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Articles by Paula Marolewski

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By Paula MarolewskiSep 29, 20081 topic

Praying The Scriptures

You read the Bible. You study its passages. But you want more. You crave for it to become in your life the "living Word." A Word alive, a song on your lips, the voice in your heart. nnFor the Word to live in you, you must make it a part of your life - more than simply a part of your routine or a part of your knowledge. One way (only one of many - like one facet on a brilliant-cut diamond) is to pray the Scriptures. nn"Pray the Scriptures." What does it mean? Saying the "Our F

Primary topic: Spiritual Growth

Spiritual Growth

3,714 views

By Paula MarolewskiApr 1, 20091 topic

Christian Discernment: A Practical Definition

What is really involved in Christian discernment? Is it something mystical? An inner sense? Or is it more practical than that? nnHebrews 5:14 notes that discernment is the ability to recognize good and evil: "Solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil." But you might say that recognizing good and evil is the end product of discernment. What about the actual process of discernment: how do we get to the point of reco

Primary topic: Christianity

2,365 views

By Paula MarolewskiNov 14, 20081 topic

Keys To Christian Discipleship: Give Fishing Lessons

An old proverb runs, "Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime." That is one of the goals of Christian discipleship: to teach the other person to fish. nnPut otherwise, your goal is to help the person you are discipling to mature. To make decisions. To discern the will of the Lord. To think well and logically. nnThink about a typical family: when children are young, many decisions are made for them. They need to be taught a great

Primary topic: Life Lessons

2,261 views

By Paula MarolewskiMay 7, 20091 topic

All I Can Do is Pray

I've heard it a thousand times. I've probably said it a thousand times myself. Someone bares their soul to me, and the situation is terrible, painful, difficult ... far beyond the reach of anything I can do â or anyone can do â to help. And then those six words slip from my lips: nn "All I can do is pray." nnEven as I write the words, I can hear the defeat resonating from them. Properly translated, what I far too often mean when I say those six words is, "I'm sorry I can'

Primary topic: Faith

1,923 views

By Paula MarolewskiSep 29, 20081 topic

A Light Unto My Path

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son . . ."nnYou can hear the words in your mind. The voices of little children chanting John 3:16. Maybe it was in Sunday School; maybe in Vacation Bible School. Maybe you have reflected with a bit of wistfulness, "I remember when I could quote . . ." Maybe you never had the chance. nnThat was then. This is now. The childhood years are past. You are an adult: you have a family, a spouse, a job. You have hobbies, recr

Primary topic: Memory Training and Memory Improvement

Memory Training and Memory Improvement

1,840 views

By Paula MarolewskiJul 31, 20091 topic

Severe Anxiety: How Do You Help Someone Slow Down?

If you have a friend or family member who suffers from severe anxiety, you know that at times their thoughts seem to race out of control. Here are several points to be aware of as you reach out in love to help them slow down and regain a clear focus: Be ready to listen. The sufferer needs to talk out their thoughts - therefore, they need someone to be there to listen. That person is you. This is not, however, a five-minute conversation. It may take an hour or more for the per

Primary topic: Anxiety

1,624 views

By Paula MarolewskiSep 29, 20081 topic

Sentence Prayers

Lord, I pray not for an emotional high, but for steadfastness of soul.nnI pray not for happiness, but for joy. nnI pray not for forgetfulness, but for the ability to forgive.nnI pray not for the end of trials, but for grace in them.nnI pray not for pleasure, but for purpose. nnI pray not for the cessation of my loved one's struggles, but for their growth through them.nnI pray not for a roadmap of my life, but for a light for my path.nnI pray not for visions and thunder, but f

Primary topic: Christianity

1,615 views

By Paula MarolewskiJul 31, 20091 topic

Severe Anxiety: Slowing Down Racing Thoughts

Part of the terror of anxiety is the force and power of the racing thoughts that accompany it. Adrenaline reaches a fever pitch, sending the body into pure fight or flight mode. Two things are essential at this point: to slow down, and to focus on something outside of yourself. To slow down, because your mind and body are running at breakneck speed; and to focus on something external, because the whole power of anxiety is that it wraps you up inside yourself and turns your mi

