Category Archives: Encouragement

There Is Love: The Amazing Promise of the Resurrection

Posted on May 7, 2025 by salooper57

“Death used to be an executioner, but the gospel has made him just a gardener.”

But what a gardener! When he plants those who belong to Jesus, they rise with a splendor that is indescribable, unspeakable, and full of glory. Continue reading →

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Changing Evil for Good, Darkness for Light, Bitterness for Sweet

Posted on April 26, 2025 by salooper57

They acted decisively to stamp out the menace. And when they were done, they had stamped him into the ground, into a hole in the ground; and they buried him there. As far as they were concerned, the fire of extremism had been snuffed out. Continue reading →

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Potential, Choice, and the Cost of Being Real

Posted on April 12, 2025 by salooper57

I have paid (and continue to pay) the piper of potentiality. What I have received for that payment has been me—not a potential me, but the real-deal, existential me. I hope I’ve been worth the price. Continue reading →

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The End of All Things: It’s Near

Posted on April 2, 2025 by salooper57

When Peter tells us to love each other, he knows it will be a stretch for us. It will take us out of our comfort zone, but that is where people usually meet God. Continue reading →

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Eveready (video)

Posted on March 27, 2025 by salooper57

This is our hope. Every other hope in humanity’s history, whether religious (think Islam or Buddhism), humanistic (think socialism or communism), or scientific (think Peter Thiel and Elon Musk) pales before the grand hope that is ours. Continue reading →

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Is Your Gospel Missing Something?

Posted on March 22, 2025 by salooper57

I was afraid of the Judgment. I don’t need to search far to find things that I have said, thought, and done that exposed me as a sinner—and sometimes a fool. The idea that all that will be revealed—how could anyone speak of that as good news? Continue reading →

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Example, Savior, Shepherd

Posted on March 13, 2025 by salooper57

My answer, the Catholic’s answer, and the mainline church member’s answer are not all the same. That’s alright. Neither I, the Catholic, or the mainline church member are saved by having the right answers. If we’re saved at all, it’s because the Answerer has us – Jesus who died for us and rose again. Continue reading →

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What Christians Need to Know in Times of Trial

Posted on March 1, 2025 by salooper57

… it is important to remember that it is our faith that is being tested, not our worth or strength, or any such thing. Will we trust God? That is the question. Continue reading →

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Guys, Where Are We?

Posted on February 22, 2025 by salooper57

We are between D-Day and VJ Day. Gettysburg is past, but Appomattox is still in the future. … we live between the turning point and the victory … between the triumph of the cross (see Colossians 2:15) and the return of the King. Continue reading →

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The In-Betweeners

Posted on February 8, 2025 by salooper57

They live in that strange land between the already and the not yet, between what is and what should be. The pressure here is like that of gravity. Often it goes unnoticed, but sometimes it slams you to the ground. Continue reading →

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