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Archive for February, 2009

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God Bless John Wayne!?

Saturday, February 28th, 2009

Well, you don’t see that bumper sticker everyday. Oh, I suppose “Standing Tall” and “Let’s Roll” can be seen here and there, especially in Texas. But “God Bless John Wayne” is a rarity, at least in my experience.
I wonder if this proud Texan realizes that he’s asking the Almighty to bless a bona fide resident […]

Do You Have to Give Up Something for Lent?

Friday, February 27th, 2009

Part 2 of series: How Lent Can Make a Difference in Your Relationship with God (2009)
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I grew up hearing about Catholics who had to fast during the season of Lent. No meat on Fridays, only fish. This, you must understand, was a costly sacrifice in the […]

How Lent Can Make a Difference in Your Relationship with God

Thursday, February 26th, 2009

Part 1 of series: How Lent Can Make a Difference in Your Relationship with God (2009)
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Preface
For the past several years, I have followed my posts on Ash Wednesday with a discussion of Lent. I am doing the same this year. Some of what you read in this […]

Staring Death in the Face (2009)

Wednesday, February 25th, 2009

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The denial of death . . . it’s all around us. When people die, they are often alone, sequestered in hospitals far away from the sad eyes of friends and family. If someone happens to die at home, the corpse is quickly sent away from the grieving […]

What is Ash Wednesday?

Tuesday, February 24th, 2009

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Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. As has been my tradition for several years, in today’s post I will explain some of the basics about this holy day. Tomorrow I’ll add some Ash Wednesday reflections.
What is Ash Wednesday? For most of my life, I didn’t ask this question, nor […]

Slumdog Millionaire Wins!

Monday, February 23rd, 2009

Slumdog Millionaire prevailed at last night’s Oscars, winning eight academy awards, including Best Director and Best Picture. It beat a strong field of films, including my personal favorite, Frost/Nixon. But I was pleased that Slumdog Millionaire won. It’s a fine movie, wonderfully filmed and acted.
Some of the promotional material for the movie proclaims: The Feel […]

Sunday Inspiration from The High Calling

Sunday, February 22nd, 2009

Worshiping God in Our Daily Lives
READ Psalm 15:1-5
 Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD?
Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,
speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
Psalm 15:1-2
Psalm 15 begins with the question of who may worship in God’s sanctuary. The answer: “Those who lead […]

Why Are Protestants More Loyal to Their Toothpaste Than to Their Denomination? Section 2

Friday, February 20th, 2009

Part 3 of series: Denominations, Toothpaste, and Toilet Paper
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Yesterday I began reflecting on the recent discover that Protestants in American are more loyal to their toothpaste than to their denomination. I suggested that, for many of us, we consider our “brand” to be Christian rather than “Presbyterian” […]

Why Are Protestants More Loyal to Their Toothpaste Than to Their Denomination?

Thursday, February 19th, 2009

Part 2 of series: Denominations, Toothpaste, and Toilet Paper
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In yesterday’s post I summarized the results of an Ellison Research that found American Protestants to be more loyal to their brand of toothpaste than to their brand of church (i.e. denomination). Although I have neither the technical details […]

Denominations, Toothpaste, and Toilet Paper: Just the Facts, Ma’am

Wednesday, February 18th, 2009

Part 1 of series: Denominations, Toothpaste, and Toilet Paper
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A recent USA Today headline caught my eye: “U.S. Protestants more loyal to toothpaste brand than church?” Ouch! This isn’t something that a clergyman from a Protestant denomination wants to read in the morning paper. But, like it or […]

Don’t Swing Too Far on the Pendulum

Tuesday, February 17th, 2009

Part 8 of series: Advice for Pastor Search Committees
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I’m going to wrap up this series today, at least for now. As always, I reserve the right to come back to this subject in the future.
So far, I’ve suggested that pastor search committees should:
1. Seek first the kingdom […]

Closed on Sunday

Monday, February 16th, 2009

As I was driving along in San Antonio recently, I glimpsed a sign that grabbed my attention. Since I wasn’t quite sure I saw it right, I did a big loop to confirm my I had seen (not an easy task with San Antonio frontage roads, by the way). Sure enough, at the Las Palapas […]

Sunday Inspiration from The High Calling

Sunday, February 15th, 2009

“How Long Will you Forget Me?”
Psalm 13:1-6
O LORD, how long will you forget me? Forever?
How long will you look the other way?
Psalm 13:1
Psalm 13 is a desperate cry to God. It is an example of the groaning prayers we’ve been considering in recent Daily Reflections. David’s soul was filled with anguish because of the apparent […]

Spiritual Warfare?

Friday, February 13th, 2009

Yesterday I shared the distressing news that the “NCAA Disciplines Incarnate Word.” And I never knew Jesus had a team!
My commenters got me inspired to look for other headlines with a religious theme. I found a few in several minutes of web surfing:
St. Joseph Beats St. Anne
St. Mel Ousts Holy Trinity

Doesn’t speak well of St. […]

Bad News for the Son of God

Thursday, February 12th, 2009

First it was Barry Bonds. Then Marion Jones. Then Michael Phelps. Then A-Rod. Now look who’s in trouble for violations of athletic regulations. Yikes!

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