http://shieldsgroup.com There are certain things in this world that God has for you to do; and you are just the right person to do them. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 02:41:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 2006-2012 steve@shieldsgroup.com (Steve. Shields) steve@shieldsgroup.com (Steve. Shields) 1440 http://www.shieldsgroup.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/steveanderic.png http://shieldsgroup.com/blog 144 144 There are certain things in this world God has for you to do; and you're just the right person to do them. There are certain things in this world that God has for you to do; and you are just the right person to do them. Steve. Shields Steve. Shields steve@shieldsgroup.com no no http://shieldsgroup.com/2013/04/29/how-to-grow-spiritually/ http://shieldsgroup.com/2013/04/29/how-to-grow-spiritually/#comments Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:43:36 +0000 Steve http://shieldsgroup.com/?p=2461 Continue reading →]]> http://shieldsgroup.com/2013/04/29/how-to-grow-spiritually/feed/ 0 0:37:29 Presented 4.28.2013 Remember when you were a kid and you couldn’t wait to be an adult? Now, as an adult, I sometimes wish I could go back to those carefree days of childhood. But besides the fact that I can’t go back, I know I couldn[...] Presented 4.28.2013 Remember when you were a kid and you couldn’t wait to be an adult? Now, as an adult, I sometimes wish I could go back to those carefree days of childhood. But besides the fact that I can’t go back, I know I couldn’t stand to go back. Growing is a good thing. Maturing is what we are supposed to do. And we all know men and women who never grew up, right? That’s not pleasant. Spiritually speaking, the Bible warns us not to remain immature. God wants us to grow up, spiritually. This podcast speaks of how we can grow up — mature — spiritually speaking, by borrowing and elaborating on Bill Bright’s Five Principles for Growth.   Share This... Hide Sites Steve. Shields no no http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/12/18/how-can-i-find-hope-at-christmas/ http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/12/18/how-can-i-find-hope-at-christmas/#comments Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:29:11 +0000 Steve http://shieldsgroup.com/?p=2454 Continue reading →]]> http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/12/18/how-can-i-find-hope-at-christmas/feed/ 0 0:32:39 There’s a dark side to Christmas. It’s not recorded in Matthew or Mark or Luke. John doesn’t cover it in his gospel account, but when John was in heaven, he saw it. And he recorded it for us in Revelation 12:1-5. We don’t tal[...] There’s a dark side to Christmas. It’s not recorded in Matthew or Mark or Luke. John doesn’t cover it in his gospel account, but when John was in heaven, he saw it. And he recorded it for us in Revelation 12:1-5. We don’t talk about that side of Christmas too often, but we should. We should because unless there is a cost there is little reason for appreciation. You appreciate that which comes with a cost. When you realize the cost, you appreciate the sacrifice. And you have great reason to rejoice. And that celebration — like a touchdown in the middle of a football game — can spark hope and purpose for the future. This podcast explains the end-zone dance done outside of Bethlehem by a host of heaven’s angels, giving us hope and purpose. Share This... Hide Sites Steve. Shields no no http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/11/19/is-unconditional-acceptance-realistic/ http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/11/19/is-unconditional-acceptance-realistic/#comments Mon, 19 Nov 2012 19:07:22 +0000 Steve http://shieldsgroup.com/?p=2447 Continue reading →]]> http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/11/19/is-unconditional-acceptance-realistic/feed/ 0 0:38:51 Generally, when people talk about love and marriage one of the deeper concepts they address is that of unconditional acceptance — that a husband or wife should accept one another regardless. Generally, this is seen as a deep kind of love, supp[...] Generally, when people talk about love and marriage one of the deeper concepts they address is that of unconditional acceptance — that a husband or wife should accept one another regardless. Generally, this is seen as a deep kind of love, supposedly reflective of the love that God has for us. But there is a deeper love that brings a greater level of satisfaction in marriage. To discover this love, take a listen to this podcast on Finding Satisfaction in Marriage. Share This... Hide Sites Relationships Steve. Shields no no http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/11/19/is-just-in-time-learning-always-preferable/ http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/11/19/is-just-in-time-learning-always-preferable/#comments Mon, 19 Nov 2012 18:47:39 +0000 Steve http://shieldsgroup.com/?p=2444 Continue reading →]]> http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/11/19/is-just-in-time-learning-always-preferable/feed/ 0 0:41:57 A week or so ago, I stumbled upon a concept of education that made my mind sit up and pay attention. It was the concept of just-in-time learning. Much of the education we received in school was learning to prepare us for the future. Every student st[...] A week or so ago, I stumbled upon a concept of education that made my mind sit up and pay attention. It was the concept of just-in-time learning. Much of the education we received in school was learning to prepare us for the future. Every student struggled with its relevance, but our teachers persisted because they wanted us to have the education just-in-case we needed it. The internet has made just-in-time learning a way of life. And while it’s good to learn how to bake cookies just when you need to know how