Another Love Dare

iBegat the Begotten, iBegat U, Tessa Hall

I’d like you to understand when I say, “God is our God.” Of course he is. Even Satan knows that. But just knowing this truth isn’t all that being a Christian is about. Mark 8:34 says:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (NIV)

Let’s say there’s a guy that loves you more than you could know, and constantly tells you, but you keep ignoring him because you’re “too busy.” What if he wrote this long love letter that explained how much he cares for you? Not only that, but this letter contains all the answers that you’ll ever need to know in life, including promises for your future. Why would you ignore this special kind of friendship? In order to follow God we need an intimate relationship with him. Part of that is to

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God of Second Chances

iBegat HOME, iBegat the Begotten, IBegat Trouble, iBegat U, Shannon Meiers

"Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me." (Psalm 119:175 NIV)

Our God is a God of second chances and that fact was never more real to me than one summer afternoon. In a single moment, I decided carelessly to jump in a pool. My swimming skills were lacking. A nanosecond after I hit the water, I knew something was wrong. I should have floated right back up. The water was only four feet deep. If only I could stand up! But buoyancy was working against me, and the shimmery floor below was evading my efforts to plant my feet firmly on the surface. During this harrowing experience, I went from a confident, bubbly teenager giggling on the sidelines to a scared, terrified little girl fighting for her life. Panic set in. So this was it. This is how I would go home. I was

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Final Interview

Christine Wessilius, iBegat the Begotten, iBegat U

“For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.” 1Thessalonians 5:9-10 (English Standard)

I hate interviews. And it’s not because I get nervous or have bad communication skills. The employers don’t intimidate me, and the amount of competing applications don’t even cross my mind. No – it’s that horrible question that you know they’re going to ask: “Why do you deserve this job? Why should we hire you?” Somehow, whenever I hear that awful question, my mind draws a blank. I mean – what do they want me to say? I don’t want to come up with some "I’m the best" braggart line that turns me into some narcissist. But at the same time I don’t want to say something weak sounding where they think I have no

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A New Year 2012

iBegat HOME, iBegat U

res·o·lu·tion:

1. a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something. 2. the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc. 3. the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose. (more...)

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White as Snow

iBegat the Begotten, iBegat Trends, iBegat U

"Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow;" (Isaiah 1:18 NKJV)

I grew up where it snowed a lot in the winter. But cement streets, traffic, pollution, and garbage strewn about made the days gray and dingy. Even a colorful sunset often would be marred by a brown lingering haze. One winter, things were extra nasty. A garbage company strike left streets scattered with bags of trash. Most had been ripped open by animals. Rats and roaches were everywhere. Every kind of creature roamed, making a fitting stage for a horror flick.

On a frosty afternoon, I walked home from school, counting the icicles hanging from the power lines. My breath lingered on the thickness of ice cold air. When I reached the lifeless block I lived on, I

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The Grinch Who Gave Christmas Back

iBegat Buddies, iBegat U

Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength! (Nehemiah 8:10 NLT)

Remember How the Grinch Stole Christmas, one of the fondest Christmas movies there is? The Grinch was miserable, angry, bitter, and determined to make everyone around him the same. He was wrapped up in the affairs of the world and knew nothing of joy. But when the Whos in Whoville got up Christmas morning and celebrated, even though the Grinch had stolen all their gifts and festivities, he realized true joy is found only in your heart. Right now, the stores are swamped, traffic is thick, bargains are being paraded in front of weary shoppers, money is being depleted that may be needed elsewhere,

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New York Students Protest Outside High School Over ‘Tebowing’ Incident

iBegat Sports, iBegat Trends, iBegat U

The "Tebowing" that reportedly led to the suspension of two New York high schoolers continues as more than a dozen students chanted Tebow’s name and struck his kneeling, fisted signature pose in front of the school Friday, the New York Post reports. The students gathered Friday as one of the 17-year-old twin brothers who were suspended this week served out his single-day punishment for leading dozens of students in the same homage all week in a hallway.

Twin brothers Tyler and Connor Carroll of Riverhead HS in Long Island and classmates Jordan Fulcoly and Wayne Drexel were hit with one-day suspensions for kneeling and bowing their heads like Tebow does when he scores a touchdown, the New York Post reports. “It’s not the most exciting day. I sat there. I did

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real devo: Christmas Cliches

iBegat HOME, iBegat Trends, iBegat U

…and other things I’m sick of hearing.

So, confession time with Abbie. (And don’t get excited – no stories of coffee shop humiliation today.) Ready? Here goes… I am a scrooge. But not the kind of scrooge you might think. I’m a scrooge in a way that is probably largely frowned upon in Christian circles. A scrooge with a bad church-girl secret: I hate stuff Christians say at Christmas time. It’s true. There are a lot of cliches being thrown around this time of year. And umm… they sorta get on my nerves. You know the ones I’m talking about? It’s not about the presents. Jesus is the reason for the season. Keep CHRIST in CHRISTmas. Wise men still seek Him. Santa is bad. Santa is just another way to spell Satan. Christmas traditions have pagan roots. Real Christians don’t get caught

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Bad Santa or Crime Doesn’t Really Pay?

iBegat HOME, IBegat Trouble

STOCKTON, Calif – A California teenager has learned the hard way that he's no Santa Claus. The Stockton Record reports 18-year-old George Herrera got stuck in a chimney while trying to sneak into his house Thursday. Art Ray of the Stockton Fire Department says the teen was breaking curfew and trying to get inside his home.

Ray says Herrera was trapped near the chimney bottom for about 90 minutes before emergency crews were called around 10:15 a.m. When they arrived, they could see his feet sticking out of the fireplace. Rays says rescuers secured ropes around the teenager's wrists and pulled him up about 8 feet with the help of a firetruck ladder. Officials say Herrera wasn't hurt and was allowed to return home after the rescue, which took about 15 minutes.

Quoted from:

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