http://madetomatter.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=77364&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

When the storms of life press us on every side; when the gales of rebellion blow and the temptations and trials rain down on us like monsoons, may we be found leaning into the wind, sometimes moving forward, sometimes simply standing, but always with our eyes fixed on Jesus, the "author and finisher of our faith."

http://madetomatter.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=77220&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

C.S. Lewis understood spiritual warfare. When he wrote "Screwtape Letters", he spoke for millions of Christians through the centuries who found themselves besieged by battles they were not strong enough to win alone.

http://madetomatter.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=77112&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

http://madetomatter.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=76974&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

The longer we are Christians, the more likely we are to pick a fight for our faith.

http://madetomatter.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=76770&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

Let this sink in for a minute: If you were the only person in the world to accept Jesus Christ as Savior-the only one out of the billions who have lived-Jesus would still have submitted Himself to the humiliation of the Cross. Why? And why, when God created humans, did He give them-us-free will? Adam and Eve could choose complete obedience with its' obvious rewards in the Garden, or they could choose disobedience, and with it rebellion and destruction. Why give them-us-that choice?

http://madetomatter.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=66951&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

For the second year in a row, Madetomatter.org has received an industry award for best-practices in its' electronic and customer-privacy service.

http://madetomatter.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=76003&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

Trudging from my father's pick-up truck to stand as we read words over his casket, I felt as if I were once again the Stage Manager in Thornton Wilder's classic play "Our Town." In fact, some of those who shared the stage with me in our high school production were buried right there; and I felt at times as if they were whispering to each other the words of the graveyard scene in Wilder's incredibly timeless play.

http://madetomatter.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=75617&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

Bib overalls, salty language, and raucous laughter; just the sounds the nurses expected from the crowd gathered in my father's hospital room: Two old truck drivers, one former country/western singer, one millwright, two farm wives and me.

http://madetomatter.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=75512&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

I looked down to the field where cancer first made its effects known to us just a few short months before. Three of us were raking a field, and Francis was laughing as hard as I ever saw him laugh. As usual, I was the cause of that laughter. Grumbling about the crows and rabbits rousting his garden, Francis called them "d--- rascals"; and the stunned look on my face caused him to burst out laughing. "Preachers shouldn't swear," I said in shocked disbelief at what I'd just heard. He wanted to answer, but he couldn't because he was laughing too hard. "Oh, Randy," he'd say as he tried to catch his breath, but then he'd look at my face and bust out again.

Suddenly, he grabbed his side and winced; Francis never winced.

http://madetomatter.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=75429&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

What if Jesus asks you to be completely unimportant and insignificant? What if He chooses to use you as a conduit to set someone else up to complete His work? What if He piles glory and honor on somebody half as faithful to a relationship with Him as you are? Can you take it?