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The astonishing power of forgiveness
Two articles I came across the last couple of days completely missed the power of the Church and forgiveness. One from the “left” and the other from the “right.” One column declared blacks need to quit forgiving white racists. Forgiveness has become a requirement for those enduring the realities of black death in America. That misses the power of forgiveness…
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The church is into mass production rather than fine art
I am working my way again through Simon Chan’s marvelous book, Liturgical Theology. As a Pentecostal scholar who calls us back into the deep “traditions” of the Church, I have found this book to be a refreshing read over the years. Chan doesn’t pull punches. He wants us to return to Cyprian’s goal of saying one who doesn’t have the Church…
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White. Male. Evangelical. Pentecostal.
A CALL TO AMERICAN EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS I very rarely read a book than once. Outside of the Bible, there are a handful I’ve made a second attempt at. Beyond that, it’s been Dallas Willard’s The Divine Conspiracy and one more: Thomas Merton’s autobiography The Seven Storey Mountain. Those of you who read me enough think I’m a Willard nut? (And I am.) I’ve…
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Progression isn’t always good
“Modernity is above all things convinced… that is owes nothing to the past, that it has made itself, that what matters most is what is happening right now. Indeed, this is the meaning of the freedom, power, and progress that we all prize.” — Michael Allen Gillespie quoted in Theology as Retrieval. This actually has a connotation that “post-modernism” still has…
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Being “on mission”
I am revisiting Briggs and Hyatt’s book on Eldership and find myself challenged by the lead question: “How would you define ministry?” The working answer for Briggs and Hyatt: meeting people where they are and journeying with them to where God wants them to be. They have a list of what ministry is not to reaffirm that definition: It is not waiting for people…
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Year 49
I’ve contemplated this year… for all of 5 minutes. In this year: We will have relocated our church and relaunched ministry, welcomed our second daughter in law to the family, and become a grandpa. Quite the year I’m find myself halfway through.
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The next thing for Heights Church
You can help! Please consider donating in this transition time for our church. CLICK HERE to find the “DONATE” button. Thank you for your gift.
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Reflections on a church move
Our church property is sold and we close on June 9. We will have temporary use of our building on Sundays and Wednesdays for 90 days. While the move is something we have sensed as the leading of the Lord, the sudden movement of cleaning things out has hit me. I am excited for the next thing. We are looking…
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David’s Mighty Men
I am prayerfully walking through 2 Samuel now as I look at spiritual warfare. In Chapter 23 there is the story of David’s mighty men. Amazing heroes who would go the distance for David. They caught his heart, loved him, and would battle anyone anywhere on his behalf. I think of that and am deeply thankful for not only mighty…
Category: Church
