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Christian Doubt? What to Do, Part II
The author explains that experiencing doubt about faith is common, even among biblical figures. The core message is that God’s love is profound and unchanging, as illustrated in Zephaniah 3:17, where God is depicted as rejoicing over his people with singing. Accepting this love helps overcome spiritual doubts.
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Christian Doubt? What to Do, Part I
In the throes of doubt, even the devout like John the Baptist and Jesus' disciples experienced uncertainty. Emphasizing that such doubts are commonplace among believers, the narrator offers reassurance that feeling this way is not unusual—even those closest to Jesus doubted. Consequently, he suggests looking to Jesus' reactions of grace and a promised continuous presence as a reminder to persevere in faith amidst skepticism. The author teases a forthcoming part that will address sustaining faith in challenging times.
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The Books You Read and the People You Meet?
A man recalls how meeting Charlie "Tremendous" Jones and a surprise gift of books altered his life, sparking a journey into publishing and spiritual growth. Skeptical at first, he later embraced the lesson that personal transformation hinges on the books we read and our relationships, particularly with Jesus Christ, whose indwelling power fosters profound change. Charlie's aphorism framed the man's path of continued spiritual formation, underscoring the transformative encounter with the divine through scriptural engagement.
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Jim Palmer’s 14 Points-Part II, Helping People
In Part II of his discourse, the author contrasts his motivations for ministry with those of a former evangelical pastor, Palmer. While the author admires Palmer's initial intent to help people and make a difference, he questions if that aligns with the core tenets of Christianity. The author argues that his own ministry is not about being a difference maker but is driven by the transformative power of Christ. Despite Palmer’s departure from the pastoral path, the author reflects on the potential of misunderstood intentions and the risks within megachurch models, advocating for authenticity and adherence to Biblical doctrine over the pursuit of personal or public approval.
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Superhero Gets 4-Star Review!
John M. Murray reviews Stephen K. Moore's self-help book "Superhero," which uses a plane's near-crash allegory to advise on mental health and personal betterment. Blending faith with science, it offers steps for self-improvement and social cohesion, tackling diverse issues. Though Christianity-based, it's inclusive to all faiths and ends with a practical workbook.
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Answering Jim Palmer’s 14 Objections…Part I, Doctrine
Former megachurch pastor Jim Palmer’s rejection of Christian doctrine and the ensuing debate on social media is the subject of discussion. While some celebrate his stance, others vehemently criticize it. The author expresses a desire to understand Palmer’s perspective and finds common ground in questioning the blind adherence to traditionalism in organized religion. The interpretation of Scripture and the true essence of Christian doctrine, centered on the love of God, are explored with a plan for further analysis in subsequent posts.
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White, Wheat, or Jesus?
So, these folks get fed by Jesus one afternoon with food miraculously expanded by our Savior. He took the meal of a young boy and fed more than 5,000 people. Some of these people evidently didn’t get it. There was a big message in what Jesus did–and they totally missed the point. The very next day (This story is found in John 6:22 and following) some of these folks showed up again seeking Jesus. Well, not really, they were seeking food. These hungry folks even use Scripture to try to manipulate Jesus into performing yet another miracle to fill their bellies. He does not fall for it, but rather ends…
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The God Who Speaks to the Lost (And Found), Part I
Just finished up a week on the Big Island of Hawai’i. It was rough duty. Discovered something though. Our wild and amazing God was up to his usual predictably unpredictable ways-especially back in the day when the famed King Kamehameha and his son were in power. This story is faith-building and inspiring-and for someone who grew up in a heavily cessationists church environment. If you are not familiar with this concept, let me just say that I was strongly trained when I was very young that once the Bible was fully inspired and pulled together-God stopped talking to people. Or more accurately-God stopped talking other than through Scripture. In the…
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Self-Love and the Cross
“Learning to love yourself, this is the greatest love of all.” Those words are from the song The Greatest Love of All written by Linda Creed and Michael Messer. It’t been around long enough to probably be classified as an oldie. Whitney Houston rocked this song with her amazing voice in 1985. This song’s words resonated with a lot of people, here are a few of the key concepts : I believe that children are our future, Teach them well and let them lead the way, Show the all the beauty they possess inside, GIve them a sense of pride to make it easier Let the children’s laughter remind us…
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The Search for Perfect Church
Church-hopping or even becoming a “non-attender” has become common. I hear many who do this defending their decision by criticizing the imperfections of the church or churches they have tried out. Perhaps the worship is too dull and unenthusiastic. Or it is too spirited and alarming. Are there hypocrites, cliques, or politics going on? What about sexual sin? We find a lot of reasons to be critical of church—and there is perhaps an unexamined assumption in our quest for what we might term the “perfect church.” Let’s see what the Word has to say about all of that. Worst. Church. Ever. The church at Corinth was located in the epicenter…
