Dec 28th 10 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Overcoming Adversity 101, Part 6: A Few Reasons Why

Until we reach Heaven, we won’t know every single reason God allowed our specific adversities. However, being reminded of a few of the things God might be accomplishing through them changes our perspective of our current problems. God has loving reasons for allowing our trials. He didn’t let that pain touch you because He lacked love but because He does love you. God allows difficulties to enter... read more

Dec 27th 10 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Ten Tips for Taxpayers Making Charitable Donations

Did you make a donation to a charity this year? If so, you may be able to take a deduction for it on your 2010 tax return. Here are the top 10 things the IRS wants every taxpayer to know before deducting charitable donations. Charitable contributions must be made to qualified organizations to be deductible. You can ask any organization whether it is a qualified organization and most will be able to tell... read more

Dec 27th 10 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Overcoming Adversity 101, Part 5: Is God Good and Loving?

Many people often assert that God must not be good or loving if He knows ahead of time that a hardship is going to occur…and yet He still allows it to touch their lives.  After all, He could prevent it, couldn’t He? In moments of extreme pain and sorrow, I’ve had the same impulse reaction. I’ve cried,  “God, you’re not good – you don’t love me – because... read more

Dec 20th 10 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Pursuit 21: Setting the Course for 2011

Do you have deep longings for 2011 — things you want God to do in your life, a loved one’s life…on your job or in your ministry? There is something you can do next month that will set the course for what God does in your life throughout 2011 — something that will bring you closer to God and release His wisdom, guidance and blessing in every area of your life. Setting the... read more

Nov 23rd 10 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Overcoming Adversity 101, Part 4: The Long Ranger

God hates tragedies and the suffering that results. Jesus spent much of his time on earth removing it.  Throughout the Bible God instructs us to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, visit those in prison, pray for those who are sick, look after orphans and widows and loose the chains of injustice. “God has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him... read more

Nov 1st 10 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Going Deeper: The Path to More of Heaven’s Glories Here on Earth

Do you long for something more in your walk with Christ? Do you crave more of His presence, His power and authority? Do you see others living lives of great spiritual intimacy and influence – and you desperately want the same? There is a place where more of Heaven’s glories can be experienced here on earth — a place where the views are eternally expansive, where miracles happen and... read more

Sep 14th 10 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Overcoming Adversity 101, Part 3: What About Accidents?

When God allows something to occur, He is acting deliberately. He is decreeing or ordaining the event. Such is the case with “accidents.” For example, in Numbers 35, God instructs Israelite courts how to treat a person who “has killed someone accidentally.” The alleged murderer had to have a place to flee for asylum so that he wouldn’t be killed before he could appear in court. Any number of... read more

Sep 8th 10 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Overcoming Adversity 101, Part 2: Do God and Satan Alternate Shifts?

This post is part two in a series on God’s Sovereignty. If you have not read part one, please see Overcoming Adversity 101: The Sovereignty of God, Part 1. The question of alternating shifts of power is first addressed there. Do God and Satan alternate shifts of controlling the world? It often seems like Satan has punched in as manager of the world and God is never coming back from His break. Yet... read more

Aug 26th 10 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Refresher Course: The Opportunity of Weakness

Over the past few weeks, I have been revisiting a sweet truth I learned years ago — being weak in body is actually a wonderful opportunity, a chance to have more of myself removed and replaced with Christ. Due to an extended absence of one of my major medications, I have grown quite weak and my brain chemistry has become abnormal. When I first began noticing the psychiatric effects, my emotions had... read more

Aug 13th 10 Posted by Natalie Nichols

Spiritual Dry Spells: The Ground to a Greater Miracle

I was driving from St. Louis to Columbia, Missouri when I first heard this message. It was perfect timing too. After the fast (Pursuit 21) this past January, I went through a dry spell that only increased in dryness for months.  At first I was discouraged and depressed.  Although I knew our spiritual enemy had a hand in it – for he was no doubt angry as a result of the fast – and that God... read more