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Scharf: The good power of God
Last month, my congregation (Abiding Grace) celebrated our 10th anniversary. And there is plenty to celebrate. In 10 years, we've grown in people, in facilities, in opportunities to serve our community and spread the word around the world - in so many different ways. Things are rocking at Abiding Grace. So, looking at that, we must be doing something right, right?
Just a Thought
We spend billions of dollars as a nation every year on physical health and fitness.
The power of a name
Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. "Dear woman, why are you crying?" the angels asked her. "Because they have taken away my Lord," she replied, "And I don't know where they have put him." She turned to leave ...
From tears to triumph
I'll admit it. I am a big college basketball fan, which means I'm loving life right here in the middle of March Madness.
McCoy: A plan and a purpose
At that hour, Jesus said to the crowds, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day, I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
Scharf: Death, on purpose
Today is Good Friday. The name seems like a misnomer when you consider that it marks the day of an execution - three in fact.
Archive By Section - Columnists
A condition of the heart
For the Scriptures say, "If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it."
Community in churches
I don't know if you have noticed, but the idea of relationship is changing in the world. Due to the onslaught of social media and smartphones people have become less engaged in the broader community with diversity in age, race, and social class and more engaged with groups that share common ages and interests. In today's culture, there aren't even many avenues to engage with a broad and diverse culture. But fortunately, God has called ...
Just a thought: Accountability
One thing is for sure, we are all getting older. While this may be a fact, it doesn't have to be a negative one. I am certain we can all look back and voice some regrets: not taking this opportunity or making the wrong decision here or there. I wish I had done this instead of that, etc. If you were to read the book of Ecclesiastes, you would find Solomon's regrets and advice to ...
What if you could change the world?
And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason ...
Love speaks with urgency
You: cute brunette with green eyes shopping with your sister at the mall. Me: the guy in the brown shirt you bumped into in front of Cinnabon. Are you familiar with Craigslist "Missed Connections?" I don't know if they've ever worked, but to me, they seem like just about the most hopeless thing ever. The premise is the hope of a second chance when someone didn't get a chance to connect with someone they saw. ...
The four S’s of fasting
In the evangelical world, fasting is the most misunderstood of all of the spiritual disciplines. People don't understanding this discipline and therefore don't practice it. It is however, one of the greatest tools that the church has to know and pursue Godliness. When we fast, the physical pain of hunger drives us to a deeper spiritual hunger or longing for God. You can fast about anything that is on your heart: a big decision, a ...
Scharf: Love speaks with a focused heart
"The church is all about money." You've heard that said, right? How sad when it's true, when good well-meaning Christians start worrying about the budget more than the Bible, when churches show that lack of focus. More accurately, it's when we focus on the wrong thing. So Paul, in 1 Timothy 6, snaps us back with the very first word of verse 6: "But." You see, just before our text, Paul was warning young Pastor ...
Dees: The Bible and same-sex marriage
Politicians, pundits and even pastors have all joined the debate on same-sex marriage. Since 2004, six states have recognized same sex marriages in their state, but the Defense of Marriage Act, signed by then-president Bill Clinton, prevents the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages and allows each U.S. state to refuse recognition of same-sex marriages performed in other states. In recent years however, public opinion of same-sex marriage has been growing and DOMA will likely ...
Burnham: Just a thought, crying out
Many are deeply impressed and moved by the prayer of Jabez. His story and prayer led to a bestselling book. And it's a great book. His prayer has inspired many to be bold and ask God for great things, and it should. His courageous faith lifts us up. Here is a man who starts his life with the name "Pain" and in Bible times a man's name is what he was known for. So he ...
McCoy: Someone’s watching
They rushed at [Stephen] and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Part of the celebration
Everybody loves a party, right? I write this article a few days after being on a college campus on game day, about an hour before kickoff. And as I walked, people were mingling and mixing, drinking and dancing, eating, smiling and just having a good time. One guy took it upon himself to run from party to party and start shouting team cheers - and people were happy to join in. It was a celebration.
The scenic route
When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, "If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea.
Spiritual songs get us through
The great black mark on American history is slavery. From the beginning of our nation's settlement until Jan. 1, 1963, Americans owned, sold and purchased other human beings. Beyond this, many slave owners were incredibly cruel to their slaves treating them with no regard of human dignity.
McCoy: Be Prepared
Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
Burnham: How much do you love God?
How much do you love God and why? The psalmist cannot hold back from expressing his love to God and we should not be able to either. His reasons for loving God should be ours: Because when I pray, God hears me and in his time and perfect way he answers me. He rescues me from deep despair and he keeps me safe. He comforts me in my times of sorrow. He forgives me when ...
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