Category Archives: Faith

How to Avoid End Times Deceptions

Posted on February 11, 2023 by salooper57

Don’t be motivated by fear. False prophets play on people’s fears while Christ’s genuine spokespeople encourage their hope. Fearful people are a charlatan’s best friend. Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Committed to the World (1 Peter 2:9-12)

Posted on February 5, 2023 by salooper57

The Christian’s commitment to the world is multifaceted. It includes a commitment to people’s welfare, to justice, and more, but it is rooted in the commitment to Christ. One aspect of our commitment to the world is our intention to … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Mission, Sermons | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Understanding Jesus: Why He Groaned

Posted on February 4, 2023 by salooper57

A great cast of characters in literature groan. Romeo groans in his love for fair Juliet. Huck Finn’s pap, with enough whiskey for “two drinks and one delirium tremens,” groans and moans and thrashes about. Jack London’s tyrannical Sea Wolf … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Faith, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Forgiveness (Following Christ Today)

Posted on January 31, 2023 by salooper57

These classes are all about what it means to follow Christ today, but we are not following Christ when we refuse to forgive; we are standing still. So many of us have trouble with this, but forgiveness – and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Church Life, Following Christ Today (Class), Prayer, relationships | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Faith: It Is Not to Be Taken Lightly

Posted on January 28, 2023 by salooper57

The Pulitzer Prize winning author Annie Dillard once asked, “Why do people in church seem like cheerful, brainless tourists on a packaged tour of the Absolute? … Does anyone have the foggiest idea what sort of power we blithely invoke? … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Lifestyle, Spiritual life, Theology, Worldview and Culture | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Forgive Him (#2): Following Christ Today

Posted on January 24, 2023 by salooper57

The church of Jesus Christ was intended to be a society of forgiveness, modelling God’s forgiven in its relationships with others. This is a chief way the gospel is conveyed. Yet, we are not very good at forgiving. One reason … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Church, Church Life, Family, Following Christ Today (Class), Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Seven Reasons to Commit to Christ (Col. 1:15-20)

Posted on January 15, 2023 by salooper57

This message was especially encouraging to people. If it encourages you, please let me know by leaving a comment. – Shayne The vision statement at Lockwood Church describes the reality we hope to see in this way: Committed: to Christ, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Encouragement, Faith, Sermons, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Christian View of Wealth: A nuanced perspective from Jesus

Posted on January 14, 2023 by salooper57

Reading time: approximately 4 minutes. What is the Christian view of wealth? I don’t ask about the “religious view” of wealth because I am not qualified to present the views of other religions. Perhaps I should not even speak of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Spiritual life | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Telescoping Reality (Luke 2:1-14)

Posted on January 1, 2023 by salooper57

Have you seen a telescoping spyglass? There is a wide cylinder in which a narrower cylinder rests, in which a yet narrower cylinder rests, and perhaps several more. I think our view of reality is likewise telescoping. We live in the narrow end and view our world through the lens of our own experiences. But we and our experiences are contained within a family circle, and our family circle exists within a community, and our community exists within a nation, and our nation exists within a world. Continue reading →

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

Does God Want You to Be Happy?

Posted on December 31, 2022 by salooper57

In his classic story, The Last Battle, C. S. Lewis has the great Lion, the Christ figure Aslan, say to the story’s protagonists, “You do not yet look so happy as I mean you to be.” Perhaps Lewis put these words in the Christ figure’s mouth because he realized that this was the kind of thing the true Christ was saying to him. Continue reading →

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