February 2012
2 posts
: Happiness, Love, Homosexuality and Us →
jlgerhardt:
“It is not God’s will merely that we should be happy, but that we should make ourselves happy” -Immanuel Kant
Sometimes I think we people, all 6.8 billion of us, believe the world exists for our own pleasure—that God made us to do our own bidding, to, as Kant suggests, make ourselves happy.
I…
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Suggestions for a Love-Filled Valentine's Day →
January 2012
8 posts
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Real Christianity
Real Christianity is not just showing up and sitting in your familiar pew. Real Christianity is not talking to the people who sit around you, and then leaving before you’ve spoken to anyone else. Real Christianity is not scribbling on your bulletin during the sermon. Real Christianity is not even nodding attentively. Why? Because real Christianity isn’t idle.
Listen to what James had...
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Real Forgiveness
We are all familiar with the story found in Matthew 18. Peter asks Jesus how often he has to forgive someone that sins against him. Immediately, I see a red flag, and I think Jesus did too. You see, Peter wants to know the quota—the maximum amount of times he has to forgive before he can shut the other person down and say, “No more!”. Peter is looking for a real, tangible number,...
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Anonymous asked: Mt 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Mt 6:3-4 "But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly." What's your take on resolving the apparent...
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Real Praise
“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” - Hebrews 13:15
If praising God comes from the fruit of our lips, shouldn’t we be more careful with the way we use our words? First, we know that every idle word we utter will be used to judge us (Matt. 12:36). We also know that James gave a...
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Real Submission
“Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,” - 1 Pet. 3:1
This is the verse that makes women all over the world have a collective cringe. However, in our first attempt at getting real with our faith and really digging deeper into what God wants for us, I think...
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Reality Check
Our culture needs a reality check. With so many people proclaiming “truth” as doing whatever it is you feel is right, we need to get back to the basics. We need to study the fundamental principles of what it means to be a Christian in these dark times, because God’s Word hasn’t changed.
That is why I am planning a series called Reality Check. It’s going to get back...
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How Do You Respond to Sinners?
Sin is a terrible subject. It’s ugly and demeaning and terrible and evil and deceptive and hurtful and gross. Sin is the very thing that separates the created from the Creator. Sin is the thing that makes a mess in your life, then camps out and wallows in all the bad that is going on around you. Sin tears apart families, companies, friends, and our relationship with God. Sin keeps people...
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Count Your Blessings
While reading through Genesis, I stumbled upon a real gem. In a story I’ve read numerous times, one of lies and deceit and love and marriage and children, I found hope. It’s a story of brothers, and not one, but two families struggling with jealous siblings. It’s about Jacob and Esau, Leah and Rachel. There are ups and downs in the story. There are things we can learn from Jacob...
December 2011
5 posts
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“God takes some people out of your life so that you [will] stop leaning on them...”
– Jeremy Browning
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Bible Reading Marathon →
Our congregation is reading through the entire Bible in 3 days! Around the clock, someone will be reading from the Bible! To tune in live, click the link above then go to the right hand side of the page and click on live stream! Also check out the other tabs, which include links to Bible correspondence courses, our website, and of course—a commitment that you will read through the entire...
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A Lesson for the Broken
”The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken.” - Psalm 34:18-20
Have you ever just felt broken? Maybe you gave away a piece of your heart to someone special, but that person misused it. Maybe...
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How Do You Respond?
The room is silent. You’re quietly nestled in the same familiar seat you always are. The song you just sang was the same familiar tune. And the person sitting on the front pew? It’s the same personal from just a few weeks ago.
You’ve been in this situation before. Someone in the congregation where you attend has willingly walked away from God, turned back to Him, and then...
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10 Promises from God
1: Everything will be okay (Romans 8:28).
2: I will help you bear your load (Matt. 11:28-30).
3: I will give you everything you need (Phil. 4:19).
4: I will give you far beyond what you can comprehend (Eph. 3:20).
5: Don’t be afraid when you’re in trouble; I’m already there (Psalm 46:1-5).
6: No one can hurt you because I am here (Heb. 13:6).
7: I will withhold nothing...
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Befriending Judas
I have heard numerous people remark that if it were possible to go back in time, they would change something about their past because they had information now that would help them make a wiser decision. I’m sure at some point we’ve all thought something along those lines. One such situation that I hear the most deals with exes. Post break-up, people realize they never should have dated...
