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.

What Do You Want Me to Do for You?

Posted on September 14, 2022 by salooper57

H-E-A-R Journals are a regular part of the D-Groups – discipleship groups of 3 to 5 people – that happen at our church. D- Group members read the same Scriptures each week, try to understand and apply them to life, and respond to the truth they see. When they meet with their group, they share one of their journal entries from the week. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Power in Prayer (Mark 9:14-29)

Posted on September 11, 2022 by salooper57

“This kind comes out only by prayer.” Jesus said that about a stubborn unclean spirit, but there are many things in our lives that “come out” only by prayer: stubborn marriage problems, addictions, financial needs, and more. Learning to pray … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Faith, Prayer, Sermons | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

How Did Jesus Treat Women?

Posted on September 10, 2022 by salooper57

To read some Bible scholars, one would think that Jesus viewed women through a twenty-first century feminist lens. Other equally-well regarded scholars, seem to think that Jesus looked at women through a pre-Nineteenth Amendment lens. It seems to me that … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Marriage and Family, relationships, Worldview and Culture | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Living Out the Greatest Command (Following Jesus Today Class)

Posted on September 8, 2022 by salooper57

When asked what was the greatest of the Old Testament’s 613 commands, Jesus answered: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Following Christ Today (Class), Theology | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Praying for The Knowledge of God’s Will (Colossians 1:9-12)

Posted on September 4, 2022 by salooper57

We want to know God’s will. God wants us to know his will. So, why is it so difficult to know his will? This sermon on prayer and the knowledge of God’s will is rooted in the Apostle Paul’s great … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Prayer, Sermons | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

News Consumption May Be Affecting You Adversely

Posted on September 3, 2022 by salooper57

During the last few years, I have seen people break off relationships with family and church because they had been transported into pandemic-related stories, election stories, and war stories. This has happened among both liberal and conservative media consumers.

A critic might contend that something similar occurs among consumers of the Christian gospel. Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, In the News, relationships, Truthfulness, Worldview and Culture | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Following Christ Today: The Heart of the Matter

Posted on August 31, 2022 by salooper57

Jesus understood how humans were designed and how they thrive and his teaching reflects this. Understanding what he teaches about the human heart is imperative for anyone who longs for spiritual transformation in Christlikeness. The foundational text for today’s class … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Following Christ Today (Class), Spiritual life | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Intercession: How to Pray for Others

Posted on August 28, 2022 by salooper57

This sermon looks at how to pray for others and is based on Philippians 1:3-11. This remarkable passage offers great insights into how we can pray effectively for the people in our lives. How to Pray for Others (Philippians 1:3-11) … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Hope Is Not Pollyanna Positivity

Posted on August 27, 2022 by salooper57

Occasionally, I read or hear someone say something like, “Christians believe some really strange things.” They usually mean that Christians believe in miracles like a six-day creation, a man who was swallowed by a great fish (and spit out days … Continue reading →

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

Come Follow Me (Following Christ Today)

Posted on August 21, 2022 by salooper57

What does it mean to follow Jesus? What is required? This class begins where following Jesus began: on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Seeing what discipleship meant for those first followers of Jesus will help us understand what … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Following Christ Today (Class), Spiritual life | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment