Author: lswrites

This author has written 205 articles
Read more about the article Racial Reconciliation, Repentance & Restitution: Key Items for Every Leader’s Agenda

Racial Reconciliation, Repentance & Restitution: Key Items for Every Leader’s Agenda

by Dr. Sabrina Black in Leading Hearts magazine

Leaders impact and influence change. In today’s climate of racial tension and protest of injustice, leaders who will put key items on the agenda are needed. Leaders in every sphere of our society, whether Christian or secular, are bringing the issues of race to the conference table.

It is unfortunate that even in predominantly white, Christian groups, minority people, are often not considered; or there is a blatant disregard. We have a voice, that needs to be heard.

Agenda Item #1 – Racial Reconciliation (The process of healing and transforming injustice)

When the agenda is set for any meeting or gathering, these key items: racial reconciliation, repentance and restitution, need to be a part of the old and new business. We need to look back and review what we have done well and where we have missed the mark.

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Read more about the article The Jesus Who Reconciles

The Jesus Who Reconciles

by Carol McCloud in Leading Hearts magazine

If there ever has been a time to ask, “What would Jesus do?” … this is that time.

“How would Jesus treat someone whose skin was a different color?”

“How would Jesus respond to an innocent man’s death?”

“What wisdom would Jesus give to confused and anxious politicians?”

“How would Jesus handle the media who often offers opinion and emotion rather than truthful facts?”

“What would Jesus offer to a world in social isolation and in deep division?”

“What would Jesus do?”

It may be the most important question of our time.

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Read more about the article Is This the Worst of Times?

Is This the Worst of Times?

by Linda Evans Shepherd in Leading Hearts magazine

IF THE EARTH WERE HIT WITH A WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC, WHAT’S THE WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN?

You know these answers by heart: sickness, death, losing a loved one, job loss, not being able to pay bills or rent, having to work from home while homeschooling kids, or horrors — not being able to buy toilet paper!

All of this sounds pretty drastic, and yet, suddenly, very familiar. Yes, these are hard, unexpected times, and we never saw it coming.

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Read more about the article THE BIG QUESTION with Cynthia L. Simmons

THE BIG QUESTION with Cynthia L. Simmons

Q: Does the Bible call the Ten Commandments the “law of liberty”? How could the Law liberate someone?

YOU ARE CORRECT ABOUT THE PHRASE. JAMES 1:25 (ESV) SAYS:

But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. This verse makes us take a closer look at the Law, which from the context includes the whole Bible.

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Read more about the article Jen Ledger: Resting In His Arms

Jen Ledger: Resting In His Arms

SINGER/SONGWRITER AND DRUMMER JEN LEDGER KEEPS A BUSY MUSIC SCHEDULE MOST DAYS as the drummer of Skillet and the lead singer of Ledger.

She will tell you that she formed Ledger mirroring the bold music of Skillet. Her latest release, however, is definitely a more slowed down, intimate ballad. “My Arms” seems to have been released at the most perfect time. During these uncertain times, it encourages us to be real and run to the arms of Jesus.

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The Good Shepherd

By Pam Farrel in Leading Hearts magazine

I AM A TRUE BO PEEP. I GREW UP ON A SUFFOLK SHEEP FARM IN IDAHO. I was a fourth-generation shepherd. If there is something I am familiar with, it is sheep! So, when I wrote on Psalm 23 for my book Discovering Hope in the Psalms, it was a very personal, very encouraging and very comforting review of the first verses I memorized — and lived — as a child.

And for all of us, in today’s world of uncertainties and unfathomable tribulations, our heart longs to be protected and provided for by a Good Shepherd.

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Read more about the article How Do You Deal With Manipulative People?

How Do You Deal With Manipulative People?

by Debbie W. Wilson in Leading Hearts Magazine

YOUR TEARS DON’T MOVE ME,” A PROFESSOR TOLD A WOMAN IN MY HUSBAND’S COUNSELING LAB. His words stunned the group, but the woman stopped crying. “Those were tears of frustration,” he said. “They weren’t tears of brokenness.” I’ve thought of that when someone’s tears haven’t moved me and wondered what was behind them. Crocodiles shed tears when they eat their prey, but not from regret or sorrow.

Some people use tears to manipulate. Others use flattery. If that doesn’t work, they pout or explode to get us to follow their script. I joined the staff of an outreach ministry after college to work with high school students. I felt duty-bound to any student who reached out to me. My inexperienced faith confused my role with God’s. 

 I allowed a student to manipulate me out of time and sleep. Her urgent calls at all hours and unwillingness to acknowledge my efforts to terminate calls left me exhausted. When my director found out he offered some sound advice. He said the time I gave this girl took away from spiritually receptive students and from God’s best. My time belonged to God, and I was accountable to Him for how I spent it. His words resonated with me.

I’d begun to dread hearing from this gal, and his counsel gave me permission to limit my one-on-one time with her.

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