Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 28, 2008
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For Israel there were the Canaanite Baals, those jolly nature gods whose worship was a rampage of gluttony, drunkenness, and ritual prostitution. For us there are still the great gods Sex, Shekels, and Stomach (an unholy trinity constituting one god: self), and the other enslaving trio, Pleasure,
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Other
Contributed by Danny Presswood on Jan 26, 2009
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A friend found Socrates eyeing merchandise in the marketplace. The friend asked why he was looking, since he never bought anything. Socrates said: "Because I am always amazed to see how many things there are that I don't need."
At Christmas, Christians need to develop a new discipline. As our
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Baptist
Contributed by Michael Wiley on Feb 4, 2009
Paul prayed three times to have his thorn removed. We don’t know what the thorn was.
The Greek word used in the original text meant thorn or stake.
Some believe it was some sort of chronic ailment that plagued him (thorn in the flesh).
Some believe it was all the ongoing trials of the previous
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Christian/Church Of Christ
Contributed by Dale Krueger on Feb 7, 2009
"I'D PLAY FOR NOTHING."
Ernie Banks, the great baseball player, once said that if the management only knew, he'd play baseball for nothing, he loved the game so much. His enormous salary did not compel him to endure the work to earn it, but the game itself was so enticing that the love of it bound
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Lutheran
Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Feb 23, 2009
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STANDING OUT
I remember an experience as a 16-year-old, Salvation Army soldier. I was walking to the church from my house for Bible study. In those days, soldiers wore uniforms to every church function. On route to the church, there were 12 or 15 peers hanging outside the pool hall that I had to
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Salvation Army
Contributed by Paul Wallace on Apr 1, 2009
“Is it possible for God to cleanse me from all sin and enable me (for any extended period of time) to live above known, willful, and conscious sin?” A young lady asked, who had been raised in a holiness church. Dr Hermiz asked two questions. Is the atonement of Jesus inadequate to enable us to
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Wesleyan
Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 27, 2009
THREE PHASES TO AN ENJOYABLE LIFE
When I was a boy, I would watch the space launches on TV. The rockets were in three phases. As it got so high, the lowest section of the rocket would drop off. Then the second section would drop off until only the capsule would remain. It took all three sections
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Independent/Bible
Contributed by Richard Francis on May 10, 2009
DISCIPLESHIP THROUGH REPENTANCE
As A. W. Tozer said, "A growing Christian must have at his roots the life-giving waters of penitence. The cultivation of a penitential spirit is absolutely essential to spiritual progress. The lives of great saints teach us that self-distrust is vital to godliness.
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Evangelical/Non-Denominational
Walt Disney is given credit for an important one-liner: change is inevitable; growth is optional. Nancy Adler likens the challenge implied in this truth to a hot-air balloon ready for flight. The only thing preventing the balloonist’s soaring into the air is the load of sand ballast holding it
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Catholic
Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Jun 11, 2009
Joni Eareckson Tada
"One hot July afternoon in 1967, I dove into a shallow lake and my life changed forever. I suffered a spinal cord fracture that left me paralyzed from the neck down, without use of my hands and legs. Lying in my hospital bed, I tried desperately to make sense of the horrible
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Salvation Army
Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jul 13, 2009
How far do we take this? Jesus doesn’t say. I can’t tell you but I can make suggestions that push you to a greater dependence on God and a greater obedience.
Albert Schweitzer left his status as a professor, gave up his organ playing and went to Africa as a missionary doctor. He believed this
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Church Of God
Contributed by Terry Barnhill on Oct 25, 2009
What Is Heaven?
By Terry Barnhill
What is heaven,
and why such hope upon it?
Heaven is already here
By faith in Christ who brought His kingdom near.
"Carpe diem," said ancient Horace,
"quam minimum credula postero."
"Seize the day trusting not in tomorrow."
Our hope is in the promises of
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Presbyterian/Reformed
Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Nov 22, 2009
Media specialist James Caan, was offering advice to one who struggled to break into the industry. His advice will serve us well in persistent attitudes. Caan said, “There’s no secret to securing the break that you seek – persistence, persistence, persistence. It’s not unusual to hear of people
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Salvation Army
Contributed by Nathan Ingram on Nov 30, 2009
If have cable or satellite TV, you likely have hundreds of channels. Anything you can imagine at any hour of the day. But no matter where you are in the country, no matter what time of day you turn on the tv you’ll always find 3 things on…
A reality TV show… Somebody selling gaudy jewelry, and
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Independent/Bible
Contributed by Greg Bond on Dec 28, 2009
OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN...
Jesus says that every time we come to God in prayer, we should begin with this pattern of recognition. Coming to Him in this way encourages and increases our expectations because we see Him as He is. Coming to Him in this way establishes our faith because we see
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Pentecostal
Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 22, 2010
BROKEN STEEL BELTS
It is impossible to be prepared for every error around. When I bought my dad's old car, it had been sitting idle for a year. He had hardly used it; even the tires were original -- nine years old. When I brought it in for a flat tire, the mechanic fixed it and all seemed well.
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Independent/Bible
The theme of development can be identified with the
inclusion-in-relation of all individuals and peoples within the one
community of the human family, built in solidarity on the basis of the
fundamental values of justice and peace. This perspective is illuminated
in a
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Catholic
Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Mar 25, 2010
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A MENTOR'S ENCOURAGEMENT
In my office hangs a tie and a pair of suspenders enclosed in a glass and wood case. Those mementos belonged to my academic advisor, mentor and friend from my days in seminary - the late Dr. Gary McGee. About half way through my program, I stood in his office tired, burned
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Denomination:
Methodist