May 2010

Thumbnail image for A Memorial Day Prayer

A Memorial Day Prayer

Heavenly Father, as an American, thank you for this great country. I am not proud, but humbled, that in Your sovereignty I was born in such a Nation. Thank You for those serving in the military that you have used to help raise up and protect America. Thank you for those men and women in our military who were willing to give their lives and who gave their lives to fight to keep this country free. It is a great service to lay down one’s life for others. Father, as a Christian, this is a great reminder of the incomparable …keep reading »

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Thumbnail image for Lord’s Day 05/30 life’s battle

Lord’s Day 05/30 life’s battle

To us, also, in due time, shall be brought the message, “The Master is come and calls for you.” My ear hears a voice crying aloud, “Set your house in order; for you shall die and not live.” Will not you hear it? Will any one of you refuse the voice which speaks from Heaven? Death evidently pays no respect to character, age, or hopefulness. A man may addict himself to the service of his country, but his patriotism will not protect him.

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Thumbnail image for Mercy Ministry: Church or World?

Mercy Ministry: Church or World?

In 2006, Modern Reformation Magazine provided two articles from a series entitled Mercy Ministries: Two Perspectives. The articles were written by William H. Smith and Randy Nabors. I’ve numbered them I and II, respectively, and linked them below with selective quotes and bullet points. In article I, Smith argues that the mercy ministry of the church is primary to its members. He explains that the church’s service is to one another in word and sacrament rather than serving the world in word and deed. In article II, Nabors argues that the church needs to focus outside of its walls to …keep reading »

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Thumbnail image for A note on selfishness

A note on selfishness

How many times does a mother say,”Billy, share your toys with Bobby” or “Bobby, you musn’t grab toys from Billy like that”? As Billy and Bobby grow older, they learn that such obvious acts of selfishness are socially unacceptable, so their selfish acts become more subtle, but

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Thumbnail image for Lord’s Day 05/23 Christian needs

Lord’s Day 05/23 Christian needs

Oh! it is impossible relief can now come; What? Are not all things possible to him that hath all things in his hand? Yea, “All things are possible to him that believeth;” and it is possible for you to do all things through Christ strengthening you, even to overleap the highest walls, to break bows of steel in pieces, and wade through the deepest fords in your way. “What ailed thee, O sea! that thou fleddest? and thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back? Tremble thou earth at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of …keep reading »

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Thumbnail image for Is Islam special?

Is Islam special?

Emily Belz at World Magazine writes a feature about Islam in The special religion. The article is worth a read. Special or not, there seems to be  a level of special treatment for Islam. Several things stand out and are a bit disturbing. One of them is cowardice in the FBI toward Islam. Cowardice? Really?

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Thumbnail image for My take: On fear, faith and being a sinner

My take: On fear, faith and being a sinner

The CNN Belief Blog recently published My Take: On fear, faith and being gay by Jennifer Knapp. So I thought I’d give my take. As a young boy I learned to take risks. Climbing trees and jumping ramps on a bicycle will do that to a boy. Falling down from a tree or flying off the bicycle in the air ties the stomach in knots as the ground approaches to stop the fall. But I learned to rely on myself and try harder. Climbing 10 feet up and jumping from one tree to another or jumping a ramp stacked three …keep reading »

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Thumbnail image for All things to all people?

All things to all people?

First, go to Seeker-centered Buddhism and watch the modern outreach methods some Buddhists are using today. Would that inspire you to become a Buddhist? Now watch the video below. The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c God Smacked www.thedailyshow.com Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party Would that inspire you to become a Christian? What’s the difference between the Buddhism and Christianity presented here? Does one decide based on the appeal? Name your preference? To some the appeal is apparently to find comedy material. I wonder if this means a comedy church would win …keep reading »

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Thumbnail image for Book Review: Preaching that Connects

Book Review: Preaching that Connects

Galli, Mark, and Craig Brian Larson. Preaching that Connects: Using Journalistic Techniques to Add Impact. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994. Galli and Larson offer journalistic tools for preachers to help them communicate better in their sermons. Both authors have pastoral and journalism experience. Galli is a former pastor and  senior managing editor of Christianity Today. Larson is a pastor in Chicago and chief editor for PreachingToday.com. Before explaining what this book offers it is important to understand

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Thumbnail image for Lord’s Day 05/16 death transformed

Lord’s Day 05/16 death transformed

Death was transformed for the believer when God sent His Son into the world and placed Him on the cross. Jesus Christ experienced the second death on behalf of His people – second death is biblical shorthand for the eternal judgment and punishment that awaits those who have not trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ. After the believer experiences the first death, he does not taste the second death. For the Christian, death is no longer a precursor to the final judgment and separation of God; instead, death is now transformed to the portal into the presence of God. – …keep reading »

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