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Author Archives: Mark
Living by Faith in Uncertain Times
We are living in the midst of a host of uncertainties created by the COVID-19 pandemic. People are isolating and hoarding. Schools and establishments are being closed and events cancelled. How serious is this? Well, they’ve cancelled school, college, and … Continue reading
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“We Will Not Quit!”
The parable of Jesus in Luke 18:1-8 has been titled “The Unjust Judge” and “The Persistent Widow. Which is it? Is the parable about an unjust judge or is it about a persistent widow? It’s about both and if we … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Christian Living, Christianity, Politics, Prayer, Return of Christ, strength
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“Nothing in My Hands I Bring”
Martin Luther died a public death. His death was not public in the same way as his hero John Huss’ death was 131 years earlier. Huss was condemned a heretic by the Council of Constance, handed over to the civil authorities, and publicly burned … Continue reading
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Tagged death, Gospel, Martin Luther, Reformation, religion, Rock of Ages
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Reflections on Church Attendance
It is no secret that Americans do not attend church as much as they once did. Whether Roman Catholic, mainline Protestant, or Evangelical, attendance patterns overall are down. Just over a year ago, The Pew Research Center published a report titled … Continue reading
Posted in Discipleship
Tagged Busyness, Church, church attendance, corporate worship, Return of Christ
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The Anger and Anguish of God
Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet because he ministered during times that triggered painful emotions. But Jeremiah was only reflecting the emotions of the God he represented. Jeremiah’s anger reflected God’s anger. Jeremiah’s anguish was God’s anguish. God’s people, Israel and … Continue reading
Time-Out!
I played basketball in high school. I remember the conditioning we went through, including stair-laps around the gym and the infamous “killers,” which were sprints that began and ended with jumping. I remember our coach timing those and making us continue … Continue reading
Posted in Discipleship
Tagged basketball, Christian Living, Church, corporate worship, Discipleship, Spiritual disciplines
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Why Is It So Hard?
Why is it so hard to reach religious people with the gospel? I’m talking about good, upright, moral, people? Perhaps you can recall times you engaged one of these individuals in conversation, and the door opened to share the gospel. But in the … Continue reading
A Nativity of Imagination or Reality?
The Gospels provide two nativity scenes. Luke’s gospel tells of humble shepherds heeding the instruction of an angel and worshipping the Christ Child as He lay in a manger in Bethlehem. Matthew’s gospel tells of reputable magi following a star to Bethlehem and worshipping … Continue reading
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Tagged Advent, Christmas, Incarnation, Jesus Christ, nativity, Politics, Return of Christ
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Conscience and the 2016 Election
The 2016 presidential election in America is a mess. I have never witnessed an election where the top two candidates were so thoroughly disliked by the electorate. Conversations regarding this election, verbal and written, casual and formal, struggle to maintain calmness and civility. … Continue reading
Posted in Politics, Uncategorized
Tagged Christian Right, Conscience, Politics, religion, Romans 14, Voting
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“The Wise Shall Inherit Glory”
[My mom was a remarkable woman. The Lord took her home this past Easter Sunday evening. The following is the text of the message I delivered at my mom’s funeral Thursday evening. My wife Debbie read the Scriptures and shared some stories and … Continue reading
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