Dealing With Discouragement

January 5, 2024 By Ken Shelton

Dealing with discouragement is an inevitable part of life, affecting everyone at some point. Well-known Bible teacher Joyce Meyer has written extensively about this subject. Here is an article by Joyce that I’ve found very helpful. Whether it stems from setbacks, failures, or external pressures, overcoming discouragement is crucial for personal growth and success. In this article, we’ll explore effective strategies to navigate through challenging times and emerge stronger. Facing discouragement head-on is essential for maintaining a positive mindset and... Read more

21 Days of Prayer & Fasting

January 3, 2024 By Ken Shelton

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Many churches promote 21 days of prayer & fasting for the new year. In my previous article, I shared the long-held Christian tradition of the watch-night service. Held on New Year’s Eve, these special services allowed parishioners to pray in the new year. However, once we have crossed the threshold of January 1, a lot of people look for ways to make the new year better than the year they are leaving behind. Here are a few: Gym membership Diets... Read more

New Year’s Eve and Bunions

December 28, 2023 By Ken Shelton

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New Year’s Eve and bunions: what do they have in common? Nothing if you do normal things on New Year’s Eve. By normal I mean: parties dining and dancing watching the big ball drop traveling to some cool place for the holidays Or dozens of other things. Not my family, though. No, my family stayed at home most of the Christmas break. When New Year’s Eve finally rolled around, we had the privilege of staying awake until midnight; at church. “On... Read more

The First Gift of Christmas

December 19, 2023 By Ken Shelton

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The first gift of Christmas is not what you might think. That’s because it has been rightly eclipsed by the greatest: Immanuel: God with us. The Bible is about Jesus. The Old Testament predicts the coming Messiah. The New Testament tells how those promises were fulfilled, along with those yet to come. In my previous article, “Why is Christmas So Hard?” I shared why some people find the holiday season to be difficult for various reasons. However, the number 1... Read more

Why Christmas is So Hard

December 11, 2023 By Ken Shelton

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Why Christmas is so hard might sound like a foreign concept to some. Still, it’s a truth worth our consideration. Christmas is about the birth of Christ, it’s also a time to share gifts, laugh, and eat too much. Despite that, some people find it is a difficult time of the year. To make it worse, other folks enjoy the holidays so much that they can’t comprehend why some people struggle. 5 Reasons Why Christmas is So Hard Below, I’ve... Read more

Creed the Band is Back! Are They a Christian Band?

December 7, 2023 By Ken Shelton

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This question has followed them for 30 years. Answering it requires a good look at each of the band member’s lives: their struggles, dreams, love of music, and the pressure that accompanies rock and roll stardom. In addition, we must understand a little about popular and alternative music from the 1990s – 2000s. And don’t forget the millions of music fans who listen daily for hidden messages in their music of choice. Scott Stapp It’s hard to separate Creed from... Read more

Please, Encourage Me

November 29, 2023 By Ken Shelton

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Please, Encourage Me If you are anything like me, there are times when your heart cries, “Please, encourage me.” Between the times of blessing, we still have trouble, trials, and temptations that leave us looking for encouragement. In fact, Jesus told us it would happen. Shortly before his crucifixion, Jesus told his followers they would soon face problems. John 16:33 is a record of what Jesus said to his disciples at that time. It was a word of encouragement to... Read more

The Hidden Power of Hope

November 22, 2023 By Ken Shelton

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“The Hidden Power of Hope” Christmas is all about finding the hidden power of hope. When Mary gave birth to the baby Jesus she was giving birth to the promise of hope. We all want hope, but hope is sometimes poorly portrayed, leaving us uncertain. I recall a line from the movie Shawshank Redemption where Andy, played by Tim Robbins introduces the subject of hope in a letter to Red, who Morgan Freeman plays. Red responded by saying, “Hope is a... Read more

The Wonder of Worship

November 12, 2023 By Ken Shelton

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The Wonder of Worship The wonder of worship is that we might know God and offer Him our deepest and most sincere love. After all, Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). It is impossible to love what or whom we do not know. And we can only know God if He reveals Himself to us; which... Read more

Why Am I Depressed?

November 6, 2023 By Ken Shelton

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Why Am I Depressed? Asking “Why am I depressed?’ is perfectly reasonable. Everyone feels sadness, grief, and disappointment from time to time, but are they the same thing as depression? In my last article, I described depression and how it differs from the kind of sadness we occasionally face. It’s an important distinction because people in popular culture often use the terms interchangeably. How you feel about yourself and your experiences is important. Feelings of sadness might not technically be depression,... Read more