Church Life
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Are We Distracted?
Covid-19. Social unrest. A Presidential election. And on and on and on it goes. Just thinking about all the “big” news stories of the last few weeks is amazing. We are living in times where many people are wondering if we can actually handle any more “big” news. (I hope we have seen enough to realize that “breaking news” needs to be more than just some celebrity marriage proposal!) Christians are in this world, and, as such, we have feelings and opinions on all these types of matters. We are thinking about how to handle an ongoing pandemic, and we are talking about it. We have thoughts on Black Lives…
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Have You Looked in the Mirror Lately?
Jim and I went out for breakfast recently and, while we were enjoying our breakfast, a woman came in who, I would guess, was middle aged. She was rather large and was wearing really short shorts and a skimpy top. The thought crossed my mind – have you looked in a mirror lately? However, this is not a post about immodest apparel or even one about judging people by what they are wearing or even what they are doing. It’s so easy to do that and come away from it thinking that we are better somehow than others. It is a post about something that has been occupying my mind a…
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My Biggest Concern as the Pandemic Goes On
For the better part of six months now, we have been dealing with coronavirus restrictions and changes. Our schools, jobs, recreation, shopping, and even our churches have had to do things differently. Every aspect of our lives has been touched to some degree. As a preacher, I have some serious concerns over what all of this is doing to individual Christians and to each congregation. But there is one concern I have that is greater than any other. What is it? Well… My biggest concern is NOT lower attendance or giving numbers. Yes, it is difficult to preach to a room that is half-full (or less), but I know that…
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A Smile, A Thought, & A Tear
As many of you know, I love humor. I enjoy a good, clean joke. I enjoy being around people who can share humorous experiences. I just love to laugh and I love to be around people who laugh. I even enjoy laughing at myself. When you mess up and do as many stupid things as I do, that’s not a bad trait to have. It seems to me that, sometimes, the most effective humor contains a kernel of truth. There are times when there is much more than merely that kernel. There are times when humor can make a person stop and think. There are even times when that thinking causes a person to think seriously and…
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Called to the Principal’s Office
“Mrs. Smith, we need to see Johnny in the principal’s office please.” Words like these are usually uttered in a stern tone and send fear into the heart of many elementary students every year. I think it is interesting that we teach children to remember the difference in “principal” and “principle” is that the one ending with “pal” is the person at your school and yet no one wants to be called to their “pal’s” office! Well, let me tell you, it doesn’t feel any better as an adult! Now, anyone who knows me well knows how much I respect my principal. She is caring, professional, supportive, and kind. She…
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Reconnecting During Coronavirus
Imagine knowing you have wanted to find someone for years–even decades–only to be brought together by coronavirus. That actually happened to two women in Nebraska recently. They were sisters, but had been separated for over 50 years. Sisters by the same father, but not the same mother, they both knew each other existed, but could not find contact information. The older, now 73, contracted coronavirus and suffered a fall in her weakness, breaking an arm. She had to go to a nursing home for at least part of her recovery. The younger, 53, works as a medication aide at that exact nursing home. When she looked over the patient list,…
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10 Rules for Happier Living
I was going through some “online files” recently and found the material below. I wish I knew the source of this, but I do not. Somebody besides me deserves the credit. I realize that this post is shorter than normal, but I know somebody who needs to read and heed it. I see him every time I look into the mirror. Maybe this will be of benefit to you as well. — Jim Faughn —————– Ten Rules for Happier Living 1. Give something away (no strings attached). 2. Do a kindness (and forget it). 3. Spend a few minutes with the aged (their experience is a priceless guidance). 4. Look intently into…
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The Devil is After Me!
I know a lot of people say that the devil is after them in a joking way. I’m not joking! For several months now, I have felt like I am under attack, and, no matter how hard I try, it still seems like the devil is right there just two steps behind me and has me in his sights. I know I’m not alone in the way I am feeling because when I spend any time on Facebook, I see this same sentiment (or something like it) from many of my friends and acquaintances. I know the Bible descriptions of how Satan comes after us, “…Your adversary, the devil, prowls around…
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Can I Be a Christian and a Patriot?
We are living in times where there is a powerful tug-of-war over huge issues. Even Christians are debating things that are, thankfully, causing a great deal of study and thought. We dare not just answer with our own opinions or with concepts that have not been studied in light of Scripture. One of those issues is patriotism. In an election year, that issue is always heightened, but also, with the great civic and social unrest of the last few months, this discussion has only gained more traction. Honestly, these are the types of issues we need to consider deeply, and often. The truth is quite nuanced, I believe. This post…
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Not Merely a Sign of Age
What do the following have in common? The year of a devastating flood in our areaThe year of my birthThe year of John F. Kennedy’s assassinationThe year of our oldest child’s birthThe year of the events we now refer to as “9-11”The year during which people are dealing with Covid-19 Here are some hints. My parents lived through what those of that generation who are still with us refer to as “the ‘37 flood.” Since that was a little more than a decade before I was born, it really doesn’t mean as much to me as it did to those who experienced it. What was reality for them is history for me.…
