Showing results by author "Mark Stepherson" in All Categories

Christians often hear or read a detail about LDS (Latter-day Saint, the formal name of the church) beliefs and a biblical response, another detail and response, and so on. They may learn many details but not grasp the "big picture". This is an effort to help Christians see the "big picture" of the Mormon plan and a "big picture" response.

This is a first person narrative from Saint Nicholas' point of view of the Christmas classic. The line about his pipe has been deleted (he gave it up when it was learned to be a health hazard). A few words have also been updated. (How many people today know what "sugar plums" or "coarsers" are? How many use the word "droll"?)

Have you ever heard, read, or recited a familiar verse for the 10th, or 100th, or three hundredth time, and suddenly been overwhelmed by the profound depth of the simple truth? Have you ever experienced a dawn of understanding over a verse long known by memory? That experience transformed Hudson Taylor's life and ministry. Dr. Howard Taylor wrote a biography of his father, Hudson Taylor, with the title, "Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret". After sharing his father's incredible life and accomplishments, he revealed the secret. Hudson Taylor's secret was to abide in Christ.

There’s a story about Alexander the Great coming home from battle. His soldiers enter the city to cheers and music. They lead the bound enemy. The joy continues as the cavalry come. They carry the spoils of war. Then the officers enter. The cheers erupt even louder as Alexander’s chariot is seen at the gate. A little boy worms his way to the front of the crowd and tries to run to the chariot. A burly soldier grabs his arm and jerks him back. “Fool kid! Do you know who that is? That’s the emperor!”

Jesus commanded the disciples to "watch and pray". Paul encourages us to "be alert and always keep on praying".The same word is used for "watch" and "alert". Both are in the context of spiritual war. Like it or not, every time we pray, we engage in spiritual war.

Time for a true confession. It won’t compete with celebrity scandals on TV. It’s a confession you won’t see on the papers at the checkout line at the grocery store. I must confess that I struggle with doubt. I struggle with the thought that it’s possible to not doubt. Doubting seems so natural. We all face doubts. We all have times when our faith is weak. But doubt can be a step to strengthen our faith. It can push us to search for answers. When our faith is tested, the testing can make it stronger.

This audiobook includes specific prayers emphasize our need and God’s power. Specific prayers may even clarify our calling.

When we pray earnestly, we pray with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, as the spirit leads. Our hearts and minds will not wander. (That’s a too-frequent occurrence for me while praying.) We won’t be concerned with time. We’ll be oblivious to boredom. I may fool myself with other prayer keys, but not this one.