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More Than A Facebook Friend

By Steven Butwell Leave a Comment

Growing up, I had a best friend named Anthony. Anthony wasn’t always my friend though. In fact, Anthony and I began our association as two high school kids who wanted to fight one another. Anthony used to make fun of me at football practice and would rally other guys to sing degrading songs about my […]

Filed Under: Connect, Featured, Life Together Tagged With: Issue 23

Parental Pardon

By Lindsey A. Frederick Leave a Comment

One of the most shocking revelations I ever had about my parents was that they’re real people. When I entered adulthood, I realized they don’t know everything. When I took on more adult responsibilities, I realized I didn’t either. As my world shifted, the questions rained: Did this mean my parents really knew what was […]

Filed Under: Connect, Featured, Life Together Tagged With: family, Issue 22, parents, relationships

FOREVER FORGIVENESS

By Sarah Donawerth Leave a Comment

“Forgive and forget” (Common proverb). “To err is human, to forgive, divine” (Alexander Pope). None of these clichés help the healing when someone is hurting at the hands of another. However, part of our Christian walk is changing our heart and letting go of the hurt that we feel. In this, we have the Holy […]

Filed Under: Connect, Featured, Life Together Tagged With: Issue 21

Allowing God To Move

By Sarah Mariano Leave a Comment

How do we learn to be disciplined in what we set our hearts and minds on but always be open to what God wants to do in us and through us each day? It’s so easy to put expectations on ourselves for what we should be spending our time on. However, this can sometimes make […]

Filed Under: Connect, Life Together Tagged With: Issue 20

Keeping The Faith

By Eric Lee 1 Comment

With the closing of this parenting series, comes perhaps the most crucial part. Now that you have children, what are some of the best ways to continue the faith in the family? It seems like a simple enough question. I think we as Christian parents might assume our children will accept our faith and that […]

Filed Under: Connect, Life Together Tagged With: Issue 19

DISCIPLINE & THE BIBLE

By Eric Lee 2 Comments

In a poll taken on ChristiNet.com, the largest Christian portal, 85% of those believed it was in their rights to spank their children. Most quoted the “spare the rod, spoil the child” (Proverbs 13:24) verse as support for their stance. Many of those also said that spanking is okay “as long as it is done […]

Filed Under: Connect, Life Together Tagged With: Issue 18

NATURE VS NURTURE

By Eric Lee 1 Comment

Nature versus nurture It’s one of the oldest debates in history. Are we just born with a set personality, intelligence, and tendencies or does our environment around us and the way we are raised shape all of that?  In the Genes? For example, do we inherit most of our personality, intelligence, and disposition from our […]

Filed Under: Connect, Life Together Tagged With: Issue 17

HOW TO KEEP THE ROMANCE ALIVE

By Eric Lee Leave a Comment

So now that you’ve thoroughly fallen in love with your baby, how do you keep the love fires burning between you and your spouse? I know firsthand as a new parent, the last thing on my mind after a day of feeding, changing diapers, and cleaning bottles is, “How could I be more romantic towards […]

Filed Under: Connect, Life Together Tagged With: Issue 15

ARE YOU A CULTURAL CHRISTIAN?

By Ramon Mayo Leave a Comment

I wasn’t born a Christian but I definitely feel like I was born in a church. Growing up I spent a bare minimum of three nights, an afternoon and a morning in a church activity of some form or another. That was my normal. Sometimes on special occasions we would spend every night of the […]

Filed Under: Connect, Life Together Tagged With: Issue 15

HOW DO YOU LOVE YOUR ENEMY?

By Kelli Ward Leave a Comment

As I write on the topic of loving my enemies, I can’t help but think about the times when someone’s words or actions have purposefully hurt me. More often than not I’ve been called words like ugly, or disgusting, told I’m not talented enough, or that I didn’t deserve the grand prize in life. This […]

