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.

Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide?

Posted on February 3, 2018 by salooper57

The U.S. Department of the Treasury maintains three gift funds, one of which is known as the “Conscience Fund,” established in 1811. The name stuck after the Civil War when a former Army quartermaster who had misappropriated funds sent a … Continue reading →

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Churches as Contempt-free and Condemnation-free Zones

Posted on January 27, 2018 by salooper57

It is generally acknowledged that our society has become increasingly mean-spirited. Unless today’s politician is chronically incensed and habitually scornful, no one will take him or her seriously. The so-called “liberal elite” are famously contemptuous: that conservatives are morally-challenged dimwits … Continue reading →

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More Links Do Not Make a Stronger Chain

Posted on January 20, 2018 by salooper57

A fellow-juror once told me, at the conclusion of a trial, that he really enjoyed jury duty. I could see how he might say he appreciated the American system of justice, or how he counted it an honor to serve, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Is There Still a Place for “Onward, Christian Soldiers” in the Hymnal?

Posted on January 13, 2018 by salooper57

Thirty years ago, there was a ruckus in the United Methodist Church over its hymnody. The hymnal revision committee had recommended the removal of two well-known gospel songs with militaristic overtones: “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “Onward, Christians … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, In the News, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Common Ways – and One Uncommon Way – to Handle Conflict

Posted on January 6, 2018 by salooper57

The beginning of a new year can serve as a catalyst for dealing with old problems, including long-standing relational conflicts. Every family – every person – experiences conflict. Two people are all that it takes to set the stage and … Continue reading →

Posted in Lifestyle, Marriage and Family | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Prequels and Sequels: Christmas in Retrospect

Posted on January 5, 2018 by salooper57

“You better watch out, you better not cry; Better not pout, I’m telling you why: Santa Claus is comin’ to town. He’s making a list and checking it twice, gonna find out who’s naughty and nice. Santa Claus is comin’ … Continue reading →

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Why Do New Year’s Resolutions Fail?

Posted on December 30, 2017 by salooper57

People who make New Year’s resolutions overwhelmingly fail to keep them. Dan Diamond, writing in Forbes, reports that researchers at the University of Scranton found that only 8 percent of people actually keep their resolutions. A failure rate that exceeds … Continue reading →

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A Christmas Story for Grown-Ups

Posted on December 23, 2017 by salooper57

Most Christmas story books are for kids. They either tell a story that has almost nothing to do with the first Christmas – think, A Christmas Carol, for example, or Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer – or they whitewash the first … Continue reading →

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e-Christianity and the e-Christians it Produces

Posted on December 16, 2017 by salooper57

Work schedule getting in the way of church? Don’t like the preacher? Out too late on Saturday night and unable to get up for Sunday service? No worries. There’s always e-Church. You can do church online: stream services, listen to … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Church, Lifestyle | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Increasingly Irreligious America (It’s Not All Bad)

Posted on December 9, 2017 by salooper57

Two Muslim men once came to our Sunday worship service. The morning’s Scripture text, from the Book of Genesis, featured the story of Abraham’s visit to Egypt. Muslims revere Abraham and regard him as one of the special messengers God … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Faith, In the News | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments