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How the “Everyone Gets a Trophy” Culture Conditions People to Reject the Gospel
I want everyone to feel valued, especially kids, and nothing makes a kid feel more valued that receiving a nice shiny trophy. Win or lose…show up or just signed up… everyone gets a trophy no matter how they played or whether they even tried; but, everyone is happy so that’s good, right? Looking from the perspective of the kid, there doesn’t seem to be any harm. But, what if we are wrong. What if we are sending the message that it’s ok to not do well thus creating the mindset that EVERYTHING is acceptable and praiseworthy and good. And what if by having that mindset we are unknowingly conditioning people…
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Abraham, a life of faith
Title: Abraham, a life of faith Aim: To emphasize that faith is a lifelong journey with God. Scripture: Genesis 12:1–9 God summons Abraham, Genesis 12:1–3 Genesis is the book of beginnings. In this historical narrative, we find the beginnings of the material universe, human life, human sin, divine judgment on human sin, covenant promises, and the Israelite tribes—to name just a few. Genesis provides a foundation for a great deal of what we can know about life and our Lord. Genesis is also the first of five books forming a group of their own at the beginning of the Old Testament. Together, Genesis through Deuteronomy are…
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Get Organized—For Good
Lots of folks are talking about tidying up these days. And January seems to be the month when doing so is especially on our minds. While we’re at it, why not dispose of items in a way that benefits some ministries or minimizes the effect of used goods on landfills? Here are a few options to get us started: · Used Bibles and Christian literature. "Love Packages" recycles Bibles, Sunday school materials, VBS literature, and tracts. Ship yours to Love Packages, 220 Union Street, Butler, IL 62015. · Technology. Take used books and DVDs to your church library or resale shop. Some electronics stores pay for phones—giving more cash for items with…
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Running Towards Giants
All my life I have heard the story of David and Goliath preached with an emphasis on personal application. "Defeating Your Giants" or "Five Stones of Faith That Lead to Victory" -These typical homilies are focused on encouraging believers to slay impossible giants in their own lives. However, I believe it is time to take a fresh look at this age-old passage. I had the privilege to hear Bob Sjogren, president of UnveilinGLORY ministries, speak and he suggested something quite strange. While Goliath is usually presented as a stumbling block best avoided, Bob suggests that we run towards our giants in the name of God’s glory. Personal giants are…
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Morning Prayer
Good morning, Lord. I am grateful that, once again, you have offered me a new day as an incredible gift to unwrap and enjoy. Thank you that it is not a blank slate waiting to be filled, but a treasure chest beckoning to be explored. Thank you that it holds the glorious joy of your presence and the reassuring promise of your will. Help me to hold each new experience as a precious jewel, to marvel at and delight in. For this is the day you made (Psalm 118:24). From the rising of this morning’s sun to its setting (Psalm 113:3), may you be praised as I rejoice…
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Is it okay to pray to Jesus?
In a Bible Study I was leading recently, a question was written on a card and handed to me. I took it home, read it, and prayed for wisdom to answer it. Here’s the question: “Jesus teaches us to pray to Father God. Why does it seem that a lot of people then pray to Jesus?” Basically, I think what was really being asked is, “Is it okay to pray to Jesus?” Apparently, there is some teaching out there (even among evangelicals) that all prayer must be directed to God the Father. What is taught is that we should not pray to Jesus. The argument made for this position is…
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When Things Get Crazy on Social Media: Responding Biblically to Firestorms
Over the weekend, a firestorm erupted over some viral videos of some high school students allegedly harassing a Native American veteran who was chanting and banging a drum. In a frenzy of name calling, people quickly ascribed disrespect, racism, and hatred to the students. The veteran made statements about the event that were also shared virally. Some media figures and a lot of Twitter users blew up the internet, condemning the students for their interpretation of what they saw. But then, more and longer videos showing the true picture of what happened became available online, and the student at the center of the original viral video released an articulate statement…
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The final victory
Title: The final victory Aim: To be prepared for the Savior’s return. Scripture: Revelation 19:1–21 The song of triumph, Revelation 19:1–10 Revelation 18 narrates the diabolical nature of Babylon and the future demise of the sinister world system that Babylon represents. First-century A.D. readers would have associated this entity with Rome. Imagine how joyous believers would be at the end of the age when the Lord destroys the demonic system of evil that has corrupted humanity since antiquity. Babylon’s demise would be so complete that no person would inhabit her again. Instead, only demonic spirits and unclean birds would make the place their hideout. The above…
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Credibility of Planned Parenthood undercover videos restored, but not our broken cultural trust
When trust totally breaks down, intimacy becomes impossible. We see and hear everything through that grid of mistrust. Marriages spiral into divorce. When trust totally breaks down in a nation we see and hear everything through that grid of mistrust. We turn to relationships and voices that share our values. An organization with a different value on life, a boy with a different red hat is immediately suspect. Nations spiral into political divorce. Unity withers and dies. It’s been a nasty week in the trenches of broken cultural trust—the boys of Covington Catholic School getting attacked because white males in red MAGA hats face-to-face with native Americans beating drums are…
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Worship While You Wait
Waiting is the hardest thing I am ever asked to do. If I am waiting for something good, then it is difficult because I am so excited and can hardly wait for the party or the present or the event to happen. If I am waiting for something bad it seems even harder. I don’t want it. Yet, I know it is coming so I just want it to happen already. How good are you at waiting? When it comes to children and waiting…well, if you are a parent, you know how draining that can be on everyone. In my last blog I talked about the importance of waiting…