New Testament
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Christmas: The Rest of the Story
If you’re of a certain age, you probably remember Paul Harvey. He was a radio commentator who would begin a story and then go to commercial break. After the break he’d tell “the rest of the story,” which would put an entirely different spin on the original tale. Back in December, I had the opportunity…
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KINGDOM NOW!
Kingdom Now: Pursuing Unity in the Body of Christ to Change the World debuted just one year ago. Since that time, many have had the opportunity to do the study either alone or in groups. Feedback has been excellent, especially from groups. This study is so timely and frankly, urgently needed. As we see the…
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Communion: Do I Love Enough to Stay?
When I take daily communion these days it’s usually for a severe physical need. Seems like I always have something going on. Physical, emotional, spiritual. And I always wonder if God will come through THIS time. Then I remember that He always has. I remember that so many of my prayer requests are no more.…
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HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE ME?
My four-year old grandson is experimenting with the concept of like and love. Out of the blue he’ll tell me where I fall in his hierarchy of affection. One day he’ll “like like” me. Another day he’ll love me, “but not as much as Mommy.” It’s almost as if he’s rolling the thoughts around in…
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Concern for Your Body, Christ’s Body
Have you ever pondered this remarkable creation called your body? Throughout history, we humans have studied and tried to explain the dynamic capabilities of this instrument. Consider how the bones, muscles, and tendons work together to produce strength and movement. Wonder at how the bone marrow, the red and white blood cells, and plasma sustain…
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Confess Your Sins to One Another
One of the most troubling and confusing chapters in Kingdom Now: Pursuing Unity in the Body of Christ to Change the World is Chapter 6, “Confess Your Sins to One Another.” Despite being perfectly biblical (see James 5:16), it befuddles both Protestants and Catholics alike. Protestants think that confession to another person isn’t a common…
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Joy in the Midst of Disruption
Disruption! How we hate it! And yet, doesn’t that seem to be the stuff of the Christian life? I don’t know about you, but I honestly don’t know many Christians who actually have the cushy, comfy life they long for. And if they do, it doesn’t last forever. I’ve done a lot of counseling and…
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More Thoughts on Communion
A few weeks ago, in response to my post on communion, a reader asked for more info on taking personal, daily communion. I recognize this is a practice not accepted by all streams of Christianity. Some believe that communion, or the Eucharist, can only be administered by an ordained member of the clergy. Early Church…
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My Anchor of Hope
How’s your hope quotient? It’s no secret that we’ve come through one of the most challenging and turbulent years in my lifetime (and I’ve been around for a while!). We’ve lived through a toxic stew of a worldwide pandemic (complete with illness, death, shutdowns, and shut-ins), a venomous election (complete with alleged fraud and deceit),…
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Some New (To Me) Thoughts on Communion
Do you ever feel that communion has become, well, routine? Boring? Just something to do once a month? And now, with so many churches closed, perhaps less than once a month? Since the world shut down in March, I’ve made a point of taking communion almost every day. Yes, I’m building a new habit, so…
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Is It Time to Pack Your Bags?
As the Church has faced more opposition in the past few months, I’ve heard more “End Times” sermons than at any time in my Christian life. It seems that any time things get tough in the US, American Christians turn to the rapture as their great hope. They believe (and hope and pray) that we’ll…
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Kingdom Now! A New Bible Study for You
Hey friends, I’m beyond excited to announce the forthcoming release of my new Bible study, Kingdom Now: Pursuing Unity in the Body of Christ to Change the World. If you’ve been asking what God is saying to the Church during this time, this study is for you. If you’re excited about advancing the Kingdom and…