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Monthly Archives: February 2010
Miracles Then and Now
Craig Keener on miracles in the Gospels and today. But theological questions about supernatural causation aside, the historical question as to whether many people believed that they witnessed people cured by Jesus is more easily answered. Even today, literally hundreds … Continue reading
Poor Loser Plushenko
Evgeni Plushenko was unhappy at losing the gold medal to Evan Lysacek in the men’s figure skating at the Vancouver Olympics. He was a classic sore loser about it. When Plushenko skated out for the medal ceremony, he shook the … Continue reading
Preaching Has Velocity
My brain froze during Sunday’s sermon. Or my brain derailed. Or whatever metaphor fits. I rehearse a sermon beforehand and then in worship preach mostly from memory. I keep an outline at hand to check on as the message flows … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
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Jesus and the Spirit World
Sermon preached on Feb 21, 2010 Luke 4.1-13 CEV When Jesus returned from the Jordan River, the power of the Holy Spirit was with him, and the Spirit led him into the desert. For forty days Jesus was tested by … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
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Strong Arms of Love
Eternal God, you are kind, just and full of compassion. Let your ears be attentive to my voice today. Listen to my cry for mercy. The cords of death entangled me. The anguish of the grave took hold of me. … Continue reading
Posted in Prayers
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Embarrassed to be Myself
Divine love is incessantly restless until it turns all woundedness into strength, all deformity into beauty, all embarrassment into laughter. The Solace of Fierce Landscapes I am embarrassed of myself, embarrassed to be myself. It has always been so with … Continue reading
A Vast, Empty Expanse
In the practice of contemplation, one comes eventually to embrace an apophatic anthropology, letting go of everything one might have imagined as constituting the self — one’s thoughts, one’s desires, all one’s compulsive needs. Joined in the silence of prayer … Continue reading
Less Commentary
We have been watching the Olympics on television. The winter games are High Holy Days in our home. We both love figure skating. My wife can tell you the names and histories of most skaters. The pairs competition in particular … Continue reading
Lent and Laundry
I teach a Bible study in our children’s program each Wednesday night. My class this year includes three 5th grade girls. They have a lot of energy, and we often seem at the brink of chaos, but we don’t plunge … Continue reading
Hearing the Voice of Jesus
The Voice That Makes All Things Clear Luke 9.28-36 Sermon preached on February 14, 2010 Our scripture tonight is called the Transfiguration. It recounts the day Jesus was changed, transformed before the disciples. The traditional location for this is Mt. … Continue reading
Marriage and Membership
Church membership isn’t outdated. It needs to be redefined, Rick Warren said during a conference at Saddleback Church. Skye Jethani reports: Using Scripture to show the importance of commitment to a local congregation, Warren said membership was about being “a … Continue reading
Timothy Keller’s Robust Theology
After giving readers an account of Christian faith, Timothy Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, urges them to live out their faith in a Christian community. He is, however, aware of the dangers of church: The church of … Continue reading
The Purpose of the Bible
Two conversations about the Bible led Ryan Dueck to offer his perspective on scripture. Do I “believe” in the Bible? No, I don’t. I believe in the God that the Bible points us toward. I don’t feel compelled to use … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, Jesus
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Martial Arts Jesus
Pastor Mack looks at churches that feature mixed martial arts as a way to attract young men to the gospel: But it shouldn’t be troubling that aggressive young men look to see in Jesus a little of themselves. We all … Continue reading
Pillar to Altar
Then Jacob woke from his sleep and said, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!’ And he was afraid, and said, ‘How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, … Continue reading
Spirituality for the Rest of Us
Spirituality for the Rest of Us Isaiah 6.1-8 Sermon preached on February 7, 2010 King Uzziah died of leprosy in 742 BC. His kingdom, Judah, was in a time of stability. There were troubles on the horizon, but it was … Continue reading
Posted in Sermons
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Rainbow Arch Bridge
The Merrick Street Bridge is my favorite bridge in Adrian, especially when snow rests on the rainbow arch. It was built in 1926 and rebuilt about ten years ago. Learn more about the bridge here. The bridge spans the River … Continue reading
The Ax Comes Out
Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the … Continue reading
A Striking Insight About Youth Ministry
Formerly a youth minister, Kate Murphy is now a solo pastor in a Presbyterian congregation. Her latest experiences make her wonder about the wisdom of youth ministry programs that segregate youth from the rest of the congregation: I’ve always met … Continue reading
Pastoral Care Rationing
After 15 years in pastoral ministry, I’ve begun to use the r-word. I see a need to ration myself. I have only limited energy for pastoral care. Especially as an introvert, my tanks will run low. I felt it earlier this … Continue reading
