#Bill Hybels

[nobeerreviews]

Storms draw something out of us that calm seas don't.

-- Bill Hybels

[linusjf]

Bill Hybels: Cross, not a crown

Stained glass at St John the Baptist’s Anglican Church http://www.stjohnsashfield.org.au, Ashfield, New South Wales. Illustrates Jesus’ description of himself “I am the Good Shepherd” (from the Gospel of John, chapter 10, verse 11). This version of the image shows the detail of his face. The memorial window is also captioned: “To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of William Wright. Died 6th…

[martyschoenleber]

"I Don't Trust Big Things"

I was having a conversation with two “deconstructed Christians.” Almost everything they had formerly confessed to believe on the great issues of human history (life, death, the afterlife, God, Christ, Christianity, purpose, meaning) they look on as unscientific or unhistorical, and therefore disrespect and disdain it now. On the flip side, almost everything that they disbelieved before, they now…

[christianblogr]

Becoming a Contagious Christian by Bill Hybels & Mark Mittelberg

Becoming a Contagious Christian by Bill Hybels & Mark Mittelberg – In the world of Christianity, the desire to spread the message of Jesus Christ is a central theme. Evangelism, the act of sharing one’s faith with others, is a fundamental aspect of Christian life. Many books have been written on this subject, but “Becoming a Contagious Christian” by Bill Hybels and Mark Mittelberg stands out as a…

[loveandpoetry]

Who You Are When No One’s Looking

Choosing Consistency, Resisting Compromise 

Author: Bill Hybels

‘But quitting exacts a high cost, many of us have paid dearly for giving up too soon.” - Bill Hybels

When life gets tough and things seem to be rough, what kind of person do we become? As the road we used to take becomes the place we used to know, do we have the courage to keep going? The astounding explanation of building your character and the struggles yet the reward of choosing consistency makes the book “Who You Are When No One’s Looking” by the well-respected author and pastor, Bill Hybels, one of its kind. When you reach the point where you need words to push yourself to live and pursue growth, the pages of this book are what your mind is longing for.

Imagine being caught in the moment where your life feels like a mess-- your physical body is burned out, unstable emotional state, and unfaithful spiritual life. Where should you go? What should you do? Thousands of voiceless thoughts are running through your mind but your body has chosen the work of idleness. Your scream is so silent that your thoughts are lost for words.

Metaphorically, this book has been one of God’s ways to show you that your situation is never a hopeless case. The wisdom of God transcends through the 10 chapters of this book that gives the readers encouragement and reminder that we matter to GOD.

The book speaks vital reminders about our character as a person, the victory of overcoming crippling fears, making discipline a lifestyle, having the vision to see and go beyond what is required, and bearing the pain as it produces endurance.

More so, as the LORD has taught us, the book serves as a beautiful reminder about the kinds of LOVE that we can bestow as the world lacks them today. No matter how broken and callous we are inside, the LORD never failed to remind us that His love overflows and needs to be shared with others. The fullness of our cup is not the end, but the beginning of filling others the same amount of love we received. 

Finishing the pages of this book doesn’t mean that healing is done as it is a recurring, continuous, and roller-coaster- kind of process. But the important is that the LORD helped us start and we are doing good because of His unmeasurable grace.

Who You are when No-one’s Looking is a book that will help you find yourself again under the grace of GOD.

Graphics made from CANVA

[yeah-thats-probably-it]

@noandnooneelse

reblog and put in the tags a historical fact you find interesting!

[radical-revolution]

Anyone can love you when the sun is shining. In the storms is where you learn who truly cares for you.

* Storms draw something out of us that calm seas don't.