Filed Under: Connect, Life Together Tagged With: Issue 13

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newidentitymag

New Identity | Exploring Faith
Check out the latest issue. Link in our bio. 🤗 Check out the latest issue. Link in our bio. 🤗
Many people accept that Christ existed. Many peopl Many people accept that Christ existed. Many people accept that he died. Still others accept not only that he died but that he rose again and that he is God. Many would accept his existence and the facts about his life much like they accept that the world is round and spins on an axis or that you always lose at least one sock in the dryer to the Abominable Dryer Beast. Is this what it means to accept Christ? How do you accept someone who is invisible? What does it really mean to accept Christ?⁠
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✍🏽: Ramon Mayo in "Accepting Christ" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
Whether we celebrate it, run from it, long for it, Whether we celebrate it, run from it, long for it, or seek to reconfigure it entirely, most of us would agree that the family is a crucial shaping force in our lives. In family life a whole host of concerns—psychological, political, economic, emotional and religious—converge in powerful ways that affect us directly. Family life can be both filled with joy and fraught with risk. Questions of gender and gender roles are inseparable from all of this, as the family is where most people begin to associate masculinity and femininity with particular social roles. No wonder, then, that as societies have wrestled with competing ideas about what it means to be a man or a woman, the family has been a prominent topic of discussion.⁠
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✍🏽: Délice Williams in "Following The Leader" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
My paraphrase of the beginning of John says, “In My paraphrase of the beginning of John says, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The Word was light and came into the darkness but the darkness rejected the light.” In the early chapters of John, I believe the author lays down a foundation of three major themes to give them emphasis: light, belief, and new birth. These themes are separate, but they all refer to the life of Jesus and what he has done for us. We see the idea of light is introduced in John 1:4: “The life was the light of men.” John shows us from the beginning of his gospel that Jesus is God’s Son and Jesus is the light who came into the darkness. The second theme of belief is found in verse 1:12: “But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in his name.” Those who believe that Jesus is God, leave the darkness of the world and come into the light that is Christ. Lastly, in chapter two when the water is turned into wine, this is about new birth. After believing and receiving Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us and give us new life a part of the Kingdom of God.⁠
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✍🏽: Delbert Teachout in "Jesus Is" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
When we think of the most influential people in th When we think of the most influential people in the Christian faith, we think of Martin Luther, John Wesley, and John Calvin. We think of Jonathan Edwards, George Whitfield, and the Great Awakening. For those of us who have a broader historical view, we think of Augustine and Tertullian and Athanasius, but in our minds they are still perceived as white males instead of Africans. This confirms the cultural imperialism inherent in our understanding of Christian history. Even when we think of people born and raised on the African continent we think of them as looking similar to Europeans.⁠
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✍🏽: Ramon Mayo in "The Multicolored Hall of Faith" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
At the age of fifteen, I received a work permit an At the age of fifteen, I received a work permit and began applying for various part-time jobs in the small city where I lived. With every potential opportunity, I could taste freedom. There was one section, however, on each job application that seemed to mock me. “Are you available on weekends?” the form asked. Since I had grown up with a strong sense of commitment to church as a part of my Christian faith, I had a hard time reconciling a job that would schedule me to work on Sunday, the day I set aside to attend church with my family. Although I was flat out turned down from some opportunities for that reason alone, I made a decision that day to take the fourth commandment seriously and apply it to my life the best way I could.⁠
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✍🏽: ERICA MONGÉ-GREER in "The 4th Commandment" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
I was told that Christian faith had to have some d I was told that Christian faith had to have some defining point in time of true conversion, the point at which baptism happens, yet this singularity did not exist in my own life.⁠
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✍🏽: @sclimk in "How To Change Your Mind" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
I don’t know about you but all the English gramm I don’t know about you but all the English grammar that I learned in elementary school has leaked out of my brain. The English language is so complex. Some words in English can be verbs and nouns. Take for instance the word sleep. You can sleep the night away and someone can ask you if you have had a good sleep. It can be a verb, a word describing an action; or a noun, a word describing a person, place, thing, or idea. Another instance of a verb and a noun is the word study. You can study for a test and you can do it in the library or in your own personal study. One of the most important words in the Bible that functions as a verb and a noun is sin. Sin is both a verb and a noun; an action as well as a condition.⁠
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✍🏽: Ramon Mayo in "What Is Sin?" | Continue reading at newidentitymag.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"Living in the will of God is the safest place on "Living in the will of God is the safest place on earth." –Kelli Ward⁠
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✍🏽: Kelli Ward in "What Does It Mean To Store Treasures In Heaven?" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
Personally, I believe value is connected to identi Personally, I believe value is connected to identity. You need to know who you are. I really believe that you really don’t know who you are, until you know who Jesus is. Jesus said if you lose your life, you find it (Matt. 10). I never quite understood that growing up, but I have come to realize that if you lose yourself in Jesus and keep a clear perspective of who he is, you won’t ever forget who you are.⁠
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✍🏽: @israelledesma in "Grace Like An Avalanche" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
“For the growing good of the world is partly dep “For the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.” –George Eliot⁠
