Category Archives: Encouragement

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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Mary Knew Who (No, it’s not a Dr. Seuss Story)

Posted on December 19, 2024 by salooper57

But when you don’t know Who, Why can ground you into dust. Why, God, did you allow this to happen to me? Why did you let my wife suffer this illness? Why let the business I work for close down? Why make me the way you did? Why? Why? Why? Continue reading →

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A Case in Point: Christmas and the Competence of God

Posted on December 14, 2024 by salooper57

If God were to write a resume, what kinds of things might he include on it? One thing is for certain: it would not be like any other resume ever written. Who else has worked as a universe creator, galaxy-spinner, nuclear engineer, quantum mechanic, genetics specialist, wind-maker, earth-shaker, sky-walker, life-giver? Continue reading →

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Holy Communion: What Is All It About?

Posted on December 12, 2024 by salooper57

“For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself” (1 Cor. 11:29, KJV). If that verse has ever scared you (or some pastor has scared you with that verse), you might want to read this sermon. Continue reading →

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Created to Worship

Posted on November 28, 2024 by salooper57

The Fall of Adam shattered us. It broke our relationship with God and with each other. It damaged our ability to think. Our mind and will and emotions are all out of order. Humanity suffers a kind of spiritual PTSD to this day. If you think there might be something wrong with you, you are not mistaken. You are suffering from “The Fall.” Continue reading →

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He Is Able (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Posted on November 22, 2024 by salooper57

You want God to get you out of a tough spot. He’s planning on getting you into heaven. You want to avoid embarrassment. God is planning on bringing glory down on your head. You want your kid to be okay. He wants your kid to be amazing. Continue reading →

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God Wants to Empower You (Ephesians 3:14-17)

Posted on November 14, 2024 by salooper57

I’ve met parents who do not empower their children, even when they are twenty or thirty years old. I could almost believe they preferred their children to remain weak so they could control them. God is not that kind of parent. He wants his children to become strong. Continue reading →

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