“The blessing of God is the solution to your biggest problem, the answer to your boldest prayer, and the fulfillment of your bravest dream,” writes Mark Batterson in his new book, Double Blessing. But God doesn’t want us merely to … Continue reading Blessed to Bless | Influence Podcast
I have known Mark Batterson for 30 years and read most, if not all, of his books. Double Blessing is his fifteenth book, and it combines Mark’s trademark blend of insightful biblical commentary, memorable phrasing, optimistic cheerleading to go deeper in … Continue reading Double Blessing | Book Review
“Many Assemblies of God ministers are doing fine financially, but a significant group is experiencing considerable financial difficulty.” That’s the first sentence of the Ministers and Finances Study published by the AG’s Center for Leadership and Stewardship Excellence. In this … Continue reading The State of AG Ministers’ Personal Finances | Influence Podcast
“Every movement begins with revolutionaries who grow disillusioned with how things are and imagine how things could be,” writes Hal Donaldson in his new book, Disruptive Compassion: Becoming the Revolutionary You Were Born to Be. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine, talks with Donaldson about how to become a compassion revolutionary who changes the world … starting with yourself. Hal Donaldson is CEO of Convoy of Hope, a faith-based, nonprofit organization with a driving passion to feed the world through children’s feeding initiatives, community outreaches, and disaster response. He is also author … Continue reading Change the World By Starting With Yourself | Influence Podcast
Sixty-three percent of U.S. adults “agree somewhat or strongly that the Bible contains everything a person needs to know to live a meaningful life,” with 38 percent “strongly” agreeing. That seems like a good thing, right? Unfortunately, the “data shows a continuing downward trend from the previous year (42% who agree strongly) and the all-time high of 53% in 2011.” For the past decade, the American Bible Society, in conjunction with the Barna Group, has released an annual State of the Bible report, surveying what Americans believe about and how they use the Bible. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, … Continue reading Trends in Bible Engagement | Influence Podcast
Today, over at InfluenceMagazine.com: We interview Bryan Sederwall about the ministry of the Denver Dream Center. “Faith communities need to identity concerns in their cities and then establish a cause.” Chris Colvin suggests different ways of saying “Thank you!” to … Continue reading Tuesday’s Influence Online Articles
Today, over at InfluenceMagazine.com: Joy Qualls joins me on the Influence Podcast to discuss how to debate hot button social issues well. Perhaps Christianly is the better adverb to use. “In an increasingly pluralistic and polarized culture, this skillset is an … Continue reading Monday’s Influence Online Articles
Today, over at InfluenceMagazine.com… Rollie Dimos reviews Giving It All Away…and Getting It All Back Again, a new book about generosity by David Green and Bill High. Christina Quick summarizes the results of a new Gallup survey that shows churchgoers want Scripture-based, applicable sermons. Doug Clay answers FAQs about properly receipting charitable donations to a church or ministry. Please make sure to follow and like Influence on Facebook, Twitter, and iTunes! Continue reading Today’s Influence Magazine Articles
Kathleen Connors unwittingly started a chain reaction of kindness when she paid for a family’s meal at the L&M Diner in Barre, Vermont. Over the next 24 hours, 46 other patrons paid it forward and purchased meals anonymously for other … Continue reading Review of ‘Your Next 24 Hours’ by Hal Donaldson
There are many believers enduring tribulation all around the world right now. Enduring tribulation raises the question, how shall we then live? The answer to this question depends on “then.” It depends, in other words, on the environment we are called by God to inhabit. As we read Revelation 6.1–8, it becomes clear that God calls some of us to live in an environment of conquest, war, scarcity, famine, pestilence, and death—or at least to be prepared to do so. Consider three facts: First, conquest, war, scarcity, and the like describe the actual conditions of many Christians around the world … Continue reading The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (6.1–8)
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