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True confession time—not only am I a bit of a Christmas junkie, but this post is revised from earlier, because the concept haunts me. Our displays seem so bright and cheery and sanitary, but the first Christmas differed, and the difference impacts our following. So, let’s think about that first one.
His parents were alone, far from home and family, and likely delivered their firstborn…
Read More“A perfect God has chosen to use imperfect churches to bring imperfect people to the perfect God.” So, how do we handle imperfect churches? And trust me, all are imperfect. I’ve been on staff at 5 churches, one that I planted, and none of them were all I yearned for. So let’s look at two questions: when might it be time to consider leaving a church, and how should we do it?
Read MoreI’ve seen this post multiple times, and can’t express how profoundly these words offend me. The purpose, often put up by people whom I know love Jesus, attempt to justify bad and offensive language by leaders and ourselves, and this can be from both political persuasions. However, this Unconventional rant is NOT political—but spiritual. The question: do Churchill’s words represent or oppose how Jesus and the Bible view words?
Read MoreAddictions combine a strange and strong desire with an inability to function well with it and distress without it. We’ve all seen the damage that some addictions can bring, like substances, sex, food, or self. But let’s flip the script, right here.
Read MoreOur series examining the impossible demands of Jesus now explores his requirement that his followers must continue. Yes, many disagree, but let’s see what Jesus says about the issue…and what it means for us in practice.
“Remain in me, and I will…
Read MoreI like metaphors, a comparison that helps us understand something we may not yet fully know with something we already know something about. And although I’ve followed God for 52 years, many aspects of him remain hazy, uncertain, even unknowable. But what’s around us can give us some hints, like…
Read MoreTrue confession time—I’m a bit of a Christmas junkie, and on this, the day after Christmas 2022, I’m not quite ready to give it up. Oh, I know the over-the-top displays like the pic are heading into hibernation, but maybe we can extend it, in the spirit of what the incarnation means. So, think with me on that first one, and how we can live it out…now. In a gritty manner.
Read MoreLast week we examined one of the causes why families and churches and friends get so upset with each other: we primarily try to change people’s behaviors, thinking that living by God’s standards will improve our culture. Yes, it will, but at what cost? We say we want to make disciples, but many nonChristians see it as meddling and turn us off. They become less open to hearing about Jesus. And when Christians attack other Christians over politics…
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