We know the line from the Ten Commandments: “Honor your father and mother” (Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 5:16) Jesus emphasized this again when asked by the "rich young ruler" which commandments he should keep (Matthew 19:19; Mark 10:19, Luke 18:20). Clearly, this is important to God. But what does it mean?…
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Which is easiest to change — thinking or acting? Acting is often chosen and written about, but thinking is actually easier to change. Consider this: thinking about changing our actions precedes the actions, right? That does not mean that you believe the thinking, but you are acting on it nevertheless.…
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America is in desperate need of moral and spiritual renewal. The church must be the instrument of that awakening. We should remember what Jesus said in Matthew 5:13-16: “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then…
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"You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12 One of the…
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But. It’s a small word that carries a lot of power. When we use the word but, people brace themselves for what comes next, or they might even make a face. We may not want hear what follows it, but we have to pay attention if we want a complete…
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Weakness and our inability are a commodity in God’s economy. One passage has made me a champion of weakness more than any other. In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul struggled with something that was causing him pain, distraction, or both. The answer Paul got was the answer I needed back then,…
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The apostle Paul shared his transforming testimony wherever God directed him. One of his most memorable oratory moments happens in the intellectual capital of Athens. After preaching in the synagogue and marketplace, Paul is brought to the Areopagus, which is like their supreme court. (Fun fact: Socrates was condemned and…
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Have you ever met one of those deep, existential-thinking, profound-speaking people who come up with brilliant new thoughts and ideas all on their own? Well, I am NOT one of them. My bestie Kali is, though, and just between us, it’s downright annoying. I suspect that 99 percent of the…
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When I first started studying what it meant to be in constant prayer, I thought the idea was ridiculous—it sounded like constant work. But eventually I realized constant prayer is a place of rest, not another form of striving. It is a rest of the heart, a holy deep breath.…
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Great news: Forgiveness for everyday offenses gets easier. It’s a discipline and a practice, and like going for a habitual run, it becomes less of a struggle and more a part of your lifestyle. In my moving, powerful, and theologically deep chapter titled “Bert and Ernie and Satan,” I mention…
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