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Out of the Way: Learning to Trust God's Timing and Methods

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  Have you ever found yourself trying to help God out?      Maybe you were waiting on an answer to prayer, staring at an unresolved problem, or waiting for a loved one to turn their life around, and you decided it was time to step in and take matters into your own hands. Maybe you felt like God was taking too long. Maybe you felt like the old statement is true that "God helps those who help themselves" and so you took matters into your own hands.       In our culture of instant gratification, waiting is hard and at times seems impossible. We want quick solutions, fast results, and immediate action. Research continuously shows how impatient our fast-paced society has become. If we go to the drive through we want our food quick, we don't want to be waiting in a long line to get our food. We don't like to be on hold for a call. We don't like to sit in a long line of traffic on the highway. We are impatient and it plays out in our lives in a thousand ...

Beyond Your Arguments: How Jesus Wins the Hearts of the Skeptical

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  Have you ever tried to convince someone of a truth they were determined not to see?        Whether discussing politics, personal choices, or matters of faith, pushing against a wall of skepticism can feel exhausting. This is why I have tried to stay away from debating someone on Facebook because I have found it rarely changes the persons mind. You carefully construct your points, gather evidence, and present your case—only to be met with a crossed-arm, dismissive response.    I n our secular age, skepticism is at an all-time high. According to data from the Pew Research Center, nearly 30% of adults in the U.S . now identify as religiously unaffiliated, with many expressing deep doubts about organized religion and divine truth. People have questions, and they want to have answers.       When it comes to sharing the hope of Christ, many believers carry a heavy burden. We worry that if we don't have every theological answer, every h...