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Holy Creation!
Last year this time the word was “hell.” Rob Bell, Mark Galli, Francis Chan… all got in on hell. Now… the buzzword is CREATION. CREATIONISM. DARWINISM. All kinds of things flying around. Must be some new books flying off the presses in the next few months… Have fun.
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You Need a Good Scrubbing
There are times when kids go out to play and you call them in for supper. You look quickly at them as say, “Go wash up.” Mainly, we mean, “Wash your hands.” (Which also means we will check them again when they get to the table and make them REALLY wash their hands.) Then there are times when the kids…
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Are We Faithful or Are We Drifting?
Doom, obstinate one, the defiled one, the violent city. 2 She listened to no voice; she accepted no discipline. She didn’t trust in the Lord, nor did she draw near to her God. 3 The princes in her midst are roaring lions. Her judges are wolves of the evening; they leave nothing for the morning. 4 Her prophets are reckless, men of treachery. Her…
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Doing Better in Adversity
I was thinking about the Western Civilization class I am finishing up (as a teacher) this semester. Reflecting on the 60s and a movement started by a generation that had not known hardship or war, there were some things that reflect well on that generation. Civil rights is at the top of the list. (I would argue THEY didn’t get…
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Being Hard Headed
It’s okay to be hard-headed! Hallelujah! Stubborn. Immovable. It’s biblical! 8 I’ve now hardened your face so that you can meet them head-on. 9 I’ve made your forehead like a diamond, harder than stone. Don’t be afraid of them or shrink away from them, because they are a household of rebels. (Ez. 3:8-9, CEB) AND, being hard-headed puts you in “diamond” status! It’s…
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Changing Tastes
2 Why spend money for what isn’t food, and your earnings for what doesn’t satisfy? Listen carefully to me and eat what is good; enjoy the richest of feasts. (Isa. 55:2, CEB) We can get hooked on Twinkies and think they are just the finest dessert cake this side of heaven. We can think we know God and find out we’ve…
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Blessed Memory
The past few days have carried heavy news for those who are a part of our church. We lost a dear church member Saturday night in a battle to cancer. Earlier in the week, a missionary we support lost his father to disease. Word came tonight of a pastor’s wife who has passed on to glory. She had battled brain…
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Shall We Only Take What is “Good” from God?
2 Go down to the potter’s house, and I’ll give you instructions about what to do there. 3 So I went down to the potter’s house; he was working on the potter’s wheel. 4 But the piece he was making was flawed while still in his hands, so the potter started on another, as seemed best to him. 5 Then the Lord’s word came to me: 6 House of Israel,…
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Isn’t It Time to Leave Egypt?
4 You saw what I did to the Egyptians, and how I lifted you up on eagles’ wings and brought you to me. (Ex. 19:4, CEB) There are so many thoughts, discussion, articles, etc., on the angst of the American Church. There are some I agree with, and some I don’t. There are certainly those who are so politicized that the…
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Could I Invite You to LOVE the Body of Christ?
1 Therefore, I have a request for the elders among you. (I ask this as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and as one who shares in the glory that is about to be revealed.) I urge the elders: 2 Like shepherds, tend the flock of God among you. Watch over it. Don’t shepherd because you must, but do it…