Jul
27
2010

Roger Butner
Let’s pick up the story of Elijah’s Day of Despair (or Dark Night of the Soul, if you like) in 1 Kings 19 from where we left it in the previous post…
And so, he [Elijah] gave up. He had nothing left. No hope. No energy. No faith. No courage. No reason to live. He was [...]
Tags: HOPE, spiritual formation, the journey
Jul
12
2010

Roger Butner
Here are a few tips for living with reasonable freedom from the bondage of stress. Most of these I have learned the hard way. Some of them I have experienced the hard way, but have not yet learned:
Seek God every day.
Surrender to God every day.
Ask for help when you need it.
Graciously accept the help you [...]
Tags: freedom, HOPE, the journey
Jun
21
2010

Roger Butner
Have you ever felt totally beaten down and defeated by life? Are you feeling that way today? It seems like you have done everything you know to do. You have tried to do what is right. Maybe even done what you can to live a life pleasing to God. You know you aren’t perfect, but [...]
Tags: HOPE, spiritual formation, the journey
May
04
2010

Roger Butner
No, I am not a financial adviser. But I have discovered the key to total financial security. It is the simplest and hardest thing you can do. It doesn’t involve the Powerball Lottery or the New York Stock Exchange. It doesn’t require any understanding of stocks, mutual funds, or anything reported on CNN, Fox News, [...]
Tags: HOPE, spiritual formation, the journey
Apr
29
2010

Roger Butner
This may be the best thing I’ve ever seen on a screen! Yes, 8:46 is an eternity by today’s standards. But today’s standards don’t seem to be very eternal, do they? Watch it, for your sake – or for the sake of someone else who needs you to watch it.
Tags: freedom, HOPE, self-injury, sex, spiritual formation
Apr
27
2010

Roger Butner
I am rebooting the start date for the upcoming group I will be leading here in Baton Rouge. I hate that there is such a need for this kind of group, but I have learned that the ugliness of reality is better faced than avoided. I am doing what I can to face this particular [...]
Tags: adolescence, coming soon..., community, freedom, HOPE, self-injury, teaching, teens
Apr
14
2010

Roger Butner
Seriously. I know you have stress in your life. Doesn’t the stress and pace and crazy busyness of it all sometimes threaten to crush your spirit? If so, you will relate to this. Take five minutes to click and read the latest message from John Eldredge about “Doing What Makes You Strong in Christ.”
Tags: character, culture, discipline, HOPE, spiritual formation, texting, the journey, twitter
Apr
07
2010

Roger Butner
Click here to download the pdf of the flier to pass along to someone who may benefit from our group.
Tags: adolescence, coming soon..., freedom, HOPE, self-injury, teens
Apr
06
2010

Roger Butner
Watch the video here.
Please pray for this amazing event! For all in the Baton Rouge area, please consider getting involved in the event announced in this email from my friend, and a genuine servant of Christ, Clayton Hays:
Gardere Giveaway Outreach – Almost Here Again!
If you were a part of last year’s Gardere Giveaway [...]
Tags: community, HOPE, respect, spiritual formation, the journey
Mar
20
2010

Roger Butner
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rj88qomVZk[/youtube]
If you have not yet heard about the success of Urban Prep Academy in Chicago, check this out! Hats off to these young men and the educators who have believed in them and called them out and up.
Tags: adolescence, character, discipline, HOPE, manhood, personal responsibility, respect, teaching, teens