— Bill Hybels

[codylambertdanafoster]

Yont hurger gum after thing pent yen buts ten bit more of like a house tonight at the all ready and the door nest intur buts to the plots and its becomeded gestion bill hybels to goses hurtiback paper foosball drank or

[acquariusgb]

Talking it Over- HRC column

Hillary’s weekly column: 21st January 1997 Inauguration Day for Bill and me ended early Tuesday morning after a whirlwind tour of 15 Inaugural Balls. We arrived at the White House around 2 a.m. exhausted but exhilarated. We were also famished. We hadn't eaten since lunch and headed straight to the refrigerator in our private living quarters. As we ate leftovers from a family dinner Bill and I had missed earlier that night, we chatted and recalled our favorite moments of the day. It all began with a prayer service at the historical Metropolitan AME Church in Washington. I couldn't have thought of a better way to start Inauguration Day and the day honoring Martin Luther King Jr. 

As Bill prepares for another four years in office, he knows that he won't be able do his job alone. He needs his faith and people of faith to support him. The morning service, which brought together representatives from Christianity, Judaism and Islam, boosted the congregation's spirits and reaffirmed my belief that much more unites us than divides us. Friends from throughout Bill's life spoke and sang at the service. Bill Hybels, pastor of Willow Creek Community Church outside Chicago, spoke of the visits he and my husband have shared every month for the past four years, praying and talking together, strengthening their faith and building a friendship. Jesse Jackson and Tony Campolo, an evangelist minister from Philadelphia, delivered sermons challenging us all to remember our obligations to the poor. And Jennifer Holiday closed the service with a rousing rendition of "Amazing Grace" that lifted the roof and our hearts. After the service, Bill and I returned to the White House, where we greeted congressional leaders who had come to escort Bill to the Capitol. As we drove to the Capitol, I looked out the window and saw people already staking out seats along the parade route. I also saw a few protesters, who reminded me of the greatness of our democracy and our right to disagree with each other openly and peacefully. It was cold and overcast as Chelsea and I took our seats with Tipper Gore and her children at the oath-taking ceremony. I held Bill's Bible open to a passage he had selected - Isaiah 58:12 - which he later used in his speech when he said we should all be "repairers of the breach." When he repeated his name after Justice Rehnquist, "I, William Jefferson Clinton," tears welled up in my eyes, and I thought I was going to cry. I felt proud and awed as I watched my husband walk toward the podium on the West Front of the Capitol, looking out toward the mall and the Washington monument. 

I had been worried about Bill's voice for three days. It had turned hoarse on Friday, and I had pleaded with him to stay in for the weekend. (I am known in my family as an incurable worrier.) But Monday, his voice was strong and clear. As Bill began his speech, the sun emerged from the clouds and bathed him in light. Chelsea and I were amazed by the weather's good timing. After the ceremony, we went to Statuary Hall, one of the most historic rooms in the Capitol for lunch with members of Congress. The menu was composed of dishes Thomas Jefferson served 200 years ago while he was in the White House. I sat between my husband and House Speaker Newt Gingrich (who, ironically, was seated to my left). Chelsea sat next to Strom Thurmond, who at 94 is still one of the Senate's greatest charmers. When Sen. Warner presented the President with the traditional gift of an already-framed picture of the morning's ceremony, I did not remember the same event occurring four years ago. Looking back, I realize I was too anxious and overwhelmed to take in the details of my husband's first inauguration. This time, I was much more relaxed and savored every moment. I was thrilled at the number of people who had come out on such a cold day to watch the inaugural parade. Bill, Chelsea and I walked the last few blocks to the White House. We saw familiar faces in the crowds and waved to them. Bill even caught sight of a man he had worked with on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee while he was a student at Georgetown University 30 years ago. The parade itself had everything from mariachi bands to polka dancers to gymnasts. I was especially pleased to see groups that I had personally invited, including Florida A&M's prized marching band and the Yelm, Wash., Elementary School Choir. The hardest part of the day was finding the energy to change into our formal wear for the evening's balls. I was afraid to nap between the parade and the balls for fear of not being able to get up. But before we knew it, Bill and I were in the motorcade, dropping in on one ball after the other and dancing to "Unforgettable." The energy of the people having a good time kept me going, even as my feet protested with every step. And when Bill and I returned to the White House, we realized we had carried all of the day's good feelings home with us.

[ypsilonzeta1]

Le tempeste tirano fuori qualcosa da noi che i mari calmi non fanno.

