Archive for June, 2008
« Previous EntriesThe Growing Church: Part 3
Monday, June 30th, 2008Part 3 of series: The Growing Church: A Bible Study in Ephesians 4
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Note: Of course I’m aware of the recent actions of the General Assembly, and am deeply concerned about them. I’ll have things to say about them in a few days. But I want to continue […]
Sunday Inspiration from The High Calling
Sunday, June 29th, 2008Not Peace, but a Sword
READ Matthew 10:34-42
”Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.”
Matthew 10:34
At first glance, we might recoil from this statement of Jesus. Isn’t he the Prince of Peace? Hasn’t he come to bring peace on earth? Didn’t Jesus […]
A Miraculous Cure for Bug Bite Itching?
Saturday, June 28th, 2008First of all, let me be clear that I am not a doctor. (Well, okay, I have a Ph.D. But I’m not a medical doctor.) One should never take my medical advice too seriously.
Second, let me add that I’m generally very suspicious of “home remedies” for bodily ills, especially when they’re found on the Internet. […]
The Growing Church: Part 2
Friday, June 27th, 2008Part 2 of series: The Growing Church: A Bible Study in Ephesians 4 Permalink for this post / Permalink for this series
This is the second part of my address to the Presbyterians for Renewal breakfast at the General Assembly of the PCUSA. The first part included a […]
The Growing Church: Part 1
Thursday, June 26th, 2008Part 1 of series: The Growing Church: A Bible Study in Ephesians 4
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This is the first part of my address to the Presbyterians for Renewal breakfast at the General Assembly of the PCUSA.
Preface
First of all, I want to thank you for coming out this morning . . […]
Introduction to A Growing Church: A Bible Study in Ephesians 4
Wednesday, June 25th, 2008Today I had the opportunity speak at the Presbyterians for Renewal (PFR) breakfast associated with the Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly in San Jose, California. This was a special privilege because I have such high regard for PFR and its ministries. But it was also a challenging opportunity because many signs at are our General […]
Choosing a Church: Final Comments
Monday, June 23rd, 2008Part 16 of series: Choosing a Church: Some Recommendations
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This will be my final post in this series on choosing a church. Of course I could always say more about this subject, but I think I’ve said what needs to be said, more or less.
Here, in summary, are […]
Sunday Inspiration from The High Calling
Sunday, June 22nd, 2008Jesus Forgives Sins
READ Matthew 9:1-8
Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.”
Matthew 9:2
It’s easy for us to read the story of Jesus forgiving and healing the paralyzed man without being unsettled or even surprised. […]
Recommendation #12: If you have children, choose a church that will help them to know Christ and to grow as his disciples.
Friday, June 20th, 2008Part 15 of series: Choosing a Church: Some Recommendations
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Obviously, if you don’t have children, then this recommendation isn’t relevant to you. But many who are in the process of looking for a church do have children. In some cases, they are church shopping precisely because they have […]
Recommendation #11: Choose a church that values the Bible as God’s uniquely inspired and authoritative Word.
Thursday, June 19th, 2008Part 14 of series: Choosing a Church: Some Recommendations
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If I had been approaching this series on choosing a church more systematically, as if I were writing a book rather than a series of blog posts, odds are this recommendation would have appeared much higher on the list. […]
Recommendation #10: Choose a church that sees itself and seeks to live as an outpost of the mission of God in the world.
Tuesday, June 17th, 2008Part 13 of series: Choosing a Church: Some Recommendations
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Today I’ll suggest Recommendation #10: Choose a church that sees itself and seeks to live as an outpost of the mission of God in the world.
I could have just said “Choose a missional church,” but many of my readers […]
Recommendation #9: Choose a church where you will grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Monday, June 16th, 2008Part 12 of series: Choosing a Church: Some Recommendations
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Many Christians see life in this world mostly as waiting around until the train arrives to take us to heaven. They don’t realize that this world in a place were we are supposed to serve and honor God by […]
Sunday Inspiration from The High Calling
Sunday, June 15th, 2008The Golden Rule
READ Matthew 7:12
”Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”
Matthew 7:12
We find versions of the so-called “Golden Rule” in the ethical teachings of many philosophers and religions. Yet these versions almost always take […]
Recommendation #8: Choose a church where you will be equipped and encouraged to live out your life as a minister of Christ.
Friday, June 13th, 2008Part 11 of series: Choosing a Church: Some Recommendations
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You might expect the Senior Director of Laity Lodge to say something like this. After all, I’m part of an organization committed to the ministry of the laity, the non-ordained people of God, if you will. But the idea […]
Jeremiah Wright and Otis Moss Clarify the Reasons for the Delay in Rev. Moss’s Installation as Senior Pastor
Wednesday, June 11th, 2008On Monday I put up a post having to do with the delay in the retirement of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright from Trinity United Church of Christ. My post was based largely on an article from the TIME website called “The Unretirement of Reverend Wright.” According to this article, Rev. Wright used his power […]
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