Contributed by Jim Kane on May 18, 2009
We live, I believe, in a new time, a new age, in which the old ways and practices no longer work. This is 2009, not 1959 nor 1969 nor 1979 nor 1989 or even 1999. The assumptions about Christianity and the Church,
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Contributed by Jim Kane on May 18, 2009
FAREWELL, PRESIDENT
An on-line friend directed my attention this week by to a recently published note by one of our nation’s most distinguished church historians, Dr. Martin Marty on the eve of President Obama’s inauguration. It was titled, "Farewell, President" and in it he quoted the late
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Contributed by Mark Eberly on May 12, 2009
ONE WAY TO WIN: BET IT ALL
God has the answers that we need. I often see people not trusting in God and truly seeking His face. Worshiping with others and seeking out the answers that we are looking for is often done superficially. We show up once or twice and wonder why "church" doesn't seem to
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Contributed by Mark Eberly on May 4, 2009
Often people want to be mighty oaks. They want to be seen as strong and tall and be looked up to. We want the attention. We want to be admired. Except we don’t want to take the time to grow strong, deep roots. Jesus says that he want to make it as clear as possible. God is doing a great and new
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Contributed by Mark Eberly on Apr 28, 2009
WELCOME HOME!
Have you seen the show, “Extreme Home Makeover.” A powerful example of helping people and answering the question, “Who is your neighbor?” At the end of the show, Ty always closes with two words. It is the same two words
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Contributed by Mark Eberly on Apr 28, 2009
HOW'S MY DRIVING?
A lot of trucks have a sticker on the back that says, "How’s my driving? Call xxx-xxxx to report." This is supposed to make the driver accountable. In Ireland, most people drive very, very courteously. They have roundabouts instead of lights (they do have some lights) where
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Contributed by Mark Eberly on Apr 28, 2009
GRACE IS FOR EVERYONE: 3:10 TO YUMA
One of the main themes that we find in a lot (although not all) of Jesus’ parables is God’s grace. Specifically, they often point towards God’s limitless grace. That was a central part of last week’s parable: Grace demands our response.
I want to start with a
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Contributed by Johnny Creasong on Apr 23, 2009
Most of us have never been to Nisswa, Minnesota, but I, for one, would like to go there someday. And when I go, I need to plan to stay over for Wednesday night. Not that I want to go to church there (Sorry about that, Chief!). No, the reason I want to visit Nisswa is for the Turtle Races. Every
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Contributed by Johnny Creasong on Apr 23, 2009
WORSHIP WILL NEVER CEASE
There is coming a day when witnessing will cease; preaching will cease; in fact, praying will cease. But worship will never cease! The
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Contributed by Johnny Creasong on Apr 22, 2009
Some folk must really get into their Sunday School lesson because they are so worn out by the time the sermon rolls around that they just can’t help but fall asleep! Or maybe they have worked up such a sweat during the music that they are plumb tuckered out! Perhaps those taking forty winks
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Contributed by Johnny Creasong on Apr 22, 2009
FALLING ASLEEP IN CHURCH
Please don't think I'm complaining about folks who fall asleep in church. I understand some people can’t help it. I am convinced that some people fall asleep in church during the sermon because their have a physical ailment. Some folk must have a snooze button attached at
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Contributed by Mark Eberly on Apr 21, 2009
Speaking of abuse… have you seen those energy drinks that are out there. This may not always hold true but it seems to me that these often are marketed to promote the potential abuse of caffeine. Caffeine isn’t that bad, you may say. It isn’t like a narcotic. But I wonder if we abuse something less
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Contributed by Mark Eberly on Apr 21, 2009
Now Simon has a point. This woman although not specifically pointed out as a prostitute very likely was one. She was kissing Jesus’ feet at the dinner table, no less. Ritual purity especially with meals was a huge issue for Pharisees. Her hair was down, which could indicate a woman of questionable
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Contributed by Mark Eberly on Apr 21, 2009
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So often, it seems like people and even churches want grace without responsibility. With forgiveness comes a responsibility to be forgiving. Our response comes through the ability to confess our love to Jesus and confess our shortcomings, our flaws, and our sins. It is the response to grace that
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Contributed by Mark Eberly on Apr 13, 2009
Down at the Upper Room, sometimes there are guys down there that are simply repulsive. Most aren’t that bad. But there are a few. I remember Danny. He has passed on. But Danny was quite a case. He stank. He peed himself and the urine odor was enough to make you wretch. This is not an exaggeration.
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Contributed by Mark Eberly on Apr 13, 2009
OBJECT LESSON: NEW SOCKS
One of the things that our church does is that we give out new socks to some of the homeless men and women. You walk around and sleep here and there, and even if you take care of yourself and shower, your socks get dirty. When you’ve been wearing probably the same clothes
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Contributed by Mark Eberly on Apr 13, 2009
OBJECT LESSON: THE MOP HEAD
I have here a mop head that I recently replaced at the Upper Room. This has been used to mop urine. I know, because I mopped up when this guy urinated all over himself, the couch he was sitting on, and the floor while he was asleep. It has mopped up the filth that was
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Contributed by Mark Eberly on Apr 6, 2009
I want to share one more time from our trip. On the ship, we had an inside cabin. There were two long hallways running the length of the ship that had access to cabins on either side. The cabins along one side all were on the outside and therefore had windows. The cabins on the other side were
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