Author Archives: salooper57

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About salooper57

Husband, father, pastor, follower. I am a disciple of Jesus, learning how to do life from him. I read, write, walk, play a little guitar, enjoy my family.

A Simply Divine Game of Hide and Seek

Posted on September 23, 2017 by salooper57

If God exists, why has no one ever proved it to the satisfaction of all? Of course, most people have not needed proof – the vast majority have always believed in a God or gods. But if God really exists, … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

A Little Exercise in Talking to Oneself

Posted on September 16, 2017 by salooper57

Please share in the comment section what advise you would give to your younger self – we’d appreciate hearing it. In his 1972 short story, The Other, Jorge Luis Borges pictures himself in Cambridge, MA, sitting on a bench overlooking … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Spiritual life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

It’s Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be

Posted on September 9, 2017 by salooper57

Orthodox Christianity has, at least from the time of Augustine, upheld the doctrine of original sin. According to the church, the first man’s rebellion against his creator left all humanity guilty before God and damaged in their nature. When Adam … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, In the News, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Avoid a Bandwagon Brand of Politics

Posted on September 2, 2017 by salooper57

I was recently asked, point-blank, if I was a liberal or a conservative. No one has ever asked me that question before – at least not directly. There have been times, however, when people have told me what I am: … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Faith, In the News | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Our Church Is Better Than Your Church

Posted on August 26, 2017 by salooper57

I’ve been surprised by people who, in conversation with me, refer to the church I pastor as “your church.” I’m surprised because they’ve been attending for years. Why are they still saying “you” instead of “we” and “your church” instead … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Church, Spiritual life | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Charlottesville: Is it Time to Take Sides?

Posted on August 19, 2017 by salooper57

  After Charlottesville, is it time to take sides? President Trump has been roundly criticized for his alleged refusal to do so, both in his initial response to the violence there and in his follow-up news conference. He has been … Continue reading →

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What the World Needs Now

Posted on August 12, 2017 by salooper57

What does the world need now? Answers to that question are everywhere. One can’t amble through the morning paper or the evening news – or even the grocery store – without tripping over them. Some answers are religious and some … Continue reading →

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Just Give it a Rest, America

Posted on August 5, 2017 by salooper57

Americans are some of the most restless and least rested people in the world. They work more hours a week and more weeks a year than their European counterparts. The U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Faith, Lifestyle, Peace with God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Burden Too Big for People to Bear

Posted on July 29, 2017 by salooper57

How should a man respond to a beautiful woman who looks deep into his eyes and says (in the words of R&B songwriter Jazmine Sullivan), “You’re my best friend, my lover – Baby, you’re my everything. You’re everything to me: … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Lifestyle, Marriage and Family | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hard Hearts, Closed Minds, and Blind Eyes

Posted on July 22, 2017 by salooper57

If a pastor wants to start a row, he needn’t preach heresy. All he needs to do is change the color of the carpet in the church nursery or bring a drum set onto the platform. People might not notice … Continue reading →

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