November 2011
8 posts
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Vain Worship
Last Sunday during communion, I started reading Mark’s account of Jesus’ crucifixion. To me, one of the most powerful scenes of Jesus’ trial is when the soldiers place a crown of thorns on His head and then proceed to beat Him over the head with a reed. The pain, the humiliation; it’s all there. I can’t ever read this passage without becoming overwhelmed by the...
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Thank(full)ness.
How full of thanks are you?
Full suggests being to-the-brim with whatever substance you’ve chosen. So if we’re full of thanks…we should be overflowing with gratitude. The question is, are we?
Facebook has this phenomenon of “make this your status” on whatever particular “week” has been chosen. For whatever reason, people absolutely buy into it. One week...
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Suffering and God
Question: If God is such a loving God, how can He allow His people to suffer?
If we never suffered on this earth, would we ever long for a greater existence? Would we ever long for freedom from sin and oppression? We would ever truly long to be with our God?
If God eliminated all suffering, we’d all want to stay here indefinitely. Instead, He has promised us that He WILL eliminate all...
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Dear John
Dear John,
I know that you were an instrumental part of the building of this great republic. I know you spent countless hours thinking, praying, drafting, discussing, and missing time with your family. I know that you did it all for the love of the country and for the love of the people. I hate to be the one to tell you this, but be glad you aren’t alive right now. Things haven’t...
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A Committed Relationship
I am in a committed relationship with my husband. I love him very much. I tell other people that I love him very much. I spend a lot of time talking to him and doing things that he likes for me to do. Our relationship is strong.
One day, I decide I don’t want to talk to him. So I don’t. This continues for a couple of weeks. During that time, I find myself drifting away from him. I...
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A Letter to High School Emily
I remember being a high schooler. I mean, hello, I’m only (almost) 24. So I still distinctly remember what it feels like to be (and how much pressure there is on) a Christian when you’re young. So if I had any advice to give middle school/high school Emily, here’s what it would be:
High School Emily,
Trust me when I say that it gets better. You may not believe it now, but in...
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Advice for (new) Christians
I’ve been studying with some new Christians lately and it’s really been inspiring and uplifting to me. It’s wonderful to just go back to the basics and study things that made me want to become a Christian in the first place.
Tonight I want to focus on something that’s super important for new Christians and seasoned Christians alike: our influence.
In Galatians 2:20...
October 2011
16 posts
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Things I've Learned This Week
Well, I have utterly failed my final week of the October challenge, but I’m okay with that. I’ve had a crazy-buzy, wonderful week and there are some lessons from the past couple of days that I want to make sure I remember. That’s where this post comes in.
1: God answers prayers. If you pray for God to send you someone in whose life you can make a difference, He will. And you...
“Everybody has their say, but people don’t necessarily always get their...”
– David Lipe on handling conflict
“Christ is not valued at all unless He is valued above all.”
– Augustine (via notyouraveragecrazygirl)
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“We cannot claim righteousness if we don’t possess an ounce of forgiveness.”
– BJ Clarke
“Until Jesus Christ is the obsession of your heart, you’ll always be looking to...”
– Leslie Ludy (via pursuingchastity)
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“The difference between “unite” and “untie” is where I...”
– Be a peacemaker. Don’t gossip, lie, backbite, hurt, tear down, give an evil glare, talk about, etc. As much as it depends on YOU, be at peace with all men. Where will YOU choose to stand?
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Does My Worship Matter?
Yesterday we looked at the the one true church, and how we can know which church we should attend (the ONE that was set up on Pentecost, in Jerusalem). We know that that church is Jesus’ church, and from Ephesians 5:23-24 we can know that He is the head of that church and that church is subject to Him. From that we can know that Jesus is the one who can dictate how things go in His church...
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What To Look For in a Church
For my October Challenge this week, I’m exploring some fundamentals about Christianity. What better place to start than with the church that you choose to attend. Through the week, we’ll examine some qualities that each church should possess to help you narrow down the criteria, but tonight let’s just focus on something simple.
How many churches are there?
Well, one. Sure,...
“We need to do less rejecting [of God’s Word] and more respecting.”