to, it’s important to learn some things just in case you need them. This podcast takes these concepts and applies them to our relationship with God and the styles of discipleship we should embrace. Just in time learning and spirituality? Didn’t expect to find that here, huh? But now you’re curious. Give it a listen by clicking below. Share This... Hide Sites Steve. Shields no no http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/10/29/how-to-insert-bible-verses-into-word-with-quickverse-10/ http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/10/29/how-to-insert-bible-verses-into-word-with-quickverse-10/#comments Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:18:42 +0000 Steve http://shieldsgroup.com/?p=2421 Continue reading →]]> http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/10/29/how-to-insert-bible-verses-into-word-with-quickverse-10/feed/ 0 http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/10/26/solved-how-do-i-skip-the-easy-start-screen-on-quickverse-10/ http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/10/26/solved-how-do-i-skip-the-easy-start-screen-on-quickverse-10/#comments Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:09:00 +0000 Steve http://shieldsgroup.com/?p=2416 Continue reading →]]> http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/10/26/solved-how-do-i-skip-the-easy-start-screen-on-quickverse-10/feed/ 0 http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/10/24/navigating-the-susquehanna-like-a-log/ http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/10/24/navigating-the-susquehanna-like-a-log/#comments Wed, 24 Oct 2012 23:09:48 +0000 Steve http://shieldsgroup.com/?p=2407 Continue reading →]]> http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/10/24/navigating-the-susquehanna-like-a-log/feed/ 0 http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/10/18/where-can-i-find-some-authentic-christians/ http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/10/18/where-can-i-find-some-authentic-christians/#comments Thu, 18 Oct 2012 11:40:36 +0000 Steve http://shieldsgroup.com/?p=2404 Continue reading →]]> http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/10/18/where-can-i-find-some-authentic-christians/feed/ 0 0:00:01 That’s a question that people are asking today. Maybe not aloud. But people hunger for authenticity. It’s part of the image of God stamped upon us at creation — a desire for truth. Have you ever thought of seeking some authenticity[...] That’s a question that people are asking today. Maybe not aloud. But people hunger for authenticity. It’s part of the image of God stamped upon us at creation — a desire for truth. Have you ever thought of seeking some authenticity in yourself rather than looking for authenticity in others? This podcast speaks to the difference that Jesus should make in our lives, and advises us on how to see him do that. Share This... Hide Sites Steve. Shields no no http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/10/10/what-does-the-bible-say-about-swearing/ http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/10/10/what-does-the-bible-say-about-swearing/#comments Wed, 10 Oct 2012 12:29:25 +0000 Steve http://shieldsgroup.com/?p=2399 Continue reading →]]> http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/10/10/what-does-the-bible-say-about-swearing/feed/ 0 0:24:57 One of the great one-liners from the Andy Griffith Show comes from Opie’s dad, Andy, when little Opie has said something inappropriate. Andy looks at his son and says, “And to think I was glad when you learned to talk!” I would guess every par[...] One of the great one-liners from the Andy Griffith Show comes from Opie’s dad, Andy, when little Opie has said something inappropriate. Andy looks at his son and says, “And to think I was glad when you learned to talk!” I would guess every parent feels this way about a child at least once in his life. I wonder if God ever feels that way about humankind. You bet he does. This podcast uncovers the meaning of Ephesians 5:4 where God’s word says, 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. (NIV) Take a listen. Oh — by the way, the story about the two pastors is something I heard a couple of years ago, but I don’t have the source. I should have prefaced it with the words, “I once heard an account of…” As I think about it, it could be a bit of an urban legend. Still — it makes the point well. ~Steve Share This... Hide Sites Steve. Shields no no http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/10/02/what-does-the-bible-say-about-sex-outside-of-marriage/ http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/10/02/what-does-the-bible-say-about-sex-outside-of-marriage/#comments Tue, 02 Oct 2012 13:03:47 +0000 Steve http://shieldsgroup.com/?p=2395 Continue reading →]]> http://shieldsgroup.com/2012/10/02/what-does-the-bible-say-about-sex-outside-of-marriage/feed/ 0 0:00:01 PRESENTED 9/30/2012 In my last pastorate, I was often a guest speaker in a sociology class at the University of Pittsburgh. The professor had me address specific ways our church worked to influence society. Naturally, I jumped at the chance. One tim[...] PRESENTED 9/30/2012 In my last pastorate, I was often a guest speaker in a sociology class at the University of Pittsburgh. The professor had me address specific ways our church worked to influence society. Naturally, I jumped at the chance. One time, after class, a young woman came to me and said, “I stopped going to church because of something my pastor said to us.” I asked what the pastor had said. “He told my boyfriend and me that we should not be having sex — that the Bible said that it was sin to have sex outside of marriage. It doesn’t say that!” Hmm…. Does it? This podcast presents a biblical perspective on sex inside and outside of marriage. Share This... Hide Sites Relationships Steve. Shields no no