Apr 13th 13 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Saturday Sampling: News You Can Use

Noteworthy News: Charisma News ~ ‘Time Magazine’ Highlights the Latino Reformation (Click to Tweet) In its April 15 issue, Time magazine reports on the surprising rise in evangelical Latinos in the United States and the implications it could have for both American religious practices and electoral politics. See also: TIME Magazine: Rise of Evangelicos BGEA ~ Missing Final Four, But Still... read more

Apr 12th 13 Posted by Natalie Nichols

America’s Hope: Gun Laws or Spiritual Transformation? (Part Two)

Part One of this post contained Darrell Scott’s (father of Rachel Scott, killed in the Columbine High School shooting) testimony before the House Judiciary Committee. In it, he mentioned the first act of violence recorded in the Bible—when Cain killed his brother Able. “The reason for the murder could only be found in Cain’s heart….Columbine was not just a tragedy—it was a... read more

Apr 10th 13 Posted by Natalie Nichols

America’s Hope: Gun Laws or Spiritual Transformation? (Part One)

As gun law debates rage in the media and the government bodies of this nation, a deeper, more critical issue is being overlooked—the only issue that can change the tide of violence in our nation. I recently saw the video below of Darrell Scott’s testimony before the House Judiciary Committee. Mr. Scott’s daughter, Rachel Scott, was killed in the Columbine High School shooting. His son, Craig, is a... read more

Mar 29th 13 Posted by Natalie Nichols

The Fellowship of the Cross: The Deepest Secret of Pentecost

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Mar 28th 13 Posted by Natalie Nichols

The Confrontational Language of the Cross (Mini-Post)

“In our attempt to win the world by impressing the world, we have abandoned the confrontational language of the cross for the wooing language of power, might, success, and winning. The true power of our faith is power that the world calls weakness, and the victory of our faith is victory that the world calls failure. The Christ we profess to follow was made “perfect through suffering.” [Heb.... read more

Feb 4th 13 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Should We Stop Asking Jesus Into Our Hearts?

Have you seen the YouTube video in which David Platt says that accepting Jesus in your heart is superstitious and unbiblical? (See below.)   The Basis for This Concern The concern at the core of this issue is that many people with a background of cultural Christianity — people whose lives lack evidence of genuine conversion — are deriving assurance from words spoken, not from a heart... read more

Feb 1st 13 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Tired of Not Evangelizing But Too Afraid to Change?

  Do you struggle with evangelism? Have you made a commitment to be a better personal evangelist this year? Perhaps you made this commitment as you engaged in fasting and prayer with Pursuit 21. Below is an excerpt from an encouraging post I recently read. Not Alone The day before the fast began, I got on my face before the Lord in prayer, led by the Spirit to ask God what goals He wanted me to set... read more

Jan 30th 13 Posted by Natalie Nichols

The Fasting Archives (Updated)

  Each fasting post written this year contains a bulleted list of that day’s fasting post from previous years. (For example, the Fasting Day 1 post contains a bulleted list of links to previous years’ Fasting Day 1 posts.) You can access the archives this way through every post, or by searching the fasting category. However, there are now over 100 fasting posts on this site — quite a... read more

Jan 29th 13 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Fasting Day 21: A Closing Prayer

First, A Note of Thanks Thank you for giving me the privilege of walking through this season of fasting with you. It has been a sweet blessing to pray for you and your needs daily. Thank you also for your gracious feedback and words of appreciation. You may not know it, but you encouraged me in a moment when I needed it most. Some have also prayed for me in a comment or sent a message saying you’re... read more

Jan 29th 13 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Fasting Day 21: How To Successfully End Your Fast

Congratulations! You made it! You’re on the very last day of your fast! Did you ever think it would go by so quickly?! I’m proud of you for persevering to the end. I’ve received a few messages from fasters who struggled and contemplated throwing in the towel. But God reminded them this is a marathon, not a sprint; if you fall, you can get back up and run to the finish line. And... read more