Monthly Archives: April 2022

God Speaks Your Language

Posted on April 30, 2022 by salooper57

What the Gospels do best, however, is offer a captivating portrait of Jesus. Albert Einstein, when asked about Christianity’s influence in his life, answered: “I am a Jew, but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene.” He went on to say, “No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life.” Continue reading →

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Is the Holy Spirit Optional? (Wide Angle)

Posted on April 27, 2022 by salooper57

(Reading Time: Approximately 3 minutes) Sometimes Christians get the idea that the presence of the Spirit of God in our lives is an option, something we can take or leave, like heated leather seats and dual zone climate control. It’s … Continue reading →

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Storms of Doubt (Sermon: John 20:19-31)

Posted on April 25, 2022 by salooper57

A hopeful sermon to share with doubters, deconstructors, and those who care about them.

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20 Years Later: Peter and John Reminisce About Jesus’s Resurrection

Posted on April 24, 2022 by salooper57

Enjoy this skit that takes us back to that first Easter Sunday!

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Four Ways that Reading the Bible Helps

Posted on April 23, 2022 by salooper57

I have a picture of baseball great Mickey Mantle. It had been my brother’s, but he died at age 14. After my parents passed away, the picture came into my possession. Mickey Mantle pictures are a dime a dozen, but … Continue reading →

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The Birth of the Messiah (Biblical Theology Class #14)

Posted on April 17, 2022 by salooper57

In this class, we look at the biblical birth narratives and at the major Old Testament prophecies that speak of the Messiah’s birth.

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“What Does This Mean?” The Gift of the Spirit (Wide Angle: Acts 2)

Posted on April 17, 2022 by salooper57

(Reading time: approximately 3 minutes.) In Acts 2, St. Luke tells us that the sound of a mighty wind came from heaven and filled the house where Jesus followers were staying. What looked like “tongues of fire” separated and rested … Continue reading →

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Celebrating Hope at Easter

Posted on April 16, 2022 by salooper57

(Reading time: approximately 4 minutes.) The first time I heard the quote (attributed to Dr. Johnson), “Men live in hope, die in despair,” I was not in English class but in the Student Union. I was playing ping-pong with my … Continue reading →

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Behold You King (Palm Sunday 2022)

Posted on April 11, 2022 by salooper57

Today, we remember and celebrate what has come to be known as “The Triumphal Entry,” Jesus’s highly symbolic entrance into Jerusalem just days before he was betrayed and executed. We know the broad outlines of the story. Jesus rode into … Continue reading →

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Daniel 7 (Biblical Theology Class #13)

Posted on April 10, 2022 by salooper57

Some people stop reading the Book of Daniel after the first 6 chapters. They love the stories, but the weird prophecies that start in chapter 7 seem impenetrable. Other people race over the first 6 chapters in order to delve … Continue reading →

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