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.

The Holy Spirit and the Church (Wide Angle)

Posted on May 5, 2022 by salooper57

The Catholic Church has created a great deal of controversy, but is surely right, when it says, “Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus – “Outside the Church there is no salvation.” That is because no one outside the church is inside Christ. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church Life, Theology, Wide Angle | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Family – Blessing or Curse

Posted on May 1, 2022 by salooper57

(Excerpt) And this is a message for all us children whose parents did it wrong—and whose didn’t? I realize that, in some cases, parents did it horribly wrong. The parents who were given you to protect you, have harmed some … Continue reading →

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Biblical Theology Class #15: The Kingdom Is Near

Posted on May 1, 2022 by salooper57

In this class, we explore what Jesus meant when he said, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” The Bible cannot be understood apart from “kingdom.” It is the lens through which so many other things come clear. Enjoy … Continue reading →

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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 →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Spiritual life, Theology, Wide Angle | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

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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