Primary topic: Anxiety

1,413 views

By Paula MarolewskiNov 13, 20081 topic

Christian Education: 12 Keys Of Effective Teaching

While there are many forms of teaching in the Christian education arena, there are a few basic tenets that are applicable across the board. We will focus on these tenets as they apply to "formal" teaching (classroom, discussion, lecture, discipling relationships), but they are just as important in informal settings. nn1. Set goals. This is probably the biggest omission for teachers. We know and want to communicate a lot of "stuff," but we haven't clearly defined our goal and

Primary topic: Christianity

1,333 views

By Paula MarolewskiSep 25, 20081 topic

5 Keys To Spiritual Maturity

Spiritual maturity, or spiritual formation, is God's call to every believer (Ephesians 4:11-16). We are "no longer to be children," but are to "grow up in all aspects into him who is the head, even Christ" (Ephesians 4:14-15). nnFive key areas are essential to the development of spiritual maturity: nnFirst, biblical knowledge. No verse better sums up the reason we need to know Scripture than II Timothy 3:16: "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for r

Primary topic: Spiritual Growth

Spiritual Growth

1,322 views

By Paula MarolewskiApr 2, 20091 topic

How to Destroy Your Church: Donât Look in the Mirror

Mirrors are useful things. They show us when we need to comb our hair, reveal the ketchup stain just out of sight on our shirt, and help us to get the specks out of our eyes. And because of that last item, if you want to destroy your church, you should never â figuratively speaking â âlook in the mirror.â nnDonât spend time examining yourself for sin. Donât put your words, actions, attitudes, and thoughts to the test. Donât do group evaluations to see whether th

Primary topic: Christianity

1,304 views

By Paula MarolewskiApr 9, 20091 topic

Negative Memories: How Do We Move Forward?

âGod didnât give us a delete button to erase the memory of our past. So God must want us to remember our past, but move forward. How do I do that?ânnThe question from my friend was excellent â and poignant. We have all suffered terrible times in our lives. Sometimes we want to forget them as if they never happened, and sometimes we find ourselves dwelling on them so much that we are essentially âstuck.â How do we remember and yet still move forward? I believe the

Primary topic: Digestive Wellness

Digestive Wellness

1,284 views

By Paula MarolewskiSep 25, 20081 topic

Answers vs. Wisdom

I often find myself praying, "Lord, tell me what to do!" or "Is this course of action that I'm considering right or wrong? Just tell me!" But I have finally realized that this is not the best kind of prayer, and, in many instances, is not even an appropriate kind of prayer. nnYou see, when I am asking God to tell me what to do, I am refusing to take responsibility for my life. I am denying the image of God within me which is, in part, my free will. nnYou might say, "But as a

Primary topic: Wisdom

1,280 views

By Paula MarolewskiNov 12, 20081 topic

Christian Education and the Struggle with Biblical Illiteracy

I doubt that anyone will disagree with me when I state that our society today in America is biblically illiterate. Specifically, I would define "biblically illiterate" as the following: nn* Unfamiliar with the structure of the Bible. Most people could not explain why the Bible is split between Old and New Testaments. They cannot name the books of the Bible. That the books are grouped into certain categories is unknown to them. And, sadly, many people cannot even locate a vers

Primary topic: Christianity

1,242 views

By Paula MarolewskiSep 25, 20081 topic

A Creed For Daily Life

I believe that God is my Fathern and I am His child.nnI believe that I have right standing with Godn because of what Jesus has done,n not because of anything I do.nnI believe that Christ is with me,n whether or not I "feel" Him.nnI believe that my worth is intrinsicn because I am created in the image of God,n and Jesus died and rose for me.nnI believe that God is doing a good workn in and through me,n and that this day is part of it.nnI believe that when I confess and repent,

Primary topic: Faith

1,216 views

By Paula MarolewskiSep 25, 20081 topic

Roll Away The Stone

Sisyphus does not usually tread the dusty streets of Jerusalem. He has never appeared in a Paschal reading, nor was he ever mentioned in an Easter sermon. nnBut this Easter, I thought of him. That ancient man of Grecian myth, forever doomed to roll the stone of his judgment up the hill, forever doomed to watch it slip from his grasp and tumble to the bottom, just as he struggled to reach the crest. nnA man without hope. A man without a future. nnI pictured him in my mind: hoa

Primary topic: Forgiveness

1,214 views

By Paula MarolewskiSep 26, 20081 topic

Knowing The Will Of God: Does God Really Have a Roadmap for Your Life?

