Category Archives: Church Life

What Are We Doing When We Worship?

Posted on December 5, 2024 by salooper57

Some people think of church as if it were a spiritual or emotional filling station. I’m running low, so I’d better go to church, or I won’t make it through the week. But that makes it all about me, which makes worship impossible. Continue reading →

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Incomparable Power (Ephesians 1:19-23)

Posted on October 23, 2024 by salooper57

What are “the believing” believing? In my experience, many people who profess belief in God have little more than a blur or smear of religious thoughts – some quite pagan – about a God who is generally nice and will look after us and take us to heaven when we die. Continue reading →

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Understanding God’s Inheritance in the Saints

Posted on October 10, 2024 by salooper57

When we look at the saints, we see old Mrs. Smudge, who can never manage to put her lipstick on straight … and John Washout, who has failed spectacularly at everything he ever put his hand to. And they – how easy it is to forget – see us. It sure doesn’t seem like glory that we are seeing. Continue reading →

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The Power of Wisdom and Revelation for Believers

Posted on October 3, 2024 by salooper57

Let’s not misread that, as if Paul had written, “the hope of your calling.” This calling is not full of hope because we receive it but because God issues it. Continue reading →

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Baptism (sermon video)

Posted on August 4, 2024 by salooper57

When you think about it, that is a strange thing to do. “You want to begin a new life? That’s fantastic! Let’s stick your head under water.” Continue reading →

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How to Find Freedom From Anger

Posted on May 25, 2024 by salooper57

A professor at the University of Texas once gave students an unusual assignment: if you have ever thought about killing someone, write an essay about it. 91 percent of the men and 84 percent of the women handed in detailed, … Continue reading →

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Ascension Day: It Matters More Than You Know

Posted on May 11, 2024 by salooper57

In 1925, Pope Pious XI introduced “The Feast of Christ the King” into the liturgical calendar. It came on the last Sunday of October which, metaphorically speaking, is the no-man’s land of the church calendar. In 1970, Pope Paul VI … Continue reading →

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Churches: Go Small to Get Big Results

Posted on May 4, 2024 by salooper57

My wife and I have worshiped in some very large churches over the past six months. Thousands of people flood their campuses each Sunday. Their worship leaders are professional musicians. Their pastors are great communicators and exceptional leaders. I enjoyed … Continue reading →

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A Biblical Model for Handling Church Conflicts

Posted on December 30, 2023 by salooper57

Anyone who has been around the church for any length of time has heard about church fights and church splits. Christians, it seems, are not much better than anyone else when it comes to handling conflict. They might even be … Continue reading →

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Saying Farewell to the Church We Love

Posted on November 3, 2023 by salooper57

This past Sunday, I finished up my work as the lead pastor at Lockwood Community Church in Coldwater, MI. I have been in this role, in this place, with these people for 35 years. I did not end my service … Continue reading →

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