Author Archives: salooper57

Unknown's avatar

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.

The Hardest, Gladdest Prayer: Learning to Call God Father

Posted on June 8, 2024 by salooper57

When we recite the Lord’s Prayer, as millions of people worldwide do regularly, we begin with the word, “Our.” However, in the Greek in which the New Testament was written, the first word of the prayer is “Father.” It is … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Peace with God, Prayer, Spiritual life | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Who’s Asking: Mark 11:22-25

Posted on June 6, 2024 by salooper57

Here is a link to the sermon Who’s Asking. It explores the question: “What kind of people get answers to prayer?” Hope you enjoy and find it helpful. The sermon begins at the 36:35 mark. https://www.christianworldmedia.com/watch?v=XYO44rkrb5-k

Posted in Bible, Prayer, Spiritual life, Theology | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Gospel in a World of Fake News

Posted on June 1, 2024 by salooper57

In 2016, the Oxford Dictionaries people chose the term “post-truth” as their “word of the year.” Questions about truth and even doubts about there being such a thing pervade society. A number of things have brought us to this place, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Faith, Worldview and Culture | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Gift of the Spirit (Acts 2)

Posted on May 29, 2024 by salooper57

I have been trying to figure out how to capture video from our streaming service so that I could post only the sermon on my blog. Two requests for help have gone unanswered to date. So, if any of you … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Sermons, Spiritual life, Theology | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

How to Find Freedom From Anger

Posted on May 25, 2024 by salooper57

A professor at the University of Texas once gave students an unusual assignment: if you have ever thought about killing someone, write an essay about it. 91 percent of the men and 84 percent of the women handed in detailed, … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Church Life, Lifestyle, Worldview and Culture | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Antinomianism in America: Adrift on a Perilous Sea

Posted on May 18, 2024 by salooper57

We have a problem. Americans have been infected by antinomianism, and it is modifying their behavior, impacting their relationships, and weakening social bonds. If antinomianism is a disease, it is not a physical one. If it is contagious, it is … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Church, Faith, Theology, Worldview and Culture | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Ascension Day: It Matters More Than You Know

Posted on May 11, 2024 by salooper57

In 1925, Pope Pious XI introduced “The Feast of Christ the King” into the liturgical calendar. It came on the last Sunday of October which, metaphorically speaking, is the no-man’s land of the church calendar. In 1970, Pope Paul VI … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church, Church Life, Mission, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Churches: Go Small to Get Big Results

Posted on May 4, 2024 by salooper57

My wife and I have worshiped in some very large churches over the past six months. Thousands of people flood their campuses each Sunday. Their worship leaders are professional musicians. Their pastors are great communicators and exceptional leaders. I enjoyed … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Church, Church Life, relationships | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Dehumanizing Sin of Greed

Posted on April 27, 2024 by salooper57

In the fifteenth century, the Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella financially backed Christopher Columbus’ expedition, provided him ships to sail, and paid crews to man them. They were motivated, at least in part, by profits. Columbus’s voyage across the Atlantic … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Spiritual life, Theology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Talking About the Problem of Prayer Is a Problem

Posted on April 20, 2024 by salooper57

Pastors and Christian authors frequently speak and write about “the problem of prayer,” as if its problem was singular and well-defined. Prayer has many problems. It is not just the problem of unanswered prayer, but of answered prayer: why was … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Prayer, Spiritual life, Theology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment