Capital Punishment. Last Rites. Cape Fear. After Death. Hell Fire. Apocalypse Now. 911. Endorphin Rush. The latest movies?

Nope. Labels from Rick Warren's collection of hot sauces.

"Listen to this one," he says with a grin, reading from a label. "There is a point where pleasure and pain intersect, a doorway to a new dimension of sensual euphoria, where fire both burns and soothes, when heat engulfs ...

Topics: Accountability, Authenticity, Counseling, Health, Humility, Measuring ministry, Restoration

Filters: Church board, Discipleship, Pastor, Pastoral care, Shepherd

Purpose: Discipleship

References:

Matthew 13:30

,

Acts 2:47

,

Acts 4:32-35

Date Added: July 11, 2007

When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that ...

Topics: Character, Christian life, Development, Experiencing God, Humility, Preaching, Spiritual growth

Filters: Christian education, Evangelism, Pastor, Preaching

Purpose: Evangelism

References:

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

,

1 Corinthians 2:12-13

Date Added: July 30, 2007

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power ...

Topics: Christian life, Humility, Master plan, Spiritual gifts

Filters: Deacon, Discipleship, Elder, Pastor, Pastoral care, Preaching, Shepherd

Purpose: Discipleship

References:

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Date Added: July 30, 2007

Fred Smith was a longtime member of the board of Christianity Today International and a contributing editor to Leadership journal. He died August 17, 2007, just days before his 92nd birthday. His writing, characterized by clarity and practicality, appeared in numerous articles and downloads on BuildingChurchLeaders.com. Below is a reflection that Smith penned in 1984.

So often in our Christian life ...

Topics: Attitudes, Calling, Character, Humility, Leadership, Spiritual leadership

Filters: Christian education, Discipleship, Outreach, Pastor, Volunteer, Worship, Worship leader

Purpose: Discipleship

References:

1 Peter 5:5-7

Date Added: September 12, 2007

My mother was hungry most of her life. She cooked daily for us, but rarely sat down to eat. Unable to stomach the food she'd prepared for the rest of us, she ate her own meals at odd hours, nourishing herself on a strange combination of the ordinary and the exotic. One day she might eat a baked bean sandwich smothered in ketchup; the next, broiled lobster. Mother blamed her eating habits on a childhood ...

Topics: Discipleship, Humility, Obedience, Pursuit of God, Transformation

Filters: Church board, Pastor, Pastoral care, Volunteer, Worship

Purpose: Discipleship

References:

Deuteronomy 8:3

,

Matthew 5:6

Date Added: October 17, 2007

"What am I supposed to do with this?" I handed my wife a photo of "Ground-breaking Sunday." It was a beautiful scene. Senior citizens, children, new families, and our leadership team were celebrating the start of construction on our new ministry center. She graciously smiled and said, "Frame it, and let it be a reminder of your need to be humble."

The picture that was supposed to represent a great ...

Topics: Authenticity, Character, Confession, Humility, Leadership, Mistakes

Filters: Church board, Management, Pastor, Volunteer

Purpose: Discipleship

References:

Proverbs 12:1

,

Ephesians 4:2

Date Added: January 02, 2008