Category Archives: Encouragement

Peeling the Onion of Fear: How Christ Reclaims the Human Heart

Posted on October 3, 2026 by salooper57

I am still peeling the onion of my fears. I’ve been at it for a lifetime, and I expect it will take a little longer than that. Currently, I am trying to peel away the layer called claustrophobia. (I had a small victory: I got into an MRI machine, which is something I swore I would never do!) Continue reading →

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

The God Who Isn’t Finished: Hope for Those Who Think It’s Too Late

Posted on September 26, 2026 by salooper57

I saw B in a Walmart a few months after her mother died. I turned down an aisle and caught a glimpse of her at the other end. I thought that I should go and speak to her, but I chickened out and slinked into a different aisle. Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Encouragement, Faith, Peace with God, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Way. Truth. Life. (John 14:1-6)

Posted on September 23, 2026 by salooper57

… the call to trust Jesus doesn’t usually come when everything is going smoothly; it comes when our world gets rocked. It’s when something bad happens to our kid and we’re going out of our minds with worry, that Jesus says: “I’ve got this. I’ve got you. Trust me.” Continue reading →

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

Why We Underestimate Ourselves—and Why God Doesn’t

Posted on August 29, 2026 by salooper57

You and I are ideas – God’s ideas – whose time is yet to come. When it does, everyone will be amazed—and no one more than you and me! Continue reading →

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

I Am the Resurrection (Part 1) – John 11:1-16

Posted on August 26, 2026 by salooper57

In the first century, every Jew understood what resurrection is, even those who denied it was a real thing. Resurrection was the end-of-the-age, God-staged event in which all people who have ever lived come back to life. How could Jesus claim to be that? Continue reading →

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

Jesus said: “I Am the Door” (John 10:1-10)

Posted on August 19, 2026 by salooper57

When Eddie came to Jesus, he thought that having fun was a thing of the past. From now on it would be Bible reading, prayer, and boring church services until he died and went to heaven. Continue reading →

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

Good Shepherd 2 (John 10:11-18)

Posted on August 16, 2026 by salooper57

Being mistaken for my brother was one thing. Being confused with the dog was another. (It’s true that we both had big feet and voracious appetites, and as I got older and let my hair and beard grow, I started to look like him. But still…) Continue reading →

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

Why Didn’t He Just Say No? (Acts 7)

Posted on August 15, 2026 by salooper57

Why not deny the allegations, expose the false witnesses, and get back to life and ministry? When the high priest asked if the charges were true, why did Stephen not answer, “No”? Why launch into a rambling sermon on the history of Israel? Continue reading →

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

When Jesus Looks at You, What Does He See?

Posted on August 8, 2026 by salooper57

Jesus was neither maudlin nor manipulative. When he looked at people, he saw them for who they really were and responded appropriately. Continue reading →

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

The Art of Living Backwards

Posted on July 25, 2026 by salooper57

the most important thing in your life happened in someone else’s life. Continue reading →

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