– Rodney Livingston
Homosexuality and the Founding Fathers?
I have been asked a series of questions about homosexuality in the not-too-distant past because of a couple of posts I did regarding the topic. Though I believe that all I need to know on the topic can be found in the Bible, the questioner said that “just because the Bible says it” doesn’t mean I should believe it. So, I’ll take some outside opinions into consideration...
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Abstaining From Sin (pt. 3)
(continued from previous 2 posts)
Titus 1: 6-8. In this list, we’re learning about the qualifications for elders in the church.
“if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for...
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Abstaining From Sin (pt. 2)
(continued from previous post):
Titus 1: 6-8. In this list, we’re learning about the qualifications for elders in the church.
“if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for...
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Abstaining From Sin (pt. 1)
To kick off the week’s posts about sins, I want to look at a couple of lists found in the book of Titus.
There have been many times in my life when I’ve been asked why I don’t do something. If there’s a book-chapter-verse that I can go to, people seem to understand. It’s the things that are “judgment calls” that most people really don’t get. So...
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“Stop letting the world have victories in your life. The battle is won! Be on the...”
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October Challenge
This past week has been crazy. I came off of the Scripture Challenge feeling good, but then I started slacking off…at least as far as this blog is concerned. My husband (a preacher) has been involved in a gospel meeting effort this week, so every night we’ve been traveling to and from a local congregation. That hasn’t left much time for this blog, so I do apologize. Now, though,...
September 2011
22 posts
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“It’s really hard to be bitter, and it’s really hard to be poisoned,...”
– Mike Vestal
Don’t let bitterness poison your heart. Forgive people. Let things go. Even if people intentionally hurt you and don’t seek forgiveness, don’t let bitterness create a separation between you and God.
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“Half-hearted Christians fuel the fire for atheists.”
– Robert Hatfield
Let’s all strive to be the people that God wants us to be. Let’s not just give lip service to God. Let’s not half-heartedly serve Him. Let’s not be lukewarm or mediocre. No, let’s determine to live each and every day to the best of our abilities. And...
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Scripture Challenge: Day 30
Day 30: A scripture of your choice.
It’s been 30 days of study. 30 days of finding and learning from different scriptures. 30 days of digging deep and examining my heart and my life, and sharing some of that with you. So what does it all come down to?
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” - James 1:22
It doesn’t matter what we profess...
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Scripture Challenge: Day 29
Day 29: A scripture about your favorite Bible character
I don’t know how people have absolute favorites when it comes to Bible characters. There are so many things to learn from each and every person mentioned in the Bible. If I have to pick one, I suppose I’ll go with Peter for now.
You see, I relate to Peter. Peter was with Jesus from the beginning, but even though he knew what was...
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Scripture Challenge: Day 28
Day 28: A scripture with a reference to the number seven
“Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:21-22
Forgiveness is such a struggle for so many people. Why? Well, a lot of times it’s because...
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Scripture Challenge: Day 27
Day 27: A scripture about children/youth
Then Nathan departed to his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and it became ill. David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. So the elders of his house arose and went to him, to raise him up from the ground. But he would not, nor did he eat food with...
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Scripture Challenge: Day 26
Day 26: A scripture about unbelievers
This is hard for me because scriptures about unbelievers are sad. The verse that sticks out in my mind, though, is one that maybe we can all glean from—-Christians and nonbelievers alike.
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will...
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quietly-living-life asked: Why are you against homosexuality? You do realize, don't you, that homosexuality isn't a choice & it can't be changed, which means that being against homosexuality is like being against a person's skin color or ethnicity, which are both also unchangeable & innate. I'm sure you think it's hateful to be racist or xenophobic, so why do you think it's somehow...
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Scripture Challenge: Day 25
Day 25: A scripture about unity
Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. - Genesis 2:24
God created men and women to be together. Had God wanted/condoned same-sex marriages, He would not have made a woman but would have instead made another man for Adam to be with. He also wouldn’t have used the words MAN and WIFE. Male...
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Scripture Challenge: Day 24
Day 24: A scripture on life
“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” -Philippians 2:14-15
These verses really speak to me about how we’re supposed to live our day to day life.
Let’s break it...
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Scripture Challenge: Day 23
Day 23: A scripture on forgiveness
“Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a...