How to know God's will is probably one of the most-studied topics for Christians of all ages. It takes the form of the question: "How do I know God's will?" Whether we're talking about the broad scope of "God's will for my life," or the smaller scale of "God's will for me in this situation," the question is asked constantly. And, like all questions, it has innumerable wrong answers, misunderstandings, and skewed viewpoints attached to it. nnOne of the biggest myths about how

Primary topic: Life Purpose

1,184 views

By Paula MarolewskiApr 9, 20091 topic

How to Pray for the Complete Person

As children, we prayed, âGod bless Mom and God bless Dad. God bless Aunt Susie. God bless my friend Elizabeth â¦â But as adults, we need to go farther than that. A lot farther. But sometimes, we just donât know what to pray. nnA large part of our confusion about what to pray for stems from the fact that we rarely look beyond the obvious. When someone is sick, we pray for healing. Thatâs it. When someone is in financial need, we pray that they get money. Then we stop.

Primary topic: Spiritual Growth

Spiritual Growth

1,183 views

By Paula MarolewskiFeb 16, 20091 topic

Bible Study Basics: The Pitfalls of Discussion

Discussion is vital to Bible studies, small groups, and Sunday school classes. It keeps people attentive and involved, adds insights and wisdom, and helps people turn head knowledge into heart knowledge. nnSo why does discussion sometimes falter or fail? Why does it sometimes result in more problems than solutions? Here are five of the biggest reasons discussion can take a nosedive: nn1. Pooled ignorance. People have to have a reasonable understanding about the topic at hand

Primary topic: Christianity

1,167 views

By Paula MarolewskiJan 8, 20091 topic

Christian Education: Why Are We So Biblically Illiterate?

Why, in a culture where nearly everyone can read, has access to a Bible, and has a church on every corner, is there such biblical illiteracy? I believe the answer to this question is to be found springing from the society we are a part of:nnFirst, there is a diminished stress on education. We see this in lowered national standards. Lowered expectations. Lowered requirements. We emphasize "feeling good" about yourself and therefore we accept mediocrity. Defining educational ex

Primary topic: Religion

1,161 views

By Paula MarolewskiMar 25, 20091 topic

How Does Deception Begin?

"Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, 'Indeed, has God said, "You shall not eat from any tree of the garden"?'" - Genesis 3:1nnDeception entered the world early ... in the very paradise of the Garden. As the precursor to sin and to the Fall of humankind, it would do us well to study deception. nnSo where does deception begin? As in the Garden, deception often begins outside of yourself. It is certainly p

Primary topic: Christianity

1,156 views

By Paula MarolewskiNov 12, 20081 topic

Keys to Christian Discipleship: Learn to Listen

In order to be effective at Christian discipleship, you have to listen. Remember that listening is an active verb ... a very active verb, and it takes both effort and practice. You need to listen both to your partner (the person you are discipling), and to God. nn n Listen to what is said. This seems obvious, but sometimes it is ignored. Listen to what is being told to you. Be willing to lay aside your own plans for the discussion if your partner brings up a topic that they o

Primary topic: Communication Skills and Training

Communication Skills and Training

1,140 views

By Paula MarolewskiApr 9, 20091 topic

How to Destroy Your Church: No Pruning Allowed

One of the simplest ways to destroy a church is to put up a sign that says, âNo Pruning Allowed!ânnWhen you see slight deviations from the Word of God, little sins here and there â just let them alone. After all, theyâre small. No big deal. Nothing to get up in arms about. nnIgnore the words of James where he writes, âwhen sin is accomplished, it brings forth deathâ (James 1:15). Surely, that is an overstatement, even though he follows it up in the next verse with

Primary topic: Leadership

1,133 views

By Paula MarolewskiSep 26, 20081 topic

God Is Not Afraid Of Process

Sanctification. A long word for a long process. nnOnce, a friend I was discipling asked me, "What does it mean to be sanctified?" I took a deep breath, and said, "Well . . . !"nnYou can talk about positional sanctification, that the moment you accept Christ as your Savior, you are sanctified: set apart in the family of God. You can go on to experiential sanctification, that is, growing as a Christian to become more and more like Christ in our daily lives. You can finish up wi

