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Week 17: The affections of Christ and JOY
Some thoughts from NT Wright regarding the end of Matthew 6: Has it ever struck you what a basically happy person Jesus was?
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The place of joy
It hit me with the force of joy. Happiness is what we experience as we celebrate the achievements of the self — winning a prize. Joy is what we feel when we are encompassed by a presence that transcends the self. We create happiness, but are seized by joy — in my case by the sensation that I had just…
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The joy of Tony Campolo
I was a teenager when I first heard Tony Campolo preach. Since then I’ve read some of his work, listened to more sermons, and observed someone who lived out the joy of the Kingdom of God. There were the struggles as well. He didn’t hide the struggle of his son walking away from the Christian faith. His love for his…
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The bass note of our lives
I am working my way through Leif Enger’s newest book, I Cheerfully Refuse. Enger writes beautifully and captures a slow pace I enjoy at times when reading novels. (I am not good at reading fiction so unless there is a race against a bomb going off or the main character is about to be the next victim, I’m not good…
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Shout hallelujah
The moments of change often slip by unnoticed. There isn’t a “big healing.” There isn’t a great time of prayer and then you “hear the voice of God.” There are moments, though. They go almost unnoticed. Yet, you look back and realize, “That was it! That was the time!” There is a moment in Luke 10 where Jesus shouted with…
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Divine appointments
I had a friend who loved the opportunities he found along the way. He called them “divine appointments.” He would meet someone on a trip and a conversation would spark and after awhile it was clear the Holy Spirit had set something up. What was special about this friend was he didn’t run on a clock. If a conversation began,…
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The gift of mourning
For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. (Ps. 30:5) The Lord teaches me the way of the Cross and part of that journey is the gift of mourning, or the gift of sorrow. He wants to gift to me the…
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Some last words
We are now down to TWO DAYS before movers show up and haul out the last of our worldly possessions. Tomorrow… Sunday… I get the privilege of preaching one last time at Heights Church. I have talked about how I have loved the city where I was able to live the past 20 years. But to pastor this church for…
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The great hope of Christmas
He has come to bring peace on earth. He has come to restore. He has come… because he is God with us.
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Praying the prayers of Zion
The Lord has me praying and meditating through Isa. 60-61 and other places in the latter part of Isaiah. The past couple of days have been in Isa. 61.
Tag: Joy
