Church
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“The power of the gospel lies not in the offer of a new spirituality or religious experience, not in the threat of hellfire (certainly not in the threat of being “left behind”), which can be removed if only the hearer checks the box, says this prayer, raises a hand, or whatever, but in the powerful… Read more
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When I blog, I actually try to come up with a snazzy headline. It doesn’t work, but I try. I know that when the Twitter feed or Facebook post pops up, most people only take in the headline. I get “likes” on some posts about three seconds after it hits Facebook sometimes, so I know… Read more
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Surprised by Hope is full of surprises for me. It is an incredibly tough book to digest and process. I love NT Wright, and one reason I love his work is he takes me to the mental and spiritual mat time and time again. We need things in our lives that challenge us. Someone saw… Read more
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In just the first few pages, I am drawn into Creating a Missional Culture by J R Woodward. He’ll get to the “problems” of the church… and that’s just a big fat target. But he starts with what the Church IS… as the Lord created us. Enough of what we think the Church is NOT… too… Read more
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We have been decrying the decline of the “liberals.” Alternately, there has been the call for the end of “conservatives.” All in the Church. Not even in politics! Now, John Ortberg has us wringing our hands about evangelicals again. Not really. I just wanted to be sensational in my headline. This is a well-thought out… Read more
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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. Read more
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Our church is gearing up to read the New Testament together. We are beginning with Luke. The challenge for us will be to read in community. It’s not just reading alone and then hearing a sermon. We want to set up opportunities to learn from each other. We can structure our Sunday morning service to… Read more
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I was in a discussion today with a fellow pastor about the passionate issues of our day. As we discussed gay marriage, the economy, and other hot topics, something began to occur to us. At first he said, “The Church is off focus. It’s off it’s target.” Then, I thought, “Wait. It’s more. So is… Read more
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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… Read more
Apprentice 2 Jesus 