Tag: christ
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The Opportunity You Can’t See Yet
You look around and nothing seems promising. The only way ahead, it would seem, is to keep trudging along. It feels wrong and it sounds hopeless. No opportunities have come up and you’re running out of ones to dream of. Hang in there. Nothing is impossible with God. That means that when there is no…
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Praise the Most High!
I got dizzy as I crouched in yet another spot and angled the camera again. Though I tried very hard, I just couldn’t fit the lighthouse in one shot. It’s highest height was just too high. There was something satisfying about surrendering my desired photo perspective to just sit there and look up. My interest…
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A Sure Foundation
One by one. Ever so carefully. We stacked the pieces with fingers crossed. The tower stood tall, having occupied myself, a teenage helper, and several nursery kiddos for most of our time together. All it took was one wide-eyed, deviously grinning four year old. He slipped through our grasp, and, with one swift kick, it…
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Ecclesiastes and The Wise Fool
“Have you ever read Ecclesiastes?” my friend asked. We’d been talking about philosophy and that question we all face sometimes: does any of this matter? I hadn’t taken any drastic measures yet. A nose piercing was about the least risky thought I’d entertained in my crisis of purpose. “What’s Ecclesiastes?” I replied, expecting an explanation…
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Wasn’t Always
I’ve never met a happily married person who’s always been happily married. I’ve never met an adult who wasn’t once a child. I’ve never known a Christian who hasn’t been without Christ. When Jesus said He came to call the sick, not the healthy, His point was this. None of us has always been righteous….
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Conquering by Force
Can you think of a victory in a game, a sport, or even a war that is owed to more to blunt force than to strategy? The weapons used, the position of troops, and the element of surprise are all vital to winning. Underdog teams win by crafty plans and perseverance, not force. Naturally, victories won…
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Why We Should Forgive the Know-Nots
Some of Jesus’ dying words have befuddled me for a long time. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” –Lk 23:34 Umm, Lord? They did know. They knew Jesus didn’t deserve death- even the thief on the cross and Pilate knew that. All the righteousness they might have used as an excuse…
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Are You Acting Like a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing?
One of the questions we often ask when reading Scripture is “how does this apply?” We’re usually thinking in terms of what the Word means for our lives or what promises it holds. Sometimes we ask how it might comfort or exhort us. Scripture can also warn us about our own nature. Do you know…
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Self-Love: Biblical Fact or Fiction?
Ever wondered why loving ourselves well is so hard? The answer is simpler than all the “10 keys” and “tip sheets” let on. We seem to get the idea of self-love from the second greatest commandment: “love your neighbor as you love yourself” (Mt 19:19). Reasonably, we complete the logic puzzle: if we only love…
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(Could It Be A) Silent Night
Christmas cheer tends to be a cacophony. Joy is often boisterous; excitement and anticipation tend to cause exuberance. It’s during this season that we often blast the carols and sing along. We like to sit down and recite our favorite lines, laugh without reservation during classic Christmas movies. Parties are consumed by chatter. And the…