REFLECT Days before the turkey had been carved, the sweet potato casserole devoured, and the leftovers put away for the next several days of creative menus, the commercials were enticing us to the stores for “Black Friday” specials! Contrary to “Black (or Good) Friday” before Easter – the day ...
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REFLECT Anyone with a pulse is aware of the financial challenge our nation faces. Almost overnight, we have been inundated with words like “billions and trillions”… numbers too big for my comprehension. People are asking a lot of questions: How did we get here? Why didn’t the government step...
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At the age of ten, my house was located across the street from a small Catholic church. One afternoon on my way home from school, the priest was on the front stoop of the church. He asked me if I would help him carry a small table into the sanctuary. To my knowledge, I had never bee...
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One glance at the evening news floods our senses with the reality of war, economic recession, crime, and a growing awareness of an eroding morality. Flipping channels doesn’t help. It appears that everywhere we turn, we are faced with these types of problems. I recently filled my...
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I’m convinced that much of life is consumed with waiting. I often feel that I’m stuck in a long line that delays my personal gratification and fulfillment. Candidly, I get tired of waiting. Even “fast food” isn’t quick enough for me. It’s hard to see any benefit in waiting; especiall...
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While in prison in Rome, Paul the apostle wrote a letter to Christians living in Philippi. Paul, along with his ministry associate, Silas, had proclaimed the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus in Philippi, and were instrumental in establishing the first church in Europe. However, the su...
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A little over a year ago, I had the experience of floating in the Dead Sea. I was so buoyant in the water it amazed me. Try as hard as I could, it was impossible for me to go under! I found myself thinking: “It’s possible to cross this sea without ever going under water”. However,...
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When Jesus appeared to the disciples after his resurrection, his first words were: “Peace be with you.” I suspect these words were far more than a casual greeting. After all, these men had left their vocations to follow Jesus. Perhaps it was his charisma. His words were inviti...
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In Christianity, Holy Week is the last week before Easter. Many choose to commemorate the last week of the earthly life of Jesus, remembering his entrance into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), the Last Supper with his disciples (Maundy Thursday), his betrayal, trial, crucifixion, death, and b...
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Thinking Great in 2008! The human brain is an amazing organ. It controls the central nervous system (CNS), by way of the cranial nerves and spinal cord, the peripheral nervous system (PNS), and regulates virtually all human activity. The brain unconsciously governs our heart r...
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Evangelism or Worship: Which Comes First? The great commission remains a motivating influence for evangelicals (see Mt. 28:19-20). Jesus’ words to his disciples remind us of our responsibility to be active in outreach that leads to true conversion. Ask any pastor or worship lea...
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Reflections
General