Primary topic: Faith

1,124 views

By Paula MarolewskiAug 6, 20091 topic

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

It's so easy to remain where we are comfortable. Our rounds of church, work, friends, and family are reassuring, pleasant, and peaceful. But Paul urges us in Romans 12:16 to get out of the comfort zone where we talk and interact with people "just like us" day after day. He urges us to "associate with the lowly." Associate with the lowly. Why would Paul find this point important enough to include in the magnificent litany that makes up Romans 12? Consider these seven powerful

Primary topic: Faith

1,119 views

By Paula MarolewskiApr 1, 20091 topic

Bible Study Basics: The Importance of Discussion

Why include discussion in a Bible study, small group, or Sunday School class? Why not just lecture, or watch a great preacher or teacher on DVD, then call it quits for the day?nnDiscussion is an essential part of every Bible study or teaching time for six important reasons:nn1. Discussion keeps people attentive. It's easy for listening to become a passive activity. If a class is composed of pure lecture (including DVDs or videos), people can tune out at any time. Discussion e

Primary topic: Christianity

1,096 views

By Paula MarolewskiSep 26, 20081 topic

Why Talk About Sin?

Talking about hell is passe. Fire and brimstone sermons are considered out of fashion. The goal is to find the lost, comfort the broken-hearted, and rescue the perishing. Therefore, God is the faithful Hound of heaven, the gentle Shepherd, and the Lover of our souls. nnSin? Well, yes. But please don't focus on it too much; it really turns people off. They might get offended, and if they feel guilty they won't come back. Confession? Of course confession is an important part of

Primary topic: Christianity

1,093 views

By Paula MarolewskiApr 2, 20091 topic

How to Destroy Your Church: My Way or the Highway

Destroying a church is easy, particularly if you are in a position of leadership. Simply insist on âmy way or the highway.â Itâs a very equestrian position: dig in your heels like a mule, and get on your high-horse at the slightest provocation. nnIf you want to take this position, remember these simple principles: nn* If anyone disagrees with me, they are de facto in the wrong. n* My way is Godâs way, so he is on my side. n* There are no grey matters, ever. Everything

Primary topic: Christianity

1,090 views

By Paula MarolewskiSep 29, 20081 topic

Bible Study Basics: Write Out Your Lesson

When I taught a class on how to lead Bible studies and teach in a group, the biggest push-back I received was when I promoted writing out - in full - your lesson for the week. People objected that writing out a lesson would squelch the Spirit of God and would make the lesson mechanical. nnAfter having led adult Sunday School classes and small group Bible studies for over fifteen years, I disagree. Instead, I have found that thorough preparation - including writing out as comp

Primary topic: Public Speaking

Public Speaking

1,079 views

By Paula MarolewskiApr 9, 20091 topic

How to Destroy Your Church: Zip Your Lips

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." â Edmund Burke nnIf you really want to destroy your church quickly, here is the number one rule: zip your lips when you see something wrong. nnGot that? Donât say anything. Donât speak up. Donât voice your concerns. Donât make waves. nnInstead, when you see something wrong â when you observe sin, when you become aware of division, when you discern that people are dividing into camps, when

Primary topic: Christianity

1,071 views

By Paula MarolewskiMay 7, 20091 topic

Top 10 Confession Killers

What inhibits us from the effective practice of confession, either privately or corporately? Here are the top 10 confession killers: nn1. Shame. Often, it seems as if everyone else has their act together ... surely they don't have any problems or struggles with sin! This (very fallacious!) view leads us to shame, and an unwillingness to confess our own faults. nn2. Pride. Then there is the case for pride. The same pride that changed Lucifer, the angel of light, into Satan, th

Primary topic: Christianity

1,021 views

By Paula MarolewskiNov 14, 20081 topic

Christian Education: 7 Essentials For An Effective Teaching Ministry

All too often, planning for Christian Education involves desperately flipping through the church directory and asking, "Who might be willing to take a class?" nnIs it any wonder, then, that classes fall flat, attendance is poor, and results are non-existent? nnInstead, we need to approach Christian Education with foresight and strategy, being certain to include these seven essentials: nn1. Develop a balance of classes. The teaching body should be organized so as to teach a ba