Bill Hybels

[writesaboutdragons]

365 Promises of God

Day 328 – Whether in Pretense or in Truth, Christ is Preached

What then? Only [that] in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. (Phl 1:18 NKJV)

Read: Philippians 1:15-18

When I was young and a relatively new Christian, I was looking for a new church home where the gospel was preached, where the Word of God was fed to us with good explanation. A good friend suggested I come to church with him that Wednesday night. The church had a great pastor who did all that and more. His sermons were always uplifting and the services were always entertaining.

My friend ran the sound booth, so I showed up a little early and climbed the stairs to the balcony, and we sat in the sound booth waiting for the service to start. He’d already made sure the pulpit mic was hot, and had some soft Christian music playing in the background. But the minutes wore on as people streamed in a few at a time. I eventually looked at my watch, and remarked that it was five after, where was the pastor? About that time, the head of the deacon body came out and got behind the mic. “My apologies, but there won’t be a service tonight. There have been allegations that the pastor was caught having an affair with one of the girls in youth, and we’re trying to get to the bottom of it. I recommend you all pray that the truth come out and God’s Will be done.”

Several men got up and pointed a finger at the deacon. “I don’t believe a word of it! My pastor would NEVER!” Others got up and shouted, “I KNEW he was a filthy lecherous wretch!” Those stormed out. Others came to the altar and prayed. Some shouted about the state of the church and pastors these days, and left. About 15 minutes later, the head of the deacon body came out again. “My apologies again, church. The pastor has confessed to the sin, and has tendered his resignation effective immediately. We’ve appointed a search committee for a suitable replacement. Please go home.” The rest of the members slowly filed out. My friend looked at me, white-faced, and slowly reached forward and pulled the sliders down on the mic.

I shrugged and grinned sheepishly. “Well, you were right. The service WAS entertaining.”

While this story is a little funny in its execution, it’s sad that this actually happened, and reflects a tragedy in the ministry. And this story isn’t alone. We’ve seen major televangelist preachers like Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggert fall because of financial mismanagement and sexual sins. Kent Hovind was arrested for tax evasion. Robert Tilton was sued for taking money for prayers that never happened. The letters with prayers simply went in the trash. Billy Hargis did something I can’t even write about here. You’ll have to look that one up. Recently there has been a tidal wave of pastors falling from grace. Names I recognized and trusted. Names like Bill Hybels. James MacDonald. Mike Bickle. And others that really hurt. Like Ravi Zacharias. Like Tony Evans.

I grew up in the faith listening to these last two. Ravi Zacharias was a phenomenal champion for the truth, with an astounding intellect. Tony Evans preached with fire and sass, and had an extraordinary way of turning a phrase. Both of these men communicated truth clearly, and I hung on every word, even making an effort to attend conferences nearby when they were speaking.

It's really hard to see your heroes fall. But you have to move on, because you aren’t supposed to be following them, placing THEM on a pedestal anyway, are you? It’s supposed to be the message they were imparting, wasn’t it?

And what about that message? Do we throw all those messages out? Do we write off what good these pastors did, because they had feet of clay?

Anyway, the Apostle Paul didn’t think so. His attitude was reflected in this promise we have here in the key verse, that, no matter what their motivation was, whether they gave the message with a show of pretense, or in good faith, whether they looked to bilk their congregations out of money for prayers that were never given, or whether they sought out vulnerable young girls on the side, Christ was preached. And even for those who were honestly BAD people, this was a GOOD thing.

I would never condone the actions of these men. Havin an affair with a girl in the youth, evading years of taxes, scamming the elderly out of retirement homes, or committing adultery, are all reprehensible crimes. But I was taught to examine everything I was told in light of scripture, and listen to the Spirit for guidance too. So it’s my recommendation not to throw out any tapes from Ravi Zacharias or Tony Evans just because they committed a sin. Because, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ has been preached. And those messages have led many to faith.

