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.

David and Goliath: Seeing Beyond the Appearances

Posted on July 18, 2021 by salooper57

(We had technical problems this week and so the video is not yet – and may never be – available. If we can get audio or video, I will post it later in the week.) This one of the most … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Sermons, Spiritual life | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Let’s Close the Looney Tunes School of Theology

Posted on July 17, 2021 by salooper57

The picture of heaven that floats around in most people’s minds is more dependent on Saturday morning cartoons than it is the Bible. When Elmer Fudd gets blown to bits and finds himself in heaven, what do we see? Forlorn … Continue reading →

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Pulling the Lever: The Content and Connection of Faith

Posted on July 15, 2021 by salooper57

Theology is not meant to fill our heads but to better our lives. Theologians tell us that when a person trusts in Jesus Christ a great transition takes place in his or her life. That person is literally connected to … Continue reading →

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Falling Away: A Before and After Picture

Posted on July 12, 2021 by salooper57

In this sermon, we look at the reasons behind King Saul’s “lifeslide.” We then consider what we can do to follow a different path.

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Don’t Overlook The Importance of Desire in the Spiritual Life

Posted on July 10, 2021 by salooper57

Desire plays a critical and often overlooked role in life, including the spiritual life. Desire forges a person’s future and chooses the path they follow. Humans cannot live without desire. Were a drug to be disseminated in our atmosphere that … Continue reading →

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Will Give You the Desires of Whose Heart?

Posted on July 8, 2021 by salooper57

To what degree, I wonder, are our desires shaped by other people’s desires? How many things do we need because other people have them? How have our tastes been shaped or even reshaped by the tastes of others? People eat … Continue reading →

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It Is Time for an Insurrection

Posted on July 5, 2021 by salooper57

controversial University of Chicago philosophy professor Mortimer Adler was once part of a discussion group and the conversation was not going well. Opinions were expressed with which he disagreed. Things got heated, Adler got upset, left the room, and slammed the door behind him. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Faith, Spiritual life | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Church: Deconstructing or Deteriorating?

Posted on July 3, 2021 by salooper57

Today, many Christians, especially those under 40, are asking tough questions about the faith. They are questioning assumptions taught by, or caught from, their parents. This is particularly true of assumptions regarding sexuality and racial justice. The process is known … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Church Life, Faith, Spiritual life, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

“I Have Sinned”: A Study in Repentance

Posted on June 29, 2021 by salooper57

I used to think of repentance as a thing to be avoided. I thought it was all about feeling so bad about what I had done that I would never do it again. Now I think of repentance as a gift and a blessing.

What changed my mind? The Bible.

St. Paul regards repentance as something that God “gives” – it is a gift and it is priceless! That gift impacts the whole person: emotions, mind, and body—or you could say, feelings, thoughts, and actions.
Continue reading →

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

When Faith Is Hardest (It’s Not When You Think)

Posted on June 26, 2021 by salooper57

People have told me that life is so painful and unfair, there cannot be a God. But no one has ever said to me: “Life is so easy and painless, there must be a God.” Life’s hardships, not its comforts, turn people from God; and life’s hardships turn people to him.

Even people who have turned to God, who attend worship services regularly, pray, and support the church financially, find it difficult to trust God when hard times come. The ironic thing is: they find it even harder to trust God when everything is going well. When things are going well, few people feel the need to trust. Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Spiritual life | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments