Category Archives: Church

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit: What Is It About?

Posted on April 25, 2026 by salooper57

What does the baptism with the Spirit accomplish? Three things primarily. First, the baptism of the Spirit unites us to Christ. The Spirit is the vital connection between Christ and us, conveying his life to us and making us resurrectable (Romans 8:11). Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Church, Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual life, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

You Need a Theology of Suffering

Posted on April 18, 2026 by salooper57

The American church, which lacks adequate theologies of both suffering and prospering, does not know how to instruct, comfort, or admonish those who are experiencing one or the other. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Church, Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual life, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Ministry of Jacks and Queens

Posted on April 4, 2026 by salooper57

Ancient Greeks thought that serving others was demeaning, which is why the Sophist asked, “How can a man be happy when he has to serve someone?” But Christians believed that serving others was a mark of greatness. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Church, Church Life, Encouragement, Faith, Mission, Spiritual life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is This How Christians Can Reach the World?

Posted on March 21, 2026 by salooper57

We want to keep our dignity in place and our options open—and dignity and options are not characteristic of slaves and servants. (Or so people think who have never been slaves and servants.) Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Church, Church Life, Faith, Lifestyle, Mission, Spiritual life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

War in Iran: Déjà Vu All Over Again

Posted on March 14, 2026 by salooper57

…most Americans are completely unaware of the rich history of Christian thinking regarding what constitutes a just war. And that nearly guarantees that we will keep finding ourselves back in the same unhappy place. Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Church, In the News, Worldview and Culture | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When Jesus Blew the Apostles’ Minds (John 4)

Posted on January 31, 2026 by salooper57

As she lowered her container into the well, she would have kept an eye on him. You can’t trust a Jew, she would be thinking. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Church, Faith, Peace with God, relationships, Theology, Worldview and Culture | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

I Wasn’t Seeing Myself Accurately

Posted on January 24, 2026 by salooper57

Most of the photos were candids, though a few were posed. It was at least a month before I saw the pictures and, when I did, I was surprised by what I saw … of myself. Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Church, Church Life, Faith, relationships, Spiritual life, Truthfulness | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Closer to those Outside the Church

Posted on November 30, 2025 by salooper57

Watch a TV sitcom and see if that is how married couples are portrayed. My guess is that you will find just the opposite: the women treat their husbands like fools and the men don’t know their wives at all, and don’t want to. But that’s not just TV; it’s real life – your neighbors’ and coworkers’ lives. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Church, Church Life, Encouragement, Faith, Family, Marriage and Family, Mission, Sermons, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Closer to Each Other (Ephesians 4:25-32)

Posted on November 26, 2025 by salooper57

In the Bible, the Holy Spirit is especially concerned with/connected to/impacted by how a person speaks. If a Christian is unaware of the Holy Spirit in her life, the first thing she should do is check on what kind of speech is coming out of her mouth. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Church, Church Life, Encouragement, Faith, Sermons | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Should We Drop the Confession of Sin (and Buy a Hazer)?

Posted on November 1, 2025 by salooper57

From within my own body, looking out of my own eyes, I can appear spotless—or at least “good enough.” But I do not see myself as I really am. For that, I need your eyes, and especially God’s eyes. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Church, Faith, Peace with God, Prayer, Spiritual life, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment