By David Jeremiah EL CAJON, Calif. (BP) -- This season of the year lends itself to gaining a renewed focus on what is important -- not only for growing into a more intimate relationship with God but also to set aside time to let your family and friends know how much they mean to you. I can't prove this, of course, but I think God made fall just for family and friends. I know, anytime is a great time for being with those we love and appreciate but this time of year seems special. Think about the reasons why it is a great time for relationships and reunions: -- School. As much as kids imply that they don't like school, most kids (of all ages) love the social reunions that the return to school brings. But it's not just the kids -- parents wave at each other in the carpool lanes, see each other at parent-teacher meetings and sporting events, and sit in activity committees together. After the summer break is over, a new school year offers the opportunity to rekindle relationships at school. -- Church. Because of travel and vacations, some churches drop back to a single service instead of multiple services during the summer months. They adjust the music programs, combine some Sunday School classes, and sometimes cancel … [Read more...]

By Rebecca Holloway There are many instances where a character of the Bible is renamed - either by God or by the circumstances they have been through. Abram became Abraham. Jacob became Israel. Simon became Peter. Saul became Paul. And that's just a few examples. In fact, the Bible says that we all get a new name when we become believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. We become known as children of God, co-heirs with Christ, redeemed, and many other fantastic names. But why all the renaming? In counseling, we do something called "reframing." Think about this for a moment: the frame in which you put a treasured family photo can either enhance the picture or it can make it look ordinary. Maybe you put the picture in a frame that has just the slightest hint of blue that brings out the blue in some family member's eyes. Maybe the frame has just the right shade of red that highlights the fall leaves in the background. When you pick the right frame, the picture takes on a whole new look. It has new meaning. It's more noticeable to those who might see it in your home. Reframing means we look at a situation in a totally different light, thus bringing out a whole new perspective on the events. We see it for what it really … [Read more...]