The Obituary of Jesus
Have you ever considered the obituary of Jesus?
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new testament
Called into 2025
When I was growing up in a legalistic religious system, there was a lot of talk about receiving ‘the call.’ That ‘call’ usually centered around some type of known ministry: pastors, missionaries, vocational training for a future nonprofit. Missionaries were at the top of the elite pedestal, so altar calls often included the opportunity to
How to Identify a Christian
Many of us Jesus-followers no longer use the identifier of ‘Christian,’ because it has been so misused within the last several years. But if you are looking for those who follow the teachings of Jesus, how do you find them? You follow the path of nature. You look for the fruit. We identify fruit trees
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Hope in the ‘Let Not’
“Do not let your heart be troubled” (John 14:1). The Amplified version describes this ‘troubling’ as being ‘distressed, agitated, fearful, disturbed, intimidated, or unsettled.’ Quite a list of troubling adjectives. And sometimes, each of them describes how I feel. The real problem comes when they all bundle together to make a giant troubled heart. We
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Hope’s Interpretation
As my son deposited his first check from a ‘real’ job, I encouraged him to give some away. “Even if you think you don’t have enough to spare, give anyway. You’ll discover God’s math is different from our math. He can make money multiply out of nothing.” Through the years, I have underscored this principle
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Hope in Thanksgiving Prayers
A good friend recently reminded me to check out Philippians 4:6. Those of us who have lived a lifetime of faith-walking sometimes forget the most elemental principles. We need to be reminded—and often—of how to continue growing as disciples, even if we are now at the point of discipling others. The section I focused on
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Hope Searches for a Song
My deck umbrella waves in the slight April wind as I ponder in its shade. God has granted a beautiful spring morning. A time for reflection. So beautiful outside yet not so lovely within. Every stinkin’ day for several weeks, some type of something has gone wrong. It seems as if my life is shadowed
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Hope Within the Emptiness
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, we focus on gifts, decorations, activities, and family gatherings. Many denominations make Christmas the most ‘wonderful time of the year.’ Yet for Jesus followers, our focus should be that empty tomb. The Lenten season leads up to the hosannas of Palm Sunday, the tragedy of Good Friday, and
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Hope in the Cross
Throughout history, man’s inhumanity to man has manifested in various ways: the Trail of Tears, the Holocaust, and brutal executions such as crucifixion. We sometimes glorify the cross as a beautiful symbol. Symmetrical. A lovely collection of cross décor on our walls. Jewelry we wear to show what we believe. Decals on the car. But
Finding Hope through Singing
My deck umbrella waves in the slight spring wind as I sit under its shade. God has granted a beautiful morning and time for reflection. So beautiful outside yet not so lovely within. Still struggling with grief and questions about ‘tomorrow.’ Disgusted with myself that I cannot find even a drop of joy when I
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