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It happens all the time. We’re going about our lives, our work, our play, our families and our friendships, and then it hits us. It’s a product of what we hear, what we see, and sometimes even what we do ourselves. It’s a feeling that something’s not quite right with the world, a feeling that makes us uncomfortable with what was done or what was said. And the urge to respond, to resist or to repair that bad thing that has happened, begins to rise up in us. What then do we do? Here we see a wide divergence of behavior: some choose to ignore the feeling because they’re too busy to deal with the situation, some choose to stuff it back down because they doubt their ability to be able to make a difference, even if they did choose to act, some are afraid of what the consequences might be to their resistance, and some are so accustomed to the broken state of the world they live in that their capacity to respond has withered dangerously close to the point of apathy. But there are also some who choose to act - and as author George Eliot suggests, we owe an immeasurable debt to their courage.⁠
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✍🏽: @slimkeman in "A Hidden Life" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
As we enter springtime, let’s rejoice in and giv As we enter springtime, let’s rejoice in and give thanks for the glorious resurrection of which springtime reminds us. Jesus’ resurrection is not just ancient history; it is played out day by day in Creation and in our very lives. When we see cherry trees blossoming, crocuses and tulips sprouting from the ground, and birds beginning to sing again, we can choose to face the future with joy because we know these beautiful sights are just dim reflections of the renewed world to come.⁠
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✍🏽: Bethany Cummins @bethany_kathleen in "Choosing Spring" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
Many Christians talk about being called. Whether i Many Christians talk about being called. Whether it’s to this ministry or to that particular church, many use the word “calling” to state their certainty in making decisions. In fact, it no longer is a decision when someone says they have been “called” to something. It means that something or someone external to them has summoned them to make a decision. In some ways it can be used to justify irrational and unwise choices. Some have stated they were called to be a missionary in another country when they haven’t lead anyone to know Christ in their home country. Others use their “calling” as a way to justify verbally assaulting and bullying others under the guise of their prophetic calling. After all, it can’t be wrong if God called you to it. But God never calls us to violate scripture, the wisdom of the community, and his character. Violating any one of those things should give us reason to pause and if we violate all of them we can be sure that it is not God. What does it mean to be called? Who is doing the calling? Is it an audible voice that is heard or is it an internal feeling?⁠
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✍🏽: Ramon Mayo in "What Does It Mean To Have A Calling?" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
There’s a very popular book called "The 7 Mounta There’s a very popular book called "The 7 Mountains of Influence" by Bronwyn O’Brien. The message of the book is that in order to change the world, there are seven mountains of influence that God wants to permeate: Arts & Entertainment, Business, Education, Family, Government, Media, and Religion. The main idea here is that each one of us is called to a specific mountain, or several of these specific mountains, to bring influence. The idea I believe God wants us to get is that the passions we carry, even the one’s we’ve thought are worldly or not Godly, often times are Godly. If you have a passion to be a professional basketball player, a stay at home mom, or the world’s greatest plumber, these are all passions God has very likely placed within you to walk out. The things that bring you joy and bring life, even if they’re outside of the church, are many times the Lord’s doing. God hasn’t called everyone to serve in the church or stand behind a pulpit. God has called us all to be ministers in every sphere of influence for his glory and kingdom! Understand that you are called to a specific mountain of influence, so the question isn’t whether or not what you’re passionate about is of God; the question is, how can I use this passion I have for God?⁠
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✍🏽: Nicholas Sowell in "Mountains of Impact" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
Happy Easter! We hope your day is filled with hope Happy Easter! We hope your day is filled with hope and sunshine!
📖⁠ But on the first day of the week, at early 📖⁠
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened. [Luke 24:1-12] For the full story on what happened the rest of the day, read in full Luke 24:1-53.⁠
💬⁠ Known as the “Great Sabbath,” Holy Sat 💬⁠
Known as the “Great Sabbath,” Holy Saturday is considered a day of silence that points to how Christ “rested” physically in the tomb. Churches that have services on Holy Saturday often keep their worship gatherings simple and bare, encouraging participants to rest in anticipation for Easter.⁠
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On Holy Saturday, taking a moment to pray and reflect on Jesus’ death is a practical way to remember God’s work. How does Jesus’ death affect you? What does his death mean for you, both personally and for the church? How might you respond to Jesus’ death? What areas of your life do you feel most affected by Jesus’ sacrificial death?⁠
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✍🏽: @lukegeraty from “Elevating Easter”⁠ | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
"Even though I was only in high school, I still th "Even though I was only in high school, I still thought about things like eternity. I thought about death. I thought about the meaning of life and all of this stuff. I just didn’t know where to put that or how to answer any of those questions. Walking into Young Life and hearing the gospel gave me a context for that and made a ton of sense."⁠
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✍🏽: Tyler Weaver as interviewed by Ben Helms in "No Cookie-Cutter Christian" | Continue reading at newidentitymagazine.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
📖⁠ After this, Jesus, knowing that all was no 📖⁠
After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. [John 19:28-30 ESV] For the full story of what led up to the death of Jesus, read John 18:2-19:42.⁠
Judah was outraged when he heard ⁠ Tamar, the wi Judah was outraged when he heard ⁠
Tamar, the widow of his deceased son, had become pregnant because of prostitution. He demanded, “Bring her out, and let her be burned!” (Gen. 38:24, NLT). What a shame to their family name! What an embarrassment for her! But this story exposes Judah’s poor character, not Tamar’s. ⁠
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Judah’s firstborn son was Er who married Tamar, but Er died. So Judah had his second-born son, Onan, marry Tamar, as was customary to continue the family name and keep their land secure. But Onan died too (Gen. 38:3-10). Judah’s only living son was too young to marry Tamar, so Judah told Tamar to go live with her parents and remain a widow until his youngest son, Shelah, could marry Tamar. Although “Judah didn’t really intend to do this because he was afraid Shelah would also die, like his two brothers” (Gen. 38:11). ⁠
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✍🏽: @the_christopherscott in "Cultivating Good Character" | Continue reading at newidentitymag.com⁠ by visiting the link in our bio and tapping on the image.⁠
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