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.

You Can’t Argue with That

Posted on May 8, 2021 by salooper57

We are the most argumentative people in generations. We now have technological pillboxes from which we, unseen, can send a volley of argumentation at our opponents while remaining shielded from their counterarguments. At the same time, there are fewer listening posts than ever before—and most of those we do have are abandoned. We simply never have to hear what our opponents are saying.

Contrast that with the Emperor Antonius, adoptive father to the philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius. He was said not only to tolerate frank opposition, but to be “pleased if somebody could point to a better course of action.” Such openness to reason has always been uncommon. In today’s climate, it is astonishing.
Continue reading →

Posted in In the News, Lifestyle, Worldview and Culture | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

My Sheep Follow My Voice

Posted on May 6, 2021 by salooper57

In John 10:6, Jesus uses a “figure of speech” (Greek, ) one that requires insight to understand the point. We may miss that point, perhaps not from lack of insight, but from lack of cultural familiarity. Jesus’ teaching here is clothed … Continue reading →

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

The Biggest of the Big Three: Love

Posted on May 2, 2021 by salooper57

Here is the sermon, The Love of Your Life, from 1 John 4:7-12.

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

How to Pray High-Impact Prayers

Posted on May 1, 2021 by salooper57

If someone universally acknowledged as a modern-day saint prayed regularly for you, what would he or she pray? We know what we would want them to pray: that our children would fare well, that we would have enough money to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church Life, Prayer | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How to Know If God Loves You

Posted on April 29, 2021 by salooper57

Christians love because of who God is, but also (this is the second of the three reasons St. John gives in 1 John 4:7-12) because of what God has done. Verses 9 and 10 state: “By this the love of … Continue reading →

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

The Love of Your Life: Light, Fire, and Love

Posted on April 28, 2021 by salooper57

In 1 John 4:7-12, the Apostle of Love gives three reasons why Christians love each other. First, they love because of who God is (vv. 7-8). Second, they love because of what God has done (vv. 9-11). And third, we … Continue reading →

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

The Love of Your Life: The Three Tests

Posted on April 27, 2021 by salooper57

In St. John’s first letter, readers are given three self-tests that can make clear whether or not a person belongs to Christ and shares the life of the age to come. This, he says is why he wrote the letter: … Continue reading →

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

Why I Took the COVID-19 Vaccine

Posted on April 24, 2021 by salooper57

I’ve noticed that many people who fear the virus do not fear the vaccine and many who fear the vaccine do not fear the virus. I refuse to fear either. I wear a mask when necessary because our governing authorities have required it, because I want to protect others, and because doing so does not require me to disobey God. But I do not wear a mask because I fear contracting the virus. Continue reading →

Posted in In the News, Lifestyle | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Christian Hope: Does It Differ from Optimism?

Posted on April 23, 2021 by salooper57

He then told me something – and it was hard for him to talk, so I had to listen closely – that I have never forgotten. He told me that the last two months – since he had come over to Jesus’s side – had been the two best months of his life. I looked at him in wonder. Here was a man from whom everything had been taken. His former life was gone. His world was a bed. His body was a prison. And the last two months had been the best time of his life.

How was that possible? What had happened? Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Faith, Sermons, Theology | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

8 Things Hope Does for the Believer (part 2)

Posted on April 22, 2021 by salooper57

My son Kevin and I were once fishing in Quebec from a boat that was anchored about 100 yards above a small waterfall. (I say small, but it probably dropped 30 feet over a course of a couple of hundred yards.) Without that anchor, the current would have carried us into pain and loss. And without hope, the strong currents of this age will carry you and your family where you do not want to go. Continue reading →

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