publication: Pastoral Letter, February 2015 Dear Friend in Christ: It would be wonderful if we could see more of the future with greater clarity; that would prevent so many wrong decisions and save us so much trouble. In this letter, we will look at how we can have foresight, as. [...]

Keys to Spiritual Strength in 2015

Publication: Pastoral Letter, January 2015 Dear Friend in Christ: Happy New Year! I trust you and your family have had a very blessed Christmas season. We deeply appreciate your friendship and support. I have just completed reading Endurance by Alfred Lansing. The book was given to me by Frank Eaton,. [...]

Thanksgiving as a Lifestyle

Publication:Pastoral Letter, November 2014 Dear Friend in Christ,I pray this letter finds you well and enjoying the Autumn. This is my favorite time of the year for many reasons, but primarily because we are nearing the celebration of Thanksgiving Day here in the United States. In addition to the deeply. [...]

Sharing Your Story

by Stephen Simpson Publication: One-to-One, Autumn 2014 ...A Major Key to Strengthening Relationships Hurricane Frederic blew into Mobile, Alabama, on September 12, 1979, leaving behind millions of felled trees and billions of dollars’ worth of damage in its wake. One of those trees was an ancient oak that toppled over. [...]

Seeing & Hearing in the Spirit

by Charles Simpson Publication: One-to-One, Autumn 2014 ...GAINING A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON JESUS AND EACH OTHER I like to be comfortable, don’t you? And familiar people, places, and things make me comfortable. The unfamiliar can make me uncomfortable. But I’ve learned this: if I get too familiar, I can lose. [...]

Go for the Gold

by Jonathan Simpson Publication: One-to-One, Autumn 2014 Weak and Hungry? You’re in good company! Endurance, persistence, and overcoming are biblical themes lived out by real people with real weaknesses, who hungered for much more than sustaining a lifestyle. Our work is intended to be part of God’s unfolding plan, yet. [...]

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