Category Archives: Faith

The Key to the Good Life

Posted on February 17, 2018 by salooper57

The good life is all about good relationships. Our most serious problems and our greatest accomplishments involve relationships. Studies have repeatedly shown that good relationships contribute more to happiness than success, and bad relationships contribute more to unhappiness than failure. … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Lifestyle, Marriage and Family | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide?

Posted on February 3, 2018 by salooper57

The U.S. Department of the Treasury maintains three gift funds, one of which is known as the “Conscience Fund,” established in 1811. The name stuck after the Civil War when a former Army quartermaster who had misappropriated funds sent a … Continue reading →

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Churches as Contempt-free and Condemnation-free Zones

Posted on January 27, 2018 by salooper57

It is generally acknowledged that our society has become increasingly mean-spirited. Unless today’s politician is chronically incensed and habitually scornful, no one will take him or her seriously. The so-called “liberal elite” are famously contemptuous: that conservatives are morally-challenged dimwits … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Christianity, Lifestyle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

More Links Do Not Make a Stronger Chain

Posted on January 20, 2018 by salooper57

A fellow-juror once told me, at the conclusion of a trial, that he really enjoyed jury duty. I could see how he might say he appreciated the American system of justice, or how he counted it an honor to serve, … Continue reading →

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

Prequels and Sequels: Christmas in Retrospect

Posted on January 5, 2018 by salooper57

“You better watch out, you better not cry; Better not pout, I’m telling you why: Santa Claus is comin’ to town. He’s making a list and checking it twice, gonna find out who’s naughty and nice. Santa Claus is comin’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Faith, Peace with God, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Christmas Story for Grown-Ups

Posted on December 23, 2017 by salooper57

Most Christmas story books are for kids. They either tell a story that has almost nothing to do with the first Christmas – think, A Christmas Carol, for example, or Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer – or they whitewash the first … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

e-Christianity and the e-Christians it Produces

Posted on December 16, 2017 by salooper57

Work schedule getting in the way of church? Don’t like the preacher? Out too late on Saturday night and unable to get up for Sunday service? No worries. There’s always e-Church. You can do church online: stream services, listen to … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Church, Lifestyle | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Increasingly Irreligious America (It’s Not All Bad)

Posted on December 9, 2017 by salooper57

Two Muslim men once came to our Sunday worship service. The morning’s Scripture text, from the Book of Genesis, featured the story of Abraham’s visit to Egypt. Muslims revere Abraham and regard him as one of the special messengers God … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Faith, In the News | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

America Needs a Workable Sexual Ethic

Posted on December 2, 2017 by salooper57

Not Matt Lauer too. I liked Matt Lauer. He seemed like a down-to-earth guy, someone who enjoyed his work and was good at it. Unlike some of the people on television, I never felt like Matt Lauer thought he was … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, In the News, Lifestyle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Which Bible Translation Should I Use?

Posted on November 10, 2017 by salooper57

Church members often ask pastors the same questions again and again. One of the more frequent ones, with a preamble, goes something like this: “Pastor, I need to get a new Bible. What would you recommend?” It’s no wonder people … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christianity, Theology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments