Church Life
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The Christian’s Social Media Checklist
Social media is a constant in our lives. I sometimes wonder if future generations are going to wonder why half of our words started with a “#”! We spend hours on Facebook, Instagram (or, for you cool kids, “insta” or “the gram”), Twitter, and a host of other smaller platforms. There is so much good that can be done through social media, as we are able to share Bible verses, links to good articles (maybe this one? hint, hint), ideas of church activities, and more. But with the good also comes a lot of bad. False information. Arguments. Biting sarcasm. Even idolatry, as we post far more about some earthly…
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September 12th: A Full Mast Day
Driving down Willow Avenue towards the church building for work on a Thursday morning I saw something that made me pause and be thankful. It was a flag at full mast. The day before, our country had commemorated 9/11 and every flag was flown at half-mast. We were remembering and still mourning a terrible event that happened in America 18 years ago. There are certain days that will always be half-mast days. Have you ever seen a flag at half-mast and not know why it had been lowered? If you have, then perhaps you found yourself quickly checking the news. This reminds me that oftentimes people are in mourning over…
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A Combination That is Difficult to Beat
One of my favorite books in the Old Testament is the book of Nehemiah. It, of course, provides the reader with details concerning the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. From a historical perspective, that makes it interesting. However, that is not the only thing that intrigues me about this book. There are a number of lessons that are still useful for us today. Without going into detail, I would suggest, for example, that present-day leaders could learn a great deal from the qualities, personality, strategies, etc. of Nehemiah himself. We can also learn a lot from the people who “…had a mind to work” (Neh. 4:6). The book of Nehemiah contains one…
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It Made My Day!
I’ve been going to the gym lately trying to keep my knee joints moving so I can keep my own knees and not end up with some foreign parts in my body. I can hardly believe it, but I really like going. I get up early, throw on some exercise clothes, brush my teeth and hair and drive to the gym. I’ve met a few really nice people there. The young man named Joe, who helped me learn how to use the machines, was very kind to this older lady who needed a lot of help. There are a couple of women about my age who also happen to like the early…
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Lessons from 10 Years on the Road
Lord willing, tomorrow I will finish 10 years. Let me explain. 10 years ago, I could not stand how I felt. While I had (and have) a minor medical condition, it was more than that. I had gained some weight. I was lethargic. To say I was out of shape would be an understatement. So, on September 13, at 6:00 AM, I got up and went outside for a walk. The walk did not last long–about 20 minutes–, but I told myself that this was the beginning of something that I was going to stick with no matter what. That first winter, I remember the day when I knew I…
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Ezekiel’s Wife
What is the one blessing in your life that causes you the greatest amount of joy? What is the desire of your heart? What if that one thing that has become the pinnacle of your existence was to be removed? How would you respond? In the book of Ezekiel God sends a very difficult message to Judah by way of a sign in the life of this faithful prophet. Can you guess what it is? Ezekiel’s wife dies. That’s right, she dies. Ezekiel is even then told by God that he is not to mourn at the sudden loss of his wife but to rather sigh in silence. He is…
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“Whatever the Cost” : 3 Words that Make Me Think
Do you ever stop to think about the words you sing as you worship? Since we are supposed to “…sing with the spirit…and with the understanding…” (1 Cor. 14:15), it seems to me that this would be an advisable thing to do. At times, this is also a sobering thing to do. In fact, it could be downright challenging. I love the song, “I Believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary.” I especially like the sentiment expressed in these words: “And when time has surrendered and earth is no more, I’ll still cling to the old rugged cross.” However, there are some lyrics right before those words that challenge me. If I’m really engaged…
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Thank God for Squirming Kids: Why Congregations Should Reconsider Children’s Church
It seems to be happening in more and more places. It is about time for the sermon to begin, and a boatload of parents carry or walk their precious children to a different part of the building and then return for the lesson. The kids are in “children’s church” and the adults are in what is sometimes jokingly called “big church.” Today, I want to urge congregations to rethink this approach. Typically, when people want to start (or defend) “children’s church,” they give the same couple of reasons. Admittedly, both are understandable, but both also need to be thought through carefully. Some suggest that children’s church gives young people a…
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What’s the Temperature Where You Worship?
Do you have “thermostat wars” where you worship? Regardless of the season of the year, it is not unusual for there to be complaints about the temperature in places of worship. Some of us may have even seen a number of people walk by the appropriate thermostat and set it to their individual preferences. I even heard of one place where the active thermostat was hidden away and some “dummy” ones were placed where people could think that they were accomplishing something by adjusting them. It is remarkable what we will do to benefit our physical comfort. Did you know that there are people who are more concerned than you are about…
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I Beg Your Pardon
I don’t remember how many years ago it was when I first heard the song Rose Garden, sung by Lynn Anderson. It has a really catchy tune and in part the chorus lyrics said: “I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden. Along with the sunshine, there’s gotta be a little rain sometime.” I think the reason this song comes to my mind on occasion is simply because the words to this chorus are so true. Life is like that – some days are sunny and full of good things, but others are cloudy, gloomy, and full of trouble. Life isn’t a rose garden! Often, we may leave the impression…
