US vs. GOD

WE ARE…. Are more fragile than we think we are. Are more self-righteous than we think we are. Are more broken than we think we are. Are prouder than we think we are. Are less in control than we think we are. Are more judgmental than we think we are....

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BECAUSE I SAID SO….

Anyone who interacts with children will immediately understand the temptation to simply reply with “Because I Said so.” when wanting them to obey. There are two ways imperatives can be given. The way of force, which includes judgment, has the attitude of “Why can’t you just do as I say?”...

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LOVING OTHERS WITH ACTION

Why do I have difficulty loving some people? Luke 10:30-34 (NIV) In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be...

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THE SOURCE OF OUR RESOURCES

The twelve disciples continue to be a source of inspiration and learning. This week, we see them stumble again, experiencing again the hard lesson that Jesus is the only one who can meet their needs, whether they were looking for bread to eat, or peace in a storm. How often...

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THE GREAT TENSION

Christ prayed for us to be in the world, but not of the world. Innocent as doves but wise as serpents. In. Not of. Being in the world means we are NOT to separate ourselves from those that need Christ. “In the world” means being exposed  to  the sin  of  the  world without actually participating,...

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PROMISE AND POWER

In an article from March 29, 2021, Gallup reported (Jeffrey M. Jones, Gallup News) that less than half of adult Americans have a formal membership with a specific house of worship, down more than 20 points over the past two decades. Gallup reports that the decline in church membership is...

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PRIORITIES LEAD TO CHOICES

The choices we make , or have made , define the trajectory of our lives. If we believe the world, we would chase many possessions, with money being the primary target.  If we believe God, we would choose Christ, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us in every aspect of...

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HEARING

Sunday morning, Pastor Lawrence emphasized the difference between types of hearing. As used colloquially in English, and as defined by Webster’s, “hearing” is a physical act of the ear. It is sound waves, and vibrations. Processing of that information may or may not occur. The Hebrew word for hearing, however,...

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