Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 16, 2008
Ed Vasicek on the Parable of the Prodigal Son
If some Dr. Spock-like psychologist wrote this parable, he might say that the Prodigal left home because his father oppressed him, or that he was sheltered from life by his overly-protective mother and the poor financial prospects in a profit-driven
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Independent/Bible
Think of a group that you may belong to; a fraternity, sorority, political group, social club. Now suppose the members of this group never came together and most of them didn't even know each other. All business was done through mail. How much do you think this group would mean to its members? How
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Baptist
Suppose there was a knock on your door at 11 pm, and there were two policemen standing there, and they ask, "are you so-and-so?" Do you think you might be feeling some stress in that moment? Some fear and anxiety? But what if at 10 pm you had received a phone call: “Somebody found a wallet with
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Baptist
Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 18, 2008
On the other side of the equation, John Piper observes: “This was one of Luke’s great passions—that Christians use their possessions for the needs of others and not just for their own comforts. Luke alone tells the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30–37). Luke alone tells the parable of the
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Independent/Bible
When the full truth of God's unconditional grace dawned on Rich Mullins, he was forever changed by it...and his music and concerts were also transformed. Here's what he said to a concert audience in 1995: "However badly you think of yourself, God is crazy about you. God is in love with you.
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Christian/Church Of Christ
Bud's Last Chance
Bud wasn't a church-going man. His wife was. She was panicked when she called me one day.
"Pastor Brian, please come quickly, Bud's in trouble."
Now, I had been visiting Bud in the hospital for some time and he had never shown any desire for the Lord…but he did now. I was
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Wesleyan
Contributed by Mark Eberly on Sep 15, 2008
Object Talk: On Fire for God
[We had a display made of wooden stick matches; they pictured a fairly elaborate cross. People would take a matchstick with them and pray if they desired.]
I want to give you something. It is a symbol to remind you to give God control of the spiritual area of your
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Church Of God
Contributed by Mark Eberly on Sep 15, 2008
Ever hear this phrase? There is some truth there. In this perspective, religion is seen as something negative and even detrimental at times to one’s spiritual walk. Common conceptions here might include the idea that I really don’t need a religion or a church or a faith community as long as I still
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Church Of God
Contributed by Bob Gillchrest on Dec 1, 2008
There are many things that clamor for our obedience and obeisance. For fifty years people have become the servant of the television, the ‘boob’ tube, haven’t they? I’m thankful that we were too poor to afford anything but one of those little 12 inch black and white screened General Electric
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Baptist
Contributed by Charles Wallis on Dec 4, 2008
EMOTION
The Bee Gees and Destiny’s Child sang a song called "Emotion". The song is about the sadness of lost love.
"In the words of a broken heart it’s just emotion taking me over. Caught up in sorrow lost in the song
but if you don’t come back, Come home to me, darling,
don’t you know there’s
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Pentecostal