Primary topic: Christianity

997 views

By Paula MarolewskiAug 6, 20091 topic

The Heart of the Gospel

Many Christians freeze up when they hear the word "evangelism." They say things like, "I can't share my faith!" "I don't know what to say!" "Where do you begin?" "It's so complicated!" But in fact, it's not complicated at all. It begins and ends with a Person ... the Person who is at the heart of the gospel and the core of our faith: Jesus Christ. Consider the first verses of the book of Romans: "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the g

Primary topic: Faith

981 views

By Paula MarolewskiSep 26, 20081 topic

Exploring The Deeps

"Do you read the Bible?"nn"Of course I do!"nn"Then, what did you learn today?"nnThe first question is easy. The second leaves us stumped. We could give answers like, "Well, I learned that David killed Goliath," or, "I read that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead." But we have the feeling that isn't quite what is meant. We need to make the transition from merely reading the Bible to actively studying the Bible. nnI know the protests: "I don't have time!" "I don't know how!" "I

Primary topic: Spiritual Growth

Spiritual Growth

980 views

By Paula MarolewskiSep 26, 20081 topic

Be Still aAd Know That I Am God

Be - Come with who you are, as you are. Come knowing that your personality and individuality are safe. Don't try to empty yourself of your selfhood: rather, acknowledge that selfhood and understand that it is treasured in heaven's eyes.nn Still - Having come as yourself, quiet yourself. Not emptiness, but quietness. You spend your days being noisy and hearing noise, and you come with much-needed petitions. But now, come quietly. For the other end of the dialogue.nn and - and

Primary topic: Inspiration

969 views

By Paula MarolewskiApr 1, 20091 topic

How to Destroy Your Church: Do Not Touch

One surefire way to destroy your church is to hang a placard around the neck of each person in leadership that says âDo Not Touch!â When you do so, the person becomes exempt from the tap of reproof, relieved from the hand of correction, unaccountable to any accountability. nnCongregations sometimes grant these placards because they revere their leadership or because they are conditioned to obey those in authority. But many times, leaders themselves declare that they are â

Primary topic: Christianity

965 views

By Paula MarolewskiSep 29, 20081 topic

A New View Of Patience

Patience. A virtue much sought, a commodity to be utterly desired. Stillness of soul in the midst of turmoil, perseverance in the face of trials, undisturbed faith under the onslaught of evil. nnMaybe. Maybe not. nnMulling over the word, I found a brief flash of clarity: a redefining of my understanding, a sigh of relief for my most impatient soul. And that was in the simple translation from the Hebrew that defines patience as something slightly different -- nnLongsuffering.n

Primary topic: Attitude and Perspective

Attitude and Perspective

961 views

By Paula MarolewskiSep 25, 20081 topic

Covenant Communication

Careless or caustic words can cause more damage in a marriage than anything else. Take the time to covenant together about how you will communicate - it will enrich your relationship every day:nnWe covenant together never to raise our voices in anger. Even when we are angry, or hurt, or wronged. nnWe will respond calmly if the other raises their voice in anger. We will end the discussion and leave the room until the other has controlled their anger. nnWe will never discuss a

Primary topic: Marriage Coaching

Marriage Coaching

940 views

By Paula MarolewskiJan 8, 20091 topic

Christian Education: What is the Gift of Teaching?

We could talk about the gift of teaching in terms of skill sets, personality types, and rhetorical styles - but we won't. Not here. nnInstead, using a slightly different approach, let's discuss the gift of teaching in terms of what it is meant to accomplish in the Body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 expands on I Corinthians 12:7 as to the purpose of the spiritual gifts as a whole. We will look at these verses, however, from the specific perspective of the gift of teaching: nn "

Primary topic: Christianity

894 views

By Paula MarolewskiNov 12, 20081 topic

Spiritual Maturity: Learning is an Active Verb

In order to reach our goal of spiritual maturity, we must take the task of learning about God and studying the Bible seriously. nnLearning is not passive. We cannot be handed biblical knowledge and godly character on a silver platter. We have to work at it and strive for it. Every individual must be committed to learning, if personal and corporate spiritual maturity is to be attained.nnFirst, we must have a desire to learn. Without a passion for learning, the best teaching in

Primary topic: Spiritual Growth

Spiritual Growth

882 views

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