writer's block

5 Things To Do When You Have Writer's Block

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most popular country

Germany has topped a BBC poll as the world's most popular country. The survey polled 26,000 people in 25 countries and asked them to rate 16 countries and the European Union as a whole on whether their influence on the world was mainly positive or negative. Germany came out on top, with 59 percent of survey participants giving it a positive rating. The country moved up three percentage points from its 2012 position. It displaced Japan, which saw its positive rating fall from 58 percent last year to 51 percent, going from first to fourth place.

"There are lots of reasons why Germany is admired," one of the researchers said. "It is a large and important world economy, a world-class manufacturer, and has a chancellor who demonstrates genuine leadership."

And they also make great beer, cars, coffee, and chocolate.  ;-)

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a spirit thing

fire, flame, wind, water, ruach, pneuma, breath, birth, church, disciples, apostles, spirit, sanctifier, sustainer, comforter, encourager, paraclete, inspire, faith, pentecost

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need to know

Here's an interesting question - "What is the least I need to know to be a Christian?

That question usually belies another question, namely,  "What is the most I can get away with?"

It's kind of like asking ...

"How much water can I put in the gas tank before it stops running?"
"How much salt water from the ocean can I drink before it kills me?"
"How much fuzzy mold needs to be on my sandwich before its unhealthy for me to eat?"

The mere fact that someone would ask that question means they are trying to put conditions on God. They are telling God that He can have part of their life but not all of their life.  It seems to me that the real question is - "Who is in charge?"

While knowing about the Bible or about the Christian faith may not seem to matter all that much to a lot of people these days - it does matter to God.

In the end, the question of "what do I need to know" or "what must I do to be saved" really becomes the question "Who is Jesus?" And the only way we can know Jesus is to find Him in His Word.

Strictly speaking, you don't have to KNOW anything to be saved. It is a gift - the undeserved grace of God which we receive by faith in Jesus Christ. But once we are saved, once we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we will want to know and grow as a follower of Jesus. We will want to learn about the Bible as God's Holy Word. We will want more and more each day to be filled with the knowledge and wisdom of God.

And at that point it no longer is about what we need to know, but what we want to know.

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spring

Spring is such a wonderful time of year, with so many great object lessons all around that teach us about death and resurrection.

God gives us such beauty and pleasure as a little preview of coming atrractions - sort of a foretaste of the feast to come. For just as Jesus rose from the dead that first Easter morning, we too will rise and walk in newness of life, enjoying the wonders of God's new creation together for all eternity.

But in the meantime, we have work to do this season. We are to be God's Easter People - those called by Him to bring faith and hope, peace and joy, love and forgiveness to all those around us - our family, our friends, our neighbors, and yes, even our enemies.

Emily Dickinson once wrote that  "love is the person of the resurrection, who scoops up the dust and chants “Live!”.

That's who we are. God's Easter People. We are redeemed, renewed, and restored in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, so that we might help others repent and return to the Lord as well.

May the Living Lord give you new life to be His Easter Person today.

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nike'

nike - victor - champion - conqueror - overcomer - unstoppable - invincible - indomitable - immortal - imperishable - risen - living - winning ...

"victory is not a large enough word to describe what took place." - lord nelson

(just in case you've already forgotten about easter ...)

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