Category Archives: relationships

On the Razor’s Edge: The Church and the Sexual Morality Debate

Posted on June 24, 2023 by salooper57

Offended by the violence and discrimination, [the Church] may compromise long-held convictions by choosing to believe the Bible does not prohibit same-sex sexual relationships. Or it may join the culture warriors and make a do-or-die stand against LGBTQ advances. Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, In the News, Lifestyle, relationships, What the Bible Has to Say to American Culture, Worldview and Culture | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Things My Dad Didn’t Mean to Teach Me: A Tribute (of Sorts)

Posted on June 10, 2023 by salooper57

My dad taught me a lot of things, some intentionally, but most inadvertently. In the intentional column were things like how to tie an improved cinch knot, how to change a tire, and how to bowl. He taught me how … Continue reading →

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Forgiveness: Doing What Cannot Be Done

Posted on May 21, 2023 by salooper57

Jesus said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks will come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the … Continue reading →

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How to Do What Can’t Be Done (Philippians 4)

Posted on May 14, 2023 by salooper57

Some of the things that need to be done to make our relationships healthy are things we cannot do. But they are things we could do if we learned how to live “in the Lord.” The New Testament uses that … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Church, Encouragement, Marriage and Family, relationships, Sermons, Spiritual life | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Next Great Awakening: From a “Me Society” to an “Us Community”

Posted on April 29, 2023 by salooper57

In 1976, Tom Wolfe published, “The Me Decade and the Third Great Awakening,” in New York Magazine. I find Wolfe’s style painful to read (there are 103 exclamation points in this article) but his cultural analysis was impressive. He detected … Continue reading →

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The Me Generation (What the Bible Has to Say to American Culture)

Posted on April 25, 2023 by salooper57

Tom Wolfe coined the phrase “The Me Decade.” That quickly evolved into “the Me Generation.” Time Magazine referred to millennials as “The Me, Me Generation.” Let’s face it: we are now a “Me Society.” In this class, we think about … Continue reading →

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Alien Residents (1 Peter 2:11-12)

Posted on April 23, 2023 by salooper57

In 1 Peter 2:11, Peter calls the people of Jesus “foreigners and exiles.” They have green cards. They’re here on work and student visas. It is not their ambition to settle down, though if they can make this a better … Continue reading →

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Finding the Right Pastor: Insights from the Bible

Posted on April 22, 2023 by salooper57

In 2023, I will finish my work at the church I have served for decades. My wife and I love our church and want it to flourish after we move on. So, of course, we want the next pastor to … Continue reading →

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The Importance of Belonging: Repairing the Foundational Rupture in Relationships

Posted on February 25, 2023 by salooper57

Picture eight or so sixth-grade boys, playing football on a narrow strip of grass between two houses. A laundry pole marks one end zone and the sidewalk marks the other. The football has gone into the busy street repeatedly, worrying … Continue reading →

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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 →

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