Prayer:

Lord, I pray for those who have had difficulty hanging onto their faith due to the mistakes of those they look up to. Help them, and me, to seek YOUR will, and follow YOUR message, today. Amen

[christophe76460]

Les amitiés les plus profondes se forgent à l’heure de la souffrance. Si votre ami est éprouvé dans quelque domaine que ce soit, manifestez-vous. N’attendez-pas qu’il vous appelle. S’il souffre profondément, il n’aura peut-être pas l’énergie émotionnelle nécessaire pour appeler à l’aide. Offrez-lui de la nourriture, du temps, de l’aide ou ce qui lui est nécessaire dans sa situation. Et surtout, soyez présent.

Si c’est vous qui souffrez, laissez vos amis vous soutenir. Ne vous isolez pas. Permettez-leur de vous aider. Dans bien des cas, c’est dans de tels moments que de simples connaissances sont devenues de vrais amis. [Bill Hybels]

[worldsandemanations]

Storms draw something out of us that calm seas don’t. – Bill Hybels

[vinceleemiller]

Curious Consequences | 1 Samuel 6:19

Do you really want to know what's in the Ark of God?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 6. I've titled this chapter "From Confusion to Clarity."

In chapter 6, the Ark of God returns. The priests offer a sacrifice upon the return, but they make a fatal mistake:

And he struck some of the men of Beth-shemesh, because they looked upon the ark of the Lord. He struck seventy men of them, and the people mourned because the Lord had struck the people with a great blow. — 1 Samuel 6:19

One Quick Peek

We're curious beings, aren't we?

I've been curious since my teens. I remember taking things apart to understand how they worked. But as I've grown older and wiser, I've learned there are lines and limits to curiosity. Sometimes curiosity pays off positively; other times, it brings severe consequences.

In our relationship with God, it's good to be curious about Him and His will in our lives. Yet, we must tread carefully when our curiosity leads to selfish thoughts, attitudes, or actions. God sets boundaries that shouldn't be crossed. When we defy these boundaries, we distance ourselves from Him and face the consequences.

Why Do The Priests Peek?

Here's the big question: Why did these 70 priests of God dare to peek into the Ark? They knew better—they were explicitly instructed never to touch, open, or even look inside it. That's basic priestly training.

Their curiosity may have stemmed from eagerness to see if the Philistines took anything from the Ark, or perhaps it was their first chance to see it outside the Tabernacle. Whatever the reason, their disobedience cost them their lives.

What Was In The Box?

So, are you curious? Do you want to know what was in the Ark of God?  I know you do. According to Hebrews 9:4, the Ark contained three objects:

The Tablets of Stone: The tablets on which God wrote the Ten Commandments.

Aaron's Rod: This was a stick that belonged to Aaron, who was a high priest of Israel.

A Jar of Manna: This was the bread that God provided for the Israelites when they were wandering in the desert.

They represented the rule, protection, and provision of God.

Hard Lessons for Men of The Cloth

God's boundaries apply to all. His justice doesn't spare insiders who defy His will. Recent events involving prominent spiritual leaders prove this point. For example, consider James McDonald, Ravi Zacharias, Bill Hybels, and the latest, Tony Evans.

For some, this is heartbreaking, but it is simply a strong reminder.

Curiosity within God's will is safe and beneficial, but beyond it lies danger.

So be curious, but don't be tempted to step outside the will of God.

#CuriosityAndConsequences, #GodsBoundaries, #WisdomInObedience

Ask This:

How can we maintain a healthy balance between curiosity and obedience in our daily walk with God?

Reflecting on times when curiosity led to positive outcomes versus negative consequences, how can we apply lessons from the priests' mistakes to our own lives today?

Do This:

Be appropriately curious.

Pray This:

Father, help me discern between healthy curiosity that seeks Your will and selfish curiosity that leads astray. Guide me to honor Your boundaries, knowing Your wisdom protects and guides me always. Amen.

Play This:

Every Direction.

Check out this episode!

[itsjowama]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Christian Books.

[thisisjaky]

Storms.

“Storms draw something out of us that calm seas don’t” – Bill Hybels