Contributed by Terry Barnhill on Oct 10, 2004
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"Our Dungeons"
(by Rev. Terry L. Barnhill)
A story tells of a man who was imprisoned within an ancient stone dungeon. A grey shadowy jailor shook the iron lock on his daily rounds. It was the only sound that reminded the prisoner he was not alone in all the hopeless, dim and dying world of his
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Contributed by Randy Bennett on Aug 21, 2004
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Many of you I’m sure remember Charles Barkley, the NBA Basketball star who didn’t want people watching him too closely. People were disappointed with his actions and attitude on and off the court and challenged him to be a better role model. His response was basically, “Hey, I’m a basketball
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Contributed by Randy Bennett on Aug 17, 2004
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In “The Matrix,” Keanu Reeves plays a character named Thomas Anderson. He is also a computer hacker that goes by the name “Neo.” He is introduced to the Matrix and Morpheus tries to convince Neo that he is “the one.” Neo spends the entire movie denying that he is the one, a denial that is fueled by
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Contributed by John Price on Aug 14, 2004
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Thomas a Kampis - “Instant obedience is the only kind of obedience there is; delayed obedience is disobedience. Whoever strives to
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Contributed by John Gullick on May 18, 2004
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A philosopher of last century, Bertrand Russell was an outspoken atheist. He even wrote a book called Why I Am Not A Christian. When Russell was 81 years old, he was interviewed on a British Broadcasting Corporation radio talk show. The interviewer asked him what he had to hang onto when death
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One of the things all the gurus of preaching say is a necessary trait for successful preaching is to be vulnerable, transparent – to show the people you’re preaching to that you share their struggles. Allow me to be transparent for a moment.
There is a good reason why this passage has become
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Presbyterian/Reformed
based on 2 ratings
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I remember during the first war against Iraq a number of books hit the shelves tying the events of the war to the prophecies of the Bible. Imminent theologians staked their reputations on works tying the Middle East conflict of 1991 to the beginning of the end. According to their complex
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Contributed by Vernon Murray on Mar 12, 2004
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In Psalm 91:4, the poet describes the protection of God “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your SHIELD and rampart.” The truth of the promise contained in this verse was dramatically illustrated to me when God became a shield on
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Contributed by Vernon Murray on Mar 11, 2004
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Some time back, my father-in-law told me of an experience he had in the wilderness of West Virginia. He was strolling through a field when he heard the joyous chirping of a robin. He enjoyed its melodious praise for a while before his eyes caught sight of the bird. It was perched high in a wild
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Contributed by Vernon Murray on Mar 4, 2004
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Another great man, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, said, “It is hard to lead, when you look over your shoulder and there isn’t anyone there.” Well, that is what happens to Jesus. He comes to his own home town, and he looks over his shoulder and there isn’t anyone there. Well, that isn’t exactly
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Contributed by Vernon Murray on Mar 4, 2004
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The Presbytery was engaged in a major debate over the approval of the budget. Those on one side said we ought to cut the budget because the funds were not available. The other side argued that we ought to solicit more funds from the people so the budget would not have to be cut. It seemed to me
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Contributed by Vernon Murray on Mar 4, 2004
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Starting in 1817 in England, Mr. Edward Elwell turned a gun factory into a tool factory. His tools were made of the best iron and forged in one of the finest foundries of its time. His tools were made strong and they were made to last. So confident that these tools
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Presbyterian/Reformed
based on 2 ratings
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Some of you will know the name of J.B. Phillips, an Anglican bishop who wrote a number of books. One of his most popular books was a paraphrase of the New Testament. One of his other books was entitled Your God Is Too Small. In that book, Phillips exposed the views of God that we all hold to
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Presbyterian/Reformed
based on 2 ratings
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I want to show you something. When John talks about brazen sin, perpetrated by obvious sinners, he doesn’t use the image of darkness. When he wants to show us bold-faced sinners, he uses a different image. In fact, he does it in the very next chapter, chapter 4, where he introduces us to the
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Presbyterian/Reformed
based on 1 rating
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Some years ago, Richard Foster wrote a book in which he described what he thought were the three most likely forces at work in the lives of modern Americans. His list? Money, sex, and power. And, you know, it’s possible. These things may very well be the base metals we use for forging a belief
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We need not fear acknowledging the darkness within us. If you have read Dante’s Divine Comedy, you will remember that Dante described himself as being lost in the dark woods. After a while, he looked up and saw Paradise brilliantly crowning the crest of a nearby mountain. As you and I might have
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Presbyterian/Reformed
based on 3 ratings
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When I was a student at McCormick Seminary in Chicago, I took Carl Dudley’s course on culture. One day in class, he raised the issue of where people sit in church. It is so easy for us, when we’re young, to criticize those who, in our minds, get too possessive about the seat on which they stake
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Presbyterian/Reformed
based on 3 ratings
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Can you recall a time when you were close to God? So close, I mean, you could swear you heard the rustle of angels’ wings? Maybe there was an expansive feeling within, perhaps a tear at the corner of your eye?
I recall such a time. Believe it or not, I was in church. I was a student at Austin
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Presbyterian/Reformed
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. The New York Times reported, “one sagging electrical line near Cleveland, Ohio, connected with a tree branch at 3:32 p.m. on August 14, 2003, beginning a chain of events which led to the largest blackout in American history.” And there were those who though it might be terrorism.
The paper
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