"The 358-Million-Dollar Question"

Have you ever been inspired by the words someone said to you?  How did it make you feel and what did you do about it?

In the next few weeks we are going to share excerpts from the book The Words That Inspired the Dreams by Caron Loveless (Howard Publishing). Our intent in sharing these stories is to encourage and inspire you to a new level as you serve in the area God has called you to.

- Eric and Jennifer Garcia

"Staying Focused" - by Bobb Biehl

Every leader I’ve ever dealt with has struggled, at times, with focus.  Every president loses focus.  The difference between great leaders and the ones that struggle to lead is that great leaders have a way to re-focus.  The top leaders never get out of focus for more than a day or two.  Focus always precedes success – without focus, there is no success.  There are three keys to staying focused.

"Butterfly Truth" - by Bruce McNicol

God is Not Interested in Changing the Christian.

“What? He’s not?! Come on, where’s the punch line?”

In truth, of all the cruel jokes foisted upon the 20th century Church, this one may stand near the top. How many well intended messages, books and theological systems have been built on trying to get me to finally figure out how to change into that righteous person God intended me to be?

"Wordless Prayer" - by Jennifer Kennedy Dean

Leaving Behind the Misconceptions and Moving Forward in the Truth

The most limiting misconception about prayer is that its secret lies in the words we sandwich between “Dear God” and “Amen.”  Spoken prayer will not reach its potential unless it is grounded in listening prayer. In listening prayer, spoken prayer is born.

“Prayer... is the opening of a channel from your emptiness to God’s fullness.” (E. Stanley Jones, Abundant Living).

God has so much more to give us than just those things we know to ask Him for. He wants to give us Himself. He wants us to know His secrets, but His secrets come wrapped in silence.

"Bringing Singles and Family Ministry Together"

- by Rob Rienow, Family Ministry Focus Group

If a church begins the journey of developing a family ministry, one of the first questions that will arise is, “What about those in our church who are single?” Here are five brief thoughts that may help your church move toward unity of heart, mind, and mission on this critical issue.

2007 Marriage and Family Ministry Conference Comes to a Close

The 2007 Marriage and Family Ministry Conference, held at Carmel Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC, came to a close last week. Over 400 attendees were trained and equipped through the five ays of training and over 700 peopled attended the closing night session, "Tale of Two Brains" by Mark Gungor.

Each of this year's General Sessions were recorded and will soon be available for purchase on CD. Please check www.amfmconference.com over the coming weeks for our CD order form to purchase your copy of these amazing events.

A special thanks goes out to the entire Carmel Baptist Church team as well as our 2007 Conference Sponsors: