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National Chain Prayer Information Video (with Scott Bond, Jr.)
Today’s post reminds you about the National Chain Prayer. It is an interview that Scott Bond, Jr. and I did to answer some frequently asked questions. If you are unfamiliar with the chain prayer, please take a moment to read this post. UPDATE: We have updated the technology side of the chain prayer to make it easier for congregations to host. Please watch the video to hear more!
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Lebanon Road Reading for September 16-22
Months: August-November Theme: Through the Bible in 122 Biographies These four months will walk through the Bible with short readings about people, from well-known to unfamiliar. Sunday, September 16: Nehemiah : Nehemiah 1-2 Monday, September 17: Esther : Esther 2:1-23; 4:1-5:8; 7:1-8:8 Tuesday, September 18: Mordecai : Esther 3:1-15; 5:9-6:14; 10 Wednesday, September 19: Job : Job 1-2 Thursday, September 20: Job’s Three Friends : Job 4-7 Friday, September 21: Elihu, the Fourth Friend : Job 32-37 Saturday, September 22: David : Psalms 3-8, 32; Romans 4:6-8 Note: This series has been adapted from Zondervan, as published at http://alextran.org/2007/11/25/23-bible-reading-plans-that-will-satisfy-anyone/.
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Saturday Night
It’s Friday morning as I write this. In two days, I will be worshiping with my family at Lebanon Road, and we will begin a Gospel Meeting. (Of course you are invited! Click here to learn more about it.) But I want to talk about tomorrow. Each Sunday morning, when I get up, I go through a pretty normal routine. That routine includes buzzing through my Twitter feed and seeing what was posted the night before. Later, of course, we head to the church building and I love visiting with my church family! We catch up on the latest news and swap stories from the past week. It is a…
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He Wasn’t Like gods!
When I read the life of Jesus Christ, there is so much to digest. One of my favorite things to do is to simply study His example in so many areas (communication, compassion, etc.) and see how I stack up. Obviously, I fall woefully short in each comparison, but I can at least be striving for improvement. Jesus was so much different than any other man. But what sets Jesus apart is that He was so much different than any other god. When we consider pagan gods, we see sensuality, mistakes, cruelty, and even death. We see foibles and fallacies. In reality, when one studies other gods he/she sees gods that…
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Year 35: I Wouldn’t Trade It for Anything
In late December, people take a look back and remember. They see highs and lows from the year gone by and often utilize those to help make plans and goals for the next year. I’m not waiting until late December. Today is my 35th birthday, and as I have been thinking over the past few days about the last year, I can’t believe what all has happened. It has probably been the most challenging year of my life. A lot of this post has to do with Lebanon Road “family” stuff, but I hope anyone reading can gain from this. I also know that I will leave out some things…
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A Long Way from Cliff and Clair
If you know us at all, you know we are huge fans of The Cosby Show. We love watching reruns on DVD and we can basically quote every line from every program. We love that show because it was legitimately funny while still holding on to good family values. The parents were in charge of the home. Discipline was administered, but so were plenty of hugs. Money was plentiful in that house, but it was clearly communicated that it came from hard work. The family taught their children history. Education was strongly stressed (both in “formal” education and in the home). And there was a regular mention of religion in…
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Lebanon Road Reading for September 9-15
Months: August-November Theme: Through the Bible in 122 Biographies These four months will walk through the Bible with short readings about people, from well-known to unfamiliar. Sunday, September 9: Jabez : 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 Monday, September 10: Asa : 2 Chronicles 14-16 Tuesday, September 11: Johshoaphat : 2 Chronicles 17-20 Wednesday, September 12: Uzziah : 2 Chronicles 26 Thursday, September 13: Manasseh : 2 Chronicles 33:1-20 Friday, September 14: Hilkiah : 2 Chronicles 34:14-33 Saturday, September 15: Ezra : Ezra 7-9 Note: This series has been adapted from Zondervan, as published at http://alextran.org/2007/11/25/23-bible-reading-plans-that-will-satisfy-anyone/.
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When Guys Get Together
Parents talk to their children–especially in the teen and preteen years–about peer pressure. Phrases like, “If everyone is doing it, that doesn’t make it okay” seem to come from some unwritten handbook on parenting. And parents have every right to be concerned about the associations, because we understand that, when people get together, it often brings out the worst in us. I can’t explain it, but it just seems to happen too often. Dads…maybe we need to listen to our own advice. I love getting together with “the guys” from time-to-time and enjoying a good time. I love the laughs and jokes. The time we spend together is wonderful and…
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Ignorance is Deadly
Too many people still hold to the old cliche, “Ignorance is bliss.” The idea is that, if I don’t know something, it can’t hurt me. Tell that to those who fought the most famous battle of the War of 1812. Very few have studied that war in depth, but most people still know that the most famous battle of that was was the Battle of New Orleans (thanks in part to Johnny Horton’s 1950s song about it!). In that battle over 430 troops lost their lives and another 1700 were injured. Additionally, as was often the case in battles of long ago, a large number of soldiers went missing (over…
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The Case for “Mirth”
Psalm 100 is a mountaintop experience in reading through the Bible. Not only is it near the exact center of Holy Writ, its message is one of gratitude, praise, and joy. Here is the entire text of this well known passage: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing! Know that the Lord, He is God! It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name! For the Lord is…
