Christian TV’s All-Time Worst Fundraising Gimmicks Let’s stop the hypnotism, the guilt manipulation and the high-pressure gimmicks. It’s time to reclaim our lost credibility. Normally I’d rather go to the dentist for a root canal than watch a telethon. But while channel surfing a few nights ago I tuned into PBS and discovered that Aretha Franklin, the legendary Queen of Soul, was hosting a fundraiser for the network. Seated at a piano, she was offering a 5-CD collection of classic... Read more

To be fed, you must feed, and to be filled, you must fill others. To really be satisfied in life, you must allow God to assimilate Himself in you and through you in satisfying others. Surely, “Give and it shall be given” is true and reciprocity is God’s universal principle. God fills the His “Givers” with abundance and satisfies them with His goodness as they pour out His love to meet the needs of others. Read more

Complaining is draining. High cost of gas. Incompetent colleagues. Pushy clients. Lazy teenagers. Uninspired spouses. Ungrateful employees. Inflexible airlines. The objects of our disaffection may vary, but complaining about life is always in season — even though it’s usually a futile exercise. People spend such vast amounts of time complaining, in fact, that I have come up with name for it: “BMW mode” — short for “belly-aching, moaning, and whining.” I use to think people complained because they had a... Read more

Sunday, August 8, 2010 We Are the Glory of God by Robert Ricciardelli Spirit led life gives witness to an overcoming life through the eternal fusion of our spirit and the Spirit of God. This witness as beloved children should involve every aspect of our lives. Whatever we eat or drink, and whatever else we do, we do it all for the glory of God. We are the glory of God when we give visibility to our freedom and communion... Read more

“Jesus and His disciples were at home having supper with a collection of disreputable guests. Unlikely as it seems, more than a few of them had become followers.”  (Mark 2:15, The Message) The generosity of Jesus towards those who were outside the establishment was one of the major rubs against the religious institutions of His day. It is the same in our day as well. Pharisees throughout the ages protest the loudest, and act the most vengeful, when others gain... Read more

There are many voices and sounds beckoning our hearts, minds, and souls. Father is making a clarion call, a clear trumpet blast calling us towards becoming increasingly one with Him. He is jealous for us in His desire to eliminate every sound, voice, or lover that gets in the way of us growing in His wisdom, stature, and favor. It can be very confusing as we try to discern His most excellent way in a world of delusions, illusions, and... Read more

Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters.  It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover.  John 18:28 (ESV)    They were leading Jesus, the exact imprint of God’s nature, to the civil authorities being manipulated to have him killed. However, they didn’t want to defile themselves and be disqualified from partaking in the feast that the Old Covenant had prescribed... Read more

God is shaking His church and removing corruption. But we share the blame for giving charlatans a platform. Al Capone once controlled all of Chicago. The notorious 1920s gangster bribed the city’s mayor, bought the police and presided as king over an empire of casinos, speakeasies and smuggling operations. He dodged bullets for years and lived above the law—and earned the nickname “untouchable” because no one could bring him to justice. Before Capone finally went to prison in 1932, he... Read more

El Espíritu de Dios no desea que meramente toleremos la opresión; desea que la conquistemos. El no nos ha llamado a la pasividad  ¡nos ha llamado a la guerra! Nos ha ungido con el poder de Su Espíritu Santo, y Jesús nos ha dado Su autoridad sobre toda fuerza de enemigo (ver Lucas 10:19). Esta autoridad no es solo para estar en guardia, ni para hacer maniobras defensivas. El Espíritu Santo desea que, al seguir a Cristo, también presentemos batalla... Read more

The Spirit of God does not want us merely to tolerate oppression; He desires we conquer it. He has not called us to passivity; He has called us to war! God has anointed us with the power of His Holy Spirit and Jesus has given us His authority over all the power of the enemy (see Luke 10:19). This authority of the Lord is not just for guard duty or defensive maneuvers. The Holy Spirit desires that, as we follow... Read more